The Deep Breath Before the Plunge
A Weekly Journal From A-7 Farms (Lexington, Texas)
Opening Scene
Happy New Year, everyone.
We are officially on the other side of the holidays, and we are kicking off 2026 right in the thick of it. If I had to summarize Christmas in the RV in one word, it would be: Tight.
I had hoped for a "calm and quiet" Christmas, but with a family of six (plus one on the way) in 400 square feet, "calm" is a relative term. Between the close quarters and traveling to see extended family, it wasn't exactly a silent night, but it was a good one.
The kids made out like bandits, and it was fun to see their personalities shine through their gifts:
Elijah (10) is ready to get back to work—he was thrilled with a brand-new pair of cowboy work boots.
Grayson (9) has been keeping his corner of the RV cluttered with a new set of LEGOs.
Lyla (7) is mimicking dad with a new chicken coop playset (training starts early here!).
Kyra (4) has been inseparable from her new toy ponies.
We even managed a minor miracle for New Year’s Eve: almost everyone made it to midnight. Kyra was the only one who tapped out early. Even Emily, who is in the final stretch of pregnancy, managed to wake up from a nap just in time to see the ball drop.
Health-wise, we are finally turning a corner. The "Great RV Cold of December" has mostly passed. There are a few lingering coughs, but we are back in the rhythm of a typical day.
The Final Countdown
Theme: A set date, a big baby, and a scramble for seeds.
We had a doctor’s visit today (Tuesday), and everything just got very real, very fast.
We officially have an eviction date. We were told that Emily will be induced next Tuesday, January 20th—assuming the baby decides to wait that long.
Speaking of the baby... we got some news that made our eyes widen. His last measurement put him over 10 lbs, and we are currently expecting him to be closer to 11 lbs at birth. Yes, you read that right. There are naturally some nerves that come with delivering a baby the size of a Thanksgiving turkey, but Emily is being an absolute trooper. She isn't worrying; she’s just ready.
Because it’s baby #5, the general vibe is surprisingly chill. We know the drill. But the schedule is definitely getting hectic.
The "Go Bag" is currently being worked on (better late than never!), and farm tasks have been slightly pushed to the back burner. We are watching the mailbox like hawks, waiting for a few seed orders to arrive. If they get here in time, we hope to get carrots and beets in the ground before we head to the hospital.
Farm Plans & The "Pepper Pivot"
Theme: New gear, changed plans, and the "First to Market" pressure.
As always with farming, the spreadsheet plan rarely survives contact with reality.
Back in October, I had big plans to seed "Carmen" sweet peppers on January 15th. Well, plans have changed. We decided against the Carmen variety this year. Instead, we are pivoting to a mix of mini peppers and several bell pepper varieties.
The timing is the tricky part. Ideally, I’d get these seeds in soil this weekend. But with induction set for Tuesday the 20th, I’m hesitant. Seedlings are like newborns—they need constant attention and water. If we are stuck at the hospital for a few days, I can’t risk losing the trays. So, we might push the planting to the weekend after the baby arrives, just so I can be sure I’m around to keep them alive.
The Greenhouse: The greenhouse build is officially on pause. Between the sickness in December and the frantic start to January, we just ran out of runway. The new goal? Let’s call it a "Birthday Present" to myself in February. We aim to break ground on it once we are settled with the baby.
The One Small Win: The garden beds, however, look fantastic. We have all the blocks created and amended. A huge part of that success is a new tool in the arsenal: a battery-powered tiller from Neversink Farms. It has been a game-changer for our workflow.
The Tension: There is a definite pressure right now. I am "on the clock." My goal for 2026 is to be first to market with our summer harvest. Trying to beat other growers to the punch while simultaneously preparing to welcome an 11-pound baby? That is a balancing act I’m still figuring out.
The Vision for 2026
Theme: Hectic vs. Foundation.
If you asked me to pick a "Word or phrase of the Year" for 2026, my honest answer right now would be: Hectic.
But what I want it to be is New Life and Foundation.
My big goal for this year is to continue building, but shift the focus toward creating a solid foundation for the future. We are seeing glimpses of it—our chickens are thriving and egg production is up, which feels like a huge win.
But sitting here today, trying to find time to start seedlings, help the kids with homework, and get ready for our 5th edition... it has become an extra stress that I didn't fully anticipate. The "Hectic" is fighting hard against the "Foundation."
Closing Thought
In these moments where the to-do list feels longer than the hours in the day, I have been leaning on scripture. This week, Psalm 128:3 feels incredibly appropriate:
"Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house; your children will be like olive shoots around your table."
With Emily about to give birth to our fifth, and our table getting more crowded by the year, this verse is a reminder of exactly what we are building here. It might be hectic, but it is a blessing.
Thank you for sticking with us through the holidays. The next time you hear from me, we will likely be a family of seven.
