Life Update {What a Year!}

It has been a bit since I have done a life update. I definitely feel like blogging has drastically changed over the years and it is much less personal. I miss the days of incorporating my life into this blog frequently. And while some bloggers have chosen to stop all together, I refuse to completely remove myself and family from my little corner of the internet. So here is what we have been up to over the last several months!

Back Recovery

The last time I gave an update I had recently had my back surgery. The recovery was a long 6 months of having to baby by back. No bending or twisting or lifting heavy objects. Luckily most of that time was during the winter and spring months when I didn't have a lot of heavy outside yard work. It also meant I couldn't complete a lot of projects. And while I can't claim to be 100% back to where I was before, I am thankful that I am on the mend.

Lay Off

Shane was laid off earlier this year. His firm had suffered some setbacks with some large projects so Shane was not surprised when most of his department lost their jobs. It stirred up a lot of anxiety from the recession over a decade ago when he was out of full time work for 3 years. That was a few years after I started this blog and really stretched our family of six.

Fast forward to this fall, Shane was able to find a new job that pays the same and is closer to home. He has only been there a couple of months, but is already enjoying it. He even won the office pumpkin carving contest :)

Family Pictures

While were were visiting the redwoods in California this summer, we took family pictures. Nothing in this world makes me happier than having all my family together. Shortly after we got back from this vacation, I chopped my hair because it had been a long time since I had shorter hair and I was ready for a change!

Leaving The Nest

My oldest and his wife live a couple of hours away so we get to see them quite often. They celebrated their 1 year anniversary this summer! My oldest had an emergency appendectomy this summer and I was able to go up and help out for a couple of days while he recovered and his wife was at work. It makes me feel good when I can still be helpful and do things for my kids even though they are adults.

My second son got home from his mission in early January and worked full time until school started in this fall. I loved having him live at home after having him gone for two years! He is now living 30 minutes away and loving university life.

My third oldest graduated high school this spring and recently submitted his paperwork so he can serve a two year mission for our church. He has been working full time to save money for his mission (and for school when he gets back). It is wild to me that I am about to send off my THIRD child and will only have one kid left at home.

He was called to the Manila, Philippines mission which also includes the island of Palawan. He will leave in early February to go to the MTC where he will learn the Tagalog language. Then he will fly out to Manila in mid April.

My youngest is in high school and recently went on his first date. Time really needs to slow down. It's slipping away to quickly.

Loss

We lost our sweet french bulldog Kevin this fall. We found out he had a brain tumor early this summer and by the end of August he was gone. I knew I would be incredibly sad when he left us but I was surprised at just how deeply I felt it. He was a beloved member of our family for over a decade and was such a part of my daily life. I still find myself looking for him.

Seasons of Life

The older I get, the more I am learning to lean into the seasons instead of fighting them. I HATE winter. Or I should say that I have really struggled in the past with winter. And honestly, when fall comes, I can't even enjoy it fully because I know that the colder months are just around the corner. Part of it is my seasonal affective disorder and part of it is because I am such an outdoor person and I crave the sunshine and playing in the dirt.

But your 40's bring some wisdom. I am focusing on the good parts of winter. I have more time to bake bread and meal prep. I don't really do that in the summer when things are so busy. I have more time to curl up with an actual book instead of mostly listening to an audio one while doing other things. I get to wear cozy sweatpants and sip hot cocoa. It is a slower paced time and I am learning to be okay with that.

And just like with the weather, there are seasons to life. I am trying to lean into my current season instead of fighting it as well. This is such a weird time with my kids leaving home, perimenopause (seriously...aaahhhh!), and parents aging. So many emotions!

Projects

I was the queen of starting, but not finishing, many projects this year. Whether it was due to the budget (thanks layoff), boredom/distraction (I may or may not have recently discovered I have ADHD), or not being able to find certains items, I have loads of started projects but nothing to show for it. The good news is that it won't take much to finish.

But even with all the obstacles, I was able to get some projects completed so far this year. And with a few more finishing touches, I'll have a lot MORE to share with you. So buckle up. I will have several room makeovers coming soon...

I am looking forward to the new year and all of its possibilities!