Why We Can’t Live in Our Off Grid Cabin All Winter

ByMerissa

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In case you missed last week, our family has moved to off-grid land in the mountains. We are currently remodeling the property to make it livable for our family.

Catch up on my full post with all the details about it here.

Back in the summer when we made our offer on the cabin, we truly hoped that we’d be able to move in as soon as we could to be able to get things done before winter.

Cliffs

From experience, we know it’s hard to work on remodeling projects through the winter, and something like this (no inside plumbing, no bedrooms) was going to be a huge challenge to get done before it started snowing at our new little place over 7000 feet up in the mountains.

But unfortunately, it didn’t work like that. The land did not have legally submitted access and that took a long time to obtain. (It really shouldn’t have, but you know how things go when you want to be in a hurry!) Because of that, we didn’t close and move out to the property until the end of September.

Another issue with the property is that it’s not easily accessible. The nearest highway is miles away as is the nearest dirt road. Access in the winter is tracked vehicle only. This is something we were ok with as it means we won’t have people constantly driving by or on our property, it’s almost a guarantee of peace and quiet.

But that’s something else that makes it harder to get out should we need to.

And I’m finally ready to tell you all that, yes, we definitely have to be able to get out this winter.

Baby

Sweet miracle baby Alink will be arriving in March of 2025.

We are excited (and incredibly nervous) beyond words that we should be able to receive this blessing. Like our other children, this sweet little boy is also adopted, but he’s having a little bit different start to life than his siblings.

I want to be able to educate a small bit on this topic so I’ll do a very brief dive and let you do your own research should you be interested (you can message me privately too).

Several years ago we learned about embryo adoption as another form of adoption. We considered another traditional adoption through foster care and re-did our licenses and all the requirements, but for many reasons, it was not the way that our family should go. Infant adoption is currently out of the equation as it’s gotten too expensive.

We still felt compelled to adopt and decided to speak to our specialist about embryo adoption. After a lot of testing, they decided we were good candidates and put us into their in-house adoption program.

*Note: Embryos that are “leftover” from fertility treatment cycles are either discarded, left frozen, used for science, or can be adopted if the family would choose that. There are currently over 1 million frozen embryos, not all available for adoption, of course. Embryos that are available to be adopted can be matched privately, through a specialists clinic, or through an adoption agency.

Baby

We still had to do counseling and be matched with the right family, just like a regular adoption. Once we were, things moved ahead pretty quickly, and by July, we found out that we were pregnant with our miracle baby.

Brother

The kids are very excited to meet their new little brother and love that he has an adoption story like they do. After our pregnancy losses, we’ve been very hesitant about sharing anything, but things seem to be going well so far, and we are already halfway there. I’ve been lucky to overall have a mostly uneventful pregnancy, and my biggest issue has been tiredness. Unfortunately, I’ve also been recently diagnosed with gestational diabetes.

Baby

Back to the story I started with! Because of doctor’s appointments and the proximity to a knowledgeable obstetrician, we are unable to stay at the cabin all winter. Already, we have to travel 4 hours each way once a month for appointments, and it will become more than that after the beginning of the year.

Although we are so sad to not be able to stay in our home all winter (I think I’m the saddest of all knowing that I won’t get to “nest” in my true home), we know it’s for the best and safety of everyone. At this time, we plan to move back into our camper near the city during those last couple of months of the pregnancy and for a bit after the baby arrives.

Baby

I think now you are all caught up on everything going on here! I’ll be back again next week with a blog post with more details on our new home and new off-grid life. Now, you just have a little bit more perspective on real life here. 🙂

Me and Kady

Merissa Alink

Merissa has been blogging about and living the simple and frugal life on Little House Living since 2009 and has internationally published 2 books on the topic. You can read about Merissa’s journey from penniless to freedom on the About Page. You can send her a message any time from the Contact Page.

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85 Comments

  4. So very, very happy for you and your family! I too had gestational diabetes in my last pregnancy after losing our last baby boy. It added a new twist and changed the way I hoped our delivery would look but God is good and we made it through. Praying the rest of your pregnancy goes smoothly and you can get into your real home soon!

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  6. Congratulations! Omgosh honey! That is amazing!
    I’m sorry you can’t move into the house yet, but those are good reasons for delaying it! God bless you and your family!

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  8. Congratulations! Our niece and nephew adopted an embryo and now have a miracle baby girl. I didn’t realize it was an option before. Take care of yourself and your family! God bless!

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  10. Congratulations! I really never thought about all the frozen embryos before. A miracle indeed that he was chosen and matched to you. PBTG!

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  11. What wonderful news! Prayers that your pregnancy continues to go well! So very happy for you and your growing family!

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  12. So happy to hear the news!I have followed your stories through the seasons..This made my day..blessings to you and your family..

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  13. God bless you and your new baby and family and homestead and ministry and your temporary arrangement greatly!

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  16. Melissa I am so happy for you! I love reading your blog and am so impressed by everything you do. May God Bless You and your wonderful family.

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  17. Congratulations, I love reading about people opting for a simple life instead of getting all caught up in the fast paced life most of us live in. Congratulations on your baby, I also adopted my daughter Alexis, she is now working on her bachelor degree in nursing.

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  18. I’m so very happy for you. I’m praying heaps of blessings over you and for a smooth labor and delivery when the time comes.

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  22. Congratulations! Such wonderful news! I have a friend who did this as well and she had twins. This is such wonderful news!

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  23. Sending my hugs and love to your wonderful news! Enjoy the blessings that fall and winter bring to you and your beautiful family!

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  25. Congratulations and many blessings for a smooth rest of the pregnancy! I’m so happy for you and your family!

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  27. Thank you for sharing your WONDERFUL news! Congratulations!!! Thank you, too, for educating us about embryo adoption. What a cool option. God bless you all. Praying for a smooth, quick delivery and a healthy baby.

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  30. Congratulations!! Love this story! I am a grandma to KJ, who was an embryo adoption. It is such a wonderful option. KJ is 3 1/2 and so adorable! My daughter shared her experience with some friends dealing with infertility and they just had a baby girl the same way. Thanks for sharing! Praying for the rest of your pregnancy.

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  31. May God bless you all and the new life you are carrying and beginning. The path God has called you to is not an easy one, but it can be fulfilling and following God’s plan brings blessings all its own. Wishing you much happiness!

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  32. Merissa, I am so happy for you and your family! Believing God has precious and wonderful things in store for each of you! I know how hard it can be to overcome fear after loss and embrace faith- ya’ll are doing that in an amazing way! Praying for you through each day of this pregnancy and the birth.

    As a mama of seven, six of which have been very fast easy births, I can’t promote Spinning Babies enough. It is well worth the time and effort it requires of you and your husband. I have autoimmune issues, but this program along with careful diet (love Beautiful Babies and Nourishing Traditions) has made a world of difference. My last birth- three weeks ago- was so gentle and beautiful, with things progressing quickly enough that my husband had the privilege of catching our baby since no one else was ready. I wish you a beautiful healing birth experience in March!

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  37. What a wonderful surprise to read this — congratulations! Prayers for an uneventful pregnancy and delivery and that you’ll all be able to return home soon once God has gotten all of this next part of your lives sorted out! Love and prayers ❤️

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  38. This is such great news! You look so cute with your baby bump. Praying that God will continue to bless your pregnancy & watch over your sweet family. His timing is always perfect!

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  39. Oh my gosh! I have been following y’all for years and this post made me cry tears of joy!
    CONGRATULATIONS!
    What an absolute BLESSING!
    Keeping you all in prayer!

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  40. Hi,
    Just a bit of FYI because I also live at 7,000 feet. Baking and relearning to cook some dishes (rice) is a new adventure. Just be patient and you will figure it out. Congratulations and blessings for you and your family.

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  42. That is wonderful news! I am so happy for you. I had not heard about embryo adoption so that is really interesting. I pray all goes well and hope you can build up your new home as soon as you are all ready again.

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  47. OH! Congratulations! Praise THE LORD for your miracle baby! And for being pro-life!!! I will be praying for you to have a healthy safe, easy delivery, and that the rest of your pregnancy is “uneventful!”

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  50. Congratulations. This little guy is very lucky he has such a loving family to be welcomed into. Stay safe and take care of your self.

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  51. Best of luck with the new baby. How exciting for you and you have to do what is best for you and baby this Winter. But next winter you can stay in your off grid cabin. Enjoy the new baby.

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  54. Dearest Merissa,
    I read the title of this post and thought “oh no” then read the rest and was crying with joy about your miraculous news. What a blessing!

    I hope you know what an inspiration you are. Thank you!

    Wishing you a beautiful winter in town and a joyful homecoming when you move back to your little cabin, come spring.

    Leslie

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  56. Wow! What amazing news all the way around, but especially for your new baby! Congratulations! My daughter-in-law’s sister and her husband have been unable to have their own children, so they also did embryo adoption. After a few disappointments, they have a 3-year-old girl and are pregnant with twins–a boy and a girl. They are so happy! What an amazing thing to do, to rescue these precious souls!

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  57. Hi Merissa:
    Congratulations and best wishes. I hope and pray all goes well this time. I learned something new here. I had never heard of embryo adoption before. And yes, I think that you are making a very wise decision to live nearer to a town for the winter at least so you can get the health care that you need. Assuming that baby arrives in March around his expected due date and your recovery is quick then you’d be able to get back out to your homestead in time for a late spring planting. Exciting times. Looking forward to hearing more news. ((((HUGS))))

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  59. Oh Merrisa Congratulations on the new baby!!!!!!! This is something new to me, being impregnated with other peoples embryos is amazing!! You get to know the feeling of being pregnant and giving birth, which is so awsome. I had all my babies natural no drugs or c-section or spinal. To see those babies born is amazing. For some reason God didn’t intend for you to have your own but someday you will know the answer. But God has blessed you with many babies through adoption. Merissa you are a wonderful mother and I’m so happy for you. I’ve followed your blog for a long time and you guys are amazing. Living like you are is a dream of mine but at age 70 I’m afraid it is just a dream now. Enjoy every minute of life God gives you, love each other, always walk with God and you can’t go wrong. Looking forward to lots of pictures of the little one!! I’m having a set of great grandbaby twins. I’m so exited!!!!!

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  62. i have a property in rural Tennessee i just vacated and all my contents
    its a nice to do but hard if you dont have lots of money, going
    through the winter with little heat ,cold water ,and snow up roads,
    can surly make you say bad word – bob

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  63. Dear Merissa

    I am so happy for you.

    I love reading your blog and trying out your recipes
    I also had gestational diabwtes and put on more than 19 kilos so you are looking very well!

    My daughter arrived 3 weeks early after eating a large ice-cream as it was a friends birthday…

    I wish you all the best and to your family and yes you have made the right choice to be nearer civilization. When Elizabeth arrived my husband was working in Amsterdam and I rang him at 2.30 to get himself to Spain where we had moved to from England and my parents were there as well. So I ended up ringing a colleague to be with me at the birth. All ended well though with my husband half an hour before she arrived. So good, good luck and a giant bear hug to you.

    Rosemary.

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  64. So happy for you Merissa! Praying that all goes well with the baby! I never knew such a thing existed! I’ll be praying for you!

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  66. Congratulations and God bless you with this new pregnancy. It is a challenge but we will keep you in our prayers.

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  67. Merissa and family…congratulations on the upcoming birth! I wish you all the best in Life that it has to offer. Please keep us updated on the new baby’s birth and your new life off-grid.

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  68. Oh so exciting! So happy and I will pray for a safe healthy pregnancy, childbirth and love to all your little family. God Bless

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  69. Congratulations! I have never heard of embryo adoption, but then again my youngest is now 28. I also agree that it’s wise for you to stay closer to town until you have your baby for the baby’s first few months. Live your blog and how you are raising your family. May ask where you new home is?

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  70. AWW! How absolutely wonderful! We will add your family to the prayer chain for a safe and uneventful delivery!!!

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  73. Ah. What a sweet sweet event for all your family! And another precious soul gets to be here, have a family and grow up loved! I’d say that’s blessings from Heaven for all❤️

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  74. Congratulations, Merissa to you and your family! So exciting. Will pray for smooth pregnancy and delivery! Take good care of yourself!

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  77. Congratulations on your new little guy!
    Love reading about your travels and enjoy so many of your recipes and frugal ideas!

    Reply