My Why

If you've been around me on social media for any length of time, you know that I post.  A lot.  I know that.  I always have some new fund raising idea or side hustle.  Some of you may wonder why you still follow me at all. 

I post about Plexus.

And Color Street.

And my knitting business.

And waiting kids.

And adopting families.

Sometimes I even post about what other people are selling or doing.

Basically, it probably looks like I'm always trying to raise money one way or another.  

But hang with me! 

I also post teaching memes.  (Because I can't post actual stories about teaching.)

And about my annual trip to Mexico and our other travels.

A little bit about farm life.  

And I mix it all up with Sara stories and pictures and videos.

But I post everything I do for a reason.  And the reason all leads back to this girl.

This girl is my why.  

I post about Plexus because being healthy makes me a better mom to her.

And Color Street because I'm committed to raising money for adopting families and waiting children while getting our little family into a position where we can live debt free and I can plan for her financial future.

And my knitting business because I love knitting and helping others where I can with the money I make.

And waiting kids because every child deserves a family just as much as she does.

And adopting families because so many people helped me get this little girl home.  I will always be indebted to them for helping me create my little family.  I strive to provide that kind of encouragement to other families.  

Sometimes I even post about what other people are selling or doing because I want to encourage others who have a heart to help those less fortunate.

Basically, it probably looks like I'm always trying to raise money one way or another.  Because I am.  If I can find a product that you need/want/will buy anyway, why not let you know that you can your purchase can help others and not just a big company?

But hang with me! 

I also post teaching memes.  (Because I can't post actual stories about teaching.)  I wish I could share more of my actual teaching stories.  Teaching is such a big part of who I am and what I do.  My love for my students is what made me decide to adopt a child with Down syndrome.  

And about my annual trip to Mexico and our other travels because I firmly believe that live was not meant to be lived in one place.  There is so much out there to see and experience.

A little bit about farm life because who doesn't want to know about baby goats?

And I mix it all up with Sara stories and pictures and videos because she is my why.  I strive to keep it real.  Not every day is a picnic.  Some are just hard.  But in between those rough moments are the hilarious, sassy, funny moments with my girl that make this life all worth it.  

But I post everything I do for a reason.  And the reason all leads back to this girl.

Trial Run

We made a quick weekend trip to our new country home for a job interview. (Fingers crossed.)  Within an hour we were geared up and headed out to collect eggs and close things up for the night.

Sara really wants to hand feed the cow but she won't get any closer than that.  She tried throwing grass to it but it wouldn't tetch (catch).  In all fairness, that thing has some pretty big horns.

Thursday morning found us hanging outside and doing a little gardening.  Life is just a little slower in the country.  


My dad got all Pinteresty on us.  Pretty much everything we need for summer salads.  Now if only we could grow avocados.  We'd could have some amazing guac.



Sara is reading her family book to Grandpa.  What could be better than a book full of pictures of her favorite people?  Thanks Gigi's Playhouse Tinley Park for the literacy tutoring.  She'll be a reader yet!


Cribbage.  A game learned at my grandparents' kitchen table.  A tradition we are carrying on at my parents' kitchen table.  I can't wait until the day that Sara can learn to play.



Sara has a new favorite store.  Target has been eclipsed by Tractor Supply.  After all, the carts are WAY cooler.  (And, of course, grandpa lets her ride standing up.)  She was very disappointed to learn that they don't sell baby chicks in June.  I guess she'll have to wait until next Easter to get some more.


Saturday morning brings farm chores.  My dad has some great ideas for marketing the little farm and our meat and eggs.  In order to make that happen, some major barn clean up needs to happen.  Dad, Rob, Sara and I spent a couple of hours cleaning out and shoveling up.  We got a lot done and set some goals for our next Saturday together.


This is what Sara put on when I told her we were going to work in the barn.  She even brought some gold fish out with her.  Clearly, we need to work on this new farm vocabulary starting with what "chorin' clothes" are.


The self-appointed supervisor.  Her break was definitely longer than her work.


She did do a little work.  She's actually pretty good with a shovel.  We might have to find her a smaller one, though.  (After these pictures she declared she needed a bath and headed inside to hang out with Nana.)  


My dad and I had a long discussion on the pick up truck and if Sara could ride in it.  (I still need to look up the laws.)  We decided she would be ok if she was in the middle where there was no air bag and she was in her booster seat.  She loved it.  She could see so much up there.  She also liked having easy access to the steering wheel and rear view mirror.  (We had to have a nice chat about how Grandpa doesn't really need help steering.)  She liked the front so much that when we returned to the truck, she snatched her seat and slid it over to the driver's seat.  She was determined she was going to drive home.


She's also a big fan of the hills in NY.  Every time she sees on approaching, she throws her arms in the arm and yells weeeeee!!!  She was definitely made for country life.