2016 Recap and 2017 Resolutions

2016 turned out to be a pretty great year. We took two awesome vacations with the kids, Florida and Colorado, and we bought our first house!!!! Wahoo!! There were several other great things, too, but those are definitely at the top. Parker started Kindergarten at home, we made some new friends in the area, Ryan bought a truck!! Good stuff.

Here's what I wrote for my 2016 Resolutions

- Pray for Ryan, Parker and Adley every day - honestly, that didn't happen. I pray pretty consistently for the kids because that's just what we do before we put them to bed, but I could do a lot better at praying consistently for Ryan. Sorry honey! I'll work on that!
- Be bold in my faith - I think that's up to God to decide if I did that. 
- Read personal development, parenting and marriage books - Just a few.
- Start making an income off of my healthkicklifestyle.com website - hah - that didn't happen either! I thought I had a great year! I think I wrote these all after a big business conference so I was focused on that. 
- Get certified in HIIT Training - I did do that and now I'm teaching a HIIT class, so that's a win!
- Become a brand ambassador for a fitness company - I did become an ambassador of an online company called SweatPink. Byron doesn't really exactly stores that have have brand ambassadors ;)
- Buy a house - WOOT WOOT! That's a big one! And we totally love this place. I am just SO thankful!
- Keep trying new things - I did my first sprint triathlon! That was new alright! And we're homeschooling....that's new! haha
- Be more consistent with this family blog (considering it's Feb. 11 and I'm finishing up Christmas blogs...) - I was actually shocked that I'm doing better this year already than last year at this time. 
- Encourage Ryan through Ironman training - Round 2! - I cheered for him every step of the way! I didn't really push him to train since we had just moved, but he did awesome nonetheless.
- Make Pe De Choux - I watched so many baking shows over Christmas...I have to try and make this.  - shoot

Whelp, by the looks of it I didn't really "accomplish" some of the things that I thought I'd do this year, but I really did have a fabulous year. The move was definitely a highlight and also put most other things on hold, so I'll take it =)

2017 Resolutions

I decided to find things that I wanted to add to my life and things that I wanted to get rid of. One of each per month. January is done and it's actually been really fun keeping these in the back of my mind. 

January - Compliment others like a boss. - - - Stop comparing
February - No Facebook until after lunch.  - - - Let go of my pride
March - Try 1 new healthy recipe per week. - - - Let go of worry or fear
April - Declutter. - - - No Gossip
May - Pray through characteristics I'd like our kids to develop. - - - Give up the need for control
June - Invite 3 new friends over for dinner. - - - Get rid of excuses
July - Add cycling to my workout routine. - - - Stop complaining
August - Focus on being positive! - - - Fight off negative thoughts
September - Master meal-planning. - - - Control the Anger
October - Pray for my husband everyday. - - - Stop blaming others
November - Write a letter to 5 people. - - - So long insecurity
December - Keep eating healthy despite the season. - - - Don't spend $$ on the things I need. 

All the while being open to what God has for our family!

I'd also like to... 
Get all the trim painted
Have another killer garden
Finish our first year of homeschool with a bang! (A good bang). And start year #2 with joy and confidence. 
Do fun things with the kids - possibly a trip or two ;)
Go on more dates with Ryan!
Pray more

I love facing the year knowing no matter what, God is good and has complete authority over our lives. =)

Celebrating Jesus. Merry Christmas!

 I caught Adley reading the Bible to her baby. Oh, so precious <3 p="">

The kids helped me wrap Ryan's presents.

After the kids went to bed we got to do our own wrapping. I wrap all the boxes, and Ryan wraps all the difficult-shaped presents - which is most of them. He's a man of many talents ;)

Christmas Eve Day was spent at my parents. We had a fiesta for dinner and then went to GVCRC for church, followed by family pictures and presents. 

I love these people!

 Such a fun night. We went home for bed and then woke up at 5AM  to spend time with Ryan in the morning before he went to work. He's so sweet, he made a fire, the world's greatest cinnamon rolls and had everything ready for us when he woke us all up. <3 p="">

I'm not really sure why the Elmer's is on the table....those rolls were something else though!

The kids liked their presents and got right to playin!

The kids played while I took a little napster. 5AM is early! Then we went to Nana and Poppo's. 

These silly kids. 

 We attempted a Gingerbread house.

So it wasn't the best Gingerbread house in the world. It's really just the experience I think ;)

 Well that was a long fun day with lots of fun people and great food! 

Merry Christmas!

Chicago 'Vacation"

Ryan had a day off so we decided to make the friend rounds in the burbs and the go to the city for 'field trip.' We started by going to our old church in Wheaton, The Compass, and then went to our frequent breakfast joint, Blackberry Market, with some friends. 

Next, we went to meet this sweet baby girl!

Now to Yorkville for a gathering with our suburban besties. 

That's a whole lotta kiddos! So thankful <3 p="">

Then & Now - 6 years apart

We are so blessed!

We spent the night at the Knapps and then drove into the Museum of Science and Industry, which we got into for FREE! Major homeschool perk there! The kids totally loved it. We were there for 5.5 hours and saw just about every inch ;) What an awesome place!

Where the Wild Things Are

Build and fly your own jet!

Parker LOVED the submarine! That thing was cwazy!

There was a video showing how they got the submarine into this place - Parker was glued it it! We tried to make him leave several times but he just had to see it. It was pretty darn cool. 

We got some yummy supper, some hot chocolate (or actually like liquid chocolate bars - pretty ridiculous) Then we finally got to cuddle in our comfy cozy hotel beds. We were on the 32nd floor of the Swissotel. The kids just thought that was so cool! And Ryan and I did, too ;)

Look at these little precious kids. Wow, they are such a blessing. 

We started our morning off with a swim. Here's the view from the pool. 

Then we went to Navy Pier Winter Wonderland. Ryan and I were a little overstimulated and there were some hiccups in the pricing/height/rides/etc....but the kids still had fun! 

We finished up by going to the Braniff's to meet sweet baby Bode. 

What a fun mini vacation! It was really great having some intentional family family time and seeing lots of friends. 

Just a few days later we had our annual friends cookie baking day. It's just the best =)

Only a few more days until Christmas!