- obviously the biggest occurrence of 2024 is the miracle pregnancy + birth of our daughter, june violet.
+ you are what you consume. entertainment, social media, friendships, music— it affects you, whether you want to admit it or ignore its influence.
- a happening i want to remember is the night we told jackson that i was pregnant. jared + i had been talking about my recent bloodwork results. i had several blood draws over the course of a couple weeks. one night during our bedtime prayer, jackson said his prayer, but ended it with, "and please let mommy be okay with all her blood tests." the innocence + concern of his prayer made my heart want to burst out of my chest. i told jared what happened, and we agreed it was time to tell him. that moment was so special! he sat there for several seconds + didn't say anything. he finally tilted his head back and tearfully said, "finally!" that boy loves his little sister so much + i will forever cherish that moment with him.
+ we were made for community. we need the local church. pursue friendships. people will disappoint you. show up anyway.
- i began my new position as a staff accountant at work! i have enjoyed the new tasks + learning a different side of the day-to-day operations.
+ it is not up to me to manage the emotions of others nor is it up to me to be their Holy Spirit.
- jackson played his first year of soccer, started second grade, became a big brother, + logged way too many hours playing minecraft and fortnite.
+ the Lord really worked on my heart this year with my propensity to people pleasing. it has been a long + hard process— a continual unlearning of bad habits + sin, but praise be to the One who loves me enough to not leave me in my mess.
- i read 14 books.
+ rest is good + rest is biblical. when practiced, there is joy to be found.
- for the third year in a row, i played wordle every single day. i got it in 1 once (stern). the only other game i played each day was scripturle.
+ sometimes you need to laugh until you cry at 1am in a dorm room with friends. it’s good for the soul.
- this was the year of friendship! it was such big answered prayer— one that i prayed for years. i am so grateful for the friendships that blossomed this year.
+ time is a thief + a gift.
- we put our sweet tyler bear down in the late fall, just a week before his 14th birthday. he was the best dog + we miss him so much! 🐶
+ "faith is not faith if it is not lived." elendil, rings of power, season two
- some fun celebrations from the year: we rang in the new year with worship at our church, the chiefs won the super bowl, summer olympics, leap day, valentine’s day coffee date, camp oneighty, independence day + halloween in our neighborhood, easter, transformers one in theaters, jared turned 40, groundbreaking ceremony for our church’s new building, and we voted in the election!
+ a divisive spirit is contagious. it is imperative to actively resist a critical spirit, whether it is someone else's or your own.
- i began my 12-week maternity leave! what a gift to have this privilege. i soaked up each + every minute!
+ “nostalgia is the ghost of gratitude” andyjpizza — this is why i document my life, in some form or another.
- we got to experience a solar eclipse! it was 87% totality + it was also the day we told jared’s parents about our pregnancy. it was such a fun day of memories.
+ neighborhood walks are always a good idea.
- we celebrated Jesus’ birth on christmas. this season is always special + i love the twinkle lights + magic of the season.
+ this year stretched my faith in so many ways. i know the Lord to be trustworthy + faithful + good. a lot of life is out of my control, but putting full faith in the Lord + His plan will always be worth more than my wants. my biggest prayer is that my desires line up with His will.
2024 verses—
PSALM 37:4-5 • “delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart. commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him, and He will act.”
PHILIPPIANS 4:4-7 • “rejoice in the Lord always. i will say it again: rejoice! let your graciousness be known to everyone. the Lord is near. don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”
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