The transition for me from city life to country living was a rather refreshing decision to make. It was long-awaited and something I had wanted to do since I moved away from the Texas Hill Country as a young woman in junior high to the cultural shock of Indianapolis, Indiana.
In fact, one of the reasons I chose to go to college in Rexburg, Idaho was because of the small town atmosphere as opposed to continuing my education in a large city. When I returned to Texas as an adult to begin raising my children I nearly bought my first home in the country, but for personal reasons ended up closing on a home in the heart of Lewisville, a suburb of Dallas. I always meant to return the country sooner rather than later. Instead, I spent the next thirteen years living in hustle and bustle of the city.
Once the housing market changed in 2014, I knew it was time to move my family to the country. This was my one chance.
My home sold amazingly quickly (in just 20 minutes!) and so the search was on to find my next home to raise my family and my illegal backyard chickens. I decided to not settle for anything less than country living.
After a stressful real estate search, I bought a home in far north Wise County, Texas on 10 acres. My kids love the amount of land and the freedom to roam as they please. I love the potential of the land–a pond to stock with fish, a large garden area to cultivate, and a simple barn to house livestock.
My first purchase was four dairy goats: three lamanchas and one nubian. I soon went from four goats to seven goats. By my second year of living in the country I owned nearly 30 dairy goats, mostly because of the kidding season that spring. I just recently sold all but my seven best goats. I also own around twenty-five chickens, a flock of geese, several ducks, and honestly way too many cats.
In the two-and-a-half years I have made my home in the country I have learned so much. I have made some huge life changes (my fifteen year marriage ended in divorce and I’m raising my teenage niece). Our entire family has made lifestyle changes that we believe are healthier and for our benefit (that includes eating cake). I love my little homestead and the growing opportunities that it provides us. Mostly, I am thankful to God for allowing me to live this laid back lifestyle where I can raise my family and be independent through country living.
I love the quiet.
I love the land.
I love being self-reliant.
I love that people aren’t nosy.
I love the sunsets and sunrises.
I love country living.
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