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two years at the grovestead






At the end of July we hit our two year mark at The Grovestead. We were between vacations and I didn't have time to write about it, but I have reflected on this milestone quite a bit. My sister has always said that two years is the magic number for a new place to feel like home. And I would fully agree. It took both years to get here.

And just like one year ago, I am having trouble processing what was the greatest change: was it going from one kid to two kids? the actual lifestyle change from the city to the country? surviving two of the longest, coldest winters ever?

I'm not sure.

There are still moments when I rub my eye balls and shake my head that this is my life. Like the week I was looking all over for the bathroom scale, only to find it out in the garage being used to weigh potatoes. Strangely, I hadn't thought to look in the garage. Or the night Rory was away in Wisconsin and I found myself awake at 3:30, worrying that the chicks didn't have enough water. So I went outside on a very dark night, by myself, with a flashlight between my legs, pouring water into their water feeder. It was a moment I'll never forget because I was proud of myself for taking on the responsibility. And because it was dark and spooky outside. Becoming the keeper of the honeybees is another "who have I become?" adventure. But a good one. I feel stretched and surprised and so empowered by learning something so completely new.

This move was a really good one for us. It's full of adjustments and challenges too, but overall we are living a dreamy life. One night in particular comes to mind, that sort of sums up our new lifestyle. The night before we left for Family Bible Camp, we were at a friend's birthday party for their kids. We were eating homemade doughnuts and pasta salad and Rory and I started telling each other what all needed to get done before we could leave in the morning: we needed to buy chicken feed, I needed to check on the bees, we desperately needed to mow the lawn, the beets needed to be pulled and maybe the potatoes and the apple trees had to be watered. Not to mention packing up the family for the week. We looked at each other and then checked the time on our phones and realized we had to bust a move. We had actual farm chores that had to get done before the sun went down.

But five hours later we had the car all packed up. We had worked like a machine, taking turns with the kids while one parent did something outdoors, the other cleaned and packed inside. Eventually the kids were in bed and on that starry night, Rory brought our tallest ladder so we could climb up on our roof to watch a lightening storm moving our direction. There was no moon that night and it was so dark except for the lightening illuminating the clouds in front of us and the milky way stretched out above us.

There were fireflies blinking in the woods and I remember really having it sink in that we are living a rich and full life. Even though hours before while tending to our animals and land, laundry and children, I was wondering what we had gotten ourselves into.

That evening seems to sum it up our transition to the country the very best. Our life here on this hobby farm is a mixed bag. There are moments that feel demanding and exhausting followed by moments that feel absolutely perfect and incredibly blessed.

And what I'm finding is that the blessed moments outweigh the frustrating ones. I'm excited to be here for a good, long time.

5 comments:

Karen said...

Hi Becca, I sat beside Rory on the plane. He was charming and bragged on your blog site so much I had to look? It's lovely! I especially liked this post! My blog is much different than yours. Feel free to check it out at FlunkingFamily.com. We have a ranch... Ithe main difference is you have top soil and we won't!! Don't hold the okra story against me... Read another whoops story! Thank your husband for giving me great advice for my blog! Karen

Marlene said...

Congratulations on 2 years and ALL you've accomplished during that time! Amazing!

Country Girl at Heart said...

I want to come visit you! This section of your blog makes me want to cry. Happiness tears for you and withdrawls/homesickness/yearning tears for myself.
When can we come visit??? :)

Francesca said...

Congrats! Everything looks great!

Elizabeth L. Johnson said...

Ditto what Kristin Herrera said! I feel like crying, for the beauty of it all! The Lord has brought my husband and I to a mountaintop. He excavates "benches" for our hen house, gardens, and orchards, because our land is all mountainside. We are off grid because it was cheaper to bring in solar power. It is a pioneering effort with His Help! Now our daughter's plan to homestead as well.