Meeting The Family

Hello, dear readers and new friends!

Welcome to my blog—a little part of my life where I’ll be sharing everything from funny stories and family adventures to the lessons we’re learning along the way. Along with my husband and our ever-growing crew of six kids (soon to be seven come July!), we’ve got lots to share! I’ve always loved storytelling. As our family grows and we embrace homesteading, I felt called to document our journey—not just for us, but for anyone who might find encouragement, inspiration, or even just a good laugh along the way.

Here, you can expect a blend of heartwarming recipes, honest reflections on biblically raising a big family, and stories from our day-to-day journey. Some posts will be lighthearted and fun, while others might get a little deeper. But my hope is that something here will resonate with you—whether it sparks a smile, inspires you to try something new, or simply makes you feel a little more connected to the crazy, beautiful journey we’re all on.

I’m so honored to have you along for the trip. Let’s dive into life’s joys, challenges, and flavors together!

I’d love for you to meet the people who make this homestead feel like home. I’m not sure if there’s a correct or best way to do this, so I’ll just start.

Tim

At the head of the family is Tim. He’s 29 years old and runs an eBay business from his basement office. What started as a fun side hobby quickly became our family’s livelihood when sickness suddenly changed everything.

In a matter of days, Tim went from being completely independent to needing a wheelchair, unable to button his shirts or cut his food. The shift was overwhelming, but in the middle of it all, we watched God move in miraculous ways to provide for us. What started as a side project on eBay was soon our only source of income. We are incredibly thankful for his complete healing last February.

Now, his shop focuses on ceramic slip molds, keeping him busy all week (and sometimes even on Saturdays!).

Tim enjoys reading, gardening, researching things that spark his curiosity, cooking, working with his hands, and teaching the older children. He may seem like the quiet, serious type at first, but don’t be fooled—his sense of humor keeps the kids rolling their eyes as they try to hide their smiles.

Rachel (Me!)

Older than Tim by nine months, I like to think of myself as the voice of maturity in the family. Or not.

I’m the second of four girls and somehow ended up with a slightly sarcastic personality that thrives on making people laugh. A born storyteller, my imagination has a mind of its own, which isn’t always helpful when you’re a full-time stay-at-home mom. Let your mind wander for too long, and—boom!—chaos unfolds in a blink!

According to my family, I have a knack for cooking and baking, and judging by the lack of leftovers, I’d say they’re right.

I’m also passionate about foraging and using herbs for natural remedies. There’s still so much to learn, but I get a thrill every time I can use “weeds” from the yard or essential oils to care for our physical ailments instead of relying on medicine. It’s incredible to discover all the healing plants God has provided for us!

My next big adventure? Helping Tim get our homestead off the ground.

Micah (9 years old)

Micah’s mind and mouth rarely stop running, and he devours books the way some kids do candy. He loves helping and working with Tim, is fascinated by taking things apart, and—thankfully—is learning how to put them back together, too! It’s hard to pin down Micah’s exact interests because he wants to learn about everything. His zest for life is both inspiring to watch and exhausting to keep up with.

Alayna (8 years old)

Our blue-eyed bundle of energy, Alayna, has a warm, bubbly personality and is always looking for ways to help—whether in the kitchen or with her younger siblings. Her love for gardening runs deep, and she jumps at any chance to tend to the plants. She also seems to have inherited her daddy’s quick wit and she’s learning to dish it back just as well as she gets it!

Micah and Alayna seem to be locked in a never-ending contest to see who can read the most. At this point, there’s no clear winner!

Kaitlynn (6 years old)

Kaitlynn is our go-getter with a face full of freckles and a giggle always at the ready. She does her best to keep up with the older two and is determined to be big, taking on tasks that often require a little ingenuity to finish. If I need something cleaned, Kaitlynn is the first to roll up her sleeves and dive in—no hesitation, just pure enthusiasm. She has a huge love for animals and is eagerly awaiting the arrival of our rabbits, ducks, and chickens.

Harold (5 years old)

Harold could hardly wait for March when he could turn that “measly” 4 into a great big 5. As the self-proclaimed clown of the family, Harold keeps life interesting! Lately, he’s been testing the waters with some bigger-kid jobs, like helping with dishes and hauling wood. Though he may not move as fast as Micah, Harold is his own person through and through, always holding his own opinions. He is far more likely to do his own thing rather than simply follow the crowd.

Elsie (3 years old)

Elsie proudly announces to everyone that she’s “free” now (she means three). With a head full of bouncy blonde curls, she throws herself enthusiastically into everything—including eating and teaming up with Harold to make plenty of noise. She loves snuggling, coloring, and “helping” the others with their chores. She’s also working on learning her letters and numbers and already enjoys “reading” alongside her older siblings.

Niel (2 years old)

For now, Niel is the baby of the family—at least until July! He’s a happy little guy, always eager for new adventures. With his growing vocabulary and deep love for playing with his siblings, he’s quickly finding his place in our lively family dynamic.

Thank you for taking the time to meet our family! I hope you stick around as we share more about our homesteading journey, the projects we take on, and the lessons we learn along the way. If you’d like, drop a comment and introduce yourself—I’d love to hear from you!