Closing a Chapter (and on a house)

 Today we sold our house.

Our beautiful, bright sunny breakfast room. 

We love to read here. 

We purchased this house in April of 2013. Annabeth was nearly 18 months old, Mark had just had surgery, and I was so sad to be leaving our old white house that I had loved. Our old neighborhood, and endless/expensive house projects, had made the move necessary but I have a hard time letting go. Mark was sure this was the right move, the exact right place and so thanks to friends who needed to sell, we bought. 

Mark was right. This house has been the home of many happy years. We have had the most wonderful neighbors, many of whom have been like grandparents to all of us. We live on a street of shared dinners, baked goods, lawn mowing help, and smiles and waves. 

Upon purchase, we ripped out all of the floors, painted all of the walls, and installed new floors. We did most of the work ourselves and it was truly a labor of love, especially with a toddler in tow! We spent April-June remodeling and moved in the weekend of July 4th. Full circle as we sold today, July 3. 

Mark, days after knee surgery, making a to-do list around the new house.

Annabeth was a faithful assistant

Floors were out, paint was beginning.

Little Bit in her perfect, princess pink room

This was the home that we brought Baby Owen and Baby Oscar home to. 

9 day old Owen - headed out to his first doctor's appointment 

Baby Oscar in the backyard.

The weekend he came home.

This house also became a school. When we decided to keep Annabeth home for preschool, then Kindergarten, and now all the way through high school our home has doubled as school and rest for the kids and me. 

Evening read aloud circa 2017

In this home, we have laughed, played, learned, grown, and dreamed together. 

Annabeth was always hiding.

Under the kitchen sink was a favorite spot for her!

Saturday Snuggles.

I would go back in a heartbeat.

Because Annabeth was so young when we moved, we did not really have many traditions yet. It was here that we built traditions like movie night living room camp outs for birthdays, pictures by the tree out front for Mother's Day/Easter, and pictures by the bricks for the First Day of School. Even looking back through pictures, I could see how the house and yard have changed. Both the cherry tree and the little evergreen tree have died and been cut down. Without even realizing, everything was always changing. 

Owen's First Day of 2 Year Old Preschool

We always take our first and last days of school pictures here.

The kids have already found a spot at the new house to do this.

Easter and Mother's Day pictures always happened

by the Cherry Tree. It came down in 2024. 
We took our Mother's Day picture at the new house lot this year.

Things change and that's okay.

On the kids' birthdays, they come out to the fireplace mantle

decorated for their big day. This was Owen's 4th birthday - he was sad because

with a helium shortage there were limited balloon options. Aunt Lu saved the day

and brought a giant Chase (Paw Patrol) Balloon 

I could go on forever about all the things I remember about this house. I could wax poetic about the perfect yellow paint I found for the walls. I would move my gorgeous laundry room if I could. I am forever thankful that God gave us this home for the past 13 years. We have hosted over 500 people and have loved well from this space. I would never move without a sense of peace from God, Mark, and wise family members that felt a move was right, necessary. I cannot wait to see how the Lord uses our next space and us in it. 

Home is special because it's a feeling. Safety. Warmth. Familiar. Secure. Calm. 

But most of all home is special because of the people in it. I am so thankful for the opportunity to move into a new house that will become home because of who I share it with. 

2,025 in 2025!

 Yesterday we finished our 2,025 in 2025 Decluttering Challenge!

Surprised?!

ME TOO!

If you remember, we cleared out 2,024 items in 2024. We finished in late September, having actually started in November of 2023. It was a project I took on, inspired by my friend Justina over at Well Planned Mama, and that the family went along with it. In the end, we all learned a lot! I was VERY into the project and loved the process. I shared many updates last year on the blog and loved talking about it with people in "real life" too. I felt accomplished, in control, and excited that we had done it. Mission Complete.

So...imagine my surprise when on January 1, 2025 Mark and the kids asked where our 2025 coloring sheet was and where we would declutter first! I had no intention of doing the project again or asking them to do it again but they asked - so we did! 

Now, not even all the way through August, we are 2,025+ items lighter!

Annabeth decluttered and colored in the final 10 squares yesterday!

Last year I made a point of not setting monthly goals or personal goals and that worked really well for the family. This year I only had the goal that I wanted to be patient and try to sell more than last year. Last year felt like a frantic rush to let things go but this year the house already felt more manageable. In 2024 we made just over $500 from our decluttering and this year we made just over $1700. This was a huge blessing in our budget as we spent a decent amount of money on gas, experiences, and lodging as we traveled Indiana and to the kids dance nationals. I am thankful that we were able to turn stuff into money for experiences!

So...where do we go from here?

Well, we already have three huge totes filled and tagged for the HWGA Kids' Sale in October. These items are NOT included in our 2,025 items gone so we're already well on our way to keeping the trend of letting go, going!

ALL of this is leaving soon!

Another 100+ items headed to new homes

How do I feel now that it's done?

I am glad we did it again! When my Momaw passed in June, we were blessed with many items from her home. We took some furniture, clothing, decor, Christmas ornamnets, etc and thus quite a few items entered our home. Thankfully, we knew right where each item was going to live and how we wanted to use them. Our decluttering journey helped us wisely choose to bring in only items that we love and/or that serve us well. It's given us the confidence to say "I don't need that" and even "I don't want that" when offered something or out shopping. We choose to bring in less, manage what we have, and to continue to bless others with our excess. 

Secretly, I am hoping we've created such a standard of letting go that we won't even need to color and track in the future. I hope that we've all learned to simply let go when it's time to do so.

Are you on a decluttering journey? Are you meeting your goals? 

Peace on the Little Pigeon River

 July 5 we headed to Pigeon Forge, TN for the kids' dance nationals. It was our third year in Pigeon Forge and we were already dreading the huste and bustle of the parkway. If you read my last post you know that our summer has been filled with loss, grief, changes, and many days an overall sad spirit. Needless to say, we were not in the mood for overpriced mini-golf, wax museums, or crazy souvenier shops. 

Our first morning in Pigeon Forge was a Sunday and instead of worshipping online with our church from home, I found that First Methodist had a service time that worked with our dance schedule. I made the short drive and found myself, in the middle of the PF Strip, at the sweetest brick church right along the Little Pigeon River. The sign out front told me of church ancestors who had built this little place after the last pandemic and a historic flood over 100 years ago.

Just beyond that tree is the Little Pigeon River

Inside, I was warmly welcomed like a lost friend. Seated in the "Midwest section" among other out-of-staters from Ohio, I was greeted by the pastor and most of the church members. I heard "Glad to see ya" and "What brings ya'll here?" and "So glad you've stopped in today" over and over again. 

Seated on a pew, well worn by 100 years of use, I worshipped alongside those in their Sunday best, those decked out in Dollywood souvenier gear, and even a gal ready for her next work out. We sung old hymns accompanied by a piano and organ that have been used by several generations and worshipped the One who's been here for all time. 

In a church who's mission statement read "...to make disciples of Jesus Christ who worship passionately, love extravagantly, and witness boldly" it was a JOY to commune with them. I typically choose to visit Methodist churches while traveling as they all practice open communion, allowing for any and all to commune with them. As the pastor welcomed all to the table he said, "Welcome All. We care not what journey in life brought you here today or where you are in your spiritual journey just that you are in this space with us today. Because you are here, you are welcome."

During prayers, they asked for names to be spoken aloud

for the church to hold in prayer. I took this as I spoke dear Halle's name

into the silence. In the moments that followed, a congergation of strangers

lifted her name in prayer alongside me.

At the end of service, this church often filled with travelers, acknowledges that many will never worship together or in that space again, and thus they sing "God Be With You Till We Meet Again." Someday, other the other side of the River of Life, we'll all sing and worship together.

Dear Readers, if you have not yet found a place to worship that says "I'm SO glad you're here" or "You're welcome just as you are" - I am in prayer for you! It is my dearest desire that all would find a church home that is warm, welcoming, and inclusive. If you're local to me, please ask about our church home and how you have a place there. 

Dear Readers, if you already have such a church home - are you welcoming all who stop by on their journey? Are you grasping the hands of others, making eye contact, welcoming them in on this day that your paths have crossed?

I have written Psalm 40:10* and Acts 20:24** on my heart and aim to live them daily. Friends, even in this hard season, I am living in faith, in hope, and in the promise that God loves us. ALL of us! God has chosen us to be here in this time, living for Him, and for His people. My goal is to speak Truth, to love big, and to witness boldly that all might know Him. I am thankful for that quiet reminder on the banks of the Little Pigeon River. Amen.

* "I do not kept the Good News hidden in my heart. I have talked about your faithfulness and saving power. I have told everyone of your unfailing love and faithfulness." - Psalm 40:10 

** "I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given to me - the task of testifying the Good News of Jesus Christ." - Acts 20:24  

Where We've Been...

 Hello Frugal Friends.

Long time no "see"

It's been a month since I've posted, probably the longest break I've taken since beginning blogging in 2008. 

Our June was . . . 

I don't know how to describe our June.

The end of May, we had the most beautiful day with my Momaw. We had lunch with her, talked about home projects, celebrated Owen's birthday, and for a bit of the afternoon just she and I sat in her living room. I read a long time ago that "grandparents are your first best friends" and that is 100% true for me. Momaw was always my voice of reason, encouragement, and her pride in me was just what I needed when I was unsure. We left that evening with a "See you next Friday."

Over that weekend, we celebrated Owen's 10th birthday a day early with a trip to the Indianapolis Zoo for the rhino experience. He was thrilled to meet his favorite animals and watching him pet them was a gift to me as much as it was to him. There was a long moment where he stood, eyes closed, hands to the side of a rhino and it was almost like a religious experience. I could feel him speaking to the rhinos soul and back. 

Owen turned 10 on June 2 and that same evening Momaw entered the Life Eternal. 

We did indeed go back to visit her that Friday - for her funeral - but we did go. Like many funerals, it brought family in from far away, put nearly everyone in the family in the same space at the same time, and I tried to enjoy that gift. God is always good, always working for us, and we all couldn't help but smile that the route from church to the cemetery (without any planning by the family) took us past the Barnard-Jones building at KWC, her favorite bread shop, the old neighborhood, the country club, and past her favorite orchard. It was one last tour with her of all of her favorite places. 

We spent a week+ in Evansville/Owensboro with our family, doing what needs done to begin the process of closing a house. Then we came home to our busiest week of summer - VBS and six dance shows all in one week. My parents came up for that week and we enjoyed even more time together.

Last week, Annabeth had her favorite week of summer - Production Camp and Owen and I finished our Indiana Counties tour. We also said "See you soon" to one of our pastors. As United Methodists, we are always changing pastors and this was our third to leave since 2020. We'll say "hello" to our second new one in just a few weeks. I love our church and this tradition as we faithfully accept the will of God for leadership in our church but it isn't always easy as we truly miss the people. 

As we left church that afternoon, I said "Lord. Please no more." 

Then we got word that a dear little girl, a friend of Annabeth's since Kindergarten, was in a car accident. We've spent day and night since then praying for Halle and for her family. Just like my Mama, I'm one for pacing the house at 3 AM when I can't sleep, and I've covered many miles it seems as I pray for Hal and her family. I am so thankful for a BIG God who can do BIG things. If you would, join us in prayer for her.

This month I have not been at my best. I have not shown up for others as I probably should have. I have not felt like connecting but God had a different plan. In a month when I've wanted to be selfish and sad, God has given us neighbors who needed lawn care help, friends who needed meals made, birthdays to celebrate, and life to live. 

Today I am so thankful to be here, for my children to have started school this week, and for the gift of serving God and others every single day. 

Thank you for your patience as I let this space go to hold space in "real life" for work that needed to be done there. 

See you next week Frugal Friends! 

Owen and I found solace in a tiny house in the woods.

We saw deer, rocked in a hammock, and

walked down the road for dinner. 

Our 2025 Family New Year's Resolutions

 Happy 2025 Again!

This year our family came up with three New Year's Resolutions. 

I was very surprised that they came up organically without me prompting anyone to make them.

Here's how we plan to live in 2025:

1. Choose joy and contentment 

As we read through many people's end of the year posts, Mark and I were both surprised at just how many people reported having a tough, horrible, or forgettable year. As we talked about our own lives, we mentioned just how long it's been since we felt like we've had a "hard year."

Is our life perfect? Have our years been perfect? Absolutely not! In 2020, I faced major health issues and life changing surgery for our family, we lost Mark's dad in 2021 which has forever altered our family, we've lost family and friends, we have had bad days, financial woes, etc. 

So what is the difference?

We choose contentment. For years, we've had a sign in our kitchen that says "The secret to having it all is knowing that what you have is enough." I look at that reminder many times a day.

We choose joy. My friend Lauren once shared the quote, and I don't know the original author or speaker so forgive me on that but it changed everything for me. "Joy is not in my circumstances, it is in knowing the Lord." Ooof. I have and know the love of Jesus - what else do I need?

2. Live by our 2024 Family Quote Again: "The happiest people do the most for others." Booker T. Washington. 

Owen had this quote in a school book and chose it as his "wall verse." It hangs on our living room wall next to the Golden Rule. It was such a bold way to decide to live 2024 and it changed so much for us and our attitudes about service. It enriched our year so very much to choose daily to do for others - we all learned and grew so much that we decided to keep on living for Jesus and others.

3. Decluttering 2,025 Items in 2025

Are you surprised? Honestly you cannot be more surprised than I was when my family ASKED for this!

We decluttered 2,024 Items in 2024 and I answered your questions afterwards. I was inspired by my friend Justina at The Well Planned Mama and she offered her printable to me. The kids absolutely loved coloring in her coloring sheet and we had the best time getting rid of items. We finished in the fall and it was so freeing!

I have mentioned several times on here that even after our coloring sheet was done I kept seeing items show up in the donation box, we kept taking items to the free table at co-op, we kept passing on clothes in our family clothing trade circle, etc. I have also told people I feel like we really changed the culture of stuff in our home.

So...imagine my surprise when the kids each mentioned independently that I needed to get our 2025 sheet ready. Then, Mark asked when we were starting! Wow! So on Janaury 1 we began counting again. It's clearly been needed as we've already parted with 30+ items from our kitchen that I thought had been so carefully edited last year. 

I am genuinely curious how this project will feel this year. Last year, as we began the year, my home felt too full and I was so overwhelmed by it. But now it feels so well managed! We have so much blank space! We all have clothes that fit, items we love, items we use, and a space that I am proud of! This year instead of the project being about me, it seems to be about them. 

Here's to 2025 and chasing dreams, reaching them, and dreaming again! 

Enjoying Disney World -

SO thankful our kids are experiencing experiences and travel vs wanting stuff! 

"The Story" and the MOST Important Thing I'll Ever Do

 Both of the kids, on their own, set the goal of reading through the entire Bible with me before they end their homeschool years.

We have enjoyed countless hours in the Word, together. I am so thankful for that individual time with each of the kids. 

This fall, we decided to also read through The Story. We began in October and finished on New Year's Eve.

I cannot explain how profoundly powerful it has been to be fully invested, in the Word, every day as a family. 

I love that the kids have developed inside jokes based on Bible people and stories. 

I loved when one complained about a long car ride and the other said "You're such an Isrealite!" 

I loved when they exclaimed "This is part of that song..." and proceeded to sing part of a hymn or worship song. 

I loved when they could fill in the blanks of verses before I could even finish reading them. 

I loved the behind the scenes facts they have each learned at church and were able to share. 

I learned SO much from them, from God's Word, and from the Holy Spirit's whispers. 

The MOST important thing I will ever do is share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with my children and with the world. I pray that they cling to Biblical Truths like: love God, love your neighbor, serve others, be of good cheer, the fruits of the spirit, and so many more beautiful Truths. I am thankful we have literally been handed a guidebook on how to live - we just have to choose to do it!

My life verse is Acts 20:24 "My life is worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task set before me - the task of sharing the Good News of Christ Jesus." 

I pray that in this fall of intense reading and scripture study that they have imprinted God's Word on their hearts. 

I pray that knowing it causes them to want to share it with all we encounter - for there is not a person we will meet that was not created by God. 

Jesus came for each and everyone of us and I love sharing that beautiful Truth with all I meet! 

12 Favorite Pictures of 2024

 I always like to look back on the past year and pictures are my favorite ways to store memories.

Here is my favorite picture from each month in 2024...

January.

At the Burger Bar in Ft. Wayne. 

The kids LOVE this tradition!

February

Twinning with my Dance Mom Duet Partner.

I am so thankful that dance brought us together with the Sichting Family. 

They are friends who we've chosen to be family. 

March.

Disney Princess: The Concert

Annabeth and I had a wonderful night out. She loved

putting together this dress up outfit for our special date night.

April.

Owen moved up to Kid Pitch in Baseball this year.

It was a HUGE learning curve for him but he put in

so so so many extra hours of practice. We're so proud of him for doing

tough things with a great attitude!

May.

Mark and I spent a Monday-Friday at the Walt Disney World Resort

for our 15th Wedding Anniversary. I am so grateful that my parents came up to keep

the kids and Oscar for the week. We had great weather, beautiful resorts, and such a 

wonderful time reconnecting, goal setting, and planning our next Disney trip.

June.

Mr. O turned 9. He had an Elvis themed party, got a new big bicycle, and

made us all laugh 10000 times over the summer. He's such a ham and we can't 

wait for him to harness all of that energy and enthusiasm for good!

July.

Owen spent a week in Evansville and we got a whole week with just

Annabeth. As a homeschool mom, I spend a lot of my time with the kids as 

teacher and mom so it's always nice to have fun friend time with the kids too!

August.

Over the summer, we kicked off our tour of Indiana's 92 counties. 

It's been fun to visit places as a family and also with extra family members and friends.

This picture is in New Harmony, Indiana at a place where my family has been

taking pictures for generations!

September.

We took a long weekend trip to Michigan City for my sister's birthday.

We enjoyed two nights of sunset dinners at the beach. 

The water calls to us all - we're beach people!

October.

Annabeth turned 13.

We cannot believe we've been gifted 13+ years with our Miracle Girl!

We're so thankful for the light and love she brings to the world!

November.

Thanksgiving Day.

Mark was on call, and did work, nearly all of Thanksgiving Weekend.

We were glad we had opted to stay home with him so he did have people

to spend his time off with. We hosted for the first time ever which felt quite special to me.

December.

We took the long way home one night to look at lights in the fog.
Our downtown is truly like a Hallmark Movie set.

2024 was a year to treasure. We had some tough battles, fought quietly, as we sought to live our quote for the year:

"The happiest people do the most for others"

- Booker T. Washington

A little bit more...

 

"And the Grinch, with his Grinch-feet ice cold in the snow,

stood puzzling and puzzling, how could it be so? It came without ribbons. It came without tags. It came without packages, boxes or bags. And he puzzled and puzzled 'till his puzzler was sore. Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before. What if Christmas, he thought, doesn't come from a store. What if Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more.” - Dr. Suess' How the Grinch Stole Christmas!

This year our church Advent Study was based on a book about the Grinch. In our household, we've never placed a great emphasis on fancy food, elves, piles of presents, etc instead opting for a small, simple Christmas within our home. We love holding space for quiet, for peace when the world around us feels so busy. 

This year Christmas Eve was simple: sleeping in, watching "Home Alone" while eating cheese pizza like Kevin, and church at 7. Mark ended up working the afternoon, I went to Immediate Care thanks to an ear infection, we ate freezer pizza instead of homemade, and then we went to the most beautiful church service. 

Our church holds a 7 PM Service of Light. We had been to Christmas Eve before but always the Family Service. This year we felt everyone was old enough for the later service and WOW! The service begins with Christmas songs and then our pastors began the reading of the Word with "In the beginning..." The church begins fully lit and covered in candles. As we weave our way through the Word, away from God's creation of light and into the darkness that came into the world with sin, the church darkens. By Isaiah, the church is completely dark. Never have I sung "O Come, O Come Emmanuel" while standing in complete darkness. Feeling that physical darkness while hearing the Isrealites pleas from their spiritual darkness was such a profound moment for me.  I felt what the world felt while they waited for Jesus - HOPE. 

On the way home, Annabeth said "That was the best service I have ever been to. I felt it in my heart."

I asked them to get ready for church.

This is what they did. 

No green. No red. No holiday special outfits.

They took the "come as you are" invitation literally.

Our Christmas morning began with a gift for Mama and Dad, the kids slept in! We didn't get to presents until 8 which was glorious! After a slow morning at home, we took lunch over to Mark's mom's house. We enjoyed lunch with her, Luke, and the kids. 

Christmas Evening we headed back to church to help with the Christmas Dinner. Instead of doing Advent Meals or church meals for the church family during December, our church does a full day of meals for the public on Christmas. We serve hours of delivery and drive through meals and then do 2 full hours of sit-down-service meals. I love how beautiful the hall looks with gorgeous tables and decor. We welcome guests into our hall and serve salad, a full meal, dessert, and offer conversation with those who come alone. We welcome families, singles, the elderly, people who use our church during the week for meetings, and some people for the only time all year.

Both of our kids said the highlight of Christmas was serving dinner and sharing time with everyone. 

Christmas is about so much more than trees, ribbons, bows, or the presents we will open. Christmas is made special by that feeling. That warm wonderful feeling of Hope, of Peace, and of Love. 

May the Love of Christ be with you today and always. If that Love, the Hope of Christmas, the Peace of Christ is something you are not familiar with. Please ask! We'd love to share about the One who came for the world. For YOU. 

"Brand New" Christmas Trees 2024

 A few weeks ago, Owen and I were in Walmart looking at Christmas lights. He has been asking for years to put Christmas lights outside, something we haven't done since Christmas 2010, I finally agreed and we spent $19 on lights for outside. While there, we were surprised by how many affordable Christmas trees they had. Since it was not the purpose of our trip, we did not buy any trees but I have been thinking about them since then.

Our first family Christmas tree was a hand-me-down from Mark's parents. They upgraded during a move and we happily took their old one. It worked in our apartment, first house, and in our current home for many years. One Black Friday, the lights had all died, it looked very sad and straggly, and so Mark bought us a 7 ft tree. It's been a great tree for us! We each receive at least 3 new ornaments each year (we buy each other one, each of the kids one, and the grandparents all give one to each of us) so our tree was very full last year. We were all a little disappointed that we weren't able to put everything on the tree last year which is what led to thinking of a new one. 

With lots of other things to spend money on, another tree just didn't feel like a top priority for Mark or me and so we made our old things new this year...

Somewhere along the line, hanging the star became the 

MOST beloved event of the year. The kids alternate years

and Annabeth was thrilled that it was her year. 

I love the joy on each of their faces. 

Our Christmas Tree

It's wired with white lights that have gone out. A few years ago, we purchased these inexpensive colored lights and have kept it rolling right along.

This year it's the "Kid's Tree" filled with their ornaments. They loved decorating it all on their own.

The star is a vintage star that we found at the Lynville Coal Mine Garage Sale.

Two years ago, Mark surprised me with this wreath. 

It's wired with lights. We do colored for Christmas and then keep it

up through March with white lights. This year Mark added some

colorful, sparkly ornaments to display some favorites that didn't fit on the kids' tree.

The deer are vintage that we purchased while engaged, the handpainted sign is from the CUMC

craft fair, the nativity was purchased at the 2008 Lakeview Dinner Auction, and I made the 

Christmas quilt square box many years ago.

This little tree is my most treasured Christmas piece.

I have loved it since I was a little girl and am so glad for a house with

big kids so I can have it out without fear of it being broken.

My Dad made this tree from wood from my childhood home.

We've had it on our porch several years but decided to put it indoors

this year so we can enjoy seeing it each day. I plan to keep up through the winter for the 

"happy light" that it gives off in our Reading Corner.

We have had this little tree for several years. It's a hand-me-down from my Momaw.

We left it in the attic the last three years because our house in basically one big 

open room, it felt too busy to have several trees out. BUT since we were looking at new trees, 

we opted to save that money and repurpose a tree we already had. This had been 

a prelit, predecorated tree but Mark just snipped off the giant ornaments and bows. We left

the pinecones and sparkly snow pieces and added all of our Disney ornaments to make it our

very first Disney tree! Total Cost: $0 

Every year since we started dating in 2006, Mark and I just gift each other

ornaments (never gifts) at Christmas. This year we began a new tradition of choosing a single 

ornament together. We picked this out at Magic Kingdom during our 15th Anniversary Trip.

When we got engaged, Mark and I decided that we only ever wanted antique, homemade, vintage, or truly meaningful holiday decor. Over the years, we've collected hand-me-downs, antique items, thrifted items, but never just random storebought items to fill spaces. I love that we have things from multiple generations of our families. I love having items we've found together on our travels. I love that our kids spent hours decorating, oohing and ahhing over ornaments while telling stories. Our home has four trees this year, all within sight of each other, we are never going to win a decorating award, but our home is cozy, filled with items that we love.

Before you go out and buy holiday decor - decide if what you have is enough. 

See if what you already own can be used in a new way. 

Dare to imagine a small, simple Christmas focused on a baby Who came for us all. 

Thirteen Years With Our Miracle Girl

 Thirteen. 

Our little home baker turns a Baker's Dozen today. 

We are so incredibly proud of the wise, sweet girl that Annabeth has become. When she was very young, on a sunny afternoon in our school room, she said "Mama, Jesus died for my sins. I know that He did on the cross. What do I do now?" After I cried, my sweet girl and I prayed that she might live a humble life but speak boldly of Jesus.

I think back to her birthday and in those hours between her arrival and me knowing she was alive, before I ever met her face to face, I prayed, I begged the Lord to save her. I bargained with Him saying "Lord, if you save her, we'll do anything for you!" I am ashamed to not have trusted His plan and to have tried to bargain with the One who created the universe. But I did. And I've worked daily to keep my promises made in those dark, painful hours of waiting. I gave her to Him and it never ceases to amaze me how He's already used her.

Twelve could have been the worst, hardest year for her. Life threw her some big challenges, big hardships, and very few ever know it. In the middle of countless appointments, PT and rehab work at the office and home, and in the midst of great disappointments Annabeth chose JOY. 

This last year, in the middle of great personal struggle, Annabeth chose service, she chose others, she chose to go beyond herself to be there for other people. 

Even as her own dance plans had to evolve and as she was asked to give up tumbling, changing goals forever, she agreed to teach others. When her ability to do a thing she loves deeply was taken away, she chose to happily teach others. To watch her grow and teach each week is such a gift. She is never bitter, never angry to help others develop skills she's had to walk away from. 

In a year, that was physically so painful and so hard. She worked to rehab so she could participate fully in life. In the midst of hard days she was there for her friends, helped others, and served faithfully in every way she was asked at church and home. 

To have a child who loves the Lord, who loves others, and who shares the Light in the midst of her own darkness makes me incredibly thankful. Countless times Mark and I cried out this year, "Why her again?!" as we were frustrated with waiting without answers. But only once did she cry for all that she was losing. Instead she kept sharing, giving, and learning new skills. 

Our Miracle Girl keeps fighting, keeps defying the challenges, and never lets any situation steal her joy. We've reflected a lot on the thought that "our joy comes from the Lord not from our circumstances." She's living it, daily. 

People have always said to us, "there's something different about her, something special" - of course there is! It's the same thing that makes each of us incredibly special - she was perfectly, wonderfully made and is saved by grace. If you want to know more - ask! I'm incredibly proud to say my gal will boldly share Truth with you that you might come to love the Lord just like her. 

So Annabeth Sage - Happy 13 to the one who already knows all of the important, eternal lessons, lives life beautifully, and inspires me to be better everyday. You are deeply, forever loved by us and Jesus.  

Annabeth Sage

My Week Alone

 My Week Alone.

Yes! You read that correctly, Annabeth has been gone to the grandparents since Saturday and the boys have been camping since Sunday. 

I have been blessed with a glorious week alone. To myself. I have tried to enjoy this time to finish projects, start and finish other projects, and to ready myself for the busy school year ahead.

The past two years have been busy, far too busy, and I have been slowly pulling away from commitments to better focus my time, energy, and emotions. 

When the kids were little I joined Usborne Books & More, then I became a Team Leader, then I took on teaching in our co-op, then I added serving on the leadership board of the co-op, then I added my travel business all while being a homemaker, wife, mama, homeschool teacher, and working part time each fall and spring for a kids' sale. I was overworked, overtired, overcomitted and not doing anything very well at all.

Last December, I gave up leadership with UBAM. In the spring, I wrapped up my BIG two years of leadership in our co-op and will return to classroom this year. This summer I have said "no" to many offers and have really cut down on what I am doing outside of our home. My eventual goal is to work a job I love and circle back to "just" homemaking and home-educating. 

This week I used my time alone to do a massive clean-out of my closet, emptying every item and really deciding what needed to stay, I worked my book business and my travel business as much as possible to get ahead while it wasn't taking away from the kids and Mark, and then I did have fun having dinner with friends. Yesterday, I went down to the lake to visit with a dear friend and had a long phone chat with my best friend last night as well. 

I am so thankful for this week to spend a lot of time working on the house, praying, looking ahead at homeschool goals, and preparing to be better in my home than I am out in the world. 

Happy Weekend to All! 

A Wednesday Night Rainbow

2,024 in 2024

 Goal: 2,024 Items leaving our home in 2024

If you've been around a while, you know we did a massive overhaul of our home in 2020. Two big things started this change: 1. We were planning to build a new house and wanted to only move things we truly loved/used. 2. I read The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning which completely revolutionized the way I held onto objects. Even though we abandoned our plans to build, you know...frugal living goals and all...we kept parting ways with stuff. 

Since then, we've done a decently good job of cleaning out several times a year thanks to the fun of having garage sales with family/friends and also the spring and fall HWGA Kids' Sales. As always though, we can do better.

My friend Justina at the The Well Planned Mama shared with me that she challenged herself to get rid of 2,023 in 2023 and even created a great printable tracker to see her progress. I fell in LOVE with this idea and so even though it's not yet 2024 we have started at our house! So far, since November 16, we have parted ways with 150+ items from our home. Want to join the movement? Check out Justina's 2024 Decluttering post with FREE printable to track your own goals. 

I was so excited about the idea that I presented it to the kids right away. It was the week they did their Pre-Christmas deep clean of their rooms so we counted many items that left the house then. We told Mark about it and he jumped right in with some sorting in the kitchen. Having the printable to color has made it even more fun!

If you've been around a while, you also know that I LOVE rules. I had to add some of my own to the challenge:

1. What constitutes an item? Some items like a book, pair of pants, etc felt obvious. But what about every little broken crayon from the school room? We're calling a pile of those just one item. Same with paper scraps or trash from projects. One big pile is one item on the coloring sheet. Maybe you're just beginning your own decluttering journey or want to count every little item - sounds good for you!

2. Although I desperately wanted to, I did not make any parameters for how many items needed to leave each week or month to stay on track. I wanted the others to be intuitive as to when they felt like it was time to part with something vs forced into it. 

3. Be wise in donating. I wanted to be careful and intentional about making sure items were leaving in a timely fashion, not just sitting in a box in the back of the car, and trying to get them to free pantries or the right non-profits to be most beneficial to others. 

But...WHY? Our why is based on previous success by decluttering so much in 2020. 

For one, We do a quick 20 Minute Tidy each day and often don't even need the full 20 minutes because everything in our house has a place and typically gets put in place. We do struggle with kitchen counter clutter, the kids' rooms, and our school room. Once a quarter we do big overhauls of those three rooms and it really helps keep down paper/junk clutter and every time we get faster at getting the big one done. 

And two, by having less stuff we actually want less stuff! It's true. As we have parted ways with so many unnecessary items, it's been very evident to Mark and myself that we've wasted a lot of money buying those things in the first place. Instead of buying things, we want to put aside money for experiences, travel, and opportunities. I plan to track everything we're able to sell as we declutter so we can see how much money we put back into our budget by getting rid of items. 

Christmas Day 2023

We did small, simple Christmas filled with useable, practical items for all

and it was such a joy to LOVE every item entering our home. 

Several times I've done a monthly challenge, for example the By the Numbers Challenge - 1 item on the 1st, 15 on the 15th, etc but the idea of a whole year was thrilling to me! I'll keep you posted on how it goes! 

Do you have any goals in 2024? Wishing you a happy and healthy new year! 

12 Favorite Pictures of 2023

 I always like to look back on the past year and pictures are my favorite ways to store memories.

Here is my favorite picture from each month in 2023...

January

We went to Disney on Ice as the kids' BIG Christmas gift.

I loved that they still loved all of the magic of it! 

They each got to choose a souvenir as part of the trip and wisely chose a snack

that came in a take-home cup so it was a "double" souvenir. 

February

Owen and I had Mesker Park Zoo to ourselves on a cold, winter day.

The highlight?

A half-hour private session with the penguins. 

March

Annabeth and I got our ears doubled pierced on a Sunday afternoon.

I always hoped for a daughter and I am so thankful for mine!

April

Annabeth performing her solo at Just Dance.

When she was little, she set the goal of having leaps "like the big girls"

and what a joy it has been to watch her work tirelessly to achieve that goal. 

May

We celebrated our 14th Wedding Anniversary with a

weekend at the lake. The dock broke as we took this picture so we ended up 

with quite the project. Mark's ideal way to spend a weekend.

June

Dance Recital Night.

We so love watching the kids do what they love to do!

July

Our last morning in Pigeon Forge. We cleaned out the freezer and 

the kids had breakfast sandwiches and Bomb Pops for breakfast so we would

have zero food waste. I love their matching shirts and big smiles. 

August

Owen played a long, HOT, Fall Ball season in a new league.

He grew so much as a player and we were thankful for great coaching and positive fans.

September

Annabeth's first Girls' Trip with Mama, Grandmama, and Aunt Lu for Lu's Birthday.

We spent a few days in Chicago and finding a safe Gelto place was the highlight

for me. I was so happy to allow her to have that simple experience of dessert out!

October

The wonder of connection. 

November

Birds at Sunset.

Long Beach, MS

December

This one is a tie for me. On vacation, Annabeth asked for us to have matching sweatshirts 

which was such an exciting moment for me! Some days she is very 12 so I take the sweet when

I can get it! 

December #2

Our day at Gracelend.

We went as Owen's 8th birthday gift but all fell in love.

It was the perfect day together. 

Thank you Dear Readers for another year of following our journey in Life, Love, and living our goal to "owe no many anything but love."