I was supposed to post this yesterday but life happened and I never got a chance. New year, same story. 🙂 I don’t mind really. I have been having such fun looking back at all the posts I made this year and rereading my thoughts over the past months. God has brought us a long way and we are all still alive and well to talk about it.
This post is really for myself. I wanted to be able to see at a glance what I wrote about in 2014 and arranging the top posts and other highlights of each month makes it easier to look back in years to come. And if someone happens to want to click back on something here that interests them, well, that’s just cake. So sit back and relax and when you’re done you can join me on the couch to watch the rose parade with a cup of hot chocolate. Happy new year! 🙂
January set the tone of the year as we dealt with Brian’s cancer, his surgery to remove it and the chemo that was to come for the next six months. My thoughts were captured in these posts:
A Top Ten Popular Post
- Dear Diary: Chronicling the Last Few Days & An Update on Brian’s Cancer (1/26/14)
- Dear Diary: Brian’s Recovery & Dealing with Cancer (1/29/14)
The Most Viewed Recipe Post
Which happens to be in the slow cooker as I am typing this…
Slow Cooker Lentil Soup with Kale (Yum!)
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February was the month of my …
#1 Most Viewed Post
In February I also…
- Made 14 Days of Love Notes (& Free Love Note Printable).
- Pulled out my big camera for ocean shots and church windows
- Responded to a friend who asks how (when I was actually struggling quite a bit). Also Brian’s co-worked get Aaron Rodgers to autograph a cheesehead for him in Theme Thursday: Hearts & {pretty, happy, funny, real}: Struggles, Puddle Jumping & Cheeseheads.
- Explain how Brian’s chemo port works.
- In the kitchen I cooked Moroccan Style Chickpea Chili and Banana Honey Oatmeal Cookies.
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In March, I posted a…
Top Ten Popular Post
Lenten Ideas 2014 – Bringing Lent Home
In March I also…
- Shared Lenten Goals.
- Got a lot of hits on Five Favorites (Vol 16): Skirts, Handbags & New Tunes.
- Took photos of our hike at Point Lobos.
- Shared a cancer update and daily happenings in my online journal.
- Opened my heart in Melt Downs & Being at Peace.
- In the kitchen I made Gluten Free Black Bean Brownies (Trust me, they taste better than they sound!) and Sneaky Spaghetti Sauce with Pureed Veggies.
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In April I posted a…
Top Ten Popular Post
Online Daybook (4/21/14): Easter, Family & Carrying Crosses
In April I also…
- Shared lessons learned in Remember Gratitude.
- Had fun posting about my Day in the Life in Self Care & Prayer and A Day in the Life.
- Organized my car in Emergency Car Bins & Operation Clean and Organize (Vol 18).
- In the kitchen I made Whole Wheat Baked Chocolate Donuts.
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In May I posted a…
#1 Most Commented Post/ Top Ten Popular Post
If you don’t read the whole post, I sum it up in the last paragraph:
We’d be a lot happier if we stopped comparing ourselves to each other and accept that we’re all in this together and each of us reflects the love of God to the world. Like flowers in a garden, some of us are delicate roses and others are are robust sunflowers. Some are perky daisies and others are shy violets. Regardless, we are are all reflections of God’s beautify and creativity. Embrace your abilities as a mom. Work on the areas you need improvement with the confidence that God will give you all grace and tools you need. Support your fellow sisters in this difficult yet incredibly important job of raising our families because despite what you may think, you’re a really good mom! 🙂
You can read the whole thing here – Despite What You May Think… You Are a Good Mom.
In May I also…
- Shared about our trip to So Cal and Disneyland.
- Talked about how God challenged me to be Mary Poppins to Brian.
- Redo my weekly menu board.
- Did a little jig because Jen Fulwiler posted this photo on her blog.
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In June I posted two top ten popular posts:
Top Ten Popular Post
Online Daybook (6/2/14): Family Walks, Menus and Praying over a Dirty Toilet
AND
A Collection of Link-Ups for Every Day of the Week
In June I also…
- Posted photos of fun in our backyard and answered questions about myself.
- Talked about end of the school year fun and posted beach photos.
- Shared about our trip to Lake Tahoe.
- In the kitchen I made Slow Cooker Chicken Tortilla Soup.
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In July I…
- Had a blast putting together The Top Ten Theme Songs of My Life.
- Got creative and explained How I Use PicMonkey on the Blog.
- Had a broken heart saying goodbye to my niece Baby Joan Iris.
- Was excited to be a part of the ministry Blessed Is She.
- Linked up for the first time with Embrace the Ordinary.
- Posted photos and gave an update on Brian’s chemo treatment and life in general in July’s Online Daybook.
- In the kitchen I made my favorite summer side dish Southwestern Black Bean and Corn Salad.
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In August I posted a…
Top Ten Popular Post
In August I also…
- Shared birthday wishes in the August Online Daybook.
- Created a fun printable – Daily Planner Goal Sheet.
- In the kitchen I made Homemade Granola Bars.
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In September I…
- Reviewed my August 2014 Goals.
- Made a Powersheets Vision Board.
- Improved My Night Prayers & Exam of Conscience (Hmm.. I need to reread this. It could use some work again!)
- Made September 2014 Goals.
- Participated in a Blog Hop about Writing.
- In the kitchen I made Greek Salad. (I literally keep a fresh container of this dressing at all times. We love it.)
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In October I…
Kicked blogging butt by posting 31 days in a row! (Well, pretty darn close to it!)
In October I also…
- Shared Health Goals and reviewed the Fitbit Flex.
- In the kitchen I made Pumpkin Donuts.
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In November I…
- Reminisced about our favorite Thanksgiving craft/tradition The Gratitude Tree.
- Had a link-up palooza with five link-ups in one Quick Take post.
- Posted about A Week in My Life on a Monday.
- Posted about A Week in My Life on a Tues & Wed. Which was also subtitled – Mama Said There’d Be Days Like This. Ugh!
- Posted about A Week in My Life on a Thursday through Sunday.
- Hosted a RoL Advent Gift Package Giveaway. It was so fun, I’ll have to do another for Lent. 🙂
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In December I wrote a…
Top Ten Popular Post
Favorite Advent Traditions: Keeping Christ in Christmas
In December I also…
- Talked about one of our favorite Advent traditions – The Advent Calendar.
- Created a printable for A Christmas Letter to Baby Jesus (Instead of Santa).
- Shared the latest happening in my life in the Online Daybook: December Days.
- Reviewed the year photographically in 12 in 2014: A Year in Review in Photos.
- In the kitchen I made Slow Cooker Rotisserie-Style Chicken.
That was a fun look back. 🙂 I hope you and your family have a blessed, holy and joy filled new year!! xoxo
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