The Jonas family is a God-loving, hard-working, ever-learning family that seeks to honor Jesus in all that we do. We began Goat Milk Stuff to share the goodness of goat milk with others, to bring Jim home full-time, and to provide an environment where the children could learn to be entrepreneurs.
Farm life is wonderful for raising children and we are super excited to be able to share not only our Goat Milk Stuff when you shop on our site, but to be able to share a piece of our lives whether you are reading PJ's blog, watching our YouTube videos, or visiting us here on the farm.
As the children and Goat Milk Stuff have grown, we've been able to watch all of these goals come to fruition. We have a very simple philosophy when it comes to parenting and educating our children. It can be summed up as follows:
We get asked a lot of questions about ourselves, so we decided to answer some of the more common ones below. Thanks for all of your support of Goat Milk Stuff!
Everything is a God issue and a learning opportunity (including making and selling goat milk soap). Hard work builds character which is an essential ingredient to a successful life. Each of our children are unique individuals with unique strengths and weaknesses and are raised as individuals. The family unit is a team and we all are sometimes called to sacrifice for the team.
The Jonas Family
Favorite Things
Goat: Hazelnut (PJ), Fabulous (Jim)
Soap: Lemongrass (PJ), Fiji Island (Jim)
"Stuff": Peppermint lip balm (PJ), Original Deodorant (Jim)
Sweets: Toffee (PJ), Gelato (in-store only) (Jim)
Cheese: Garlic Chevre (PJ), Garden Marinated Feta (Jim)
Color: Hunter green (PJ), Sunset (Jim)
Hobby: Reading (PJ), Cycling (Jim)
Job: Delegating (PJ), Whatever is left (Jim)
Book: Margin* (PJ), Me, Myself, & Bob* (Jim)
Bible Verse: Joshua 24:15 (PJ), 1 Thessalonians 4:10b-12 (Jim)
Jim and PJ met in 1990 at the University of Virginia during PJ's first weekend at college. Although Jim was a year ahead of her, he was on a 5 year plan where he graduated in 5 years with both a Bachelor's and Master's degree. This meant they were able to graduate together. Jim spent 7 years teaching Junior High Science as well as spending several years a corporate trainer and a garbage man before joining Goat Milk Stuff full-time. PJ lasted 3 years in Corporate America before quitting to become a stay-at-home, homeschooling Mom.
"And if it seems evil to you to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” Joshua 24:15
"But we urge you, brethren, to excel still more, and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life and attend to your own business and work with your hands, just as we commanded you, so that you will behave properly toward outsiders and not be in any need." 1 Thessalonians 4:10b-12y
Landon (2018)
Michael (2020)
Kylie (2022)
Favorite things
Goat: Pollyanna (Brett)
Soap: Almond (Brett), Nautical (Mason)
"Stuff": Pink Sugary Perfume (Brett), Vanilla Lip Balm (Mason)
Sweets: Toffee (Brett), Toffee (Mason)
Cheese: Garlic (Brett), Sriracha (Mason)
Color: Teal (Brett), Green (Mason)
Hobby: Reading (Brett), Shooting (Mason)
Job: Managing our Social Media (Brett), Cheese Making (Mason)
Book: The Chronicles of Narnia* (Brett), The Cowboys (Mason)
Bible Verse: Romans 8:28 (Brett), Deuteronomy 31:6 (Mason)
Brett is the oldest of the Jonas children and displays many of the characteristics of a first-born. She is in charge of all the social media for GMS, and manages the paperwork for the goats. She is married to a wonderful man named Mason, and the two of them plan to continue working for GMS - and have their children help out too. As she tells people who ask, she "can't imagine anything better than growing up on the farm," and she wants her children to experience that too.
Mason is the main cheesemaker here at GMS, as well as the farmer who raises the grass-fed beef available in our stores. We've known his family for years and couldn't be more thrilled that he has joined our family!
They got married in January, 2018, their firstborn, Landon, joined us in November, 2018, Michael was born in May 2020, and Kylie arrived in May of 2022. We converted an old breakroom into a "baby proof" office, and Brett loves the fact that she can bring her kids to work with her! We're so blessed to have them here with us.
"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28
"Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.”Deuteronomy 31:6
Favorite Things
Goat: Idina (Colter)
Soap: Lemongrass (Colter) Almond (Katie)
"Stuff": Arnica Salve (Colter), Peach Lip Balm (Katie)
Sweets: Dark Chocolate (Colter), Cinnamon Roll Caramel (Katie)
Cheese: Caramel (Colter), Garlic (Katie)
Color: Black (Colter), Yellow (Katie)
Hobby: Ultimate Frisbee (Colter & Katie)
Job: Moving feed (Colter)
Book: Lord of the Rings* (Colter), Moving Mountains (Katie)
Bible Verse: Hebrews 12:1-2 (Colter), Psalm 46 (Katie)
Colter has become a strong young man who is dependable, and very capable of anything you throw his way. Not only does he help with the milking, but he also makes all the goat milk soaps. He prides himself on running and exercise, and loves to play Ultimate Frisbee with a local team.
Katie works at a local emergency shelter for kids. She enjoys playing Ultimate Frisbee, and plays competitevely on the same team with her husband and his siblings.
We've known Katie and her family for quite a few years now, and have loved seeing Colter and Katie's relationship grow. They got married in September, 2022, and we love having her be a part of our family!
"Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." Hebrews 12:1-2
"God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging. There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells. God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day. Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall; he lifts his voice, the earth melts. The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Come and see what the Lord has done, the desolations he has brought on the earth. He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth. He breaks the bow and shatters the spear; he burns the shields with fire. He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth." The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress."Psalm 46
Fiancée Ashton Beach
Favorite Things
Goat: Valley
Soap: Sandalwood
"Stuff": Tooth Powder
Sweets: Caramel
Cheese: Sriracha
Color: Gold
Hobby: Ultimate Frisbee
Job: Assisting Goat Deliveries
Book: The Bible*
Bible Verse: Ephesians 2:8
Emery is our Candy Kitchen Manager, which includes making everything from chocolate to muffins to sourdough bread. He develops new recipes and keeps our cases full of yummy candies like caramels, chocolate covered caramels, fudge, Peanut Butter Caramel Crunch Bars, Chocolate Creams, Goat Milk Toffee, and more! He also helps Mom manage our gardens, and has his own flower garden. When the work is done, he’s usually playing with his brothers, drawing, reading, or running.
"For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God," Ephesians 2:8
Favorite Things
Goat: Reluctant
Soap: Almond
"Stuff": Arnica Salve
Sweets: Peanut Butter Fudge
Cheese: Garlic
Color: Green
Hobby: Ultimate Frisbee
Job: Pulling Orders
Book: The Bible*
Bible Verse: 1 Corinthians 10:13
Fletcher is talkative and always ready to tell you a joke. He's very outgoing and is the first one to reach out to people he doesn’t know. He's the self proclaimed dog boy, and makes sure our great pyrenees have all their needs met, and could spend all day playing with them. He runs our Sweet Shop and laughs and jokes with all of our customers. When the work is done he’s usually found reading a book, playing with his brothers, or running.
"No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it." 1 Corinthians 10:13
Fiancée Lani O'Shea
Favorite Things
Goat: Fickle
Soap: Nautical
"Stuff": Deodorant
Sweets: Sea Salt Caramels
Cheese: Caramel
Color: Blue
Hobby: Building things
Job: Handling the goats
Book: All Creatures Great and Small*
Bible Verse: Hebrews 12:1
Greyden is the quiet Jonas. He doesn't say much, but when he does it counts. He is also our goat boy, who regularly milks, and cares for them all. He's the "daddy" to the baby goats, and knows all the goats' names, and can tell them apart. When he's not working, he can usually be found running, playing frisbee, or tinkering with things in our garage.
"Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us," Hebrews 12:1
Favorite Things
Goat: Felicity
Soap: Cranberry
"Stuff": Laundry Soap
Sweets: Chocolate Covered Caramels
Cheese: Pumpkin
Color: Red
Hobby: Playing with Legos
Job: Cutting Soap
Book: Eragon*
Bible Verse: Exodus 20:12
Hewitt is the youngest of 5 boys, and the sweet one in the family who will run up to you to give you a hug, but with plenty of young boy still in him. He takes care of our Baby Barn, and runs the Baby Goat Experience. When the work's done, he likes to spend his time drawing, playing with playmobil, and running around the farm with his brothers.
"Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the Lord your God is giving you." Exodus 20:12
Favorite Things
Goat: Valley
Soap: Fiji Island
"Stuff": Peppermint Lip Balm
Sweets: Gelato (in-store only)
Cheese: Jalapeno
Color: Indigo
Hobby: Ultimate Frisbee
Job: Posting to Social Media
Book: The Healers Apprentice*
Bible Verse: Proverbs 19:20
Indigo is a little princess and tomboy all at the same time. She is in charge of our Instagram page, and enjoys editing the website and making sure that it's up to date and easy to use. She also answers some of our phone calls, and crochets hats to sell. When the work is done, she can be found with her nose in a book, trying a new craft, or playing Ultimate Frisbee with her siblings and friends.
"Listen to advice and accept discipline, and at the end you will be counted among the wise." Proverbs 19:20
Favorite Things
Goat: Zany
Soap: Cranberry
"Stuff": Pumpkin Candle
Sweets: Gelato (in-store only)
Cheese: Garlic
Color: Saphire
Hobby: Ultimate Frisbee
Job: Unmolding and Pulling Orders
Book: If Only Series*
Bible Verse: 1 John 1:9
Jade is the youngest in the Jonas family, but you wouldn't know it by her character. She is friendly, loud, bubbly, self reliant, confident, and everyone who comes to the farm loves her. From helping in the kitchen, to the barn, to the soaproom, Jade delights in helping her siblings with their work throughout the day. When not working, she can be found reading, running, or playing frisbee with her brothers.
"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." 1 John 1:9
