2019 Year in Review

Dec 31, 2019 | Everyday Life, Goal Setting, One Little Word 2019 | Rest

 Happy 2020! I just love the fresh start feeling of the New Year as it’s always a great reminder to reflect and celebrate victories of the previous year, or in this case the previous decade. Each year, I look forward to these posts as a way to count the fruit. You can read previous posts here: 2018 and 2017.

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January

  • I kicked off my One Little Word rest in hopes of prioritizing resting secure in God, cultivating a life of less, drawing from an overflow of rest, listening to my body and heard, and resting and rejoicing in growth and change.
  • Our sweet Chloe turned 5!
  • We survived snowpocalypse 2019 – about 20 inches of snow.
  • I started watching The Office after finishing up Friends in 2018.
  • Kevin and I tried some new restaurants. Le Bao and 44 Canteen were two of our favorites.
  • We were regulars at Fuzzy’s Trivia on Thursday nights.

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February

  • I started meeting with a counselor on a weekly basis.
  • I went to California with Mom and Grandma to celebrate my cousin Mia’s birthday. I was in love with the lemon trees growing fruit in the winter.
  • My small group friends and I make prayer binders for a craft night.
  • I made the best watch face of all time.
  • I worked lots of overtime.

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March

  • Kevin and I celebrated our 4th wedding anniversary the best way we know how – with some amazing food!
  • I created a gallery wall (with my absolute favorite photos) that brings a smile to my face every single time I see it.
  • We tried Mod Pizza with our friends, Jeff and Taylor. Somehow I ended up with dairy free cheese.
  • I started using Monat hair products and saw huge changes in my curls.

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April

  • We celebrated our Three Year Highridge Ranch-iversary. I just love this space that’s all ours.
  • Our friend, Taylor, moved in with us. It was such a sweet season of spending time together and watching all the Bachelorette and Fixer Upper.
  • I ripped out the roses in our front garden beds.

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May

  • Taylor and Jeff left Columbia for the last time as residents.
  • Kevin and I bought a Honda CRV!
  • I listened to Sabbath Practice podcast from Bridgetown Church (it was amazing!).
  • The Stanley Cup Finals put me in a state of anxiety during every single game.
  • I took a watercoloring class with Bohemia’s School of Artistry and learned so much about light and blending.

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June

  • WE WON THE STANLEY CUP!
  • We went to the Stanley Cup parade in Downtown St. Louis – the best.
  • Books Read: The Five Intentions: Discovering What Death Can Teach Us About Living Fully, Atomic Habits: An Easy and Proven Way to Build Good Habits and Bread Bad Ones, The More of Less: Finding the Life You Want Under Everything You Own, and Everybody Always: Becoming Love in a World Full of Setbacks and Difficult People, The Path Between Us: An Enneagram Journey to Healthy Relationships

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July

  • We celebrated 4th of July in Hamilton with Sarah, Cole, Andrew, Alexa, and Josh.
  • We went to Weston, MO for a distillery tour, delicious BBQ, and cave bars.
  • We celebrated Grandma’s 75th Birthday!
  • I committed to volunteering with Compass 31.
  • Book Read: Girl, Stop Apologizing

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August

  • I celebrated my 28th Birthday (and make white chocolate raspberry cheesecake to celebrate!)
  • Mom and Dad took the family to the Lake of the Ozarks for a long weekend.
  • Kev’s students moved to campus and he officially became “coach”.
  • We wrapped up the month with the annual Family Golf Tournament.
  • Kevin and I invested in a record player and spent time searching for gems at the record store in town. Our faves: Eric Church, Billy Joel, and Paul Simon.
  • Kevin got me a legit Poloroid camera.
  • I graduated from weekly counseling to only going on an as needed basis.
  • Books Read: The Coddling of the American Mind, Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead, A Love Letter Life: Pursue Creatively. Date Intentionally. Love Faithfully.

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September

  • Kevin and I celebrated 10 years together!
  • Willow gets a forever home and Chloe gets a new best friend.
  • My first Compass 31 product launch went live with all new products in their shop.
  • I started leading a college juniors small group at our home.

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October

  • Sarah and Cole sold their house next door and officially move; it was the most sad.
  • We helped host a dope homecoming tailgate.
  • First snow of the season (WHY THOUGH?)
  • My team celebrates me well with Ketchup on Bosses Day.
  • Books Read: Afraid of All the Things, Just Open the Door: How One Invitation Can Change a Generation

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November

  • Kevin’s Rocket League team wons the NACE Championship and was undefeated in their inaugural season!
  • We put up the Christmas Tree.
  • I participated in the Live2Lead Event at work and got to see Rachel Hollis speak – I’m a fan.
  • We spent Thanksgiving with Claire and Michael and I made my first pumpkin pie.
  • I went to VU’s Feast Forum and got teary-eyed over the gratitude and goodness of my workplace. I’m so thankful.
  • I spent Black Friday with Grandma and we shopped til we dropped.
  • I tried my hand at cooking vegan at home and found some new recipes to incorporate into our regular routine.
  • Book Read: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

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December

  • I watched 12 Christmas movies before Christmas.
  • I completely caught up on Project Life – so now I have printed photos from 2013 – present.
  • Mom and I dressed our dogs up in matching PJs.
  • VU hosted an incredible Holiday Party, as always!
  • We made gingerbread houses at work.
  • Books Read: Grateful American: A Journey from Self to Service, In His Image, The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry: How to Stay Emotionally Healthy and Spiritually Alive in the Chaos of the Modern World

Cheers to 2020!

A Year of Rest | November Goals

Nov 1, 2019 | Goal Setting, One Little Word, One Little Word 2019 | Rest

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I feel like fall came a little later than normal for Missouri this year, but I was happy to start seeing the leaves change colors. I wouldn’t consider fall my favorite season, but the colors sure do make me question myself. October was full of so many good things including Mizzou football, saying “see ya later” to the best neighbors, lots of walks, our first snowfall of the year, and lots of exciting wins for Mizzou Esports.

A lot of people I know seem to be starting to put up Christmas trees, and to be honest, it feels wrong!

November Goals

Monthly Goals:

  • Schedule at least 2 days of PTO – I have lots of time that I need to take off, so I’m just wanting to start thinking about how I plan to use that.
  • Meet with each of my small group girls in November – I started leading a small group at the beginning of fall, and I’d like to do a check in with each of my girls before the end of the month.

Weekly Goals:

  • Exercise 3x/week – simply just making this a habit

Daily Goals

  • Close Apple Watch Rings
  • Bible Reading
  • Meditate using Headspace

October Goals

Monthly Goals

  • Host a DOPE Tailgate for Mizzou’s Homecoming – Done! So thankful to get everyone together to party. And Mizzou won, so that’s a win-win.
  • Wrap Up Current Reads – Boom! Just a couple more books to go until I’ve read everything on my shelf.
  • Delete Podcasts – The amount of freedom taking un-listened to episodes off my “to-do” list, was kind of incredible. On to find more things to pare down.
  • Decorate the house with autumn decor – Easy, peasy.
  • Regularly post on my blog and Instagram – Could have done better, but I got a couple out there.
  • Create a work and personal Trello board – Yes! This was a huge win.
  • Visit the sunflowers @ MU South Farm – I didn’t make it again this year…maybe 2020!

Weekly Goals

  • Prep in advance for Compass 31 Launches – Weekly prep just makes the week of launches that much easier. I’m hoping to continue this into the new year by building it into my weekly habits.
  • Prep our meal plan each week and use pick up for groceries – Meal prep, yes. Pick up groceries, nope.
  • Weekly Sabbath – Yes!

Daily Goals

  • No spend – I could always do better in this area, but helpful for tracking.
  • Weigh ins – Yep!
  • Close Apple Watch Rings – Hit the move goal 18/31 days in October

The Year of Rest + 2019 Goal Setting

Jan 8, 2019 | Goal Setting, One Little Word 2019 | Rest

For the past three years, I’ve set goals for the year (and month) using the Cultivate What Matters Powersheets. It is always such an incredible experience of reviewing the victories, fruit, and down falls of the previous year in order to make intentional goals for the next. I typically carve out time between Christmas and New Years to sit down and work on the Prep Pages. Writing it all out really helps me to solidify my plan and hold myself accountable.

My process for setting goals, always starts with a word of intention, or a One Little Word. I mentioned last year that I’ve chosen six words so far, and 2019 is no different. The word Rest starting whispering itself to me in September and I officially decided on it in November. As I considered this word, I really had a couple things in mind for why I chose it and how I wanted it to impact my 2019 goals. Here are some of the overarching themes for this year:

  • Resting secure in God.
  • Cultivating a life of less.
  • Drawing from an overflow of rest.
  • Listening to my body and heart.
  • Resting and rejoicing in change and growth.

This is likely going to be the most challenging one little word, but I can’t wait for all that this year holds.

Here are my 2019 Goals for the year of REST.

Goal 1: Cultivate a life-giving home and marriage.

Why? To continue growing our marriage and make our home a place of rest.

The positive affect taking action on this goal may have on me and others: I want our home to be a place of comfort and rest for everyone. 2018 brought a lot of opportunities to have friends and family in our home and I would LOVE to continue that into 2019. I also want to make it more of a place for us by hanging and making sentimental items more visible.

Mini Goals:

  • Love + serve
  • Be present at home
  • Create a gallery wall of our favorite places + family photos
  • Get professional photos taken
  • Regular date nights

3 Starting Steps (and when I’ll do them): Paint the craft room in gracious greige (12/31/2018), find a basket or a place to put my phone while I’m at home (by 1/31/2018), and browse through gallery walls online (12/29/2018)

Encouraging Words: Proverbs 31:10-31, Ecclesiastes 4:9-12, 1 Peter 4:8-9

How I’ll celebrate at the end of 2019: Host a gathering and thank God for a place for people.

Goal 2: Intentionally limit consumption of social media and self-help information.

Why? The information I take in from social media and non-fiction books tends to lead to more mental clutter and longer to-do lists. As I consider what it looks like to rest, limiting these things seems like it could make a big difference in this area.

The positive affect taking action on this goal may have on me and others: This could completely change my life and my relationships. I often feel like I want to slow down my pace of life and I think this would be a great way to start.

Mini Goals:

  • Limit non-fiction (specifically self-help) books to 2 for the whole year
  • Limit screen time and scrolling
  • Unsubscribe from emails
  • Refrain from taking on new creative projects

3 Starting Steps (and when I’ll do them): Deactivate Facebook (12/31/2018), unsubscribe from emails as they come through (1/1/2018), and review current list of podcasts and narrow down (12/30/2018).

Encouraging Words: Proverbs 4:23

How I’ll celebrate at the end of 2019: Happy dance, because this one is ALWAYS on my list.

Goal 3: Focus on deeper Bible study and prayer.

Why? To cultivate a stronger relationship with the Lord at a slower pace than I have in the past.

The positive affect taking action on this goal may have on me and others: This changes everything because it will help me to have a more in tune relationship with the Lord and help me to live it out and be more willing to share his Word. More Joy.

Mini Goals:

  • New morning routine
  • Deeper study of 3 books of the Bible
  • Scripture Memorization

3 Starting Steps (and when I’ll do them): Research habits and morning routines (by 1/31/2018), prayerfully choose 3 books of the Bible to study(12/31/2018), prep my prayer binder for the new year (12/29/2018).

Encouraging Words: Psalm 16:11

How I’ll celebrate at the end of 2019: A day full of random acts of kindness.

Goal 4: Steward and take better care of my body.

Why? To live a more healthy lifestyle and live in better stewardship of this body that the Lord has given me.

The positive affect taking action on this goal may have on me and others: I’ll increase my time outside and moving my body, which will create an overall healthier lifestyle and more self-confidence. Plus, Chloe will enjoy lots more walks.

Mini Goals:

  • Kick the soda habit
  • Meal Prep Sundays
  • Exercise goals (10K with Mom in March)
  • Oils

3 Starting Steps (and when I’ll do them): Start weening off caffeine (12/15/2018), create a loose exercise plan for the year (1/1/2019), and buy meal prep containers (by 1/31/2019).

Encouraging Words: Romas 12:1, 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

How I’ll celebrate at the end of 2019: I’d love to celebrate with an awesome hike.

Goal 5: Love things above, not of this word.

Why? To steward our money well and continue paying down our debt quickly.

The positive affect taking action on this goal may have on me and others: Our debt prevents us from saying “yes” to things we’d like to. Having financial freedom would be a game changer on so many amazing levels.

Mini Goals:

  • No spend month(s)
  • Capsule Wardrobe
  • More ethical purchases
  • Intentional gift giving

3 Starting Steps (and when I’ll do them): Print off a Debt Free chart and fill it out (12/1/2018), review current budget (12/29/2018), and review our debt snowball plan (1/1/2019)

Encouraging Words: Matthew 6:19-21

How I’ll celebrate at the end of 2019: I’d love to celebrate meeting financial goals by enjoying a fancy dinner out.

Goal 6: Cultivate rest by having a weekly Sabbath.

Why? To practice rest as a rhythm and not a rescue and to fill up my cup before it’s empty.

The positive affect taking action on this goal may have on me and others: There are so many good things to come from this. I’ll be more refueled and refreshed to do His good work, which will positively affect all of my relationships and interactions.

Mini Goals:

  • Take each Sunday as a day set aside for the Lord – limiting work, social media, and shopping on Sundays in order to leave time to get outside, go on dates, and do fun things.
  • Study what the Word has to say about Sabbath.

3 Starting Steps (and when I’ll do them): Research Sabbath in the Bible and online (by 1/31/2019) , start praying for my weekly Sabbath (1/1/2019) and mark Sabbath days on my calendar (1/6/2019)!

Encouraging Words: Hebrews 4

How I’ll celebrate at the end of 2019: I’ll celebrate with a day-long retreat and thank God for a wonderful year of resting in Him!

Shout out to Taylor for painting me the most beautiful Bible to make my word visible every. single. day. this year.

There you have it – six (admittedly) huge goals all aimed at finding rest in Him throughout 2019. Cheers to an amazing year.