Showing posts with label looking back. Show all posts
Showing posts with label looking back. Show all posts

Monday, December 30, 2013

twenty.thirteen: looking back.

2013 was a different sort of year.
It was a year of changing and stretching, readjusting and redefining.
It was a year of growing up and letting go.
It was hard year. It was an unexpected year.
It was a good year.

I've always been a memory-keeping, record-writing, photo-capturing sort of girl. This yearly blog post is one of the ways I like to remember, reflect,
and say good-bye to another year. 

January
Something new: Project 52.
We made a fresh set of memories in a familiar place.
I chose my one word (or perhaps more accurately, it chose me).
We wrapped up our mudroom and basement projects.
We ran out of eggs.


February
We became acquainted with Brene.
We set out to potty train #3.
We narrowly survived a very snowy, very grey sort of winter.
I finished the 30-Day Green Smoothie Challenge.


March
Dylan fell in love with card collecting.
I discovered Downton.
Bunko is back!


April
Mady strode through her first bike race.
We assembled a basketball hoop.
Ella was featured in her first art show.


May
Our garage sale went viral.
We welcomed baby Jensen to the fam!
Matt started his new position as used car manager at Grand.
I fell in love with Teavana.


June
We tried to figure out how to survive summer.
Ella finished up another year of 'nastics.
We became a bunch of bike riding fools.
I cleaned out the pantry.
We enjoyed Nana and Papa's new neighborhood pool.


July
We welcomed Mason James.
We channeled our inner Shauna.
The kids completed swimming lessons (including Mady!)
We rode a camel.


August
We ventured back up the North Woods.
I completed Year 3 of my picture-a-day project.
My dear friends ran into Year 34 alongside me.
Ella learned to text.
We got away from it all during Cottage Week '13.


September
Dylan played his first season of football.
Ella cheered her first game.
Mady started preschool!
I co-chaired my first school committee.


October
Ella shopped her way through her first Birch Run weekend.
We welcomed our third new baby cousin this year, Evelyn Lynae.
Dylan and Ella finished their first Turkey Trot.
We got close enough to see Needtobreathe's socks.


November
We cheered on our Spartans towards a Rose Bowl berth.
We celebrated nine, seven, and four.
Ella got her ears pierced!
We hosted our first 'friend' birthday party.


December
My boys started their first basketball season together.
We continued to work it out.
We celebrated a healthy holiday season.
We said farewell to 2013!

Sunday, December 30, 2012

{twenty-twelve} Looking Back

Time to turn the page to a brand new year.
But, first, a look back.

2012 was filled with 
happiness 
and heartache,
highs 
and lows,
tears of laughter 
and of sadness,
new beginnings 
and chapters closed,
exciting growth 
and bittersweet "last times".

It was a very full year.
We're learning to look for the gifts and give thanks (in all things) for the beauty.
What I hope we remember when we look back is the JOY.

Here's a recap of 
where we've been
{as we look forward to where we're going next}

January
We ring in 2012, family-style.
Once again, we head for the sunny skies of the Bahamas.
I choose one word for the new year: F-O-C-U-S.
The girls and I rush (and slide) through a wintry sort of race.

February
We fill each other's love tanks with the sweetest sort of mail.
We go indoor rock climbing (& date night is never the same).
We work through Lent and end up 40 bags (at least!) lighter.
It's a Leap Year!

March
We attempt a cleanse.
I run The Jig (alone, sadly) and come home with a PR.
We enjoy an unseasonably warm spring.
I spend the weekend away with my Bible and my yoga mat. (File this under: Who knew?)

April
I try to find time.
It's baseball season (again)!
Dylan is featured in his first art show.
Our family walks for water.

May
Our boys fall in love with biking.
I run like I have never run before.
We celebrate eleven.
The girls enjoy a weekend away in the Windy City.
Ella loses her first tooth and learns to ride a bike.

June
We celebrate the beginning of summertime.
We help staff a lemonade stand.
We celebrate Daddy (and he goes GF).
The world is a safer place after the big kids attend safety camp.

July
We enjoy everything Pure Michigan has to offer.
I decide it's time to start saying no.
We try to beat the heat.
We throw an Olympics party.
Our journey with orthodontics begins.

August
We rough it in the North Woods for a long weekend.
D & E's first concert: Needtobreathe.
Happy birthday to me. {Farewell & Hello}
Cottage Week. Oh, man.
We visit Denver and our hearts are never the same again.

September
We finally stop putting off Procrastination Day.
Mady moves into a big girl bed.
Two firsts: making sushi and playing artist. (I'm not quitting my day job for either.)

October
Our community begins again.
Book club wraps up.
We celebrate my birthday. (Two months later.)
We head south to the place where dreams really do come true.
We hit the 'hood disguised as a biker man, bride, and Tinkerbell.

November
Our basement remodel begins.
 We muscle through Birthday Week 2012Three, Six & Eight.
We relax up north in a cozy cabin + zip down water slides.
The first flu of the season hits hard.

December
Advent arrives. And we wait expectantly.
The boys cruise through their first cyclocross races.
We limp over the Workout Challenge: Year 2 marker.
Mady LOVES her first go at "music class".

HAPPY NEW YEAR!
{...and if you wanna go way back, you can go here: 2011 & 2010}

Tuesday, December 27, 2011

2011: Looking Back

As far as blog posts go, my 2010 year-in-review was one of my favs. 
I love a good tradition, so here comes a look back at 2011.
{And a chance for you to link up your 2011 highlights}

January
We hit the 'Hamas.
I write the first of my many lists for the year {11 for 2011}
We get serious about getting organized.

February
My car-loving boys do the auto show.
A love/hate relationship with morning swimming is born.
Mady has a new seat at the table.

March
I run my first ever 5K!
We enjoy family time in our favorite big city.

April
There's a new {used} van in the garage.
Job change: Matt's back at Grand.
We Walk for Water (again).
I discover the connection between my heart and my hands
and the relationship between the spiritual and the physical.
{it was a big month}

May
Mady is 18 months old!
We celebrate our first decade together.
My four year blog-versary.
Ella graduates from preschool.

June
Dylan finishes up Kindergarten
and plays his first season of t-ball.
We relax {kid-free} in Punta Cana.
I run my first 10K.

July
We try to stay cool during our Wolf Lake cottage week.
We scoot, bike and swim our way through the summer.
Dylan's teeth are dropping like flies.

August
Ella learns to swim.
Our picture blog turns one year old.
Hello, Year 32.
We're still organizing...this time it's our toys.

September
We send a Pre-K-er and a 1st grader off to their first day of school.
Ella's back at 'nastics.
It's soccer season...again.
I discover Pinterest and my inner craftiness.
Ella cheers at her first football game.

October
Couples Retreat: wine country.
Craft night is born.
It's applesauce canning season!
We almost have a run-in with a hurricane.

November
I run my first 15K.
Mady moves up to a big girl bed.
Birthdays five, seven and two.
Eek! Mice!
An unforgettable weekend away in Chicago.

December
We did it! 52 weeks of working out complete!
Wrapped and done by December 1.
Now that's Pinterest-ing, kid edition.
We stage our annual Christmas close-up.

And now it's your turn to take a look back...

Saturday, January 1, 2011

2010: Looking Back


January
The year starts out right with a vacation in the Bahamas.
A new nephew, Caden Philip, arrives.
The newborn haze begins to lift.


February
Mady is 3 months old already!
It's winter, we're feeling blah.


March
We narrowly survive a long weekend in Indy for the Big Ten Tournament.
We cheer on Aunt Cara and the rest of the Eagles to a 3rd place finish at the state competition.


April
I officially become a soccer mom.


May 
Matt starts his new job at Fox.
Mady discovers her thumb.
Ella gets her first big girl bike.
Dylan graduates from preschool.


June
Ella finishes up a year of 'nastics.


July
Chad and Katie get hitched!
We realize we have a life outside of kids.


August
Mady is dedicated.
Another nephew, Myles Allen, is born.


September
Two kids in school! Ella starts preschool, Dylan begins Kindergarten.
Dylan loses his first tooth.
Ella begins ballet.
Our first kid-free weekend in ages.


October
Ella kicks the nighttime Pull-Up habit.
It's confirmed: Mady is the cutest baby in the world.
Our trip to Disney.


November
Birthdays onefour and six.


December
Ella struggles to say good-bye to her afternoon naps.
The Workout Challenge begins.

Hello, 2011! 
What will this year bring?


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