Welcome to Farmwood Hollow
You found us! Welcome to our little corner of the Pacific Northwest where family, faith, and farm life flourish. This is a place to share the stories, lessons, and simple joys found in raising a family, caring for animals, creating beautiful things, and finding God’s hand in everyday moments.
Who We Are:
We are a large family of 11 people with 9 kids and 9 dogs! Our family includes biological children, adopted children, and one of our former foster children who we have the privilege of caring for through permanent guardianship. Through our experiences we have been privileged to learn that families are grown not only through biology, but through love, commitment, sacrifice, and the many unexpected ways that God brings people together.
We call 21 wooded acres in the beautiful Pacific Northwest home, where our little hobby farm -Farmwood Hollow- has become a place of learning, healing, and connection. My husband holds a Bachelor’s degree in International Relations, and I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Animal Science. Our backgrounds have shaped the way we see the world: with curiosity, compassion, and a desire to serve others.
Animals have always been a big part of my life. Over the years I have cared for an incredible variety of animals including dogs, cats, chickens, ducks, pigs, ponies, goats, sheep, turtles, snakes, lizards, fish, hamsters, guinea pigs, rabbits, hedgehogs, ferrets, and many other creatures who have needed my care. In the past I have managed a community petting zoo, and also worked as a licensed veterinary technician in both emergency and small animal medicine. I have also fostered many kittens, puppies, and other critters who needed a safe place to land, both on my own and in partnership with local rescues and shelter organizations.
We began fostering children when our first three kids were small. And, although we are not currently serving in that capacity, carrying for others has remained a big part of who we are. These days our season of life has has shifted a bit as I have had to focus on my own health, navigating Hashimoto’s, and welcoming a new baby into our family. Although I have had to slow down a bit, our home is still filled with plenty of life, love, and furry (and sometimes scaly or feathered) friends.
What You’ll Find Here:
Farmwood Hollow is a place where we share the beauty, challenges, lessons, and simples joys of family life, faith, creativity, and caring for the many lives entrusted to us.
A Note From Me:
Hi, I’m Jessica, and I’m so glad you’re here.
Farmwood Hollow was created as a place to share stories, lessons, and little moments that make up our everyday life. Our homes is rarely quite, our laundry is never finished, there is always a child or animal needing something, and we are far from perfect-but there is also a whole lot of love, laughter, learning, and grace.
Over the years, I have learned that some of the most meaningful parts of life are often found in trying and unexpected places: in the hard seasons that stretch us, in the people and animals who come into our lives needing care, and in the simple often sacred moments that remind us of God’s presence and love.
I created Farmwood Hollow as a place to document this journey and to share what we are learning along the way. Here you’ll find stories from our family, glimpses into life on our little wooded homestead, adventures from parenting and adoption, recipes and resources that have helped our family, creative projects, and the many animals who make our home a little more feral and fun.
My hope is that when you visit Farmwood Hollow you feel welcomed – as if you’ve pulled up a chair in our home for a conversation. Life is not always simple or picture-perfect, but I believe there is beauty to be found in every season and that life is better shared with friends.
So, thank you for being here! I’m so glad you stopped by.
-Jessica