2014 in review

As 2014 comes to a close, I’m taking notes and taking stock.  I’m digesting all the good and trying to course correct for any of the negative.  This year was a little more calm than 2013.  This year we were settling in after a move (July 2013) and my job change (December 2013); our infant grew into a toddler; our lives were changing but this year was not so dramatic.

Looking back, I feel proud.  I am happy.  I am content.  My heart is incredibly full.  In 2014 we celebrated our third anniversary, Aidan’s second birthday, and many personal achievements.  I ran a half marathon and two triathlons.  Alan had another successful year hosting his annual soccer tournament to support Veterans in our area.  We made updates to our home that feel beautiful, functional, and comfortable.  I read a lot of books, listened to a lot of podcasts, and focused more on my creative pursuits.

Some of the books and podcasts I absorbed this year changed my mindset and challenged me in ways I never saw coming.  As a result, we focused more on gratitude.  We are so damn lucky.  Although we both work very hard for what we have, we could not be where we are today without the support of our families, each other, and the grace of God.  This year we spent less money on things and instead spent more on fun.  We bought very little clothing so that we could give more to others.  We focused more on buying local and supporting handmade.  These weren’t big changes but they brought a little more focus to our lives.  This was a great year for our family.

We tend to overestimate how much we can accomplish in a single day, but underestimate what we can accomplish in a full year.

-Colin Wright 

I have many hopes for 2015.  Mostly, I hope that we remain healthy and that we continue to support one another.  I’m also ready for a challenge.  I’m ready to test myself with more races, more creative pursuits, and more family adventures.  I don’t want to underestimate how much we can go/see/do in a full year.  Instead, I am running into 2015 with arms and eyes wide open, with goals and hopes, with anticipation that anything can happen.  I hope that great things happen for us and that when we come to hurdles, we have the grace to make it through them.  And I hope the same for you.