this weekend was our family retreat. my very favorite weekend of the year!

this year we decided to stay in town rather than renting a cabin in the woods. because december was so busy with holiday travel, it was nice to just settle into home. our little farm feels so cozy with our wood burning stove, animals at pasture, a walk down to the pond & a big table for feasting. we all agreed that it might be nice to just stay here every year. 

our family retreat tradition is always shared with luke’s parents & siblings. his parents’ decision years ago to begin this tradition of getting together at the start of every year is one i greatly look forward to & will for certain continue as our little family grows. as always, the activities of the weekend were the same- fun, meaningful & relaxing. 

we spent time outdoors together, but this year’s added bonus of goat kids made our weekend even sweeter. we played family games (my first time playing settlers of catan! i lost miserably) & enjoyed delicious meals around the table. we reflected on 2013 & the many adventures & disappointments it held for our family.

we also looked into 2014 with intention. individually we made goals & commitments for the new year, but we also did this as a family. as luke & i spent a couple of hours together envisioning what 2014 might look like for our family,  i realized that we hadn’t done this in some time. 

when we first married & we were learning what life looked like together, we discussed our goals often. as years have passed & we have grown busier, we have let these conversations go. not intentionally, of course, but more so absentmindedly. we still have goals together as a family, but this last year has made it incredibly difficult to focus on where we are going when each day we feel so tired with the balance of our work life & the farm. it was so good, so healthy, to sit down together & refocus our lives together. i cherish my husband & the threads that weave our lives together as one. this year i want to fight for time together. he is my favorite person after all.

love,

natalie

although i never made it official last year, the word “joy” was my one word for 2013. this word was all over my home & found it’s way into my life in a big way. magical things can happen in one year when we are intentional. in 2013, life gave me joy. in 2014, i crave quality.

quality: something that can be noticed as a part of a person or thing…

when i read those words, something clicked inside me. so often we strive for simplicity in our lives, but other times those things we want for our families & this precious life aren’t so simple. instead, we want quality in each day. something that can be noticed in our daily living. 

so in 2014 i seek quality of life.

this is always my favorite blog post to write. i love looking back on what we have accomplished & how we have grown. it is also a good time to reflect & learn from the disappointments of this year. this last january i never would have thought we would be where we are- owners of a little farm & surrounded by such a wonderful community. we have been blessed beyond measure! a recap, shall we?

january-

in february, luke & i made a sheet fort for date night. i did a lot of creating in february, knitting luke a hat & finishing my first ever quilt for my first nephew. i also shared how we meal plan! in february luke found a job in town & came home for good. this is also the month my papa passed away.

march-

in march i hosted a dear friend’s baby shower, we added six new fluff balls to our backyard flock & we celebrated easter with a hike in the ozarks!

april-

in april we celebrated my 24th birthday & the birth of my sweet first nephew! i also took a big leap of faith & headed for the colorado mountains. #coloradogirls2013!

may- 

in may our raised beds were well established & our garden was growing. this is the month i also started running!

june-

in june, we walked the farm for the first time & fell in love. we went through the hoops of home ownership this month. we also sold our first coop in preparation of moving to the farm. the first piece luke ever built. it’s still close to my heart.

july-

july was a very crazy month! we went on a three day float trip along the buffalo river with friends & luke’s brother. we also bought the farm! it was a surreal moment & one i will never forget. we spent the last part of the month doing demolition on our home. it was exhausting but well worth the effort.

august- 

august was also such a busy month, but so so good. we celebrated four rich years of marriage & luke’s birthday! i also ran my first ever 5k. we visited the county fair & i managed to fit in a whole lot of canning. 

september-

in september i took a big leap & went to a be crafty event in tulsa. there i met some amazing ladies! my best friend visited our farm for the first time & we sold our first dozen of eggs!

october –

october, one of my favorite months, was met with some amazing memories. i launched my etsy shop for the first time & was met with incredible support. the women of my family & i also enjoyed our war eagle crafts fair tradition!

november – 

december was a wondeful, full month. we focused our intentions on the winter season & what it could bring for our little family. i also made many handmade gifts for the dearest in our lives. under the full moon, we experienced our first births on the farm with the arrival of five baby goats! days i will never forget. we brought in the holiday season with our traditional christmas breakfast. 

we are so thankful for this year & the richness it has brought to our lives. i cannot wait to see what is in store for 2014!

love,

natalie