The end of the year always makes me want to slow down and look back—not just at the big moments, but at the in-between ones too. The normal days. The deep breaths. The laughter that caught us off guard. This year didn’t just fly by… it shaped us.
If I had to sum it up in one word, it would be full. Full of growth, change, chaos, love, and a whole lot of learning as we went.
The biggest, brightest moment of the year was our wedding. Hands down. The best weather of the entire summer (still not over it), all of our favorite people in one place, and that surreal feeling of wow, this is really our life. It wasn’t just a celebration—it felt like a deep exhale. Like stepping fully into forever. I still replay pieces of that day in my head and smile every time.
And of course, everything in our world revolves around the boys.
Fawkes turned six and fully entered his “big kid” era. He tried basketball and indoor soccer for the first time and jumped in with so much energy. He played T-ball again, and this year I got to coach—which meant running bases, laughing through the chaos, and watching his confidence grow right in front of me. His humor keeps getting sharper, his creativity keeps surprising us, and he’s becoming more him every day.
Odin turned five, which honestly doesn’t feel real. Five. He continues to be joy, kindness, bravery, and pure love wrapped into one little human. He’s funny without trying, deeply loving, and resilient in ways that constantly humble me. Being his mom has changed me in every possible way. He is a gift from God, and I’m so thankful I get to watch him grow into who he’s becoming.
This year was also full of family time—our wedding, both of my little brothers’ weddings, and loved ones traveling to spend time with us. (Yes, we did that to our lovely parents, all 3 kids, married June 26, July 26, and August 16 of the same summer). Our days were filled with cousins, grandparents, friends who feel like family, and long conversations that spilled late into the night. Summer felt full in the best way, and those moments are ones I’ll always hold close.
Work continued to be its own wild, meaningful world. Surgery is intense and emotional and weirdly bonding all at once. I’ve found deep friendships there, a sense of purpose, and a reminder that caring for people in their hardest moments really matters. It’s not easy, but it’s meaningful, and I’m grateful for the people I get to do it alongside.
This year also reminded me that strength doesn’t always look the way we expect it to. My body has changed through motherhood and life—and that’s okay. It carries me up trails, through long shifts, and into bedtime snuggles at night. That kind of strength counts.
And one of the things I’m most thankful for this year is the way we’ve been able to provide for our family together. From fishing nonstop, harvesting, stocking our pantry, and Adam heading out to hunt—often in the rain, the cold, and the dark—so much of our year was spent gathering and preparing. Freezers filled, jars lined the shelves, elderberry syrup simmered, marinara bubbled on the stove, and meals came from time, effort, and intention. The way Adam provides for us goes far beyond what he brings home—it’s his consistency, his work ethic, his willingness to do the hard, unseen things so our family is cared for. It’s one of the quiet backbones of our life, and I don’t take it for granted for a second.
As this year comes to a close, I feel thankful. Not because it was perfect—but because it was real. Because we grew, loved hard, showed up for each other, and kept moving forward. I don’t know exactly what next year will bring, but if it holds even a little of what this year did, I know we’ll be just fine.
Here’s to a year well lived, a summer we’ll never forget—and to whatever comes next.
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