2024 Year in Review

It's 2026!

Happy Day 3 of the New Year!

Wow! Today is already the 3rd day of a new year.
These years seem to be arriving much faster than before.
I know it seems like everyone says that, but time does really fly.

I looked over my past blog posts and realized very quickly I have only done one a year for the last few years. There are many reasons why. I am sure life hit some bumps, but I am also positive life got fuller and richer.

Every year at this time, I am reminded of two pieces of advice given to me when I was a newlywed living in West Virginia and again when I was a young mom living in central Indiana. Both women were strong mentors to me. These women were amazing Christian examples, but also just two dear friends -- even though they were decades older than me. They shared their life experiences with me (not in a preachy way) just in everyday conversations. Their advice helped me to to choose "what was better." (Like Jesus reminded Martha to do.)

As a newlywed, I was reminded of the importance of having a home that welcomed anyone and everyone at any time. My friend gave me a card and a beautiful serving tray that paraphrased a quote from Ralph Waldo Emerson (one of my favorite poets):

    :: The ornaments of a home are the friends and family who frequent it.

I always think of that quote when I am pulling out the ornaments for our Christmas tree. I am quickly reminded that the people who come to our home are the real ornaments. It's funny how some life lessons really stay with you.

After becoming parents, we moved to Indiana. As a young mom, I wanted to fit in and help the boys acclimate easily, as well. Even though this was my home state, we were living in a new city. My dear friend had us in her home often. Sometimes just for a family meal together. Sometimes for a big holiday celebration. Sometimes to celebrate a personal event for my family. She was the epitome of hospitality. She was a living example of the Emerson quote because she always had friends and family in her home. In one of our many conversations, she shared with me a statement that someone had shared with her when she was a young mom. 

    :: Collect moments, not things.

And, always at holiday time, when we are in the hustle and bustle of gift giving, I am always reminded to cherish the moments!

I love words. I am sure that is why I really love teaching English. For the last 8 years, I have chosen a word I could carry with me into the New Year:

• Kindness - 2018
• Joy - 2019
• Focus - 2020
• Thankful - 2021
• Listen - 2022
• Intentional - 2023
• Positivity - 2024
• Mindful - 2025

Each word has served me well, each year.

2025 was a wonderful year. I was Mindful of each and every blessing.

I enjoyed (in no particular order):

• Going on fabulous trips with Mark
• Reading lots of great books
• Having wonderful family dinners
• Hosting Cousin Camp in the summer and at Thanksgiving
• Watching lots of great movies in the theater and at home
• Learning from great Bible studies
• Celebrating weekly Taco Tuesdays
• Hanging out with our Goldens: Sawyer and Henry
• Vacuuming multiple times a day because of our Goldens: Sawyer and Henry
• Observing Sawyer excel in his role as a Therapy Dog
• Noticing God's Artistry in my own backyard
• Spending time in prayer with the One who knows me the best and loves me the most
• Experiencing wonderful teaching moments in Room 106
• Eating movie theater popcorn with Mark -- at home
• Celebrating birthdays for family and friends
• Exploring bookstores
• Learning something new from each of my daughters-in-law
• Wandering through Target
• One-on-one conversations with each of my grandchildren
• Searching for just the right gifts
• Enjoying a delicious fountain cherry coke
• Sending cards
• Choosing great books on Library Days in Room 106
• Waking up early for quiet morning devotionals
• Taking pictures multiple times a day
• Ordering from Amazon
• Working with great colleagues
• Watching the NY Mets play the Cincinnati Reds with Mark
• Seeing Nate Bargatze in person and laughing until I couldn't breathe
• Having phone conversations with my sons
• Encouraging someone else whenever possible
• Listening to wonderful sermons
• Keeping in touch with family and friends on social media
• Laughing or smiling every single day

Unfortunately, I was also sick over Spring Break in March, Fall Break in October, and then again this past Winter Break. During each one of those bouts of sickness, I had to stop everything and rest. The last one made me sad, because we had to cancel our in-person Christmas plans with our extended family.

As I have thought back over the last year, I realized I had exhausted myself at school to the point of being vulnerable to any and all germs found in a middle school. Sadly, instead of being able to enjoy my breaks or even recharge, I had to sleep and get well to build up my stamina to be ready to finish out the quarters.

And, in reality, there was no need to constantly drain myself at school each day. I really am in the phase of teaching where every "new" method is really an "old" method -- just repackaged and rebranded.

So, for 2026, I have chosen the word Gratitude. 

Gratitude is defined as a deep appreciation for the good in life, recognizing blessings from sources outside ourselves (God), and viewing life itself as a gift, shifting focus from "lack" to "abundance" to foster thankfulness and connection as a profound mindset and way of living.

I want to consciously notice, value, and respond to kindnesses, beauty, and positive experiences (big or small) and in doing so, I will turn an ordinary journey into an extraordinary journey.

In order for me to do this successfully, I am determined to pace myself as a teacher, so that I don't weaken myself to the point of exhaustion. When this happens, any time outside of school becomes recovery time instead of recharging times.

Having an attitude of gratitude rewires your brain for joyful moments, reduces stress, reduces anxiety, and boosts resilience and an overall well-being. 

Practicing gratitude strengthens neural pathways, improves sleep, enhances relationships, increases self-esteem, fosters empathy, and helps build a healthier life.

None of this is new information.

 

I am just "repackaging" it for myself this year so that I can adorn my home once again with the friends and family who will frequent it. And, in doing so, I can collect moments, not things. I resolve to "choose what is better." (like Jesus reminded Martha to do).

Happy New Year!

Love, 

Jan 💖

#AttitudeOfGratitude