Some things about me:
I am 35 (I still remember when 30 was old – name that song), married to My Farmer in Kansas. I grew up in a great little town, and live a couple hundred miles from there now. My parents are farmers too, so I have no excuse. I knew exactly what I was getting into when I married him.
We have three children. Our oldest son, Shooter, is eleven. Farmer Boy is nine, and Little Cowgirl is six. I never really understood what it would be like to love my children until I had them. It is an all-consuming, obsessive-compulsive, stalker sort of love.
Our family’s style has evolved slowly. We are like everybody else: We don’t really fit in a category. Sometimes I am pretty crunchy. I like to make most of our food from scratch and I used cloth diapers (most of the time). I don’t really attachment parent, but I do use a lot of techniques that are “AP.” I loved breastfeeding and did so for years with each child. I loved to wear my babies and never felt it was good for my infant to cry. I also found that rigid schedules did far more to stress me out than anything else. We started homeschooling a few years ago and it has been a great move for us. I am trying hard to be an intentional, connected parent and to live intentional, connected life.
The title of my blog is meant to signify my approach to mothering and life. I have let go of the image of perfection. I am just myself and that is close enough. I’m doing my best and make mistakes every day, but it is close enough. I really can’t ask any more from myself and I have forgiven me for not becoming what I imagined motherhood to be like. Sometimes being a grown up sucks. But sometimes it’s better than I ever imagined. The title is also meant to signify the relationships I am trying to build in my life – I don’t want an “arms length” type of friendship, family, spouse. I want to be close enough to all the people I love. So I will plod through my days sharing some thoughts with you, hoping to make you think and laugh.
Hi Jessica,
What a neat idea. I’ll enjoy reading your comments especially about homeshooling!
Thanks Zo, it’s been so different than we thought. It’s working really well for us right now and I’m enjoying writing about it.
“Strawberry Wine.” I’m naming that song. It’s definitely a good one, and it’ll run through my mind all day! You’ve taught me so much, and I know you robably don’t eve realize what an influence you are!
Hey Jess, this is AWESOME!!!! I have learned so much already. I will enjoy learning more from you. You are such a great mom and perfect farm wife.
You are always so sweet to me, Sarah – but I’m barely close enough for a farm wife! LOL! I think it’s just lucky that I came from farming so I did have a little bit of an idea of what to expect – far less culture shock that way.
Jessica – Wow! This is so great. I knew it had been a long time since I was able to catch up with you, but I didn’t realize how much I have missed until I read your blog. Your writing is awesome – the whole time I was reading I could here your voice in my head saying what you had written. It was so fun, and I am anxious to read more!
Thank you, Susan. I miss you!
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I love the blog’s new look. Great introduction too! I check in every day to read your family’s adventures.
Love It jess!
Thanks, Misty. Thank you for reading – that makes my day. Wouldn’t it be fun if we lived closer? I have a feeling our little girls would be good friends.
Hi Jessica,
Just read about you in the Informer (yay!) and thought I’d drop in to say hey. I’m also a homeschooling mommy blogger here in Derby. So glad to hear about you and hope you get lots of hits from the article. Come by one of these days and say hi!
Hey you! Are you okay? You’re still holding that darned liver and I’m a wee bit worried about you.
hugs from me to you,
samm