Reflecting on 2013: A Year of Growth, Change, and Cherished Moments
As the year draws to a close, it’s natural to pause and look back at the journey we’ve traveled. 2013 certainly wasn’t the year the world ended, despite some predictions from the previous year; instead, it was a period of significant progress, personal growth, and exciting changes for us. Our lives continued to evolve, punctuated by pivotal moments in our business, personal well-being, and family life. This past year was a testament to dedication, resilience, and the joy of seeing plans come to fruition. Join me as I delve into my reflections on the highlights and lessons learned from a truly transformative year.
Business Growth and Strategic Development
1. Welcoming the Best Assistant Ever!
Hands down, one of the most impactful decisions we made this year was bringing on board an incredible assistant, Lorene. Her addition to our team has been nothing short of a dream come true, fundamentally transforming our daily operations and boosting our overall productivity. Before Lorene joined, I often found myself juggling countless tasks, struggling to maintain a balance between creative work, administrative duties, and family life. Now, with her invaluable support, I can dedicate more time to strategic planning, content creation, and exploring new avenues for our business. Lorene handles everything from intricate scheduling to essential organizational tasks, allowing me to focus on what I do best. Her efficiency, dedication, and proactive approach have made her an indispensable part of our team, and I honestly can’t imagine our workflow without her. This strategic investment in our team has not only streamlined our processes but also significantly reduced stress, proving to be the single best business decision of 2013. A huge thank you to Lorene for everything she does!
2. Making Strides in Debt Repayment
Financial stability has always been a key long-term goal for our family and business. Last year, we made a conscious and collective decision to prioritize paying off a significant portion of our debt, alongside another crucial goal: being closer to family. This commitment required making several thoughtful sacrifices, but I’m incredibly proud to report that we’ve diligently stuck to our plan. For someone who has owned three homes and cherished the stability and creative freedom that comes with property ownership, the transition to renting, especially living in my parent’s basement, presented its unique set of challenges. While we are immensely grateful for their hospitality and the opportunity to work on projects in their space, the pace has been slower than we’re accustomed to, and I certainly miss the fully customized home I had poured my heart into. Moving from my beautifully remodeled home to a smaller apartment, and then to a temporary living situation with a less-than-ideal kitchen setup, has been an exercise in adaptability. However, this period of transition has ironically fueled significant growth for our business and allowed us to tackle our financial goals head-on. I’m thrilled to share that we’ve managed to pay off approximately $20,000 worth of debt this year. It wasn’t easy, but every dollar repaid brings us closer to financial freedom and makes every sacrifice entirely worthwhile. We still have more debt to conquer, but our progress this year has instilled immense confidence that we will achieve our objectives.
3. The Launch of a New Digital Venture: Tipsaholic!
Innovation and expansion are at the heart of our entrepreneurial journey. This year, a significant chunk of my creative energy and time has been dedicated to developing a brand new website, Tipsaholic. While it’s still in its foundational stages and constantly evolving, the progress has been incredibly exciting. Tipsaholic is envisioned as a comprehensive resource for practical advice, creative ideas, and helpful tips across various lifestyle categories, designed to empower our audience with actionable content. I’m eager for its official launch and to see how this new platform resonates with our community. I invite you all to explore Tipsaholic; your feedback and especially any shares or pins of articles you find valuable would be deeply appreciated as we continue to build and refine this exciting new space. Furthermore, Tipsaholic is just the beginning of our digital expansion plans, with several other new sites currently in development. We’ll be sure to keep you updated on their progress and unveil them as they come to fruition, further diversifying our online presence and content offerings.
Personal Well-being and Self-Care Journeys
4. Embracing a More Active Lifestyle: Let’s Get Physical!
Turning 30 this year brought with it a stark realization about my metabolism and the need for a more active lifestyle. Having never been particularly athletic or involved in sports or dance during my formative years, and with hobbies that typically lean towards the stationary, my professional life as a content creator and remodeler can be surprisingly sedentary. While I love the hustle and bustle of home improvement projects, much of my work involves sitting at a desk. This year, I noticed some extra “padding” and, more importantly, a decline in my energy levels. This spurred a commitment to adopting new, healthier habits. The biggest change has been incorporating regular workouts into my routine. I’ll be honest, I’m still learning to love it – it’s a journey, not a destination! I would genuinely appreciate any tips and advice from those of you who have successfully integrated fitness into your lives and found ways to truly enjoy it. Despite the initial struggle, the benefits have been undeniable. I’ve noticed a significant reduction in daily fatigue, which is a welcome surprise. My persistent lower back pain has also started to alleviate as I actively strengthen those crucial core muscles. There’s a newfound sense of empowerment that comes from feeling stronger. My husband, Justin, seems to be a natural gym enthusiast, absolutely thriving in that environment. I’m slowly but surely getting there, and my goal is to genuinely love working out by next week – I’ll definitely keep you posted on my progress! So far, I’ve lost about 7 inches and 10 pounds, which feels like a fantastic start, and I’m incredibly motivated to continue this upward trajectory for my overall health and well-being.
5. A Fresh Perspective with a New ‘Do
For far too long, my hair routine had fallen by the wayside. Since the birth of Etta, updating my hairstyle seemed to slip further and further down the priority list. During my college years, I was quite adventurous with my hair, frequently experimenting with new cuts and colors. However, after moving to Texas and not having a go-to stylist, I became incredibly lazy, letting my hair grow long and simply trimming it myself. It was functional but certainly not inspiring. This year, I finally took the plunge and not only cut my hair but also added a much-needed splash of color! The transformation has been remarkable, far exceeding my expectations. I absolutely adore my new look. Beyond the aesthetic change, it has done wonders for my confidence and general outlook. It’s a small change with a significant emotional impact, reminding me of the importance of self-care and investing in how I feel about myself. I truly regret waiting so long to make this change!
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Family Milestones and Cherished Memories
6. Capturing Moments: Our New Family Pictures!
It feels like ages since we last had professional family portraits taken, so getting new family pictures this year was a truly joyous occasion. We owe a huge thank you to the talented Chelsea Peterson Photography for capturing these precious moments. The session took place just about a week ago, and Chelsea has already sent us a sneak peek to whet our appetite, and we are absolutely thrilled with what we’ve seen so far! There’s something incredibly special about freezing a moment in time, especially as the girls grow and change so quickly. These photographs will be cherished keepsakes, documenting our family’s journey and the love we share. I can hardly wait to see the complete gallery and adorn our walls with these beautiful memories. It’s a wonderful reminder to document life’s beautiful stages.
7. Etta’s Exciting Start to Preschool
Watching our eldest, Etta, embark on her preschool journey this year has been an absolute delight. From day one, she has embraced school with incredible enthusiasm and joy, quickly making wonderful little buddies. Every morning, she wakes up bubbling with excitement about attending school, which warms my heart immensely. It’s incredibly rewarding to witness her blossoming personality, her eagerness to learn, and her growing independence. Etta loves to dance and sing, constantly bringing music and laughter into our home. She has a natural charm, always ready with a joke or a silly antic that brightens everyone’s day. Beyond her playful spirit, Etta possesses a remarkable kindness and thoughtfulness that continually touches my heart. She is incredibly obedient and displays a wisdom far beyond her years, navigating social situations with grace and empathy. Seeing her thrive in this new environment and develop her unique character is one of the greatest joys of parenthood.
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8. Lydia’s Independence: Potty Training and First Dance Recital!
Our spirited youngest, Lydia, continues to bring boundless joy and a healthy dose of determination into our lives. She is a truly precocious child who unequivocally knows what she wants and isn’t afraid to go after it. This year, she showcased her incredible independence by essentially potty training herself! We would often find her taking herself to the potty, a clear sign that she was ready and eager to conquer this milestone on her own terms. We simply followed her lead, giving her the space and encouragement she needed, and just like that, we are officially a diaper-free household – a huge win for everyone! In addition to this impressive feat, Lydia also began her dance journey this year, and she absolutely adores it. Her first dance recital was a memorable event, where she charmingly did her own thing, marching to the beat of her own drum and captivating the audience with her unique flair. (I hope you can watch the video to see her delightful performance!). Watching Lydia grow, explore, and express her vibrant personality fills me with immense happiness and pride every single day.
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9. The Grand Completion of Our Patio Oasis!
Undoubtedly, one of our most ambitious and rewarding DIY projects this year was the extensive renovation of our outdoor living space. For five months, we dedicated countless hours and immense effort to transform our backyard into a true oasis. We worked tirelessly to construct a stunning patio, a beautifully curved seat wall, a custom fire pit, and practical garden boxes. This monumental undertaking involved meticulous planning, heavy lifting, and persistent problem-solving, but seeing the final result makes every bead of sweat and every aching muscle entirely worth it. The completed space is a testament to our vision and hard work, and we couldn’t be happier with its functionality and aesthetic appeal. It represents a significant accomplishment that we are incredibly proud to have brought to life. Now, we eagerly await the arrival of spring, envisioning countless hours spent outdoors, enjoying warm evenings by the fire pit, hosting gatherings on the patio, and cultivating another fabulous garden. This space is designed for relaxation, entertainment, and connecting with nature right in our backyard. You can dive into all the details of the entire project and its journey here, from conception to completion.
10. My Passion for Instagram Continues to Grow
Instagram has solidified its place as my favorite social media platform this year, offering an unparalleled visual storytelling experience. I absolutely love the simplicity and creativity it allows, making it incredibly effective for connecting with our community. If you haven’t already, I encourage you to come follow me @remodelaholic! On my feed, I strive to create a dynamic mix of real-life snippets, behind-the-scenes glimpses of our projects, and exciting sneak peeks of upcoming content. It’s a wonderful way to share our daily adventures, inspiration, and progress in a direct and engaging manner. For me, Instagram truly stands out as the best social media platform in existence, fostering a vibrant community and enabling quick, beautiful sharing of moments that matter. Its ability to combine authentic personal updates with creative inspiration makes it incredibly powerful, and I’m constantly inspired by the connections I make there.
Anticipating a Bright Future: Looking Forward to 2014!
As we bid farewell to 2013, my heart is filled with an immense sense of hope and excitement for what 2014 holds. This coming year feels poised to be another period of significant milestones and blessings. We are actively planning to purchase a new house, a step that will bring us closer to establishing a permanent home base for our family. Concurrently, we aim to successfully sell our Texas house, completing another major financial and logistical endeavor. And, if all the stars align and things work out as we hope, we might even try for another little kiddo – a thought that honestly makes me incredibly baby hungry! Please note, this is not an announcement, but certainly a heartfelt aspiration! Regardless of how each of these specific plans unfolds, I have an unwavering conviction that 2014 will be a truly great year, full of new opportunities, growth, and joy. I sincerely hope that each of you can look back on 2013 and pinpoint some of your own favorite moments, recognizing the blessings and progress you’ve made. And with that, here’s to a fantastic new year ahead, brimming with possibilities and positive experiences for us all!
For those who enjoy a nostalgic look back, here are our reflections from previous years. While I haven’t penned one every single year, I certainly didn’t want to miss documenting this memorable one:
2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008