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I think I'm about to do something incredibly impulsive, something I might regret. I'm going to get Louie Alpacas for Christmas. All right, pause right there. A little context for today's episode. A lot of this was filmed before Christmas. It took me a while to just edit it, put it all together and release it to you guys. But I'm very excited about this. It's a little more personal to the life that me and Louie and Baby Margo live. So I hope you guys like this. I want to hear about it. If you do and comments below, be sure to stay tuned because at the end of this, I'm asking for name suggestions for the impulsive thing that I did. Anyways, before we get into that, I want to tell you about today's sponsor. It is why Refi? If you followed me for a while, then you've heard me talk about them. What they're doing is a game changer. Private student loan debt can feel suffocating. Maybe your minimum payment is higher than your rent. Maybe you're just barely scraping by. Maybe you've gone into default and you feel like there's no way out. Well, you are not alone. And more importantly, you are not stuck. Or why Refi refinances private student loan debts that other companies won't even touch. They don't just plug your info into some algorithm and spit out a number. They work with you to create a one on one custom payment plan. One that you can actually afford. So this means a lower payment plan, a low fixed interest rate, and it means a light at the end of the tunnel. And the part that shocks a lot of people is why Refi does not care about your credit score. Yes, you have heard that, right? If your credit has taken a hit because of these loans, that does not automatically disqualify you. So if you feel trapped, it does not have to be that way. Go to yrefi.com that is y r f y dot com. Be sure to tell them that Riley sent you. All right, Back to the impulsive thing I did. Now, has he indicated to me that he wants Alpacas Absolutely not. Does he have any inkling that this could potentially be his gift also? No. Now, do I want alpacas? Yes. So this seems like a fantastic Christmas gift for Louie from me. For context, we live on 12 acres. Actually, it's a flower farm. I've never talked about that before, but Louie and I are flower farmers. We actually have one of the biggest daylily farms in the state of Tennessee. We've got three dogs, Buddy, lady, and Dumbo. Actually, Buddy and Lady got together, had 10 puppies. Dumbo was one of them. We kept him. We also have a horse named Cowboy. Cowboy doesn't live on our property with us. We actually board him on our property. The 12 acres is fenced in, but we don't have, like a fenced in pasture within the 12 acres. That's why I say this is impulsive, because getting this Christmas gift for Louie means that he's going to have to build the fence, which he loves a project, so I don't think he'll mind that. I'm realizing it also might mean that he has to build a barn. We've got two barns on our property, but I think we're gonna have to knock those down and build a new barn. These are all things we can figure out on the back end. I've been messaging this alpaca farm on Instagram for the past couple weeks, so I think it's time we call them. I'm telling myself before we go into this, I can't get more than three alpac. Your call has been forwarded to an is not available or press 1 for more options. Figured I would give you a call. Hope to have a conversation about some alpacas. I know we mentioned cinnamon and taffy. Thank you. We're gonna pause this here and we'll come back to filming when she calls back. Okay, I have an update for you guys. We ended up talking on the phone. Honestly, she called me back a few minutes later, which I'm filming this now, a few days later. She's so sweet. Love her. We are now a family of 18. I hate myself. I knew I was going to do this. That's why I, like, tried to hold myself accountable by saying I'm only going to get three alpacas. We did. We got three alpacas plus another one. So four alpacas plus four cows plus three donkeys. Like, one thing about me is I'm very, very much all or nothing. Like, we are going to do it 100% or we're not doing it at All. So we now have, like, a fully functioning farm, or at least we will in a few days. And she kept saying, like, oh, like, the more you get, it'll be a better deal. I am very much a bang for your buck kind of girl. I love a bargain. I love a sale. And that's what she offered me. Thank God Louis loves me as much as he does. But now I'm in a bit of a dilemma because I need him to build a barn. I need him to do the fencing. I could outsource it. I could have someone come do it, but then he'll know. It'll kind of ruin the surprise. But if I tell him, and I tell him I need him to build those things, it's also going to ruin the surprise. So I guess I have a few more days to think. Right now we're going to go to the bank, which I have to keep filming these updates in the car because I don't want Louie to hear me. We're going to the bank to. To get money out to then drive it to Sparta, which is like an hour and a half ish away. Sparta, Tennessee. To give the money to the woman. See the animals, which I have made the mistake. Actually, I shouldn't call it a mistake. I have, prior to now, done the thing where you pay for an animal prior to seeing it, which that's how we got Cowboy, our horse. I love that horse. But he's definitely an old guy, has some arthritis and navicular, which is still a great horse. We use him for lessons for little kids. We just lend him out for free. He's a really, really good horse, but probably not as described. So I'm not gonna make that mistake again. I'm gonna go see the animals, pick out the ones specifically that I want, although I have the ones I think I want in my mind. I'm gonna show you guys like, come on. Guys, this is Norris, the mini Highland cow. She said he's basically just a big puppy. He knows his name, and his favorite treats are tortillas. Okay, I'll show you all. That's one alpaca. The second. Look at that face. The third, the fourth, which. All the alpacas are girls, by the way, so that's at least a plus. No procreating. Another cow. Another cow. A belty. Looks like a little Oreo. The donkey. Another donkey. Another donkey. And this is Nollie, which Norris and Nollie are like this. So much so that Nollie is pregnant. I'm all for transparency and honesty and, like, open communication. In a relationship. But I think if I tell Louie that Nollie is pregnant, he might just simply kill me. So TBD on if we act surprised over that. I've also got my partner in crime back here. Baby Margo, she has no idea now, but she is going to live the coolest life. All right, to the bank. All right, money secured. Margot and I are going to keep giving daddy heart attacks. Margot when she brings a boy home for the first time, and me when I keep purchasing these four legged creatures, which, Louie, if you're watching this, you have a lifetime of heart attacks. Okay, we're about five minutes away from the barn. We've got my mom, baby Margot, of course, my grandma, my little sister, who we picked it from gymnastics, and her boyfriend, my new farmhand saw her. Look at her, she gets mad. This one right here, she's just. I don't know if there's a breeder somewhere out in Sparta that has springer spaniels.
C
How old do they?
B
Oh, no, she does. Okay, I'll call that a win because I did not get any more animals than I already agreed to. So a win in my eyes. Okay, everyone's favorite animal. I think mine is the black alpaca. I like Moonbeam and Chester. Moonbeam, it was an little donkey. I liked all of the baby cows. Both of them were cute.
C
Mine was Norris, the big highland cow.
B
Talisha got bit by the farm kitty. Get bit by the cat. It rubbed my leg. Rubbed my leg, and then it bit the cat. No, the cat's not my favorite. It bit. No. All right, guys, I have an update for you. First of all, look at what a beautiful day it is. Oh, my gosh. Amazing. Despite the fact that it's freezing cold. Tell me why. On Christmas day, it was 75 degrees here in Tennessee. And now it's a wind chill of 14 degrees. Anyways, besides the point update, last time I filmed for you guys, I wasn't sure how I was going to approach this with Louie. My dilemma being I need him to build the barn and the fence. I decided on Christmas I would tell him that his gift isn't here yet. But the gift requires a barn and a fence. The eye roll that he gave me, which, granted, it was like an eye roll with a smile. I'm so glad that he is just a and a fixer. He can fix anything. Cars, electric, plumbing. It doesn't matter what it is. It needs fixing. He's fixing it. And if he can't do it, he's gonna watch a YouTube video on how to Fix it on virtually any topic. Louie is a certified YouTube professional. Today is Monday, December 29th. And let me show you what he is already building. Okay. You won't be able to tell what is what yet. This is the fence. We are going to do several pastures. This front pasture is going to be about, I think 2ish acres. On other side of those posts over there is going to be another 2ish acre pasture. Our barn is going to be from here, this hole, all the way down there and across and back. Like I said, he wasted no time. So, ladies, get yourself a husband who just likes to do things. We already have this barn. It was here when we got the house, but there's nothing here. This is our garden area. You can't really tell now, obviously, given how cold it is outside, but in the springtime, this area is filled with the most beautiful day lilies. And I figure while I'm already showing you stuff, here is our greenhouse, which I love this. First of all, it's warm. Why am I not in there right now? I can show you guys in here. Oh my gosh, it feels so much better in here. We actually don't have anything in here right now, but when it's really, really cold, we'll put the lime trees in here. We have lime trees and some of the other plants that don't do well in the freezing temperatures. Let's keep going. We've got another barn down there which has a lot of Louie's tools and machines in it. Our outhouse. That reminds me of Shrek, to be honest with you. Here's our pool, closed for the winter. Our fire pit and gazebo overlooking our pond. If you haven't been able to tell yet, I'm a sucker for animals. And so I feed the fish in this pond with this automatic fish feeder that goes off twice a day. We've got this little bridge, star bushes, hammock. I would sit there all the time when I was pregnant. And then we've got the swing that also overlooks the pond. Land like this is hard to come by, especially in the area that we're in in Tennessee. I should do a vlog, honestly, talking about how we acquired this beautiful home and beautiful property. Because this was not the plan initially. We had bought a piece of land, bought house plans. We're about to start digging on our new house when this came about, which again, crazy story and totally what feels like providential. We'll be back for an update in a couple days and hopefully next time it's warmer.
C
Master got Me working.
B
All right. It's day. What? Too many of working on the fence in the barn.
C
Thanks, Papa.
B
Thank you. Have the best grind early. All right. What happened today?
C
Pull the fence post out the ground. Trying to pull the wire tight and it just. We need to do shorter pulls. Instead of it 200 foot pole, we need to do 20 foot poles.
B
I'll act like I know what that means. This is going to be the barn. Is it? Tell us dimensions 70 layout.
C
70 by 26. Gonna be a 10 by 16 room in that corner just for feed or whatever else. And then the rest of it will be open. And then we'll get cattle panels that we can move around and divide up however we want to split it up.
B
Margo is inside taking a nap.
C
She sleeps like her daddy.
B
One thing about Louie is he loves a gas station drink.
C
Although nice firehouse today. Support local first responders.
B
Tell us your gas station order. We have a racetrack like half a mile from our house.
C
Sorry. Rfk. Diet Coke and hot take. But racetrack piece. Pizza. Good.
B
Only a few more days until our mystery days. Animals are gonna be here. Yeah. Days. Weeks. No, not weeks. He says that. He doesn't mean it. A few more days.
C
Get digging holes and then it might be days. He's the Swedish dog, but he's also the dumbest.
B
He lives up to the name Dumbo. Okay, today is the day the animals are coming. So we're hurrying up. I just got my husband and my grandfather who's working on the barn because it's not done yet. Why would it be done? I just got them lunch going back home. And the animals should be arriving once I get back. And it's funny because Louis has not yet seen the animals. He knows the animals are coming, obviously. He's building the barn on the fence, but he hasn't seen them. And so I'm so curious to see his face when this big bull with these big horns and fluffy hair gets off the trailer and onto our property. Oh, my gosh. I'm pulling into the driveway and they are right ahead of me. I feel like a kid on Christmas. I'm so excited. I haven't really given you guys an update on the fence either, but it looks fantastic. Did you have a good trip? And when Eliza was saying, we're going to Florida,
C
Same thing for it. Are you serious?
B
Oh, don't do it.
C
You might be for it.
B
She may be in labor, But probably not. But maybe.
C
I'm gonna kill her. Well, I'm gonna kill her.
B
They're so cute. Okay. Reaction.
C
It's a what? It's a what hun. What am I reacting to?
B
The animals.
C
The dumbest thing we've ever done. We've done some. We've done some stupid things. We really. And I'm all for a stupid time. I really. I do love it. This takes the.
B
The cake.
C
This is. This is insanity. What we're getting into.
B
And Ms. Margo got a new outfit to welcome the animals home in. The outfit is just missing the alpacas. You got your donkey, you've got your cow. No alpacas. We've officially had the animals for a week.
C
You want to stop with that, Easter.
B
You're hurting me. Let's.
C
Let's just. Let's just. Let's just admire.
B
Let's go look. Let's go look. The barn is just about done now.
C
Almost finishing touches. Was it MTV Cribs? This is MTV Cribs. Let me show you inside. What do they say? What's the. What's the opener that they do? What's the opener they do on MTV Cribs? Welcome to MTV Crib. Welcome to MTV Crib. Welcome to MTV Cribs. Let me show you inside. We have storage room that is still being storaged and roomed. I bought the wrong door. This is a right hand opening door. We needed a left hand opening door for said hole. Follow me to the next room. This is going to be the animals casa. We still got to get shavings put down.
B
Tell us about this.
C
Yes. We opted for some like clear panels on the roof. If you're building a barn and you don't want to have to have a huge electricity bill, highly recommend. Let's a lot of natural light in. Hi, jester.
B
Hi.
C
Hi sweetie. You get a little donkey.
B
You mean to tell me you're not happy?
C
The donkeys are really cute. This guy, he's my friend. You want to be my friend? You're just still unsure.
B
Sorry.
C
The alpacas just look like they're gonna jump us all the time. Like, look at them. Look at these guys. They're just like what you got over there?
B
I feel like it's such a dad thing to not want an animal. Not one animal. Not one animal. Normally it's a dog. Like to not want a dog. And then they get the dog. And you see the picture of the dad on the recliner with the dog in his lap. That is you. But with a donkey.
C
Like zoom in on her face. Like, look at that lady. Miss Girl, you need to go see the dentist.
B
This girl, she spits but alpacas generally don't spit at humans. They spit other alpacas. And so she'll spit at the other animals. Generally. They're in her food bucket. He loves this,
C
my friend. These guys behind us all would have been perfect. Just, just. That would have been great. The bit that is absolutely asinine and just straight up stupid is what we're walking over to right now.
B
I think these cows are just misunderstood.
C
Misunderstood? He's a 1500 pound bull. He's not a dog, this dude. He is. There is nothing misunderstood about him. Look at those horns.
B
There is nothing mean.
C
She's not so bad. Look at him though.
B
He's not mean. Louie.
C
And tell me this guy ain't mean.
B
Oh, yeah. Hey, a cold blooded predator.
C
Yeah. No. Look at that. Yeah, I'm scared of him. Go get. Get your big butt back. Get back, get back. Go on, get back. Go. Yeah, he's harmless. You ever played chicken with a bull?
B
And last thing for this vlog is we need names to suggestions from you guys. The only names we feel set on keeping are Norris the bull, meaning we need three names for three heifers, those two, and the Oreo looking cow over there. All girls, we feel set on keeping her name. Cinnamon. Meaning we need a name for this female alpaca. This female alpaca, the black female alpaca. And then of the donkeys, we feel set on keeping this one. Chester. This one pebbles. But we need a name for him.
C
Fun fact about alpacas, they pick one spot to poop in and they all poop in the same area. This is the communal duck right here. They have all this space and every single one of them will poop right there.
B
Are you excited for Margot to grow up with this lifestyle?
C
Yeah, I just. I would hate for her to get caught in there with that bull. That's the only thing that I don't love is, is that big old bull.
B
I think doing the farm chores with her every day is a good way for her to learn discipline and structure from a very, very young age. Obviously she's not retaining anything now.
C
I'm responsibility. If she don't come feed her animals, they're going hungry.
B
I highly doubt you would let the sweet, perfect babies animals go hungry.
C
Not Chester. He's too sweet. I like Chester.
B
Thank you guys for following along this week's episode of the Riley Gaines Show, a fun special edition. Be sure to comment. Name suggestions. We want to know if you like this style content. Watch this and let us know what animals we should get next.
C
No, do not. Nope, not happening. We're done. I told her she's cut off from animals forever after this. No dogs, no cats, no chickens, no ducks. We have two ducks that live in the pond, and that is as good as we're getting the ducks. She's cut off.
B
No. Nope. Nope. See y'. All. Sam.
Episode Title: Come With Me to Build Our Dream Barn!
Date: March 4, 2026
Host: Riley Gaines (and husband Louie)
Episode Type: Personal Vlog/Family Life & Homesteading
In this special and personal episode, Riley Gaines welcomes listeners into her family’s journey of expanding their farm and constructing their dream barn. Spanning across pre- and post-Christmas moments, Riley documents her impulsive decision to acquire a herd of animals—including alpacas, cows, and donkeys—while reflecting on themes of family, faith, rural living, and the joys and chaos of farm life. Riley’s husband Louie features prominently, providing honest and humorous commentary on the challenges and adventures of farm building. Throughout, listeners gain a candid, behind-the-scenes look at the Gaines’ way of life: rooted in hard work, family bonds, and an ever-expanding menagerie.
The Christmas Surprise:
Riley confides she bought a group of alpacas as a Christmas gift for Louie—except, really, for herself! She admits:
“Now, has he indicated to me that he wants Alpacas? Absolutely not. Does he have any inkling that this could potentially be his gift also? No. Now, do I want alpacas? Yes.” (01:50)
The Farm in Context:
The Gaines family lives on a 12-acre flower farm (one of the largest daylily farms in Tennessee) with an expanding array of animals (dogs, a horse, and soon the new arrivals).
The Dilemma:
Riley recognizes that gifting animals with no infrastructure means Louie will need to build fencing and a barn—a gift that’s also a to-do list for her husband.
“Getting this Christmas gift for Louie means that he’s going to have to build the fence, which he loves a project, so I don’t think he’ll mind that... It also might mean that he has to build a barn.” (02:45)
From Three to... Eighteen:
Despite vowing to limit herself to three alpacas, Riley’s negotiation skills (and love of bargains) result in the purchase of four alpacas, four cows, and three donkeys.
“We are now a family of 18. I hate myself. I knew I was going to do this.” (05:20)
Bang for the Buck:
Riley justifies her decision by noting:
“I am very much a bang for your buck kind of girl. I love a bargain, I love a sale.” (05:53)
Keeping it a Secret:
She wrestles with keeping the animals a surprise while needing Louie to help build the necessary infrastructure.
Meet the Expanded Herd:
Riley joyfully describes each animal, including Norris the mini Highland cow (who “knows his name and loves tortillas”), several female alpacas, a belted “Oreo” cow, and Chester the donkey. One donkey, Nollie, is pregnant, which Riley plans to tactically “forget” to mention to Louie:
“If I tell Louie that Nollie is pregnant, he might just simply kill me. So TBD on if we act surprised over that.” (07:25)
Bringing the Family:
Riley is joined by baby Margot, her mom, grandma, and sister as they head to the farm to meet the animals. Everyone picks favorites; the segment is warm, bustling, and relatable.
Victory in Restraint:
Riley jokes about not adding even more animals to the tally.
Christmas Day Confession:
Riley chooses to tell Louie about the impending animals by explaining she needs a barn and fence for his gift—a revelation met with an eye roll and a smile.
“The eye roll that he gave me, which, granted, it was like an eye roll with a smile...” (10:13)
Homestead Building:
Louie thrives on projects—Riley praises his ability to fix anything, referencing his “YouTube professional” status.
“If he can’t do it, he’s gonna watch a YouTube video on how to Fix it on virtually any topic. Louie is a certified YouTube professional.” (10:59)
Farm Tour:
Riley gives an upbeat tour of their property: barns, garden, greenhouse, pond, fire pit, and more, expressing gratitude for their land’s providential acquisition.
On-the-Ground Updates:
Louie and Riley share progress and problem-solving—from correcting errors to upgrading plans:
“Pull the fence post out the ground. Trying to pull the wire tight and it just ... We need to do shorter pulls. Instead of it 200 foot pull, we need to do 20 foot pulls.” (12:53, Louie)
Barn Layout:
Louie outlines the build:
“70 by 26. Gonna be a 10 by 16 room in that corner just for feed or whatever else. And then the rest of it will be open. And then we’ll get cattle panels that we can move around and divide up..." (13:14)
Fun Interludes:
Louie reveals his gas station snack preferences—Racetrack Diet Coke and pizza—lightening the mood mid-build.
The Big Moment:
Once the animals arrive, Louie finally sees the surprise:
“The dumbest thing we’ve ever done... This takes the cake... This is insanity. What we're getting into.” (16:13, Louie)
Joy & Caution:
Even as Louie calls the project “insanity,” the joy is evident as Margot gets dressed up for the occasion and the family embraces their new farm members.
Barn Reveal:
The couple humorously invokes MTV Cribs while showing off the (almost done) barn, discussing construction mishaps like wrong door orientations.
“I bought the wrong door. This is a right hand opening door. We needed a left hand opening door for said hole.” (17:25, Louie)
Farm Innovations:
Clear panels in the barn roof let in natural light, saving on electricity—practical tips for aspiring homesteaders.
Connecting with the Animals:
Louie remains guarded (“They just look like they’re gonna jump us all the time..."), but Riley asserts the animals' sweetness.
Dad Joke & Heartwarming Narratives:
Riley likens Louie to dads who refuse pets but are eventually inseparable:
“I feel like it’s such a dad thing to not want an animal... and then they get the dog... that is you, but with a donkey.” (18:35, Riley)
Barnyard Drama:
Louie remains wary of the “misunderstood” 1,500-pound bull, delivering playful banter:
“He’s not a dog, this dude. He is. There is nothing misunderstood about him. Look at those horns.” (19:41, Louie)
Alpaca Trivia:
Fun fact:
“They pick one spot to poop in and they all poop in the same area. This is the communal duck right here." (21:19, Louie)
Teaching Discipline & Responsibility:
Riley reflects on the value of farm chores for Margot as she grows:
“I think doing the farm chores with her every day is a good way for her to learn discipline and structure from a very, very young age.” (21:49)
Louie’s Perspective:
Louie notes responsibility—if Margot doesn’t feed her animals, they go hungry, but concedes he’d never let Chester go unfed.
Name Suggestions Sought:
The Gaines ask listeners for help naming the new animals, setting up a fun community engagement point.
Louie Lays Down the Law (Playfully):
“Do not. Nope, not happening. We’re done. I told her she’s cut off from animals forever after this. No dogs, no cats, no chickens, no ducks…” (22:30, Louie)
Riley wraps up with her trademark warmth and humor.
Riley:
“One thing about me is I’m very, very much all or nothing. Like, we are going to do it 100% or we’re not doing it at All.” (05:40)
Louie:
“The dumbest thing we’ve ever done. We’ve done some stupid things. I’m all for a stupid time. I do love it. This takes the cake.” (16:14)
Riley:
“Land like this is hard to come by, especially in the area that we’re in in Tennessee... crazy story and totally what feels like providential.” (11:45)
This episode is an invitation to witness the Gaines family's adventures in real-time: the excitement of spontaneous decisions, the practical challenges of rural living, and the deep bonds that form in the process. With farm tales, family banter, and reflections on raising children with grit and gratitude, Riley seamlessly blends heartfelt moments with practical takeaways—making this a must-listen for anyone seeking a grounded, purposeful life rooted in faith and family.