See ya, 2018.

During the last days of the year, like most people, we've been planning out what we want the new year to look like for us as a family. Some of our goals are probably a little lofty-- like going a month completely without TV (we chose February. Haha!) but we're realistic too and have small resolutions, as well. Weight-loss, of course, made the list. Healthier habits, both for mind and body. More book-reading, less sugar, more exercise, less electronics, more productivity and better time management, less eating out, more date nights, less yelling, more love. One of my personal resolutions is less Facebook time. I waste an unbelievable amount of time there. If I could tally up the amount of time spent, it would not be pretty. For 2019, I want to spend far less time reading about people I barely know anymore, or even know at all, and more time living in the moment and being more intentional with my time. The last year FLEW by and I don't want to miss a moment of the next year! However, I do love how Facebook makes it so easy to document life events and even the more uneventful things we post about, I love seeing "my memories" and reading the cute things my kids used to say that would long be forgotten if I hadn't posted about it. I've decided instead to be a little more regular on my blog. I may share it on my Facebook page, and I may not. If you love us and want to know what we're up to in 2019, check back here! :)

Now, a look at 2018:
Nathaniel read a book about Tim Tebow earlier in 2017 and decided he wanted to do what Tim did and have zero carbonation for an entire year. We decided to join him in his challenge. He not only succeeded, but has decided to continue it in 2019. The rest of us fell off the wagon in May... but we did drink significantly less soft drinks than we ever have before. We will all try again in 2019. Nathaniel's self discipline amazed me!

We traveled to San Antonio, Marfa, and Dallas, Texas; Shreveport, Louisiana; Phoenix and Tombstone, Arizona. And we spent over 7 weeks in Arkansas to visit family. Justin went to Canada for the first time, spending a total of two weeks in Calgary, Three Hills, and Beaver Lodge. And then as a family, we vacationed in Edmonton later on in the year.

We visited museums and zoos, saw mysterious, hovering lights, roamed with cowboys and outlaws, took lots of pictures, celebrated birthdays and holidays, paid off lots of debt, said goodbye to friends, the kids and I took our first plane ride, acquired three cute kitties, buried a loved one, started a new job, endured sleepless nights, tears, tantrums, and black eyes, and we bought our first house. We've grown, we've achieved, we've messed up, and we've learned.

Here's to 2019. We hope for more adventures, successful resolutions, and less trips to the ER.