It’s hard to believe that 2018 is coming to an end. I’ll be honest, I was a little worried about this year. I’ve never had a feeling like that before, but as 2017 was coming to a close, I felt uneasy about ringing in a new year. I think it was simply because 2017 was so good. I was, for some reason, worried that something catastrophic was going to happen during 2018 (has anyone else ever felt this way?)
Well, one year later, we’re doing just fine. There weren’t any huge, unforeseen changes like there were in the previous year, but I’m totally ok with that. As I look back on the last year, I realize it’s the small things that mean the most to me.
Favorite moments of 2018
- Disney World was the highlight of my year!
- My kids’ birthdays are a close runner up.
- My kids learning to swim is probably the proudest I’ve ever been as a mom (find out why here).
- Through various Bible studies I feel that I have a stronger relationship with God. The online Bible study I did early in the year through the book “By His Wounds You Are Healed” helped me to gain a better understanding of the nature of God, Christ’s sacrifice, what is expected of me as a Christian, and how to better mold myself in His image. With this understanding I have been able to apply it in my own study throughout the year. (If you’re looking for a Bible study to start off the year, I recommend this book!)
- I’ve gained some wonderful new friends at church through a ladies’ bible study group that meets once a month. Many of these ladies I’ve known for a long time, but with kids, many times you just exchange pleasantries in the halls of the church because you’re so distracted and don’t have time for real conversation. This group has allowed us to form those friendships and support system that we were missing.
- One of my goals for 2018 was to read through the New Testament. I have read all but Revelation, and I stopped there because our bible study group is currently reading the book “” by Angie Smith, which is a study of how the Bible comes together as one continuous story. I plan to dive more in depth into Revelation once we get toward the end of our study. (This book has been wonderful so far and I have had so many “ah-ha” moments. I recommend this book as well.)
- Continuing to be able to be home with my children means the world to me. Sometimes I get caught up in the anxieties of finances and I worry that I will have to go back to work full time. I know that I need to put those worries aside, because I am where I am supposed to be in this stage of my children’s lives.
- I’ve made new blogging friends who have been a huge encouragement and support for this little space of mine. I was on the verge of giving it up completely before joining this supportive group.
- Other moments that stick out in my mind are little things that bring young children joy like Halloween, rolling around in a pit of corn at the pumpkin patch, getting a letter from Santa in the mail, breaking it down when their favorite song comes on, and jumping in a big mud puddle or a pile of leaves. It’s the little things that make your world go ’round.
My 10 favorite posts of 2018
Some of these are my favorite because of the events that happened within them. Some of them are because they were fun to write. And some (most actually) are those posts that I didn’t plan to write. Something was weighing on my heart at the time and I poured it out into words on a screen.
Disney World
Ok, they’re all my favorite
Audrey’s Pancakes and Pajamas Party
Raley’s Fairy Garden Tea Party
“Do Not Be Anxious For Anything”
A few things that helped me get past that fear I was talking about earlier
Q&A with Heather
(so much fun to answer your questions!)
A Mom’s Struggle With Being Present
Investing in Your Marriage
Mother Daughter Date Ideas
New Site Design + Why I Decided to Rebrand
Raising Adults
The struggle is real
An Orange Tree Kind of Day
If you missed this post be sure to give it a read. It’s a little analogy that helps me get through those really, really tough days.
If someone asks me why I blog, my answer is not to make money. Because let’s be honest, I’m not making any money here. I do it as an outlet for all of those things that get jumbled up inside my head. When I feel overwhelmed about something, I feel much better once I get it out “on paper.” I don’t publish everything that goes on in my life. That’s impossible to do. But I hope that when I do decide to share something I’m struggling with, or something that has helped me, that it touches someone else who is struggling with the same thing.
Thank YOU for coming back time and time again to read my ramblings. I love to hear from my readers, so if you have any thoughts, anything you’re struggling with, or even any suggestions of topics you’d like me to write about it 2019, feel free to leave it in the comment section below, or contact me privately! Have a merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
You may also enjoy: Best of 2017
Leave a Reply