As I write, I’m sitting at the bench of our farmhouse kitchen, and reflecting on how much has changed this year. Twelve months ago, this bench didn’t even exist. We were madly packing in an attempt to move out of the old house ready for the renovations to start. Now I’m sitting here in our dream farmhouse, typing, with Christmas carols playing in the background and gazing out our beautiful windows. Of course, the changes have been more than just the farmhouse. The kids are all a year older. Hannah has conquered her first year of high school in a spectacular fashion, while both Meg and Toby both continue to love school in our little village, and all three continue to love life on the farm. CB and I have learnt many skills and have pushed ourselves beyond our comfort zone in many ways. Life doesn’t stay still for long, and 2018 promises to be full of more changes. I’m off to a new school and a new challenge, we have a lot more we want to work on to finish off the farmhouse (if it is ever really finished!?), and we have some new ideas and plans on the horizon as well.

The blog has taken a bit of a backseat this year, but I have appreciated all the comments, emails, messages from you all, asking questions, checking in and encouraging me. Perhaps I will find my groove again in 2018.

We will be spending Christmas here on the farm, surrounded by our families. In a world that is making Christmas increasingly complicated, we are aiming for simplicity. We will read the kids the Christmas story from the Bible, and be in church on Christmas morning singing hymns that celebrate the birth of our saviour. We will open a few gift to remind us of God’s gift to us and to show our love and care for each other, and we will enjoy some delicious food together. I cannot wait.

No matter where or how you are, we wish you a happy and holy Christmas.

P.S. I’ve included a clip from the Vicar of Dibley that I just love. We’ve watched this several times this year and it’s both hilarious and poignant.