Monday, January 2, 2012

A New Year





What a wonderful year 2011 has been.

We were able to support our family of now nine with the work of our little home business.    A goal though for the new year is to be better stewards of our money - to save a bit for when the business does have slow times and for emergencies.   

We also want to balance the time on our business with time needed on our homestead - both our home, outbuildings, gardens, fenced in areas for the goats, and growing/planting more fruit trees/bushes. 
One of my homesteading goals is to make our own soft cheeses from raw milk from a nearby farm and to get our goats bred this coming fall so that we can start milking next spring.

This year also brought the birth of Emmy - oh what an amazing gift - both her birth and her sweet healthy self.  Through the hard pregnancy I learned to let go and to concentrate on what matters most and my goal in 2012 is to continue this - to be fully present for my family and to serve them selflessly. 

Already my hands have been busy this year with knitting and needle felting.  My personal goal is to spend more time in artistic creative pursuits - I enjoy drawing and want to work more with wool and wood.

I am so thankful for all the gifts 2011 brought and look forward to learning, growing and serving in 2012, and keeping myself always open to God's leading.

Wishing you joy and peace in the New Year!

14 comments:

  1. Beautiful Tonya! How wonderful in the eyes of God to support your self and your family through a business you can all do together as a family. I know what it's like to have a harder pg, and young children to care for. This is only my fourth but I have three other ones under five so it can be super hard sometimes. I think about the future of more pregnancies and sigh. But then I know the beautiful and amazing blessings that come from challenging pregnancies. You all are truely blessed and certianly living the good life ;)

    Blessings,
    Samantha (Woodland Woolens)

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  2. What a beautiful recap. In a way I think that all of us deep down inside, want a bit of what you described in this post.

    To serve our families selflessly, to be present in their lives more, to live in the moment, to allow Him to be our Guide. Beautiful words...may this year be a year filled with each one of your heart's desires.

    Maria

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  3. Happy New Year to you and your family Tonya! Emmy is just so sweet:-)

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  4. Lovely year you all enjoyed! Thanks so much for sharing it with us via your blog! :)

    Love,
    Mary

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  5. Dear Tonya, Oh what a beautiful baby!!!
    Happy New year to you- perhaps in 2012 we'll get our families together!
    Love, Mel

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  6. Happy New Year! Such wise words! Best wishes to you and your family!

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  7. sounds like a wonderful plan for the coming year!

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  8. Emmy is so beautiful. Happy New Year to you, and I share your desire to serve my family more in a selfless way this year. :-)

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  9. You always inspire me! I see how your family works to support itself and it gives me hope that we will do that as well.

    The little gal is sure growing up so quickly! She is marvelous!

    Can't wait to see what you create this coming year!

    Happy New Year!

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  10. Happy New Year! And Emmy is such a beauty.

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  11. Joy and Peace in the New Year to you Tonya! You have a wonderful family and have set some wonderful goals!

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  12. What a darling vest that is! I love your knitting bag, so resourceful

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  13. What great goals - blessings on your year!

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  14. Dear Tonya, The blessings your family has received are so well deserved. You know your family is always such an inspiration to me. Wishing you all a wonderful and happiest year ahead!
    With love, Renee

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