I started the year with dreams and fears. But I certainly never thought it would end like this!
Wow!
Sometimes that’s all I can say. Wow!
When I look back on this past year I’m completely amazed and astounded.
I started the year feeling very uncertain. About the only thing that was certain was that God had some big changes in store. I didn’t know what or when or how. I just knew something was coming. And that God’s only requirement of me was that I be fearless and follow his leading (I wrote about it in my New Year’s goals last year!).
So I did.
Personal Development.
Here we are at the end of 2016. And what a year God had planned for us! I never thought it would end like this. Here’s a look back.
In February I started working as a virtual assistant for Kitchen Stewardship. It has been a great experience, and I have learned so much!
In March I self-published my very first book! Even in the midst of daily feeding struggles with my youngest God gave me the energy and insight to put our story and experience to paper. I love using it to help others.
You can check out my book “Why Won’t My Child Eat?!” here.
The House Hunt Begins.
We also put an offer on a house in March. But after inspections we backed out. Back to the drawing board.
In April we put an offer on another house. We were outbid. A few days later we put an offer on yet another house. This time things went smoothly. We just had to wait for closing.
After a couple months of waiting we finally got a closing date…only to be informed that the sellers had backed out. With our basement filling with boxes we were back to square one again.
Homeschooling!!
The summer brought some pretty big changes as well. We decided to take a leap of faith and start homeschooling our oldest. God laid it on our hearts that it is what she needs. We kicked off the school year mid-August and have loved it! She also started working with a functional neurologist during the summer.
We put a bid on a fourth house in August. But our offer was declined.
The Farm.
In early September we finally found the dream house God had planned for us (did you know you can try as you may to be in control but God’s plans and timing always win?). Our offer was accepted right away, and the whole process went smoothly.
Bye Bye Allergies?
In September we also received a huge surprise when after 6 months of carrying around an epi-pen and months and months of stomach aches all of my son’s allergy tests turned up negative. Not a single reaction! Since then the stomach aches have vanished, and we have slowly been introducing more and more foods. And so far he is tolerating all of them! Even foods he has had to avoid for years.
Not to be outdone, my toddler has been adding foods to her diet as well!! It’s a slower process for her. But we are so thankful for an expanded diet, including dairy in small amounts! She is now sleeping well, eating well and growing well. God is so good.
For me the new foods mean I can cook one meal for the entire family again a lot of the time. What a blessing.
Crazy Christmas.
The year may have started with uncertainty and a large amount of faith. But it is ending with gratitude and joy beyond measure.
December 10 we moved into our dream farm in a snow storm. It certainly is not the ideal time of year to move. And the weather was not in our favor. We are so thankful friends and family live near by to help us!
The following Monday I started homeschooling my son.
A week later we had all of my husband’s family here for Christmas. Then we celebrated as a family and with my extended family.
Gratitude.
When I think about it all that comes to mind is I never thought it would end like this. This year has been filled with ups and downs. But we are ending the year so grateful and full of joy.
I’m rounding out the year with Christmas baking with my kids. We were just a *tiny bit* busy before Christmas unpacking. It has been so nice to finally have a week to relax and reflect on the year coming to a close.
We’ve loved using some new gadgets like the set of knives my daughter got for Christmas. And the cool Silpat and Levoon measuring spoons I received in conjunction with Stonyfield. All three of my kids had to take turns trying the measuring spoons with a little leveler built right in!
Giving.
I’m also ending the year with thoughts of giving. I have been so richly blessed this year. I was given the opportunity from Stonyfield Yogurt to Pay It Forward to someone in need.
My husband and I decided to add to the Stonyfield gift card so we could buy a farm for someone else!
As a family we decided to purchase a farm team through WorldRenew. It includes a goat, a duck, a sheep, a chicken, a pig and a calf. We pray this will give hope and a brighter future to a family in need.
Something For You.
There are two more great things I don’t want you to miss as you end the year.
- Starting today the Kids Cook Real Food course is available again! Try it first with the knife skills lessons. If your kids are anything like mine they’ll be hooked!
Grab your knife skills videos here!
2. Today and tomorrow only the Ultimate Healthy Living Bundle is back!! If you are interested in getting your health back on track in the new year this is the way to do it. So many resources all in one place. Plus tons of physical bonuses too.
As an extra bonus you’ll be able to snag another bundle about essential oils! Check it out.
Finally, I leave you with some pictures from the farm and our first Christmas here.
What’s Next?
I don’t know what God has planned for us next year. But I do know I will start it fearlessly!! Following God’s plans brings blessings beyond measure.
Merry Christmas. Happy New Year.
I hope you take the time to reflect on your year and all you have to be thankful for. I never thought it would end like this. But I’m so glad it did.
