little goals for the year 2023

I have challenged myself to read 25 books over the course of the year.  Last year I think I read maybe three books so I could be biting off way more than I can chew...  It doesn't matter the size or genre.  So I am recapping this months books for my own records❤︎:

I received this one for Christmas and I loved that discussion of intentionality with opening your home with each season:

I jumped on the bandwagon and I'm reading the Vanderbeeker series with Eden. I read the first one and I am waiting for her to finish the second one...  I have heard so many people talk about this series and we are both loving the characters and stories that they are in!

Our friends wrote the book "The Intentional Year" and our church is going through it.  It has been such a great challenge to me and 35 pages of notes later, I am still feeling so inspired by it's pages.  I STRONGLY recommend this book!

And then I read the book "The Immortalists" by Chloe Benjamin, one of my sister's favorites and she gave it to me so that I could share in reading it.  It has some grit and hard story lines but the story and I thought the characters lives were really well written.  I know it wouldn't be for everyone, but I am so glad that my sister shared it with me...

I'm hoping to continue with reading great books and stories over the course of the year, for growth, for fun, to learn, and sometimes, all of the above...

While big brother is away…

 This last weekend, Ryder had his middle school all-nighter at church. The theme was western:

Eden has been counting down the days to the time that she would get with just Kit and I. We have been sick so plans were low-key. We ate dinner on Friday at our favorite Tustin sushi spot:

We headed home for a sleepover in our room and a movie night of watching the second Enola Holmes.

On Saturday everything was slow. Kit made pancakes, we watched soccer, and we read our books…

Lots of snuggles with this girl…

Then Eden and I went to our favorite thrift store:

Eden’s favorite find were these boots for $6:

She loves it so much!

We headed home and ate burgers and watched Downton Abbey.

We had so much fun!!!

Such a special time I never want to forget!

Lunar new year...

 Eden and one of our bunnies is here to remind you that Lunar New Year, on January 22, marked this as the year of the rabbit...🐰😉🐰

We hope you have a wonderful weekend!

the plan for Thursday...

 ...Is to be here.  

Whether on call or running around our unit like crazy, my brain is here on Thursdays...

Things I'm finding relaxing...

Recently, I've been trying to do things that feel life giving to me when the kids are are school and I am at home.  Over the last several weeks, these are things that make me SO happy!

Mowing the yard and gardening:

Puzzles while listening to worship music:

Cooking meals that my family really enjoys:

Reading in this chair:

And taking walks, especially with Kit:

I'm thankful for the smallest of moments that feel like they fill me up!

soccer...

This weekend, Eden had three soccer games from all the makes ups that we had to have based on the rain. It was beautiful weather and she is so fun to watch!

My favorite soccer watching buddy...

Still so much soccer to come!

We are still those bunny people

I find photos on my phone that have taken and I can't help but smile at how much we love these bunnies of ours. 

We would 10/10 recommend bunny snuggles (followed by a lint roller...❤︎) 

Lots and lots of soccer...

 Ryder has been looking ahead to playing soccer in the Fall.  He has been practicing with a local club with a friend of ours.  He has bee loving it! When he isn't practicing with that team, he is working on dribbling and ball skills. 

He works so hard and it so diligent with his time.  It's sweet to have a front row seat to all that he is part of.

A long weekend...

 As rain made it's way in,  we really enjoyed the three day weekend together.  We finished up some gardening and planting:

We ate cinnamon rolls from our grocery store's bakery.  They are a favorite for special occasions!

Ryder connected with his best buddies on X-Box:

(I like creeping on what they talk about...)

I finished a book that I had gotten for Christmas and I am inspired to host in our home more this year!

I started "The Vanderbeeker's" series because it has come so highly recommended and Eden has enjoyed it so much, I'm just reading her books.  It's fun to enjoy it together!

Eden had three soccer games scheduled and all three were cancelled due to the rain.  

We went to a new burger place not too far from us called The Burger Stop and got really good burgers and fries and onion rings.  

We pulled out our game of Clue and played together...

...until we realized that we were missing a three people, two places, and a weapon card.  There was no way that we would ever had finished this game had Ryder not made an accusation 45 minutes in! Ha!  Needless to say another game has been ordered...❤︎

Eden and I worked on a Valentine's Day project for her school.  I can't believe we are entering the last of all things ELEMENTARY!  We can't wait to show you what we've come up with!

We watched some soccer and then started a show called "Limitless with Chris Hemsworth.  It was fascinating! 

We made tostadas using the meat that Ryder had gotten on his hunt:

 and watched "The Fugitive".  There was SO MUCH RAIN ON SATURDAY!

On Sunday we had church and we got to be part of baptisms... It is such a special place to be a part of!

while unpacking scripture and practicing the prayer of examen, this quote was shared from the book of Common Prayer:

So good!

The kids went to their friends, the Packiam's house to hang out and have a sleep over.

Kit and I orderd ramen after the 7pm service and made a date out of it!

Monday, the kids came home and the day was just for downtime until Ryder headed to the UCI vs UCSB basketball game with friends.

Ryder invited Eden to game with he and his buddies, and they had so much fun!  It was the first time that she showed any interest and it was the first time they played together with his friends.

He learned that she is really good, possibly louder and more competitive that he is, and that she made it all so fun and he will be inviting her again...❤︎

The weekend was really good.  The rain caused a forced pause and to be honest, as a family, we can go a little stir crazy because we love to be outside, but the time together was so sweet.  I am incredible thankful for this family of mine.  They are such a gift!

Our first Friday of 2023...

This last Friday, we had out first day date of 2023.  We spent the day dreaming about a 20th anniversary trip later this year.  So the first thing we did was get things dialed in for renewing our passports.

You know that you married the right person for you when they can make a passport appointment enjoyable and fun.❤︎

We had a breakfast at a local Tustin spot that we enjoy.

It doesn't matter where we go, if this is my view, I'm a happy camper.

We got to catch up and connect and share what we are carrying and dreams that we have.  I am so grateful for this man.

There was lots of rain scheduled for the weekend and we got a little walk in to enjoy being outside before being inside for potentially 3 days straight.

With all of the rain we have been having, things are growing like crazy and it's so fun to see!

The rest of the day was spent running errands and doing yard work before we would be inside for the weekend.  We ended the day planting our garden and making tri-tip and watching a double feature of the movie "Devotion" about a true story from the Korean War, and then watching "Maverick".  "Devotion" was incredibly emotional for all of us but such a good movie.

Fridays like those are the absolute best...

Dreaming about all that is to come and I am so thankful that I get to do it with my family!❤︎