January 2019:
I'm ready to re-vamp my year into "abundance". That's my 2019 #oneword resolution this year. And although I would love an abundance of readers and followers here on my blog, I notice a recent trend in my page views...and it's sucks! Not that you all are interested in stats, but Google is kind enough to keep them for me and the lack of readers lately has given me a lack of motivation in my writing. My blog by numbers, is on a downward spiral. That means a few things to me.
Either I can:
1. Try to re-vamp my blog into something magical, to draw readers in and increase my page views and followers, which will lead of course to an abundant audience!
OR:
2. Screw it and write what I want, when I want, for whoever I want, and have an abundance of joy from my own words and reflection.
When looking over the stats, I re-read many of my posts and you know what? I like what I write...actually, I love what I write. It brings me so much joy to look back on all the memories of my beautiful family in one place. I love the tidbits of advice to myself that I find embedded in my stories.
I am going to re-vamp my format slightly to give myself more guidance in my own writing. In the last 9 years of blogging, I often waited for special events or inspiration to write about. This year I'm going to give myself a break and just post a monthly blog reflection. It will continue to be my memory keeper...and if any of you readers like it, keep on reading.
But first...I must wrap up the Brutiful year of 2018. It wasn't horrible, but it wasn't the easiest either.
John and I celebrated our 22nd wedding anniversary. We celebrated with the kids. It's difficult now for us to find time when all six of us are actually available. But thanks to some shift swapping, Savannah got off work and we all headed out to Fredericksburg for some family time. I had been wanting to see their holiday decorations and of course, being a German family, expose the kids to some of their German roots. It was a cold evening, but what a simple night, full of giggles and shenanigans! Teens are fun to take places!
No, your eyes do not deceive you, between the month of November and December, Jonas grew another inch (he's 5'10 3/4) and passed up Bailey (5'9 3/4)!!!
Oh...we do look old and tired! But time does do that to you, as does raising four kids! The abundance of love and laughter is totally worth every wrinkle and grey hair!
At the Fredericksburg Biergarten! I hope one day we can take a family trip to Germany to see a real Biergarten! Side note: There was a University of Floride flag hanging just over Bailey's head!! Gator Nation lives!!
December 31, 2018-
We had a relatively quiet night for New Year's Eve. Our first without all the kids home. Savannah went to a friend's house, which is to be expected for a 16 year old girl! But her Daddy was so sad, she wasn't home. But we snapped a few photos before the girls headed out! Of course Makenna was over. Gotta love girls and their best friends. It's like having another daughter!
The second week of the Winter break is always low key. I felt a bit sad all week and couldn't figure out why. I hate that feeling, especially since I am usually so happy. But sometimes you just have to go with it until the feelings pass...which is exactly what I did.
Savannah got glasses! Isn't she a cutie!
We caught up on a lot of sleep and had great, lazy mornings.
Bailey has asked for me to limit my "sharing" on the blog about his life, because after all, it is his. But I just wanted to say, after a lot of tears, hardship and giving it his all, he decided to withdraw from Texas Tech and come home. We are sad for him to make this difficult decision, but happy to have him home, and to help him figure out what he needs to do, to make his own future bright and abundant.
John and him headed to Tech, January 8th, to move him out. Goodbye dorm room.
January has mostly been all about school, but we have had a few fun moments.
I got an invite to an impromptu Mom's night out at the theater! What a great musical! I really need to make time this year to go out more!
Jonas and I had a lovely morning date at the local Burger King, to discuss his future. Yes...at 13 he has ideas as big as he is!
We watched the moon turn blood red.
This week brings my 46th birthday. I hate that I'm closer to 50 now than 40, but what's a girl to do! I'm abundantly grateful for every one of those 46 years and all the years to come!
PS-to my 30 some readers out there...THANK YOU! I'll keep writing.
I like reading your blog. I think because we are at similar stages of life. Many of your struggles I have faced and many of your joys too. Keep writing!
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