From Camper to (Almost) Dream Home: Our Journey to Homestead Happiness

Howdy, y'all! It's Blaina Jo here, and I'm beyond excited to share our whirlwind journey from camper living to homestead dreams. Buckle up, 'cause it's been one wild ride!

About three years ago, Eric and I made a bold decision: we sold our cozy home, packed up our belongings, and traded the comforts of suburbia for life on the open road (well, sort of - we still had full-time jobs, but traveled as much as we could) . Yep, you heard that right – we moved into a camper and hit the highway with our two precious girls, Audriana and Allibeth, in tow. Crazy? Maybe. But oh, was it worth it! We had an awesome time exploring!

As we crisscrossed the country, soaking in breathtaking landscapes and making memories that'll last a lifetime, a seed was planted in our hearts – a longing for a place to call our own, a sanctuary where we could put down roots and live life on our own terms.

Fast forward to today, and I'm pinchin' myself 'cause, y'all, we've done it! Nestled on 10 acres of land right here in our hometown, our dream home and farm are taking shape before our very eyes. And get this – we're doing it all while still holding down full-time jobs, homeschooling our girls, and tending to our growing menagerie of critters.

Speaking of critters, let me introduce you to the real stars of the show – our 10 chickens (Henrietta, Hensley, Hei Hei, Henny, Rainbow, Blondie, Goldie, Dolly, Dixie Chick, and Eggatha), 2 Nigerian Dwarf goats (Reese and Buster), and a whole pack of hunting dogs (Daisy and Pepper are our favorites) who keep us on our toes and our hearts full to bursting.

From dawn 'til dusk, Eric and I are rolling up our sleeves and pouring our blood, sweat, and tears into building a life that's as authentic as it gets. Whether we're hammering nails or chasing after kiddos, every moment is a reminder of the blessings that come with living close to the land and close to each other.

Sure, it ain't always easy. There are days when the to-do list feels never-ending and the chaos threatens to overwhelm us. But then I'll catch sight of Audriana giggling as she gathers eggs from the coop, or Allibeth's eyes lighting up as she takes her turn at the wheel of the tractor, and I'm reminded that this – all of this – is what it's all about.

So here's to chasing dreams, taking risks, and finding joy in the journey. Here's to the camper that brought us here and the dream home that awaits (when we finally get it finished). And here's to each and every one of you who's following along with us on this crazy, beautiful ride.

Til next time, y'all!

Blaina Jo

P.S. Peep these adorable photos of our girls when we were on the road.