The life of a family of 7 is busy enough without adding homeschool, farm and remodeling to the mix. Being a working mom adds a little bit of EXTRA to my life. Thank goodness for summer vacation and the time it gives me to catch up and accomplish things that I dream about. Still, things can get crazy busy around here and I find myself dragging myself out the door for things that I really should have said no to. I don't always find it easy to say no. Sometimes it's out of obligation and other times it's because I don't feel strong enough to say no. Often, I succumb to the manipulation of others...you know, guilt trips, fast talking and circle talking-things I am becoming increasingly aware of and am working to arm myself against. This week, NO is necessary. We have already had a busy week of play dates, family visits and house projects. I just can't do another thing between now and a very busy weekend. So, my answer for...
We Are Doing This Thing!
The last couple of months have been surreal. If you know us personally, you know we have been talking about and planning for this move for years. Like, literally YEARS! We are leaving our home and property in Buies Creek (Go Camels!) in central North Carolina for our homestead property in North East, North Carolina. For the gardeners of the group, that's zone 7b to 8a...not a difficult transition as far as gardening goes. Our new property is a 10 acre plot that has been logged but is overgrown. We are currently working hard to clear areas for shelters and pastures. Let me start from where we are right now. In early August, our two youngest children and I (Jill) left Buies Creek for the coast so that I could get ready to start a new teaching job later that month. I'm teaching 4th grade again and really enjoying my new roll and new school. Shawn and the older two boys stayed behind to do extensive renovations on our little Buies Creek home....