2019 Recap -- no wonder I'm always tired! ;)

Since I was terrible at making time to blog in 2019, it's probably more important than ever for me to do a little recap of 2019 if I want to stand a chance at remembering what went down.  Here a few highlights from our past year.

+ Adam started a new job in January & traveled to KC for an entire month.
+ Adam and I went to the BVI's for a week
+ I started a new job and no longer commute to DSM
+ Cullyn turned 6 and Jordyn 8
+ We sat curtside watching the Harlem Globetrotters
+ A niece graduated college and a niece and nephew graduated from high school
+ We went to STL with my family
+ I took Jordy to her first concert {JoJo Siwa}
+ Lola turned 2
+ Adam and I took the kids to Oklahoma
+ We flew to Colorado for a wedding/vacation
+ We road tripped to KC for the weekend
+ Listened to JJ Grey & Mofro in concert
+ The kids and I flew to SC with my family to see my Sister & BIL
+ Watched our niece got married
+ Jordyn started 2nd grade and Cullyn 1st
+ I ran a marathon
+ Adam and I celebrated 10 years by renewing our vows in Jamaica
+ We spent the weekend at FunCity with Adam's family
+ Adam and I took the kids to their first NFL game & spent the weekend in MN
+ I read over 50 books
+ Jordyn started {& stopped} gymnastics Cullyn started {& loves} taekwondo.  Both kids started piano.

Looking back, we spent a fair amount of time traveling {my very favorite thing!} and doing new things {flew in a helicopter, visited Colorado, ran a marathon} -- in between all of that were a million little things {sports games, runs, nightly rituals, meetings, homework, books read, practices, and everything else} -- We prioritized God, family time, and paying off debt and worried less about the state of my house and doing things out of obligation.

I'm super excited to see what 2020 has in store for us!  Adam turns 40 and we have some fun travel on the horizon!  I'm hoping to bring back the weekly date nights now that we've found our new groove.  I'm also going to start exercising in 2020 -- I know, me and 234083290846 people! ;)
Cheers to new beginnings!

19 for 2019 Checklist

Celebrate 10 years of marriage - In Jamaica!

Complete a daily devotional - Check!

Cook more dinners & meal plan weekly - Still not a ton, but definitely more!

Finish Jordyn & Cullyn's baby books {18mo-6/7yrs} -- Didn't even start!  UGH!! Definitely making this a priority in 2020!

Make a life journal - Check!

Monthly dates with Adam - Terrible!  We didn't have any sitters and Adam was working crazy hours.  I think we've got a plan for 2020! :)

Paint kitchen cabinets - Didn't start this either.  BUT, I do still want to do it, so I'm keeping it on the 2020 list!

Paint upstairs doors white - This was a bigger project than I thought, but it's DONE!

Read 50 books - Check!

Read the bible to the kids - We didn't finish the entire bible, but we made progress.
{Re}learn the Books of the Bible song - Fail! I just can't remember the song {from childhood} and can't find it anywhere online to even start memorizing it. :(

Replace bathroom doors w/ barn doors - Check!  & I LOVE them!!!

Run a marathon - Check!  By far the goal I'm most proud of!

SAVE & pay off car - We paid one car off and the other will be paid off before summer {whoop whoop!} We have also doubled our investments this year, so I feel good about our financial state.

Send more paper mail - This is the one I'm most disappointed about.  I did send more than I have previously, but I'm keeping this on the list for next year.  I hope to send something via snail mail every week in 2020.

Start 'Self-care Sundays' - I started off good and lost steam part way through the year.  That being said, I do think I've incorporated more self-care into my daily habits, so I think I'm doing okay.

Take cabinetry to garage - Check!  

Take Lola on more walks - No, and I just have to come to grips with the fact that she does not walk well on a leash.  I took her on a few walks and she nearly pulled my shoulder out of the socket once and pulled me to a belly flop another time, so I don't plan on keeping this on the list for next year. 

Travel to a new state - We visited Colorado for the first time -- & loved it.

11/19 - 58%
With both of us starting new jobs and all of transitioning to Adam's new work schedule, I'll take it.  

Now...to goal set for 2020! 

12 Dates of Christmas 2019

Christmas is in full swing over here!  It even started snowing today...finally!  Monday through Friday is madness at our house, so we've been cramming as much Christmas fun as possible into each weekend.  Here is our 12 Dates of Christmas list for the year in case you're searching for something different to do this Christmas season.