A calm life

I read a quote on Pinterest recently that said, "It's okay to be happy with a calm life". It stood out to me. Why do we sometimes feel guilty when we are not busy? Or our kids aren't busy? Or we are not doing more than one thing at any given moment? Since moving here, my life has slowed down dramatically and I struggled with it at first until I really began praying for the spirit of guilt to just be lifted. Our enemy is the Accuser and these feelings of guilt and restlessness are not of the Lord. So I devoted myself to prayer about this and over the past few weeks, I have felt joy and freedom overtake the guilty feelings. Praise the Lord! I know He is using this season of my life to reveal and deal with a handful of things that I have struggled with for a long time and I am so thankful. 

My complete lack of a social life here has made Christmas the least stressful that it's ever been since we've had kids! I have time to sew, to plan, to order early and act on the little things that I always want to do, but never get to. (It's okay not to get to those things too, ya know. If you're feeling overwhelmed, start slashing nonessentials from that holiday to-do/to-buy list and don't give guilt over it any place in your Christmas celebration!)

A couple weeks ago, we headed up to Colonial Williamsburg! I had really wanted to go, but was horrified when I looked up the price. It's ridiculous, really. But, over Veteran's Day weekend, all military and their families could get in free!!! I was so happy. So we headed up there for the day and despite my back going out on the car ride up, I was determined to make the most of it. It was one of those family occasions that will be remembered so fondly--everyone was in a good mood, no one was whiny, the weather was good and it was just fun to be together. Even though I was walking slowly and sideways, haha. 

I am hoping to share another tutorial with you this week. I have made my ornaments for this year and thought I'd share the little pattern I made. If I can figure out how to get that pattern on here so that you can print it (it's probably totally easy, but I've never done it before), then that will be up soon!

Cheers :)