The sun is setting on 2009.
It’s been a year of healing for our family. A new baby. The one year anniversary of our daughter’s home-going. Returning to the places I was never sure I could return to.
The 3 year old got potty-trained. I managed to put together a few sewing projects, but most of them were quick and easy since I found myself needing to regroup and refocus.
This blog also brought it’s own blessings. The readership here more than quadrupled in 2009! (Welcome to all my new readers! I hope you are blessed by what you read here. I’m looking forward to getting to know all of you!) I got a blog makeover (and hosted my first large-scale giveaway!) My header picture took on a new meaning. I did my first ever series on Creative Writing. I joined the team At The Well. And just recently, I won a 6 month contract to write for a natural parenting internet company!
Our family started working on eating healthier (continues to be a work in progress) and my closet got a makeover. I learned more about genealogy, wool longies, and driving a 15 passenger van! I even learned something more about babywearing…a topic I already felt pretty well versed in!
I found myself climbing out of a crisis of faith that stemmed from losing Emily (I hope to write about that journey in 2010) toward a recommittment to raising children who see God’s grace in me. I learned to listen to my children and enjoy the blessing of children who actually like each other.
I gave all of you some of my favorite recipes, our If/Then Chart, a look into how we homeschool our littles.
My husband stocked our freezer with buffalo meat and I stocked our pantry with my once-a-month shopping.
And now we rest…until next year.
Merry CHRISTmas All!
Fruitful Harvest says
Amy,
Merry Christmas~
You and your family are AWLAYS in my prayers!
Blessing and LOVE,
Georgiann
mamabear says
Always a pleasure to visit you here!
Merry Christmas!
Pam
MolleenCarie says
I’m glad you linked to plenty of old posts for my Raising Arrows withdrawals I’ll be sure to have between now and next year!
Merry Christmas, Amy!
Beautiful Mess says
Love this recap! Now I can see what I might have missed since I am a newbie!
Merry CHRISTmas to you! God bless! JEn
amanda says
so thankful i found your blog this year. well i guess this month! :0) merry christmas to you too!!
Anonymous says
You are the only blog that I have ever subscribed to, and I deeply appreciate your honesty and your insights. I wish I lived near you and could visit over coffee…I choose not to blog because of time, but I sure enjoy reading yours…I love connecting with those on the same wavelength that I am on. People like that are hard to come by. I look forward to getting to know you face to face in eternity. God is so **GOOD** – that we can even look forward to being able to do that because of our adoption through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ!!! Have a blessed Christmas my sister..
D.E.
Young Wife says
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Angie @ Many Little Blessings says
This was such a great recap! I pray that 2010 will be filled with peace and joy for you and your family. (((HUGS)))
Vivianna says
Thanks for sharing your heart.
Have a blessed Christmas, dear one.
FloridaMom2Seven says
Merry Christmas to you too, Amy!
Camille says
Have a wonderful CHRISTmas…may God bless you in this precious time of the year as you remember HIM together.
With Love,
Camille
Sandi says
Hi Amy,
I hope you have a restful and lovely Christmas with your family. I have been reading just very busy with a move and many other struggles. I haven’t forgotten about our last email just crazy around here.
Look forward to continuing the connection in the New year. I also look forward to reading all the links you left in your post as I have time between packing boxes.
Merry Christmas.
AngelRhoden says
I’m so glad I found your site. Someone else who sees them as arrows, that is precious to me. I am going to enjoy some quiet time in the next few days looking over your site. I’ve already seen some great things, like the travel games with no game pieces and of all things, you have a simple recipe for cream cheese balls, I needed that.
Valerie says
loved this. it was so nice to review all those things. I have only been reading for about 6 months, but I have loved them all! take care and MERRY CHRISTMAS!
lambechops says
Amy your blog has been an inspiration to me over the past two years and I hope God continues to bless your words and your message here. I hope you have a peaceful and blessed time from now until the New Year, and beyond!
Dionna says
What a year! I look forward to seeing how you grow in 2010 🙂
Kristy says
Sounds like a full year – and many blessings. Love your blog. I especially love that picture of your family with the sun in the background! So beautiful!
MommaMindy says
Thank you for taking the time to drop by my blog and leave an encouraging comment. I appreciate that. I just started reading through your blog and already I have tears on my face. I love how you share your heart and your faith. I look forward to reading previous and new blogs. Blessings to you!
Michelle says
Amy,
I pray that you have a wonderful Christmas, and a very happy and blessed new year!
Merry Christmas!
Michelle
Jasmine says
I read Emily’s story about a month ago, and clicked off your site without saving the URL address. I later tried to find you and could not. I was moved to the core with your story of Emily’s passing. I understand pain, pain that feels like you can’t catch your breath. I also know God is merciful and remembers the afflicted in ways we can not imagine.
As I mentioned, I tried to find you and could not, but then ran into Sarah’s blog where she posted we should visit a site called Raising Arrows. Believe me when I tell you how overjoyed I was when I saw your beautiful face.
I’m keeping you on my list and hope to journey along with you.
Shalom this New Year.
Blessings.
magsmcc says
Thank you for these, as for all your inspirational, words. I intend to do more living next year. And that will start with the gutting of the clutter to make space for more living. And then maybe the gutting of nthe mind clutter will lead to more living there too! You can be a benchmark!
Sally, Greg and Hannah says
I am SO GLAD that I have happened upon your blog. First of all, because you gave me a new appreciation and love for my baby girl, who is 16 months old now.
Secondly, because of your strength that has shone through your sorrow.
And last but not least, I made the Cranberry Walnut Jelly and gave a jar to each family in our church! It was SOOOO GOOOD!!!! (That was the first time I had EVER made jelly so I was thrilled to bits when it turned out so yummy. Even my mother, who is a seasoned canner and jelly/jam maker approved!) Thanks for the recipe!
Many blessings and much love to you and your family this Christmas season and may your coming year hold nothing but blessings!
Jasmine says
Amy, thank you for passing by my daugther’s blog and visiting with us. I appreciate the time you took to do that.
Again, what a joy to connect with you.
Many blessings