2026 Is Here!

The new year is here, how are we already here!? I feel like time and days are slipping past me and I’m still trying to get my footing. Not necessarily in our rhythms, but just that the days have been so filled with family time (which we’ve loved so much) or me constantly feeling like I’m “getting back into rhythms.” Which… I mean how many times can I feel like that!? Apparently a lot.

This last year was unique in many ways as we’ve had a new baby, lots of extended travel, experienced the loss of my father in law, and living more of balance between holding onto rhythms and being flexible when we’ve had to be. I feel like when we head into Monday (our first day back to school from Christmas break) it will feel like a whole new school year. I’m not mad about it! I’m actually really excited to get a sense of true rhythms moving forward. So, if you’re like me feeling the sense of chaos from the season… I’m holding on to the rhythms we do love and embracing the days the Lord is blessing us with.

I’m also excited to add in some liturgy.

I was gifted a book from my aunt for Christmas and it’s come at the perfect time. I hope to one day to obtain this super power (the gifting of perfectly fit books that is).

It’s been just what I needed.

The book is a perfect balance of I feel totally seen by what Carol is journaling at the start of each chapter and encouragement for adding in rhythms that draw you and your family to Christ.

It may be because I’ve been reading the Emma M. Lion series which is written in journal form, but seeing Carol grab a journal exert and then go into how that life event or frustration may have changed and some of the nitty-gritty how she started to tackle that (mostly through scripture), it was lovely. It encourages me to want to journal and encourage other moms around me and that’s when I know it’s a good book. With being struck by the classical education bug and now having eyes to appreciate tradition, I’ve been craving to somehow transform our day to day into liturgy. And this book is the baby step I needed to feel like I am able to tackle the transformation in our home. My favorite chapter has been about implementing a Sabbath and I’m excited for 2026 to hopefully do the hard work earlier in the week so I feel the blessing of rest. True rest. A rest to reflect on the blessings of the week and to fully unplug and be present at the feet of the Lord. I also loved the picture Carol drew of the feast. We are coming to the feet of our King! Let us be prepared and be able to enjoy the festivities (and leisure) that tags along with that gift.

Creating home where we can feel the Holy Spirit move is what I beg for daily. I found Carol’s cries for order and help echoed in mine. And in this season, I’m thankful her words are so encouraging.

Another chapter I really enjoyed was Winter. As we trek through the winter months ahead, Carol also touched on winter seasons in our lives. She talked about the loss of her father in law, and just touched my heart that sometimes books do when they are there for you in like-seasons. It was a good reminder that life is season filled. In these winters, it’s a time to cling to the goodness of God and be thankful for having His grace to be rooted in.

So, as we step into the truest time of winter for us as a season, it’s also a winter-season in life. And the best thing is? The awaiting of spring. The anticipation and faith of Aslan’s arrival even after a long winter. We will cling to that hope as we start the new year. A freshness upon the horizon. A renewed set of rhythms, and liturgical living that gives peace to our home.

Happy 2026, everyone!