I love doing recaps of the years. In the moment, I always find it difficult to get started and often have to look through my calendar to even remember what I did! I think that’s why I appreciate them so much. It forces me to go back and take tangible stock of the things I’ve experienced throughout the year. When Emily of emformarvelous.com (one of my favorite blogs and a dear friend of mine) reached out to a few of us to join in with these prompts (inspired by the Cookies + Crumbs podcast), I was all for it!

Best adventure/travel/trip:

Definitely our 7th Anniversary trip to Fort Lewis Lodge in Virginia! Now, I know some of you might be thinking, “Virginia? Bo-ring!” but let me tell you, Fort Lewis Lodge is incredible. It’s a little pricy, but so worth it if you enjoy more low-key, quiet, relaxing vacays surrounded by beautiful nature.

John surprised me with this one! The grounds of the lodge/farm is nestled in a beautiful valley in the Blue Ridge mountains of Virginia and has a very luxury-rustic feel. We stayed in a private cabin with a fireplace (fireplaces are the way to my heart) and took many walks along the river. To read more about our trip (and stops we took along the way) click here!

Best book:

The Mitford series! I had just finished another book right before we left to go to the beach one weekend and didn’t have enough time to snag another, so I just hoped I could find something there. John’s family’s beach house has been in the family since the 50’s so there is no shortage of books.

It is totally feel-good fiction with a Christian theme and I love it! It is set in a tiny little mountain town based off of Blowing Rock, NC, a town dear to my Appalachian State heart! It has a very Gilmore Girls vibe about it in that we follow the stories of the characters in the town, the funny, sad, and uplifting, and how they all connect. It’s a great escape that helps give perspective in your own life.

Best movie:

Hands down, The Peanut Butter Falcon. John and I randomly decided to go to a matinee at one of the theaters with recliner chairs (my fave) and watched the trailers of what was showing to decide what to see. We hadn’t even heard of The Peanut Butter Falcon but the trailer sold me, and it more than delivered!

The story centers around a young adult Down syndrome main character (played by an actor with Down syndrome) who breaks out of the nursing home he’s been living in to go live his dream of being a WWE-style wrestler. He meets a rough but kindhearted friend along the way (Shia Labeouf) who ends up helping him in his plight. It’s also set in the Outer Banks of NC so that was especially cool to see throughout the movie!

Best album or song:

I’m still very into Maggie Rogers.

Best podcast:

I still feel pretty new to listening to podcasts! I rotate in no particular order through five different ones. For some relaxation, inspiration, and peace, I listen to The Next Right Thing podcast with Emily P. Freeman. For some spiritual gold and to get my soul right, I listen to Jonathan David & Melissa Helser’s podcast.

If I need some life and business motivation I listen to the GoalDigger podcast with Jenna Kutcher and Work & Play with Nancy Ray (I’d listen even if she wasn’t my BFF & SIL!)

For a total diversion, I have been loving Dolly Parton’s America! She is hilarious and the producers do a great job following her story and impact in a way that feels deeper than the average interview.

Best follow on Instagram:

I recently started following @burtsbrisplease and really enjoy her simple home and family style. I also got into following hashtags, which has helped me find some pretty cool and specified accounts, like #anatural_midwinter and #optoutside.

I have honestly really enjoyed some therapy/wellness accounts, especially that of certified therapist @nedratawwab! Her whole account is bite-size golden nuggets (in list format, which I love) of wisdom and healthy thinking, reminders of healthy behaviors, and how to have healthier relationships with ourselves and others. It’s such an encouragement amongst the “scroll” of Instagram!

Best date:

I had to ask John about this one : ) We couldn’t recall a specific date, as much as regular date nights we take at our favorite local Mexican restaurant. We try to go at least twice a month, and always get excited to be together, eat our favorite dishes (and chips and queso of course), and just talk like friends.

And I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention a date night we try to do annually around Christmas to Angus Barn. We went this weekend, and it was crazy - absolutely not for the faint of heart, as the splendor of everything during the holidays brings out immense crowds, all willing to wait 2-3 hours for a table!

BUT for us, it’s a time to get dressed up, eat lots of crackers, cheese, and pickles while we wait, put some money into our relationship, and talk about our year together. Emily has some great questions she and her John ask each other every year on their annual date night, which we’ve enjoyed using. And this year, we had the sweetest gift ever to celebrate and talk about - our little miracle girl who is due next spring! She gave many kicks of approval of all the yummy food : )

Best faith grower:

This year I decided to do a second round of an event I started last year for freelance Hair and Makeup artists in North Carolina. Y’all. It was a huge undertaking! I went from a small half day event to a full-on two-day retreat style event, with tons of classes and a couple of seminars. I am a visionary, but needed lots of help and prayers to make those visions come to life!

It was a huge faith grower because I invested quite a bit of time and money, and we were needing ticket sales until the eleventh hour, but they all came through! Every bill was covered and the event went smoother than I could have ever imagined. Most importantly, it made a real, deep impact on the women who attended and helped create an even stronger community of artists in our area! Check out the recap post (and video) here!

Best trend you tried:

I did Keto during Lent this year and really enjoyed it! It was not easy, but I appreciated having to plan thoughtful, nutrient-dense meals. I think just the practice of observing Lent has been a fun thing to try for us as well. It has really centered us as we come out of winter into the fullness (and busyness) of the year, and helped us to really celebrate the foundation of our faith - Jesus’ death and resurrection!

Best beauty purchase:

Ooo - I have a few! I got a few skincare goodies from my local fave beauty shop, Trellis Beauty, that stand out. First Lo & Behold Naturals (which is based in Durham!) has a Pineapple & Grapefruit Brightening Face Mask that I have absolutely loved. And I swapped out my serum for a cleaner version from Fit Glow Beauty - a necessity during pregnancy because that type of serum really helps keep cystic acne at bay!

Makeup favorites have definitely been Beautycounter’s Cream Blush (in Caramel and Hibiscus especially) and Hynt Beauty’s Eyebrow Definer.

Best family memory:

Between just John and I, the 8-week appointment where we saw our baby’s heart beating takes the cake. I have experienced miscarriage during our journey, and we had never made it to the 8-week appointment before. I was nervous and had set my mind to be sober for whatever we might find out. Right away we saw that flicker on the screen, and was overwhelmed with joy and thankfulness.

I also really enjoyed traveling to Lake Gaston with John’s family. We read, relaxed, played with the kids, ate good food, and rode around in the boat!

Best habit you created:

Going outside for walks regularly. We live within 10 minutes of a gorgeous park in Wake Forest that has loops of paved trails through nature (a pecan grove, by a lake, and through the woods) and still feels safe to walk alone. It has been a sweet investment into myself, not only physically but mentally and spiritually as well. I always listen to inspiring music or a peaceful podcast, and tend to pray while I’m out there too. Whatever I feel like that day.

especially sweet to do it with this growing one

Best new recipe:

John loved making these bacon-wrapped jalapeño poppers, and I loved making these slow cooker buffalo chicken stuffed sweet potatoes!

Best mama moment:

Well, this is a special one for me this year! Many of you know our story of infertility, something we walked through for five years. This year, our breakthrough and miracle happened, and our little girl is due in the spring! I’m still a little in shock about it, and have spent the last 4.5 months closely with Jesus and John sorting through some fears and insecurities about this pregnancy, and coming into a place of peace, joy, and cherishing every moment and milestone we reach!

Best home improvement:

We moved into our tiny little cottage last year right around this time, right before Christmas! The whole thing has felt like a home improvement - we purchased it last summer and renovated the whole thing! Specifically since we’ve moved in, I’ve enjoyed putting a hammock and veggie garden in our back yard, along with some chickens! And inside, I loved swapping out the light in our bedroom for this fixture from Leanne Ford for Target.

A flourishing veggie garden! & my hunky gardener : )

Best little luxury you've enjoyed:

Reading books on our hammock during the afternoons. No phone, no to-do list, just a short moment to enjoy the outdoors and a great story.

I am so thankful for this year - all it has taught me, challenged me with, and gifted to me. What are some of your answers to these questions?

To see the answers from the other gals participating, check out the links below!

Best of 2019 (With Friends!)