Today I have company.  A little bright-eyed girl.  She must have caught her brother’s germiness. I do not like for her to be under the weather…but I always enjoy a baby in the nest.  (The Mr. is nodding…while reading this.)

This little bright-eyed girl who grew under my heart, has always been a gentle soul.  She was born in November right on the heels of 9/11.  A gentle soul was exactly what this world needed.  The first time that I held her in my arms, she was doing this gentle little cooing as if to say “It’s okay Momma…we did it…I’m here.”

A little while ago she was over on the couch playing on the iPad.  I could hear screaming.  When I asked her what she was playing…she replied “Rag Doll Blaster Deluxe 3.”  Okaaaaaay. (The rag dolls were screaming…not her.)

I feel blessed beyond measure to be a mother.  I take it very seriously.  The Mr. and our children are my heartbeat.  They let me know that God is full of mercy and grace and that He definitely will…give beauty for ashes.

Have a wonderful day, Dirt Roaders.  I’m gonna stay here with my baby…while she blasts rag dolls. Wish us luck!

You probably don’t realize this…but today is a special day.  Today, February 21, 2013, we have lived in our home for nine years!  Here…along this dirt road, we know what it’s like to see a cow pasture and imagine a home place.  We know about the blood, sweat and tears involved in starting with drilling a well and praying that it doesn’t cost bazillions of dollars.  We know the joy of driving out to “the land” and watching it become a home.  It started with a dream and not only became a day in the country…but a life there as well.

I have lived in the country for a big part of my life.  My first home, right after birth was on my grandparent’s farm. We lived in a mobile home in the yard over from their farmhouse.  They tell me that I would stand in the window and wave at them. (Good times…those late seventies.) Then we moved to an old two-story house…that I still dream about, sometimes at night.  It was the home of my childhood. Isn’t it strange the way things from our childhood influence our choices as adults? Could my upbringing cause me to long for…a day in the country?

It’s true that some people cannot wait to get far away from their roots.  I understand that.  I have family members that were raised on a farm and now as adults…farming is the last thing on their minds and they live in town. I’ve only lived in town for a handful of years…and even part of that time was spent staying in the country, every other weekend.  (We live in a very rural community…some of you would crack up and say that our “town” is still in the country.  You would be right. 😉 All in all…it’s all about preference.  For me…it’s a day in the country.

It’s actually a cold and icy day here today.  Our poor little chickens have come out and had breakfast in their frozen yard and ran back up into their cozy little house.  Nine years ago today it was sunny and warm. I am so thankful for that.  I’m sure that the faithful friends that showed up to help us move beds and dressers up the stairs were thankful too.  That was an exciting day in the country.

Thank you for stopping by and celebrating with us, Dirt Roaders.  Thankfulness wells up within my heart to live along this stretch of the dirt road.  Thank you Father…..for our life in the country.

Do you ever have days where you feel like you are just toodling along in the frieze and the cops show up out of nowhere? Hang on, Dirt Roaders!

Thank you Son…for leaving your Hot Wheels in the floor. They were very helpful today. 😉

Does that make any sense to you at all?  Do you see the symbolism there?  Just pluggin’ along in life and out of the blue…something unexpected comes along? Hang on, Dirt Roaders!

Did you know that it wasn’t unexpected to God?  Did you know that He was already at the situation…before you were ever conscious of it?  Did you know that He loves you a whole big bunch?  He does.  I promise. Hang on, Dirt Roaders!

Have you ever heard this old hymn?

Are we weak and heavy-laden,
Cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge—
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Do thy friends despise, forsake thee?
Take it to the Lord in prayer!
In His arms He’ll take and shield thee,
Thou wilt find a solace there.

I love the part that says “In his arms he’ll take and shield thee.”  I have so many friends and family members that are going through really hard things right now.  Sometimes life is just hard.  The thing to remember is…God is not surprised by where we are.  What a friend we have in Jesus!

Have a wonderful weekend and hang on,  Dirt Roaders!  Keep that precious chin up! I don’t want this post to bring you down…I want you to be encouraged!  You are important to me and most of all….important to Him!

Someone very special to us, is having a birthday.  Well, it may not be the actual day…but we are celebrating the birth of this special person.  We are very thankful, along this stretch of the dirt road, for this birth.  On the 25th of December…we have cake at our house and we sing “Happy Birthday.”  It is my favorite tradition.

I will be taking a break from this little blog for a few days.  I’m going to have fun with my family, cherish them, and celebrate this birthday.  Never fear…Dirt Roaders, I will be back.  😉  I have new ideas…fresh ways to decorate for a new year and lots of fun things planned for us. I have some things to tell you about favorite blogs that I follow and wonderful places to order things for your farmhouse or cottage or teepee. (I couldn’t resist. 😉 )  Have I ever told you that I love the freshness of January?  I do.

I want to wish you the most blessed Christmas ever… filled with love, from our dirt road to yours.  May your days be merry and bright and may the Baby in the manger nestle way down deep in your heart.  After all…He did all of this….for you.

Hey Sweet Friends! Today…just pictures with very minimal captions.  Let’s call it “Christmas Quiet.”  Just take a deep breath…and let the pictures do the talking.  Jenny, this post is for you.

scuffs = well loved.

pretty little table runner…from Momma’s momma.

pretty little pot.

pretty little birdie.

a treasure from my church girls.

Have a wonderful day, Dirt Road family.  I hope that you have “Christmas Quiet” in your heart today. (After all…He brought us peace with His birth.)

I actually had something else to visit with you about today.  I am putting it off.  It’s not important enough to share today.  Not in light of recent events.  Today I just want everyone to know that our hearts are breaking for the parents and the families in Connecticut.  In times like these, I think as a whole, we feel horrified and dismayed.  We feel broken and scared.  We feel the need to do something.  The thing that I am choosing to do…is to ask our Father above to strengthen and heal.  I am asking Him to bring peace because He is the only one who can.  I have seen Him do it in times past, so I believe that He will again. I am asking Him to hear the prayers from our stretch of the dirt road and I want to send our love along with it.

We have hope, my sweet Dirt Roaders.  Let’s share it.

Dear Cranky Faced Lady,

When you were coming toward me with your cart, you looked a little scary.

I was trying to be all “I’m Christmas shopping…and being nice at the same time.”

I wonder if you had been in the store too long.

You were coming closer and closer.

I was expecting to hear a grunt or a grumble.

I’ll bet that you didn’t know, that I heard what you were really doing.

I heard you humming that Christmas song under your breath.

I’ll bet that you didn’t know, that you taught me a lesson or that I would blog about you.

Thank you, Cranky Faced Lady…for telling me to mind my own business and to stop judging books by their cover.  Thank you for showing me that even the most stern looking person in the crowd can still have a song in their heart.  God is good to send you my way.

Kelli

Thanks for learning with me today, Dirt Roaders.  I will leave you with a Christmas tree from our bathroom…for your trouble.  Hey…everyone needs a tree in the bathroom.  😉

Mom gave this little tree to me. I love it.

p.s. Comments welcome!

Hey friends!  How are you today?  It’s Friday.  You did it.  Good job.

Okay, so…because I love you…my faithful readers, I have made an executive decision.  I loved the turquoise theme that I tried out on you this week but it didn’t seem like a comfortable read.  The font was pretty small and since I am trying to stay frugal with this blog at the moment, and I would need to pay for a different font, I decided to go back with FREE!  I read several other blogs and the ones that I visit the most just have a good “feel” to them.  Ya know?  Yes…I thought that you would understand.

So…while it’s “change it up” week…why not change the header on the blog?  We have had the first one for a few months…now how about a little cloche, mercury glass, “burlap” ribbon and a blue Ball jar?  (We got our turquoise in there after all.)

I’m sorry if this caused any confusion or irritation.  Well…of course it DID NOT.  I have smart and easy goin’ readers don’t I.  Yes…I do.  Once again…I love my readers.  😉

May you have a wonderful day filled with mahvalous junk, Dirt Road friends.  You guys are the best!

(I would love to hear your comments…let ‘er rip tater chip. 😉 )

Are you feeling festive yet?  It’s feeling a little festive in our neck of the woods.  I’m going to take the week off from blogging but I wanted to leave you with a Thanksgiving wish from us.

May you hug your family up close, have full tummies and feel peace and thankfulness in your hearts.  May the love of Christ warm you from the inside out.  Sending love this Thanksgiving from our dirt road to yours.