We are getting ready to turn the page from one year to the next. 2016 has been a year of change and transition for our family. It’s all been good, but not all easy. Things have been rather quiet here at Apron Strings & other things as I take the things God has been bringing my way and work at figuring out how to weave them into life. This week between our Christmas Day and New Year’s Day always bring about a time of reflection. Looking back, looking ahead. I’ve collected a few things for you as you say good-bye to the old year and hello to the new.
10 Most Popular Posts in 2016
- 10) Our Thanksgiving Tree – a Yearly Tradition
- 9) Easy to Sew Two-Sided Scarf
- 8) 10 Things I Do When Planning a New School Year
- 7) Aprons Series
- 6) Mexican Casserole Recipe
- 5) How to Make a LEGO Board Game
- 4) Freezer Cooking – Hamburger Patties
- 3) Cookies for Breakfast
- 2) Camping Scavenger Hunt for Kids
- 1) Joseph’s Coat of Many Colors
10 of our Top Memory-Makers in 2016
- An art exhibit and a reader’s theatre, both of which included my children as exhibitors/performers. Our children thoroughly enjoyed their experiences with the homeschool co-op the last couple years. They’ve amazed us with what they’ve learned and accomplished.
- A cross-country move from rural Midwest to crowded New England. Yeah, this was a biggie. After nearly 20 years in one place we picked up and moved to whole new community, state, job, lifestyle.
- Our
babyyoungest reached double-digits. She’s now 10 years old. That milestone is harder on me than when they reach the teen age years! - Visits with the grandchildren. They grow so fast, they love so unconditionally, and their parents now say things like “Now I understand, Mom, why you . . . “
- Another son married which means another daughter to love. Our oldest four children have chosen well. We could not be more pleased watching them start out in life, succesfully finding their way and loving the Lord and raising their families. We are so very blessed.
- That same son graduated from University with a Mechanical Engineering degree.
- Watching my children teach themselves to swim while living 7 weeks in hotel. Yes, 7 weeks. That’s how long it took us to find a place to live out here in the East.
- Fall in New England. We live in such a beautiful place and the Autumn colors were fabulous.
- The sea shore! We are only an hour’s drive from the Atlantic Ocean and have already enjoyed picnics and beach combing.
- Stepping foot in to homes that are more than 2 centuries old. Really! We’ve had the pleasure of visiting where Minute Men lived, and literary giants wrote, and hard-working Colonials raised their families. What a thrill!
10 Things I’m looking forward to in 2017
- Getting my Homemaker’s Friend Daily Planner in the mail. It’s time to plan and make goals!
- Grandbabies! Three more arriving between January and May!
- A trip back to the Midwest to see those grandbabies. It should be 10 or 11 for us by then. Oh, yes, we plan to see their parents, too. This mama/grandma will cherish the moments to be sure.
- Snow. Sledding and skiing and tubing. Snowman building and snow ice cream too. They promise us we’ll have plenty!
- Reading. Real hold-it-in-my-own-two-hands books. I’ve just started the “Anne” series. I will also be reading about the Alcotts.
- Exploring our new surroundings. New people, old history, exciting adventures.
- Time. Our youngest 4 are growing so quickly, I want to savor and soak in the moments as much as I’m able. Especially the everyday moments.
- Volunteering at the Alcott’s Orchard House. This is the home where Louisa May Alcott wrote Little Women. We are looking forward to participating in many of their activities and events this next year.
- Sharing my love of Lilla Rose hair accessories with ladies all over the world.
- Working with The Old Schoolhouse Review Crew. I’ll have opportunity this year to use some amazing products and resources in our homeschool and share here on the blog our opinions and how they worked for us.
In fact, I’m joining others from the Review Crew in looking back on the past year. You’ll find the reflections from other Crew Members by clicking on the photo below. I’ll also be sharing this post at some of these wonderful places.
I love looking at best of posts. You grabbed my attention with cookies for breakfast! 🙂 Congrats on the grandbabies!! Thanks for sharing at the #ThisIsHowWeRoll Link Party.
thanks for visiting Susan 🙂 and I’m with you, who wouldn’t love cookies for breakfast? or grandbabies? Looking forward to visiting your party again soon!
How exciting to move cross country! My parents spent a good 2 months living in a hotel up here after moving back from North Carolina. The housing market tends to be nuts in New England.
yeah, it was exciting, and crazy. But God truly dropped this place in our laps – it’s perfect for our needs and wishes!