Posted by Penny
By December 2023, I was done living at the farm — especially once Jason had clearly decided he was staying on our land.
As much as I enjoyed farm life — and the cute little cottage with all our modern conveniences like hot and cold running water, a flushing toilet, insulation, a fireplace, a yard, and easy access — I was ready to forego all of that for simple shed living. What I really craved was having our own space again and sharing parenting more equally.
The girls and I had two small trips planned, and then it was decided: I would book three one-way tickets to Australia to live with my family, leaving in February. Jason would have the time and space to work on our dream home and prepare things for our return.
The one-way flights felt odd — indefinite. Not having a return date isn’t usually my style. I love planning, knowing what’s ahead. Limbo doesn’t sit comfortably with me.
As it turned out, we were away for four months!
Family Time in Two States
We spent three months in North Queensland, living with my parents. My sister, her husband, and their two kids live next door — which made it such a special time for the generations to live, breathe, and grow together.
Finding the tracks of the very different wildlife
Later, that same sister and her children drove us 2,500 km to southern New South Wales to visit our other sister. It was an epic road trip! The six of us had a wonderful time visiting family along the way, and just enjoying being together. When we arrived, we were welcomed by more sister time, and more of that grounded, joyful togetherness.
Missing Home, and Coming Back
Meanwhile, Jason was having a very quiet (and productive!) time back home — with a few mates stopping in — as he made big progress on this mammoth project of ours.
After all that time apart, I missed him. I missed our home, our friends, our life. So I booked our return tickets. Grace ended up flying home a couple of weeks before Sunae and me — she was ready, and we supported her in that.
The reunions were beautiful. And even though we returned in the middle of winter — with no fireplace, an outdoor shower, and a kitchen sink under the stars — none of it mattered. We were together again.
Back to the Land, Back to Our Rhythm
Since coming home, we’ve slipped back into our semi-routine:
🛠️ Work
🚗 Teen taxi driving
🌱 Progressing our landed life project – the fireplace went in a week later
🏂 Short snowboarding trips
🐎 Reconnecting with the horse and continuing the horse-learning journey
But most of all, I’ve gained a deep sense of gratitude for what we have.
Our life doesn’t look “normal” — not the standard job-house-school rhythm. In fact, it looks entirely the opposite. And that’s how we like it. We value keeping things simple. We make space to stop, reflect, enjoy, and really notice where we are in the moment — and where we’d like to go.
Holding Space for Our Girls
We’re intentional about food, about being in nature, about being present — especially with the girls, who are entering such a profound stage of life.
Their teen brains are reprogramming. They’re becoming creators of their own lives, beginning to experience the world without us by their side. Jason and I do our best to hear them, see them, and honour the path they’re walking as individuals.
They are so responsible and thoughtful with their choices. Most days, Jason and I simply look at each other in amazement and whisper, “How lucky are we?”
These two incredible souls chose us — and we get to share this life with them.
