Ah, it's December and the end of the month at that. We made it through all the holiday buzz, the Christmas present buying, Christmas photo card ordering, addressing, stamping, and mailing...and the holiday travel.
Don't get me wrong, I do LOVE this time of year, but it IS full. Quite full. A few times my family joked that sometime in the future, we'll all cruise to some warm place and enjoy Christmas there. Forget the presents and just enjoy the time and relaxation away from all this commotion and hype.
So, 2015 is almost over. Wow. Another year wrapping up, and what to make of it? Well, a lot has happened this year. My hubs found a job that he mostly enjoys. My job started to deteriorate and so I gave my notice and left. Making this decision was one of the best of the year. My stress decreased, eventually my body became healthier, and overall I am a much happier person. After some soul-searching and praying, I feel led to pursue my next job in the non-profit sphere and I am quite ecstatic about this change.
What else? We are loving our church community and the ways that we are plugged in with folks there. We enjoy our alone, married time, we're having fun with friends, and went on so many trips this year. I like flying Southwest, and I received a notice from them that I took 15 flights throughout the year. That is quite a lot. A highlight of my travels this past year was the "sister trip" that my older sis and I took to Chicago, where we saw U2 in concert. It was a lot of fun and a trip that I'll remember and cherish for years to come. Oh, another first happened this year. My folks finally made the trip to visit us out in DC. We had such a lovely time. I hope that they can come back every couple of years for good times and more sight-seeing. It was truly a good time.
Well, after 2016 commences, I will soon turn 29. What a strange year. It marks the beginning of the last year of my 20's. I can hardly believe that before I know it, I'll be 30. For some reason that year sounds so daunting...like the fun times, laid back schedules, selfish plans, traveling whenever and to wherever days will soon be over. And to replace those care-free 20's will be responsibility filled, big-life adult-like decisions that will tie us down, less travel, more bills, and a tighter schedule. Maybe that won't end up being true, but for some reason when folks turn 30, I think - "Wow, you are really an adult now...have fun with all that lovely responsibility." Eek...
My 20's have been full of adventure, to say the least. And I know it's hard to believe, but I've lived in the DC area for 5 and half years now! Wow - that's the longest I've lived anywhere as an adult. After college, I lived in Kansas for a year before I moved out here. Marriage became part of life in my 20's and it's been full of it's joys and challenges. I think if one wants to grow a lot, then marriage is a good fit. Being married to my hubby has given me a mirror of who I really am unlike any other relationship prior. It's full of it's good, fun, and deep times - and also full of sacrifice, hard times, and bumps along the way....but it's SO worth it.
I also became an Aunt in my 20's and it's a sweet and special deal. These cuties are adorbs and I love them with every ounce of my being. It's a joy to see them grow and change and develop into the little people that God is creating them to be. What an incredible journey they have in front of them! Oh, Lord - protect them from the bad, and help them embrace the journey and the learning that comes from experiencing life. It's definitely full of surprises!
What else? This year I went to a college reunion of my close girlfriends in KC and we had a good time hanging out, talking about babies and pregnancy and births, motherhood, wifehood, and all the challenges of life after college in the "real world". I'm thankful for those ladies. It is good to have people who we do life with and who really know the heart of me and I them. Those are precious friendships that I hope and pray last for the rest of my life. Love them dearly! Also, this year I started reading a book (Christian inspiration/study/encouragement) with a dear friend and discussing it weekly. After we concluded our first book - Simply Tuesday (highly recommend it!), we decided to continue this trend. I am excited to see what we learn and how we continue to grow through this process in 2016.
I feel like every time a new year rolls around that stating and trying (but usually failing miserably) to "new year resolutions" is the trendy thing to do. So, I guess I will jump on this silly bandwagon - and hey, maybe - just maybe I will follow through.
Here are a few 2016 goals/resolutions:
1. Exercise more (2-4 times weekly)
2. Eat less sweets (we're going to try to not buy them but only consume them at social gatherings or when I make sweet things that are gluten/dairy free).
3. Spend more conservatively - start to use cash again soley.
4. Spend more time in prayer and track my prayers in my prayer journal.
5. Read "Jesus Calling" more consistently.
6. Finish my children's book that I started this past year.
7. Create more artistic pieces. I am taking another watercolor class at the start of next year.
8. Walk outside more often.
9. Write 8-10 handwritten letters.
10. Cook and bake more at home; eat out less.
Well, that's all folks! There are my thoughts and musings over the past year and the past decade and a few of my hopes for next year. I pray that it is a bright year, full of goodness and lots of loving. :-)
Enjoy your last few days of 2015, dear readers. It is almost over...so cherish it.
-Tina Lou
