Celebrating x TEN!

Its a new DECADE!!!

New Years Eve marked the end of a great decade in our family.

Ten years as a farm FAMILY.

from this

and this

to THIS

An awesome Grandma was created 

 celebrating her 60th with newborn Sarah and

JoJos always loved the pool and been a fun Grandma

JoJo learning she's having a grandson (Jack) - so I couldn't travel to a family reunion. 

and rang in her 70th as a Grandma to another grandson, Aden!

Yesterday we celebrated JoJo's 70th 
and Sarah's 10th

I can honestly say that it's been 
one of the hardest

 and certainly THE BEST

decade of my life.

If you'd told me 15 years ago what my life was to become

 I'd never have believed  it.

Giving up life as I'd known it.

Among other things, friends n clients, my business training advanced level riders, owning a "boutique barn" on 10 acres, minutes from the hunt club n highway, with a custom built home and indoor arena.

Even at my old farm  (different dogs) improvements were made by this builder/farmer

To move to a gorgeous part of Maryland I didn't even know existed

with a crazy passionate Irish Italian younger man

weren't we babies ourselves in 2002?!

and have a baby in my late thirties and another at 40!

Buying an abandoned 200 year old shell of a farm

on 115 overgrown acres.

It almost looked better in 1965- it had an intact roof, unlike when we bought it!

Which led to...

Improving the buildings

and house first.

Then, gathering my own eggs.

Milking my own goats.

Making my own hay.

Driving big tractors and equipment.

Planting an orchard

and large vegetable gardens.

Eating homegrown chicken, rabbit or venison.

Watching my Builder/Farmer husband produce great things
while teaching his kids.

Riding with him in his assorted truckS, tractorS, bobcatS, motorcycleS
 or quieter(!) carriageS w/ClydesdaleS!

Going to hunter shows with lotsa littles,

and generally having many unexpected adventures!

Possibly the best is still just

RIDING through my FARM FIELDS with my FAMILY

I've learned many valuable lessons.

One of the most important being...

I've even taken to trying to teach others and host farm tours.

I never dreamed I could be so blessed.

or tired

 I'd bet my amazing Mother is surprised 
at all she's done too!

Can't wait to see the next ten years!

Wishing you ALL many happy surprises in 2014!

What's under *your* tree?

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!

I pray it was a good one and you found everything you wanted

 under the tree...

The Farmer told Santa NO MORE PONIES (for a bit)

 I got my sweet new horse "Bear With Me" in Nov. so I'm as happy as a kid with a pony.

Too bad I'm a lot older and tore my calf muscle trying to run n jump like a kid at the Carrollton hunter pace.

Oh well, it's on the mend and I had a blessed Christmas just snuggling with all the 2 & 4 legged critters I call family!

The Kindle Fires were a huge hit

Wishing you all a bit of silliness this season!

Am I the only one?

I adore everything about Christmas

in theory.

In practice it's not much fun.

There. I. said. it.

I snarl at my kids for singing carols (everything) too loud.

I gripe about all surfaces the table being buried under piles of gifts n wrappings.

I crave PEACE and quiet.

I recognize the situation and tell my children that I'm sorry I'm so tired and actually FEEL very BLESSED to HAVE so MANY for whom I want to express LOVE & appreciation...

but really, It's ALL just TOO MUCH for me.

Am I alone????

Our house is actually *very* small.

It becomes submerged in Christmas crap things.

I want less things more thought.

This helped.

so did our evening at the Kennedy Center  listening to beautiful music with my son on my lap and husband n daughter either side...

Followed by a wonderful evening catching up with my city family.

 Just wish these guys were with us...

I actually surrendered and slowed my baking and handed out a few of these instead.

I must say, they were very well received!

I even scaled back on my decor when I pulled out my vintage suitcase full of Christmas kitsch.

But I must admit that our Elf's antics are still a highlight of the season!

A purely fun family tradition.

Clayton made Jack's buck into Rudolf

He spelled out "Be good, xoxo Clayton" but letters were too soon gobbled

Clayton made a snowman n brought cocoa in Elf mugs

Clayton wanted to be a satr

He wants to be in on the music making too!

From the first time I heard this more than 20 years ago in church, I've held these words as a reminder for the season...

“Lord, let not our souls be busy inns that have no room for thee or thine,
But quiet homes of prayer and praise, where thou mayest find fit company,
Where the needful cares of life are wisely ordered and put away,
And wide, sweet spaces kept for thee; where holy thoughts pass up and down
And fervent longings watch and wait thy coming.”

- Julian of Norwich (1340-1426)

I printed this out to remind me where to focus

This WILL be my focus in the New Year.

So... ???

Wishing you all more JoY and PeAcE!

Where's the line to see Jesus? video Merry Christmas

From Becky Kelley's site~

I stood in too many lines Thursday after volunteering at school, then running to physical therapy for my torn calf muscle, then stop after stop, only to come home to horses that had somehow torn down much fencing. I thank God for my supportive husband and kids and clients who all pitched in.

In the morning the kids dressed up for their Christmas sing a long, ate their Santa waffles and packed their Holly Jolly candies for exchange and poppyseed breads for staff. We loaded up to join them and surprise Sarah with treats for her class to celebrate her big TEN birthday that falls over break. Pinterest is my enemy. I try too many cute ideas and execute them all poorly!

 I did this for breakfast but this isn't my photo

And kids assembled something not as cute as these from tipjunkie.com

Have a Holly Jolly Christmas tags w Jolly Rancher candies

The Farmer scores BIG for helping me bake n wrap n assemble all my projects like this one!

"Donut You think 10 is terrific?" tags  attach to a hoho and donut (makes #10)

from here

The kids enjoyed their Rudolf sandwiches

Later we all loaded up once more to attend the wonderful Christmas party with our friends in Carrollton Hounds. It was so much fun that they had to gently nudge us out the door and we carried on in the parking area! Kids in bed after midnight and more lessons, baking and celebrating today!

  I think I'll watch this video one more time...

Wishing you all peace and joy in the reason for the season!