I started last week sharing something each Thursday in November for which I am thankful.
Today I am thankful for "the farm".
This is my brother's coffee mug and the front porch of my parents' house - "the farm".
When we moved to Oklahoma from Texas 7 years ago, we had no idea the road we were about to travel. We were excited, happy, even elated at the new life ahead of us. My husband had lost his long-time job in Texas but had gained one near my parents in Oklahoma. We were looking forward to building a wonderful new home on my parents' acreage and couldn't wait to be country folks after living in the city.
When my husband then lost the job in Oklahoma, the grief over the lost dream of my new home in the country was more devastating to me than the loss of his job. We have been living in town (in a very small house on an extremely busy road!) for the past 6 1/2 years now building a new business.
But the farm? It's still there.
We visit with my parents at their home weekly. Our kids have grown up taking walks with the dogs down the lanes and into the trees and hollers. They have spent many nights at Grandma and Grandpa's house over the weekends. Our daughter learned to ride her bike there. Our oldest son has built a deer blind and trails and cozy places to hide out, build a fire, and enjoy the solitude. Our boys both enjoy riding the four-wheelers and shooting skeet at Thanksgiving. We pick berries, grow a garden, and wonder each year if the frost is going to get the peaches on their peach tree.
This is my husband tilling the garden.
The farm is a solace in the midst of a sometimes tumultuous life. We love it so much and are very thankful for the opportunity it affords us to be still, calm our spirits, and continue to dream our dreams.

This is my husband and me taking one of our weekly walks at the farm.
We're still dreaming of that new home.
This post linked to Heavenly Homemakers