Hey Guys! I hope that you had a Merry Christmas! We did. I enjoyed so many sweet, quiet, moments…pondering the Lord’s birth. That had been the prayer of my heart. I am thankful for answered prayer.

Soooo….do you guys have your tree yanked down yet. We do not. I put lots of other things away, but the tree is still up. I was excited to get back into the Farmhouse Style groove. The Mr. gave me a Dazey churn for Christmas. It was the only thing on my list. I have wanted one for a long time. I am excited to help the kids make homemade butter with it.

Another fun item came in the mail over Christmas. I have had my eye on this cattle breed poster for a while. We finally bid on it on eBay. Farmhouse style is so fun.

I hope that you are enjoying your Christmas vacay! I am taking a deep breath, giving thanks, and thinking about goals.

Love from the Farmhouse,

Kelli

p.s.
We had a new baby, yesterday.

Every year…my plan is to not be stressed. Do you ever give yourself pep talks? “Okay Kel…take a deep breath, make a list, and….go!” Whew! Whew! Whew! Does it work? Sometimes. Last night though, the Mr. stated that he was looking forward to an evening in his recliner…soon. The thing is…any celebration…is a tad hectic. We will be pleasantly exhausted. I am okay with that.

I have learned in life to take little times of quiet in the busy. I pause and ponder. I go do laundry. Lol! Sometimes the mundane tasks are exactly what I need. Then I rush off to the store and buy treats for umpteen third graders, (which is an honor and a blessing) but that is beside the point. Lol!

I have been praying for guidance on where to go with the blog in the coming year. My posts have been a tad lean…but you guys continue to read and I feel honored by that. Life has changed for me in the last year and I have learned much in the secret place with God. I sense that I am not finished there…and may never be. I am good with that. He is the Teacher…I am the student. Maybe in the coming year…He will bless this little spot, along the dirt road, by leaps and bounds. He loves us, sweet Dirt Roaders. I feel blessed to be able to remind us of that…here.

May your Thursday be merry and bright!

Kelli

Does Christmas stress you out? For years it really threw me for a loop. I don’t think that I grumbled much about it…because that always made me feel guilty on the inside. You know…the Lord’s birthday celebration and all. Then at some point, it dawned “uponst” me…that I didn’t have to stress about it. It was my choice to actually enjoy the birthday celebration. I realized that the quiet moments of love given to Him, in my heart, meant more than the tinsel and being at all the parties on time. I realized that I could focus on the most important things, let go of the secondary things, and breathe. Today’s post is a bit of enjoying on purpose.

Our stockings are important to us. My dad used to fill my stocking and give me one little present, every day, until Christmas. Those Christmases in that little old house…are precious memories. Mom would always guess what he got her. It drove him crazy. Lol! In our own home…my husband loves to fill the stockings. He and I have one too. Why shouldn’t we get in on the fun!? The fact that the Mr. makes time to purchase these little gifts is not lost on me. Another thing to…enjoy on purpose.

This tiny wreath that hangs on the jelly cupboard…gives me pause. Such a simple little thing…yet I enjoy it immensely. In the hustle and bustle…my soul craves quiet. This tiny object symbolizes that. Crazy…I know.

We have been enjoying time in our family room, this holiday season. For the first time, in a long time, we only have one Christmas tree up. It’s so cozy in there at night, with the twinkly lights on. The kids usually have their homework going and just to be real with you…our faces are aglow with….our iPhones. Ha! I admitted it.

I hope that you have a wonderful day, Dirt Roaders. May you enjoy this season on purpose.

Love from the farmhouse,

Kelli