Monday Moments: A Decade

I’m not one for big new year’s eve parties, much to Carl’s dismay. I love a quiet night of conversation, maybe a game or two, definitely sweatpants and a glass of wine. It doesn’t always happen, but this year I got my wish :)

And call me cheesy, but I love a good notebook and pen session to think about some resolutions for the year ahead. Resolutions can be made anytime, it’s true, but there’s something about the start of a year that makes them seem especially doable. As I get older I’m also getting better at doing the things that make resolutions more likely to stick and turn into habits: write them down, tell someone else who can hold you accountable if necessary, and choose two or three things to prioritize instead of listing alllll the things I’d like to improve on.

Last year’s goals: regular exercise, consistent devotional life, and learning how to make homemade buns and bread really well. There’s been progress.

I was decidedly not hardcore about really challenging myself, but this is the first time since before having kids that I can honestly say I’ve exercised regularly, 3-5 times per week, for a whole year. It feels good.

My devotional life, sadly, has been less consistent than my exercise, so that’s going back on the list this year, with better perspective and a commitment to earlier mornings.

Homemade buns and bread – checking that one enthusiastically off the list. I finally found a recipe that works every time (and I’ve loved hearing your success stories with it!) Not only that, but after posting them and sharing my struggle for bun perfection, a generous lady from church spent several patient hours in my kitchen, teaching me the techniques of perfect dough texture, stretching, and rolling so my future buns and bread will be that much more picture perfect!

Of course, there are a few things of varying importance that I have not yet mastered including curling my hair, parenting, riding a bike, public speaking, time management, and patience.

Plenty of fodder for this year’s list, that’s for sure.

Since it’s 2020 we’re heading into, let’s just take another moment because A DECADE. It blows my mind to look back at all that’s happened since 2010, since that sounds like it was only last year. Probably the main thing that has shaped my decade has been welcoming 4 little boys into the world. I thought I’d have two-ish kids, definitely all girls, so this has been surprising :)

Four of our five kids have also started school, introducing us to a whole new level of community, schedule, and responsibility.

This blog has also been a big part of my last decade, started on a whim in 2011 and having unexpected longevity as an outlet, hobby, and happy place. One of this year’s goals is to get it in print, somehow, someway, for my bookshelf and cookbook stash!

As the decade comes to an end, I’m feeling like maybe I’m creeping into responsible adulthood. We’ve lived in our home for almost 5 years, the longest by far we’ve ever lived in one place. Carl has had the same job for 4 years, his first full-time career job and the longest he’s ever had the same job. I’ve had my job close to 5 years, the longest I’ve ever held the same job. So much consistency! Who knew we had it in us…maybe my old resistance to commitment is finally mellowing out.

How do you welcome the new year? Do you choose a word to focus on? Write resolutions? Reflect on how the last year has changed you? I’d love to hear what you’re getting intentional about in the new year!

No matter how you’re welcoming it, happy new year, friends. Thank you for being here.