Yes, yes…I know. The time for recapping last year has already past. Most of us have already lost the New Year energy and 2023 feels like forever ago already!
But for my own sake, I wanted to sit down and recap our year. This was a big year for our family. We had Orion, and completed our family. Theo began working a second job and our year was more full than ever- full of good things, but busy things! We also ended the year with the Great Hines Family Nose Collapse weekend of 2023…which may still take me awhile to recover from haha.
What did you do that you’ve never done before?
The biggest new thing was managing a family with four children! I’ve also never had to manage such a full schedule- Theo works about 60 hours a week, and I work about 20 hours a week.
We also learned how to raise and butcher most of our own meat- that was new to us!
I also worked throughout pregnancy, and went back to work with an infant.
2023 was also the year that I started to take my own piano lessons. I have never played before!
How did you spend New Year’s Eve 2022?
Theo was working and I was about 31 weeks pregnant, so I remember trying really hard to muster up some excitement for the kids and have a “party”, but not feeling like partying at all. We had some treats, listened to music, and then counted down together before I sent them off to bed.
What was your word for the year? How did it go?
I apparently didn’t choose a word of the year in 2023. I was nearing the end of a very challenging pregnancy and I didn’t do too much goal planning.
Did anyone close to you give birth?
Do I count? Because I did!
What TV/Netflix shows did you watch?
Theo and I watched Happy Shiny People, Clarkson’s Farm and most recently The Monk Movie. I also really loved watching About Elementary during my maternity leave. As a family, we enjoy Little House on the Prairie and America’s Funniest Home Videos, plus lots of movies on Disney+. Since Orion struggles with bedtime, we really don’t watch many shows/movies this year.
What song was on high rotation this year?
Brighter Days
Build a Boat
Seeds Family Worship
Did anyone close to you get married?
Theo was best man in his childhood friend Jeff’s wedding!
Did anyone close to you pass away?
Mercifully, we did not lose any friends or family members this year.
Where did you travel in 2023?
Theo + the kids went up to Michigan in February, and the whole family also went in August. That was the only time we went anywhere! We also went to Great Wolf Lodge, but that is about 10 minutes from our house so I guess I don’t think of it as travel.
What do you wish you’d done more of?
Sewing. Having people over to my house.
What do you wish you’d less of?
Scrolling social media. Worrying about things I have no control over.
What would you like to have more of next year that you lacked in this one?
One big shift in our family is that the kids are finally starting to be a bit more independent. One thing I would really like to have is some breathing room in motherhood. Just being able to leave them at home while I grocery shop, or drop them off at sports practice or to hang out with friends, or even just tell them to make their own breakfast or lunch. It’s a brand new stage of motherhood for me, and I’m excited about it.
Also, more travel. We already have booked a few travels, and I’m thrilled about that!
Did you check anything off your bucket list this year?
Not that I can think of!
What was the best book you read?
That is impossible to narrow down- here are my top fiction reads and my top non-fiction reads.
What did you learn this year?
I learned that I’ve grown in maturity and stamina in my motherhood. The things that I handle now would have probably been a major struggle for me 10 years ago. The things that frustrated me then just don’t bother me as much now. I am enjoy the stages more now because I do know how fast the time can go.
Did you suffer any illness or injury?
We had the usual colds and fevers and tummy bugs. Ezra was hospitalized once for his asthma. Theo had the great nose collapse of 2023, which will go down in history as one of the most dramatic medical situations- but otherwise we were all very healthy!
How did you spend Christmas 2023?
Theo worked the actual day of Christmas, so we went and visited him in at his station. He was on “desk duty” after his surgery, so he wasn’t out taking calls and we were able to just hang out with him. On the 26th, my parents came over and we had a cozy presents + cinnamon rolls + hanging out all day.
Where did your money go this year?
Lots of medical bills with having a baby!
We also got a truck and a van- which was not fun having to replace two vehicles in one year.
It feels like we spent a ton of money on groceries and animal feed, because those prices are no joke.
What kept you sane this year?
The unchanging nature of God, first and foremost.
Our school community for sure provides routine, structure, and friendships for the whole family!
Having my parents nearby is such a blessing.
What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Orion Daniel 🙂
Compared to this time last year, are you happier or sadder? Thinner or fatter? Richer or poorer?
I think I’m probably happier, since pregnant me is not a very happy person.
I’m for sure thinner since Im not carrying a baby in me haha.
And I’m probably a bit richer since we added another job to our lives haha. But maybe it all evens out because adding a fourth kid and living in inflation is a whole thing!
How did you spend your birthday in 2023 and how old were you?
I turned 32 and spent the day with my kids. We went thrifting, I went for a run, and we all ate dinner at my parents house. It was a bit quieter than I would like, but absolutely nothing to complain about.
What has 2024 got in store for you?
2024 looks to be FULL- full of life and family and the schedules of four young children.
I loved year your year in review in this format.