• Shop Now
  • Visit R7 Barn
  • R7 Downtown
  • The R7 Story
  • R7 Event Design
  • Farm Life Festival
  • Coaching + Courses
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest

(Not so) Picture Perfect Holiday

in Confessions, Faith, Family, Home on 24/11/22

I love the anticipation of a big day or big event. My love for the feeling of anticipation is probably why I host events and plan reveals at the barn. Over the years of blending up our family spread out over 1,000 miles, I have come to distinguish that anticipation and expectation are 2 different things!

Acts of anticipation done in love excited about the moment of giving = blessing. 
Acts of anticipation done in love with an expectation of the other persons response = disappointment.

I can anticipate these incredible feelings from Thanksgiving no matter what!

Feelings of service:

From cleaning out the car to travel or cleaning out the guest bedroom for company, the idea that we are preparing comfort for someone just feels good! I can easily turn that into a grumble fest or feeling like what I have isn’t good enough. But if I keep my eye on the privilege of service the day of prep can be sometimes more satisfying than the day of celebration and indulgence. A few years ago Cowboy and I awkwardly had no plans for Thanksgiving and we spent the whole day driving from town to town handing out gift cards and looking for ways to serve. It was one of our favorites!!

Feelings of nostalgia:

At the heart of wanting to be together is a thankfulness that we are not alone. And we are NEVER alone. Even if my turkey is tiny, I can also be thankful that all over the nation families are taking time to be together. I can carve out time (no pun intended) to pray for those who are not experiencing a picture perfect day. An awareness of the largeness of the holiday while maintaining a gratefulness for the simplicity of mine allows me to be content!

Feelings of gratitude:

If you are reading this or listening to this on a device with no question of where your meal will come from then we all have the opportunity to recognize our abundance. Even if I full alone in a room full of people I can count my blessings. If not every member of the family is at the table I can still be grateful that I have someone to miss! That means I have known the gift of love. For all that we have, for all that we have experienced and all that He has done to us — no matter my circumstance I can be grateful.

So, here it is the big day! Will it live up to my expectations? Maybe, maybe not. But can I anticipate serving with a grateful heart and feelings of nostalgia of a country at pause for the purpose fo thankfulness?? Absolutely!

We hope that sharing our perfect days gives you hope and joy. We hope that sharing our less than perfect days helps you feel seen and comforted and less alone. One thing is true every day! We are SO thankful for this journey we call R7 and for every one of you who is part of it. From our family to you —

We wish you a truly blessed Thanksgiving!!!

About Tenneil

« Christmas at the Barn 2022
Last minute simple decor »

Be the first to know!

Join our email list of R7 insiders to stay up to date on the latest events & sales.

Thank you,
Cowboy & Tenneil

SHOP FULL R7 COLLECTION NOW
Did you miss our spring opening? Not to worry! We Did you miss our spring opening? Not to worry! We have spring hours for you to make that #R7RoadTrip!
Today is the day!! We still have tulips 🌷 🌷🌷
Open 1-4pm on Sunday.
I think I had more fun today than any spring openi I think I had more fun today than any spring opening before! 🌷 Something about tulips, friends and coffee winning over the weather...

So thankful for all of you who came out ❤️🌷❤️

If we missed you -- good news! Open 1-4 Sunday.

#springtulips #iowaspring #springsnow #iowabarn #iowasmallbusiness #iowaentrepreneurs #iowacity #quadcities #barnshopping
2 more sleeps until we get to welcome you back to 2 more sleeps until we get to welcome you back to the barn and say HELLO Spring!!!!!
We are glad YOU are here! We are a family blended We are glad YOU are here! We are a family blended by grace and a whole lotta grit too. We needed a family name to share and R7 became the nickname for our family and our acreage. We love the underdog, the overlooked and we are passionate about second chances. 

From our tiny town of GrandView IA we share all things “Found. Reclaimed. Loved.”

You can follow along our blog (R7Reclaimed.com) 
Shop our website (ShopR7.com)

Visit us at our reclaimed barn in GrandView. 
(337 Cemetery Ln, GrandView IA)

Thanks for following along with us and we hope you feel like part of the bigger R7 family and know that you too are welcome on the journey of “Found. Reclaimed. Loved.”

And yes we look forward to updating this picture in May now that the youngest is the tallest!
Pencil us into your calendar and send that calenda Pencil us into your calendar and send that calendar invite to your people!! We are ready for SPRING at the BARN!!
We are sweeping out the barn so we can welcome you We are sweeping out the barn so we can welcome you back to celebrate spring this weekend!! Open Saturday 9-3. Sip coffee from JT's Sips and take cinnamon rolls home for your people!
These are calling my name! Do you see the potentia These are calling my name! Do you see the potential too?! How would you use them?
Follow on Instagram

Copyright © 2023 · glam theme by Restored 316

Copyright © 2023 · Glam Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

  • Shop Now
  • Visit R7 Barn
  • R7 Downtown
  • The R7 Story
  • R7 Event Design
  • Farm Life Festival
  • Coaching + Courses