Year Word and Year Goals

Well, it is currently blowing like crazy and we are forecasted to have up to eight inches of snow today. The drifts are over the drive, and we are tucked inside admiring the view. Part of the joys of having kids is reliving your childhood. My oldest and I went out exploring snowdrifts just like when I was a kid. This storm is definitely fulfilling my winter bucket. Hopefully the wind will slow down and it will warm up so we can go play in it.

2020 is looking to be a very active year.  My goals may sound a little crazy, but you have to have something to aim for. :-)

Here is my list of goals for 2020:
1. Read 10 books: yes, I know this is less than last year's goal. But I've been doing a lot of skimming of health and nutrition books lately which don't really count towards my goal, (skimming vs. reading) but allow me to learn a bunch of helpful information.  So, I decided a more reasonable goal is reading 10 books this year.

2. Cook/Bake/Make 52 new recipes: I have some cookbooks I'm excited to try, and my eye on a couple more I want to add to my collection. My husband is also urging me to 'attempt' meal planning so he's not met with the same 3 meals each time he asks what's for supper. ;-)

3. Secret Family Project (no, we are not moving again)

4. Plant trees: While we don't know anything about orchards, we are hoping to plant one in the NW corner of our property. We also need to add in wind break trees around our house to help with protection from the weather.

5. Plant a large garden: I'm excited to have our garden at the house this year, instead of having to drive there. We 'll have space to plant longer growing season crops (pumpkins, squash, etc) and we can add to the soil as we wish.

6. Get chickens: We are hopeful......but again this is something we have never tried before.

7. House projects: Our next project is carpeting our stairs and installing trim work in the hallway. I say 'we', but it's mostly my husband and I just get to help as needed.

8. Set up a school routine (which means we need to set up a school room first): my oldest is begging me to teach her to read...which means the school room needs to be set up in functioning order so I can mentally process better.

9. Nature Journaling: We regularly hike with our Wild and Free group, but I haven't done much with nature journaling yet. There's a Wild and Free nature class I would like to take and I would like to learn about watercolors and phenology wheels.

10.  Unpacking/decluttering: I feel like unpacking comes in stages. There's the initial unpacking where you unpack the main things (clothes, toys, kitchen, etc).  Then you unpack more in each room as you build or finish projects in those rooms (installing a bathroom vanity, hanging up laundry room shelving). There's also the downsizing that happens as you unpack (Why do I still have this?).


My word for this year is focus. I'm highly distracted by 'shiny things' and all the things I'm 'supposed' to be doing to be a good person/mom etc.  There's a thousand research articles and books promising to make you smart, and a lot of 'good' activities calling us to be part of them. But when you focus in with a camera, the background becomes blurry and only the main object stands out. I want to focus on what's most important (what the goal is), and not get sidetracked by what's in the background.

How about you? What do you hope for in 2020? What areas would you like to grow in? How can I help you with that? Please send me a message or leave a comment. :-)

Sojourning with you,
 Felicia

Goals and wishes

How is it January 10th? Wasn't Christmas just yesterday? I feel like the last month has been a blur of activity and I'm still trying to get my planner broke in. Though my calendar and planner may be behind, I've been pretty excited dreaming of our goals for this year. Honestly, at times I just want to sit in the middle of the floor and not even try because some projects seem overwhelming.  But if I look at the big picture (which is what we were discussing at Bible study last night), then I'm excited to see what God will do.

Let's start with last year's goals:
1. Read 12 books this year

Update: Update: I finished Cozy Minimalist Home, Peter Pan, Sacred Holidays, Animal, Vegetable, Miracle , Farmer Boy, Faith, The Life Giving Parent , The Middle Matters, and The Prairie Homestead Cookbook, How to Raise a Wild Child, Teaching from Rest, Action Bible, The Trumpet of the Swan (technically we read the last chapter this year, but I'll count it for last year's goal) and Loving the Little Years (such a great book!).

That's 14 books finished! A pretty successful reading year!

2. Explore the alphabet with my preschooler: Goal completed.

3. Identify 5 plants/tracks: Technically…..my goal is completed. But is learning about nature ever a completed goal?

4. Get rid of 50 things: completed

5. Learn to make more things from scratch: done

6. Prepare for secret project: We moved!  We bought our little "farm" and are excited for the adventures to come.

7. Blog/writing (I have ideas…but life seems to take all my time)

8. Finish 2nd kids baby book and do the 3rd kid’s book:  I finished the newborn photo book for the third kiddo, just not all the first year photos.

9. Clean out freezer and use up pantry: The freezer is significantly emptier!

10. Do 10 projects with the little ones: zoo trips, splash park, etc. We had an active summer!

As I think about goals for 2020, I have to remember what I wrote in so many posts this last year. The goal isn't perfection, or mastery or even completion. The goal is ...to do something. Where ever you are, move one step closer to where you want to be. The comparison isn't between you and the person next to you, nor you and the person you want to be. It's between you and who you were.

One of my goals this month is to create a school room. Right now, it's a storage room with boxes from our old basement, office, kids' stuff, and randomness. Today I called it "hopeful discouragement". It's overwhelming looking at the piles that I literally don't know what to do with. But it's hopeful as I see small spaces clear out and give room for dreams of what could be in that space. I can't do it all today or even this week. But I can do this one box. I can unpack those books. I can throw away those items. I can do...something.

As you pray and process what you want to do in 2020, remember to make it realistic with small steps you can regularly take. But more importantly, make them goals that matter. Do these goals align with God's calling for you? Do they enrich the lives of others? Will they make a long term difference, not just for today?

To finish, I'd like to introduce you to our new family member.

Boaz joined our family at Christmas this year and we love him! He is tough enough to wrestle with our Aussie, yet sweet and calm. This summer will be fun watching the dogs run around the newly fenced in yard.  He's going to be a big dog as he's just a pup, yet already 26 lbs. Look at that sweet face though!

I hope your new year was filled with thankfulness for how God worked in 2019 and anticipation for His plans in 2020. 

Sojourning with you,

 Felicia

Gifts are made to be shared!

Yes, it is Christmas. And yes, I am writing. But not because I'm avoiding family. But rather because the oldest two are napping, so it's time for some personal time doing what Mama enjoys....reading and writing. This has been one of the most beautiful and fulfilling Christmases. This morning, my husband and I were trying to figure out why.  It's partially because my oldest is my miniature me, full of love for traditions, holiday, special activities, candles, and decorations. It makes it really fun to have a little side kick who appreciates it with as much gusto as I do! It's also partially because the kids are older and thus better able to participate in our activities. But mainly it's because of God's gift to us of a new dream and a new home this year. We finally feel like we "fit".

Here our dreams of gardens and animals are no longer silenced. The kids can run and play, and we have room for learning and for hosting. But like I wrote in my post Home, home is a gift that is more enjoyable shared.  A friend who is notoriously cold came over to visit recently. As soon as she walked in we offered her fuzzy socks and a fleece blanket and she responded "This house is cozy!". I silently cheered as my goal of creating a welcoming place to land was fulfilled.

Gifts are made to be be shared. 

Being part of an office, my husband often partakes of random treats brought in by coworkers. But instead of simply enjoying them himself, he brings home a portion of my favorites to share his joy with me.  

Gifts are made to be shared.

Recently, we got to meet some adorable black lab puppies with the intent of picking out our Christmas surprise. After we played with them, discussed personalities, and....yes....got a bit 'wet' from the puppies, we thanked our friend for letting us come. She responded something to the effect of, "Of course! That's part of the fun, sharing with others!"

Gifts are made to be shared.

Earlier this month, my son and I were cooking up the last of our pumpkins, while we listened to Christmas music and my daughter made Christmas crafts. It was literally a perfect "Instagram" moment.  Yet, I was lonely for some adult company in that moment.  Gifts are made to be shared. Having my husband there to watch the kids together would have made it perfect. 

The best two gifts I've received this year are the gift of Jesus' forgiveness and the hope of His return. Recently, I've been contemplating my need to forgive others out of the depth He has forgiven me. This gift is meant to be shared. Jesus is waiting, as a gift for you to open this Christmas. He's my favorite gift to share and the one for which I'm most thankful.  And His offer stands, that He's coming back for all who choose Him. Will you open His gift? 

This Christmas, which gift will you share? Is it the gift of your home, your food, or a favorite tradition? Simply giving the gift of your time is of arguably greater importance. My heart grieves this year thinking of friends who've lost family members. As you eat leftover ham with homemade cranberry sauce (mmmmmm!), my prayer is that you'll open up and enjoy the greatest gift...Jesus. 

Merry Christmas from my loud house of a new puppy, excited children, our original dog who is freaking out about the puppy, and a highly verbal toddler. May you have blessed moments with family, and may the loudest ones take naps. 

Sojourning with you,

Felicia

Gratitude is a verb

I feel like the holidays rush into each other at the speed of a freight train. We celebrate Thanksgiving, then the next day it's Christmas already! This being the first holiday season in our new house makes me even more thankful for new traditions, more space for hosting people, and enjoying the winter wonderland views from the living room windows.

We had such a blessed Thanksgiving with family and adopted family! My heart was filled to overflowing with joy and thankfulness to the point of tears.....though I was weary by day's end. Filling two tables with loved ones and food fulfills some deep part of me. One of the best parts was when we went around to share what we were thankful for over the last year. 

We wrote them on little scraps of paper, then shared them with the group. My daughter collected them so we could hang them on our 'gratitude tree'.  Gratitude for bacon, trucks, family, health, Jesus, spouses, and new seasons of life were hung up on the tree as yellow and red 'leaves of gratitude'. 

Gratitude changes people. It lifts the tiredness, strengthens weary arms, and helps to carry a heavy burden. It gives new focus and renewed appreciation for what you have. 

Whenever I hear of a loved one struggling with health issues, suddenly the petty concerns in my life fade.  My perspective quickly changes as I'm reminded again not to take health for granted, and to simply be thankful for health and family, letting everything else fall to the side. 

One day as we walked into Costco, I randomly (I think God timed it) started explaining to my kids how people that worked to protect our country wear special veteran hats or coats. We talked about watching for them and telling them 'Thank you'.  Well, as I'm sure you can guess, as we walked down the main aisle there suddenly was a veteran shopping near us.  "Excuse me sir!" I said to get his attention, then turned to talk to my daughter. "This is what I was just telling you about! Do you see his special hat? That means he fought to protect our country."

(I got tears in my eyes when I told this story to my husband) Those beautiful little blue preschool eyes looked up at the elderly gentleman and said in her sweet, unprompted voice......"Thank you!"

The gentleman began to share his story and how he knew of an even older veteran. Gratitude changes people. That day in Costco, that man was noticed and appreciated for how he had lived his life by a little girl with blue eyes.

Recently we purchased a used bedroom set and needed to pick it up from the owners. The gentleman was a retired serviceman who had served over 40 years. I noticed his hat collection, and thanked him for serving our country. As the night progressed while we were loading up the bedroom set, he began to share details of where he met his wife and where he had been stationed. When everything was finally loaded, he bid us farewell, sent holiday best wishes, and thanked us for our support. His countenance changed when he was noticed and appreciated for his life's work. Gratitude changes people. 

Who else needs to hear these words? Is it the busy checker at the store? Is it a faithful friend who always listens? Is it a veteran wearing a special hat? It's too common in our culture to take people for granted, and to be self-focused instead of expressing appreciation for those around us. 

But gratitude gives strength to the weary, courage to the fearful, and a sense of value to those who feel ignored. When you are noticed and appreciated for something you have done, it makes you want to serve more. It also makes you start noticing how others have served you. Gratitude becomes contagious, as you spread it to others. 

In this busy season of shopping, parties, programs and preparations, can we be people of gratitude? People who are not too busy to notice those around us and tell them we appreciate their work. 

I'm thankful for you. Thank you for sharing this space with me and for your patience when I don't show up during busy seasons. You make my heart happy and I'm grateful for our time together. 

Sojourning with you,

 Felicia

Home

Home becomes a big deal when the holidays come around, doesn't it?  With phrases like "home for the holidays"or "I'll be home for Christmas" and the push for cozy 'homey' decor during the cold season.

(I love our new bathroom wall!)

We've been working on setting up our home, because we just moved in. The first couple of days felt like all our stuff was moved into someone else's house. It felt like we were temporarily staying at someone's rental, and I just wanted to go home. But the more we have unpacked, painted, completed projects...the more it feels like our home. 

Nights and weekends have been spent painting, building, digging, doing plumbing, etc because we feel driven to make a place of beauty and rest. As a wife and mom, I want my family to exhale in relief when they walk in the door and feel deep down joy at being home. For our home to be a place to grow, learn, talk, and rest. I know I will feel more at rest when we finish more projects. 

Here up north, there's a tendency to complain when the winter months come and seasonal depression to happen. I read a well written article on the secret to happiness in winter time based on Norway's culture. They suggested lots of candles, fireplaces, drinking lots and lots of hot drinks, dressing for the weather, and celebrating the activities/features of winter that aren't available the rest of the year. As I write this, I'm cozy with my pumpkin blanket and my Golden Chai tea. Especially when the wind starts to howl this winter, I want home to be cozy and full of cheer. 

(me feeling cozy and warm in my new scarf my friend made)

When God gave us this house, He left a string attached. He handed it to us with the understanding it was to be used for Him. This wasn't ours to hold tight, and hide away. It's to be used with open hands as a resting place, a refuge from city life, and a place for people to step back and breath. Each week we usually have multiple people out to eat or play games. Come summer time when the fence is built, friends with kids can bring them out to run wild in the yard. In Medieval times, the Keep was the inmost part of a a castle built to protect the most vulnerable and to be a place of refuge during battle. It is this idea of refuge that rings in my heart. 

Using a home in service for others doesn't require it to be finished nor clean. ;-)  This last week, my friend Tina invited some of us over for lunch and play time after a hike. She honestly warned us that she didn't remember the state of her home, and thought she probably had laundry sitting out. You know what I remember about her house? Her reading library, fall decor, and hospitality as we chatted over tea and the noise of children running around. I'm sure her dirty dishes and baskets of laundry just made my own kids feel more at home. :-) 

Home is a gift...for yourself and for others. It's a place you create so when someone walks in they say "Mmm, I'm glad to be home." Perfection and clean dishes are not required. Just love and hospitality.....and maybe some tea. 

How are you cultivating beauty in your home? How are you using it to bless others? What part of your home do you like the most? Please send me a message! I'd love to hear!

Sojourning with you,

 Felicia

Be kind....it's contagious!

Cold season is upon us as the weather has changed and snow came yesterday. Colds of the sickness type are also here with runny noses and coughs. I've been trying to use chicken stock for soups and noodles as much as I can, and encouraging everyone to take naps.  Yesterday, the house smelled delicious as I simmered our elderberry syrup on the stove...a mixture of elderberries, cinnamon, cloves, and ginger.  Mmmmm!  Seriously, they should make an elderberry candle and I would buy it. It smells sooooo good!

Cold season has it's own social rules where you must warn others if you are sick, stay home if you are too sick, and be careful of catching other people's germs. 'Contagious' is the big question everyone asks. "Am I contagious?"  No one wants to be kept in bed for the day....unless you are a cat.

I've been thinking how kindness is also contagious. When your kids are little, it's hard to tell what they are picking up from you. You say and do things in the hope that they will follow suit one day.  At our house, it's easy to tell which parent the kid learned each specific phrase from. But as my oldest grows up, she's demonstrating that she's been listening all along. Before running errands, we pray together each morning "Help us be a blessing to those around us today." Lately, God has been answering that prayer and opening our eyes to how we can bless others. 

Monday morning, we were getting ready to run errands when my daughter looked at her beloved turtle craft hanging on the fridge and announced, "I want to do something kind for the Aldi employees! I want to take my picture to them."  However in the rush to get out the door, we forgot. Once in the van, she remembered her planned act of kindness and asked me to go get it.  When you look in your daughter's beautiful blue eyes and see her heart longing to surprise a stranger with a gift from her heart....you can't say 'no'. So we ran back in the house to grab the picture, and off we went to the store.  

At Aldi, she carefully carried around her precious picture looking for the right employee to give it to. We agreed the cashier would be a good choice. As we checked out, she started telling him about the turtle picture (which he complemented) and then presented him with her treasure. I explained the morning's conversation so he would understand the significance of this gift. He very graciously told my daughter he would have to place it in the store office so it would be safe. 

In a bustling world, where we run here and there trying to get everything done......how often do we stop to show kindness. Reality is my daughter's 'art' was a piece of paper with scrap ribbon glued to it. But in that moment, she told the cashier that he mattered and we appreciated him. (He is a pretty cool cashier, we've had conversations with him before)  Filled with that joy, his cup is fuller to be able to pour into others. 

One night this week, I was out under the stars waiting for the dog to stretch her legs. I heard two different flocks of geese or ducks as they flew overhead. I couldn't see them in the dark, but I could hear their constant honks of encouragement to each other as they flew over. Each one honking "I'm here! Are you there? How are you? Keep flying!"  As they flew over my head, I heard the rush of their wings beating together to keep the group flying together. Their honks and wings working in unison to encourage one another on in their journey.

In this season of cold weather and colds, let's remember that kindness is contagious too. The kindness the coffee barista showed me in creating a pumpkin spice drink for me in a mocha season and the kindness of my husband encouraging me to take 'mom breaks' to write and drink coffee feed my heart so I can pour out into our kids.

I'm raising my wings with you, and honking in encouragement. "Keep flying!  I'm here with you!"  Let's spur one another one, passing on kindness (and hopefully not germs) and encourage one another on in our journeys.

I'd love to know how you've received encouragement lately!  Please send me a message or leave a comment.
Sojourning with you,
 Felicia

Why I've been gone

Was my last post literally in August and tomorrow is the first of November? I'm so sorry. Life has been so busy the last two months.  But I have terribly missed sharing life with you. Every week I keep listing things I want to write about....and then the week passes and the writing doesn't happen.
:-(  I feel like part of me is missing when I don't write. Honestly, there hasn't been time for much reading, writing, or personal activities for enjoyment. But I'm trying to slowly add them back in.

So do you remember my big goals list for 2019 that I updated my progress on every month or so?  Remember my big secret goal?  I kept saying progress was happening, but I couldn't tell you what it was. Here it is........

We moved!  Not just we moved, but we moved my parents too!  And we bought a house that is going to require some labors of love!  We are exhausted, and excited!  We are so tired each night, but we can't stop because we keep seeing more to do (and seeing finished projects only motivates more). 

We have been longing for a place in the country for a long while. Our hearts have been filled with dreams of gardening at our own house (my old house was too shady), chickens, fruit trees, and developing a place of rest where people can step away for a bit to breath. 

(my "Thank you" flowers from my husband after we moved)

First we moved my parents to their new place, then we packed our family with our dog, cats, and geckos and moved to the country. September was a busy, blurry mad rush of packing and moving. And October has been a busy rush of unpacking and home projects. We've done trim boards in six rooms, painted two rooms, installed laundry room shelving, installed flooring, added bathroom fixtures and vent covers, dug a big hole in the yard where the garage will go and then filled it with gravel, and been adding blinds and wall decor. There is much left to do, but we are so happy with how it is turning out. 

(finding my tea collection!!)

We joke how this house is bringing us closer to Jesus, with all our many prayers mid-project for help in fixing crooked walls or in making sure we don't mess up cutting trim. Though it took the kids a while to adjust, and we are weary and constantly thinking and talking about the plethora of projects on our docket.....we are thankful and excited to see how God uses this place. Our hearts desire is to make a place for our kids to grow up with plenty of sunshine, dirt, frogs, animals, and home grown produce....and a place for people to step away from the noise of the city and be refreshed. 

Please forgive my absences and any future absences.  My planner bears witness of everything I want to write on...when I'm not unpacking a box or measuring the garage site to calculate how much gravel to order. I hope to be back more regularly. I miss writing and miss you all. I do post a little more frequently on Instagram, so please join me there for quick snapshots. 

Meanwhile, I'd love to hear what you have been up to! So please leave a comment or send me a message!

Sojourning with you,

Felicia