My mind is trying to prepare our growing family for what the future may look like here soon, but I'm also trying to stay present with my curious, always learning and pushing the boundaries toddler. Kingston is teaching me as much as I'm teaching him, and we feel so blessed he is ours. He is a true farm boy who loves the beach, other kids' toys, quiet movie times, Dr. Seuss books, digging in the dirt, minimal clothing, 'helping' out with anything, snuggling and smooching, dancing, talking, musical instruments thanks to the guys on the farm, new babies and all things food. He loves to love and he loves to challenge. We're working on discussing why he can't get on the tractor, RTV, or dump trucks until he's older, "twelve more birthdays" I say. There are serious things living on a farm that he has to stay away from, which is a known, but it's difficult when it is all visually on the walk from our cabin to the bathroom/kitchen/fresh water. There's a driveway with huge trucks driving up it all the time, so I am trying to constantly be aware of where his little legs are taking him while trying to clean up and work a little around the kitchen and garden. He's getting more comfortable around here while also wanting to just be big already and be able to work with the guys. But I'm learning these things come with the territory of a hard working, producing and healing farm. There's always big projects being done, new people touring, buildings being built, people to be fed, weeds to be weeded, plants to be loved and lessons to be learned. I couldn't dream of watching King grow up anywhere else at this point.
His immunities are being built up through nature, through the dirt, through the foods we eat, through the sunshine. And though I am currently tending to a sicky boy, this is his second cold in the nine months we've been here, to which I am grateful. When we got here I was worried, as a new mother in a new environment, how I would handle things like being sick. But right away I learned this place was called a medicine farm for many reasons. When these things come up, as long as they don't get too horrible, I am comfortable knowing we have everything we need and the recourses and knowledge to help us get through. When things do get a little too hard to handle on our own, we've found an awesome homeopathic doctor right in town who is also our midwife for this next baby. I am also pleased to be recently involved in the essential oil brand dÅTERRA, and have wonderful women to help educate me on the beauty of these organic, sustainable, concentrated oils. So far I'm loving the homeopathic, natural, real, and supportive community and foods we have been exposed to.
A usual weekday in our life is trying to wake up at 6am so that way King can nap by midday. We get down to the kitchen by 8am but earlier is better so it's not so hot out. King and I will clean up the kitchen, sweep and mop, sometimes deep clean and organize. I try to make a lunch, usually a soup, beans and/or rice for the guys. Lots of days I clean out the fridge, if you can imagine ten adults getting in and out of one reach in fridge all day, so there's dishes to be done from that too. I'd like to get out and weed something or water the nursery or clean the laundry room or coconut corner when it's possible and not too hot. Blake will leave for either the main cafe at 11am or the one by the bay at 9:30am, sometimes I take him so we can have the car and sometimes I don't. He will do some farm work before he gets ready for work. On the days he goes to the bay I try to remember to pick basil and parsley and fresh flowers for him to take in and use. Then King and I have a snack, rinse off with the hose and take the stroller on a walk through the fields so he can fall asleep. I'll put him in bed and lay down for quiet time or a nap. He has to wake up by 2pm if we are to go to bed even close to 9pm. We usually take our time and read books or watch part of a movie or do some crafty things together after nap time. Then if I can do some other chores or water the nursery I will. We go back to the kitchen or hang up or fold laundry and usually clean again so we can make dinner. Either Blake will be home around 4:30pm or he closes the main and won't be home until after 8pm. If we have the car I'll try to take King to the ocean and we have dinner together either at the grocery or picnic at the beach or go to the cafe after closing and make dinner with Blake while he closes so we can bring him home. If he has the car, King and I harvest things from the garden to make dinner together and try to call it an early night of we can, or eat popcorn under the bed that's been turned into his fort area. The kitchen can be quiet if the guys go into town or watch a movie, or at times entertaining while they make dinner and play and wrestle with King. We usually cuddle in bed, books are preferred and I love when he falls asleep to me reading, but sometimes we're tired and the rest of the movie will do. I'm trying to break up our work week with some days in town with friends or at the park or library so he can play with kids. But then I feel bad for not being on the farm. All about learning the balance.
The weekends we usually head out for errands or family beach time or go out to dinner or take a class. Blake likes to work on the farm when he can, so our work trade can be fair. Plus doing that work is good for B, that's why we moved into this type of lifestyle, though we did get lucky with a small income from the cafe once they learned Blake's skill sets. B does usually work Saturdays so King and I utilize those days and then we usually have a good family day on Sundays.
We're so blessed to have been in the position to buy a car from one of the girls at the cafe after not having one for eight months. It's always a blessing and a curse, though. But the independence and flexibility it brings for a mom and toddler is so worth it. Having to rely on rides, the bus, hitching or just not getting into town was a great, humbling experience that was good for us. Blake always got to work and we always had the things we needed. To not have car fees was helpful, to be flexible with others and sacrificing things we wanted to do at times was a lesson in its own. But we are happy to have wheels and try to pay it forward when we can.
In two weeks we will be heading to the airport to spend two weeks with family and friends in Colorado. We're so excited to be able to hug everyone! The time here has flown by so quickly, but yet we are homesick for family. I'm happy to be able to have the opportunity to visit before baby arrives. Blake was on the fence because he feels obligated to stay and work, which I love about him, but I'm more happy to be able to do this as a family. Somehow, even when we least expect it, we are preparing for another adventure. It's hard work and exhausting at times, but the journey and exposure to new, or even old, things is always worth it!
Dream Big Ride Far
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