Happy New Year! I always grow a little nostalgic and a bit reflective at this time of the year. I like to look back on everything we've done and how I've grown along the way. 2023 was a good year for us. So many milestones. So many trips. So many memories. Yet, as I look toward 2024, I want to practice being more present. I want to find quiet moments when life slows down (even for a minute) to truly ground myself in the here and now. I saw a word box posted on Instagram in which I was supposed to see what four words jumped out at me. The words that seemed to be illuminated on the page were change, miracles, connection, and family. I know those types of exercises are more fun than prophetic, but I liked all of those words. I want to see the miracles in my life - big and small. I need to be better at embracing change and being willing to be open to new things or new ways of doing things. I want to build deeper connections with those around me, but most importantly, my Father in Heaven. And, family is always my #1. That is how we rang in the new year...with family. I am so beyond grateful that my adult kids want to come home. Our relationships are not perfect. There have been (and I'm sure will be) hard moments when decisions were made that in hindsight may not have been the best to nurture relationships. Jeff and I aren't perfect parents and our kids aren't perfect kids. We're all just trying to do the best we can. Yet, I am forever thankful that we are willing to accept responsibility for our choices and still offer grace to each other...no matter how difficult that can be at times. Tonight, however, was not difficult. We all had fun just chilling at the house. There was no big party or any planned activities. I had several trays of food (fruit tray, veggie tray, meat/cheese/cracker tray, chips and dips, etc.), a fun photo booth, and ample games to play...and that's what we did! Before the older kids arrived, Jonas, Dallin, Jeff and I watched a little Star Wars. Jonas is trying to watch all 3 trilogies, but once the other kids arrived, we moved from video games to board games to just hanging out. Before Carter and Everly went to bed, we even went outside to blow noise makers and light sparklers. Jeff, Jonas, and I even stayed awake until midnight. I honestly can't remember the last time I did that, and I think this was Jonas's first time. Once we toasted the new year, we headed to bed. Jacob and Amber went home, but Dallin and Casey (and Laurin partially under duress) stayed up for another few hours playing video games. Needless to say, Laurin and Casey didn't make it home that night.
New Years Day was pretty chill too. In the morning/early afternoon, I spent some time tidying up from the past week of parties while Jeff took the boys outside to put up some new lights in the shop. It was shaping up to be a pretty routine day until we all decided to do a little hike up Santaquin Canyon. Jacob and Amber came back down to join us. I wasn't expecting as much snow as we encountered (especially since there really hasn't been any snow in the valley), but we were all prepared enough to enjoy a couple hours outdoors. At one point, the boys tried to see if they could start a fire with just a shoe string and sticks. It didn't work...but that became the evening's activity. We made our way home before it got too cold where I scrambled to find something to feed everyone (thank goodness for soup and cheese sandwiches) and the boys continued their fire quest. After doing a little YouTube research, they discovered the wood they were using wouldn't have started a fire, but all became a little more educated on what to do in an emergency. It wasn't anything big for the first day of the New Year, but we were together and having fun...and that's how I hope 2024 continues to be.
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