From Logs to Legacy: How One Couple Is Building Their Dream Homestead in Arkansas

When Angelica and Stephen got married three years ago, they dreamt of building a meaningful life together. One rooted in simplicity, self-sufficiency, and community. In 2023, they took a leap and bought a six-acre property in rural Arkansas, determined to create something meaningful to one day pass down to their three-year-old son, Gage.

A shared dream, a big decision

Ultimately it was Angelica who first broached the idea of homesteading and Stephen admits he was more than a little impressed to find a woman who shared his vision of country living. At first, their plan was to convert a prebuilt shed into a home, but the costs quickly piled up. They realized they would need another solution. 

That’s when Stephen, a full-time logger, started researching portable sawmills and came across Woodland Mills. The prices were right, the products looked solid, but it was the reviews about the great customer service that sealed the deal. Without hesitation (and without remembering to tell Angelica) he ordered the HM122 Portable Sawmill. When she later noticed the purchase on their credit card statement, she wasn’t upset. In fact, she was thrilled.

turning waste into worth

Stephen’s logging job gave them a unique opportunity. While the big mills only accept logs that are 16 feet or longer, Stephen is often left with high-quality 10-foot logs that would otherwise rot on the forest floor. With permission to bring them home, those leftover logs are now the building blocks of their dream.

And Angelica’s dream? A Southern-style home with a dogtrot, an old-fashioned breezeway that naturally cools the house by dividing it in two with an open, screened-in porch. Stephen had a surprise up his sleeve, revealing that he had already started building it for her.

building more than a house

This family’s vision isn’t just about a house. It’s about a way of life. Gage will grow up surrounded by nature, learning to garden, raise animals, and live off the land. He will be homeschooled, play outside, and learn hands-on skills from his dad, just like Stephen did when he was young.

Angelica dreams of a homestead filled with chickens, goats, and sprawling vegetable gardens. Stephen jokes that he goes along with whatever she wants because “a happy wife is a happy life,” but his excitement for their shared future is clear.

Learning as they go

Neither Stephen nor Angelica came into this with experience building homes. But with help from fellow YouTubers and a lot of self-teaching, they’ve picked up everything they need along the way. Their message to others is simple: “You’ve got to start somewhere.”

That same spirit is what led them to launch their YouTube channel Homesteading with the Laws, originally just for friends and family. Now, with over 13,000 subscribers, they’ve built a growing audience of fellow homesteaders and curious viewers. They share everything including live sawmilling sessions, project updates, land tours, and glimpses into daily life as they build their homestead from the ground up.

from community to connection

This journey has introduced them to a thriving online homesteading community. Soon, they’ll be attending a homestead rendezvous event where they’ve been invited to demonstrate their HM122 in action. It’s another reminder that they’re not alone on this journey and that their story is inspiring others to take the leap.

Stephen is proud of how much he’s accomplished with the sawmill. He’s already “paid it off three times over” by selling some of the lumber he’s milled. He and Angelica both agree that if you’re building a homestead and can afford it, a portable sawmill is a game-changer.

A legacy in the making

For Stephen, the process is just as meaningful as the outcome. He cuts the logs, mills them himself, and builds each structure from the ground up. Being part of every stage gives him a deep appreciation for what they’re creating. It means so much more when you’re involved in every step.

To keep up with their journey and see their homestead take shape, check out their YouTube channel Homesteading with the Laws and follow along as they build a life and legacy for their family.

Subscribe to the Woodland Mills YouTube Channel for more more stories from seasoned sawyers and landowners as they share more awesome projects and provide inspiration for new ideas.