What I Learned in 2015

Happy New Year! I'm linking up with Emily Freeman at Chatting at the Sky and looking back to recall the major moments and things I learned over the past year.

Lessons from Football:
I consider myself a "12th man" and love to cheer for our Seahawks team even though I don't truly understand the rules of the game... It is also true that Americans seem way more excited about their favorite sports teams than they do about following Jesus. Are you a fan of Jesus? Can others tell by what you wear or how you love?

Our spot is so special:
We've lived in our current home now for just over a year and we continue to pinch ourselves. We LOVE our house, view, neighbors, convenience to everything and how friends swing by more often since it's in a great location. SO grateful...

Retreating with girlfriends is a must:
I was fortunate to go see Beth Moore Live up in Seattle last winter and return to Pt. Townsend for a Spring weekend women's retreat. There is just something special about leaving town with girlfriends to focus on God, fellowship and worship. To my friends who claim they don't "do" women's retreats I plead once again...be brave, it's worth it!

There are always natural consequences:
Example #1~The pounds have continued to creep on... I cannot keep blaming Menopause. Perhaps the desserts, carbs, wine and margaritas coupled with not enough exercise is to blame?  Dang! I finally stood on the mean machine (aka~scale) and it told me the reason all my clothes are too tight.

Example #2~All those moments in the sun with my pale Norwegian skin and not enough sunscreen led to an unfortunate event; my second bout with skin cancer. This one was right on my nose and the Mohs surgery and recovery was NOT fun! Every day I have to see and try to cover-up my scar. Boo. Wear sunscreen and hats people!

Unexpected events happen:
Back in May I wrote about our front door being hit by a flying rock and shattering. It happened so unexpectedly and it took a LONG time to get it fixed.

In October, what began as a typical Mops morning quickly became a day of disbelief and grief. One of my dear friends died suddenly a few days after surgery and there was a ripple effect that was felt in our entire church and community. Life can change so quickly~let your friends and family know you care. We miss you Malinda!

I need nature and the city:
I love the ocean and had a wonderful time in May visiting my oldest son and his wife who live in California. My daughter lives in Nashville and we spent several busy days in Music City. I would have a hard time choosing busy vs. beautiful. My soul needs the beauty of water, green and mountains, plus I love people and shopping and dining out. Thankfully I got to have a bit of both this past year!

Sisters can be alike and different:
My two older sisters have mannerisms and tastes in food that are very similar. The three of us definitely look like we belong to the same family. We've all chosen careers that are in the field of education, and/or helping kids and families. There are many differences though, in our personalities, where we live, some of our beliefs, and our hobbies. They both got to come out to the PNW for my son's wedding in October and it was SO fun to spend time with them and let them peek into my "world."

My two daughters are also the same and different. They both have their Daddy's beautiful brown eyes and huge hearts, they both chose to become educators and they're both talented (one is musical, the other, an artist.) There is a difference in their tidiness factor...One is an organizing Maven, the other, not so much. If they ever decide to live together in the future, that could be interesting!

I am NOT up on the news:
When I was growing up my parents were always reading the newspaper and watching the network and local news. It is really difficult for me to process hard, sad, scary news so I basically avoid it.  I know adults should be a bit more informed on current events but I'd rather hear on a need-to-know basis by my hubby who checks in online with USA Today.

Parenting changes:
Parenting adults is quite a bit more challenging than parenting kiddos who live at home. How much do I say? How do I show concern while letting them make their own choices and decisions. How do I stay connected even though all four of them live a car or plane-ride away? Have I accepted that both my sons have wives who come before me? These are questions that I continue to grabble with.

I'm learning as I go, sometimes getting advice from friends, always praying. One thing remains the same no matter how old they get. When they're happy, I'm happy! (See photo at the top.) When they're hurt or sad, I hurt right along with them... How I love these four!

Marriage is hard, but oh so worth it:
Thirty two years with this guy who asked me to marry him about six weeks after we met. So glad I said yes and that God has been with us every step of the way... Thanks for putting up with me Michael!

What did you learn in 2015?

In His Grip,
Jane

What I learned in 2014

Wycliff champagne is yummy and very affordable!

Tick-tock goes the clock...and another year is about to go! I’m pausing to look back on what I’ve learned over the last 12 months and share some favorite events.

Although saying goodbye to your young-adult kids never gets easier, knowing they’re happy makes it easier to accept. I wrote about moving my oldest daughter to Nashville here, and a year later she’s thriving and has a new job teaching first graders.

I have learned that having four children ALL attend the same University makes me somewhat of an expert in all things Pirate-Mom related. You can read more about my nine years as a Whitworth University parent here.

Separate beds? No. Separate shows? Quite often. After 31 years of marriage, we still have very few TV series and movies that we enjoy watching together.  I like feel-good shows, he likes Sci-Fi and he doesn't mind violence. We watch a few things together; Downton Abbey, The Paradise, Madame Secretary, and Seahawks games. But...you will often find us either plugged-in to our own devices watching separate shows, or sometimes upstairs and downstairs watching different channels. Do you find this disturbing? I have found it keeps the peace in our marriage, and keeps me from having nightmares. Do you and your spouse like the same shows?...

I am thankful we can tape the season premiere, since we will be busy Sunday at a joyful event. Thanks to our match-making (and God's perfect timing,) two of our good friends met, fell in love, and are getting married!

My husband's family reunions always take place in Minnesota. (Unless everyone goes to Omaha.) For the third time in twenty years, the Carver clan all met up in Minnesota in June. We stayed in four cabins that were connected, and each evening we gathered to eat dinners together. I originally wished we could have met up somewhere a bit closer to the Pacific Northwest, but it turned out to be a special, memorable time. One of my favorite memories? Karaoke night!! I'm still hoping my side of the family can figure out a reunion so my kids can see their cousins, Grandma, and Aunts and Uncles. Maybe the next time one of my kids gets married?

They'll have to kick me out of MOPS someday. Since moving here to the PNW back in 1997, there have only been a few years when I haven't been involved in the MOPS ministry at our church. I LOVE what it stands for and each year the leadership does a wonderful job. I've been a participant, DGL (discussion group leader), DGL coordinator, and Mentor Mom.

"MOPS is a grassroots movement that believes moms are world influencers." 

Read more about MOPS on their national webpage.

Childhood friends grow and change yet getting back together brings joy. Over the weekend we got together with two families whose boys were best friends with our son beginning in kindergarten. We all lived in the same neighborhood and I think my boy spent more time with the other families than he did with ours! We had a progressive dinner (super fun) and caught up over food and games.

Back in the day...

All grown up and still having fun!

Dessert stop on the Progressive Dinner.

An itchy dog doesn't necessarily mean fleas. Poor Sydney. We kept treating her for fleas and she kept "eating herself raw." She really had an allergic reaction to all the flea treatments... After medicine and the cone of shame, she's almost back to her normal, adorable self. She also appreciates getting to snooze on her spot on the couch.

We should have taken the class years ago. This fall we took the Dave Ramsey class called Financial Peace University. "Live like no one else so you can live like no one else..." We've got some work ahead of us to get our finances in order. We highly recommend all couples take this course!

Waiting on God is worth it.  I wrote about us living in our rental on the island waiting to find the

right home to buy. THEN...God brought us to this amazing home in town and we are SO HAPPY!!!

All our friends agree, it is perfect for us and seems as if we were meant to live here. I have no doubt 

that God knew exactly the right downtown home for us.

I DO work at the best baby boutique in Western Washington. We even won an award that proves it, thanks to our wonderful customers.

2014 was definitely a year of adventures and blessings. Our kids are scattered (Spokane, L.A., and Nashville,) but they are thriving. My man and I are getting used to this Empty-Nester phase, and we're looking forward to all the surprises that will happen in 2015! 

From the Carver family to yours, we wish you all a very Happy New Year!! Cheers! 

I'm linking up with Emily Freeman of Chatting at the Sky.

In His Grip, 

Jane                 Thanks for stopping by See Jane Learn!