Going on a MOMcation

We have two boys. I homeschool them. We do not have any family that lives close. They are with me 24-7. I adore them and love our life, but seriously, a sister needs a break.

Last year, I ran away from home for a MOMcation. MOMcation is the brainchild of my good friend Fawn over at Instead of the Dishes. It is a vacation for Mom, away from the kids, with the goal of relaxing, renewing, and repairing mom so she can be an even greater Mom when she returns home.

Last year, after frantically cleaning my house, making sure all the laundry was done and food was prepped in the fridge for the Buckaroos (it was not in this shape when I returned), I set out under a weather advisory to drive 2 ½ hours to Heifer Ranch. I like to think I am adventurous but storm chasing is not my thing. Well, and I don’t think I would like to bungee jump, skydive, or climb Everest. O.k. maybe I am not the adventurous type.

Oh wait, I am a mom to two little boys, yea, that is an adventure all its own. Sorry, I get a little sidetracked, be thankful you are not in my head all the time, whiplash honey. ANYWAY…I love a big storm as long as I am wrapped in a comfy blanket on my couch, driving in it is a different story. My knuckles were white most of the time in anticipation of this huge storm that was supposed to hit. But, I was fortunate to not run into any bad weather until Murphy showed up. As I drove up and was getting my bag out to go inside the lodge, oh mercy, the sky opened up. I freaked for a minute because I had dressed cute and fixed my hair because all you women know that we are each others biggest critics. So, I opened the door looking like a drowned rat but the warmth and laughter radiated from the room.

Of the 18 women attending, I only knew Fawn. Is that scary and intimidating? Heck yeah. But, by the end of the weekend, I had made some wonderful new friends. We had cooking demonstrations, yoga class, a tour of Heifer Ranch, book discussion, jewelry making, a bonfire, and so many more wonderful activities. Let’s not even talk about the karaoke, some things that happen at MOMcation need to stay at MOMcation, got it girls?! My favorite part was just sitting on the couch talking to the other women, hearing their stories, learning from them, commiserating with them, and enjoying getting to know them.

This year's MOMcation will be held April 29-May 1 at Heifer Ranch near Perryville, Arkansas. Join us in connecting with and learning from other Moms as well as enjoying some quiet time alone in self-reflection. For more information on this professional development opportunity for your most important job – being a Mom, visit momcation.org.

I hope to see you there,
The Park Wife

The Real World of Boys

My sister-in-law Katie was married a few weeks ago. It was a beautiful wedding, she looked gorgeous and has been blessed with an incredible man to be her husband.

Katie and her dad approaching her future.

Now, all of you that have young children (especially boys) know that it can be touch and go at these type of events. See, our two are ALL boy, from zip lining to tree climbing to mutton bustin', they live for dirt and danger.

However..... there are times they have to be clean and smile pretty. You know we don't want all that "unsocialized homeschooler" judgement cast upon us. So, they got gussied up for their Aunt Katie.

The Little Bucakroo's (in bow ties, we are Southern like that) and the cousin buckaroos sitting there waiting, aren't they so well behaved?

Smoke and mirrors my friends, smoke and mirrors.

Reality

And, I would not have it any other way.

Letting boys be boys while teaching them to be gentlemen,
The Park Wife

A Little Boys Trip to a Wonderful Life

A little story for you today.

There once was a little Louisiana boy that went to a state park in another state.

It took them 6 hours to get there, seemed like forever to a small child.

Are we there yet?

Adorable little boy's picture was taken at one of the overlooks.

A picture that would give a glimpse into his future. Mercy, he is precious.

Little boy grows up. Through a twist of fate (yes, God's plan), he gets hired as a Ranger at the state park he visited as a small child.

He marries the woman of his dreams (yea, that's The Park Wife) and becomes assistant superintendent of that mountain park.

They have a baby boy who has his dad's good looks, intelligence, and heart of gold.

Years later, they move to another park, in another part of the state, for him to be the superintendent.

No more mountain views, lots of really old stuff (a historical park).

They have their second child. A boy who has his dad's warrior spirit, loving heart, an adventurer. Help me, that boy is gorgeous.

The Ranger and The Park Wife always take their kids back to the place they fell in love.

Where their story began.

Where their kids can experience the beauty of God's creation and the community that made them one of their own.

Even though they love their current community, they hope to move back to the mountains in the future ......waiting.....waiting.....

Are we there yet?

Still waiting.......and probably will for a while longer.

Story to be continued.
The Park Wife

***for those of you who have asked since this posted, NOPE, not leading up to some big announcement, nothing on the horizon. Learning to BE STILL AND KNOW HE IS GOD.

In Awe of Deborah Madison

I serve on our state's Farmers' Market Association board and the other 4 board members, yep, they are men. Can I get a "bless your heart"?

Our annual conference was last weekend and yes, I planned and implemented the entire thing....with a little, emphasis on little, help from the men. Thankfully, another woman was recently elected to the Board, FARM GIRL POWER!

It was a fantastic, informative, and rejuvenating (well, mentally, not physically) weekend. Just like every other year after a farmers' market conference, I spend every day of the next week out planning and working in my garden or perusing catalogs and ordering my seeds. A big shout out to the incredible Seed Savers Exchange, an organization that saves and shares the heirloom seeds of our garden heritage, forming a living legacy that can be passed down through generations. Check them out.

The highlight of the entire weekend for me was meeting the extraordinary Deborah Madison. Yes, I am in awe of this woman. She was everything and nothing I expected. I expected a celebrated chef, local foods advocate, author of 11 cookbooks, former farmers market manager, and the founding chef of San Francisco’s Greens restaurant. What I did not expect was for her to be so down to earth, warm and welcoming, to have a kind spirit and radiate such health, beauty, and class.

She and her cutie-patootie husband Patrick joined us for our board dinner (which was delicious thanks to Chef Lee Richardson of Ashley's at the Capitol Hotel) and she was immediately supportive and enthusiastic about all we are doing for local farmers and markets in our state. On Friday, she spoke at our conference and was full of wisdom and ideas leaving all the attendees wanting more. That evening was a Farm to Table Dinner with a book signing at The Peabody.


I got over to The Peabody and visited with a few people, then I wandered over to her book signing table. She welcomed me as if we had been friends for life. I purchased her book, Local Flavors which I HIGHLY recommend and before I walked off she asked if she could sit with me at dinner, yes at the event she was speaking at. Um, yea!


There were two tables full of farmers amidst the crowd of attendees, yes, we were the ones wearing cowboy boots, and yes Kim Severson of The New York Times, I wore my cowboy boots with a dress.

Deborah Madison wowed the crowd and hopefully the attendees got her message of the importance of local foods and the farm to table movement.

I firmly believe that God puts people into our path to learn lessons from, admire, and that will encourage us to be better people. I am thankful that Deborah Madison crossed my path.

Remember, you too can eat pure, healthy, local foods. Visit your local farmers' market or hey, order some seeds and give gardening a try, you might love it like me!

Going to get my toes in the dirt,
The Park Wife