A Deyo in the Life

12/01/2024

And JUST like that we went from Mild and muddy to COOOOOLD. -35C out there right now, was colder overnight.
Our water froze— luckily we filled up some water jugs in preparation for this.
We’ve got our propane heat on, an infrared heater in the kids room as that’s the coldest spot, and Toby made a door insulator out of a wool blanket.
2 generators running but they kick off once in awhile so we can’t plug anything else in.
Offgrid RV LIVING baby! 😆🥶🏔️

— We’re going to take the kids to hang out at my cousins for a bit today—enjoy wood heat, running water and a flushing toilet 🙌 Thank the LORD for family 🥰🏠

06/01/2024

We were walking around Canadian Tire looking for Toby and the girls, Jesse Jon was yelling “Dad! Dad!” I stopped and said , “ there’s your Dad!” 😂
He thought that was pretty funny 😆
(Yes, my 5 yr old thinks I’m funny— and THAT’S a win for me!)

04/01/2024

While Toby took the girls to the gas station I had some mommy/son time with our 5 yr old.
He did some dishes, I folded some laundry, and then I pulled out our paint stuff from the art cupboard (yes, I have an entire cupboard in the RV dedicated to arts/crafts)
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He’s into Vikings right now (this song is his FAVE) so we drew pictures we found online then traded and painted each other’s drawings.
How fun right?
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I could’ve easily handed him a screen and gotten a bunch of cleaning/organizing done— and at times I’ve done that.
BUT this Christmas season we’ve challenged ourselves to do less screens, more activities— and no, I don’t mean every activity is fun— I mean that even just doing chores with our kids is better than them staring at a screen. Because they’re physically learning things. And no, not all learning has to be fun, because not every second of life is fun.
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It requires more from us as parents, and that’s ok. It’s too easy to choose the lazy way out— but that’s just it, we don’t want to raise lazy kids and they mirror what we do.
We’re not raising children…We’re raising future adults— to be able to take care of themselves.
Have a great day :)

01/01/2024

HAPPY NEW YEAR! From the Deyo’s: Toby, Jessie and our 3 wildlings!
Be blessed 🙌

31/12/2023

Our 5 yr old wanted to do the word scramble in his Christmas activity book…but he can’t read/spell fluently yet. SO he just wrote “ 💩 “
And THAT folks is what it’s like to have a son. 🤷🏽‍♀️🤦🏽‍♀️😂
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**pjokesallday

30/12/2023

We got this deck from my uncle who had it in front of his RV for awhile. We’re going to put in in front of ours now, because we don’t have a “bootroom” and it’s been such a muddy/yucky winter (so far) and we need some storage off the ground that’s right outside the RV.
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We’re trying to get it all set up with new steps before NYE. Video coming soon :)

23/12/2023

This week was the last week of school and the annual school Christmas concert.
This year we have a whopping 13 students in our tiny school…but the small numbers didn’t stop the kids from performing two plays for the community. One was narrated in Tsilhqot’in by an elder and English by our oldest daughter.
Tobias and I were the musical backup for the kids…and sang carols between performances.
At the end we all sang “santa clause is coming to town” and SANTA showed up to hand out presents to the kids!
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I remember being on that stage as a student in this school— although there were 40-50 kids when I attended. These events were always a highlight of my childhood and it’s such a beautiful blessing to experience it through my children’s eyes.
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We hope you have fun, make time to relax, and enjoy a wonderful Christmas 🎄 🎅 ✝️
🎁

14/12/2023

Toby hands me his guitar: “Can you lay this on the bed for me?”
Me: “Sure”
Toby: “Be careful with it, that’s my first love”
Me: “Well that’s weird considering you got it AFTER we got married”

😬😂🙃
He laughed. I laughed. Then I smashed the guitar. (KIDDING!!!😂)

But seriously—his musical abilities are one of the things that made me fall in love with him ❤️ So excited to sing Christmas carols with him and the family this Christmas 🎄

07/12/2023

Tis’ the season…to get on a forklift and put up some Christmas lights!
Since we have 0 space for a tree in our RV, I pointed to one of our big trees and said “THAT will be our Christmas tree! We can look at it through the window” My amazingly handsome and supportive hubby said “ok” 🥰🙌
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I’ll be sharing a video about how we did it soon…
For now, just know that the Christmas season can look however you want it to look. Put up fun lights, connect with friends and family, get creative…or just eat cookies 😆
Take off the pressures and expectations and enjoy it

02/12/2023

We were driving through our field to our neighbour’s field to chop a few holes in the ice for their cows to get water.
We noticed the sky at the same time, Toby stopped the truck and I jumped out to take this picture.
Look up once in awhile. Take notice of the breathtaking beauty that surrounds you. ❤️🏔️
I am so thankful to our Creator for this place.
#

29/11/2023

Today is a “serenity prayer” kinda day— not because of any one thing, but because it’s an important daily reminder to stay grounded and centred…and that we can’t control everything.

I spent a fair amount of time supporting friends through AA and NA, attending meetings, cakes, hearing the serenity prayer spoken, and at times thinking “that’s nice, but not for me”.
I was wrong. It’s for me, you, everyone. We like to think we can control situations, people, eachother, the future. We can’t.
One day at a time. One step at a time.
No matter WHAT you’re going through…God can grant you the peace and serenity, and it will pass.

Have a blessed day friends and family ❤️

14/11/2023

Do you watch/join when creators go LIVE?
We’ve never used this feature— but it’s something that might be fun!
Tobias and I would love to hang out with y’all, chat, do some Q&A!
We have the ability to go LIVE on Facebook, Instagram & TikTok— which one would be the most fun?? 🤷🏽‍♀️ (or just all of them at some point 😆)

12/11/2023

We got “dressed up” for a cousin’s birthday party tonight. The kids looked suddenly older to me— so I had to take a picture.
It’s so wild how they’ll seem the same, then out of the blue they “level up” somehow— saying a grown up phrase, styling their hair a certain way, making a joke that’s NOT about p**p! 😂
The cutest thing about our kids right now is that they all love sharing a room…the bond they have developed is so precious.
This is me, capturing a moment.

31/10/2023

Someone on facebook recently posted about this coming Christmas something along the lines of “we want to gift the kids experiences rather than a bunch of junk they don’t play with”
My suggestion? Have a “Little House on the Prairie” Christmas! Each kid gets 1 gift and some special Christmas treats. Yay! 🙌😁

Seriously though it seems that our generation is moving away from materialism and more into experiences and connection with our children. So many parents today (myself included) struggle with what to do with all the STUFF! Our kids have so many options when it comes to toys, yet they’re playing less because they’re glued to screens. (Don’t get me started on that)

We have tried our best to be intentional in the way we live. We have cut screen time in half, we send our kids outside everyday; no matter the weather. It’s good for them. Like REALLY good for them.

If we gift we get something that is needed— practical, useful gifts are my favourite! A wagon, shovel, books, Playdoh (which is great for creative play), a game we can play as a family, etc. (I’m not opposed to regifting either)
And there are times we don’t buy our kids anything for Christmas/Birthdays because other people in my family are big gift givers…and frankly they just don’t NEED anything. They enjoy the experience of the party— and opening 1 gift to enjoy is enough. Honestly. It’s enough.
Connecting with eachother, nature, and being intentional with our priorities is what we choose to focus on. (And we have FUN while we do it!) 😁

29/10/2023

Temps dropped this last week— we got snow, then it hit -20C
We had started winter prep on the RV…but this cold snap was a harsh reminder how quickly weather changes at this high elevation.
So thanks to Canadian Tire we were able to get what we needed to stay cozy this winter!
Our to do list:
✅ Plastic on windows
✅Poly Skirting
✅pool noodle foam in slide gaps
✅pipe insulation
✅set up dehumidifier
✅other things I can’t think of at the moment…
Time to “get r done” 😆😁🙌

14/10/2023

We just celebrated our 12th Anniversary, and It’s not often we get to spend time alone…but thanks to my cousins who offered to babysit we got to do a town trip without our 3 kids! 🤯
We still had to run all the errands— groceries, chicken coop supplies, new clothes for Toby, oil change, etc.
But it was less hectic and very nice to be able to do it together 🥰

04/10/2023

**What does this mountain look like to you??
Though we live in a valley we’re actually at 1200 meters above sea level. Weather can be unpredictable here, summers are short, winters are long…but My FAVE season is fall 🍂 🍁
The colours, the snow dusting the peaks of the mountains that surround us, no bugs, and SWEATERS!
We’ve lived 2 winters in our RV, I’m not super pumped about a 3rd, but I know this isn’t forever.
We’ll have a house one day. We’ll look back on this season of our lives and be grateful for how far we’ve come.

30/09/2023

Happy fall y’all!
We went with some friends on a hike to this point down the road from our property.
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Our daily life consists of working on the shop, chickens, eggs, getting fuel for the generator, mouse traps, cleaning RV tanks, hauling water, shuttling kids to school/daycare, washing laundry somewhere, and attempting to trap the packrat who’s taken up residence in our storage shelter.
So it’s nice to take breaks and just BE
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Our days are full. And our hearts are full because THIS is really living. We’re not talking about “one day when we’re on our property”, we’re DOING IT.
Living in the RV isn’t forever, but the memories we’re making with our children are.

26/09/2023

Hi! My name is Jessie! (It’s not short for anything— don’t go there 😆) My husband Tobias, our 3 kids, and I live in our RV in rural BC 🇨🇦 on our offgrid homestead!
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If you like rural living, tractors, offgrid families, mountain air, glacier fed lakes, traditional medicines, watching men build stuff, and awkwardly funny moments— welcome!
If you don’t like those things— 🤷🏽‍♀️ (You’re still welcome here)
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08/09/2023

The kids were very excited to begin the school year out here in our tiny community school— I think there are 10 kids total this year 🤔😁
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Our oldest is going into grade 3, our middle is in Kindergarten, and our baby is in daycare!
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We are blessed to have friends and family who work at the school, daycare, and cousins who attend both with our kids.

03/09/2023

My Grandma turned 80 this weekend! We had a great family party— my mom and all her siblings were there. I volunteered to be the photographer (No I’m not a “pro”, I just enjoy it)
But when you’re the photographer you’re never in the photos— so I asked Toby to take a picture of me proving I was there 😆
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No matter what’s going on with the RV, shop build, or hay— we make time for family because we love them and they’re important!
I feel like that should go without saying, but I’m not so naive to believe that everyone feels that way about their family.
Thankfully we do! ❤️

22/08/2023

08/08/2023

We’re recovering from a busy Gymkhana weekend here!
The kids did amazing— Juniper ran her events solo, Jesse Jon tried but didn’t quite have enough control so we led him in his events.
They did very well and won some money! Woohoo!
Because my Dad’s horse Bucksy did the work we told the kids they need to use some of their winnings to buy him some oats and treats as a thank you!
I’ll share more when my brain is functioning at 💯 again!

29/07/2023

Tobias was writing a “to do” diagram today— and it was BIG… overwhelmingly big.
Sometimes I start to think “it’s too much. I don’t know if we can do it”
Then I look at THIS view…and I remind my heart to be thankful and grateful.
Grateful that our Creator made this beautiful place, that we get to live here, and that we’ve gotten this far.
One day at a time

21/07/2023

Because sometimes when we travel, we have to stop at rest areas …so we pick flowers and pose in front of a smoky sky
I love being a mother— having 2 girls with a boy in the middle is so fun!
My girls are both fiery and sweet ❤️
My son is Mr funny and happy…and always working.
On this particular trip just us girls went to town, my son stayed home with grandpa and grandma so he could “help” grandpa out. 🥰
This is a “stop and smell the wildflowers” post — because we need to. 🪻🌸🌺🌻🌼

19/07/2023

Hi friends! I know it’s been a few days of “radio silence” on my end…I was away.
I spent 3 days alone fasting (liquids only)
I’ve struggled with some health issues— my gut needed healing! The best way to reset and give your gut a break is to not give it anything to digest.
Is it easy? No (why do you think I needed to be alone? Hangry Jessie is not pleasant)
Is it worth it? Absolutely!
I called it my spiritual healing retreat— just me, the creator, and time to focus. Spending time alone is a challenging yet valuable thing.
Huge shout out to my husband, Tobias, who encouraged me to have this time to myself. I’m feeling refreshed, refocused, and more determined than ever to continue my healing journey!
We’ve got more posts, videos, and updates coming! Stay tuned 🙂

11/07/2023

Hi friends! Ok—here’s the thought today: We need to get a Wood stove to heat the shop. (New or almost new preferably)
What brand/company is your fave? Any cool ideas you’ve seen? Any bad reviews/experiences with a certain type?

Another thought was getting a wood boiler, to heat both the shop and (future) house.
Any experience with that?

Share your thoughts and you’ll win a like from me! (Which is worth a LOT! 😁)

06/07/2023

I walked out on the knoll in my crocs and pjs 🙃 to watch Toby and our 5 yr old son take the tractor out to get some old wood, and of course had to snap a .5 selfie 🤳 (because I’m way too cool like that 😆)

Then I proceeded to get irritated because they weren’t wearing hats and the sun suddenly got REALLY hot 🥵

In the end: No one was sunburned and I got dressed for the day because there’s something so blah about wearing pj’s all day. If I’m sick I’ll do it…but otherwise I don’t feel ready for my day if I don’t get dressed. Ya know?

18/11/2021

11/11/2021

Enjoy this short little video I shot on my phone while I finish up the rest of the RV Reno videos for ya'll! 💪🔥🔥🔥

While Tobias was gone for work, I took the kids out on our property for some good old fashioned life skill training--How to Build a Bonfire 101 (Safely)If yo...