Today is my 29th birthday! I thought I’d take a note out of Rachel Dawson’s book and write about all the things that I’ve learned and loved over the past 365 days. The last couple birthdays have been tough, but I’ve felt so much more peace and assurance with 29.
Here are 29 Things I’ve Learned This Year:
Global pandemics can happen. They bring fear, anxiety, and chaos when you can’t imagine there being more. But in the midst of the unpredictable there can be peace and healing and gratitude. We have a far greater propensity for change and adapting than we give ourselves credit for.
Sabbath is essential. God didn’t create it for His benefit, but for mine. For me, rest looks like going on adventures, naps, gardening, taking out the big camera, and chasing the dogs in the yard.
Staying consistent and building daily habits is key for me.
Documenting my life continues help me see big and small blessings.
Making goals and checking in with myself regularly helps me to consistently reprioritize and shift my focus to what really matters and let go of what doesn’t.
Finding gratitude in the mundane has kept me sane during these “unprecedented” times.
Yes, I can. Sometimes I hold myself back for no reason other than that I don’t believe in myself enough.
Just inching closer to the big 3-0. This feels like the first birthday in a while that I’ve actually been excited about. I’m not sure why that is, but I’m glad I’m happy where I’m at. I’ve seen a couple of my favorite bloggers share their birthday wishlist, so I thought I’d do the same. Even though i’m not expecting these items, I think it will be fun collage to look back on in the future. I’ve almost been blogging for 11 years at this point, and looking back on some of the things I’ve shared has given lots of insight into what life was like at the time. Here are a few things that are catching my eye.
ONE. I don’t have a particular brand in mind, but I’d love a phone belt to tuck my phone into when I’m out walking or running. The arm bands just aren’t it, and these have raving reviews.
TWO. So I may have already bought us this (whoops) but huge fan of massage guns lately and couldn’t not include it.
FOUR. This is my favorite camera bag of all time. I love that it’s inconspicuous, and looks like a purse so I could take my camera anywhere. Carrying a camera bag and a purse, or just camera bag as a purse can be a little clunky. This fits just the camera body and a lens which will be perfect for what I typically need.
FIVE. I’m currently swooning over Air Force 1s. These and these.
SIX. I’m a fan of anything green, and pothos are my current favorite because of how easy they are.
SEVEN. Apparently these aren’t as easy to care for, but Monsteras make a statement. Would love to have one of these taking up residence in our home.
EIGHT. Floor length mirror? Yes please. We’re currently using a $3 mirror that was sold when one of us was moving into a college dorm. I love the clean lines of this one and that it can be leaning or mounted to the wall.
NINE. I am loving these watch bands (and bracelets) from Victoria Emerson. I’m not normally a bracelet gal but I love the stacked look and how these are all technically one piece.
Happy New Year! It’s hard to believe we’re standing toe to toe with a new year and decade. As I have the last couple years, I’ve been thinking through my goals and intentions for 2020 with Lara Casey’s PowerSheets. It’s such an amazing tool to cultivate what matters and count fruit – even if it feels small.
My process of setting goals, always starts out with a word that I feel like the Lord is whispering to me. This year, I was telling Kevin his word should be “open” although I had no reason why and then I took it back because in that exact moment I was like, actually that’s my word. It was the most interesting way of a word coming up for me but I’m excited to run with it. As I let the word marinate through December, open really felt like an invitation for me. Here is the note I took on my phone over the course of a couple weeks:
Open is an invitation to let my guard down, to experience vulnerability, and to invite people in.
Open is an invitation into wonder and delight. To get outside, go for drives, and take in the natural beauty around me.
Open is an invitation to enjoy rhythms over routines. To try new things. To allow flexibility and spontaneity.
Open is an invitation to dig deeper into God’s word and truly experience solitude with the Lord.
Open is an invitation to really live in the margins. To stop scrolling and spend my time doing things that fill my cup.
Open is an invitation to a peaceful, deep, and joy-filled 2020.
Here are my 2020 Goals for the year of OPEN.
Goal 1: Prioritize my health – physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, environmental, and social.
Why? To change the trajectory of my life. To live strong. To be who God made me to be.
The positive affect taking action on this goal may have on me and others: Taking action on this goal will affect all areas of my life, decision making, sleep, energy levels and, of course, the people around me.
Mini Goals:
Create good nutrition habits and portion sizes.
Move my body and challenge myself in my workouts.
Decrease stress through simplification and removing barriers of decision making.
Purchase more second-hand and ethically sourced items.
Starting Steps (and when I’ll do them): download new app for tracking food (12/29); try a cycling class (1/2020); add workouts to my calendar weekly (1/2020)
Goal 2: Allow open to be an invitation to live intentionally.
Why? Being open to change and vulnerability as well as growth of faith will help me to be a better follower of Christ who deeply and intentionally impacts the lives of others.
The positive affect taking action on this goal may have on me and others: Taking action on this goal will allow me to cultivate the fruit of the Spirit, glorify the Lord, and bear fruit in my life and that of others.
Mini Goals:
Experience solitude with God through Bible reading and deeper prayer.
Choose vulnerability with my people to go deeper in relationships.
Love on my people by celebrating and hosting them well.
Invest in daily/weekly/monthly/quarterly rhythms over routines.
Starting Steps (and when I’ll do them): clean off my desk/raskog cart (12/31); order Hobonichi Weeks to be used for Bible Study, gratitude, and church notes (12/30); create a social media mantra (2/2020); plan a trip to see Brittany and Taylor (1/2020)
Happy 2019! I just love the feeling of a New Year, not because it’s anything special, but because it gives me time to reflect and celebrate victories of the year and look forward to the next. One of my very favorite posts from last year was my year-end review of 2017, and at the end of an exhausting 2018, it feels even more imperative to count the good things.
January
We rang in the New Year at our house with some very close friends and yummy food.
I kicked off the year with my one little word, Connect, in hopes of prioritizing my connection with God through deeper prayer, connecting with my body, exploring more natural household and beauty products, being more intentional with my online connections, and creating space for vulnerability.
We celebrated Chloe’s 5th Birthday with a big ole treat. Our girl is spoiled.
My best friend, Brittany, got engaged and they set a wedding date for September! I literally screamed when the text came through and was thrilled when I realized I would get to see her multiple times in one year.
We played lots of games with friends: Bananagrams, Jackbox, What Do You Meme?, Utter Nonsense, Code Names and Forbidden Island.
Book Read: Grit: Passion, Perseverance, and the Science of Success
February
I took on a daily photo challenge in February and learned a lot more about the DSLR I purchased last year.
After lots of studying, I PASSED MY REAL ESTATE EXAM. Kevin surprised me with a sign in the yard and yummy dessert.
Helped Taylor paint almost every room in their new house. Truly one of the sweetest memories of our friendship.
Brittany asked me to be the matron of honor in their wedding.
Kevin traveled for work for the first time, and Chloe and I held down the fort.
We got some amazing weather, so we opted for a picnic and the obligatory family feet photo.
Books Read: Unoffendable: How Just One Change Can Make All of Life Better and All the Leader You Can Be: The Science of Achieving Extraordinary Executive Presence
March
Kevin and I celebrated our 3rd wedding anniversary.
It snowed the most beautiful sloppy snow, and I snapped my favorite photo ever of our home. Check out Chloe watching me through the window.
We celebrated a HUGE milestone in our debt free journey.
Mom and I went to a cooking class to learn all about how to use and cook with an Instant Pot. Macaroni and Cheese game changer, my friends.
April
We celebrated our Two Year Highridge Ranch-iversary, which meant it was time for a little home reno project. April was the start of the research phase.
We upgraded to iPhones with Portrait mode. Game. Changer.
Books Read: A Praying Life: Connecting with God in a Distracting World and 10% Happier: How I Tamed the Voice in My Head, Reduced Stress Without Losing My Edge and Found Self-Help That Actually Works, Yes Please
May
I had an entire week of PTO to burn (or lose), so we took a last minute trip to Las Vegas!
Sarah saw us struggling to take selfies in our new hammock, and offered to take these photos of us. For sure, my favorite photo of us this year.
We made the last payment on our Honda Civic – a couple years early!
Books Read: The Year of Less: How I Stopped Shopping, Have Away My Belongings, and Discovered Life Is Worth More Than Anything You Can Buy in a Store, Capturing Light: The Heart of Photography, Ruth’s Journey, and The Road Back to You
June
We traveled with my family to La Jolla, CA for a week and stayed in a stunning house on the coast.
We started on our bathroom renovation project after having a window installed and a couple months of researching.
Books Read: Great at Work and The Sacred Enneagram: Finding Your Unique Path to Spiritual Growth
July
We celebrated fourth of July at Missouri’s state capital with Alex and Tony.
Kevin’s brother, Dave, moved in with us (and Chloe gained a best friend)!
Kevin had surgery to remove his gallbladder and we spent time recovering.
Books Read: The Genius of One, One Thousand Gifts, 12 Ways Your Phone is Changing You, and Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone
August
I celebrated my 27th birthday (without a major break down).
I made a prayer binder to help focus on my prayer life and goal of connecting with God.
We completed the bathroom renovation and I’m thankful (a million times over) for family that helped us through the project. We could not have done it without them.
Books Read: The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up, 7: An Experimental Mutiny Against Excess, and Cultivate: A Grace-Filled Guide to Growing an Intentional Life
It’s the last day of 2016 already? Part of me is not surprised that I’m already writing this post again, but at the same time, part of me is in denial as well. There’s something about the days between Christmas and New Years that always have me in a pensive mood, reflecting on my year. This particular one has been chock-full of blessings and adventures I couldn’t even have dreamed up if I’d tried. I’m thankful to have this space and be digging back through these memories, but I have to admit i’m reluctant to waive goodbye to 2016. Here are some highlights:
Best Pup
Best Husband
Best Purchase
Best News – I got a Promotion
Best Family Photo
Best Friends
Best Lunch Date
Best Birthday
Best Feet Picture
Best Walks with Chloe
Best Girls’ Weekend
Best word choice for 2016
Only a few hours until we’ll be welcoming 2017. What’s on your highlight reel?
Coffee is one of my favorite smells and least favorite tastes. Each weekday, we wake up to our coffee pot brewing and it always reminds me of airports, which makes every morning happy.
I dabble in way too many hobbies – Traditional Scrapbooking, Project Life, Journaling, Planning, Painting, Decorating, Stamping, Blogging, Bible Journaling, Gardening, Baking, Cooking, Exercising, Photography, Sewing, Crafting…the list goes on and I’m always adding more.
I have blogged at least once a month (but often more) for six years straight.
I married my high school sweetheart, whom I met in fifth grade.
I’m a classic Leo and ESTJ who also happens to dabble in all the creative things. So that’s confusing.
My favorite travel destinations are St. Lucia and Hawaii, because beaches and warm weather are my jam.
I’d rather listen to Podcasts and YouTube videos instead of music because they make me feel like I’m learning something.
I enjoy reading historical fiction and my all time favorite book is Gone With the Wind.
My favorite color changes every day – today it’s turquoise.
I like nature because it’s perfect even when it’s not and you can find symmetry everywhere. It’s so beautiful and mysterious, which makes photographing it the most interesting.
I don’t have a favorite movie.
I collect stationary and love sending snail mail to my family and friends.
It takes me approximately 32 minutes to get ready in the morning, including taking care of our dog and making the bed.
I didn’t pump gas for the first time until I was 18.
My favorite flowers are easily peonies and the only thing I know about them, other than how beautiful they are, is that they aren’t in season in March.
The last time I wore a full face of make up (ok…more than just mascara) was my wedding day.
I’m terrible at making small decisions like choosing what to eat for dinner but making big decisions like choosing a house or car to buy feels like a breeze.
Relaxing is always on my to-do list.
I’ve visited 38 states.
One time I tried to make a capsule wardrobe with 40 pieces of clothing but I had to stop because I didn’t have that many items.
This post is part of my challenge to post every day in July! To see them all, click here!
