Running from the Law: Recharging our Batteries

Tuesday, March 15, 2016

Recharging our Batteries

There's something about fresh country air, sunshine through the trees and spending time with family that fully recharges your tired soul after a long week. The kids and I are so lucky that my parents live on a farm in the middle of nowhere and encourage us to come visit often and get as dirty as possible. Country life and kids seem to go hand in hand - it's much harder to get bored on the farm when there's always fish to catch, rocks to move, trails to hike and creeks to explore. Even the littlest of souls delights in taking a break from our weekly routine to get outside and connect with nature.
I grew up in the country, surrounded by woods, creeks and caves. My childhood consisted of playing school in an old horse stable, catching tadpoles and crawdads in the creek, climbing trees and reading books in the middle of the woods all by myself. I had my brothers, but for the most part, I was on my own as a country kid. It gives you a lot of time to think, to read, to imagine and daydream. As I got older and started craving more social interaction with friends, I started to see the appeal of city life (or at least life within city limits) and couldn't wait to move away to college and into the hustle and bustle of a busy city. My freshman year of college was the first year I'd ever lived within city limits...or even in a town with a stoplight! It was culture shock in the best possible way and I fell in love with the convenience of 24-hour grocery stores, movie theaters that were less than 30 minutes away and neighbors! All things I never had growing up.
However, life has a way of coming full circle, and now that I have children of my own, I long for the quiet of the country and want to make sure they they get the chance to experience a little of my childhood. I want them to be able to see the stars at night and the dew on the plants in the morning. I want them to have the opportunity to be alone in the middle of the woods, with just the wind in the trees and the sound of a running creek. I want them to appreciate nature, plants and animals. I want them to explore and be independent, imaginative and adventurous. 
I love that my children get to have the best of both worlds. They get to grow up in a city, in a neighborhood full of friends their own age have access to great schools and a diverse population. During the week they get to explore museums and see shows, go to restaurants and visit vast libraries. City living is full of exciting events and opportunities I never dreamed of as a kid, but on the weekends, they also get to be country kids. They play in the mud, they bait their own hooks, they swim in creeks and swing on a tire hanging from a tree. They get to eat warm veggies straight out of the garden that they helped plant and water. They get to ride around on the golf cart and collect sticks for a nightly bonfire. They help catch worms and sweep the garage and mow the grass. They hike, they run, they explore. In the country, while there are always things to do, the kids aren't constantly being entertained - they have to use their imaginations to come up with games and stories and projects. Their little minds are fueled by green grass, fresh air and Vitamin D. 
While I'm not sure I could ever go back to living an hour from Target or Starbucks, I feel incredibly lucky to have this little oasis in the middle of nowhere and even more lucky to have the people that live there. Our lives are so busy these days and will continue to get even more hectic as the kids get older and their sports and social schedules fill up with little league tournaments, birthday parties and gymnastics meets, so I know how important it is to make sure we take the time to get away when we can. And while our weekends at the farm are great for the kids, they're just as refreshing for me and even more precious than ever before. A year ago, after his diagnosis, we weren't sure my dad would even be here today. This past year has made me realize that every day is a gift to be appreciated and cherished. Time spent outside is important, but time spent with family is invaluable, no matter where you are. The fact that we get the opportunity to have weekends like this and create these memories is the most amazing blessing we could ask for. 
“I go to nature to be soothed and healed, and to have 
my senses put in tune once more.” – John Burroughs

24 comments:

  1. Catching tadpoles was one of my favorite things to do. We grew up with a pond in our front yard and lived on 5 acres. It was wonderful. But like you, an hour from Target... no thank you!! But its always good to go 'home.'

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  2. These pictures are all so beautiful! (And I think would make an amazing Grandparent gift if you find yourself needing one!) :)

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  3. As a city girl, I truly appreciated spending time at my great-grandparents home 2 hours away in the country. I loved experiencing both worlds- I can definitely relate to all of this!

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  4. Yes, yes, YES!! I grew up in a small farming community and I'm so thankful my parents are still there so my kids can have those same experiences. I think when they're older THAT will be their summer camp - helping in the garden, hanging clothes on the line, enjoying simple life with NO cable TV. Plus, holy cow, it's always good for my soul to get out there too. Now we don't have a creek that close or a golf cart...SO FUN!! :) Happy for your family to have more of these weekends TOGETHER!!

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  5. Your childhood sounds so much like mine! I love that I grew up in the country, on a farm, working outside for my parents, getting dirty, and doing things that at the time I didn't appreciate as much as I should have. I love taking my kids back to my parent's house. It's very different from where we live, so riding Poppa's tractors and razor, going out on the pontoon boat, and all of that is so special with the kids. I love seeing them do what I did growing up. Looking like it was an amazing time with the kids. Mim looks so big and I'm not okay with it. Slow it down girl.

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  6. So fun! This makes me want land even more!! I grew up out in the country with 4wheelers, woods, creeks, ponds! I really want to expose my kids to that kind of life, too!

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  7. How fun!! These are great pictures and wonderful memories.

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  8. I love all of these especially the pics of Mac fishing & the one of Mim with the work gloves on. So cute! :)

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  9. I'm a city girl, born and raised. That being said, there's something about farm living that I long to experience. The quietness, the being so close to nature, the exploring. I wish I had parents that lived on a farm and that I could take Mason to experience all those things. I feel like we get so caught up in the day to day that we forget that there is so much more out there. These pictures are so gorgeous and I'm so glad you guys have this little oasis to escape to every so often!

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  10. All of these photos are perfection! And I love how close your family is. I would be at that farm every weekend! Please invite me!!! I like all things farm!

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  11. I have always lived in the city but there's really nothing like the countryside! I wish I had the opportunity to spend more time enjoying nature. I love that you are able to get out there once in a while! Looks like the kiddos had a great time!
    Evelina @ Fortunate House

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  12. Your children truly have the best of both worlds!! And I'm convinced our kids would totally get along. KC will stop traffic to collect rocks, and the boys love creating "worm hotels" - maybe your parents should invite us to the farm ;)
    Love these photos and how they capture your kids. What a great place to get away!!

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  13. I love how much your children just play!! You're totally doing it right mama. ;)

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  14. Mac & Mim's personalities just exude from your pictures! What a fun getaway! You have such a wonderful family!

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  15. This struck a chord. As a child, my favorite place on earth was my grandparents farm. We ran wild and free, through old barns and machine sheds. We'd take the golf cart and drive through the open pastures and groves and up and down the mile long country lane. We always left exhausted and happy. It was the best.
    Mac and Mim are so lucky to have your parents farm to enjoy!

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  16. I think you have the perfect combination for your kids. Living with convenience of town living with the benefit of being able to go to the country whenever you want :)

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  17. Such a great post! My in-laws don't live on a farm, but they do live in the middle of nowhere and we love going to visit. It's nice to get away from everything for a weekend and relax in the peace and quiet (as much as you can with 2 kids :) I love that our kids have this opportunity because I think in today's world, there's not a whole lot of this anymore.

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  18. You take the best pictures!! They are so lucky to have such great documentation of their childhoods!! ANd this post...spot on!! There's nothing better than watching your kids relive your childhood! :) I need to take a trip to my family's house in the woods....now that Cam is potty trained, I totally want to teach him (well have Chad teach him) how to pee on a tree!! xoxo

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  19. I just love this. My in laws live out in the country (although still relatively close to everything) but every time we go up there it is literally a breath of fresh air. We always come home feeling recharged. So glad Mac & Mim get the best of both worlds!
    PS when I first read this all I could hear was "Country boys & girls gettin' down on the farm"

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  20. There truly is just something about spending time in the country. It's good for the soul. Now you have me craving a visit to my aunt and uncle's farm!

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  21. I want your kids' childhood for myself! I love how in their element they both look in these pictures. Truly the best of both worlds. And such a blessing that your parents live close enough to visit often.

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  22. You are absolutely right, there is something so special and calming about your childhood home in the middle of the country! Yet having the best of both worlds is a dream come true! Xo, Stephanie

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