Waving Goodbye to 2023, Welcoming 2024

At the start of every year, I hold my breath a little. What crazy shit is 2024 going to throw at us!? Like most, I want the new year to be better than the last, even just a little. We ended our 2022 rough, so it could only go up from such a point so low.

As I looked back on this year, I see growth, love, closeness, healing, commitment, communication, and accomplishments. 

I asked everyone to give me their most memorable moments this year, to switch things up a bit. 2 events ended up on most of our lists, so I will highlight those separately! 

Rusty Bodagit Sell was the biggest family highlight of 2023. Paul's therapist had suggested a therapy animal for quite some time. As soon as I caught wind of it, I wouldn't stop begging! I don't ever think Paul fully approved until it was too late. I took one look at that shy, tiny orange kitty, and he was ours. Rusty puts up with a lot from all of us, and he doesn't mind one bit. He is the best pet we have ever had! We have become those people who take their pet in the car, dress him up for holidays, and make sure he has gifts. We have already started planning a 1st birthday party, because that damn cat is just like one of my kids. 

The other thing that ended up on everyone's top most memorable was our Little America Christmas trip. I couldn't tell if it was because it just happened, or if it really was that good. It felt really special for me this go around, I wish I could have bottled up those emotions to save for a sad day. My parents started this tradition when they were married, 30+ years later, I get to carry this on with my kids. It makes me smile to think of my siblings and I playing the candy bar game on a hotel room floor, I hope it will do the same for my kids. I randomly decided to include Savannah in the planning, and I loved that I did. It was such a heartwarming thing to watch, and made me realize (AGAIN!) she is a full grown adult. She planned and executed a new fun game, and now she will forever be in charge of it! We played, we laughed until tears, we went swimming, we won money, we really enjoyed being a family of 6.

Drake age 8 -

Drake is fresh off his 8th birthday high. He had his first friend birthday party! He invited mostly girls and a group of 6th graders, and they came (sweetest thing ever)! I was thankful for everyone that showed up days before Christmas to celebrate our baby.

Drake made it 3 whole days into Summer before breaking his growth plate in his ankle. It was rough, and memorable. hahaha. Our Summer activities looked a little different for 6+ weeks, those crutches were a bugger. He did say he loved going swimming, which was one of the approved activities if I carried him.

Drake's personality has definitely developed in 2023. He is opinionated, has a question for every situation, smart, and sensitive. He loves to plan parties, play games, pj's, his scooter, and has started training with Devin. Drake hates haircuts, going to the car wash, and is still a picky eater. He can be found sipping a beverage from the Keurig in the wee hours of the morning by himself.

Bina age 11 -

Our vacation to Palm Springs was her most memorable experience! I asked her what her favorite part was, and she said all of it! She absolutely adores her Grandpa Frog, so a week with him was like heaven to her. 

Mathnasium! Bina has built a community of people that she loves and they love her! She goes 5 days a week, and has learned so much! She has gone up 4 grade levels, and a subject that used to bring her to tears...she loves now.

Bina has had a really hard year emotionally and physically. We have done lots of blood work, medicine, and therapy...and 2024 will be a lot of the same. We are hopeful to be able to narrow down what autoimmune disorder she has, so that we can help her feel her best. She has made lots of new friends, and absolutely loves being the big dog on campus! She loves make up, her iPad, swimming, manicures with Savannah, and relaxing! She hates keeping her room clean, hates drama, and has a phobia of sickness.

Devin age 13 -

All of Devin's most memorable moments are basketball! He said his trip to Vegas to play in a tournament and win the championship with his Hustle team was top tier! He had never been to Vegas, so his Dad (and I tagged along) gave him the full experience. Devin was able to attend the Wasatch Academy Basketball Camp during the Summer with his friends. It was the first time he was away from all of us for so long, and I don't think he missed us at all. He finished up the year playing in a tournament with his CU team and they won the championship in that as well. 

Since this is about memorable moments, not highlights, he did say he will remember this year for how often and long he has been sick for. He got pneumonia, strep in his stomach, COVID, followed up by the flu. He has struggled to keep weight on, is always in a bulking season, and never quits moving.

Devin's schedule is intense. He works out and plays basketball 7 days a week with multiple teams and people, including his manager (his Dad!). If he isn't in the gym, he is playing on his phone or bouncing a basketball! He hates when people tease, thinks school is waste of time (smart kid problems!), and absolutely hates losing.

Savannah adulting -

Graduating Highschool. I think I cried the entire month prior to her graduation, it was such a big step in parenting for me. As for Savannah, she was thrilled to be done! I don't think she misses it. I love watching Savannah do things I didn't, it makes me so proud that she is leveling up the next generation. 

After graduation, she quit her little part time car hop job, and got herself a big girl job working 40 hours. She loves it for the most part, but I think it might be because she works with her boyfriend too! She attends Weber State University full time, and is going into social work! We feel like we never see her, but love that she is living her best life.

2023 was definitely such a big year for Savannah. Getting her own credit card, saving for a brand new car, car shopping, buying herself a new phone, so many tattoos, and paying rent...just to name some! Definitely a year for the books! She is the queen of door dash, being a passenger princess, and somehow manages to run on very little sleep.

Evonne age 42 - 

I lost a lot in 2023, but thankfully I found a lot too! I took my whole family (including my Dad) whale watching on a tiny boat. I was giddy to share with them something I love so much. I got another tattoo, I learned how to cut and color hair, I quit my job at Target, and started my own business The House Nanny. My childhood friend, Kim, asked me to start a podcast/YouTube channel with her, and it has been so healing to work on this huge project together. 

I spent most of my days in the car taking kids to their events, or watching events...and I wouldn't have it any other way. I celebrated big milestones with my family, I supported my kids through loss, break ups, hurt feelings, and disappointment. I tried new things, and I would do all of those again! 

Paul forever 32 - 

Paul's most memorable moments were taking the trips! The Vegas trip to watch Devin win a championship, the birthday trip to Vegas with Vannah, the countless couples trips to Wendover, taking the kids to Six Flags and watching Drake "fly" around the park with his cape. 

His 2023 will be remembered for his new found love of Total Battle. We all sit around talking about the kingdom, clan, and who has gotten attacked. I laughed as we were at dinner last night talking strength of armies, who we are going to recruit, and how weak my city is! 

Paul has changed so significantly, sometimes I am blown away. He is constantly working on becoming a better person, and I have learned so much from his example of determination!

We have made our 2024 vision boards, and are ready to manifest some big dreams and goals! I have a feeling this is going to be a year to remember! 

Mother's Day Gift Guide

 

Here is the link to the complete gift guide, I couldn't fit everything in one picture. Momma's deserve to be spoiled, am I right?!

Read on for the breakdown.

Maybeline Super Stay Matte Ink Liquid Lipstick is my absolute favorite lipstick. It lasts all day, and if I don't remove it at night...it will still be there in the morning. I love the shade variety, and lipstick makes me feel a little more put together! 

If lipsticks aren't your thing, who doesn't love a lip sleeping mask.

The Reverse Coloring Book or a funny journal (I have bought this one multiple times!) are always perfect gifts, but aren't complete without a good set of colored pencils or pens. If you want to buy something to do with a child, I think a Draw With Mom book would be fun!

I use this JBL speaker every day! It has been durable, the battery lasts a long time, and we use it outdoors too!

The flowers that never die...Legos!

Crossbody bags are all the rage, I love that they keep your hands free! I used this for my cruise, and it had just enough room to take the essentials without being too much.

The 2 things that are on my wishlist still, a Fujifilm Instax camera or a photo printer! I have started scrapbooking again, and I still love to print pictures to display. These will be coming home to Momma soon. 

A hammock is a must for relaxation! Enjoy the sunshine, or a cool summer night! 

I have seen these necklaces all over, and I just love it!

Tell me what is on your wish list?

24 years.

 

We were just babies back in 1999 when we decided to get married, I was still in high school for hell's sake! I don't think either of us knew what we were getting ourselves into, but we did know what we were getting ourselves out of. Paul and I have both gone through moments of not knowing if we really made the right decision to get married. It sounds scary to some to say that out loud, like if you just think it somehow that doesn't make those feelings real.

At 18 I had an unrealistic expectation of what marriage would look like, and what real relationships look like. I didn't know how to communicate my feelings properly to anyone, let alone my new husband. It made for a lot of hard feelings and hurtful years. I was so unsure of myself, and definitely not ready to be in a long-term relationship. It is still wild to me that at 18 I thought, yup, this guy is gonna be the one for eternity. 

We no longer sweep feelings under the rug, we say those feelings out into the universe and to each other, no matter how hard they are to sometimes admit. We are honest about where we stand in our relationship with ourselves and others. We are best friends who still have disagreements and don't always see eye to eye. We no longer sugar coat things to make others feel a certain way. 

Paul and I have spent more than half of our lives together. We have navigated having 4 children, a small business, multiple house and car purchases, mental health, drama, jobs, COVID, a faith transition...and we have done it all together. Who knows what the future holds, no one does, but we are still here making it work! 

When I asked Paul if we should renew our vows on a beach somewhere for our 25th, he said this "Every day we are married we are renewing our vows, in my opinion." It struck me hard, and felt so true! Every day we are waking up and commiting to one more day, trying a little harder than the day before, and showing up for each other in different ways.

Happy Anniversary Paul! Thanks for the roller coaster that is our life. I never have liked anything boring, so this life we have created makes sense. 

Gorgeous photos by our talented photographer and friend Kim Orlandini.

life in your 40's...

I turned 40, and was not prepared for what happens after. 

{cute friend on Instagram {@balloonbabesofslc} made this balloon art}

It is mostly good, but man is it a mind f***. You are sorta-kinda at the half way point of life, and you think you have it mostly figured out. Everything feels pretty good. You look around and can appreciate your 4 beautiful kids, a stay at home gig, a supportive husband, the big house, the nice car, you get it. BUT what if? Is this as good as it gets?

You decide to leave that church that never felt right. You reconnect with your Dad you haven't spoke to in 15 years. You start working. You get tattoos. Solo trips to places you have never been. You stop sharing a bedroom with your husband. It all feels good and right, but what if? Is this as good as it gets? 

You start making choices that you know are right for you, even at a risk of losing people. You start loving yourself a little more than you did before, because you are living more authentic. You start celebrating more, and maybe go a little overboard. You start wearing those obnoxiously big earrings and crazy colored clothes,  because it makes you happy. You deep dive emotionally in to every decision you ever made, and wonder if it was the right one. You set boundaries, and people get uncomfortable.

***

I think the biggest things I have learned so far in my 40's are...

It is okay to change your mind!

It is okay to not fit in.

People can change, if they want to...but it is hard! People can also not want to change, and that is also hard.

Relationships are a 2 way street, you can't will a relationship the other person doesn't want to contribute to.

An apology is never wasted.

It always feels good to hear that your parents are proud of you, and love you.

You realize your life can look like whatever you want it to, and you definitely don't need the same thing as your neighbor, friend, sister, cousin!

Just because my choices look different from yours, we can still be wildly supportive of one another.

***

I don't know what the rest of my 40's will look like, I am still optimistic it will be the best decade of my life. I have never felt more alive, and yet so scared. I have never felt so sure of the path I am on, and yet so nervous. Is this as good as it gets? I guess I am about the find out.