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It’s the last day of the year! I know that people have mixed feelings about the New Year but I love this season of reflection, gratitude and goal-setting.
Yesterday I shared some of the things I want to focus on in 2025. Today I want to look back and share some of my favourite experiences and things of the last 12 months. Some things are small, some big. But they all gave me joy and showed me more of God’s goodness.
So, here are 24 things that I am grateful for in 2024.
Giving birth to my second daughter
Lulu’s birth was such a beautiful experience. There were so so many answers to prayers and I felt so empowered and supported and loved. And then there was our little Lu! It was the happiest of days.
Being a mother of two
I love having two children now! The transition from one to two is way easier than from zero to one (as you can probably imagine). SJ is such a caring big sister and I just love spending my days with my two girls.
Friends and family that are with you during hard times
In February, when Lulu was two weeks old she caught a virus and had to be hospitalised. It was scary and difficult and exhausting. But I was so overwhelmed and grateful by all the support we got from people. We got so many kind messages, prayers, visits and gifts it was unbelievable. I’m so glad for our community – both local and further afield.
Seeing a sling consultant
I hardly used our sling or baby carrier with SJ but with Lulu our Manduca carrier gets used daily. I went to a lady who is trained as a consultant for various slings and carriers after Lulu was born and that was so helpful! I felt a lot more confident in how to use my carrier in a way that is both good for my baby and me.
Brandon Lake
I am late to this party but this year I discovered Brandon Lake’s worship music and quite a few have become anthems in our house! We especially love “Praise”. Also, his and Jon Foreman’s version of “Your Love is Strong” is just so good.
Baby-led weaning
The thing I found most stressful during SJs first year was starting her on solids. I made so much purée that I then threw away because she didn’t want to eat it. In the end we bought jars but she was so picky and I was constantly worried that she didn’t get enough nutrients.
This time around I read a book a good friend gave me on Baby-led Weaning. Lulu just eats whatever we are eating. She feeds herself which means we can all sit at the table and eat dinner without anyone’s food going cold.
It has been so easy and stress-free and I hardly threw any food away.
Flavoured agave nectar
A little over a year ago I got a milk frother for my birthday. I finally found the perfect oat milk for a good Latte and I got some vanilla and cinnamon flavoured agave nectar which makes drinking coffee a whole new experience!
Edd’s graduation
Edd finished his PhD last year and we finally got to celebrate his achievement! It was such a special day.
Butter
I recently learned that butter neither contains lactose nor milk protein, meaning I can eat it! I must say, everything tastes better with butter!
NYT Games
My favourite way to “waste time” this year was by playing Wordle, Spelling Bee and Connections!
The Bible Project App
I have previously mentioned how much I benefitted from the Bible Project’s exploration of the Sermon on the Mount. It helped me understand things I had puzzled over all my life and made me see things in a new light. And best of all, it made me super excited for reading the Bible and orienting my life around Jesus’ teachings.
Collagen powder
Yes, I’m on that bandwagon! I put a scoop of collagen powder in my morning coffee. I have no idea if it does anything but the act in itself makes me feel rather joyful.
Our holiday at Lake Constance
We had a lovely week staying on a farm near the Lake Constance. SJ and I helped feed the animals in the morning and clean out their stables which was a lot of fun.
Sadly, we didn’t have great weather but it was lovely to get away as a family and make some memories.
Taking SJ to the Peppa Pig Park
During our holiday we drove to the Peppa Pig Park in Günzburg. I think it was the best day of SJs life! I shared a little video on Instagram about our day here – it was actually so fun.
Documenting a week in my life
This has been my third time documenting a whole week in my life. This practice is so precious to me. I love becoming more aware of my surroundings, the rhythms of my day-to-day life and to capture it all for my future self.
Knitting
The fact that I love knitting is nothing new! However, I appreciated again how easily I can do this craft, despite being in this intense season of mothering small children. I can pick my knitting up for 10 minutes, it’s easy to stop and start and I don’t need to set up any equipment. I do miss sewing but I am so glad that knitting is so accessible.
Learning punch needle
I also tried out a new craft! Some friends got me a punch needle kit as a present and I really enjoyed learning something new. I am also quite pleased with the outcome!
Books, always and forever
I am so grateful that I got to spend a lot of time this year listening to and reading books. It’s one of my favourite hobbies and I am so thankful for it. And obviously, nothing tops reading on our balcony!
Lou Fellingham
Lou Fellingham was my most listened-to artist this year. I love her voice and her songwriting. She’s such an incredible woman of God.
One of my favourite songs by her is “What a friend we have in Jesus”.
Finding a church
I have talked about this previously but this has definitely been one of my 2024 highlights. We have visited so many different churches and it was interesting but also exhausting. One of my big prayers for this year had been to find some place that could become a spiritual home for our family. And we did! It’s been such a joy to go along and meet people and become part of the community.
Celebrating SJs third birthday
SJ turned three in August and it was so fun to celebrate her. We spent the day with family and had a kid’s party a few days later. The weather was perfect and SJ was so excited. It was lovely.
Celebrating my grandma’s 90th birthday
A couple of weeks later my grandma turned 90 and had a big party with all the family.
It was so nice to see relatives we hadn’t met in years and to introduce everyone to my grandmas great-grandchildren. SJ and her cousins sang my grandma a song and my dad and I also performed some of our regular pieces.
It was a very memorable day in all the best ways.
Poetry
This year I read two poetry books (both of which made it into my top 10 reads of 2024). It’s been such a treasure to me! I also wrote a few poems which has brought me a lot of joy.
Supporting our friends at their church weekend away
In October we flew over to the UK to help out at a church weekend away. Edd lead the Youth and helped with the operational side of things and I lead worship. It was a good reason to practice my guitar a bit more!
We also just had a really good time with Edd’s youth group and catching up with some old friends. Also, me and some of those old friends dressed up as the spice girls for a Talent show on one of the evenings. We laughed a lot!
This is not a comprehensive list.
There are a lot more things and moments I could mention (we hosted quite a few friends who came over from the UK to see us, the first snow, my e-Bike, roast dinners, etc). There is so much to be grateful for!
What were some of your 2024 highlights?
This post is day 7 of my 12 days of blogmas challenge. Read more here.
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