Our happily ever after

The happiest days of my life: The ones on which each of my 6 children were born, the day I married my husband. And then, today. Since childhood I've dreamed of land. Land of my own, in the countryside, on which my family's roots would be planted and grow deep.

As my header describes, nine months ago our family moved from the urban to the very rural. This farm we're renting is wonderful, but isn't ours. So, it is with GREAT and tremendous joy that I share our news: Our little (well, kinda big) family is moving, one final time. To our very own piece of glorious land.

It is here in North Idaho, a perfect place for our family. I love it here! Our new home isn't very far from the one we're renting now. It is a humble, neglected fixer-upper sitting on 10 dreamy acres of pasture, some flat, some gracefully sloping. There is a small pond, fencing, and outbuildings. Every bit of it exploding with potential.

We're so excited! Beyond excited- ecstatic, thrilled, blissed out. There is so much work to be done! Hard work for our family to undertake together, a homestead to build up. The possibilities keep my husband and me up late into the night. Oh, the food we will grow! How long will it take us to be self sufficient in our produce? How soon can we get an orchard and berry bushes begun? There's already a perfect pasture for cattle. And one needing a little fence work that we could fill with sheep! Goats! Pigs! Turkeys! Alpacas! Or!? We'll fence off the pond and the ducks will be in heaven. We've got our garden spot picked out, and the kids' snow sledding hill.

Our own USDA inspected butchering facility! Organic certification! A booth at the farmers market! A store front! The possibilities are endless, and endlessly thrilling.

And on top of it all, our children will grow up on the land being nourished by the foods we grow there.

Oh what a dream come true. 


Step one: Purchase land. Be really giddy.
Check.

Step two: Haul away loads of broken glass shards, of which there is much all over the property.

Step three: Scrub all surfaces in the house with disinfectant.

Step four: THEN invite the younger kids out to play while we work.

Step five: Live (and work) happily ever after.



Ps. Today I saw the very first barn swallow of the season! Returned from their winter's journey. Ah, life is good. Thank you God. Thank you, thank you, thank you.