christmas time

Happy New Year!

January 5, 2024

christmas time

This year felt like two years in one. The first half was facing some of the hardest decisions we have had to make as a family, and the months of a big move following. The second half of the year was landing our feet in a small town and starting over again.

cristmas morning
siblings on christmas

There were days I didn’t think I had it in me to uproot again, and yet Gabe and I both knew that the answers to many of the hopes and prayers we had for our family were waiting on the other side of this move. It felt heavy and hard in the moment, but once we took the leap so much of that weight lifted. I wasn’t expecting to feel so much immediate peace as we unloaded our boxes into this old home.

christmas morning

Our first Christmas here felt like a celebration of these new beginnings and new memories. The joy was contagious on Christmas morning.

christmas morning

This has always been our time of year to put on the brakes and truly rest. We don’t get to take much time off these days, so we value these few weeks with our kids. Despite missing our families far away, I can’t shake the overall sense of gratitude for this home and town that have given us the gift of feeling rooted.

Appreciate each of you who spent time with us this year. I am really looking forward to sharing some new things in this year to come!

Wishing you peace and joy,

Anna & Gabe (+ family)

Leave a Comment

  • Happy New Year! Your move has been so inspiring! I’m looking for my version of your town outside Philadelphia – though we’ve lived with our three small kids in center city all their lives — sometimes it’s just too much and not enough of the feeling I’m desiring. I’m actually a little envious that you had a town with family and traditions and closeness already available. It sounds like a dream to not have to seek it out on your own. To live near my sisters – another dream! Thanks for not ignoring the nudge that you weren’t in the right place. I appreciate you and how you spend time with us — sharing your home and family.

    Can you please tell me what your Christmas tree skirt is? It looks huge and perfect for that train, that I’m also wondering about. Both look like excellent surprises for my kids for next year.

    Thank you!
    Warmly,
    Sara

  • We’ve weathered the storms and are now embracing the chance to rebuild and reinvent ourselves.

  • This is such a great resource that you are providing and you give it away for free.

  • It sounds like a dream to not have to seek it out on your own. To live near my sisters – another dream! Thanks for not ignoring the nudge that you weren’t in the right place. I appreciate you and how you spend time with us — sharing your home and family.

  • Can you please tell me what your Christmas tree skirt is? It looks huge and perfect for that train, that I’m also wondering about. Both look like excellent surprises for my kids for next year.

  • Lady Gaga

    Happy New Year! I hope you and your family have many beautiful memories in your new house, as well as ongoing happiness and good health. Cool Games

  • Thank you for sharing your family’s journey. I really appreciate your honesty and the reminder that difficult changes can lead to new beginnings. Your story inspired me, and I wish you and your family continued peace, joy, and happiness in your new home.

  • I love how this post captures the mix of challenges and blessings that come with major life changes. It sounds like your new town and home have given your family exactly the fresh start you were hoping for.

  • To live near my sisters – another dream! Thanks for not ignoring the nudge that you weren’t in the right place. I appreciate you and how you spend time with us — sharing your home and family. run 3

  • To live near my sisters – another dream! Thanks for not ignoring the nudge that you weren’t in the right place. I appreciate you and how you spend time with us — sharing your home and family.

  • Your story of moving and finding peace in a new town really resonated with me. I’ve been through similar transitions, and it’s amazing how a change of scenery can bring clarity and a sense of rootedness. Your gratitude for the simple joys of home and family is inspiring. It reminds me of the quiet horror in narinig mo ba online, where small community interactions conceal deeper truths—just as your new beginnings hide untold stories. Wishing you and your family continued peace and joy in your new home.

  • Happy New Year! Your reflection on moving and finding peace truly resonated with me. I admire the courage it took to uproot your family, and I can sense the gratitude you feel now. Your description of the first Christmas in your new home reminds me of how small traditions can bring such joy. This year, I’ve been considering a change myself, but it’s daunting. It’s comforting to read about your journey and feel less alone in the uncertainty. I’ve even been exploring stories that deal with fresh starts, like in the game narinig mo ba online, which slowly reveals hidden truths through everyday interactions—much like how you discovered your new town’s warmth step by step. Wishing you continued peace and blessings in your new home!

  • The contrast between the difficult first half and the peace you felt unloading boxes into the old home really captures how transformative a move can be. That first Christmas in the new town sounds especially meaningful, even with family far away. In quieter moments, I browse halloween the game tips for Halloween: The Game maps and challenge walkthroughs, but your emphasis on rest feels like the better New Year reminder.

  • Thank you for sharing your family’s journey.
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