Thoughts on 2024

In 2024, Esther grew the most. She went from baby to toddler, and the transformation has been so cute! She's over 25 pounds at 20 months old and wearing 2T--and it fits her just right! She actually needs some more clothes, all the 24 months and 18-24 things I have she can't wear. We are just cycling through the same 4 outfits! Hah. 

Esther in Jan 2024 vs December 2024

I don't really make new year resolutions anymore since having kids, homeschooling and keeping up with life is more than enough for me on the daily. If I had to come up with one, it would be make time to be more creative in my own personal life since that always takes a backseat to the chaos of my existence. I miss painting. I have made several necklaces that I haven't had time to post here and also a few shawls that I need to take pictures of and post! But I am a crafting fiend and always have at least 3 ideas in my head on the daily that just get shoved around until I forget about them.  

I love doing crafts with the kids. Esther has hit an age where I am able to craft more!! Hopefully 2025 brings some slow crafting hours to my busy mom days. 

Becky has grown a lot too. I have seen her go from the toddler-five she was when Esther was born and now next month she will turn 7. She is so helpful especially with Esther and can do a lot for herself that she couldn't do two years ago when I was pregnant with her little and much anticipated little sister. She's having some stomach pain that I hope we can find the cause of and cure in 2025. And I am loving doing first grade with her. Becky loves crafts just as much as I do (And Reuben does too) but she also loves drawing and coloring and her room is a hoard of snipped papers and discarded sticker backs! She's amazing and being her mom is everything I could ever want. I can't wait to spend 2025 seeing her grow and being a part of her life.

Reuben is hitting the tween years. He's so helpful and as the oldest child, authoritative. He will tell me when I'm wrong, and he will also tell me very matter-of-fact what he thinks I should be doing even if he is wrong. Hah! Nine is such a fun age. He's so smart. He remembers everything and has a million questions about the world, space, God, and quantum mechanics. I have fun googling with him but usually I just tell him to ask his father. I don't know what is brain is doing, but it seems to be on large amounts of caffeine that I am not feeding him. I need more caffeine. 

I am loving doing fourth grade with him. Reuben just learned to crochet this year and loves it, besides playing video games, assembling legos, making origami and concocting wild games with his little sister. He's so helpful at bringing me water. I can't wait to see him grow into a teen and young man in the next few years. He loves to remind me that it's only 6 years until driving! Good gracious. He just started reading chapter books like How to Train your Dragon and it's nice to see him cozy up on the couch with his reading glasses and a book. 

Next year he needs to go to the dentist, a lot. Pray we can find a good dentist close to us. 

Brian turns 40 this year which feels like a milestone. I'm so thankful for 12(?) years of marriage and I couldn't ask for a better father for my children. 

Here is to 2025 and all it entails. 

How are you all? Any new years resolutions? Have a great last day of 2024 and I'll see you next year.