Where have we been...

Present. We've been in such a season of change in every area of our lives that we have chosen to be completely present for each one of them. If you are here, in my home, with me, I am 100% here with you. I'm not checking my phone, I likely don't even know where it's at. I'm not worrying about the work I'm not getting done, I'm not thinking of the next thing I need to do...I'm simply with you. In that moment, at that time, for that conversation.

The boy who made me a mama has begun his adventure back across country...literally...to Alaska. He will always love Texas and will never let anyone say it's not the greatest state in the nation...but Alaska is where his heart is. He just needed to see that for himself, and I am so incredibly proud of him for taking the time while he could to figure that out. I never want my children to live a life of regrets for dreams not chased. If I've given them anything, I pray its a heart that chases after the memories and the adventures and most importantly the Lord. I never want any of them to be tied down to the expectations of this world. God created such beauty and vastness and creativity for us to see and experience and enjoy. I pray they always do just that.

The beautiful brown eyed beauty that is my daughter has stepped into her own and really began to blossom! It has made my heart so full to watch her become her own and still hanging onto her love of the Lord. To get to watch this season is such a blessing! To get to see her be loved and cared for by someone who not only treats her well but values the Lord and family has been an answered prayer. To know that the Lord is part of their story and will only continue to grow in their lives gives me a peace I wasn't sure I would get.

The baby...my baby! We are days away from him being 18 years old and I haven't quite come to terms with this yet. This is my boy that is all his own. He refuses to conform to what society believes he should be. Almost every single thing about him goes against the grain, and I've learned that is something I admire so immensely in him. He loves the Lord, he loves his people and he doesn't let just anyone into his space. I want to be more like him when I grow up!

The farm has been all but shut down for the month of August. I simply just stopped everything I could stop and poured everything into the list of things we've been wanting to get done and spending time just enjoying our friends and children! The month of August is a very hard month for me...for personal reasons...this month is the month of a broken heart for me. I don't want it to be that way for the rest of my life. I want this month to be a month of gratitude and presence. I want this to be a month of rest and reset every year. I want it to become a month of hope and dreaming. I want August to be the month I really focus on all the blessings I've been given in my lifetime.

So, I made a choice. I made the choice to step away from the sad...by force...but still stepping away from the sad. I am blessed with an amazing husband, the kindest children on this beautiful earth and some of the most loving friends a woman could ask for.

All because Abba has never given up on me and loves me more than I will ever comprehend.

Now, let's step into fall!

"May the soil be fertile, the harvest be bountiful and the farmer never grow weary."-Farmer Mandy