Raising Youngins

Mom-ing is hard. Let’s journey together.

2025 Recap

A family of five sitting together on a couch, smiling and enjoying time together. They are covered with a red blanket, and the living room has a cozy atmosphere.

2025… what a year. Here’s where you’d most likely find us (somehow always on the smaller couch). Breastfeeding, football, golf, card games, DoorDash, Sundays soups, YouTube dance parties. Easily one of the hardest years of my life – 3 kids and working full time is no joke. My kids are amazing and beautiful and funny. One of them is reallllly clingy. Grateful for a best friend to run alongside the chaos with.

This delayed recap is on point to how this year has gone. Filled with challenges, joys, resilience and exhaustion. I’ve thought about this blog so many times but haven’t been able to still myself to sit down and type. And honestly, when I sit, I scroll or sleep. So… I’m going to get right down to it – I’m sharing my 2025 goal updates and what I’m focusing on in 2026.

2025 “survive… and be the best wife and mom you can be”

  1. Read 20 books. I read 32. Looks like I need to increase that number next year.
  2. Workout 4x/week after baby. I walk a lot, but my workout schedule is lacks consistency. I was gently reminded by a friend that my workout routine doesn’t need to equal anyone else’s workout routine. My 4x/week can look anyway it needs to for this season of life.
  3. Breastfeed / pump for 6 months. I managed to feed Maisy for 7 months. Wahoo!
  4. Improve scripture memorization. I’m still in my Bible study that requires multiple hours of weekly homework. I love those ladies! Scripture memorization though has not improved.
  5. Write one blog post a month. Fell short, but goodness I wanted to.
  6. Better calendar rhythms. Adjusted model calendar for myself and my leader. Long story short, this is a win.
  7. Connect with another EA and learn tips/tricks. I reached out to several but have not found an EA “mentor.”
  8. Build and invest in All Staff planning and execution team. Team built and it’s working out super well. Why did I wait so long to make this happen?!

My Book List for 2025:

  1. The Five Dysfunctions of a Team by Patrick Lencioni
  2. Counting Miracles by Nicholas Sparks
  3. Hinds’ Feet on High Places
  4. Radical Candor by Kim Scott
  5. Bad Therapy by Abigail Shirer
  6. Happy Lies by Melissa Dougherty**
  7. C is for Corpse by Sue Grafton
  8. D is for Deadbeat by Sue Grafton
  9. E is for Evidence by Sue Grafton
  10. F is for Fugitive by Sue Grafton
  11. The Unstoppable EA by Becky Kaapuni
  12. The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt**
  13. I is for Innocent by Sue Grafton
  14. H is for Homicide by Sue Grafton
  15. G is for Gumshoe by Sue Grafton
  16. The Wedding People by Alison Espach
  17. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
  18. Happy Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone
  19. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
  20. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
  21. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
  22. Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince
  23. Seven Practices of Effective Ministry
  24. The Lies We Leave Behind by Noelle Salazar**
  25. The Night We Lost Him by Laura Dave
  26. Raising Emotionally Strong Boys by David Thomas
  27. Grit by Angela Duckworth**
  28. The E-Myth Revisited by Michael E Gerber
  29. Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them by J.K. Rowling
  30. The Let Them Theory by Mel Robbins
  31. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
  32. The Familiar Stranger by Tyler Stanton

** a favorite of the year

For 2026…  “less noise, more meaning”

Less scrolling, more reading -> read 30 books

Less things, more experiences -> no spend odd months

Less sitting, more playing -> lose 15-20 pounds

Less me, more Jesus -> continue Bible study curriculum

Excited for the year ahead! Share your 2026 goals in the comments.

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