Reflecting on 2013 and a Look at the New 2014

     During Winter Break I read a book by my new friend, Dr. Ben Michaelis, entitled Your Next Big Thing.  It contains ten steps to help you begin moving forward toward your purpose.  While I am a reflective person, in general, it was good to process through the steps and refocus on my purpose and make minor corrections along the way.  The most beneficial steps for me were using imagination and play and then also facing my inner critic.  I have a relatively active inner critic and deal with her often.  It was helpful to work through the feelings and origin of my inner critic.  That topic will be reserved for another time.  Today, as we have entered a new year, I want to share how our family ended 2013.

On New Year's Eve we spent time together as a family playing board games, minute to win it games, and having a glow in the dark dance party.

We also spent some time reflecting on our top events of 2013 as a family and making big plans for 2014.  It was a time for us all to use our imagination and relive some of our fun moments in 2013 and to think about fun things to do together as a family in 2014.  Please indulge me as I share some of our favorite events from 2013 and our big plans for 2014.

Top 2013 Events

Kayaking together at Stinchcomb Wildlife Refuge and other fun activities at Riversport

Disney vacation, including the trip to and from, and stops along the way like Graceland

Geocaching and hiking different places like Mt. Scott

Going to concerts together like WinterJam, Trans-Siberian Orchestra, and even Seussical Jr at my school

Spending time with family at home, at Nanas' and Papas' houses, and at holidays

Activities the kids were involved in like soccer, Tball, choir, drama, band

Academic achievements like improved reading, math awards, science awards, and better behavior

Going to Thunder and OU games

Church activities like moving into youth group, Stage 252, and bubba getting baptized

Deciding to adopt and moving through this process as a family to prepare our home for a new child

Starting on my doctorate and how that is a family event

Dad working on repurposing old furniture into new pieces for our house

Big 2014 Plans (knowing we won't have a big vacation this year)

Adopting a child(ren)

Iceskating

Mini-trips for hiking and geocaching

Riversport passes again for kayaking and stuff

Attend concerts downtown

Go to movies (we like this a lot)

Go to Thunder and OU games

Improve health through diet and exercise as a family - all family - mud run, bike riding, running    

   5K/10K, exercising. Kids - soccer, Tball, skateboarding (bubba)

Art, piano, guitar, and vocal lessons

Lots of family time

More time with friends

Continue reading and learning

Increase Bible study as a family and individually

Bubba wants a new house - not sure about this one :)

These are not all inclusive lists, but were what we talked about on New Year's Eve.  I loved being able to reflect and imagine together as a family.  The conversations allowed Hank and I to get to the heart of what our kids love, remember, and enjoy.  While the games and silly things we did were fun and memorable that night, the quality time with family was most meaningful for me.

Happy New Year from the Hesters!