It’s been too long since my last post, and so much has developed that I’m overdue for an update—and it’s a good one!!
Since completing PEP2, my husband and I have had many extended (sometimes exhaustive) conversations about our best path forward to get out of the city. By the end of 2025, we had explored a wide range of options and narrowed them down to two, which we evaluated using a detailed trade study.
This decision felt especially heavy given the developmental stages of our children. We wanted to make a move that would truly serve everyone in our family and provide a sense of permanence. To avoid disagreement, my kids and I agreed that my husband would make the final decision. We each contributed our needs and desires, he assigned the weighted values, and thankfully, there was a clear winner.
I’m excited to share that we’ve decided to sell our home in the city and move to Wheaton Labs this coming spring!
From my perspective, here’s why this path feels right:
----The best opportunity for us to build, learn, and live without constantly having to “pay to play.” Financially, it allows us to live humbly, stretch our savings (possibly indefinitely), and gives my husband a viable exit from the corporate world—with built-in options to supplement our budget.
----The most land and existing infrastructure in a location resilient to climate extremes and change.
----Built-in learning opportunities through bootcamps, workshops, and from Paul himself.
----A built-in, subsistence-oriented community with shared values and ethics, where my kids will have access to great mentors and neighbors, and where people work together most days.
----Most of our dream property goals feel viable at WL, with time and effort.
I still want to better articulate my why, especially around SKIP. We could have moved to WL without me having to do SKIP at all, and at times it feels puzzling that I completed so many BBs only to end up here anyway. But looking back, SKIP was the bridge. At the onset, WL felt like too big of a leap; too unrealistic. SKIP helped me (and my family, as a side effect) gain new perspectives and slowly reprogram away from our dependence on the system. Bringing my family to WL last winter to complete a BB was pivotal—it’s truly a place you have to experience to understand. As wonderful as SKIP properties are, they don’t quite compare to what Paul has built and offers at WL.
While I’m open to future opportunities from Otises, I feel really good about making WL our family’s long-term home and investing our time and energy there.
That said, I’m realistic about some anticipated challenges:
----I wish for a gal pal and more social opportunities for my kids. I’ve identified local homeschool connections and 4H programming as ways to build those relationships.
----I wish there were fully mature food and animal systems, but developing those systems is one of the aspects of permaculture I love most—so perhaps the problem is the solution.
----There’s an immediate need to finish the water connection to the cabin we’ll be occupying initially. It may be a rough transition, but manageable with focused effort.
----No year-round, above-ground moving water (a girl can dream), and irrigation will be labor-intensive. Still, I’m excited about long-term solutions and possibilities through earthworks, grazing, and experimentation.
Once we’re moved, I expect we’ll settle in, go with the flow, and discover what feels most soul-building—while hedging against the inevitable learning curve of being first-generation homesteaders. We’re genuinely excited for this upcoming transition. Cheers to a new year and a new lifestyle!
Between now and moving day, we’ll be downsizing, preparing our house for sale, and finishing the second half of homeschooling (now co-teaching with my husband!).
In the meantime, I’m elated winter has arrived, giving me space for stillness and study—specifically herbalism, preventative health, and natural building. This season of learning feels relevant, timely, and deeply soul-building, especially as we work to take greater responsibility for our family’s health.
Here are a few books I've enjoyed/am enjoying:
*So many good Lloyd Kahn books, half acre homestead was my favorite
*I've also been reading a few books about intermittent fasting and cherry-picking information from each; I haven't found a singular book that I would recommend.
