In 1994, I married my soulmate and best friend, Chris. Together, we blended our families, creating the Bridges Bunch with my four children and Chris's two girls. Our life together has been a tapestry of joys and sadness, struggles and accomplishments, failures and triumphs. But above all, it has been a journey of unwavering love.

Chris dedicated 28 years of his life to serving as a Kansas City firefighter. Meanwhile, I explored various businesses and jobs until 2012, when I found my true calling with doTerra Essential Oils, embracing a holistic approach to health and wellness.

Our lives took a dramatic turn on February 20, 2021, when we were awakened by the devastating news that our house was on fire. In the days that followed, we discarded 75% of our possessions. However, that marked the end of the hardship and the beginning of our blessings. Our mortgage was paid off, we purchased a brand new RV, and sold our property for $26,000 over the asking price within just six days. With these blessings, we were able to buy 40 acres of land, where we built a new home and embarked on a journey of raising and caring for animals.

Our new home is a bustling homestead with 2 Oberhasli does, which gave us 2 doelings and 3 bucklings this spring, 1 Oberhasli buck, 2 SouthPole heifers, 1 SouthPole cow with a calf, and 1 milk cow that is a mix of Holstein, Jersey, and Angus. She is currently being bred to a Fleckvieh and is due to calve in the spring. We also have a variety of birds, including 2 turkeys for Thanksgiving, 7 guineas, 7 Sebastopol geese, and over 50 hens. Recently, we added 30 meat birds and 35 straight-run chicks to our flock. Our family also includes 16 cats and 2 amazing dogs.

This year, we planted an orchard with elders, grapes, blackberries, and blueberries. I am also establishing an herb garden featuring medicinal and edible herbs. From our land, I sell tinctures, salves/balms, tallow, skincare products, and freeze-dried herbs.

Our journey takes us to the ancient path celebrating the art of self-sufficiency and the spirit of independence. We are committed to a world where quality surpasses convenience, sustainability replaces disposability, and depth triumphs over superficiality. Guided by the gifts of our Creator and the wisdom of the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, we strive to nurture our bodies, minds, and spirits, as well as our communities, through the earth's bounty.

We uphold values of authenticity, resilience, and purposeful living, choosing paths less traveled with courage and conviction. Bound by these values, we strive to make every day a celebration of the beauty of a life well-lived.