Ahem. I Have an Announcement.

| Allison

Warning: this is going to be a loooong post. Our cat Jinx is prepared to dive in with you if you’re ready to go with him. All set? Okay.

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POOR THING. This was not my doing. It was my siblings’ (but of course).

Ahem. GUYS. I HAVE SOMETHING TO TELL YOU. Something I have been waiting to announce for almost a year. I am super excited but also super sad to say…

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WE’RE MOVING.

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♥

Okay, I guess that probably doesn’t seem like that big of a deal for most of you guys, but let me tell you, it is to my family and I. Allow me to explain…

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For one thing, I have never moved in my life except when I was too young to remember, and then just from the tiny house across the lane to the one we live in now, the house my Dad grew up in. I have always lived on this farm, and I loved it that way.

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For another thing, we are very close to our family (in both senses of the word). Quite a large majority of our family, close and extended, live within a half-an-hour of us, and all of our nearest neighbors are family as well. We can easily walk to my grandparents’ or cousins’ house, and see them quite often. We regularly have family get-togethers and reunions, and tons of celebrations over the holidays. Not to mention we have a wonderful and loving church family as well. That’s just how it’s always been, and I loved that too.

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And then there’s something about living on a farm. It’s not just your yard, it’s a big part of your life. It’s your job, home, and entertainment all in one. You put down roots with the crops. We don’t just have to move our furniture, we have to move all the equipment and tools and vehicles and paraphernalia it takes to run a several-hundred-acre farm, and that’s a lot of stuff. Only we can’t move our family with us, of course.

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So anyway, there are some of the reasons why it’s such a big deal to me. It probably still doesn’t make sense, but oh well, that’s okay. 🙂 It makes more sense if you actually know us, I guess, because don’t really seem like the moving type. XD So why are we moving? Well… that might take a while to explain, and I don’t want to bore you with this part any longer. Let’s just say Dad wants to make some changes in how we farm – get out of poultry and dairy and focus on crops. That’s one the main reasons.

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Now. I’m done with that.

ANYWAY. We just recently bought a farm about two hours from our house, and while I didn’t love it initially, I’m warming up to it. Well actually it was quite cold last time we went, but you know… XD We haven’t moved yet – it will probably be February until we get all the renovations and such done – but we drove there to see it again on my mom’s birthday and it SNOWED (as you may have noticed)! It was beautiful. ♥

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That’s the entry to the farm’s lane where the fence ends.

Actually, we almost didn’t go because after we heard it was snowing, we also heard that the electricity was out. O.o So we would stay overnight, with only water – no heat. And they didn’t know when the electricity would be back on. It could be days.

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I think it was rather brave of my parents to take five kids two hours away to stay in an unfurnished house in the middle of nowhere, with six inches of snow outside, and no electricity or heat except for a fireplace. (I’m pretty sure that sentence wasn’t grammatically correct but OH WELL.) I’m sure glad they did, though, because it was quite fun! 😀

The farm was absolutely breathtaking in the snow, especially the house and barns. ♥

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This barn. Is huge. Twenty thousand square feet, guys. THAT’S ENORMOUS. And I mean enormous as in almost ten times bigger than our house. :O

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There was a pile of huge frosted doughnuts outside! Oh wait…

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We drove around the farm in the Mule, which was quite cold but beautiful (I mean the farm, not the Mule).

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There are SO MANY BARNS. At least five.
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Look, it’s a graveyard! :O
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I love this picture. ♥

Now we have a stream! (Actually two, but one is more like a trickle.) And two ponds, both of which have fish!

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IS THIS NOT GORGEOUS?!

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And inside we have a bunch of fireplaces! And a laundry chute! And other great stuff!

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In the evening we spread out the air mattresses, stoked up the fire, made some hot chocolate and listened to Christmas music. And Megan and Jeff played chess.

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It was so lovely to fall asleep to the crackling fire and soft music. ♥ (The roar of the air system and squeaking of mattresses notwithstanding.)

It was also lovely to wake up to a gloriously clear, glowing, snowy morning.

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Self-timer on cameras is nice. 😛

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The moon was still visible!

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The next day, Sunday, we went to the church we’ll go to when we move. Except… no one was there. O.o We waited for a long time and then we realized we were at the wrong place! XD XD (They meet at a school and we got the wrong school, heh heh!)

But then we went to the RIGHT school and still it was deserted. Sniff. We figured it was because of the snow, but that’s still strange – the roads were completely clear. Anyway, it was kinda disappointing. We originally were going to come down just to visit the church again. *Sigh* Oh well. Another time.

So we went back to the farm and… well, we didn’t do much, actually.

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We did have time to eat lunch and play some pool before we went, which was quite fun. There’s a lovely pool table in the basement, and it came with the house! We’re going to enjoy that.

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WAIT, before I finish up, here’s a collage of the miscellaneous pictures I couldn’t bear to leave out. Heh.

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Thank you so much for reading this slightly strange and definitely enormous post, dears. ♥ You guys are the best.

So, how many times have you moved? Did you get any snow yet this winter? And what was your favorite picture?

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Farewell for now. 🙂

***Allison***

P. S. Good gracious I used a lot of hearts in this post. O.o How many did you find?

219 thoughts on “Ahem. I Have an Announcement.”

  2. We’re so happy to see these gorgeous pictures of your new place! Wow! It looks like a good fit for your dear family. We’re so sad to see you go but happy for you at the same time ❤ ❤ ❤

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  3. I love all the snowy pictures! 😀 Your new house is BEAUTIFUL. I hope that you had a smooth move, and that you’re going to have a great time in your new home!

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  4. Also, I’ve never moved ever in my whole life, so I understand that it’s probably really hard. 😦 I didn’t realize that you hadn’t already moved…let me correct that sentence – I hope that you HAVE a smooth move.

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  5. Wow! That’s so exciting but I get what you mean about the change. Even though I haven’t actually been to your farm, I’ll miss it just the same (for photography’s sake!) I’m sure the new place will have picture-perfect spots!
    We moved for the first time in my life 4 years ago from a house I had lived in my whole life! It was definitely a lot of work but so worth it in the end.
    I’ll be looking forward to more updates about the new house! It looks absolutely beautiful ❤

    (Haha, sorry for my long rant!)

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    2. It is! Yeah, I know. 😦 Me too, actually – especially the mountains in the background. But yes, I’m sure I’ll find new pretty spots! 🙂
      Wow, neat! I’m so glad to hear that! 🙂 Thank you so much, dear – I love long rants. (Well as long as they aren’t nasty. XD)

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  6. First of all, THE PICTURES IN THIS POST ARE SO GORGEOUS, ALLISON! ❤ You're such an amazing photographer, and all the clean, fresh white snow in these photos is just breathtaking. Can you share some of that snow with me, please? XD
    Second, it's so exciting yet so sad that you guys are moving! I've never lived super close to my relatives, so I don't really know what that's like, but I'm sure it must be really hard for you guys to move after living so close to them for your whole lives. It also must be really hard to leave your farm, your house, and your church. (Though your new farm and house are absolutely beautiful!!) I'll pray that the move goes smoothly and that you guys are happy in your new home. ❤ It looks like a really nice place, and I hope you'll have a lot of fun there. 🙂 I can't wait to see the photos and posts about your new home!
    Again, beautiful photos!! I can't choose a favorite, hehe. 😛

    -Clara ❤

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  7. Aw, I know how you feel. I’ve moved once in my entire life, from the country to a 850sq meter place. 😛 It’ll be a pretty big adjustment but at least you’ll still have a farm! And the house looks great. 🙂 All those pictures are lovely!! Good luck with your moving!

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    1. Oh my, that is a huge adjustment! That’s very true – I am SO thankful that we’re still going to farm. I don’t know what I would do if we were going to live in the city. XD Thank you so much, Zielle! ♥

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  9. Wow, I can see how that would be really hard; I have never moved, and I can’t imagine! But I L O V E your new place!!!!!!!!! It is so beautiful!!!! <3<3<3 I hope that you will be able to find lots of new kinds of joy at your new house!!!

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  10. Your photos are beautiful, Allison! Snow is so pretty. (I don’t see a lot of it where I live. 😉 ) I am sending prayers to you and your family as you go onto your new journey! I have never moved before, but I’m sure it is a blessing, and also hard, too. ❤️

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  13. That must be so hard moving away from your family, but your new property is gorgeous! I love all the pictures! 😀 I have never moved in my life either but my family will be moving as well in like 1 year or a year and a half I think… Happy late birthday to your mom 🙂 A graveyard on your property?? The snow is beautiful, sadly it doesn’t snow where I live 😦 That big white house though…. so pretty!!! 5 barns that’s kinda a lot. That is a beautiful picture of frosted donuts XD

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    1. It is, but I’m really glad we can still visit. And thank youuuu! Wow, well I hope your move goes well too, Liz! ♥ Oh, thanks! 😉 HA HA I know… spooky. Heh, not really. I don’t mind. Aww, that IS sad that you don’t get snow. 😦 BUT YES! I KNOW! And thank you, I was very pleased to get it because I have NEVER seen doughnuts that big, you know? XD

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      1. I’ll be praying for you! Thank you! I know it is but sometimes we go up to the mountains cause there’s snow there! I know they were soooo big! 😀

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  14. Wow! That must be hard to go so far. It looks like a beautiful place, though, with many memories waiting to be made ♥ ! I hope that your new church will end up being wonderful and encouraging (and not empty 😉 ). God bless, and have a good move 🙂 .
    ~Gracie

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    1. It is, but you’re absolutely right. 🙂 Thank you so much, Gracie! I’m sure it will be – we went there once before and it is amazing! Everyone was so friendly and we just really liked it. 🙂 Thanks again for the comment, dear!

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  16. Well, since I was born, we have moved eight times, I think. I have never spent more than three Christmas’ in one house.
    We got four inches of snow on Friday (which is a lot for Alabama)!

    What state do you live in?

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    1. Oh my! That is a LOT of moving. O.o I can’t imagine…
      Wow, really? YAY!
      I’d rather not say, just for privacy reasons, but I live on the eastern U. S. coast, in the middle. 😉

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  21. Oh my goodness your new house is GORGEOUS! And the pic of the pond is GORGEOUS! And all of the snow is so pretty! I wish we would get a ton of snow. We got a little bit, but it keeps melting or getting blown away by the wind. The past week has been really warm and rainy which is really weird since I live in Alaska and it’s Christmas! I want it to snow and have it actually stick around! ☹️

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    1. THANK YOU SO MUCH! Aww, that’s sad. :/ Wait, really? You live in Alaska? That’s so neat! And yeah, that IS weird that you didn’t get much snow yet. I hope you get a good one too!
      By the way, how was your Thanksgiving with your friend?

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      1. Awe, you remembered? ❤ 🙂 It was really good! They had a lot of snow at their house and it was really beautiful. They had like forty people come over to their house for Thanksgiving dinner and we played games and stuff. Then later when most of the people left a small group of us girls went to go see Wonder at the movies and we all cried it was really good. :,) Then we got up early and did a bunch of black Friday shopping and I got some books at this bookstore I really wanted to go to which was really fun. 😀 How was your Thanksgiving?

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        1. I did! 😀 Aww yay, that’s wonderful! ♥ I’m SO glad to hear you had a great day, dear. 🙂 Oh and my Thanksgiving was great, thanks – and delicious. XD

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  22. Your new home looks story-book worthy! It’s absolutely incredible! I’ve moved about 10 times, so I know it can be tough. It can also be really amazing, and change you in ways you never thought of before. Even though moving is hard, it’s usually worth it. Best of luck to you guys, I know it can be SUPER stressful. I’ll be praying ❤

    ~ Ella Marie

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    1. Wow, why thanks, Ella! Oh my goodness, that is a LOT of moves! O.o Yes, I’ve noticed that already, but I can’t wait to see what God has planned for us there. 🙂 Thank you SO much, dear! ♥

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  28. Oh wow! The farm you are moving too looks great! I love all the pictures and the snow! I remember when we moved from town to the farm. It was quite an adjustment. Moving can be stressful but hope it goes well for you! All the best xx

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  29. Wow its AMAZING. Lowkey jealous, living in such a huge, beautiful house with a farm must be amazing!! And, once again, love your pictures😊❤
    And about photography, I was wondering if I could ask you a question? I would love to start learning and growing my photography skills since I absolutely love the idea of being able to capture moments in time (hopefully one day as great as you do!) and obviously I need a camera to do so. I picked out the Sony Cybershot W800 20MP compact camera and I wondering if you think that’s good enough? I know it won’t be amazing but I just need a decent camera to begin with before I get into bridge cameras, DSLR’s, etc. Thank you so much😊

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    1. Hee hee, well thanks so much!
      Ooh, that sounds wonderful! You know, I don’t think I’m super qualified to give you advice on this as I don’t really know much about different types of cameras… :/ I would recommend both the Nikon Coolpix L840 (halfway between compact and DSLR) and the Nikon D3400 (the DSLR I have), but otherwise I’m not very knowledgeable. But sure, that looks like a good starter camera to me, especially if you learn how to use it well. 😉 Let me know what you think if you get it, and sorry I couldn’t be more help. :/

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    1. I can see how that would be – I can’t wait to explore and get to know the property! 🙂 Thanks! Oh yes, we’ll be bringing all of our pets along. But thankfully none of the chickens. XD

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  33. Wow! You are moving to the dream farm! If your dad is going into agriculture and crops, why all the barns? Are you going to look up the people on the gravestones? The snow is lovely! We’ve had a bit of snow here.

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    1. Aww, thanks! I know, it does look beautiful. Well for one thing, the barns were already there and came with the fields and stuff, but for another thing we do need space to keep the equipment and have a shop for fixing stuff. 😉 Hmm, I hadn’t thought of that but maybe we should!
      Oh I know – I love snow! Ooh yay, I’m glad you got some. 🙂

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      1. I didn’t even think of the equipment but that totally makes sense. And if Megan were to ever get that donkey she wants, you have to have a barn, right? 😉
        Are you keeping your bunnies?

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                1. Ha ha, well actually we don’t own the cows at the moment – we rent the dairy out. So the guy who rents the dairy will figure that out, I guess. 🙂
                  But don’t worry, the cows have a huge barn that they stay in in the winter – well the dairy cows at least.

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  34. Ooh, your new house looks so pretty! And the snow pictures were fun to see as well! When I was like 2 I think we moved to be closer and help out our grandparents. I am thinking that we will probably add on to our existing house or else move in 2 years or so. (our house is isn’t the biggest)

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  36. Oh my goodness–this post!! It made me so happy!! Your pictures are absolutely gorgeous, the huge barn is gores, your new house is absolutely gorgeous and I’m so excited to see more of it!!

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  37. Aw, Allison! I’ve moved twice, but I only remember the one time. The first time was when my parents bought their first house, when I was two weeks old! The second time was when I was ten, and that was really hard. We didn’t have family close by, so it was easier in that regard. But it was the house I grew up in, ya know? My purple room, the backyard, the memories. It’s hard not to be too sentimental!! But I love the place we moved to here, and I’m sure you’re going to love the new place too! 😊 I love love love the pictures of the snow and winter and that new house is huge and beautiful! Wow! There just seems like there should be an orchard too, doesn’t it? Anyway, don’t get too caught up in the goodbyes! God is working his perfect plan in your lives and I’m sure years down the road you’ll see why you’re moving and all the details!

    Best wishes for the packing 😉!

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    1. Wow, thank you so much for the beautiful comment, dear. ♥ I really appreciate it!
      I’ll bet that WAS really hard, because even if you didn’t move away from family, you moved away from friends, right? I’m glad you like where you are now, though. 🙂 That’s a blessing. Ha ha, it does seem like there should be an orchard! There isn’t, though, that I know of. Thank you again, dear. 🙂

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      1. 🙂

        I was also going to note that my sister and I had the same dress that your little sister is wearing! It was funny to go, hey, that’s my dress! Wha???

        *passes around candy canes because you simple can’t have such gorgeous snowy pictures and coziness without candy canes!*

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  38. Oh! I thought you were going to say you were going to quit blogging, and I was like, “NOOOOO, ALLISON!!!! YOU CAN’T LEAVE US!”
    But then I saw you were moving, and I calmed down a bunch. 😉 Anyway, your new farm looks super cool! And the BARN! I love barns. I think I’ve moved maybe…..Three times? I’ve moved to different houses multiple times in the same town as well, but that doesn’t really count. 🙂

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    1. HA HA noooooope, I don’t think I will quit for a long time yet, if ever! You guys are just too sweet for me to leave you. XD 🙂
      And thank you so much! I know, barns are nice things, hee hee. Oh sure that counts! It probably was still a lot of work to move all the furniture, right?

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  39. HOORAY, Allison! But also *sniff*, too, because your move is bittersweet. Your new home looks GORGEOUS, and I’m sure you will love living there. I’m so happy for you and can’t wait to see photos of it! I also can’t wait to begin writing to that address. 😉
    So excited for this next chapter in your lives! 🙂 ❤️

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  41. Love the snow pictures! In the south, I don’t get snow anymore and I miss it! I’m so sorry that you have to move and leave the places and people you know. I’ve moved 11 times in 19 years so I know how hard moving is. I will be praying for both you and your family during this time! The new house with all the snow looks like something out of Christmas movie!

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    1. Thank youuu! Aww, that’s sad. :/ OH MY GOODNESS, that is a ton of moving! Thank you SO much for your prayers, Lizzy – it means a lot!
      Ha ha, it does! I love how it looks in the snow. 🙂

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  44. i’m really sorry you guys are moving but i’m also really excited for you!! i’ve moved once in my life to the house i’m in now. it’s definitely an adventure.

    but WOW that farm is b e a t i f u l ❤ and the pictures you took are just stunning. the snow is gorgeous. i'll be praying for you guys through all of this. i hope it's an amazing experience 🙂

    (also, i found six hearts)

    ☾☼

    mckenna

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    1. Aww, thank you so much, McKenna! Oh I’ll bet! Yikes, I can’t imagine…
      THANK YOU. I know, I think so too! Aww, thank you so much – I really appreciate it!
      *applause* You found them all. You deserve some hot chocolate.

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  45. I bet you are sad to be moving. But that house is beautiful and the barn is so cool! I would love to live somewhere like that, personally. I’m sure its hard to let go of your emotional attachment to the house you’ve lived in for so long. *hugs* It would be hard for me to move from the house I’ve lived in all my life.
    That’s a great place you’re moving to, though. 🙂

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  46. Hi Allison! I really enjoyed this post, and I especially liked to read your thoughts on moving. We used to move once every three years…to different states no less! It was a crazy time in our lives, but neat to see how the Lord worked in moving us around. Your new house {and huge barn} look very nice, and I hope you’ll really enjoy the new place. Also, I am glad you took the time to write this post! ❤ Emma

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    1. Hey, Emmaline! Aww, I’m so glad you enjoyed the post, and thank you so much for the sweet comment! Oh my goodness, that DOES sound crazy! But yes, I can definitely see how that would be. I’m looking forward to seeing what God has planned! 🙂 And of course! It did take quite a while to write but I’m quite glad I did. 🙂 Thanks again, dear!

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  47. The snow is gorgeous! I wish I lived in a place where we got that much! But I’m so excited for you on the moving part! I’ve never moved either, so I can imagine that it must take a bit to adjust to, but still, the farm is so pretty! And that house! *sighs* 🙂

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  48. Oh my! 😮 Wow! I’m super happy and kinda sad for you at the same time! :/ Your new place is BEAUTIFUL the house, oh my, it’s stunning! An the barns, I loved your photography! My favorite was the one of the reflecting pond, so perfect! When I read your title, I though either you were stopping blogging (which I thought wasn’t very plausible, everyone <3's your blog!) or moving, so I was right on the later! But, I know it must be sad to move away from your relatives and friends and such… Are you going to have a beautiful bedroom like your old one? Are you still going to share with Megan? Btw- Carmen is SO cute!

    I will be praying for you guys, that is so exciting! 🙂 *secretly wonders why you didn't tell me sooner* Heh heh. 😉

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    1. Thank you, dear – that’s just how I feel. 😉
      But THANK YOU! I love it too! Ha ha, nope, I doubt I’ll stop blogging for a veeery long time. XD WAIT, I’M LEFT HANGING! Did the computer cut off your comment??

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      1. What? That’s so weird! Well, here’s my comment again, haha!

        Oh my! 😮 Wow! I’m super happy and kinda sad for you at the same time! :/ Your new place is BEAUTIFUL the house, oh my, it’s stunning! An the barns, I loved your photography! My favorite was the one of the reflecting pond, so perfect! When I read your title, I though either you were stopping blogging (which I thought wasn’t very plausible, everyone <3's your blog!) or moving, so I was right on the later! But, I know it must be sad to move away from your relatives and friends and such… Are you going to have a beautiful bedroom like your old one? Are you still going to share with Megan? Btw- Carmen is SO cute!

        I will be praying for you guys, that is so exciting! 🙂 *secretly wonders why you didn't tell me sooner* Heh heh. 😉

        Hope it works this time! 😛

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        1. I KNOW.
          OH NO. It happened again! At least I think… did you mean to end it like that? Ha ha, it’s okay though.
          BAD COMPUTER. Livy’s comment is not food. Spit it out NOW. XD XD XD

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  49. Awwwwwwww, so sorry to see you move, but I hope everything goes smoothly.
    I’ve never moved house before, but I can imagine what its like.
    Oh, your photography is sooooo awesome, winter wonderland!

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  50. Yeah, moving is never fun. I’ve only moved once though. But the place that you’re moving to is really pretty! And you even get a graveyard… 😛 Also, happy birthday to your mom!

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    1. Yeah… it will be a lot of work, that’s for sure. But thank you! HA HA I know, isn’t that so weird and random? XD I think it’s from the days when the farm was a plantation. Also thanks so much!

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