Growing Up in the Ouachita National Forest
I grew up deep in the heart of Arkansas’s Ouachita National Forest, in a 16-by-16 cabin with no running water. Our outhouse was 500 feet away, just a hole dug into the earth among the trees. Drinking water came from a well that smelled like sulfur, and a cold, spring-fed creek ran behind the cabin.
Life was rugged and raw, but it taught me lessons about survival, grit, and living close to nature — lessons that have stayed with me through every storm I’ve weathered.
Becoming a Mother at 16
At 16, I became pregnant with my first daughter, Serenity. By 18, I was married, and by 19, I welcomed my second daughter, Luci. My third daughter, Penny, came along when I was 21.
But by 23, I found myself divorced, trying to piece together a life for three little girls and myself. I was still so young, but had already lived through more struggle than many people experience in a lifetime.
Escaping an Abusive Marriage
After my divorce, I got pregnant with my fourth daughter, Kallee, with the man who became my second husband. Unfortunately, that marriage turned into a nightmare. He was abusive, manipulative, and ultimately left me for his stepsister. Together with his wealthy family, he plotted to take my daughter Kallee from me, leaving me homeless, alone, and living in my car with an autistic toddler.
That was one of the darkest times of my life. But I refused to let it break me.
Finding Love Again and Rebuilding
Somehow, through all that pain, I didn’t give up. I met my third husband on Bumble, and together we built a family with him and Harper by my side we welcomed Willa, and then our son Niklaus. I fought to regain custody of Luci and Penny, and today we are back together as a family.
I also worked with two of our autistic children on food and speech therapy, determined to help them live better, healthier lives.
Dreaming of a Sustainable Homestead
Living in a city rental — paying $2,100 per month for a house that doesn’t even feel like home — has made me long for something real and lasting.
I’ve tried to garden, but everything seems to die because I can’t control the growing conditions on a rented plot. I’ve dreamed of solar panels, animals, and a self-sustaining garden, but landowners want down payments I simply can’t afford.
What I really want is to buy a small piece of land here in Arkansas, where I could build a legacy for my children. I want them to know how to grow their own food, raise animals, and live without depending on a system that has failed us so many times.
Why This Matters
Living in my car with an autistic toddler showed me how little you truly need to survive — but also what you really need to thrive: stability, hope, and a place to belong.
I want to give my kids a future full of skills, resilience, and confidence. A homestead would be our chance to build a safe haven for generations to come.
Join Us on This Journey
If you’re reading this, and you believe in stories like mine — stories about starting over, building from the ground up, and creating generational change — I invite you to follow along.
I share our daily life on TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook. Maybe you’ll watch us take this dream and turn it into reality.
If you’d like to support us — even with advice, encouragement, or a chance to help with a down payment — please reach out. Together, we could make a home worth keeping for my children, and their children after them.🙏🏻🖤🙌🏻✨
Site Title 