It’s hard for me to believe that I’ve been blogging for over 4 years now. I started with a blog about my Land Rover Defender and the traveling we were doing in Europe. We were going rock climbing and pimping the Defender so we thought it would be fun to share the experiences with others.

Then we added Ayla, our Newfoundland, to the family and I couldn’t resist blogging about her. Not only did I want to share the funny moments, but I wanted other new puppy owners to know that they were not alone when they wanted to break down and cry because their puppy was just being plain mean.

In August 2006, we bought the farm — literally. There were a million projects going on and all our friends and family were curious about what we were doing. I couldn’t resist starting yet another blog to talk about all our home renovation projects and the crazy ideas we were coming up with.

Once we’d gotten settled in our new home, our homesteading life began. We started working in the garden, making preparations and attempts at canning and taking other routes to become more self-sufficient.

As you can imagine, writing all these blogs was very time consuming, and there was still so much I wanted to say, especially when I got pregnant with Mackenzie in March 2008. Thus No Ordinary Homestead was born where I could combine all my loves and passions in life in one place.

Blogging has been incredible experience for me. I have made new friends (some of which we hope to meet in person very soon) and it has helped me get through the tough times when we didn’t seem to know what we were doing. It can be one of the most therapeutic experiences you’ve ever had — in many ways like keeping a journal or diary. Of course it’s different when you’re sharing those thoughts with the world, but it’s no less special or relaxing. Yes, there is often a bit of pressure to find time to blog — but this blog is also a place I come back to when I want to know when something took place in our lives or to remember just how far we’ve come.

Thanks to all the friends, family and strangers around the world who religiously read this blog. It’s what keeps me going. I look forward to sharing our lives with you during the next year, and hopefully many more to come.