Why FIMBY is not a hair, makeup, fashion, or home decor blog

I love your life. As I've said before, we have very similar lives except for the fact that we don't go backpacking as much as you do!! I should strive for more of that. We have a few things to straighten out first. So, tell me about your long backpacking trip. Out here the Pacific Crest Trail is a 6 month journey from Mexico to Canada that I'd like to do with Jonathan when the kids are older. Maybe even bringing them with us.

Love, Kyndale

We are a homeschooling family and live in rural Kentucky on 56 acres of wooded ridgetop. I have a blog list full of homemaker/homeschooling sites, but your blog is the one I click to read the most. ALL of your insights and stories have been a help as I've set my sights on figuring out what makes our own home tick and thrive. That searching, especially at 40+, for identity as a sahm, in a sea of suzy-homemakers is like a young girl being bombarded with fashion magazines. That question, "who am I? NOW?" never goes away, only changes. Change challenges and helps us to continue growing.

You are beautiful without make-up. Your home feels like a true living space through your photos. When you share the outdoors from where you are, it's as close as I come to traveling up your way. Thank you for taking time from your busy days to share. I wish you abundant blessings on your journey.

I took the 8 y/o grandson with me on a training hike yesterday. 7 miles up and down hills, and a little bit of swamp traipsing, in the pouring rain. He/we had a blast. It's a training hike for backpacking this summer. I don't think I could have picked a better companion to go with me. I love that your whole family is hiking for 6 months. What a blessing!

As always, I can't wait to hear more about what you have planned for FIMBY. Your writing is ALWAYS an inspiration to me. Thank you.

And this is why I love FIMBY and it's one of the blogs I read regularly. What you write about and how you write resonates with me and how I aspire to live with my family.

Keep up the good work, Renee.

As someone who spent 7 months living in a tent in 2010-2011 it is definitely something to get used to but all very worth it. I'm a homebody and after awhile each place I've lived, tent included, has come to mean something to me---even if it isn't/wasn't my permanent place of residence.

I also like your idea of a memoirist blog---that is how mine works out to be. I don't think I could ever separate out some little part of my life and only write about that---it all goes together!

A few weeks ago my family embarked on a 9-day camping trip in southern Utah, with our 4-year old and 2-year old. It was our first big outdoor adventure since having children and we had such a blast. Our boys loved being outside so much, going hiking, sleeping in a tent, and having lots of undivided attention from my husband and I. We were all in a desperate need of a shower by the end (we did a lot of "washcloth" baths) but it felt great to be outside for that long and to have life simplified down to the basics. Someday, once our kids are a bit older, we will start backpacking with them. You are an inspiration, Renee, and I love the stories you tell on your blog, along with your larger life story. Can't wait to read more as your journey continues to unfold.

I too love a good story especially my own and my family's! This is why I read here. We are cranking up our time in the outdoors aswell - not always easy for any of us but knowing that getting off the couch (or away from the screen) and into life is the story we want to live. Thanks, as always, for writing.

Renee, I don't have a sister... but if I did, I'd want her to be you.

We are big hikers, but are just getting into backpacking with all four kids. The packs are huge for Mom and Dad right now, let me tell you. We are heading out for a weekend trip during the upcoming weeks, and just packing the water (we are desert hikers) is a big job. I love that you can do this with your family so often. Congratulations on living the life you love and making your story one you (and I) would enjoy reading.

After reading this post I have some fashion questions! I am curious about what kind of hiking shoes you and your children prefer. Thanks!

I always appreciate your unique story and look forward to seeing some of your new products. Keep us posted- I know you will :)

Many have stated that amidst a handful of sites bookmarked in their own perusing list, FIMBY is a site they visit most and on a regular basis. I certainly fall into that category. One reason is because this is NOT a hair, makeup, home decor site. For myself, the draw is the unabashed, genuine, vibrantly clear writing. I return for I'm not just mildly inspired, or slightly interested in a way of life that vaguely resembles our real life. No. FIMBY is a site that acts as a catalyst. In my heart, my creativity, our goals and envisioned adventures as a family. So, when you state, "I want to help you create the life you want with the family you love." I believe it. For in many ways, you have already.

I so enjoy your honesty and your full-on approach to an authentic, connected life built around relationships with those you love. I first began reading FIMBY when you posted an open letter to new mothers and your writing continues to resound with me, who I am now, and who I hope to be.

I've only been reading your blog for 6 months, but it has become one of my favorites! We live in the suburbs, own a townhouse, but everything about our life here doesn't feel right. We want to be outdoors more, we want to spend more time together (instead of husband being at work almost 24/7. I wear makeup once in two weeks or so :) When we go someplace where I know there will be other young moms wearing their makeup, lol. I'm comfortable with myself as is. I'm only 28, I have two young children and they are probably not the last. Reading your blog helps me make decisions about what is truly important, I have a lot of 'life redesigning' to do and a lot of listening to do when it comes to what God has in store for us...

Although our families are different, I love following your adventures, and I am inspired to dig a little deeper with my own family. Thanks as always for sharing your journey.

My blog is not a hair, makeup, fashion, or home decor one neither...But Life can be very surprising sometimes : few days ago, a friend told me she may have a cancer lesion, waiting for her results. I told her that I will cross all my fingers and toes, even my hair, to make her laugh. And it became a creative challenge to support her by distance, from my blog and through a Facebook Group.

For 2 weeks, I have to make braids or funny pictures. It makes me work a lot on myself, because I don't take care so much about my mid-long hair. And I don't like putting so many pictures of myself on my blog lol It's not the purpose of my blog. But I really see that like a new different way to explore creativity, spirituality, well-being... maybe this is a healing path ;-)

If you've seen my Pinterest, this is crazy how there is pictures ! lol A wide variety... And if somebody not knowing me was seeing it, he could think that I'm interested in nature and colors (yes, definitely) food and healthy nourishment (true), knitting and crocheting (true), education/children( well yes, I'm a mum, and a part of my job is linked to children, parents, and teachers), and maybe about fashion.

On the last point, it's not really exact. I'm interested in creativity, and colors with fibers. I'm interested in the process, I'm interested in the 5 senses links, the shapes. Because, for me, it is linked to creativity, well-being for body and mind, when you wear clothes that you made yourself or created as an artistic message, a spiritual message. Conciuosly, so (though it's probably not the way they are worn, most of the time in this society ! lol)It's like expressing with differents tools who we are, instead of using words.

More generally, I LOVE images a a tool of inner travelling, inner understandings, inner questionning (I use relaxation, visuals, and creativity in my job, not a surprise lol)... AND I really love writting too. Images or words are 2 differents facets to tell stories. That's why I love your blog. Most of all, I love your human and deep personal sharings. They are testimonials of a unique individual's path, and of a unique family's path.

I love being in nature, but I love my comfort, and I don't feel ready to spend so much time hiking or trailing. It' not me. But I do love being a witness of this way of life. Because you enjoy it, you choose it. It is who you are right now. All of this is precious.

Light can glow from hands to type on the computer, or by create something in another way. Creating a life is definitely a Huge Loving Path.

have you ever written a "how to" post on backpacking with children? what equipment, ages of kids, etc?? would LOVE to do this...we hike with them when we camp but never super long distances and am wondering what kind of lightweight gear to look for? recommendations?