150. You Only Get 18 Summers: Why We’re Prioritizing Family Memories

150. You Only Get 18 Summers: Why We’re Prioritizing Family Memories

Welcome back to Beyond the Crops, where farm life meets real life! In this fun, start of summer episode, Jena and Mary Pat dive into the reality of balancing busy farm seasons with making intentional family memories. From summer travel plans and farm-life logistics to parenting reflections, boundaries around time off, and the bittersweet realization that we only get so many summers with our kids, this episode feels like a front porch conversation with friends who just get it. Jena shares details about an upcoming family trip to the Black Hills and why she’s become more intentional about booking vacations—even during busy seasons—while Mary Pat reflects on family systems, summer rhythms, and protecting time for what matters most. Together, they talk honestly about farm guilt, marriage dynamics, saying no to overcommitment, and creating meaningful summers without adding pressure. 📌 What We Cover in This Episode: ✅ The “18 Summers” Perspective: Why the reminder that we only get so many summers with our kids feels both motivating and emotional—and how it’s shaping their priorities as moms. ✅ Farm Life + Family Vacations: Can farm families really leave during busy seasons? ✅ Summer Travel Plans & Family Adventures ✅ Why Boundaries Matter on Family Farms ✅ Saying “No” to Make Room for What Matters ✅ Summer Joy in the Small Things ✅ Family, Grief & Making Memories While We Can ✅ Making Time for Yourself in Busy Seasons 💡 Key Takeaways: ✨ You don’t have to wait for the “perfect” time to make family memories. In farm life, there will always be one more thing to do—sometimes you just have to book the trip. ✨ The farm will still be there when you get back. Taking time away isn’t selfish—it’s often exactly what your family (and marriage) needs. ✨ Boundaries reduce resentment. Whether it’s scheduled time off, protected family time, or saying no to overcommitment, structure can create freedom. ✨ The little moments matter most. Campfires, bike rides, fishing trips, camp weeks, gardening, and spontaneous lake days often become the memories kids remember forever. ✨ You only get so many summers with your kids at home. Don’t wait for a tragedy or milestone to prioritize togetherness—create the memories now. ✨ Summer doesn’t have to look Pinterest-perfect to be meaningful. Sometimes joy is found in slowing down, saying no, and protecting what matters most. We love hearing from you and continuing the conversation beyond the podcast. Send us a voice message and tell us what topics you’d love to hear next! 🙌 Join the Conversation! What does summer look like for your family? Are you planning a trip, protecting slower rhythms, or creating special traditions with your kids? We’d love to hear what intentional summer looks like in your home. You can connect with us and share your thoughts by tagging Share your thoughts and tag us @beyondthecrops_. [https://www.instagram.com/beyondthecrops_/] And don't forget to leave us a message on our new voicemail line!  Leave us a Voice Message! We love hearing from you and continuing the conversation off the podcast. Click here to leave us a voice note! [https://www.speakpipe.com/beyondthecrops]

149. We Said We’d Never Homeschool… Now We Are!

Welcome back to Beyond the Crops, where farm life meets real life! In this episode, Jena and Mary Pat sit down for a real conversation about homeschooling, motherhood, slowing down, and choosing a lifestyle that better aligns with their family values. From the chaos of rushed school mornings and planting season schedules to the freedom and challenges of creating a new normal, the two open up about why they chose homeschooling, what they hope it will bring to their families, and the lessons they’re learning along the way. Whether you homeschool, traditional school, or are simply craving more peace and intentionality in family life, this episode is a reminder that every family gets to define what works best for them. 📌 What We Cover in This Episode: ✅ Life Lately & Farm Season Check-In ✅ Why We Chose Homeschooling: A candid conversation about the decision to homeschool and the deeper “why” behind it. *  Feeling like they were getting the “leftovers” of their kids after long school days.  *  The emotional toll of rushed mornings, exhausted afternoons, homework battles, and overstimulation.  *  Choosing more quality time, flexibility, and family connection over packed schedules and constant busyness.  *  Navigating farm life, entrepreneurship, and school schedules that often don’t align with agricultural life.  ✅ The Hard Truth About Time & Family Priorities: *  How farming schedules and early August school start dates can make meaningful family time feel impossible.  *  The pressure of cramming summer fun into a shrinking calendar while balancing irrigation, spraying, and farm responsibilities.  *  Why both women realized they wanted more intentional, everyday moments with their children.  ✅ The Lifestyle Shift of Homeschooling: *  Why homeschooling feels like more than an education choice—it’s a lifestyle decision.  *  The importance of flexibility, faith, slower mornings, and creating rhythms that actually work for farm families.  *  Balancing motherhood, business ownership, content creation, and teaching children at home.  ✅ The Reality Check: Homeschooling Isn’t Always Easy *  Jena shares the “honeymoon phase” of homeschooling and the harder moments that followed.  *  Honest reflections on hard days, patience, frustration, and learning alongside your kids.  *  Why community, support systems, and leaning into faith matter during challenging seasons.  ✅ Curriculum Talk & Homeschool Resources: *  Favorite curriculum options they’re exploring and using.  *  Thoughts on reading, math, and open-and-go homeschool programs.  *  Learning through farm life, real-world experiences, and everyday moments—not just textbooks.  ✅ A Few Hot Takes on School Culture: *  Why achievement awards, homework, and busyness culture sparked bigger conversations around priorities.  *  Thoughts on sports schedules, packed calendars, and redefining success for their kids.  *  The reminder that every family gets to choose what works best for them—without judgment.  💡 Key Takeaways: ✨ There is no “one right way” to educate your kids. Every family has different needs, priorities, schedules, and values—and what works for one family may not work for another. ✨ Time matters. Sometimes the biggest parenting decisions come down to one simple question: How do we want to spend our time together? ✨ Homeschooling is more than academics—it can be a lifestyle choice rooted in flexibility, faith, family connection, and freedom. ✨ Hard days don’t mean you’re doing it wrong. Whether it’s homeschooling, traditional schooling, parenting, or farm life, growth often comes with challenges. ✨ Community matters. Finding support from people walking a similar road can make difficult seasons feel far less lonely. ✨ Success looks different for every child. Grades, awards, and achievements don’t define your child’s worth—or their future. 🙌 Join the Conversation! Are you homeschooling, considering homeschooling, or navigating the school-versus-family balance in a busy season of life? We’d love to hear your story! You can connect with us and share your thoughts by tagging Share your thoughts and tag us @beyondthecrops_. [https://www.instagram.com/beyondthecrops_/] And don't forget to leave us a message on our new voicemail line!  Leave us a Voice Message! We love hearing from you and continuing the conversation off the podcast. Click here to leave us a voice note! [https://www.speakpipe.com/beyondthecrops]

148. Betrayed By My Safe Space: The Results of Our 12-Hour Mold Inspection

Welcome back to Beyond the Crops, where farm life meets real life! In this incredibly vulnerable and emotional episode, Jena and Mary Pat catch up on the realities of planting season before Jena shares the long-awaited, and heartbreaking, results of her home mold inspection. After a 12-hour inspection by a team of specialists from Florida, she walks through the devastating findings, the emotional toll of feeling betrayed by her "safe space," and the overwhelming decisions her family now faces. This is a raw, honest look at a family's journey through a complex health crisis and a powerful reminder to trust your gut when it comes to your well-being. 📌 What We Cover in This Episode: ✅ A Tale of Two Springs: A real-time planting update from both farms. Mary Pat's crew is fighting through rain delays and wet conditions, while Jena's family is over 75% done but dealing with extreme dryness, cold snaps, and pre-planting irrigation. ✅ Jena's Long-Awaited Mold Update: The main focus of the episode is the result of the extensive mold inspection. * The Devastating Diagnosis: The inspectors reveal that the original advice to salvage the 1970s foundation was flawed, leading to a decade of slow, widespread moisture intrusion. * The Inspection Findings: A breakdown of the issues found, including long-term water damage in the boys' basement bedroom and separate moisture problems behind the walls in the master shower and kitchen island. * The Emotional Toll: Jena gets incredibly vulnerable about feeling betrayed by her home, using the analogy "my home is my crop, and my crop failed and made us sick" to explain her grief and frustration. * What's Next?: The overwhelming options for remediation—from tearing the house down again to digging out and sealing the foundation—and the difficult, expensive decisions that lie ahead. * A powerful reminder of why this journey began and the importance of being your own health advocate. 💡 Key Takeaways: ✨ Planting season looks different for everyone. Don't compare your progress, weather, or stress levels to someone else's. Every farm is fighting its own unique battle. ✨ Your home should be your safe space. When your environment is contributing to illness, the emotional and mental impact can be just as profound as the physical symptoms. ✨ Be your own biggest health advocate. If you feel that something is wrong and aren't getting answers, keep digging. Trust your intuition and seek out specialists who will take your concerns seriously. ✨ Sometimes a delayed project is a blessing in disguise. The delay of their garage addition, while frustrating at the time, was a God-send that prevented them from building onto a compromised structure. ✨ Lean on your faith and your spouse when facing overwhelming news. In times of immense uncertainty, open communication and a shared faith are the anchors that will get you through. 🙌 Join the Conversation! This was a very vulnerable episode to share. If you feel led, please send your prayers and encouragement to Jena and her family as they navigate the difficult decisions ahead. You can connect with us and share your thoughts by tagging Share your thoughts and tag us @beyondthecrops_. [https://www.instagram.com/beyondthecrops_/] And don't forget to leave us a message on our new voicemail line!  Leave us a Voice Message! We love hearing from you and continuing the conversation off the podcast. Click here to leave us a voice note! [https://www.speakpipe.com/beyondthecrops]

147. Planting, Pivots & A Mold Inspector from Florida

Welcome back to Beyond the Crops, where farm life meets real life! It's the thick of planting season, and in this episode, Jena and Mary Pat are catching up on everything from their very different weather situations to some major updates on the home front. Jena finally has the long-awaited mold inspector at her house, and she's sharing all the details of what it's like to navigate this complex and stressful process. Plus, the "OnlyGrans" retreat idea is gaining serious steam, and they're diving into listener feedback and brainstorming what this amazing event could look like. 📌 What We Cover in This Episode: ✅ Planting Progress & Weather Whiplash ✅ The New Planter Advantage ✅ The Mold Inspection Saga Continues ✅ The "OnlyGrans" Retreat is Happening (Maybe!): The hype is real! They dive into the amazing listener feedback they've received about their "OnlyGrans" retreat idea. * What You Want to Learn: Listener requests include canning, sewing, bread making, mending coveralls, homeopathy, and more "granny skills." * The Vibe: An overwhelming vote for a "cozy and slow" retreat over a structured and productive one. * Brainstorming Session: They start spitballing ideas for timing (January!), location (Broken Bow, Oklahoma?), and logistics for making this dream a reality. 💡 Key Takeaways: ✨ Every farm faces its own unique challenges. Whether it's too much rain or not enough, every region and every season brings a different kind of "hard." ✨ Efficiency is a game-changer for mental health. Investing in more efficient equipment doesn't just save time; it can significantly reduce stress and create more space for family during busy seasons. ✨ Be your own health advocate, and don't give up. Navigating a complex health issue like mold illness is a long, expensive, and frustrating journey. Keep searching for the right professionals who will take your concerns seriously. ✨ There's a real hunger for community and shared wisdom. The enthusiastic response to the "OnlyGrans" idea proves that women are eager to connect, slow down, and learn timeless, practical skills from one another. 🙌 Join the Conversation! We’d love to hear from you! What do you think of the "OnlyGrans" retreat idea? What "granny skill" would you want to learn or teach? Share your thoughts and tag us @beyondthecrops_. [https://www.instagram.com/beyondthecrops_/] And don't forget to leave us a message on our new voicemail line!  Leave us a Voice Message! We love hearing from you and continuing the conversation off the podcast. Click here to leave us a voice note! [https://www.speakpipe.com/beyondthecrops]

146. "Only Grans," Homeschool Plans & Homeopathy

Welcome back to Beyond the Crops, where farm life meets real life! In this packed episode, Jena and Mary Pat are catching up on everything from spring break shenanigans and pre-planting progress to some seriously exciting life updates. Mary Pat drops a bombshell announcement that will change her family's life. Plus, Jena gives an incredible deep dive into the world of practical homeopathy, sharing what she's learning in her new class and how you can use it to empower your own family's health. 📌 What We Cover in This Episode: ✅ Spring Break Recaps & Pre-Planting Updates ✅ BIG NEWS: Mary Pat's Family is Homeschooling!  ✅ Homeopathy 101 ✅ Ticks & Lyme Disease Prevention ✅ Hilarious Tangent ✅ "Only Grans" Retreat Update 💡 Key Takeaways: ✨ Big life changes are scary, but incredibly rewarding. Mary Pat's decision to homeschool is a testament to listening to your heart and making the best choice for your family's unique needs, even if it's unconventional. ✨ Practical homeopathy can be an empowering tool for moms. Learning about basic remedies for common ailments can give you the confidence to care for your family's health in a more natural, proactive way. ✨ Be your own health advocate. Whether it's testing a tick for Lyme disease or exploring alternative medicine, you have the power to take control of your family's well-being. ✨ Flexibility is a superpower. As Jena's "unplanned" spring break shows, having the ability to pivot and adapt to life's curveballs (like sickness) is a huge blessing. ✨ Sometimes the best ideas come from just talking. The "Only Grans" retreat idea is a perfect example of how casual conversations can spark something truly special and needed in a community. 🙌 Join the Conversation! We’d love to hear from you! Are you homeschooling? What's your #1 piece of advice? Or do you have a go-to homeopathic remedy you love? Share your stories and tag us Share your thoughts and tag us @beyondthecrops_. [https://www.instagram.com/beyondthecrops_/] And don't forget to leave us a message on our new voicemail line!  Leave us a Voice Message! We love hearing from you and continuing the conversation off the podcast. Click here to leave us a voice note! [https://www.speakpipe.com/beyondthecrops]