Our Five Ring Circus: January 2023

Monday, January 9, 2023

New Year’s Goals

Big family blog


New Year’s Resolutions. I just don’t make them anymore. Every year that I did, I felt like I was just setting myself up for failure. Instead, I choose goals. 

Goals are something to aim for. It’s okay if you mess up. It’s okay if you miss a day. It’s simply a learning process to reach those goals, and you can change or adapt as needed. 

Each New Year, I take a little bit of time to reevaluate my goals. I look back on the past year to see what worked, figure out what goals were reached, and decide which goals to keep, get rid of, or add. Because it’s the start of a new year, it’s a good time to make a new game plan for the year ahead! 

Tuesday, January 3, 2023

1000 Hours Outside

 

1000 Hours Outside

Last year, we participated in 1000 Hours Outside, and we are doing it again this year. Truthfully, we will reach that time well before the end of the year. Playing and exploring outdoors isn’t just a parenting trend for us. It’s simply how I was raised, and I want my children to experience that gift. 

The first decade of my life was spent exploring the woods, creeks, and ponds that surrounded my house. I was truly outdoors from sunrise until after sunset. If I wasn’t home, I was hiking, swimming, fishing, or “touring” our state with my dad and nephew. The second decade of my life was spent riding my horse. Almost all of my favorite childhood memories involve being outside. 

Parenting kids these days is a whole new ballgame! While I fully believe in the benefits of technology, I think free play and exploring the outdoors is every bit as important. There can easily be a good balance between outdoor play and exercise and electronics and technology!

Monday, January 2, 2023

Ringing in 2023

Big family blogs

Once upon a time, New Year’s Eve was a big celebration for us. I have never been a fan of New Year’s Eve, and we aren’t drinkers, so we shifted our focus. New Year’s Eve became a party with my big family, until everyone started doing their own thing. 

Soon after, a big New Year’s Eve party with friends became our thing. Over time, our group whittled away, families moved, and kids grew up. Finally, instead of going to a party, we became the hosts. It has been that way for several years now. 

I miss how it used to be, but as long as I’m with my immediate family and closest friends, I’m happy. I realize that our traditions will adapt and change over the years, so maybe one day, it will become a big celebration again! Nothing is forever. Maybe I will even start to love the holiday!

Sunday, January 1, 2023

Goodbye 2022, Hello 2023!

Family photo ideas

Happy New Year! So many people were eager to say goodbye to 2022, but we will forever remember it as the year our baby’s heart was repaired. It was a GOOD year. That being said, I am hoping 2023 is a great year for our family!

My posts in 2021 and 2022 were few and far between. A surprise pregnancy, a surprising diagnosis, a newborn, dealing with open heart surgery, and parenting 6 kids clearly took priority. I can’t promise anything, but I am going to TRY to be more active on my blog this year! 

I’m going to start with a 2022 highlights update! 

Over the past year:

❤️ Hayden had open heart surgery.

❤️ Dylan turned 18. We have an ADULT child!

❤️ Lexie turned 15, Lily 11, Liam 9, Coen 3, and Hayden 1!

❤️ Lily got a kitten, and Dylan got a Guinea Pig. 

❤️ Lexie was certified in emergency first aid, which paid off when she saved Hayden’s life 2 days ago. 

❤️ We had a fun vacation with friends at Myrtle Beach. 

It was a memorable year for our family, and it was filled with little moments that meant so much. There were ups, and there were downs, just like any other year, but we were healthy, and we were together. I love this big family of ours, and I thank God for them every day!