What A Difference A Year Makes...

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As we approach our one year anniversary of living full time on our off grid homestead we take a minute to look back and reflect on all the progress, the projects, and all of the growth that's occured. It's been a pretty wild ride, and it's looking like the future will continue to be beautifully entertaining as well ; ) Back when we moved into our shipping container home we had no kitchen, no running water, no electricity, no storage for our clothing, nothing but a bedroom container and a wood burning stove, but big dreams of getting it all done in time for summer! It's really special from time to time to look backwards and see how things have progressed, I don't know about you, but we tend to keep looking forward at everything on the horizon. Really hope you enjoyed this nostalgic look at the past year off life off grid!
If you'd like to download our newest FREE guided visualization, here's a link to "Stress Melt." www.wildweroam.com/stress-melt
Big love,
Lou, Dana, Max & Freja
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[@kirkleadbetter1093]

Lou is really an inspiration even to us old timers.

[@ricklenser3323]

I just started following you when you got the containers. I recently saw your NY videos from 6 or 7 years ago. The look in your eyes then and now is so interesting. The one constant is the kindness I see in both your eyes which is what makes you such wonderful parents.

[@gingerhitzke9185]

What a beautiful comment

[@linnielowery8277]

Missed y'all, glad for the update. Happy mother's day to you. You are a beautiful and wonderful mother. Lou is the hardest working man on the KZbin TV. Max is going to be a smart, well mannered , and happy child. Bless you and your beautiful family. 💪👍🙏⭐💛👏

[@ronnafisher7540]

Also… that moment when you’re just leaning against the tree in the garden and max has the hose is sooo precious. I have loved following your journey from the boat build to now and seeing you live out your dreams but not be afraid pivot (and publicly) when you needed to. You’re very inspiring to me!

[@ChristinaCatFoster]

Our family has had quite the transformation as well. We had our first baby, then a few months later my husband graduated college and got a new job that took us 1500 miles away from home. It’s been an adventure!

[@emmamorgan7171]

My baby will be 33 this May and though she lives 12,000 miles away in Australia, I still remember and treasure being a mum when she was Max's age and loving it. You are both such great parents that you know Max is going to grow up a kind, artistic, caring, interesting, clever and lovely young man. Your ethics and beliefs are so beautiful to witness. I live in a tiny cottage on a small Scottish island, the simple things in life are often the best! I always feel so very blessed to share in your life - onwards and upwards lovely family. ❤

[@WildWeRoam]

Thank you so much, Emma ❤ Biggest hugs to you in your cozy cottage, and hope you had a wonderful Mothers Day (Oh now I am wondering if it is the same date in Scotland as in the US) Your kinds words really mean so much!

[@mirjam058]

Lou, don't carry too much of heavy stuff on your own....my husband did that, and it's been bad for his back ;) Dana, thank you for the update. My experience of having been a mom for 15 years. I am amazed how fast time flies every kids' birthday and the day of the labour will always be there right after that 😂 Have a nice birthday with your beautiful boy 🎉

[@wyntersynergyundignified]

What a great update! It is amazing what a difference a year makes! A year ago I was practically broke, being forced to move, having car issues, and just wanted to be settled somewhere non-toxic, with freedom to do my own thing. Now I live in a little mother-in-law suite type thing with no proper stove or oven, and not much extra money, yet I couldn’t be happier for this moment. For the first time in probably 20 years I’m not living *with* other people (usually families, but at least roommates), and it’s made a world of difference for my mental health and even just the ability to enjoy a morning cup of coffee in my pajamas. Can’t wait to evaluate in another year!

[@WildWeRoam]

That is so incredible to hear. So happy very for you that you are in a place of peace for you, after going through so much! Non-toxic and with the space to enjoy a cup of joe in your pjs, that sounds like it must be bliss ❤ Wishing you all the best for the next year, too!!

[@ronnafisher7540]

Love your visual guided meditations! And I love your butterfly earrings. They’re sooo cute.

[@jenmitchell9119]

We moved to central NY two years ago around the time you did. While we live in a small, traditional home, I also enjoy reflecting on where we came from and where we are now!

[@user-rd3gd7vm2l]

Watching now!!! Max is sooooo big now! 🐯

[@ginagonzalez6547]

Hi, Happy Mother's Day. Even though you went through rough times as a family. Now you are reaping the rewards. The beauty of it all is thst you are still young and the sky is the limit. And when you grow old, your children and their children will be able to enjoy the fruits of your hard labor.

[@WildWeRoam]

Thank you so much, Gina ❤ It really feels like the right path :) Thank you for your kind words of support!! Hope any projects you are working on at the moment are going well, too!

[@CutePreciousKitty]

It's refreshing to hear you talk about not only the highs but also the lows and the learning moments you have all had in the past two years. For watchers like myself, a lot of times we only see the positive and clean. But life happens to everyone and things don't always turn out how we expect. I love watching this channel and love seeing this family grows and overcomes! Thank you for sharing your lives with us!

[@WildWeRoam]

Thank you so much, CutePreciousKitty (awww I love your username too!!) Thank you so much for spending time with us :)

[@cateparker9321]

Watching your property grow and evolve and watching your family grow along with that is inspiring ❤

[@eliasandmel]

It’s always so fun to reflect during milestones like this. Your family has endured so much over the past two years. Can’t wait to see the playground project and the garden thrive this year!

[@wendylee13]

Happy Mother’s Day Dana! You’re such a wonderful mother! ❤ Happy Birthday Max! 🎉

[@sgrvtl7183]

Yo and Lou and Max have suc a beautiful pices of land. The transitions are wonderful stepping stones to a 'wider opening'. I look forward to what summertime holds for You Three ~ ! 💚 Your garden will be beautiful and inspiring !💛

[@WildWeRoam]

Thank you so much! What a poetic way to put it, stepping stones to a wider opening :) That is beautiful! Thanks for spending time with us ❤

[@rebekahjoyhall]

You all are such a beautiful inspiration! I'd love to hear about your best do's and don'ts for buying raw land. We are on the hunt for land as well and wanting to build from the ground up.

[@amybruch8151]

Thanks, Amy! I appreciate the support. I’m doing well and feel so grateful for my new job, apartment and the house renovation project. It’s all been a lot at once, but I’m taking it step by step and know that everything will work out and I am growing. 😊

[@esthergerlitz2359]

I can’t wait to see more gardening videos! You guys are living my dream. With God’s help when I finish university I can live a similar lifestyle ❤

[@WildWeRoam]

That makes me so excited to hear you are looking forward to the gardening videos!! Also hope that your future can look like this too if that is your dream ❤ It is so rewarding. Warmest wishes to you and good luck at university!!

[@rokodjurasaj856]

You are beautiful, Dana . It's really nice to see you more in the videos

[@WildWeRoam]

That is so sweet of you to say, Rokodjurasaj856 ❤

[@earthangel8730]

Congratulations on your homestead improvements. Every step of the journey IS the Journey. 😊❤

[@WildWeRoam]

Aw I love that! Every step of the journey is the journey ❤ Thank you!!

[@donnaatallian2609]

I see you had stitches on your knee? Looks all good and healed. You three are doing great. Happy Mother’s Day’s.

[@pjdave66]

We are the magic makers, we create reality

[@ilzitek2419]

So beautiful!! ❤

[@ewagornisiewicz-kusiak6814]

Loving this ❤ So proud of you Dana!

[@jasmineberry3553]

Wow your son shares my birthday! Happy Birthday to him! And you guys have come so far I'm so happy for you guys

[@WildWeRoam]

Oh what a cute coincidence!! Happy birthday to your son soon too!! Thank you for the kind words ❤

[@dianebinns9905]

Happy Mothers Day, Hon! Love ya!❤

[@Leonasjourney]

Love your rambles Dana!

[@Kat_Attack]

So lovely to see you all thriving. It feels like just yesterday that you two were teaching yourselves how to build a van, and then navigate open waters. You always plant deep seeds, and it's so beautiful to see you blossom.

[@WildWeRoam]

Thank you so much, Kat!! "You always plant deep seeds" that is such beautiful wording ❤

[@pattyr6446]

I agree 100% that springs seems like a more logical time to reflect, in part because everything seems possible. For me, a year ago I was contemplating stopping work and turning the page to a less structured life ( still trying to decide if I cut the cord on my volunteer non profit work). This will be the second time I attempt this as I retired 12 years ago but quickly filled my life up with paying and volunteer jobs. Now, like you as I reflect I want more time for fun, creative projects, familly and travel so I have started lining through things that don't fill me with joy. Your videos always strike just the right tone, raise just the right questions to help all of us continue to grow as individuals. Love you guys and so very proud of how far you have come and can not wait to see where you will go. Sending lots of love

[@DianneRawGirl]

Always excited to see the weeks video to see where you have come on the land.I loved the overview. I assume that water lake thingy was already there? Nice.

[@JKMA818]

Happy Mother's Day 💐 Happy Birthday Max

[@joannak1956]

Thank you for asking :) for me spring is always the time when I start new, make changes and grow so we're on the same page. At 40 I decided to change my life around starting with a new career and studies. It feels amazing. I'm having so much fun and feel alive again. ❤

[@WildWeRoam]

Wow that is incredible!! It must be so interesting to follow a new career and studies path ❤ wishing you all the very very best with your journey!!

[@alexandrachristiansen383]

I really hope the property agent watches your videos! You really make your dreams happen - your video on grit often comes to mind. Nothing lucky or easy just hard work, patience, vision and emotional maturity. Max is adorable with his hose. He’s a complete little human with such a wonderful set up behind him and ahead of him. His blue hat is cute. Warmest wishes x

[@WildWeRoam]

Thank you so much, Alexandra ❤ That means so much you think of the grit video!! Learning that really did have such an impact on us. Thanks as well for the super cute words about our little cutie :) Warmest wishes and big hugs to you!!

[@natcicali8750]

I also moved into my tiny house log cabin last summer and it was a lot of work with sewer and stuff since I am not very handy…..and I also focused on the inside of our cabin and now I feel like I am ready to expend and I want to start my veggie garden and my little dandelion is turning 7!!!!!!

[@andreemartin3455]

I love your positivity and authenticity and seeing your progress . You guys are amazing parents. Happy Mother’s Day !

[@WildWeRoam]

Thank you so much, Andree, that is so kind of you to say ❤ Hope you are having a great start to your week!!

[@leahabbott8157]

Oh my goodness!!! Max in that hat! Soooo cute!!!😍

[@mysticshining]

A really beautiful narration and summation of your year, your two years :) I can't believe it's been TWO years since Max and all that has occured. Love following you guys and hearing and seeing your projects, and seeing your growth in every direction, as individuals and as a family... and you share it so articulately and beautifully. Look forward to whatever is next! Lots of love to you guys!! ❤❤❤❤❤

[@WildWeRoam]

Thank you so much, for your kind words now and in the past, they are always so appreciated ❤ lots of love and big hugs right back from all of us!!

[@kropka8259]

Wonderful update ❤7

[@mikeymad]

Happy Mother's Day - Cheers

[@amybruch8151]

I appreciate your prompt to think about how far I’ve come in the past year. A year ago today my Dad died (his choice after choosing to fast to end his life after many months of struggle and decline in health) just after I had moved to a new state for a new job. I am also developing a piece of property, turning a formerly unfinished garage into a small home with the help of a varietyof local contractors. I wish I could do more of it myself, but in my situation, I need to keep working. Still I am very grateful to keep plugging along on the project which is, as so often happens, taking much longer than one would hope! Anyway, it’s fun to see your story unfold. Peace to you as it continues.😊

[@amyschmidt2960]

I am so sorry to hear of your Dad's passing last year. That must have been so hard and probably still is. I hope things continue to look up for you as you begin your new job and with the home renovations. I love the idea of a garage make-over. How exciting! All the best to you. Hope you don't mind me sending this to you as you meant it for Dana and Lou.

[@amybruch8151]

@@amyschmidt2960 oops! I think I added my reply to the main thread and not to you😂 Please search below, Amy!! Thank you!!❤

[@WildWeRoam]

I am also so sorry to hear about your father, Amy Bruch, sending you the biggest of hugs ❤ Thank you so much for sharing. And Amy Schmidt, that is soooo sweet of you to respond, too. Beyond grateful to have so many kind hearts here, it literally fills me up reading these comments. You all inspire us so much with your kindness!! ❤

[@brittanywinn3955]

This has been a hard uear for me. I feel like I am in constant survival and have lost track of who I want to be. I have actually had a hard 2 years. In the rough parts there is so much beauty but I am actually really struggling. I hope that things start shifting for me too. I am so happy that things are moving easier for you. ❤️

[@susan_brehm_art]

Loved this video! You really have been hundreds of new selves thru the past two years. 😊 Max is so adorable, and what a great life for a kid. I kind of wish I was Max lol. Do you think yall will have more children? I'm a nosy Parker for sure but I loved having babies so much. I'm also so very excited to see your plans for a house develop. What a journey!!

[@patti9392]

Happy Mother’s Day!

[@NicoleP278]

Love this video. A year can change everything! This time last year I was struggling with the most difficult season of my business, and our house desperately needed a new roof and a lot of other repairs. Now, I am 39 weeks pregnant with my first baby, we have a brand new roof and are working on finishing out our kitchen this week. Life is so good and I am so thankful. I always enter a season of reflection in the spring. It doesn’t make sense to me that the year begins in January. I think it should begin in April!

[@WildWeRoam]

Wow!! New roof and baby on the way, so many blessings :-D So happy life is good for you, too, Nicole!!! You know what, I totally agree with you about it making more sense for the year to begin in April, that really does make more sense!

[@WildWeRoam]

And of course congratulations!!!

[@101bergerboy]

Happy Mothers Day! Just got one question: Where's the doggo??

[@essflem]

Dana I don't know if you remember this, but we were on a group zoom call when you and Lou were in Hawaii and I said that in a month you'll be building an off grid living situation and you guys said nnahh. Hahahaha look at you now. It wasn't a month, but it feels just as fast. :-) - Essence F

[@zoethornton3636]

You could use your beautiful bird sounds in the background of your relaxing videos because they sound amazing

[@ginagonzalez6547]

I know you did not ask, but as an elder, ive been through a lot myself and seen so much that I've learned to count my blessings rather than my shotcomings. Whst i want to say is that even though you appreciate very much all the hard work your devoted husband has done for you and your son. It would be nice to give him a break. Birthdays come and go. If tue treehouse is not anywhere near completion before the party, its ok. Party can wait. Your son would never know tue difference. You have the basics to be able to live there with minimal difficulties. Everything else can take time as much as its needed. Good husbands are hard to come by especially husbands thst will bent over backwards like yours has to make you happy. Treasure wh a t you have and take very good care of him so he will be able to live longer to enjoy the family he has made and everything you and him have accomplished. Congratulations to both of you. You did well.

[@WildWeRoam]

Aw thank you Gina! And dont worry, we definitely take breaks as needed and have never shied away from pushing back a deadline especially for mental health. It is super important! Hope you are having a wonderful week :)

[@darrenrobinson06]

Great update! Have you considered doing one of those recap videos like "Everything we accomplished in Year One"! (like Project Kamp

[@Leonasjourney]

Happy Mother's Day Dana! So much renewal this year it's wonderful. I find the foraging really informative! Enjoy it all!!

[@craigleewhite6317]

Max. It's your Birthday. From Craig. UK. Nice garlic!

[@teresarumley8694]

You are going to need another bedroom for your son 🎉happy birthday 🎂 x

[@Usachatnow]

proud of you guys, im curious where is it you bought land?

[@gaiealash8374]

you are right on dana, that meme is right about women shedding thier skin and the rebirth pattern happening over and over again. I'm presently awaiting my first grandchild while also simultaneously sitting with my mom who is in hospice having suffered a profound stoke a week ago . My daughter is waiting on news if she will be induced as she is showing signs of ICP! so my mom is dying while my daughter is birthing and I'm in the middle holding rebirth space and witness for them both. Transformations do come over and over again - "Life is amazing. And then it's awful. And then it's amazing again. And in between the amazing and awful it's ordinary and mundane and routine. Breathe in the amazing, hold on through the awful, and relax and exhale during the ordinary. That's just living heartbreaking, soul-healing, amazing, awful, ordinary life. And it's breathtakingly beautiful." L.R. Knost

[@truneilson]

Have you fixed the smoke filling the room yet? Sounds like it can't get air, so it sucks back down. They suggest a small hole under the stove to creat an updraft inside. Good luck.