Adaugeo Farms

"Travis James!" Papa Boots likely swore under his breath in the dim light early one Sunday morning as he attempted farm chores. Shooting barn swallows and mud daubers had gotten boring for 10-year-old Travis and his younger brother, Derick. They thought the explosion of light bulbs was much more exciting. They shot out every last bulb in the barn. Milking the cow was very difficult for Papa Boots that morning. 

Travis spent lots of time at Nanny and Papa Boots' farm during his childhood. The aroma of cows, pigs, chickens, corn, soy beans, and milo bring a motion picture of memories to mind for him. It was a way of life. It was down home. It has a special place in Travis' heart. 

That's how Travis got interested in buying a farm. He's always had a passion for the country and he's loved the idea of raising our children in that environment.

I, on the other hand, have absolutely no experience farming. I have successfully kept three houseplants alive to date, but even those have had a few close calls. Although farming seemed like a worthy lifestyle I could only imagine the work it would take to keep a farm. You could say I was in the "no way, no how, never gonna happen" camp. 

Then I got interested in health.  In 2008, I started a business called MonaVie.  When our family started drinking MonaVie I was amazed to see so many ailments be alleviated.  I'd like to say MonaVie is a miracle juice (some prefer to say snake oil), but it is simply concentrated nutrition.  MonaVie was the catapult to start us on a journey toward better health.   

As a former pharmaceutical sales rep I had learned all about how drugs can take care of problems - or symptoms. I remember being at a national sales meeting for my pharmaceutical company one year and the president of the company was sharing with us why the structure of the sales force was changing. Our company no longer would put money behind the antibiotic division because it was a product patients took for a week to 10 days and then the disease state was gone. We would all be moving to the heart division.  Blood pressure and cholesterol medications were much more profitable since patients would be on them for a lifetime. I understand, from a profitability perspective, why they would do that.  But to me it was unsettling. 

In all my research I found the food industry to not be much different from the pharmaceutical industry. Whatever is going to bring in the biggest profit is where companies and farmers invest their time and money. Totally understandable. But that, in turn, means it is rare that the people who raise and sell our food pay much attention to the nutritional quality of it. For a long time I didn't think that was a big deal.  “Organic Shmorganic,” I would say.  As the life expectancy in our country gets shorter, people I know and love getting sicker, the fact that 2 in 5 people get cancer right now and rates are rising, the fact that our children’s life expectancy is shorter than ours, and data linking carcinogens in our food to diseases has caused me to change my attitude about organic, whole foods versus processed, conventional foods. 

One night I read another article to Travis about the dangers of our food. I was so frustrated!  “Lord, do something!” I pleaded.  Just like Matthew West’s song, we felt like God was saying to us, “I did.  I created you.”  There was a small tug at our hearts to raise food ourselves. Farming freaked me out. Travis and I started praying about it. We definitely felt the call to farm organically.  The journey began.

Travis tills

Do we have any experience with farming?  Shooting out barn lights is our collective experience.  Everyone has to start somewhere, right?

Have we sold our home?  No.  And we won’t.  We had it on the market to prove to ourselves and God that we weren’t holding on to it as an idol – something we place at a higher level of importance than God’s will.  If God wanted us to move, we would.  We had it on the market while we traveled this winter.  It didn’t sell.  We’re staying.

So who will be at the farm?  Meet the Backlund’s from Shakopee, Minnesota.  

Nick and Sheila Backlund

Coen is 7, just finishing the 1st grade.  (Same as Calla.)

Berlin just turned 5.  She and Parker are months apart in age and great buddies.

Ben is 3.  He exhibits all qualities of a third child and then some.  This is a perfect picture of him.

Charlie is their lab/German shepherd mixed puppy.  He's 9 months now and as big as KC.  He is more than excited to be at the farm.

We know the Backlund's through our church and they have been with us since the beginning of this journey.  (Talk about God providing for us!)  Over a year ago they declared they would live at the farm – wherever it was located.  Sheila is a savvy gardener – much better than either Travis or myself – and is interested in learning how to raise animals for food.  Nick is trained in landscaping and is a guy who can build and fix anything.  Perfect for an old farm.  They have a passion for healthy food like us.  Providence. 

Where is the farm?  While our mailing address remains the same, the address of the farm (and the Backlund’s new home address) is 6552 250^th St. W, Belle Plaine, Minnesota 56011.  It’s in Belle Plaine Township and the New Prague school district.  Now that you have the address, meet us there for a visit!  Bring a tent and stay the night.  There is space.  ;-)

Is this where we wanted to buy?  Because most counties in the area require 10 acres or more to have anything more than chickens on them, ten acres became our minimum.  Over the course of a year, we placed offers on six or seven different places, mostly in Scott and Rice counties.  Personally, we grew immensely over the year.  I prayed that God would keep us close to my mom since she had moved to Prior Lake (a bike ride from our house) to be near her grandbabies.  In March, we saw a property on the MLS that had previously been posted, removed, and had just gone back on the market. One Monday our real estate agent and friend Dan Thompson met us in Belle Plaine at this cute little 15-acre place.  It was cute, quaint, and had everything we needed and lots of potential.  We made an offer, and within eight days we had signed a purchase agreement.  It’s a perfect location.

A cute 1900's farm house

When did we close on the farm?  We’ve been farmers for almost two weeks now.  And we have no idea what we are doing.  ;-) Knowing we had a project on our hands, both Travis and I cleared our schedules for the week.  We closed Monday, May 19, 2014.  We immediately drove to Prior Lake, got the RV and kids, and drove 21 miles southwest to the farm.  It rained all day that day so we spent most of the day walking around in the mud.  There was tons of mud and standing water!  Only three of us had galoshes.  We were a mess!  And we had no idea where to start.  We seriously walked around in circles for most of that day. 

Taite rakes the firepit

What have we done so far?  The Backlund’s met us at the farm Monday evening and we made a plan.  Now it’s been two weeks and we’ve torn out carpet, painted the old wood floors, rented a sod cutter and large tiller, planted a garden, built a compost bin, met with our edible landscaper, initiated construction of a bunk house, planned our fire pit/burn pile (and had a few evening fires), bought a white 2002 Ford F150 FX4 Lariat with a Triton V8 engine (insert Tim the Toolman Taylor’s masculine bark) and named it ‘Manly,’ bought a large flatbed trailer, got the decrepit

Making this into a bunk house

white 1995 Chevy 1500 truck (newly named ‘The Beast’) – that came with the house – running and prepared with a snowplow on the front, got the Bobcat that came with the house running, made a plan to remove the sealed windows trimmed with lead paint, secured some rotting beams, fixed the lead paint problem around the front door, and hired an electrician.  We did all of that (with the help of my wonderful sister and extraordinary mom) while managing anywhere from four to 10 children at all times.  Only by the grace of God…seriously.

Morels found on the land

What came with the farm?  We acquired the house, heated detached garage, pole barn, silo, shell of a bunk house, two horse stalls, the Chevy truck, a Bobcat, three walnut trees, some morel mushrooms, rhubarb, a couple of apple trees (varieties TBD), a natural spring creek, lots of day lilies and dandelions, 15 acres (about 12 of it in pasture), and lots more to discover. 

Have we met the neighbors?  Of course.  On Memorial Day we took our kids to meet the neighbors we found at home.  Love that country hospitality!

How old is the house?  The county records say the house was built in 1900.  One of the neighbors grew up in the house across the street from ours.  He said it was the house at the old creamery.  In the 1940’s they moved the house from the creamery (about a mile away) to this plot of land.  He recalled 11 children (in one family) being raised in this small 3 bedroom, 1 bathroom home!!!! 

12+ acres of pasture

What animals will we raise?  We’re thinking we’ll start with chickens.  We’ve talked about cows, pigs, and sheep eventually.  Anything you can eat.  Joel Salatin style.  There are 12 acres of pasture to work with.

What other food will you have on the farm? This year we hope to raise fruit, nuts, vegetables, herbs, and meat for our two families...and of course, mushrooms.  ;-)  We pray God leads us in how to provide all that for others in the summers to come.

The pole barn is really big inside

Do we have space for your stuff in the pole barn?  Sorry.  No.  Although there is enough room for eight RV’s (if you take out the horse stalls), we’ve already had lots of requests and have filled the barn to maximum capacity with with promises of space for trucks, boats, ice houses, trailers, 4 wheelers and more.  The space is spoken for.

Berlin and Parker solve the world's problems

Are we ready to be farmers now?  We are slowly making our way into farm-hood.  We’ve only had a couple injuries (no more than we would have in Prior Lake) and everyone still has all their extremeties. Travis was a head-to-toe mud ball this week with dirt in every crease and crevice.  He now has rough hands and won't let me put lotion on them.  Sounds farmer-ish, doesn't it?  Taite gets the prize for being the biggest helper and has earned a healthy commission for his efforts.  The rest of the kids thoroughly enjoyed pretending to be horses, horse owners, horse trainers, and farmers – which is funny because Travis has made it clear we will never have horses.  I’ve vacuumed my car out twice already.  Clearly I’m not quite settled into farm life yet.   Ben, the youngest Backlund, got 3 baths Friday.  Sheila might not be out of the suburbs yet either.  We’ll get over the dirt thing eventually.  The dirt, however, is a great trade-off for the beauty and peacefulness the place offers. 

What is the name of the farm?  Adaugeo Farms.  Pronounced [a - dodge - ee - o].  Why ‘Farms’ - with an s?  We feel like there might be more than one someday.  ‘Adaugeo’ is a Latin word meaning to make greater by adding to; to increase; to magnify.  (Different than the musical term 'adagio.')  We intend to use it to serve God by serving others as faithful stewards of God’s grace.  (1 Peter 4:10)  We’ve prayed that we can be a part of increasing God’s healthy army and His kingdom.  We want to magnify Him in everything.  The goal of the farm is to raise healthy food to make healthy warriors for God (treating our bodies as temples of God (1 Corinthians 6:19)) so we can serve Him and others as we are part of the body of Christ.

We know we aren’t the first or only family to farm organically.  As we get involved we have found tons of healthy eating and farming organizations.  We aren't alone and it's a growing movement. 

The more we learn, the more we see how God made everything to work together perfectly.  We’ll have you out sometime and show you what we mean.  Until then, we praise God for this new adventure and we pray we get to share the adventure with you.

The Wilson’s

Adaugeo Farms

Belle Plaine, Minnesota

Travis turns 40!

Jim and Linda had no idea what they were getting themselves into when they arrived at the hospital to deliver Travis James 40 years ago today.  At a very young age Travis's strong-willed, competitive, explosive personality revealed itself.  (I'll let Jim and Linda tell you all the great Travis stories.)  Like good parents, they chose to channel that personality into positive activities - especially sports. 

Travis made friends easily everywhere they lived (their family moved a few times during Travis and Derick's school years).  Travis was incredibly intelligent and studious and excelled in school.  He became an excellent athlete - competing at a state level for wrestling in Iowa.   He took advantage of opportunities - such as researching and applying for many college scholarships.  He has always been very responsible with money - probably because (as he would tell you) his parents made him start paying for his own toothpaste and toiletries in 7th grade.  (Or he was too impatient to wait for his mom to go to the store.)

Travis and I have known each other for almost 20 years now!  Is that even possible?!  (I must have met him when I was nine.)  We were introduced through the Southwestern book selling program during our college summers.  He attended - what was known as - Mankato State University, and I was a U of M gopher.  When I met him, he was an obvious leader.  He was very successful at school.  (He graduated college with a 3.7 GPA - I'm impressed by that.)  He was even more successful at business.  He always seemed to have his head on straight.  On top of it all, he was a great listener, hilariously funny, and an engaging conversationalist.

Over the last nearly 20 years that I've known Travis, he has grown immensely.  He has especially grown in his relationship with God.  He no longer calls himself a Christian but remains looking just like the rest of the world.  He has become an obvious Christ follower.  It means he's let the Lord help him control his explosive personality.  (Jim, Linda, the kids, and I are all loving this example he is setting.) ;-)  He asks God for direction first instead of doing something and asking God to bless it.  It means he's become a generous and integral part of a community.  Does that mean he never makes mistakes?  No.  Note - he is human. 

One of the things that makes Travis so unique - and so similar to Jesus - is his ability to look at the world (or situation) without the lenses of our culture.  It's something I love and hate all at the same time.  For example, when Taite was three I began looking for preschools.  I found a great, local, state-certified preschool.  I enrolled Taite.  I mean, isn't it normal to send your child to preschool at three?  All my girlfriends were doing it.  Travis challenged me.  "Who says we have to put our kids in preschool at three?  Who says we have to put our kids in preschool at all?  It might make a difference in their skills and behavior in Kindergarten, but does it have a long-term impact on their learning?  And why would we add that to our schedule when (I) work three days/week?  And why would we add that to our monthly expenses?"  Grrr.  I didn't listen to him and at the end of the year I found he was right.  This year of preschool had been a big logistical headache.

It's stuff like that.  He does it all the time.  Drives me nuts.  But he sure has helped me to see what the world says is "normal" or a "must-do" in a different light.  He's challenged me to make decisions based on the facts and what is right versus social pressure.  Travis has proven to be a very wise man.  Frustratingly wise.  I'm so grateful for that.

This 40th year of Travis' life will be commemorated by a life event.  There's a long story behind it (and I'll put that in another blog entry someday soon), but Travis is about to become a farmer.  Ok, our whole family is, but let's focus on who's important here.  Travis has been a business man for 20 years.  He's had soft, callous-free feet, clean fingernails, and pale white skin for decades.  Times are about to change.  He'll still run his insurance business.  (Nothing changes there.)  Next month we buy a 15-acre hobby farm.

Instead of being 40 and becoming old (btw - 40 is not old), Travis is starting an exciting new era of life.  It brings his faith, business skills, and life-long love for farming together.  I think it's invigorating.  I'm glad I get to be his wife.  Travis has proven to be a very wise man.  I think I'm wise for marrying him.  ;-)

The End

Family Heritage and it's parent company, Torchmark, selected Travis and four of his peers to be on a Growth Council.  The council and all of their spouses were invited to a couple of days of meetings, dinners, and sunshine in Scottsdale February 16-18.  We enjoyed the 85-degree, unseasonably warm weather and daily checked The Weather Channel app to see the weather in Grove, Oklahoma, and Prior Lake, Minnesota (and Newport Beach, California and San Jose, Costa Rica...just in case).  We noticed incoming snowstorms and thunderstorms in Minnesota's and Oklahoma's forecasts for Thursday, February 20 - the day we planned to drive home.

Weatherman Perry Baker informed Jim that 'a big one' was coming.  Jim and Linda gave us our warning.  We all agreed we'd need to leave Wednesday (the 19th) if we wanted to make it home before March.  Jim went to work washing the outside of the RV.  Taite and Linda went to work loading the RV with all of our stuff.  Talk about an amazing family!!!  We had completely moved into Jim and Linda's cute, perfect, three bedroom, two bathroom, 2,200 square foot home.  Food, dishes, clothes, winter gear, toiletries, and an entire shelf full of school and library books found cozy spots all throughout the house.

Thanks to a ride from Jim, Travis and I returned to Grove from Arizona around 11pm Tuesday night.  And thanks to a group effort, we were able to have everything packed and were on the road toward Prior Lake by 11am Wednesday - home by 10pm.  Exhausted, we could only unpacked the cooler of food Wednesday night.

A gorgeous, cold day after the snowstorm

My mom offered to help us unpack.  (More great family!)  She arrived 9am Thursday.  By 10:30 everything was out of the RV!  I could feel the wet drops land on my head as I brought in the last two loads.  Over the course of the day we saw the precipitation change from rain to ice to snow to huge snowflakes.  It fell, and fell, and fell!  Prior Lake got almost 10 inches.

The kids played in the snow during the snow storm and multiple times since then.  They love it!  I interviewed each child, wondering about their favorite and least favorite parts of being home. Playing in the snow is a favorite for all four kids.

A Viking and Peasant Headed to School

Of course, even before they said they enjoyed playing in the snow, each child claimed their favorite part of being home as seeing KC, Mimi, Grammy, and friends.  Church, homeschool groups and events, Bible studies, and prearranged time with friends has filled our tanks.  In fact, we've prioritized seeing friends over doing school since we returned.  I found us to be on pace to finish all of our school work by the end of March so I figured I'd be flexible for a week or so.  We recognized God's blessing so often along our travels, but His blessings were brilliantly illuminated upon our return.

The one thing that didn't make the "Best Things About Being Home" list is the weather.  I guess that's why I want to snowbird anyway, right?  We've only gotten a taste of what Minnesotans have dealt with all winter.  Wind chills in negative double digits.  If ever I were homeless, I'd walk all the way to Texas before I'd spend a winter here!  For example, Wednesday we went to the store.  It's typical here to offer a friendly 'hello' the someone walking by in a parking lot.  It was so cold outside I couldn't even put my head up to look at someone.  I wanted to say hello and offer a smile!  I could tell people were walking by us - I saw their feet!  But had I opened my mouth my lips would have gotten stuck on my teeth.  I couldn't breathe so it would have been impossible to say anything anyway.  The wind was whipping, piercing all exposed body parts.  My eyes were watering.  My fingers froze in a sort of not-straight but not-clenched position.  Once in the heated grocery store my hands painfully thawed.  At that moment I vowed not to return to Minnesota until March next winter.

Notice the Eyecicles

The next morning I took KC for his walk.  I'm just walking him across the street to the park and back.  The walk there was fine.  Then we turned around.  Again - the wind.  My eyes began to water when I looked up to cross the street.  By the time we got to our driveway icicles had formed on my eye lashes.  The same thing happened to Taite when he went cross-country skiing at the Frank's home.  Eyecicles. 

Like everyone else in Minnesota, we've spent a lot of time inside lately.  When it 'feels like' -11, -20, -29 outside, my kids dig in to their creativity.  While the kids did dishes the other night, I walked in on Calla judging the skate dancing and offering 'bogus points,' as she called them, to U.S.A.'s skate dancing pair, Rose William Star (Parker) and Lincoln William Wilson (Lincoln - not quite as creative).  They won the gold after their solo competitor, Taite James Wilson, spun a few too many times and fell on the rink.

We've had lots of fun times, but we've had our share of fighting, too.  Mostly over toys.  Like last year, I'm reminded that we have too many toys.  It makes me sad to see our kids fight over or not share toys.  There are lots of kids who get along just fine without toys - or with just one or two toys.  We have plastic tub after plastic tub of toys.  But when one child brings some out - those toys are the favored toys.  Sometimes they all play nicely together.  Sometimes it's a yelling match.  Jesus tells us, "And if your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell."  Anyone want some toys?

Best Buddies (most days)

Out of necessity, we've done our fair share of praying since we've gotten home.  ;-) We always do that anyway.  One day Lincoln prayed for us at lunch.  The conversation following the prayer sounded like this:
Taite - Lincoln, did you just pray that you could watch movies all night?
Lincoln - No?  I prayed that God would come down and watch movies with me all night.
Parker - Yeah!  Me too!
Lincoln - You did not, Parker.  You're just saying that because I'm your best buddy.
Parker - Yep!

It couldn't have been more than a day later.  The conversation was:
Lincoln - Can I go get my slippers?
Me - No.  Wait until we pray, please.  Maybe you should pray.
Lincoln - deargod,thankyouformyfood,thankyouformyfamily,thankyouformyfriends.  Amen.  (looking at me, paused in running position) Is that good?
Me - Well, do you think God would be ok with that?
Lincoln - oh.  Thank you God for God.  Amen.  I'll be right back!!!

There you have it.  We're home, we are glad to be here, and we're cold.  Next year I'm pulling for one stationary, warm location.  Travis has put the ixnay on Florida, but is open to a warm January and February somewhere else in the continental United States.  (He's not anti-Florida, he is looking for a place where he can work and Florida is taken. ;-))

Oh, and for those wondering, our house is off the market.  And we haven't bought a farm.  When we do, I'll have a great story to blog.  ;-)

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Here is a compilation of more great stories from our trip:


Jim came out early one morning to start the coffee.  Lincoln and I were awake and sitting in the kitchen.  Jim and Linda have an old percolating coffee maker that makes quite a lot of noise as it brews the coffee.  One moment it's quiet, the next it's making a loud, gargling, sickly noise.

Lincoln was sitting in the otherwise quiet kitchen, drawing.  "That sounds like Papa Jim!" he declares without looking up from his drawing.  Lincoln thinks the percolator is a great imitation of Papa's snoring.

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Me:  Lincoln, since you've already started eating, you can pray for us.
Lincoln:  Dear God, thank you for my family and my friends.  Thank you for Nana and Papa Jim.  Thank you for the sunshine and going for a walk.  Thank you for this food.  Please help it be good.  Thank you for our manners and listening to mom and being nice to each other.  Thank you for Parker being nice and getting water for herself and for Calla.  I wish that she would have gotten me some water.  Amen.

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I really like quiet.  Probably because I rarely experience it.  At this time in my life, quiet is paradise.  Extremely loud, chaotic noises get on my nerves.  My kids are loud, but the volume is usually manageable.  Jim and Linda recently remodeled their home by changing the flooring.  They took out carpeting and put wood laminate down.  It's gorgeous.  And it echoes.  Every loud voice is three times as loud in their house.  Like nails on a chalkboard.

Wednesday's noise levels were no exception.  Lincoln expressed his silliness through an abundance of loud stories.    "Lincoln, do you know what we are having for lunch?" I asked.  Lincoln was already eating his fruit, veggies, and sandwich.  I didn't give him a chance to answer.  "We are having shhh-kabobs and hush puppies!!!"

Of course, I can't fool him.  His immediate, boisterous response was, "No!!!  We are having LOUD-kabobs!" 

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Jim and Linda have a lively sense of humor.  Jim always has great one-liners.  He took a look at the beds one morning and said, "Boy it looks like there was a herd of buffalo in here!"

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Warning:  Cute but touching,
Linda belongs to a sorority and was hosting her sisters one night.  She needed us to leave.  Piled high with some old VHS home movies, Papa Jim, the kids and I drove the six miles to their lake house.  We played the first movie - "Travis, Zach, and Kyle - Mustang, freshman."  Travis and his two friends had recorded themselves impersonating many of the 1988 summer Olympians.  They even included commercials.  The video was great!

"Travis and Kate's Wedding" was the second tape we watched.  My dad recorded before, during, and after our wedding.  He took shots of the wedding preparation, the professional photo shoot, and the reception.  He had my Uncle Randy record the actual wedding, the receiving line, and my dad's toast.  It was fun to watch and Parker didn't want to turn off the tape.  We spent lots of time talking about the day, the people and the stories.

"How did Papa Bill get to your wedding?" Parker asked, very thoughtfully.  She was only 15 months old when my dad passed away.  She's seen pictures of him, but this was the first time she's recognized him 'alive.'  I explained to her that we were watching a moving from a long time ago, when Papa Bill was still alive.  I explained that he was at my wedding and many other events before he died.  "But, how did he get there?" she insisted I explain this to her.  That's tough to describe to a four-year-old.  Jim and I are convinced Parker got her fabulous, contagious laugh from my dad.  As we watched, it brought an avalanche of emotions.  I'm so glad Linda kicked us out for the night. 

Cute Stories in Oklahoma

By January 31, 2014, the Twin Cities had 33 days of below zero temperatures...not below freezing...below zero.  A couple of my girlfriends posted the photo to the left on Facebook recently.  It expresses my feelings perfectly.  Maybe it should say, "It's so cold I can't breathe.  Why do I live in a place where it's so cold I can't breathe?"  Every winter I ask myself that question as the wind sweeps through and literally takes my breath away.  I know, without a doubt, that I love living in Minnesota from late-March through December.  My loving husband knows me so well and strongly encouraged us to finish the torturous winter in Oklahoma.

Travis went home to Minnesota.  His travel schedule brought him  to Iowa and Ohio for work.  Oklahoma has been home for me and the kids for nearly two weeks now.  We are not vacationing...we are doing life in a warmer area.  We've gotten into a regular routine - that includes a typical school day, home-cooked meals, a consistent bedtime, and more funny kid stories.  It's always a blast to spend time with Jim and Linda.  We've played lots of card and board games.  Linda loves to sew and has helped the kids make their own aprons and other fun projects.  Linda taught Lincoln a few reading lessons.  The kids have played outside in the snow - and Jim drove them around the yard on the golf cart to see if it had enough traction to pull them on a sled.  (It didn't. ;-))  The neighbors came over to watch the Super Bowl.  We've visited the library three times - and everybody has done lots of reading.  Linda's birthday was Wednesday (February 5th) so we enjoyed a delicious meal, visited the the Grove Cinema 6 for the movie "Frozen," and treated her to Braum's for some of their famous ice cream.  (It was more of a treat for the kids, but whatever.)

The Kids with Grandma Boots

We traveled to Tulsa Friday to visit Grandma Boots (everyone else calls her Nanny Boots).  Grandma moved from Ottawa, Kansas, to an assisted living facility in Tulsa last August.  This was our first time at her new home.  We all had fun visiting and touring the facility.  After our time with Grandma we went out to lunch with some of my Tulsa girlfriends, Emily, Samantha, and Holly.  I met these gals through MonaVie and they've become wonderful friends.  We ate at a sushi restaurant called In the Raw.  Calla's favorite is the caterpillar roll and Parker tried a Hello Kitty roll.  (What 4-year-old girl wouldn't love a Hello Kitty roll?!)  It was fun to visit with the girls.

Playing basketball in the barn

Saturday we returned to Tulsa to visit with our friends, the Holloway's.  Travis and Jeremy attended Barnes Elementary school in Owasso, Oklahoma, together.  They've stayed connected over the years - Jeremy was even in our wedding.  It was fun to see them, their new home, and their aging children.  I can't believe they have a 13-year-old son!!  Ugghh!!  It all happens too fast.  The kids played lots of basketball together and enjoyed each other's company.  They are a fabulous family.  I always leave their presence inspired.

Ty and Addi Holloway are on the right.  Their friend Tristen is in the back.

Calla climbs to the top

After church Sunday we drove into Rogers, Arkansas, to see our friends, the McLean's.  Rob works at Family Heritage like Travis, starting their businesses just months apart.  Rob and Debbie have been our friends ever since.  (Over nine years now!)  They have three boys - Brayden (nearly 7), Cooper (5), and Bennett (18 mos).  We parked our rented minivan in their driveway and Brayden was at the door welcoming us!  Cooper helped us with our coats.  Bennett took Calla's finger and showed her around the house.  We went over to a store called Lewis & Clark Outfitters (similar to REI) and the kids did some wall climbing.  The Tropical Smoothie Cafe was calling our name after some tough climbs.  Then we went back to their house for some of Debbie's homemade fajitas.  The kids played and played, and the adults talked and talked, until it was nearly bedtime.  It was a blast!  Those boys are as wonderful as their parents!

Besides all that, the Olympics are on television.  They have been a big hit around here.  We've spent time each night cheering for U.S.A. and learning about Russia's history.

I have really funny children (and one exceptionally funny child).  I've been documenting stories and thought I'd share them with you.  I hope they make you laugh like they make me laugh.  Enjoy, until next time...

Getting out of Work - Again
Time to fold laundry.  The kids' job is to match socks and fold undies.
Lincoln:  Um, Mommy.  I've never heard of elephants folding laundry.
Parker (always following Lincoln):  Yeah.  Or a princess!

Looney Tunes
Parker:  Bombs away!  Done.
Me:  What are you doing?
Parker:  We are playing Tom and Jerry.  We are in a cave, but our cave can drive.
Me:  (clarifying)  Cave?
Parker:  Yeah.  You know, I'm Tweety Bird and this is Tweety's cave.
Me:  Cage?
Lincoln:  Yeah.  
Papa Jim introduced our kids to Looney Tunes and Tom & Jerry.  Apparently they are interchangeable and worth re-living.  With Lincoln involved, I'm a little concerned that a homemade bomb will go off or something.  Praying.

The Blood of Christ
Jim and Linda attend an alive Methodist church in Grove.  We always go with them when we are in town.  They celebrated communion at church Sunday.  Because of bad weather and illnesses, the childcare was cancelled.  The kids did a GREAT job sitting in service and (what I thought was) pretending to listen.  After we went up for communion, Lincoln looked at Papa Jim with a concerned face and asked, "Is that real blood?!"  That's a good question.  And I'm glad he was actually listening.

Preparing for the future
Linda:  Lincoln, what are you doing?  (She noticed Lincoln standing on the bed wearing only underwear - multiple pairs.)
Lincoln:  Getting dressed.  I've got four pairs of underwear on!  One for today, one for tonight.  One for tomorrow, and one for tomorrow night.  I'll just take this one off tonight and I'll already have another one on!  He pointed to the outside layer.  He tried to put seven pairs on, but he couldn't get his pants over them. ( I guess it's better than not wearing any underwear.)  
Parker:  I've got three undies on.  One for Friday and one for Saturday.  (It's only Wednesday.)

Apples to Apples
Me:  I'm the judge.  What does the green card say?
Lincoln and Taite (on a team):  The green card says 'Useful'
(Everyone throws in their card.)
Calla:  I don't have any good cards.  I just have a throw away card.
Me:  Brothers.  Bathrooms.  Lifegaurds.  Scouts.  The Headless Horseman.  Hmmm...Not the Headless Horseman, but all these other ones are really good...all very useful.  (I choose the winner and its not Calla.)  Calla, which one was your throw away card?
Calla:  Brothers.

Sequence
It was Taite's turn.  He didn't know it.
Nana:  Taite!  It's your turn.  I'm growing a beard over here waiting on ya!
Taite:  Oh, sorry.
Lincoln:  (Studying Nana closely.) Oh, yeah!  I can see your hair on your beard, Nana!

Nana's Birthday Present
Linda's birthday was Wednesday, February 5th.  We didn't think we'd be with her on her birthday, so when we were there before Christmas we left her birthday gift in a guest room.  We had packaged up some lotion and shower gel - her favorite scents - and a study Bible.  The bag was visible, but not in the way.  Since we were there for her birthday, we gave it to her ourselves over a birthday lunch.

Busted.

Linda:  Oh, you guys.  I have a confession to make.
Taite:  I already know what you are going to say.  You looked in the bag and know what your present is.
Linda:  Yes!  How did you know?!
Taite:  It was a good guess.
Linda:  I looked a long time ago - after you left at Christmas.   I was so excited about it I've already started reading it!  (She opened the book and showed us her bookmark!)  I've already read all of Genesis, Revelation, and part of Exodus!  (Ha!  She's like a kid.)

Hearing
While we watched the Olympics Saturday night Linda warmed up with Lincoln and Parker on her lap.  Lincoln was being funny and Linda grabbed him to tickle him.  Have you ever heard Lincoln scream?  I wouldn't even say he screams like a girl.  It's an ear piercing, high pitched shriek.  He always screams like that when he gets tickled.  It's awful and we try to avoid it at all costs.  Linda must have forgotten - especially since Lincoln was right next to her ear!  She tickled him, he shrieked.
Linda:  Lincoln!  My goodness!  I can't hear out of this ear!!
Lincoln (defending himself):  Well, I didn't know you had a hearing problem in that ear.

Maps
Linda pulled out a map and the kids showed her the places we've been.  She opened to Oregon.
Linda:  So, where in Oregon were you?
Me:  Wallowa.  It's by the Wallowa Mountains, south of Walla Walla, Washington, about 100 miles.
Linda:  I'm not seeing it.
Lincoln:  Nana, is it over here?
Linda:  You know, I can't find it.  Can you see it, Lincoln?
Lincoln:  Well, can I use your glasses?

Grove's movie theater

Frozen
We went to see Disney's Frozen.  Along our way home we reviewed the movie.  The questioning got around to Parker.
Me:  Parker, what was your favorite part of the movie tonight?
Parker:  It was so funny when the snowman said, "Catch my butt!!!"  That was so funny!
(Ha!  I was so surprised she remembered that part of the movie.  That was funny!  I'm telling you what, Frozen was one of the best Disney movies I've seen.  Olaf was the prize character.  Loved it.)

Sewing aprons

Reading

Calla's reading where it's quiet

Always doing her own thing

Racing cars

Someone gets to sleep with me each night.  They drew to see who goes first and then rotate.

Nana did the girls' nails

Dancing during the Super Bowl halftime

Connected Indians

Nana's birthday lunch

Braum's birthday treats

"You all going to work at a construction site?" asked Papa Jim.

FAQ's

People are often perplexed by our travels, especially since we aren't yet senior citizens.  These are the most frequently asked questions we've heard on this trip:


Do you homeschool?
This questions, of course, comes from people we meet along the way.  The answer is 'Yes.'

Where do you sleep?
Typically, Travis and I have the queen-sized bed in the back room.  Lincoln prefers to sleep in the recliner by himself.  The dinette collapses into a bed.  Taite usually sleeps there.  The couch works like a futon and folds into a bed as well.  Calla usually sleeps there.  Parker will sleep with either Calla or Taite...depends on the day.

When we have friends join us, like the VanSumeren's, we let the other adults sleep on the bed in the bedroom.  That's where Stacey and Tim slept.  We have a twin blow-up mattress.  Travis slept on the mattress.  Connor slept with Taite on the dinette bed.  Tyler started the trip in the passenger chair.  We turned it around 180 degrees (facing Lincoln) and leaned it back.  He chose to share the bed with Connor and Taite the rest of the week.  I shared with Calla and Parker.  There is a little bit of a downward-sloping lip on the couch.  With Trav's blow-up bed next to us we had no worries about anyone falling off the couch/bed.  As these kids get older we won't be able to continue to sleep like this.

One funny/cute thing we experienced was our nighttime salutations.  When Travis and I slept with the kids we became the Walton's.

Taite:  Goodnight, Mom
Me:  Goodnight, Taite

Linc & Bug

Calla:  Goodnight, Mom
Me:  Goodnight, Calla.  Goodnight, Lincoln.  Goodnight, Parker.  Goodnight, Connor.  Goodnight, Tyler. Goodnight, Dad
Connor:  Goodnight, Miss Kate
Lincoln:  Goodnight, Mom
Tyler:  Goodnight, MissKate
Parker:  Goodnight, Mommy
Connor:  Goodnight, Mr. Travis
Taite:  Goodnight, Dad.  Goodnight, Connor.  Goodnight Tyler
Tyler:  Goodnight, Lincoln.  Goodnight, Parker
Travis:  Goodnight, Connor.  Goodnight, Taite

You see where I'm going with this.  Every last person said goodnight to everyone else in the room.  Instead of counting sheep, you could help yourself fall asleep by remembering each person in the room and bidding them goodnight.  I'm sure by the time we were done there were a few kids already asleep.  I could take up 4 pages on this nightly event alone!  It was seriously long, drawn-out, hilarious, friendly bedtime love. 

Like last year, I regretfully don't have a picture of the sleeping arrangements.  One of these days...

A one month bucket of mail at my mom's house.  Neatly organized.

What do you do with your mail?
USPS lets you put your mail on hold for one month.  We did that, had it delivered, and (with a reminder set in my phone) put it on hold again.  My mom was kind enough to pick it up.  (Thanks mom!!!)  She sorted it and found tons of junk mail, a couple of bills (which we pay online anyway), some tax statements (we'll need in March for our tax appointment), and a few other random items.  Almost all of our communications and payments are done electronically.

Doesn't Travis have to work?
He does.  And he is.  We traveled to his meeting.  He's spent time everyday (except weekends) on the phone with co-workers.  He's led webinars (internet meetings) and conference calls.  We've stopped and connected with many of his co-workers in person.  We call this adventure 'a trip' not 'a vacation.'  We are just doing life in a different place other than 15250 Nautica Circle NE.  




Are you still doing your business, Kate?

You betcha.  (Throwing in a little Minnesotan there.)  I have been able to get on conference calls, make phone calls, and stay updated on the happenings through www.monavieonthemove.com.   We went to Las Vegas for MonaVie's semi-annual meeting mid-January.  I've met people along the way who have either had an interest in health or making more money.  (Perfect candidates.)  I've taken time to set goals and review my purposes. 

How do you do school?

Linda bought me a jean dress and bonnet.  It's perfect.

When ever and however we can fit it in.  We are mostly doing 'unschooling' and learning through the experiences we've had along our trip.  We've kept up really well with our history and science reading.  We've also put a great dent in our math.  Normally Grammy (my mom) does reading lessons with Lincoln and we haven't really squeezed those in along the trip.  (Nana is starting to fill in for Grammy a bit just to keep him learning.)  Taite and Calla have read tons of books on their own.  And for writing, the kids are journaling.  More important than all those subjects, we've remained consistent in our Bible studies, we've worked on manners and interpersonal skills, and we've all worked on our character - especially choosing our words, managing our emotions, and thinking about our actions before we act.  It's not just our children who have worked on those things.  We have all grown immensely on this trip.  This trip is a bit like selling books - you either stay the same, quit, and go home or you change, develop your character, and become stronger.

Did you notice the special herbs in Colorado?
Boy did we ever!  We were walking the streets of downtown Grand Junction and the scent was overwhelming multiple times as hemp smokers walked past us .  When we arrived in Denver, there was a corner store called "Cannabis Care."  I went to Google and typed in "Cannabis Care Denver" and eight different sites came up.  ;-)  The store next to Cannabis Care was called Voodoo Doughnuts.  The line for them was out the door and down the block!  We are guessing there are some special herbs cooked into those doughnuts.  

Cannabis Care Center

Have you seen much wildlife?
No.  Nothing compared to last year.  Last year we saw wild dolphins, whales, sea otters, big horn sheep, pronghorn, and more.  This year seems to be more geology- and astronomy-focused.  Not intentionally.  Different, but cool.

Do you miss home?
Of course!  We miss our family and our friends.  We have the best of the best family and friends in Minnesota.  But when it's so cold outside it's not even fun to visit friends because you have to walk from the car to their door.  ;-)  I also find that we sometimes go two months without seeing some of our very best friends because of everyone's hectic schedules.  We'll be patient and plan playdates and dinners for when we return.  We plan to shower family and friends with love when we get home.  They will barely notice we've been gone.  (And maybe next year some of them will visit us in Costa Rica. ;-))

Have you sold your home?
Not yet.  It will remain on the market until February 20th.  

I plan to wear this on the farm.

Did you buy a farm yet?  or Where is your farm?
Again, not yet.  (Which is why it's probably a good and God-thing that we haven't sold our house yet.)  Travis has already returned home and is researching our favorite parcels.  We'll see...

How is it, being together all the time?
Usually people ask this with wide eyes, imagining what it would be like to be with their own children and spouse all the time.  Travis and I really enjoy spending time with our kids and each other.  I suppose when you spend this much time with each other, you get to know the others better.  You learn what makes the others tick (or flip-out).  You understand all the small things that warm the hearts of your children and spouse.  You learn how verbally, visually, and through mannerisms to most effectively deliver the message.  It's less about manipulation and more about managing your environment.  It's also fun, when you've experienced the same things, to reminisce or sympathize.  I guess it's fun to be on the same page.  

How is this year's trip different from last year's trip?
Since we are traveling to the same general area, you'd think we'd do and see many of the same things.  Not so.  Last year we experienced cool weather everywhere we went, including Southern California.  (We didn't even pull out our swimsuits.)  We saw lots of wildlife.  We were gone for six weeks.  We traveled where we wanted to go, and saw friends who lived in those areas.  (The people we visited were fabulous!!!  So glad our paths crossed.)  Last year we traveled according to our schedule.  Travis was great about planning where we'd stay and for how long.


This year we experienced lots of hot weather - and cool weather where we expected the cool weather.  We swam so much this year Taite's face dried up.  We saw very little wild life - a few mule deer in California and some pronghorn in New Mexico.  This year we planned our travels around who we wanted to visit instead of what we wanted to see.  We went sight-seeing in the places where those friends live.  We didn't see very many of the same friends as we saw last year (sadly).  But we have absolutely loved our time with the friends we've visited this year.  We'll be gone nine weeks this time.  Nine weeks is definitely do-able.  Especially when Minnesota is having their 13th coldest winter on record.  Brrr.  Finally, this year we have a much more general and flexible schedule.


Both were amazing trips.  I'm pretty sure our kids have no idea how cool it is that we get to do this.  Likely, it won't be until they have their own families and contemplate doing something similar that they understand what all goes into a trip like this.


How do you pack clothes for a trip like this? 
That is a great question!  I am no expert.  We packed 10 layer-able outfits for each person.  (Everyone only has one cubbie or drawer.)  Of those 10 outfits, one had to be a church-worthy outfit.  Everyone had between one and three sweatshirts.  We needed one swimsuit for each person.  (We accidentally had an extra for each kid in the RV's dirty laundry bin - oops.) We needed skiing/sledding gear.  Helmets, goggles, boots, hats, scarves, mittens, snow pants, and winter coats got thrown into duffel bags and stored under the bed. 

KC and his buddy/cousin Ruger

Where is KC while you are gone?
I have an amazing mom.  She's taken care of KC the majority of the time we've been gone.  She's also flushed our toilets and turned on our sinks on extremely cold days to make sure our pipes don't freeze.  (We'll have to consider that for next year.)  She watered my plants.  And she's picked up our mail and packages.  She's really been there for us.  I have no idea what we would do without my mom.  There was a week she joined us and our stupendous neighbors took care of everything for us - including KC.  (Why are we considering moving?!)  They have definitely watched out for us and our home.  The neighbor boys are even shoveling our driveway.

What day is it?
That's the question I most frequently ask.  It's hard to keep track of the days when you really have little reason to keep track of the days.  ;-)

Calla

When are you coming home?!
Although it's changed a few times, we've settled on February 20th.

Are you going to do this next year?
Absolutely.  And every year the Lord allows.  Costa Rica, here we come.

Can we join you next year?
Undoubtedly, YES!  Usually people are joking when they ask this, but we aren't!  This is our invitation for you to join us, meet us, and/or travel with us.  We don't yet know where we'll go for sure.  We're going to check out Costa Rica in April as we'll be there for the wedding of our friends, Rich Strobel and Jessie Hounsell.  We'll make a decision then.  (Thank you Rich and Jessie for getting married in Costa Rica!!!)

Linc

Do you miss home?
"I can't wait until we go home," said Lincoln with a very sad and desperate voice.
"Why do you want to go home?" I asked.
"Because then I could see my friends.  And I could have frozen strawberries and frozen pineapple.  And I could have roast beef.  And I could have raspberries and blackberries and blueberries."
"You can eat those things here.  Why do you have to go home for them?" I asked.
"Well, not frozen pineapple and frozen strawberries," Lincoln assumes only Minnesotans eat frozen fruit?  "I'm hot.  When I'm hot I want to have frozen things.  That's why I want to go home."

As for the rest of us, we are super excited to go home.  We'll see Grammy and Mimi.  We'll see our friends.  We'll get back on a schedule/routine.  We'll engage with our church family again.  The kids will go to their homeschool school and co-op where they both learn and see friends.  I'll get to go to BSF, attend my Christian Health Cooperative gatherings, and get back to business.  We'll all sleep in our own beds and have a wide variety of clothes to wear.  We'll be able to get groceries from our typical sources.  We'll have a mailing address for letters and packages.

Yes, we're excited to come home.  But we'll only be gone for a total of nine cold, winter weeks.  No rush.

How do you get around?  Do you drive the RV everywhere?
Yet another great question.  No.  We often set up camp and rent a vehicle.  The RV can stay in one spot and we can drive in a smaller vehicle that can fit in more places - like packed parking lots, sharp turns, and Starbucks drive-thru's.  We love our Honda Odyssey, but our research strongly discouraged us from pulling it behind the RV.  (Something about ruining the transmission. ;-))
 

What's been your favorite part of the trip? 

Poo

Calla:  Going to the Ferré's ranch.  (See 'A Visit with the Ferré's in Northeastern Oregon)
Lincoln:  Going to the zoo.  (See Mile High Fun)
Taite:  The Ferré ranch.
Parker:  The whole thing.  (Not really an acceptable answer, but we'll work on it.)
Travis:  The flexibility of this trip.  It's been great to make last minute decisions to change directions, return dates, and attraction plans.  I like the spontaneity of the trip.
Me:  I love that we've gotten to visit so many of our favorite people all over the country.  Boy, God has absolutely blessed us with amazing friends.  A gift.




I'm sure there are more FAQ's.  I'll add them as I hear them.  ;-)