2014 brought a lot of well deserved high points for our family and personally as well. There were numerous road trips, tons of adventures, daycare business ran smoothly, and I began a new, exciting, and totally unexpected chapter with my writing. Every New Year's Eve I reflect upon the last year. Thinking about 2014 brings me full heart and a calm peace with life. Here are a few of my favorite moments from 2014:
- Taking the 3 minis bowling for the first time (http://ashlen-kidspert.blogspot.com/2014/01/oh-what-weekend.html)
- Summer in Winter Day (http://ashlen-kidspert.blogspot.com/2014/01/a-summer-day-in-middle-of-winter.html): I can't wait to do this day again this year!
- Max got a corneal abrasion. From a box. While he was playing. This just reaffirmed my belief that this kid is accident prone (http://ashlen-kidspert.blogspot.com/2014/02/this-is-how-we-do-snowy-day.html) Why is this one of my favorite moments you ask? Because it's pure Max and he was unbelievably brave and grown up through the entire experience and healing process.
- Our first Iowa Wild hockey game (http://ashlen-kidspert.blogspot.com/2014/02/lego-building-hockey-game-kind-of.html)
- A weekend at Honey Creek Resort to celebrate my mom's 50th and my 30th birthday (http://ashlen-kidspert.blogspot.com/2014/02/weekend-getaway.html)
- My 30th Birthday week=amazing! (http://ashlen-kidspert.blogspot.com/2014/03/30th-birthday-week.html and http://ashlen-kidspert.blogspot.com/2014/03/last-of-birthday-celebrations-weekend.html)
- We got a fish...and he's still alive (http://ashlen-kidspert.blogspot.com/2014/03/meet-newest-family-member.html)
- Spring Break (http://ashlen-kidspert.blogspot.com/2014/03/spring-break-2014.html)
- A mini spring break getaway to Dubuque, IA (http://ashlen-kidspert.blogspot.com/2014/03/spring-break-road-trip.html)
- Our first family painting--that may or may not be a cover for a new book! (http://ashlen-kidspert.blogspot.com/2014/03/family-painting-masterpiece.html)
- Daycare's Cinco de Mayo party (http://ashlen-kidspert.blogspot.com/2014/05/cinco-de-mayo.html)
- Weekend in Omaha (http://ashlen-kidspert.blogspot.com/2014/05/weekend-getaway-omaha-ne.html)
- Bridges of Madison County tour (http://ashlen-kidspert.blogspot.com/2014/05/weekend-fun-exploring-madison-county.html)
- All of our fun sensory days during the summer (http://ashlen-kidspert.blogspot.com/2014/05/sensory-play-ice-cream-shop.html)
- Any trip to Ledges State Park (http://ashlen-kidspert.blogspot.com/2014/06/love-these-summer-weekends.html)
- Fishing (http://ashlen-kidspert.blogspot.com/2014/06/elizabeths-birthday-fishing-weekend.html)
- Finding out Max has A TON more allergies than what we thought (http://ashlen-kidspert.blogspot.com/2014/06/i-am-mom-of-allergy-kid.html): While I hate that he has allergies, I'm thankful that we know exactly what he's allergic to so we can do our best to prevent exposure and outbreaks.
- Another super fun Birthday Bash (http://ashlen-kidspert.blogspot.com/2014/06/birthday-bash-weekend.html)
- Harrison's Birthday Weekend (http://ashlen-kidspert.blogspot.com/2014/06/harrisons-birthday-weekend.html)
- Max's Birthday weekend was exhausting, but fun: a road trip and the minis first Adventureland visit (http://ashlen-kidspert.blogspot.com/2014/06/maxs-birthday-weekend.html)
- The boys having their first camping experience in the backyard (http://ashlen-kidspert.blogspot.com/2014/07/backyard-summer-camp-out.html)
- 4th of July (http://ashlen-kidspert.blogspot.com/2014/07/4th-of-july-spectatcular.html)
- McHenry Park (http://ashlen-kidspert.blogspot.com/2014/07/sunday-family-fun-day.html)
- Berry picking (http://ashlen-kidspert.blogspot.com/2014/07/lets-go-berry-picking.html)
- Cascade Falls (http://ashlen-kidspert.blogspot.com/2014/07/a-catching-up-on-life-week-part-2.html)
- A day in Pella, Ia (http://ashlen-kidspert.blogspot.com/2014/07/another-road-trip-kinda-weekend.html)
- Writing a book, learning the ins and outs of publishing, and deciding on self publishing my book "just to try it out" (http://ashlen-kidspert.blogspot.com/2014/12/finding-inspiration.html): This has been the biggest, most challenging, yet exciting goal of my life yet...aside from having kids, because I'm certain the book wouldn't have happened if I didn't have the inspiration from my minis.
- Becoming a What The Flicka? contributor: This has given me so much to do, learn, opened numerous doors for me, and given me a wonderful community to be a part of. I am forever grateful to my friends who suggested I submit my work and to the wonderful editors who help support my writing in every way they can. My fun little distraction (aka my blog) got a whole lot more fun!
- National Balloon Classic (http://ashlen-kidspert.blogspot.com/2014/08/national-balloon-classic.html)
- A day at Lake Ahquabi (http://ashlen-kidspert.blogspot.com/2014/08/weekend-day-at-lake.html)
- Minneapolis vacation: (http://ashlen-kidspert.blogspot.com/2014/09/labor-day-weekend-getaway-twin-cities.html and http://ashlen-kidspert.blogspot.com/2014/09/labor-day-weekend-getaway-twin-cities_2.html)
- Max entering first grade and Harrison four year old preschool. I absolutely love both of their schools!
- Tour of parks (http://ashlen-kidspert.blogspot.com/2014/09/tour-of-parks.html)
- Apple picking (http://ashlen-kidspert.blogspot.com/2014/09/a-saturday-at-apple-orchard.html)
- Getting a personal tour of the Urbandale Fire Station (http://ashlen-kidspert.blogspot.com/2014/09/a-visit-to-fire-station.html)
- Beaverdale Fall Fest (http://ashlen-kidspert.blogspot.com/2014/09/a-weekend-of-festivals.html)
- Watching many of my friends become mommies and daddies for the very first time.
- Fall nature hikes (http://ashlen-kidspert.blogspot.com/2014/10/fall-weekend-adventures.html)
- Frey's pumpkin patch (http://ashlen-kidspert.blogspot.com/2014/10/freys-pumpkin-patch.html)
- Night Eyes (http://ashlen-kidspert.blogspot.com/2014/10/night-eyes.html)
- Exploring Des Moines on the boy's day off (http://ashlen-kidspert.blogspot.com/2014/10/a-day-off-to-play.html)
- Pre-Trick or Treat Party (http://ashlen-kidspert.blogspot.com/2014/10/pre-trick-or-treat-party.html)
- Disney On Ice (http://ashlen-kidspert.blogspot.com/2014/11/experiences-for-christmas.html)
- Riding on the Santa Express. My favorite moment was when Harrison asked Santa "do you like mac and cheese?" (http://ashlen-kidspert.blogspot.com/2014/12/all-aboard-santa-express.html)
- Having my two year old potty train herself one day.
- Our daycare walks around the neighborhood. There were many but each brought something new and entertaining.
I am so glad I have this blog so I can capture and remember the many moments I have let slip away in day to day life. All of the bad days have made me a better mom and make me laugh as I look back on them. 2015 has A LOT to live up to and I can only hope it brings about more exciting changes and surprises. I plan to spend a good part of the beginning of the year giving myself some "mom breaks" (this includes a five day trip to Phoenix, AZ for my cousins wedding), a book party (details to come soon!), writing one or two new books I've got ideas for (with my minis of course), continuing my blogging adventures and sharing my road in motherhood, having another epic summer with lots of kiddos (I'll even be hiring a helper for those busy summer days), a family vacation or two, and lots of adventuring throughout Iowa during our free time.
Alright 2015, bring it!