I love a long look back at the previous year. I almost always cry. Memories, both good and bad always make me cry. Sometimes it feels like not so much happened in a year, like it was pretty basic and non-eventful. But then I take a peek back over the last twelve months and it seems like everything happened. I put together twelve of the most meaningful posts to me from this year. I hope you like them too. So much of this blog is an outlet for me. I can only hope that it will also inspire some of you. But this list has nothing to do with statistics or how many clicks or hits, it’s just good ol’ favorites of mine. Posts that meant something big to me. I hope you enjoy (or have already enjoyed them.) And as always, thank you for being such amazing reader.
So, here are my twelve personal favorite posts from 2014:
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1. I changed my blog name to Investing Love. This was a long time comin’ but I just couldn’t figure out the details. I made it a goal of mine at the beginning of last year to really focus on this blog space and overhaul it to mean something more…to me and to you. After much thought, I came up with Investing Love. I still love this choice.
2. I wrote an ebook series! This was another huge goal I had for myself last year. I have always wanted to write something like this to help other homeschool mamas This time I just really worked hard to get it done! I still have one more in the works right now, and it should be out in the next few months. I’m really excited about this new one on creating a FUN school. Stay tuned, and thank you for supporting my endeavors!
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3. I took a long break. I did. I didn’t touch social media from the first of January to till the very beginning of March. It was so good. I learned so much and most importantly, quieted so much. I learned to sleep without my phone beside my bed and that has not changed in over a year. I really feel like everyone should take a long break like this. It really does a girl good.
4. I wrote a lesson planner. This was so exciting because a) SO many of you loved this and b) it gave me a chance to really combine my loves of organizing AND homeschooling. I am already working on the new planner to come out this summer!
5. The most special Easter ever. Vera Mae represents so much in my life. She came at such an amazingly crazy period of our lives. We chose to create our own private dedication for her on Easter last year. We wrote her letters, we blessed her…it was so special. We spent the day in the gorgeous sun on the acres of our favorite place, the Biltmore Estate. We won’t soon forget that day.
6. We summoned the forest fairies for Sophia’s birthday. One of my favorite ever parties to plan, the fairy party. Planning a good shindig is one of my favorite ways to create. For a long time when we were living in our townhome I thought that since we were renting, my creativity was squelched. I had used to love throwing the kids parties, and I thought I couldn’t do it again until we were more settled. I set those hangups aside and created a super fun and memorable day for Sophie’s sixth birthday. We all loved this day.
7. A whole lotta art. We really created so much art together this past year. We had a whole week of art during the summer. You can see some of our projects on THIS page. Art is something that we can all do together without any arguing. A quiet hobby that stretches all our brains.
8. Trying new things…like natural egg dye. This was one of my favorite projects from the whole year. We had never done this before, but it was always something I wanted to try. These eggs turned out gorgeously and I’m pretty sure we’re going to do it again.
9. We fell into love with reading together. Like a lot. At the beginning of last year, we started a book and haven’t stopped since then. We have always read together, but it was always more sporadic. Now if we go even a week between books my kids start to think something is wrong. So far this school year we’ve read The BFG by Roald Dahl, Peter Pan, James and the Giant Peach, The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, and now we’re reading Heidi. Lately it’s been in front of a fire, which is pretty much perfection on these cold nights. I love that my kids love this. It’s such a sweet time for us together right now.
10. The sweetest one-year-party you ever did see. I really wanted Vera’s first birthday to be really special. She was born on Earth Day, so she may just have a more “natural” birthday party theme forever now, but to start off her history of birthday parties, I chose a Peter Rabbit theme. I loved putting this party together…all the details were just perfect for my little Bug. I’m pretty sure she loved it.
11. My kids traveled back to the ’20’s. Photographing my kids, especially in a themed shoot, is one of my all-time favorite things to do. This Halloween, we put together a styled shoot from the ’20s and they completely rocked it out. I could stare at these photos all day everyday…but I won’t. There’s things to do.
12. We moved to Minnesota…kinda. Our big news of the year…we moved. Well, we’re going to…I mean we did. What?! We’re not quite settled there yet. Jarrod is working and living in Minneapolis. We are basically homeless for a while longer…till we settle on our house. So much more to come this year with this news. Like, really getting there and enjoying our new digs. SO looking forward to that in 2015.
You and me both. So done with this transition!!
Thanks so much! I love that we found each other 🙂 love following you too.
Thanks so much mama! That actually sounds like a fun job!! Hmmmmm
So thankful I stopped here today- I need help with the planning and organizing. I stand by the fact that a great business for someone would be to make lesson plans for homeschool parents based on their age levels, and Internet and intensity. I would pay good money for someone to help me! Anyway, can't wait to check this all out and I'm so hopeful that it will help with our planning and enjoyment!
http://www.hollandsreverie.blogspot.com
Oh those parties were the best!! I hope you get your house soon and settle in. It must be so difficult.
What a great Looking Back! I've only been following you since September, after Wild & Free, and it's lovely to see these favorites of yours from before that. Your little space here is beautiful – and your photography is stunning. Cheers to a great 2015!!