When I was young, I remember the first time I saw a jet liner in the sky. There it was above our home on the beautiful Rogue River in Eagle Point, Oregon not far from Dodge Bridge.

My mother was the caretaker for a wealthy benefactor and our family lived in the west wing of the home. It was a very bright sunny day and thru the large magnolia tree next to our swimming pool, I saw this giant shadow fall over the pool. As a 5 year old little girl, I recall how large it appeared and I kept looking up and staring until I could trace the shadow of the figure in the sky. Then I saw it, it was the first time I remember seeing an airplane and it’s sheer vastness and expansion intrigued my young mind. 

I knew in that moment I wanted to travel. Even at an early age I yearned to be free and to see the great big world. That’s where my free spirit took root.

Those feelings continued to grow and when I turned 17, I began to expand on small camping excursions in tents to weekend getaways with my family at the beach, which was all we could afford at the time. I took every opportunity to see the world and recall many car trips to Washington to visit my relatives in Seattle.

Seattle then was flourishing and it’s  beauty would shimmer over the Emerald City at dusk settling in on the dome ball park now since gone and rebuilt for the Seattle Mariners. I just knew then my heart wouldn’t be settled. I desired to see more. So I did. 

I pondered my next steps and how those decisions aligned with my desires to travel and ultimately made the choice to pursue dentistry. It was a big change at 26. I had wanted to get married and was on that path, but life took a turn that changed my direction and God took me to Africa instead.

My first day of college in dentistry, I was asked by our professor to give an oral speech on what I would like to do with my career. Believe it or not, I can be very shy in a crowd setting and waited until the end to be called upon to speak. These women from all walks of life told the same story. One by one how they would work in dentistry between general practice and orthodontics to Maxilofacial and on down the line of state side general six handed dentistry and how the bonuses and perks of a four day work week appealed to them. But that wasn’t my story. Some of those goals rang true, but to be honest, my main focus when I stood before them was to explain that I would be taking my education to third world countries to help those in need. I wanted to open dental clinics in the slums of Nairobi, Kenya as a missionary. 

I remember everyone sat in silence when I was done eyes wide open like a doe in the field when they hear a crack of a branch, completely still. That is, until someone laughed at me. This pompous women who clearly wasn’t secure in herself broke the silence. I think back on that moment as embarrased as I was to sit down and stare at my desk like an idiot. But you know what their reaction did? It fueled me to work that much harder. And on my last day of class when we were asked the same question again, I had made a power point of where I was going in Nairobi and with whom. I showed all the images and even added a scripture from the book of Matthew.

The room silenced again until my friend, Sam, stood up and clapped violently loud in great joy. The class minus that one gal full of insecurity and hope sat sour-faced. I felt I could see her future run across her face. Sadly, I don’t know where she is now or even remember her name, but her face is one I will never forget. As I reflect on it now, I realized in that moment I had been given a gift. I could dream… big, far and wide.

In my efforts to pursue my dreams, I am fortunate that some of those incredible people that I went through school with helped to sponsor my trip alone to Nairobi, including the thirty-three hour flight. Even my old Pastor Tom Sabens pitched in and wished me a fair well. I’ll always remember that moment. He too saw the dreamer in me. Thank you, my friend, who is now in heaven.

I continued my nomadic adventures through my missionary, always thinking and dreaming of my next destination. I’ve gone many places in my life and never stopped exploring. Once my son was born, I wanted to instill in him the spirit of adventure and even as an infant, began taking him on planes to Las Vegas to visit with relatives. I wanted his passion to fly to root earlier than my fantasy of it.

In 2015, I had another BIG dream birth in my heart and that was to try to ignite a love for camping again with a cozy bed and a little bit of nostalgia. So, I had a friend come to an Airbnb outside of Ashland, Oregon and do a photoshoot of my sweetheart and I. Those images still sit on an amoire in our home because I knew that I still had that fire within me. I wanted to give myself the permission to pursue my dreams, the only catch was, it had to happen in time, when we could afford it. Life took its turns as life does. As the saying goes, patience is a virtue and with it one can find great reward.

With my ongoing love for all things adventure, I scheduled yet another photoshoot in 2021. This time we were in the Mojave desert in a 1975 airstream and then once more in the summer of 2022 for my boutique, Lady Longhorn’s new summer western fashion line.

I decided it was time to truly begin to actively search for an airstream of our own and found a dealer in Portland, Oregon whom I had worked with in the past, but never found the perfect fit. That is until Char listed a 2016 Airstream Bambi Sport at ANG in Bend. 

How perfect for us! Not only could we take her out on the open road, but it could also serve as a home base for our small businesses and a place to rest our head at many of the west coast business events that we had scheduled, including the Pendelton, Oregon Round Up.

A week later we put in an offer, put down $500 and stood in our humble home and prayed for the Lord’s will. If it was meant to be ours they would accept our $6,000 below offer bid. We heard from all the doubters and even the sales rep said she wasn’t sure if she could make it happen, but that she would “try.” I could hear the doubt in her voice, but to my surporse, in just a few short minutes she called back telling me she had never seen someone not even counter offer and that they would accept it. I was ecstatic to say the least. I told her it had been seven years and when God wanted the perfect one he would provide. 

On July 7, 2022 we drove north to Bend, Oregon and picked up our families first ever RV camper, a 2016 Airstream Bambi Sport. It was ours!

My list to see the great United States has already begun, even on the tails of horrific gas prices and rising inflation. We are carefully making plans for 2023. In the interim, Donovan will be using it as his home office for Donnally Home Design, a separate space he has desperately needed for a long time. 

Thank you Char and crew from ANG Auto Network Group for your kindness and patriotism. I for one will be singing your praises for years to come. 

Thank you to my husband who sets high standards for our family and executes them with hard work, determination, vigor and fun.

To our boys River and Gibson, don’t ever let anyone or any circumstance keep you from chasing wildly the desires of your hearts biggest dreams even from the scoffers. 

To the founder, Wally Byam, from Baker City, Oregon who in 1929 built his first RV known as Aistream, for giving me the roots and wings I have always had in my heart.

Follow us on our adventures on Instagram @freedomscoutairstream

Love,

_{Our first supper in Freedom Scout}

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I am grateful that in this woven tapestry of life, many of these moments are filled with good. To celebrate, each year I honor some of the educational influencers and teachers of this valley. My intention is to pay tribute to their dedication in their chosen profession and perhaps gain a bit of insight. These women are wonderful women, kind and full of empathy, who have a great influence on our children and the important role or molding them into young men and women.

Here are a just a few of the wonderful women I call friends who attend our annual brunch.

“I look forward to and relish in the fantastic brunches that my friend Cheyla at Wheat Brothers Farms puts on every fall. I am always amazed at the beautiful tablescapes that she designs. I feel pampered and “seen” by a friend that takes such time to put together a gathering of woman that share life, love and a love of beautiful things. She knows the heart of the woman in her life and she expresses such gratitude toward them with these special brunches. I am beyond grateful to call her my friend and feel honored to be invited to the table every fall!  ”

– Amie

“It was such an honor to be invited to a beautiful Saturday morning brunch on the patio at Wheat Brothers Farms. As I arrived, I was greeted with the smell of fresh coffee, sausage and homemade pancakes. The table was beautifully set on the patio with fresh flowers, pastries and fine china. Our conversation was light as we ate and got reacquainted with close friends and family. In a nutshell, it was a sweet reminder to slow down and enjoy the people that God has blessed us with!”

-Jaime

What a beautiful way to start a new season and I look forward to hosting again next year.

I hope that Autumn snuggles right into your heart.

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Just a few moments later I’m up, apron on and ready to plant some pretty flowers by our new trough pool, perfect for farm life. If you want the perfect place to cool off this summer, you can see how I installed our stock tank pool. It will truly be a life saver in the dog days of summer and besides being adorable, it’s affordable. To compliment the space, my sweetheart, Donovan, just built this deck around the pool for us to make family memories and thought y’all might enjoy it or find some inspiration.

 I can’t be happier that Spring is finally here. The winter been long and riddled with unrelenting illness and some idleness here at the farm. But with the warm weather and blooms brings new life to our little farm in the city and I’m joyful to announce that Wheat Brothers Farms is opening for the season on May 1^st!

We have a new little new cobblestone pathway inspired from our European holiday last summer, new merchandise, including vintage inspired aprons, tea towels and jewelry, and one noticeably new addition is our vintage horse trailer, Longhorn Coffee Bar and Saloon. If you’re in the neighborhood or wanderin’ about downtown Medford, come on by. Pick up a coffee, a fresh pie and a sweet gift for yourself or someone special.  

You all are going to love our new items, perfect for Mother’s Day gifts or a special occasion. Our sweet apron collection is inspired by my great granny Ayers. She was a special lady, full of spitfire and grace, as well as the most knowledgeable chicken farmer this side of the Mississippi. My Great Granny Ayers apron collection are handcrafted and handstitched originals, just like she was.

Looking forward to seeing y’all at the farm. We’ll be open starting on Wednesday, 10am-2pm. So be sure to come on by and take a peek at what we have been doing here at Wheat Brothers Farms and Longhorn Coffee Bar and Saloon. The front porch and some sweet tea are here waiting’ for ya.

Blessings,

lilac photo

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