2016 Was Good to Me

2015 wasn't our best year. We almost (but didn't) relocate to Dallas, I had a surprise pregnancy and a long, painful, shocking miscarriage, I had a shoulder injury the kept me from exercising and I gained a bunch of weight, we lost my dear grandmother late in the year...there just seemed to be a lot of heavy stuff that went down in 2015.

Then came 2016. 

A few things happened after we decided NOT to move to Dallas. 

1. We got in the habit of keeping our house show-ready for potential buyers. The kids were 10, 8, and 5 when we muddled through that crazy 4 months, but I've been able to (for the most part) continue the habit we all formed of making sure the house isn't a disaster. This one item alone has brought an incredible amount of peace to our daily lives!

2. We scaled down our "stuff". I got rid of nearly everything that wasn't nailed down in anticipation of moving, so we entered 2016 pretty clutter-free, which is just lovely. Less toys = less mess, but it also means more creative kids.

3. Since we're obviously sticking around in this house for a while (I've never lived anywhere this long in my entire life) - we painted the walls and kitchen cabinets and did some minor redecorating to spruce things up a bit. It's like we have a new home in the same house.

All in all, I think we just learned to be a little more content and not take certain familiarities for granted. 

And...we decided that there's no time like the present to fit in some family vacations! 

I earned a trip to Las Vegas in April 2016, but I didn't think we were going to be able to go because that was when baby #4 was due. After the miscarriage, I decided we should take a family road trip and bring the kids with us. Usually Mike and I go on my free Tastefully Simple trips just the two of us, so this was a big deal for the kids.

In July, we spontaneously drove out to the beach for July 4th weekend. And by "spontaneously" I mean we might have gotten the last possible vrbo.com room available on the western coastline. We parked our van at the house, walked everywhere, the kids got to play in the sand and surf for 3 days and we all relaxed.

Then came a huge surprise. At our national conference, I was COMPLETELY shocked when my name was read as the recipient of Tastefully Simple's most prestigious award. I was nominated by several friends and colleagues, who had the most incredible things to say about me...their words still move me to tears. Listening to passages from the nominees, I actually thought to myself, "I hope that someday people will think these kinds of wonderful things about ME. I want to emulate whomever was nominated for this award!" Then they announced me. MY NAME. It was incredible humbling and completely surreal. 

Just a few short weeks later, I was shocked, yet again, with surprise after surprise after surprise all day long on my 40th birthday. My mom and Mike threw me a wonderful surprise party, complete with fly-ins from bridesmaids and friends from all over the country. My college roommate threw me for the biggest loop...I hadn't seen her in 13 years!

A few weeks after THAT, we went on a Bucket List trip to New York City. Mike is not big on cities or crowds, so I had to pull the "40th Birthday Card" to make this dream come true. We snuck in a trip to Philadelphia and even drove down to Washington DC while we were all the way across the country. The kids had a blast and we made memories that we'll cherish for years.

There were many other little and big things that happened throughout 2016...I finally (finally) got back down to my goal weight and feel healthier than I have in years. 

Even though my oldest two are maturing and in their pre-teen years, I feel like I spent special time with each of them over this past year to deepen our relationships. 

Jason is now seven and working through some of his stubborn, selfish tendencies. (though he may always be a work in progress...) 

All of my kids accepted our journey as homeschoolers and I very rarely hear griping about going to public school. 

Ryan and I worked through some medical stuff and are both feeling great.

My husband has been possessed by a character in a romantic comedy and my marriage is suddenly better than ever. 

Last year I worked less hours for my Tastefully Simple business and made more money, month over month, than any other year before. 

There are just too many amazing things to list them all. Although I tried!  Because I would like to keep this year in my memory as one for the books. 

2016 was very good to me. I can't see another year ever topping it!

What I've Learned at 40

I recently turned 40 years old. FORTY. I was in college when my mom turned 40 and she seemed so. old. How am I already 40???

My mom and Mike threw me a surprise party, complete with fly-ins from 3 of my bridesmaids (from Houston, northern California and Wichita) and another friend from KC. It was such a great way to celebrate this milestone!

I can honestly say that I am able to look back over the past 40 years with no regrets. I love my husband, my kids, our home, our traditions, and the life we have created. 

I have discovered that it will never be perfect, whatever "it" is. I have learned to be content in...my marriage, my body, my patience level, my relationships, my communication, homeschooling, my drive to achieve...I will never arrive. I am forever a work in progress. 

At 40, there's no need for a facade. I am a positive, optimistic person, but I will be the first to admit when things get tough. What you see is what you get...I don't have the energy for manipulation, games or drama.

I am comfortable in my own skin. I've come to realize that this may be as good as I'm ever going to look! It's incredibly freeing. 

I appreciate the personality God has given me. I have discovered my strengths and I accept my weaknesses. 

At 40, I don't feel the need to "fix" myself. I stay up too late, I wait too long to leave the house for appointments, I don't take hints well, and I care too much about screwing up my children. I make mistakes, I forget to return phone calls, I respond to texts in my head, but most people who know me know my heart and that my intention is never to hurt or offend anyone.

I have learned to be more flexible and less rigid. Yet I understand that I work better with structure, deadlines, and goals. I have dozens of alarms on my phone so I don't forget what needs to be done. I like to feel a sense of accomplishment before I can fully relax, so I've learned to "eat the frog" early in the day.

At 40, I have learned the value of creating space in my life. That taking time to recharge is not selfish. That asking for help is not weakness. 

I know my priorities and boundaries. I no longer feel guilty telling people "no" because it often allows me to say "yes" to something more important. 

I strive to give others grace, assuming they are just doing the best they can with what they've been given. I hope others will assume the same of me.

At 40, nothing is more important than honesty and integrity. My values are unshakable. My faith is my foundation.

I feel older, but wiser. My body is aging, but I am healthy. I'm not as exciting as I once was, but definitely still crack myself up! I have immeasurably more than I need or deserve...I pray that I don't ever take these things for granted.

I am so very grateful for all I have. For who I am. For all that is ahead for me. 

#14 - Go to New York City with Mike

Even though the completion date for my 101 Goals in 1001 Days list was more than 9 months ago, I finally...FINALLY...crossed this off from my Bucket List!

With a little help from some local friends, we packed a LOT into our week+ vacation. Here's a snippet of the hundreds and hundreds of pictures we took. 

NEW YORK, Day 1

We flew all day, from Phoenix through St. Louis to LaGuardia. Our tickets were CRAZY cheap. $114 one-way!!!  I was thrilled, since I had budgeted $2500 for airfare for the five of us.

After Ubering to the apartment we found in Midtown (through vrbo.com) we started walking toward Rockefeller Center in search of dinner. 

Everyone was hangry and craving pizza, then we stopped at Ben & Jerry's for milkshakes and "The Tonight Dough" ice cream. 

We casually walked back to our apartment, enjoying the lights and famous sights everywhere we looked. On the way, we stopped at Whole Foods for water bottles, eggs, cereal, milk and snacks for the zoo the next day.

Kaylin brought her camera and Ryan took tons of pics on his phone.

Captivated by Rockefeller Center

This display is made out of Lego guys!

Made a wrong turn and - LOOK OVER THERE! It's Radio City Music Hall.

Looked up while waiting for the light to change and we were standing on 5th Avenue. Of course we were.

NEW YORK, Day 2

Still on west coast time, we awoke to the sounds of a honking war between two vehicles. We took showers, ate breakfast in the room, then used the app City Mapper to figure out how to get to the Bronx Zoo. 

The street where we were supposed to catch the first bus was blocked off with police everywhere. There were people holding their phones high and news cameras holding cameras on their shoulders. Within minutes, down the street comes the Presidential motorcade right before our eyes!  The President was in town to meet with the U.N. and he literally drove right past us. That may never happen again in my lifetime!

After we missed our bus, we decided to attempt to jump on the subway. We had a great day at the BEAUTIFUL Bronx Zoo, then headed back to Midtown in time to go to a show. I pre-purchased tickets to Aladdin, based on multiple recommendations, and it was beyond fantastic.

On our walk to find dinner and navigate Times Square, everywhere we looked, we saw something familiar: the Waldorf Hotel, Trump Tower, Grand Central Terminal, the list went on and on.

 

We needed a bathroom break, looked up...and there's Bloomingdale's!

Our first subway ride

The Bronx Zoo

Famous buildings everywhere we turned!

The Waldorf Hotel

Times Square

Grand Central Station with the Chrysler building in the background

NEW YORK, Day 3

After eating breakfast at the apartment, we took the subway down to Battery Park and spent the day visiting Lady Liberty, walking through Wall Street to have lunch and gelato at Eataly, then toured the 9/11 Museum. 

We were walking to lunch, saw a crowd, then noticed they were all standing around the Wall Street Bull

Foodie PARADISE

the boys watching them make homemade pasta

One of the 9/11 Memorials

In the 9/11 Museum

An actual set of stairs used by evacuees of the World Trade Center

NEW YORK, Day 4

For our last full day in New York City, we went to the Top of the Rock and looked out over the entire island of Manhattan. From there, we grabbed lunch, did some shopping, got ice cream from a street vendor and hopped on a horse-drawn carriage through Central Park. We ended the day meeting friends and touring the Metropolitan Museum of Art, then eating a late dinner with the famous Frozen Hot Chocolate at Serendipity 3. 

The Chrysler Building

Rockefeller Center

The view from the Top of the Rock

Central Park with buildings in the background

The Met

Ryan, reading on the steps in front of The Met while we figured out dinner

PHILEDELPHIA, Day 5

After a true New York bagel breakfast, we left our apartment, rented a minivan, navigated our way out of New York, then drove down to Philly. We saw Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, ate hot donuts made by the Pennsylvania Dutch, had (dry) Philly Cheesesteaks at the famous Pat's, then drove an hour west to stay with our old neighbor friends from back home.

My view from the drivers seat - navigating out of NYC

Jason was captivated by squirrels everywhere in Philly

Independence Hall

The Pennsylvania Dutch making apple fritters before our eyes

the boys playing football on the lawn in front of Independence Hall

The Liberty Bell

Pat's cheesesteaks for dinner

BALTIMORE, Day 6

Instead of spending a day at Gettysburg, like we had planned, we were talked into adding Baltimore and DC to our trip. We drove through Baltimore and stopped to eat crabs for lunch at Phillips. I have never worked so hard for a tiny piece of meat in my life!

Before moving on, we went to Fort McHenry, the site that inspired the Star Spangled Banner.

WASHINGTON DC, Day 6

Our first day in DC was a Sunday. It also happened to be the day after the grand opening of the Museum of African American History, so downtown DC was packed full of people, cars, and blocked roads. We finally found a place to park and just started walking. 

We strolled past the front, then the back, of the White House, over to the Lincoln Memorial, then on to the Washington Monument with a small glimpse of the Capital Building before we were starving and left to find food.

Our South African friends recommended that we try Nando's Peri Peri Chicken for dinner, but Yelp led us someplace different. Ironically, we never found our preferred destination, but walked smack dab into a Nando's, so we ended up eating there after all!

WASHINGTON DC, Day 7

After an all-you-can-eat breakfast at our hotel, we set off to the Smithsonian museums. We started at the Air and Space Museum, then the Museum of Natural History, then we spent some time taking pictures in front of the Capitol building before heading back to Pennsylvania. Unfortunately, we didn't make it out before rush hour, so our drive back up there took a lot longer than expected!

Ryan taking pictures in the butterfly garden

The Hope Diamond

PHILEDELPHIA, Day 8

We didn't get to see everything we hoped to see in Philly that first day, so we headed back on the last day of our trip to visit the Ben Franklin museum and Betsy Ross's house. The kids were thrilled that the Ben Franklin museum was completely hands-on and interactive, with signs that read "please touch" all over the place!

Day 9 was our day to travel home. It didn't want to be the "boring" day of our trip, so to add some excitement, we discovered upon arriving at the Philadelphia airport that Mike's ticket to return home was never purchased. The same-day fare was nearly $600. 

A quick call to Southwest fixed that problem right away (it was the ticket agent's fault!) and they honored the $140 price we paid back in June. Thankfully, our flight was delayed an hour, so we had time to get all of that taken care of with time to spare.

Almost all of us slept on the flight home, which didn't even have a layover. We were up late every night, never really got onto east coast time, and I know we were all running on adrenaline most days! 

As much as I enjoy vacations like this, I equally enjoy getting home and back into our routine. 5 of our 7 suitcases were packed with dirty clothes and all 4 loads of laundry were done by the next morning. No rest for the weary!

Good-bye, New York! Thanks for being everything I hoped you would be and MORE.