Not That Mom

I can’t believe it’s been almost six years since I last wrote here. Six years. Where does time even go? And honestly…where do I even begin?

Life has happened—big life, messy life, beautiful life. Since I last showed up in this space, our family has moved three times, flipped every home we lived in, grown our family, and somehow landed exactly where we were always meant to be. We finally found our forever home, tucked away in the country, and it still feels surreal to say that out loud.

We now live on a 45-acre homestead, complete with a farmhouse built in 1900—timbered floors, creaky charm, and all. This old house has seen generations come and go, and now it holds the sound of little feet running through its halls and laughter echoing off its walls. Truly, we couldn’t be happier.

Like so many families, Covid changed everything for us—but in ways we never expected, it changed things for the better. During that season, our family grew from four to six. We welcomed our two sweet boys in 2021 and 2023, and today our home is full of life with a 7-year-old, a 6-year-old, a 4-year-old, and an almost-3-year-old keeping us on our toes every single day.

In the midst of that joy, we also experienced heartbreak. We lost a baby at 10 weeks in utero—a little angel I think about every single day. Grief has a way of weaving itself into your story, even as life keeps moving forward. That loss forever changed me, softened me, and deepened my gratitude for the life we are blessed to live.

And just when you think our family life sounds full enough…let’s add animals.

Lots of them.

Dairy goats. Nearly 100 birds—chickens, ducks, turkeys, guineas, and geese. Four miniature donkeys. Four dogs. Four barn cats. And five Black Angus heifers.

Welcome to Hendrickson Homestead.

My husband and I reached a point where we were tired of letting the world dictate how we lived. We wanted to slow down, simplify, and become as self-sufficient as possible. We dreamed of land, prayed for it, found it, and took a leap of faith—cashing in savings and planting roots here in 2023.

This spring will be our third attempt at a garden. Let’s just say…there’s been a lot of trial and error. We’ve learned the hard way that soil matters—a lot. So this year, fingers crossed, we’re hoping for a plentiful harvest, including hay and corn. Growth doesn’t happen overnight, and homesteading has a funny way of teaching patience whether you want to learn it or not.

Both of us work full-time jobs while running the farm ourselves. Life is busy—always—but we wouldn’t trade it for anything. Our solar panel project is nearly complete, bringing us one step closer to energy independence. Next on the list? Geothermal. Our goal is to live as off-grid as we reasonably can.

And here’s the truth: we have never been richer than we are right now.

Before you say anything about money—STOP RIGHT THERE! 😂
We aren’t rich monetarily, but we are incredibly rich in blessings from our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Taking care of our homestead, our kids, our bills, and all the responsibilities of daily life has taught us that money is just a possession. We can’t take it with us when we’re gone, so instead, we’re focused on leaving a legacy—one rooted in faith.

There is something so powerful about going to church every Sunday as a family. Yes, it can be stressful—our kids have a lot to say, and sitting still is not exactly their spiritual gift—but it fills our hearts in a way nothing else does. It truly sets the tone for our entire week.

Our two oldest attend faith formation classes after the 8:00 a.m. Mass, and when they skip out of church excited to see their teacher and friends at what they lovingly call “God school,” I know—deep in my soul—we are doing something right.

This page is meant to be my journal. A place to pour out thoughts, reflections, lessons, and laughs from everyday life. I truly believe everyone should have one. Despite all the technology around us, I still find myself reaching for notebooks—doodling, writing, and unloading whatever is weighing on my mind. There’s something about words on paper that releases tension in a way nothing else can.

Here, I’ll write about life as it really is—imperfect, funny, exhausting, meaningful, and holy. From farm life to faith, motherhood to marriage, and yes—even moments like the time I forgot we had an electric fence while trying to get the attention of our Black Angus heifers (spoiler alert: the fence works).

So stick around for the daily life of this child of God, wife, friend, homesteader, regional manager, co-worker, employee, sister, daughter—and proudly, NotThatMom.

I’m so glad you’re here. 💛