My Life Lately - 🐕a New Puppy & Embracing Abundance this Christmas Season

Edwards Farmhouse happenings and of course the story and pictures of the newest addition to our home.

This year I have leaned into the abundance of the Christmas season.

On a whim, I decorated the house the weekend before Thanksgiving. It has made a huge difference for me. It has been so nice to separate that very busy holiday weekend from switching my home from fall to winter. I took several days to clean, get out the red tubs, and decide where everything should go. Decorating early gave me more time to enjoy the process (plus the mental energy to do more).

I love that as adults we get to make up the rules and make changes to areas that cause us frustration. I don’t know if I will decorate “early” every year, but breaking that “rule” this year was just the right thing to do.

A few years ago when Christmas felt overwhelming I sorted all of our decor into tubs that I was currently decorating with and then several that I was no longer using. I put things in there that were sentimental and special but felt like too much clutter in our home at the time.

This year I have gotten all of those tubs out and I'm using quite a few items that I haven't seen in several years.

• I got out my snow globe collection that I started when my kids were small.

• I have Christmas cards from my childhood hung up with red twine.

• I put up some heirloom items from my Dutch great-grandparents and some things given to me recently by my 93-year-old grandma.

• I’ve added fairy lights.

• I wrapped our normal wall decor in Christmas paper.

• I even put a small Christmas tree in my bathroom.

I have also been inspired to spend more time crafting and making homemade decor vs. shopping and spending money. I am thankful to all the creative people on TikTok who share crafting ideas and sustainable homemade decor.

I made paper straw stars and I think my next craft to try out will be dried oranges or something with cranberries.

Photo by Priscilla Du Preez 🇨🇦 on Unsplash

I pulled out my December reading stack that I shared in this post [All is Calm & All is Bright - Making Christmas Enjoyable]

I am also reading some popular fiction novels. I’m not sure where I stand on them so I will post the titles when I get farther in.

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Another one of those pieces of abundance has been welcoming a new puppy into our home. I was driving down our street and saw our neighbor boy with a sign “2 free puppies”.

Immediately my heart felt tight and I thought … maybe.

There was some quick communication with my husband. I talked with the neighbor while my daughters and I used Google Lens to identify the puppies and research Plott Hounds. Then I scooped up the sweet little girl and brought her home.

{ listen the to full story in my 2 min. video }

The last few days have reminded me of the frustration and monotony of potty training. I am frequently interrupted by messes, trips out to the yard, and being vigilant about where she is and what she is up to.

Yet it feels extravagant to have such a precious little one to nurse back to health and train. Especially in these days of mothering an older kid and teens who are very capable and self-sufficient. I get to dust off my toddler parenting skills and put them to use in a new way.

It is actually quite soothing for my momma heart. 💙

Last year contained several major losses that have left scars and tenderness. To have an unexpected addition of an adorable new puppy during this holiday season feels like part of the healing process.

I am enjoying getting to know Bella’s personality and teaching her the routines of our household. I now have a list of joyful priorities alongside my carefully planned Christmas schedule.

Little Bella also gives me extra encouragement to return to consistency as we get back to our school lessons.

Check out this TikTok post for my recap of our Monday back and why I was stress-eating candy in the dark. 😜

I can’t believe this semester is almost over! Scott’s going to be graduating in May. Time flies by so fast with homeschooling and parenting teens.

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So, that is what is happening in my home recently.

Wherever you are at this holiday season I hope that you can find ways to enjoy Christmas and joy. And if you are feeling completely exhausted by this whole month ahead, I see you. If embracing abundance sounds completely bonkers… I get it. I’ve been there.

Do what’s right for you and your household in this season.

Break the “rules”, create new traditions, or do some crafting if that matches your mood. And when you do let us know what you are up to so we can cheer you on.

⬇️share in the comments =

What does your holiday season feel like this year?

Also, any puppy training advice would be appreciated!

🎀🎄🐕Merry Christmas! - April