You know what's beautiful about reflection? You get to look at the past from a new perspective. To have perspective does not mean to have full understanding or completion. I'd be amiss to think because its the start of a new year that I now have some mountain-top views, when really I am trudging through the trails still. Heck, I know without a doubt I will be processing much of last year into this year.
And that's a great thing.
There's good soil beneath our feet if we just dig into it. It might not be the view or place we hoped to find ourselves, but were breaking ground for new things to bloom. Things that really matter to us. Things that will be lasting and beautiful because we didn't rush the process.
January was a month of innocence. I laugh now because little did we know we were counting down our time of "lasts". Like the last time going on a date without a mask (I schooled Mark in a game of basketball, btw). Peter turned half-a-year old and we played in any snow we got!
Ahh, the month of hearts and love. The boys received a homemade heart attack on their doors with notes of things we love about them. We gave the playroom a little spruce in décor with the addition of Aunt B's watercolor monkey. Spent galantines in good company with yummy food & vino!
In March we celebrated my sweet friend, Tori's, baby boy. And then the next day we went in full-quarantine mode. The timing is impeccable. Before quarantine we snuck in some fun outings like bowling (Jack's fav) and exploring Ann Arbor. I gave life-coaching a try and LOVED it. I also discovered a love for my Kindle.
I remember hoping by Easter we could be free of quarantine and even Covid but oh how little we knew. My sister-in-law's fam surprised us with an egg hunt in our front yard and baskets for the boys! It was the highlight of our month!! April has a special place in my heart because the sun finally sticks around and everything becomes more green and cheery.
Memorial day we decided to host an outdoor BBQ with our friends who we missed dearly. For Mother's day my siblings and I created a video of photos to the song "Perfect Fan" by BSB. The perfect combo for a tear fest. I also discovered kindness is still out there when an elderly lady handed my mom and I her umbrellas because we got stuck in a downpour while walking Peter.
June brought a wave of refreshment to our souls. I will never forget when my wild-woman of a friend, Cait, took 7 of us on the gator and we about died from hitting branches and falling into pot holes. It was the cheeks-hurt-because-we-laughed-so-hard kind of laugh that we all needed. Other highlights: celebrated daddy with donuts, picked strawberries and made jam, and got to spend a week with my brother in town.
All aboard the month of birthdays!! Peter rang in his 1st while sporting his first haircut! 4th of July was a treat as we watched fireworks light up the sky from our new patio. We capped off the month with a Colorado vacation with some of our best friends. Some of my favorite memories of the year were from this month!
A month of rich conversations and time well spent. Mark and I celebrated 5 years of marriage by taking a bike ride near our wedding venue. Rerouted our Boston trip for a girls trip to Houston. We went nowhere outside of our home for the weekend and had the BEST time. Oh, and this music video was born. :) My sister shared her life-coaching skills with my small group, and we wished her farewell as she started a new chapter in a new city.
Dreams were launched into existence after reading Bob Goff's book Dream Big. One of those dreams being this blog. :) Embraced all things fall like baked goods, orchard trips, and eating outside on the patio.
October was FUN. So much heart-warming, good stuff packed into a month. We trick-or-treated as team Pokemon, took a mini-trip away as a family, and had our annual fall day with 7 of our fav families (14 adults, 10 kids, 2 dogs).
Jack turned 4 and we started a new tradition, the Birthday Interview. We spent Thanksgiving visiting my brother. Peter splashed in the ocean for the first time. I binge watched the new season of Crown and loved every second of it.
Kicked off the Christmas season by reading Honest Advent. Did many fun holiday things like caroling, cookie baking, gingerbread house making and a Santa visit. We also did our first ever murder mystery party and it was a hoot.
That's a wrap! In the end beauty wove itself through the hardship. It always does if we have eyes to see it and take hold of it.
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