A list of things I’ve loved and felt called to, in the last year.

Ruby! Our 9 month old golden retriever has been the biggest and best addition to our family, in the last year. She brings us so much joy and adds a bit of both sweetness and spice to everyday life in our house.
Bible memorization. While I am a fairly faithful Bible reader and studier, I let memorization fall off my plate a long while ago. I’ve been back to it, in the last several months and having those words imprinted on both my brain and heart has been such a good thing.
Giving myself a “job” this year. My youngest started Kindergarten last fall. I worked a lot in those first few months without any kids at home, but I didn’t have much structure. I gave myself more guidelines and structured projects as the calendar turned to 2022 and it has been really helpful.
Paying myself for the first time. My art income has always been very strictly reinvested in my business. Until, this year! I used some of my income to pay for a few activities for the kids and it added a whole new level of joy to my art practice.
Paper and pencil budgeting. I’ve always enjoyed tracking our money and doing my best to make wise decisions with what we are given. For the last several years, I’ve done most of our budgeting using various apps - with varying degrees of success. For 2022, I decided to go back to pencil and paper budgeting and tracking and I’m really enjoying it.
Beautycounter Overnight Resurfacing Peel. A new red area appeared on the tip of my nose, last summer. The dermatologist told me that it could only be removed by laser. It has not disappeared - and I might still laser it off someday - but within the first week of using this product, the redness was noticably better.
Kids being older. No giant bag of all the things to pack for every outing. Fewer meltdowns. No diapers. Time together that often feels easy and fun. I’m really enjoying this stage of motherhood.
MY HEALTH! I’ve had both Covid and an appendicitis in the last five months. And since I’ve now recovered from both, it is nice to be aware of how good it is to feel good (and to be able to taste my food!)
After school snacks and reading. This is the one part of our daily routine that I try to protect as much as possible. Before I pick up the kids from school, I set out a tray with some snacks and a chapter book or two. When we get home, they eat while I read aloud. It’s a joy and a true highlight of almost every day.
Mural painting. This had been on my career wishlist for a long time and it was such a blessing to get to do my first paid mural, this year.
Gratitude journaling. A true blessing in and of itself.
Jesus Always devotional. Oh, it is so good! The words are written from the perspective of Jesus talking directly to me and that voice is just so powerful.
The dog park. What feels like a million years ago (pre-Brian, pre-motherhood) I was a dog park person. I went regularly and often with my pup, Mabel. I had forgotten the joys of it until I started going again with Ruby. I love meeting new people and petting all the dogs.
Fierce & Loving - my very favorite nail color by Olive & June.
Trying something new (painting objects) for my 100 day project. I am so glad I took a chance on this project.
Intermittent fasting. I feel better when I eat this way, most days of the week. I still struggle to make this a very regular thing, but at least I know that it is a good thing for me, when I do make it happen.
A regular place for minidates with Brian. We started going to our local bagel shop whenever we have a kid-free hour or two in the mornings. It is so fun to have “a place” and also nice to not have to make a decision about where to go.
Doing house work before the kids go to school, so I can have more time for work work while they are at school. A lot like intermittent fasting, this is something that I know is good for me and that I appreciate when I make it happen -but that I struggle to do super regularly.

19. Hiking / new hiking boots. Favorite activity paired with favorite new boots specifically for the activity. This is my happy place.

20.Friday night pizza and movie. This is something I genuinely look forward to, each week.

21. A Bible for 2022. I’m still really enjoying having a Bible meant specifically, and only, for this year - a project I started in January and plan to definitely continue (with a new Bible) next year.

22. Choose FI podcast. Personal finance and intentional/optimized living all rolled up into one lovely podcast.

23. My volunteering “jobs.” I currently do two little volunteering jobs at church and help in Maggie’s kindergarten classroom. They all bring me so much joy.

24. Finding a more balanced reading rhythm. I was on something of a reading frenzy last year. I’m taking it slower this year and that feels nice.

25. Church. I am always and forever thankful for our chruch - it is such a beautiful community and place. I am thankful that this is big part of our family’s life and that my kids get to grow up in this space.

26. Camping trips. Year after year, my favorite days are the days we spend camping.

27. Having a “grocery store” to “shop” in the basement. I started using whatever money was left in my grocery budget at the end of each month to buy extras of the things our family uses regularly. It is so nice to be able to just run downstairs to get a new jar of jelly or salsa when we need them.

28. Glamping. Brian and I took our first glamping trip (we stayed here) last summer and it was the best vacation we’ve had outside of all-inclusive resorts. I missed the booking window for this summer, but we will for sure do this again.

29. Our outdoor spaces at home. We had a large patio poured, last fall, and we have already used it a ton. We also got a new table for the deck that we can all fit around and we continue to spend a lot of time on our (very nicely wind-protected) front porch.

30. Hours outside. My goal for 2021 was to spend 1000 hours outside. I didn’t quite make it, but I did it make it over the 900 mark and that is BY FAR more hours outside than I’d ever spent outdoors in a year. I’m giving it another go this year and enjoying it all over again.

31. Facetime. I am so thankful for this technology that lets me see my sister and her family regularly - even though they live way too far away.

32. Caprese flatbread (aka tortilla, pesto, roma tomato and mozzarella broiled in the oven). This is my go to lunch on the days when I’m home and it never disappoints.

33. Picnics. Food just tastes better when you eat it outside.

34. The idea of evening adventures. We tend to stay home most nights - particularly during the school year, but I would like to do more fun things in the evenings. This is still percolating in my brain, but something I want to think on and try to do more. This podcast episode really inspired me.

35. Painting in collections. I’ve been working in collections, this year. I love the way that painting several pieces in a theme or style helps me to dig deeper into the work.

36. Summer with Brian and the kids. Sometimes I forget just how blessed we are to get to spend our summers all together as a family. This is the big perk of having a husband who is a teacher.

37. Making Art Work. This is the 12-week class I am taking right now about growing my art business and it is excellent.

38. Brian

39. Sam

40. Eli

41. Maggie

42. The hope and peace that come with my faith in Jesus.