Jan 1, 2019 | Goal Setting, One Little Word 2018 | Connect, Uncategorized
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.
- I completed Liz Lamoreux’s 21 Day Tell It: Collage ECourse. Highly recommend.
- 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
Photo by Matt Mason Photography in Lake Geneva
September
- Kevin started streaming Overwatch and PUBG on Twitch regularly.
- I celebrated 8 whole years of blogging.
- I flew with Taylor out to Milwaukee for Brittany’s Bachelorette Party. So. Much. Fun.
- We tailgated a whole bunch and hosted the Ernsts for Taylor’s first ever Mizzou game!
- I stood beside Brittany and Evan as they tied the knot in the beautiful town of Lake Geneva. We definitely celebrated the night away.
- Book Read: Girl, Wash Your Face
October
- We celebrated the wedding of our friends, Alexa and Andrew, in St. Louis.
- I finally finished Friends which I started last December, and despite enjoying the show, took a long break from TV.
- We stayed at home for the first Halloween since moving into our house, and we had lots of trick-or-treaters!
- Books Read: The Road Back to You
November
- We experienced an autumn with the most beautiful colors I can remember…
- …and then it snowed for the first time of the season.
- I got acrylic nails for the first time and loved them.
- I started Bible Journaling through Grace and Gratitude (haven’t finished yet, but the beginning was fun.)
- We purchased a new skinny Christmas tree and put it up way too early. No shame.
- I decided on my 2019 word of the year, rest.
December
- I saw the play A Christmas Carol and spent quality time with my parents while Kevin was in Denver.
- Kevin turned 27 (yep, he’s younger than me).
- The press released Kevin’s biggest project to date. So stinkin’ proud of him.
- We spent a difficult Christmas in St. Louis surrounded by family and friends.
- I tried Top Golf for the first time and somehow managed not to come in last.
- We rang in the New Year with friends, cats, and Barred Owl.
Cheers to 2019!
Dec 31, 2016 | One Little Word 2016 | Nourish, Uncategorized
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?
best of 2015 | best of 2014
Jul 2, 2016 | Uncategorized
- 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!
Feb 21, 2016 | One Little Word 2016 | Nourish, Uncategorized
Nourish | verb [nur-ish] | to supply with what is necessary for life, health, and growth; to cherish, foster and keep alive.
Quote: When we nourish ourselves with good people, projects, surroundings, scenery, love, magic, beauty, and self-care, we radiate light into the world and continually sharpen our vision, perception, and clarity all at once. This in turn spreads to other beings which spreads to other beings which spreads to even more. Remember that one tiny drop can raise an ocean. Keep wanting. Desiring. Doing. Breaking in the sweet things. – Victoria Erickson
Reason Why: As I mentioned in my first post, I had a bit of a hard time choosing this word. After two years of choosing words that were event-focused, I wanted to choose a word that would help me focus on me. I am craving nourishment. I have put self-care on the back burner due to lack of time, energy and effort. I need to slow down and make time for myself and the things that God wants me to make priorities in my life. I am worth it.
Take Action:
Physical – I want to consume nourishing foods, participate in regular exercise and have a regular sleep schedule throughout this year.
Mental – I plan to practice daily journaling and meditation as well as exhaust creative outlets and try new things.
Emotional – I hope to allow myself to welcome feelings and thoughts that are normally pushed aside as well as know when to say no when it comes to taking on more projects.
Relational – I’d like to work on simplifying social media/phone usage, decrease subscription emails, and connect on a deeper level and spend time with family and friends.
Spiritual – This year, I want to read the Bible consistently and complete a six month prayer journal with Kevin.
The Year Ahead:
MORE nourishment.
MORE slowing down, LESS letting moments pass me by.
MORE deep conversations, LESS technology.
MORE self-care, LESS unreasonable expectations.
MORE grace, LESS impatience.
MORE healthy foods, LESS fast foods.
MORE yoga and meditation.
MORE journaling, LESS bottled up emotions.
LESS worry, anxiety, frustration.
MORE humility, LESS pride.
MORE, MORE, MORE love. For myself and for others.
Dec 31, 2015 | Uncategorized
Two thousand fifteen has been the best year and best adventure. It was the year I married my best friend. It was the year we rescued our sweet pup. It was the year we made our first big purchase together. As I reflect on this year, I am so thankful for all of the wonderful things that have happened but I am also so excited knowing that we get to continue on this adventure together. Choosing adventure for my One Little Word has been so rewarding in teaching me to be more spontaneous and go-with-the-flow, yet it reminds me that where I am is exactly where I want to be.
Best Choice for Word of the Year
Best Way to Sum Up How I feel about Cats after Living with Two
Best Breakfast
Best Day
Best Moment
Best Husband
Best Dance Move
Best Girlfriends
Best Vacation
Best Flower
Best Family Photo
Best Concert (Billy Joel)
Best Fast Food
Best Feet Photo
Best Continued Hobby
Best Purchase
Best Smile
Best New Tradition
Best Family Selfie
Best First Christmas
Thanks for hanging out and following along with my blog this year. It means so much to me and encourages me to keep writing. If you want to check out my best of 2014 post, you can find it here!
I wish you the very best in the New Year.
