*I had planned to post
this on New Year’s Eve, alas sickness took hold of our home, and instead we are
posting it now!
this on New Year’s Eve, alas sickness took hold of our home, and instead we are
posting it now!
The year 2015 has come to a close. What an amazing year! I always love to sit down and reflect on the
previous year on New Year’s Eve. There
is something so incredibly satisfying to go through a list of questions for me
and really think about all the important parts of the year. It isn’t always the good stuff either, there
can be plenty of challenges and struggles as well, but it is nice to have that time
to reflect, to look ahead, to plan, to dream.
It is one of my favorite parts of the year!
previous year on New Year’s Eve. There
is something so incredibly satisfying to go through a list of questions for me
and really think about all the important parts of the year. It isn’t always the good stuff either, there
can be plenty of challenges and struggles as well, but it is nice to have that time
to reflect, to look ahead, to plan, to dream.
It is one of my favorite parts of the year!
Over the past year, one thing that I have recognized about myself is my love of
the change of seasons. Any excuse to sit
down and look at what is working, re-evaluate, know what is not working,
reflect, plan, look ahead, I love.
New Year’s Eve obviously fits those parameters.
Typically I use the questions that Tsh provides from The Art of Simple. I think that
these questions are specific enough to get my mind going, and open ended enough
so that I can sit and write for quite a while about my reflections and
experiences. It is a lovely keepsake to
have as well. I enjoy sitting down and
reading through previous years’ reflections periodically – typically when I am
trying to decide if I should get rid of journals or keep them while I am going
through a big purge of my home!
these questions are specific enough to get my mind going, and open ended enough
so that I can sit and write for quite a while about my reflections and
experiences. It is a lovely keepsake to
have as well. I enjoy sitting down and
reading through previous years’ reflections periodically – typically when I am
trying to decide if I should get rid of journals or keep them while I am going
through a big purge of my home!
This past year has seen a lot of changes. We went from an infant at the beginning of
the year, to a full-fledged toddler at the end of the year, one who is quite
mischievous no matter how sweet she seems!
I have seen Emma and Jack both excel at the school work we are doing,
and see passions in them for specific subjects that I haven’t seen before.
the year, to a full-fledged toddler at the end of the year, one who is quite
mischievous no matter how sweet she seems!
I have seen Emma and Jack both excel at the school work we are doing,
and see passions in them for specific subjects that I haven’t seen before.
We had an incredibly long winter, think snow in April! It was bitterly cold, and while we had a ton
of snow, it was too cold for my kids to stay outside for too long, if at
all. That meant a lot of indoor time. This probably explains why I was able to read
so many books at the beginning of the year, but as soon as the weather turned
to a bit of warmth, I was outside enjoying it, and not reading.
of snow, it was too cold for my kids to stay outside for too long, if at
all. That meant a lot of indoor time. This probably explains why I was able to read
so many books at the beginning of the year, but as soon as the weather turned
to a bit of warmth, I was outside enjoying it, and not reading.
This spring we celebrated Emma’s 7th
birthday. It seemed like a significant
milestone. She is growing into such a
little lady, and I love to see how her interests line up with what mine were
when I was little. Fashion, design,
drawing, reading, My Little Ponies, a few of her favorite things. It is also amazing to see her love for Lucy,
and what a helper she is.
birthday. It seemed like a significant
milestone. She is growing into such a
little lady, and I love to see how her interests line up with what mine were
when I was little. Fashion, design,
drawing, reading, My Little Ponies, a few of her favorite things. It is also amazing to see her love for Lucy,
and what a helper she is.
The summer of 2015 was a little different for me. This was the first year since we moved into
this house 9 years ago that I did not plant a garden.
this house 9 years ago that I did not plant a garden.
That may not seem very significant, but it was in my eyes.
I started this blog with the ideas of self-sufficiency, food
security, and local eating as pretty big themes, having a garden helped with
those themes. Not having a garden, well,
it may sound silly, but I felt a little lost!
security, and local eating as pretty big themes, having a garden helped with
those themes. Not having a garden, well,
it may sound silly, but I felt a little lost!
Don’t get me wrong, the whole “no weeding” thing was
awesome, but not having the option to go outside and grab whatever was in the
garden for lunch, or to see the kids sitting in the middle of the garden eating
all of my peas straight from the pods, or having green beans for dilly beans,
and not one fresh from the garden tomato – that hurt!
awesome, but not having the option to go outside and grab whatever was in the
garden for lunch, or to see the kids sitting in the middle of the garden eating
all of my peas straight from the pods, or having green beans for dilly beans,
and not one fresh from the garden tomato – that hurt!
Instead I frequented the co-op downtown, which the
kids love, and I was happy to be fortunate and have another local option.
kids love, and I was happy to be fortunate and have another local option.
This summer I started my YouTube channel. I haven’t really talked much about it here,
just posting videos sometimes, but it is something I have been enjoying
immensely. I hope you will join me over
there!
August 3rd marked the official start of our
homeschool year. We technically school
all year, and take breaks where we need to, but our new books and curriculum
officially started at the beginning of August. I got my first *Erin Condren Teacher Planner because this was also the first year I decided to piece my own curriculum together.
homeschool year. We technically school
all year, and take breaks where we need to, but our new books and curriculum
officially started at the beginning of August. I got my first *Erin Condren Teacher Planner because this was also the first year I decided to piece my own curriculum together.
Jack had a milestone birthday – 5 – and we had a big party
for him.
for him.
It was complete with bounce house and
a little train the kids could all ride on.
It was probably the hottest day of the year, at least it seemed that way
in our shade free yard. I have loved to
see how Jack has taken ahold of video as his medium of choice – definitely his
father’s son. He loves chess, drawing,
putting together new worlds with LEGO and Super Mario figures, creating stories,
stop motion videos. It is fun to watch
him develop. He and Lucy share a special
bond. It is fun to see him in both the
little brother and big brother roles.
Fall brought with it the first year for Emma to play field
hockey, which she really enjoyed, and I enjoyed watching her! It also marked the start of a new venture
with a homeschool co-op.
hockey, which she really enjoyed, and I enjoyed watching her! It also marked the start of a new venture
with a homeschool co-op.
While we haven’t belonged to the co-op for all that long,
there are definitely great bonds that have already been made, and it is
wonderful to find a support system as we move into the first year of reporting
to the state for homeschooling. It is
nice to have other moms to bounce ideas off of, and also to have those extra
classes that I wouldn’t be doing at home!
I mean, they take a LEGO class, how fun is that!
there are definitely great bonds that have already been made, and it is
wonderful to find a support system as we move into the first year of reporting
to the state for homeschooling. It is
nice to have other moms to bounce ideas off of, and also to have those extra
classes that I wouldn’t be doing at home!
I mean, they take a LEGO class, how fun is that!
I took part in the 31 Days challenge in October again this year. This year, my topic was self-care and I think that we all had a great time exploring this topic that seems to be ignored for a lot of women!
We celebrated Lucy’s first birthday, which was a fun
milestone. I had forgotten how much a
baby changes that first year. She has
been an incredibly easy baby, sleeping well, not crabby most of the time, and genuinely
happy. She doesn’t like it when the kids
go off to their rooms to play while she is downstairs, and she will stand at
the gate and yell for them until they come down to see her. We realized that this first year has
completely flown by. It seems as though
every month ends faster than the last one.
milestone. I had forgotten how much a
baby changes that first year. She has
been an incredibly easy baby, sleeping well, not crabby most of the time, and genuinely
happy. She doesn’t like it when the kids
go off to their rooms to play while she is downstairs, and she will stand at
the gate and yell for them until they come down to see her. We realized that this first year has
completely flown by. It seems as though
every month ends faster than the last one.
Overall, it has been a wonderful year. There have been challenges, there always are,
but I am choosing to think and reflect on the positive.
but I am choosing to think and reflect on the positive.
I am excited about what 2016 will bring, and can’t wait to
share with you some of my goals for the New Year.
share with you some of my goals for the New Year.
What was your favorite
memory from 2015?
*Get $10 off your first purchase when you sign up for an account through my Erin Condren Affiliate Link
memory from 2015?
*Get $10 off your first purchase when you sign up for an account through my Erin Condren Affiliate Link
Debbie says
January 6, 2016 at 2:37 pmI just found your blog at A Bowl Full of Lemons and enjoyed reading your memories of 2015. I am excited to read through your blog to learn more about you and your family.
Ana Cristina Marino says
January 5, 2016 at 9:57 pmIt seems like you had a great year and congratulations on your YouTube Channel. My favorite memory for 2015 was getting to spend time with my family from Venezuela who live there and came to Miami for vacations.
Jam Jar Gill (from jamjargill.com) says
January 5, 2016 at 8:02 pmLove the recap 🙂 And the photo in matching jammies at the end 🙂 Your local co-op looks awesome too – tons of organic produce locally is a real treat. Wishing you all the best for a very happy and health 2016. Oh and thanks for the link to the questions – super handy – might just use them too 🙂
nicole says
January 5, 2016 at 1:50 amI would love to plan a garden. One day.
Yona Williams says
January 5, 2016 at 12:38 amWow, you had a really nice-looking garden – so much larger than I ever attempted. I can imagine how it must have felt to miss this past year. My favorite memories of 2015 were probably my trips to Michigan throughout the year – we drove there 3 times.
Jessica Abegg says
January 4, 2016 at 6:18 pmLove this! I'm glad to hear that your 2015 was so enjoyable! Granted, time seems to go by whether we enjoyed it or not, but it does sound like you're more than aware of this and take full advantage! Being busy doing things is always nice, but taking time to stop and look around is important – as evidenced by your photos!
2015 in my part of the world wasn't nearly as noteworthy, and certainly nothing to be proud of – just means that much more has to be put into 2016 so it doesn't just pass by!
blythe32 says
January 4, 2016 at 3:46 pm2015 was not a good year for my family, but I do have a couple of good memories, including going on a fun summer trip with my niece and nephew. They always make life fun. Thanks for sharing your year in review.
jillconyers says
January 4, 2016 at 9:10 amSelf care is an awesome focus for a challenge! One of my favorite moments was completing certification to be a personal trainer. And my son graduating from HS. That's a favorite too!
The Coastie Wife says
January 4, 2016 at 6:31 amIt looks like you had such a great year! I can't pick just one memory from my year because we went on a lot of awesome trips and did a lot of cool things in 2015!
Kaylene Outnumbered says
January 4, 2016 at 5:17 amI love taking time to reflect on the year and look forward to the next year. It looks like you had a wonderful 2016!
NatePD says
January 4, 2016 at 4:40 amYou had a great 2015 and I wish you all the best in your jorney in 2016! XO
Eileen Kelly says
January 4, 2016 at 2:06 amYou have a beautiful family and I enjoyed your recap of 2015. So many wonderful things, looking forward to reading about 2016
ana de jesus says
January 4, 2016 at 12:00 amWell done for beginning your vlogging journey. I look forward to seeing what the rest of 2015 brings to you lovely!
Deb Clem-Buckert says
January 3, 2016 at 6:16 pmGood for you for vlogging. I've been scared to start. Maybe I need to look into it. Happy New Year!
Jenn Peters says
January 3, 2016 at 3:46 pmSounds like a great year you had! I've been wanting to try out a co-op too. Maybe that will be a goal for this year 🙂 And I love the planner, just got my first and have been decking it out!
Monroe Bishop says
January 3, 2016 at 3:19 pmBeautiful 2015 reflection, such great memories. Cant wait to read about 2016. Thanks for sharing
Ochalina Blog says
January 3, 2016 at 11:34 amThis is a lovely way to look back life in year 2015, and seems like you had wonderful one.My most memories was road trip around Europe and start my blog.
Dear Anaaa says
January 3, 2016 at 7:37 amI am so in love with how you looked back in the year and did a quick over view. Such a good way to look back years in advance and remember all the great memories.
My favorite memory was finishing up my 3rd year of uni and going onto my 4th! It was hard but well worth it!
I am wishing you and your family a great 2016!
Ana (dearanaaa.com)
Paula says
January 3, 2016 at 6:53 amMy favorite part of the year was spending time with my son. It was very special getting to take him to see the rhinos in San Diego. Happy New Year!
Jannine Pampu says
January 3, 2016 at 4:33 amSounds like you've had a great year filled with love and progressing forward, I wish you all the best for 2016! I've had a jam packed year full of achievements and great memories with friends over the year. I'm excited for the year to come!
Liz says
January 2, 2016 at 11:28 pmAwesome post! Even though my blog isn't "personally" focused, this post has got me the wheels spinning. I'm thinking I could easily write a post about all of the things I learned in 2015 and how it changed the way I work.
Hope you're feeling better soon. 🙂
Sarah Koves says
January 2, 2016 at 11:18 pmI bought an Erin Crondren last January, but only used it until July- I did get it on sale, but my Google Calendar works so much better for me. My mother is a fabulous gardener, so I always get her fresh produce as I do not have a green thumb- I have the opposite-whatever that is
Wow Di says
January 2, 2016 at 8:06 pmwow great yearly recap, sounds busy but fun! I too didn't plant a garden this year as I had too much going on, but looking forward to at least doing tomatoes this year. Like you I have dreams of self sufficiency but it's a lot of work along with everything else.
Have a great 2016!
Lisa Tummers says
January 2, 2016 at 7:13 pmYou had an amazing year! I understand feeling lost without a garden, but I love that you didn't let it stop you – you just found a co-op as a great substitute! We homeschool, too, although my kids are older now. I think it's so fun and customizable – you have a LEGO class, and one of my high schoolers is taking Auto Tech complete with an internship with a local mechanic. Love that these things are possibilities for our kids!
Lucy's Cruelty Free Beauty and Living says
January 2, 2016 at 6:02 pmThat was quite a year! Sometimes I wish I had been able to homeschool my children in the elementary ages…I also love reading about your food co-op experience. I have thought about joining a newly developed one in my area.
Jessica @ Barefoot by the Sea says
January 2, 2016 at 1:24 pmWhat a wonderful year you had! The kids are amazing and what a great way to look back and remember all you've accomplished. My favorite memory was our annual trip to Cape Cod. Things slow down there, we step away from social media and just reconnect. Happy 2016!