post by Casey.
DECEMBER 2022
I had just sat down with my espresso and Bible this morning when Rocky needed my help with the front door - I had asked him to take the puppy out (yesssss…we got a puppy…I’ll introduce him towards the end:). I watched him run around, in his puffy orange winter jacket, hood up, in blue swim shoes…with a big ol’ white fluff ball hobbling behind him on the frosty, iced grass:). In the background Rachel Lampas, Somebody to You is playing on 89Q, a channel we switched to recently - on my Grandma Biezes old wooden table top radio:).
“Don’t gotta be somebody when I’m already somebody to you…got nothing to prove anymore, so there’s nothing to lose anymore. You’re gonna keep on loving me for more than just the things that I do…”.
It brought tears to my eyes, seeing this moment I could have easily missed. I might have went to grab my drink, get Evan off the table, scroll on my phone…but I didn’t and it felt like a memory I was meant to have. One of those quick, 2minute moments…glimpses of the good ol’ days in real time:).
2023 was a really great year for us and as we leave it behind I’m moving forward with the very real realization - or reminder - that what we consume…what consumes our hearts, minds, bodies, moments, days, lives…what we allow in…the scrolling, the music, the food, the information, the people, the books, words…it all matters. It all adds up. It takes up space. We have to be so careful that what we are allowing to fill us up is serving us in a healthy way mentally, physically, and I believe, most importantly, spiritually.
So below are just a few of my favorite memories from 2023! Going back through the photo album is always such a big reminder of ALL that we did and accomplished in just 365 days! It never feels like SO much!
Celebrations, travel, beach days, thrifting, animals, church, road trips, hikes, cookouts, fires, library, walks…anddddd some yelling, fights, disagreements, depression, death, health scares, and sleepless nights sprinkled throughout.
But I can honestly say…we grew in our love for God the most this year:). I began reading through the Bible this year, every single day I read and Jacob and I are ending the year praying together daily.
This crazy world is going to keep spinning (out of control) but I truly believe that a relationship with God can slow it all down a bit. Life still isn’t all easy breezy but God has helped my family focus. Every time we’ve made room in our lives and hearts for God…we’ve felt more at peace than ever before.
Going into 2024 I want silence and consistency. I want to be quiet - if you know me…you know how big of a challenge this will be for me;). Quiet…maybe that means no Instagram, actually shutting up, observing, not reacting, being thoughtful/patient/kind, giving grace (to others and to myself). And doing all of that and more - my time with God, my presence/attitude with the kids - consistently.
I don’t love making goals, as I can be a pretty easily overwhelmed/stimulated person:/. But in 2024 I just want to hit my stride. I want the few things I know I could and should be doing…to become my focus and priority. I want quiet, consistency…I want constant. I want contentment.
I want to remember that the small daily changes, as boring as they can feel…an egg before coffee, the Bible before I scroll, a workout before the kids wake up, chores, school, dishes and dinner, a 15minute walk, baths and a book, a prayer with my husband before a not quite so late bedtime…all add up to a very beautiful life.
A life with God is so good, even when life isn’t.
MARCH 2023
I turned 40:)
MARCH 2023
Jacob and I have our marriage blessed by the church.
APRIL 2023
Jacob and I are confirmed:).
MAY 2023
Huckleberry Bloom makes her debut (my baby sister, Mallory’s, flower business!!!:).
Courtney graduates as a midwife!!!:)
JUNE 2023
Baby Evan turns one:).
JUNE 2023
I start reading through the Bible for the first time in my life:).
JULY 2023
Our every-other-year Zimmerman Family Fun Vacation!!:)
JULY 2023
Jacob turns 40:)
SEPTEMBER 2023
We start homeschooling!
OCTOBER 2023
My sister, Pigg, moved into her new house and my parents move to their ‘shop apartment’!!:)
NOVEMBER 2023
We lost our boy, Murphy. We paid a lot of money to an emergency vet and left with no answers:( Our hearts were broken.
DECEMBER 2023
We welcomed, Woody:). He is a mix of Great Pyrenees, Bernese Mountain Dog, and Newfoundland. He truly has brought us so much joy after the sudden loss of Murphy. And what a fun and probably a once-in-a-lifetime chance to surprise the kids with a dog ON Christmas:).
I promise their dad exists - I did marry him twice now;) - but this is one of the busiest times of the year for a caterer so most group photos are missing our favorite guy:/.
DECEMBER 2023
As Homer said at the end of 2022, when asked what he was looking forward to in the New Year:
Another year to love you.
God + Family, another year to love them. Another year to keep trying:).
"Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."
1 Thessalonians 5:16-17
Happy New Year, friends!
