Happy New Year

        As 2025 comes to a close, I want to reflect on everything that this year has brought. It is brought, both good and bad aspects. I'm still growing and learning as a parent. This year brought on the terrible two face that everyone has so desperately warned me about. Man, has it been a wild ride. I think having children also causes stress on marriages, finances, and sanity. I was blessed enough to have a support system here to guide the way.

    I want to say goodbye to 2025 and hello to 2026 on a positive note. I look forward into diving into my health journey along with exploring new adventures with my toddler. I look forward to watching her grow and obtain new vocabulary. 2026 brings on a new reading list, new traveling, new experiences, and a second chance to get back on track with my weight loss journey.

       I was reading some of my friends post and comments on social media when I realized that I didn't quite read as much as I needed to this year. One should not compare themselves to others, but on average my friends read over 120 books. My reading was this year was only 87 books in total, which isn't as impressive, but it was something! I think I'm going to make it my personal goal this year to reach over 100 books by next December. 



    I posted my listening stats from Audible as of last night. I feel like the amount of time I listen to audiobooks was also time for me to decompress from my job. I think taking time to read is a part of personal care for me. It allows me to escape my reality.

    As always, I will post my current reading list accordingly. I'm still working on my winter reading list and adding a few books along the way. Anytime I get decent recommendations for a suggested book. I do explore that avenue. Usually, my friends have good taste in reading materials, so do you start and finish books that they recommend.

    This year, I will be taking some of my audible time to walk on the treadmill as I'm listening to my book. Maybe listening to the book and walking at the same time will help me rack up the step count for each day.

    I think 2026. I need to focus on not letting my candle burn too low.

And this is a reference to how I treat myself. I never take time to really focus on me. Every aspect of my day is spent on either taking care of my child, my husband, my farm animals, and even my own mother. This year, my flame will not get so low without taking time for myself. Practicing self-care has to be something I start doing.

    The candle image the last shirt with you is actually one that I have been burning every night for the past three weeks. I only let it burn as I am sitting and reading. And in many ways as the candle slowly windows away, this is how I feel. I have given so much to light the way for others that I have forgotten myself in the equation.

    So here's to new beginnings and hopefully a continuation of old positive habits! Happy New Year everyone!

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