It’s kinda funny how God just makes these things happen. And it’s kinda funny when you know in the deepest part of your heart what you’re being called to do.

And we are grateful for both—who we were and who we have become.

We love being this example to them as much as we love what dating has done for our marriage.

Now, I certainly wouldn’t call me a farmer. But I guess you can call me a dreamer!

We both wanted something different. We both longed to be the kids who fell in love so many years ago.

What we learned is that when we can be open and honest, whatever we are going through seems to be not so bad.

I believe it is not about looking for the good in things, but seeing things as good.

It’s about Christmas being a gift to each of us and then sharing that gift with others.

As I watch the leaves slowly change color, I am reminded of how important change can be.

These kids, amid the squabbles and selfies, helped me realize—we don’t do these things together because we get along all the time. We all get along because we do these things together.

What we didn’t know on that day is that just six months later we would move to these mountains!

You see, what makes this story special is that two years ago when we moved here, we didn’t have the proof that this place would be the picture-perfect community for us to raise our family and call our forever home. We didn’t have the proof, but we had the faith.

Today, we have far less than we once had but still more than we want. We have found ways to easily take stock of what we have and to part with what we no longer need.

When it comes to determining what you want, it’s helpful to know what you don’t want.

When we started to envision the life we wanted to live, and we listed out the things we love doing, none of those things that had been consuming so much of our time even made the list!

For our kids in the stands, it taught them to cheer for that kid, to root for that kid, to support that kid. And more than anything, it taught them that family comes before all else.

During the hardest of times, we talked, we cried, we supported one another, and we figured things out.

I’m grateful that we gave ourselves permission to rediscover our dreams two years ago and the freedom to relentlessly pursue a life that embraced those dreams.

I am thankful for the opportunity to serve our community—to be a part of the place we call home. But I am most grateful just to have this TIME with our kids. Time to visit and time to dream with them.

But now, things are different. We know how to be and how to enjoy.