Our 2025 Family New Year's Resolutions

 Happy 2025 Again!

This year our family came up with three New Year's Resolutions. 

I was very surprised that they came up organically without me prompting anyone to make them.

Here's how we plan to live in 2025:

1. Choose joy and contentment 

As we read through many people's end of the year posts, Mark and I were both surprised at just how many people reported having a tough, horrible, or forgettable year. As we talked about our own lives, we mentioned just how long it's been since we felt like we've had a "hard year."

Is our life perfect? Have our years been perfect? Absolutely not! In 2020, I faced major health issues and life changing surgery for our family, we lost Mark's dad in 2021 which has forever altered our family, we've lost family and friends, we have had bad days, financial woes, etc. 

So what is the difference?

We choose contentment. For years, we've had a sign in our kitchen that says "The secret to having it all is knowing that what you have is enough." I look at that reminder many times a day.

We choose joy. My friend Lauren once shared the quote, and I don't know the original author or speaker so forgive me on that but it changed everything for me. "Joy is not in my circumstances, it is in knowing the Lord." Ooof. I have and know the love of Jesus - what else do I need?

2. Live by our 2024 Family Quote Again: "The happiest people do the most for others." Booker T. Washington. 

Owen had this quote in a school book and chose it as his "wall verse." It hangs on our living room wall next to the Golden Rule. It was such a bold way to decide to live 2024 and it changed so much for us and our attitudes about service. It enriched our year so very much to choose daily to do for others - we all learned and grew so much that we decided to keep on living for Jesus and others.

3. Decluttering 2,025 Items in 2025

Are you surprised? Honestly you cannot be more surprised than I was when my family ASKED for this!

We decluttered 2,024 Items in 2024 and I answered your questions afterwards. I was inspired by my friend Justina at The Well Planned Mama and she offered her printable to me. The kids absolutely loved coloring in her coloring sheet and we had the best time getting rid of items. We finished in the fall and it was so freeing!

I have mentioned several times on here that even after our coloring sheet was done I kept seeing items show up in the donation box, we kept taking items to the free table at co-op, we kept passing on clothes in our family clothing trade circle, etc. I have also told people I feel like we really changed the culture of stuff in our home.

So...imagine my surprise when the kids each mentioned independently that I needed to get our 2025 sheet ready. Then, Mark asked when we were starting! Wow! So on Janaury 1 we began counting again. It's clearly been needed as we've already parted with 30+ items from our kitchen that I thought had been so carefully edited last year. 

I am genuinely curious how this project will feel this year. Last year, as we began the year, my home felt too full and I was so overwhelmed by it. But now it feels so well managed! We have so much blank space! We all have clothes that fit, items we love, items we use, and a space that I am proud of! This year instead of the project being about me, it seems to be about them. 

Here's to 2025 and chasing dreams, reaching them, and dreaming again! 

Enjoying Disney World -

SO thankful our kids are experiencing experiences and travel vs wanting stuff! 

"The Story" and the MOST Important Thing I'll Ever Do

 Both of the kids, on their own, set the goal of reading through the entire Bible with me before they end their homeschool years.

We have enjoyed countless hours in the Word, together. I am so thankful for that individual time with each of the kids. 

This fall, we decided to also read through The Story. We began in October and finished on New Year's Eve.

I cannot explain how profoundly powerful it has been to be fully invested, in the Word, every day as a family. 

I love that the kids have developed inside jokes based on Bible people and stories. 

I loved when one complained about a long car ride and the other said "You're such an Isrealite!" 

I loved when they exclaimed "This is part of that song..." and proceeded to sing part of a hymn or worship song. 

I loved when they could fill in the blanks of verses before I could even finish reading them. 

I loved the behind the scenes facts they have each learned at church and were able to share. 

I learned SO much from them, from God's Word, and from the Holy Spirit's whispers. 

The MOST important thing I will ever do is share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with my children and with the world. I pray that they cling to Biblical Truths like: love God, love your neighbor, serve others, be of good cheer, the fruits of the spirit, and so many more beautiful Truths. I am thankful we have literally been handed a guidebook on how to live - we just have to choose to do it!

My life verse is Acts 20:24 "My life is worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task set before me - the task of sharing the Good News of Christ Jesus." 

I pray that in this fall of intense reading and scripture study that they have imprinted God's Word on their hearts. 

I pray that knowing it causes them to want to share it with all we encounter - for there is not a person we will meet that was not created by God. 

Jesus came for each and everyone of us and I love sharing that beautiful Truth with all I meet! 

12 Favorite Pictures of 2024

 I always like to look back on the past year and pictures are my favorite ways to store memories.

Here is my favorite picture from each month in 2024...

January.

At the Burger Bar in Ft. Wayne. 

The kids LOVE this tradition!

February

Twinning with my Dance Mom Duet Partner.

I am so thankful that dance brought us together with the Sichting Family. 

They are friends who we've chosen to be family. 

March.

Disney Princess: The Concert

Annabeth and I had a wonderful night out. She loved

putting together this dress up outfit for our special date night.

April.

Owen moved up to Kid Pitch in Baseball this year.

It was a HUGE learning curve for him but he put in

so so so many extra hours of practice. We're so proud of him for doing

tough things with a great attitude!

May.

Mark and I spent a Monday-Friday at the Walt Disney World Resort

for our 15th Wedding Anniversary. I am so grateful that my parents came up to keep

the kids and Oscar for the week. We had great weather, beautiful resorts, and such a 

wonderful time reconnecting, goal setting, and planning our next Disney trip.

June.

Mr. O turned 9. He had an Elvis themed party, got a new big bicycle, and

made us all laugh 10000 times over the summer. He's such a ham and we can't 

wait for him to harness all of that energy and enthusiasm for good!

July.

Owen spent a week in Evansville and we got a whole week with just

Annabeth. As a homeschool mom, I spend a lot of my time with the kids as 

teacher and mom so it's always nice to have fun friend time with the kids too!

August.

Over the summer, we kicked off our tour of Indiana's 92 counties. 

It's been fun to visit places as a family and also with extra family members and friends.

This picture is in New Harmony, Indiana at a place where my family has been

taking pictures for generations!

September.

We took a long weekend trip to Michigan City for my sister's birthday.

We enjoyed two nights of sunset dinners at the beach. 

The water calls to us all - we're beach people!

October.

Annabeth turned 13.

We cannot believe we've been gifted 13+ years with our Miracle Girl!

We're so thankful for the light and love she brings to the world!

November.

Thanksgiving Day.

Mark was on call, and did work, nearly all of Thanksgiving Weekend.

We were glad we had opted to stay home with him so he did have people

to spend his time off with. We hosted for the first time ever which felt quite special to me.

December.

We took the long way home one night to look at lights in the fog.
Our downtown is truly like a Hallmark Movie set.

2024 was a year to treasure. We had some tough battles, fought quietly, as we sought to live our quote for the year:

"The happiest people do the most for others"

- Booker T. Washington

A little bit more...

 

"And the Grinch, with his Grinch-feet ice cold in the snow,

stood puzzling and puzzling, how could it be so? It came without ribbons. It came without tags. It came without packages, boxes or bags. And he puzzled and puzzled 'till his puzzler was sore. Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before. What if Christmas, he thought, doesn't come from a store. What if Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more.” - Dr. Suess' How the Grinch Stole Christmas!

This year our church Advent Study was based on a book about the Grinch. In our household, we've never placed a great emphasis on fancy food, elves, piles of presents, etc instead opting for a small, simple Christmas within our home. We love holding space for quiet, for peace when the world around us feels so busy. 

This year Christmas Eve was simple: sleeping in, watching "Home Alone" while eating cheese pizza like Kevin, and church at 7. Mark ended up working the afternoon, I went to Immediate Care thanks to an ear infection, we ate freezer pizza instead of homemade, and then we went to the most beautiful church service. 

Our church holds a 7 PM Service of Light. We had been to Christmas Eve before but always the Family Service. This year we felt everyone was old enough for the later service and WOW! The service begins with Christmas songs and then our pastors began the reading of the Word with "In the beginning..." The church begins fully lit and covered in candles. As we weave our way through the Word, away from God's creation of light and into the darkness that came into the world with sin, the church darkens. By Isaiah, the church is completely dark. Never have I sung "O Come, O Come Emmanuel" while standing in complete darkness. Feeling that physical darkness while hearing the Isrealites pleas from their spiritual darkness was such a profound moment for me.  I felt what the world felt while they waited for Jesus - HOPE. 

On the way home, Annabeth said "That was the best service I have ever been to. I felt it in my heart."

I asked them to get ready for church.

This is what they did. 

No green. No red. No holiday special outfits.

They took the "come as you are" invitation literally.

Our Christmas morning began with a gift for Mama and Dad, the kids slept in! We didn't get to presents until 8 which was glorious! After a slow morning at home, we took lunch over to Mark's mom's house. We enjoyed lunch with her, Luke, and the kids. 

Christmas Evening we headed back to church to help with the Christmas Dinner. Instead of doing Advent Meals or church meals for the church family during December, our church does a full day of meals for the public on Christmas. We serve hours of delivery and drive through meals and then do 2 full hours of sit-down-service meals. I love how beautiful the hall looks with gorgeous tables and decor. We welcome guests into our hall and serve salad, a full meal, dessert, and offer conversation with those who come alone. We welcome families, singles, the elderly, people who use our church during the week for meetings, and some people for the only time all year.

Both of our kids said the highlight of Christmas was serving dinner and sharing time with everyone. 

Christmas is about so much more than trees, ribbons, bows, or the presents we will open. Christmas is made special by that feeling. That warm wonderful feeling of Hope, of Peace, and of Love. 

May the Love of Christ be with you today and always. If that Love, the Hope of Christmas, the Peace of Christ is something you are not familiar with. Please ask! We'd love to share about the One who came for the world. For YOU. 

Frugal Friday 565

 Happy Frugal Friday!

Here's how we saved money/spent money wisely/made extra money this week:

- Mark worked overtime and did some custom sewing work with his side business. I worked my travel business and helped clients plan last minute Christmas trips as well as Spring Break trips. Is travel on your 2025 plans? Let's plan together - a.riley@magicalvacationplanner.com

- Friday afternoon some of us had eye doctor appointments. We took a long an old RX set of glasses to donate. They were surprised and thankful for the donation. 

- Friday evening we had "fun dinner" - nachos - and then went to the library's Merry Prairie event. This event was smaller and less crowded than other years which was great! As always, the highlight was seeing the live reindeer. This year though, we noticed the kids were truly too old for it. Thankfully they each ran into some friends to hang out with. On the way home, Mark took the long way and surprised us by driving through the Masonic Home and downtown to see all of the beautiful lights. 

- I mentioned last week that we had purchased dance shoes on Cyber Monday. Unfortunately, the pair we ordered for Annabeth were too small. The company we buy them from requires us to pay shipping from them and also to return. Thankfully, I was able to sell them to another dancer at our studio for what we paid for them saving the $7 to return. 

- Saturday we spent the morning volunteering at our church's Potato Drop. We helped give out a HUGE amount of potatoes. Before we volunteered at this event, I always thought it was kind of silly - how could just handing out bags of potatoes help anyone? You would be amazed at the stories and kindness we encouter each year. 

- Sunday after church we drove down to Charlestown. We watched our Godson win his school league championship basketball game, celebrated Ebling-Riley Christmas, and saw the beautiful downtown Charlestown Christmas display. The Eblings hosted and cooked dinner so we brought fun coffee drinks, fruit cups, and dessert. I always help with dishes and clean-up. We are thankful to have officially kicked off our holiday season!

- Tuesday the kids and I made cut out Christmas cookies and decorated with icing and sprinkles. This was an item on our Christmas Bucket List. We make my friend Katelyn's amazing recipe and in honor of her we always give them away like she does. Owen took some to his Scout Christmas party, we served them at our Wednesday playdate, and took some to friends.

Icing and decorating

- We took a meal to a friend who just had Baby #4. We took pasta bake, bread, salad, and some of our Christmas cookies. 

- The kids wrapped each other's Christmas gifts this week. I was so incredibly proud of the kids and their choices of gifts for each other! Owen chose to support two small, local artists in his gift for Annabeth and Annabeth opted to shop a used bookstore, vs new, and was able to get Owen three books instead of one new. They both stayed in budget and found things the others would love. 

- We took our annual Hot Cocoa Walk with Owen. We prepare it at home from scratch and then walk downtown looking at lights together. It's such a special time together for Mark, Owen, and me. 

- Mark had the Coroner's Office Christmas party last night. The Coroner always treats his staff to a nice dinner and small gifts. Mark enjoys the evening each year. 

This week we had our final medical appointments, we hope!, of the year. One of which was a follow up to many appointments from the spring. One of us was awaiting news and test results. Last spring there was talk of surgery. I've been praying each day that the Lord would see fit to change that ending for us. This week we received the wonderful, amazing news that surgery will NOT be needed as the body is healing itself! Friends, I asked God for this specific thing every.single.day. It was a BIG ask but I knew I was talking to the One who could make it happen. Don't ever be afraid to take the smallest or biggest asks to God - he cares for them all! 

Happy Savings to All! 

Frugal Friday 564

 Happy Frugal Friday!

Here's how we saved money/spent money wisely/made extra money this week:

- Last week, Annabeth came home from dance and announced that one of her classes was doing a "Secret Santa." I am excited that she's got a great group of girls to dance with BUT we were nearly done with our Christmas shopping. In the end, once we looked at her Secret Santa's wishlist, I saw that I could make her gift work from items in our gift tote. Over the year, when I find a great deal I stock up on little things and add them to gifts across the year. It's getting harder as the kids are older and their friends want more specific things but in this instance she is a Harry Potter fan and we easily made that work! I am thankful that Annabeth understood the monetary value of the gift we were giving without the need to spend money out of pocket now.

- Saturday morning the boys helped with an Eagle Scout project in Indianapolis. I am so proud of Owen for going along to each project, learning new skills, and being willing to put in a lot of work. 

- Friday and Saturday evenings Mark and Annabeth had little dates. They ate pizza, browsed some local shops, and enjoyed time together. I think alot of dads aren't sure what to do with tween/teen daughters and I am really thankful that Mark keeps learning about things that interest Annabeth (like Harry Potter, sewing, etc) so he can continue to relate to her and spend time with her in a meaningful way.

- Friday night Owen I had a dress rehearsal and then Saturday afternoon/evening we participated in Prince of Peace's Bethelehem Walk. My friend Bethany (who was my middle school/high school camper many moons ago) is the coordinator of the event and it was great fun to play "leather merchants." My favorite part of the night, other than sharing the Gospel with 900+ guests, was cleaning up with Bethany and her girls. Watching Owen and her girls work together was such a special thing!

Leather Merchants

We were both thrilled to see the live camel.

The farmer was from outside Owensboro so we talked Kentucky as well!

- Tuesday night the kids had their dance Christmas party. They took along their teacher gifts - little bags of chocolates. (Thank you to my mom for helping with that!) Annabeth won some "Elf" socks and Owen won a Target gift card. They were quite pleased.

- Wednesday evening Mark, Owen, and I spent 4 hours wrapping gifts at the police department Christmas Wrapping Party. The police department coordinated gifts for over 100 families this Christmas. We are thankful to be able to serve our community in this way.

- The kids have been taking some library classes. Annabeth enjoyed creating circuits to make light-up Christmas cards. She is planning to give these as gifts to friends. Owen has been taking some Lego STEAM classes. I am so thankful for our libraries and their amazing classes that are free to us! 

- Last night I enjoyed the final mom's event for our co-op for the semester. My friend Billie hosted a Hallmark Movie Night. We each brought snacks/treats to share. It was a wonderful evening out!

Small Frugal Fail: Last Friday, we enjoyed the day at the Indiana State Museum with friends. A friend planned it as a field trip so the kids were free and our group just had to pay for a certain number of adults. We spread that fee over all the adults and each paid $8.50. While it was a savings off regular price, we could have gone completely free with a library pass. 

Tomorrow, we invite you to join us at Grace UMC in Franklin for our Annual Potato Drop! These potatoes are free for the public and we welcome you coming to pick some up. Even if you are not in need, you are more than welcome to come pick up for homebound neighbors, single parents, elderly people, etc that you  may know who could be blessed by extra food this season.

Happy Savings to All! 

Frugal Friday 563

 Happy Frugal Friday!

Here's how we saved money/spent money wisely/made extra money this week:

- Mark worked quite a bit of overtime. Unfortunately, the holidays are a very busy time of year for him. I also worked my travel business as I had guests traveling for Thanksgiving and many preparing to be gone for Christmas/New Year's.

- Friday we decorated the house for Christmas. I did a whole post on how we made old things "new" to dress up our 2024 holiday season. Always shop your shelves first! 

- Mark and I each spent some time in Owen's room and closet helping him get organized. At nine, he's beginning to bridge that gap between kid and tween and his room was really chaotic. Thankfully he was open to the help and did a great job sorting, creating new systems, and passing many things on. 

- Saturday evening we had Thanksgiving at our friends' house. They combine some family with some friends and do one big meal. We took along corn casserole and brownies. Mark got called into work so part way through so they sent home leftovers for him and Miss Shar sent home some of her delicious Chex mix for me. 

- Our pastors are doing a Grinch themed Advent Series. Both Annabeth and I serve on the Children's Ministry Team. Our team hosted an all ages "Grinch-In" (potluck) Sunday after church complete with food, games, Bingo, and a showing of the old Grinch cartoon. We took along trukey roll-ups (on spinach tortillas to help with the theme), Ramen slaw, and chocolate dipped pretzels with Grinch green sprinkles. Mark's mom joined us for church and the event. It was a great Sunday! 

- We each won a round of Bingo. The kids each chose Grinch cups with candy. I was the first one to win and Pastor Susan jokingly offered leftover spaghetti noodles - I happily took them as my prize! Mark cooked them up with onions, meat, and tomato sauce for dinner Sunday night. What a prize!

- We shopped Cyber Monday for the kids' dance shoes. The lists, thankfully, came out Monday and we were able to save $60 with Cyber Monday Deals!! This was very, very exciting! Owen needs the same pair each year and this is the first time I have ever found them on sale. With our huge savings we got three pairs for the price of two! 

- Wednesday morning Owen and I had a free coffee date. I cashed in a free coffee on my Starbucks app and Owen used a Scooter's coupon from the dance studio. We wouldn't have stopped without the coupons and were excited for the treat! 

- I had a friend wrap up a Cards for a Cause fundraiser with my PaperPie business. Her girls will be taking horseback riding lessons and they will be using the proceeds from their fundraiser to help cover those costs. I love helping people with this fundraiser! Want to run your own? Ask me how. 

- Wednesday night Mark and Annabeth had their Christmas Date. On our Christmas Bucket List, Annabeth had requested an Oreo and Christmas Light Date with Mark. He surprised her by picking her up from dance class and they drove around looking at lights, eating Oreos, and drinking homemade hot chocolate.

- Yesterday was our homeschool co-op Christmas party and bazzar. Families can volunteer to have a table at the event if they want. This year Annabeth made scrunchies and keychains to sell. Owen made fuse bead crafts and homemade cookies. They each took a lot of care putting together their items over the past few months by using items we already had on hand.  

Ready to celebrate the season!

Thankful for four years of learning together with our co-op.

- We did not take money to shop at the Christmas Bazaar. I realize that can feel counterproductive as our kids took things to buy, which means someone needed to buy them to make money, but it wasn't in our budget to shop. Owen did choose to spend some of his money as he earned it yesterday but we didn't spend any additional funds. It was what worked for us at this time. 

- Last night we had our annual Christmas with the Kranks movie night. We always make a ham (like in the movie) and this year we added rolls, salad and tried a new macaroni&cheese recepie from a magazine that Momaw gave us. The kids ask to do this every year and love this tradition! 

As we head into the holidays, one of the things on everyone's minds is budgets/money/finances. This time of year we can really feel how much (or little) there is in our budgets. It seems like every day is a new opportunity to buy a gift, donate to a cause, support a fundraiser, or chip in for a group event. 

It is the most wonderful expensive time of the year! 

I just want to share a gentle reminder: whatever you have, whatever you can give this year - it's enough. 

From the beginning we've done "small" Christmases for our kids without a lot of fanfare around the actual gifts and more around visiting with others, church services, looking at Christmas lights, and being with friends. Even still, we're aware that our kids will open far more than others. At the beginning of the holiday season, we have the kids make their bucket list and then we stick to it. Unless an opportunity presents itself that is free or completely within our budget - we say "no thank you." Can that feel awkward? You bet! Do I wish we could see every play, musical, and ice show - absolutely! Do I wish we could get every item on our kids' wishlist - maybe! 

In the end though, this holiday season is just that - a season. We have the whole rest of the year to live and we need to be mindful and careful about what we spend on our money on and how we spend it. I pray that each of you can find a way to move through this season in a way that is joyful and honoring of your financial goals. 

Happy Savings to All!