In the next week, we will ring in 2020…but I’m still wondering where 2019 went! I swear this year just flew by…and maybe it was a case of time flies when you are having fun, but it still went by too quickly, and I’m not sure I’m ready for 2020.
Highlights from 2019
- The year in sports….middle and high school sports that is! Wrestling is always a favorite and you can tell by my loud mom voice on my Facebook videos. I have to say this year, I really enjoyed football season. This was Jake’s first year playing football. He worked hard, got in shape, and made some friends. I loved watching him play and hearing his enthusiasm for the game. Jesse also had a great year; he played tough man ball and played offense and defense, had some great plays, and really grew as an athlete.
- Glamping with the family- while we didn’t get to hit the lakes as often as I might like, we still had some amazing adventures at Niagara Falls, Lake Michigan, and some of our favorite close to home camp grounds. I love this time with my family, but this year, both boys were engaged in outdoor activities and had fun. I won’t lie, we have had some camp outs where they moped. This season, they kayaked, fished, hiked, swam, played on the beach, roasted marshmallows and made campfire pies, and sat around the campfire joking with the family.
- Personal growth among my kiddos- those little moments where you know those classroom guidance lessons mean something, where those office conversations are being heard and internalized, and where kids are putting those ideas into practice in their lives. Witnessing those moments makes my heart full and happy. I wish I could give specific examples, but FERPA ya know!
- Bike rides with the hubby- we didn’t get to do this activity often enough, but I am finally mastering riding a bike, which makes it more fun. I am hoping to do the Kal-Haven this year….baby steps, baby steps. I’ll also add running here, I was back to 8 minute miles after a really rough year last year(2018) with pneumonia, I basically took a year off or running. I felt amazing!!!
- Getting back to my craft room- I used to use crafting as such a stress relieving outlet but after we moved, I stopped making time for that, and my crafting materials started gathering dust. Towards the end of the year, I started making time to make things. I forgot how much I enjoyed that!
- Jesse driving…although this is a double edged sword. I worry about safety, and I MISS our 2O minutes in the car every morning to just talk and be with my kids. On the other hand, I am enjoying the 35 extra minutes I am not fighting traffic to get across town to the high school, or rushing from work to be on time for pick up after practice.
- My bucket list- this year I knocked a few things off my bucket list- European travel (Austria was amazing), camping on Lake Ontario (we have now been to all five lakes), deer hunting where I froze my back side off in a tree stand for what felt like eternity, kayaking, and a trip to the Dells. I am an adventurer, and love new experiences.
Looking ahead to 2020
One thing I have stopped doing is making New Years Resolutions, but I have goals, hopes, and more bucket list adventures. The thing about resolutions is that most of the time I end up feeling like a failure when they fall by the wayside, and honestly, I just don’t need that kind of negativity.
My goals for the year include going to four work out classes a week (minimum) and doing it early in the morning before work. I always feel amazing after a morning workout, and those endorphins are way better for me than caffeine. Honestly, the only workouts I regret are the ones I don’t do.
Another goal is to reduce my coffee consumption. Two double mugs every morning before work, a mid morning and a lunch time coffee are what keeps me going. I want to cut this in half, and double my water. And I want to function.
A major goal for me is to be more present. I tune out, and I need to make sure that when my family is with me that I am tuning them in. I won’t have my kids around for much longer, and I want to enjoy every moment.
My hopes are a little more fluid, and they change from day to day, but as of right now, I hope for successful school and athletic experiences for my kids, I hope my dog stops tearing up my yard and house, and I hope my parents stay healthy and strong. I hope I maintain balance in my work and home life, and my husband does the same. I hope my adult children are happy, and successful in their goals and dreams, and live lives that leave them feeling fulfilled.
My bucket list is usually filled with trips and experiences. This year I want to tackle the Kal-Haven, I want to walk on frozen Lake Superior (this is huge for me because I am scared to death of frozen lakes), I want to travel internationally to places I have never been (unlikely because we will be headed to Arizona, but….) I also want to camp in Myrtle Beach.
The truth is though, when all is said and done, as long as I am living my best life each day, then I know 2020 will be just as amazing as 2019….I just hope it doesn’t go by as fast, because I only have 3 more New Years with my boys at home. Yes. I am counting 😒
