There are surprising places where this many people in one family makes life exponentially difficult.

The biggest of these is absolutely our house. Who can afford a seven bedroom home so everyone can have their own space?

A couple of years ago we had a dream to move our family to Salt Spring Island. Fast forward and we had packed all 5 of our kids up and hit the road.

Unlike the first house we were outbid on, it didn’t have a second tiny home on the property for my ex to live in.  Unlike the second house we were outbid on, it was at the very tip top of our budget, so there wasn’t much wiggle room and renos that were absolutely needed to make this house safe, leaving not much left to make a space that Chris, and other guests could stay in while here with us. 

Here are our options, and how we chose what was best for our family.

Raise your hand if you’ve cried while living through a renovation!

ALL MY HANDS ARE IN THE AIR.

If you’ve ever lived through a reno, with kids, on a remote island, you know it’s the most stressful. Like for real.

The story of this renovation is too long for one post but the answer to our problems was simple - we just needed some heroes.

DO YOU MAKE A “DID IT” LIST?

I don’t know about you, but I always enter the end of the year with a fair amount of angst, especially as a parent it’s easy to end the year feeling at least a little bit like a failure, and 2020 was no different. Until I stop and list all the actual shit I did this year in my annual “DID IT LIST!”

5 MONTHS IN.

This is our update 5 months in on our little hobby farm, I let you know all the things. Like, how we’re settling in? Do the kids like school? How many chickens do you have, what type are they, are there roosters, what do they eat and why are they so cute? Secret Project what now? It's a lot to catch up on. I’ve covered most of it in just less than 5 minutes.

THE SUN. A JOINT. AND A CHICKEN.

This is self care for me. I feel conflicted about sharing this photo. I feel nervous about the backlash or the judgement that will surely come.
Cannabis is 1000% legal here in Canada, but it still has a stigma attached to it in ways alcohol never has. ::ahem systemic racism:: For me, cannabis is medicine.

EVERYTHING I’VE EVER WANTED FOR MY KIDS.

3 Months ago we rolled up on Salt Spring Island with NO IDEA what was in store for us! So much has gone so very wrong. But this moment right here is everything I’ve ever wanted for my kids. It’s just 1 of 100 reasons we moved out of suburban life and onto this magical rock full of trees and wonder.

Three months ago, Katherine and I picked up our suburban life and moved our family of 7 + one ex-husband to a hippy farming island full of magic. The first 2 weeks I spent mostly crying, then I rage built shit, while pretending I was super chill anytime Handsome Matt came over to help.

Rest In Peace sweet Poly.

Sometimes your 5 year old might misplace his quail. He may then forget he misplaced her. And then you might find said quail dead.