Mornings here start slowly and mostly sweet — waking up next to my little one, sharing some snuggles and playtime before the day officially begins. I’m not an “up and at em” type of girl so I have to take my time to fully wake up before I start tackling the day. Once we’ve had some playtime and snuggles, breakfast and coffee are made, then it’s time to get to work. I wrap baby onto my back, and together we head out to care for the animals. It’s not glamorous, but it’s ours — a daily rhythm that grounds me before the rest of the world catches up.
Motherhood is the heartbeat of my day. It’s in the quiet connection of those early hours, the way I narrate chores to tiny ears, and the joy of seeing life through my child’s eyes. It’s exhausting and beautiful, often at the same time. The way our child lights up when I ask if he wants to go see the animals every morning- priceless.
Being a wife in this life means being a teammate — someone who shares the burdens and the dreams. We don’t have it all figured out, but we’re figuring it out together, one project, one decision, one late-night conversation at a time. My husband is the steady to my scatter, the logic to my feelings, the one who reminds me to breathe when I’ve taken on too much. We dream together and we work hard — not just to build a homestead, but to build a life rooted in intention, love, and resilience. I truly owe a lot to my husband as he’s allowed me to be at home with our little one, take care of the animals, and build a place that we can call “home”. He’s the kind of man who doesn’t flinch when plans change, who encourages me to chase goals even when the to-do list is already long. Whether it’s taking on baby duty so I can study or helping make a more secure home for our newest rabbit, Nutmeg, he always shows up — quietly, consistently, and with a heart as big as our backyard.
Deciding to stay in school during this season of life wasn’t exactly an easy choice. It meant stretching myself, mentally and emotionally, in ways I wasn’t prepared for. It means late-night projects with a baby monitor by my side, typing papers while bouncing a fussy baby, and writing papers with one ear tuned to the sound of ducks quacking outside.
But being a student again has also been empowering. It’s a reminder that I’m still growing — not just as a mom or a wife, but as a person with goals, grit, and a future she’s actively building. It’s not about perfection or straight A’s. It’s about proving to myself that I’m capable, even in the mess. That I can learn something new. That I can finish what I start. Some way, some how, I’m still even achieving honor roll.
There are plenty of moments where I want to quit. When the weight of everything feels too heavy. But I remember why I started — to create something more for myself and my family. To show my child that it’s never too late to dream or to try. And that’s what keeps me going.
The homestead doesn’t always look like a magazine cover — far from it, actually. The garden isn’t doing great this year, and that’s just the honest truth. Weeds have completely taken over and that’s okay. The animals are thriving, and the work we put into our land is still planting seeds — even if they aren’t the kind you can harvest yet. Our animals are the most important part of the homestead for us and we absolutely put them over the garden, and that’s okay.
You can sit there and ask, “How do you do it all?” And the truth is: I don’t.
There are days I need a good cry in the shower, nights when the baby won’t sleep, and mornings when I feel like I’ve already failed before 8 a.m. The laundry piles up. The to-do list stays unfinished. I lose my patience, forget things, and moments where I’m about to rip my hair out. But I keep going.
Not because I have it all together — but because this life, however messy, is deeply meaningful to me.
I’m still learning to let go of perfection and lean into purpose. I do what I can, when I can. I rest when I need to. I ask for help, forgive myself, and keep showing up — even if it’s with tired eyes and muddy boots. That’s how I “do it all”: not all at once, and not all perfectly — but with a whole lot of heart.
If you’re in this season too — trying to balance motherhood, partnership, personal growth, and whatever your version of a homestead looks like — I see you. It’s not easy, but it’s so worth it.
Thanks for following along on our journey.
— G’s Homestead
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