Happy New Year!
I was thinking with not blogging much recently, I’d come to the new year with plenty to say. And, sure, I can always think of something to say, but I don’t have any deep insights or meaningful resolutions. I hope to embrace the daily adventures and enjoy life in new ways. I hope to walk more. We’re getting ready to start a new small group devoted to local service.
But, honestly, here in the new year I’m glad for some normal life. In 2016, we had big adventures. And I’m sure those will continue – evidenced by the 20-foot-by-40-foot hole in my yard that is soon going to be a swimming pool.
I want to carry the slower pace of
Christmas Break into the new year.
We happily welcomed slow days over Christmas Break. We introduced the kids to some “classic” Christmas movies, played games, and enjoyed each other. (Well, you know, sometimes the oldest two kids didn’t always enjoy each other …) We did travel to Louisville for a few days to see my parents, siblings, and other relatives.
I closed out the year wearing soft pants and playing six games of Settlers of Catan in seven hours with our best friends. We’ve had big New Year’s Eve parties before, but this year I wanted that low-key ending to what’s been a fun, adventurous year. I wanted familiarity and comfort, at least for that night, and maybe even for a few weeks now that January is here.
Perhaps by February I’ll have insights and resolutions.
But for now I’m going to eagerly anticipate “Designated Survivor” coming back on {but not until March!} after I binge-watched the first 10 episodes. I’m going to finishing reading “No More Perfect Marriages” by Jill and Mark Savage and “Parenting With Grace and Truth” by Dan Seaborn, and hopefully dive into some of the newly acquired fiction on my Kindle. Oh and I’m going to let my new Roomba do the majority of the floor cleaning when I’m not home.
And maybe I’ll go on a walk tomorrow.
How’s your new year going? Do you have any resolutions or insights?
*****

Yes to carrying the Christmas vacation mindset into 2017. What a great way to think of it!
Thanks for your faithfulness here.
Thanks for your encouragement, Michele! I’m always glad to see you here!
Kristin, I enjoyed reading this post. My son mentioned us learning the Settlers of Catan game as a family on New Year’s. But my favorite part of this post – your Roomba! May it free you up to do the fun things! Happy New Year!
Settlers of Catan is the best game ever, in our opinion. 🙂 I love your perspective about the Roomba freeing me to do fun things. Thanks for your faithfulness here, Joanne!
Sounds like you have a glorious year ahead! I love this…there are seasons for adventure and drama and change, but the most beautiful ones for me are always in the ordinary.
Happy New Year!
I always have to remind myself those seasons of adventure and ordinary come and go, otherwise I may just get a bit too settled in one or the other! Hope 2017 is fabulous for you, Becky!
The slower holiday is always appealing to me, it.goes.by.too.fast. 🙂 I love the look of your blog, Kristin. I have missed a lot by taking a break from spending time linking up at other spaces of grace in the blogging world. I have missed those familiar voices, too… the friends they belong to and the stories they share. I have contemplated the Roomba, you’ll have to keep us updated on how well it works, and that swimming pool! Girl, that is awesomeness. Yay for you! (and your kiddos!)
Happy New Year Kristin!
Blessings!
Dawn
The Roomba was such a pleasant surprise, so I’ll keep you updated. Thanks for your comment about my blog, Dawn! I’ve missed you being here, but I’ve cut way down on my blog reading, so I totally understand. Happy near year to you, Dawn!
I love this! Yes, I am in the same boat – I want to carry the slowness and Christmas into the New Year, too! I’m still contemplating all that I want to do in 2017 and what it will look like. Taking things one day at a time. Trying to be present instead of perfect and remember that my worth and value are found in God. Super excited to see what 2017 holds for us both!
Present over perfect could be (should be!) my mantra too, friend. I love that you love that book. I sure did too. Happy 2017 to you – more adventures to come for both of us, I’m sure. xoxo
Slowness and rest sounds perfect and goes right along with my year of less. Less crazy, less stress, less stuff. Happy New Year to you and your family!
Less is more, right? 🙂 Happy new year to you, Katie!
Lots here. Designated Survivor: LOVE. Roomba: my friend loves hers; I got a cordless Dyson and LOVE it. Soft pants: Love and have some on. Swimming Pool: lucky you and perfect for your family. A slow January: LOVE.
You: love!!!!
xo
You, my friend, are one of the people I saw posting about Designated Survivor. My mom kept telling me to watch it too. Of course, now I need more of it in my life and I’ll have to patient. 🙂 You’re the sweetest. xoxo
Hello Kristin, Happy New Year to you.
I like the simple and welcoming feel of the new blog.
Thanks for the linkup.
God bless
Hi there! It’s been awhile. I’m glad you’re here and linked up!
I get it, me too, I want to go into the new year taking in our slowness from Christmas too, I am making myself boundaries this year to help with that. Love your encouragement. Looking forward to hearing about the roomba adventures. I love one that mops 😉
Happy new year to you! Hopefully I’ll run into you somewhere soon. 🙂
I knew I added my link Wednesday evening… so strange! Adding it now, since the linkup still open. Happy New Year 2017, everyone!
Glad you did! 🙂
Thank you for leading this link-up! Happy New Year! I pray many blessings for you in 2017.
I look forward to getting to know you this year, Stacey! Thanks for being here.