What a roller coaster. There isn’t a phrase that could better encompass our experience this last year. We started with a Pinterest vision and held onto that version of what we wanted for “home” for as long as I could make it happen. And then, things got down to the nitty gritty and life got SUPER real.
In my teen years and throughout all of my 20’s, I traveled to a LOT of countries. I worked as a missionary helping people who really needed help. I worked in orphanages. I worked with construction teams to build homes, churches, water wells, and health care facilities. I lived in absolute dire environments and experienced hunger, dehydration, desperation. I lived a real 3rd world life experience.
In October of 2021, I left my job of 21 years to pursue a dream. The dream was to purchase 2-5 acres and build a tiny home. BUT, before we were to build, I wanted to my daughter to have an experience that most American kids don’t ever get the chance to have. I wanted her to know what people in other parts of the world (and even kids in the U.S.) experience. So, I talked to her about giving homesteading a shot with NO running water and NO electricity. I talked about how much of an incredible opportunity we have in front of us and we decided to go for it.
Downtown Tulsa
This is what I saw every day for 21 years while I lived and worked in Tulsa.
We did it.
The first photo of us on our 5 - acres. We were ready and so so excited about the adventure ahead.
The plan was to live off-grid for a year and once that year was up, we were going to build. Tiny homes usually only take between 3-6 months to build so we knew we could handle the challenge.
The first winter we spent out there was rough but we did ok. We learned what worked and what didn’t work. We were cold but we had a lot of fun. I didn’t really know what to expect or what was important to focus on. It was definitely a “fly by the seat of your pants” adventure.
Summer was probably one of the hardest things I’ve had to experience…next to some of my overseas adventures, this really stacked up. The heat was unbearable. I didn’t make Buck stay out there with me when the temps hit record highs but I was determined to go the distance.
I ached for Fall to arrive. I just kept telling myself “3 months away”…”2 more months”…”1 more month”…”you can do this”. I wish I could share more about summer but in all honesty, I went to work early and worked late in the evenings to stay out of the heat as much as possible. The place really deteriorated with lack of water.
I was going to post some pictures from Summer but I don’t have any. I feel like the entire season, I just gave up.
Fall finally arrived and I found my spark of motivation. I wanted to get things cleaned and back up to our “Pinterest” standards. Unfortunately, the sun did a lot of damage and the main tent isn’t quite up for the full time seasons of Oklahoma challenge. I believe we’ll be able to get through another winter but LORD…I don’t ever want to experience a summer like I did.
Buck and I spent many, many hours studying and dreaming until we finally decided where on the land we wanted to build and what we wanted to build. I’m excited to share the images and link to the design we’re looking at…It’s small but it’s wonderful and I can’t tell you how excited I am to have a working kitchen, laundry, and bathroom. Indoor plumbing, water, and electricity are items that I will never take for granted and I believe with all my heart that Buck got an experience of a life time.
This is it. This is what we are believing for… BUCK AND ANGEL’S HOUSE
This is the floor plan we’ve chosen. This particular build is an AirBNB in Freeport, Maine.
We’re not quite able to build yet but that’s not stopping us from seeing the vision and moving forward as God allows.
Buck and Angel….this is us.
There aren’t enough words to describe how grateful we are for the help and support of our friends and family. I can’t candy coat anything. This has been hard BUT it has so been worth it. The quiet times, the rain, the thunderstorms, the tornadoes, the snow, the scares, the belly laughs, the injuries, the cuddles, the firepit talks, the pour-over coffees, the heart to hearts, the hikes, the first-time for everything experiences.
I am so so grateful to get to do these things but I am HONORED to get to do them with my daughter.
I’ve had some friends reach out to me and ask what they can do to help. Whether it’s donating a financial sum to help with building expenses or volunteering to clear land, I am so grateful to you all.
A big thank you to my family. And another huge thank you to my friends, Jenny, Dianna, Whitney, CC, Jessica, Sam, Bridget, BR (and so many more) for the encouragement and help. If you’re interested to hear more about our dream, you can contact us on our contact page or if you’re interested in giving towards our dream, click the button below.