We Bought a Farm: What our mud room looks like with 15 people here

 "Organizing is what you do before you do something, so that when you do it, it is not all mixed up." A.A. Milne

I absolutely LOVE LOVE LOVE our mudroom in our house. The room didn't even exist before. It was a porch. But it has revolutionized our home. 

A quick reminder: we bought a farm that we loved that came with a house. From the outside, it looked beautiful. But the inside truly frustrated me. 

I'd lived in many homes that didn't quite "work" for me. But I knew they were all temporary, and I did my best with what we had for the time we had it.

But this time, I knew this house was, most likely, forever. And that was so hard for me.

I mean, how in the world do you build a farm house and not put in a closet on the first floor?! We live on a farm for crying out loud. Surely this is a requirement?

But it matched many things in the house pre-flood. So many things just didn't work right. They didn't fit right. We'd say: "Why do you think they did that?" or "Why don't you think they did that?" 

And then we renovated. And top of my list: a mud room! I wanted a room that could hold all the things we needed on a farm. I never owned a pair of boots before we started farming and I definitely didn't understand the need for so many coats. But weather is a key ingredient in our life here. Some days require warm boots. Some require cool boots. Sometimes your boots get too wet to wear the following day. You might need a heavy coat. You might need a light one. You might need water proof gloves. You might not.

So these pictures above feature our mud room. We have eight lockers: one for each of us, one for our visitors/wwoofers, and one for the grandparents. The Kotynski family also has a section in the back when they are here. 

The other day we had the entire Kotynski family here, our family, and two wwoofers: Jacob and Alexa. That makes fifteen people total. Believe it or not, we all ate together too! That's a lot of folks. 

However, I thought it important to show that despite the pretty baskets and the fact that the "core" of this room is organized, there are days when the room still takes a beating. It isn't going to look like a perfect picture from a fancy magazine all the time. Sometimes I get it there. But more often, the room is being used. It is serving it's purpose. I mean what do you expect from a room that has MUD in the title?

Remember folks: get organized. Get your house in gear. But it has to be lived in. If you come and visit my house, you'll find organization. But you'll find reality. The truths of our life and what that means at that given time.

Just keepin' it real,

Sin Ripples

 "There is a charm about the forbidden that makes it unspeakably desirable." Mark Twain

If you think you can sin and that the sin you commit will only affect YOU, think again.

Don't get me wrong. As I write about this, do not misinterpret what I am saying.

I know that I sin. I know that I have done evil. I know that my sin affects others. What I do affects others every single day. I am selfish. I am jealous. I am manipulative. I lose my temper. I will not even begin to say I do not sin or that anyone else's sin is worse than mine.

But when you are physically impacted by someone else's choices, it really resonates deeply. 

I am sitting here exhausted beyond belief right now. My husband is working his tale off. My in-laws have had to change their entire plans this winter. All because some adults in our life decided that their sin would only affect them. Or they didn't care. I don't know which. I don't know what they were thinking. I am not sure how you can make the choices they did without realizing the rippling affect it would have. 

But they made them. Because someone my husband worked with made the choice he did, John had to pick up five extra shifts this month. My Abigail is crying today because she feels she hasn't seen her Daddy. And I'm crying because I am yelling because I feel alone and like I am doing life completely solo.

Sin ripples.

None of us should forget that.

 

My story in print!!!!!

 "The topic of infertility isn't your typical girlfriend conversation. It's personal, private, and painful. That's why many women who experience infertility feel isolated and alone." 

My excitement about this book above canNOT be put into words. This book is what I have hoped for and dreamed of since I first heard the word "infertility" in a doctor's office in Rochester, Minnesota. 

Even more amazing is how many women I know who have written inside this book. One of them is a lady many of you know through this blog: Joni! Her infertility story is one of unimaginable pain and joy that truly did not come the next morning. In fact, it was Joni who introduced me to Crystal Bowman -- a famous children's author -- who was the force behind this book coming to be.

Another friend, LaShea, details her story for the first time publicly -- a story that never ends up with the miracle baby inside her womb but instead the children God always intended to be her's. 

I am asking ALL OF YOU to please take a moment AND BUY THIS BOOK. In fact, consider buying TWO. One to keep. One to share!!!

You can buy a book by clicking here!

And here's some more about this powerful book:

At last—there’s a book that offers all of that and more. Mothers in Waiting—Healing and Hope for Those with Empty Arms, is a collection of 30 stories from women ages 30-65. Every woman in this book has a story to tell. Besides sharing her experience with infertility, each contributor also shares the emotional and physical struggles she endured during her painful journey to motherhood. But the writers do not leave us without hope. They also share where they found strength and courage to rise above disappointment and heartache. And most importantly, the women share a Scripture verse that carried them though and brought them to a place of trusting a God who loves them and has a plan for their lives. The variety of contributors and stories allows the book to reach a very broad audience. As one woman wrote: infertility encompasses so much more than not being able to conceive. The book includes stories of miscarriage, infant loss, adoption, IVF procedures, foster care, and more. The goal of the book is to let women know they are not alone in their painful journey to become a mom. The contributors walk alongside each reader with sympathy and understanding, as well as offering hope from God’s Word. 

 

We Bought a Farm: This is how we school here

 "Teaching children about the. natural world should be seen as one of the most important events in their lives." Thomas Berry

My cousin Hannah Grace took these photos of "the littles" out during PE time no the farm. Eoin (6), Genevieve (5), and Abigail (5) embracing nature and just enjoying a cold but beautifully sunny day. 

We have a new farm volunteer on the farm. I had a long talk with her today. I told her I am done concerning myself with the state of our world. I am going to be a blessing in my little corner of the world. I'm going to invite individuals to share in our life here. We are going to be kind and happy and welcoming people. And we are just going to enjoy our life and LIVE.

Truly, somedays I miss the big city life that I grew up with. I miss the different flavors of food and the different colors of people and the pace and the styles and the diversity. But I also know that I cannot ever move back to urban life. Rural life is where I belong. Mostly it is where my children belong.

However, it is also important to remember that being more rural does not make me more spiritual. Eating locally doesn't make me more spiritual. Homeschooling doesn't make me more spiritual. Jesus makes me more spiritual. Wherever you are ... whatever you are doing ... do it for Jesus,

 

Connors come back to the farm!

John & Becky and their family have visited our farm many times. They have been here with us for some wonderful times and some hard times -- like saying good bye to Scrubs down and having Sidge bust open his mouth. I looked back to see some of the visits that we have had with this great family! I'm sure I have missed some, but here's what I could track on my Blog:

• Tarsus 2011
• First visit to the farm! July 2015
• Thanksgiving with the Connors 2016
• I visit them in NC (I can't find this post but I know I did it!)
• Connors visit and help us build a closet August 2017
• Saying good bye to Scrubs April 2016
• Visiting Connors in DC April 2018
• John & Becky adopt Ruby! June 2018

Anyways, John couldn't make it this time, but Becky and the boys drove down with their pup Ruby! Ruby is one of the Kitsteiner puppies so we were so excited to have her. HOLY COW is she a smart dog. What a whip!!! Here are some pictures from our time of adventure:

 

I did not get a picture of Becky but I should have. She has lost a TON of weight and folks, she looks AMAZING. But I did get one of our six miracle children!!!

The dogs did great! Here's Ruby playing with her dad.

Both dogs needing a breathing break.

Ruby -- ain't she pretty. She is considered a "red tri" or "liver" version of the Aussie.

The kids have found a favorite spot in the woods where they are making a fort. (Yes, Sidge is holding a hatchet!) That's Sidge on the left with Gabe (above) and Joshua. One of the days they were out there for THREE hours. Arabelle always goes with them just in case a predator wanted to pop by for a visit. 

Everyone came out for a "paddock party" as we like to call them! Lots of setting up and taking down. Joshua and Jonah and Becky did fantastic and were a ton of help!

Younger brother Joni with Ritter!

There was a TON of rain while they were at the farm but thankfully it wasn't very cold and we could be outside in what was mostly just very wet and muddy ground.

You an't really see it in this picture, but Jonah is an UH-mazing artist. Like really, really talented!!! This was a school lesson JB did on carnivorous plants. John had all the kids design their own carnivorous plant after the lesson. 

Here is Gabe and Joshua with their plants. This was the first time we let "visitors" pop into our homeschool day and it worked wonderfully! I was so thankful to see that we could keep doing our normal thing with other kids squeezing in to the things they liked! 

We Bought a Farm: The People That Join Us

 "Everyone you will ever meet knows something you don't." Bill Nye

You must listen to this gal's voice. It's so great! If you want to hear one of her songs on youtube, you can do so here. She actually has a new record deal which is really exciting! 

It's been awhile since we've had any wwoofers here with us. Our old friend/wwoofer, Jacob, has been staying with us for many months as he looks to relocate to the area, and with the Kotynski family also in the area helping, I didn't find it necessary to bring anyone in. 

However, I kept our profile current on the wwoof website and workaway and just decided that if someone jumped out at me, I'd ask them to come. Alexa contacted me a few weeks ago, and she seemed like a great fit. She's a musician and lives nearby (Asheville) and just wanted to stay during the week and return to her music on the weekends. She had a degree in sustainable agriculture that she hadn't really used and wanted to get into working the land.

So she's here helping us on the farm. But just as exciting, she's spending time with the kiddos in the house teaching them music, performing for them, and also teaching the girls some basic knitting!

Here are some pictures of music and knitting lessons at the Kitsteiner farm! Not only did we have our nine normal kiddos here, but my sister-in-law, Elizabeth, was here for part of the day with her boys as well.

 

My cool ride

 

My brand new vehicle is having issues. Some sensor on something. We will probably end up trading it in, but for now, they want to try and fix it. (I’m going to refrain from discussing my frustration regarding problems with a new vehicle.)

So they needed to keep it for two days minimum. Tuesday is my big day. We had gymnastics from12-1 and then a 1pm appointment for vehicle and then speech at 3:15 and Hannah ballet at 5, Abigail ballet from 6-7:30 while the boys do karate downstairs. 

Okay so I obviously couldn’t go vehicle-less. They managed to get me this super awesome 15-passenger van. The rental lady told me I was the customer-of-the-month for being willing to drive it. I didn’t really see what option I had honestly. 

The kids think it’s awesome.

I think: 

#icantbelievethisismylife

.

We Bought a Farm: Ohhhhh the Mud!!!!

 "You pray for rain, you gotta deal with the mud too. That's a part of it." Denzel Washington

Oh the mudddddddd!!!! It has been raining and raining here on the farm lately. Now, the rain has mostly stopped, butthe entire farm is covered in mud. Our friends are in town (Becky and her boys! Pictures to come!) and so we wanted to be outside. 

As soon as the rain stopped, all the kids headed outside. My kids have found a new spot in the woods that they have named "New Zealand." They are building a fort and climbing rocks and walking through the tiny creek. 

Unfortunately, the kids traipsed through the creek and got water everywhere. And once your boots are wet, you are sort of "up a creek." The kids were going through multiple pairs of boots and as a last resort, I made a huge pile and pointed a fan on them overnight to try and dry them out!

Poor Sidge went to go and feed the chickens. He was soooo frustrated. He fell three times in the mud. We move our animals continually, but when rain starts, you can't move the egg-mobile which means we are stuck in mud. The third time he fell, he dropped the egg bucket and half the eggs and just lost his emotions. Rain and mud will really wear you down!

 

Hannah's School Work

My very favorite part of this picture is the part that asks Hannah what she wants to be and she says "Work With My Dad." So, so sweet!!!

 

Two Family Homeschool: Anni Teaches Art & Sign

"Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see." Mark Twain

Anni came to visit us on Wednesday -- a homeschool day -- and we were able to learn about a deaf artist: Chuch Baird. He makes paintings where the actual sign comes alive with what he draws. 

This is the sign for cat with a cat in the piece!

This is the sign for bear, holding a bear.

Isaac did a recreation of the "Bear" photo with his own favorite: Blue Bear. I just love this photo

We absolutely LOVE having guests at our homeschool days so that we can let the share their gifts and passions with all of us!

 

Our little fashionista

"You cannot climb the ladder of success dressed in the costume of failure." Zig Ziglar

I have absolutely NO idea where Hannah got her dress-up-ness from. I am not into style. I don't primp in front of the mirror. I have very little interest in jewelry or clothing. Her big sister doesn't either. But Hannah, from the time she was little, just loves it. It is so fun to watch what she comes up with. I very rarely edit her clothing choices. I just let her be. The day we read the Advent at church she chose red sparkly Dorothy shoes, and John questioned her choice and I said, "It's Hannah. No one would expect any less."

 

Getting my act in gear

"Food is the most widely abused anti-anxiety drug in America, and exercise is the most potent yet underutilized antidepressant." Bill Phillips

I often talk about how this blog only tells part of the story. There is so much story that I don't share. It's why you have to be careful when you see what someone presents as truth. There is always way more below the surface. The truth is never completely out there.

I don't know if I have ever really spoken about body image and my weight before on this Blog. Honestly, for much of the history of my writing, it was never an issue so I never discussed it. 

But recently, it's become a "thing" for me, and I've decided that in my normal of "keepin' it real" I'm gonna go ahead and share this.

In college with my roommate, Kristi.

For the first 36 years of my life, I never once dealt with my weight. I don't say that to rub anyone's face in anything. It was simply a combination of the genetic lottery I had won (tall and thin) and the path my life had taken (athletics.) When I left for college I was 6'3" and weighed 155 pounds. I spent much of my college years trying to gain weight, eating as much as I could in hopes I could get bigger. At the most, I may have hit 180. ("Overweight" for my height is 200 according to the charts.)

I got married, and I started coaching, but I continued to be able to eat whatever I wanted and was incredibly active. 

A short time after having Elijah "Sidge". I weighed 211 pounds when I had Sidge.

The picture above is after I had Elijah "Sidge". Despite a traumatic birth and an ileus that caused my bowels to shut down, I still lost the weight relatively quickly and easily. 

Days before Abigail's arrival in Germany.

But then I had Abigail and I struggled to lose the weight. I got back down to my "normal" (175 pounds), and then I got pregnant with Hannah. Prior to Hannah's birth, I became incredibly depressed, and I dropped to the lowest I have been since high school (165). 

The famous jeans!

The "wake-up" moment for me came about a year after Hannah was born. I tried to put on a pair of jeans and could not get them on. I must not have lost all my baby weight. But then I saw a picture of myself in the blue jeans that I had on after she was born. I had been wearing them.

At my previously highest weight: 195

So last fall I decided that I had to get my act together. I went out of town to visit my friend Angelica, and afterwards, I contacted my sister-in-law, Danielle. At the time I was closing in on 200 pounds and just not feeling good about myself. After Danielle helped me, I successfully got back to about 180 and felt great!

At 180 after working hard on Danielle's plan.

See those jeans in the picture above? I currently canNOT fit into those jeans. I'd post the photo of me in the jeans, but it's not appropriate for the Blog since I can't zip my pants. I am now "weigh" past my previous high of 195 and have hit 210!

My eating is not just a problem because of weight. It has become a "thing" for me. I have never struggled with soda, but it has become my favorite thing to drink. When I am having a hard day or get some time for myself, I want a soda and a candy bar. I don't know where I shifted my thinking, but I know it's a mental thing for me, and it's time to shift it back. 

So today ... January 1, 2019, I am turning over a new leaf. I know what I need to do to get my weight where it is supposed to be. I don't talk about this around my daughters AT ALL. I don't want them to think it is about what you look like. What it is about is how I FEEL. I don't feel good. I feel frumpy. None of my clothes fit me. And it's because I've been eating horribly. 

Today, I start anew. I will keep you posted on how I am doing, but here is my goal:

My first goal is to simply hit 205. That's goal one by the middle of the month. Five pounds. I have surrounded myself with a group of women and plan to accomplish this. Part of deciding to Blog about this is because I want to be accountable. 

So accountable I am!!!!!