(just an aside:  I always walk through the back meadow holding daisies 🙂 )

My name is KariAnne and I am so happy to meet you!

Thistlewood Farm is so much more than the story of a farmhouse.

It’s about family and tortoises and burlap and shutters and twirly whirly skirts and pancakes and Lee Press-On-Nails and little pieces of paper.

This is the story of our dream.

You see….we lived in the world of the big city with all the lights and fanfare that a sprawling urban area has to offer.  There were restaurants and shops and movies and plays and museums and malls and lots and lots and lots of stuff.  And everywhere you looked, there were people pushing and shoving and climbing to the top, arms overflowing with everything they had or were trying to get.

And my husband was on the fast-track in a tall skyscraper in the middle of that metroplex with all of its fast-paced allure and overwhelming responsibilities.  And although we were happy with our life and our family….we were so busy. 

Maybe too busy.

Maybe too busy for each other.

But amidst all of that busy….was a dream.

A dream of a place where life was simpler.

A place where our children could run and breathe and grow without all of the constraints of an overwhelmingly fast-paced lifestyle.

A place where the all of the busy and the noise and the clamor……could end in a screeching stand-still.

A place where you could see the stars.

But the merry-go-round was spinning faster and faster.

Life was becoming one giant blur, sailing by at lightning fast speed.

And we felt like we spent all of our time and energy just trying to keep up.

Then one day in church, the pastor preached a sermon entitled, “Just Jump.”  He spoke of listening to your heart and the Lord and if you felt like there was an insurmountable dream….you shouldn’t be afraid….you should jump.

And we heard his words and they spoke to the very center of our hearts.

And we wanted to jump as far and as fast as we could.

But we were afraid.

We were so scared.

We couldn’t just jump off the merry-go-round.

Or could we? 

 

The doubts were swirling around and around in our heads.

But there it was…..a still small voice saying…..“jump.”

Not “jump” in all caps, but “jump” in tiny, small, timid, little letters.

And so we did……

…..jump, that is.

We jumped from the clamor and noise and busy to a still, quiet, beautiful countryside with acres and acres of land to run and play and….

…..breathe.

It has been five years since that first jump and our family continues to grow and thrive.  The move has had its challenges and blessings.  Sometimes I miss the noise.  I miss the convenience of a drive-thru diet coke.  And sometimes it’s a little hard when everyone knows your name (and all your business).

Truthfully, sometimes I miss the busy.

Not too often.

Not too much.

Especially when I walk outside on a crisp, clear night….take a deep breath….

…..and I see the stars. 🙂

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