Happy New Year… and New Decade!
I can hardly believe it’s actually 2020!
Who else can remember exactly what they were doing when the ball dropped on 2000?
2000 = A freshman in high school at a friend’s New Year’s Eve party. My mom (and most other moms) picked the kids up promptly at 12:15am.
2020 = Mother of 4, spending the night at my sister’s new house with crazy kiddos running around everywhere — all of us were in bed before midnight! 🙂
My, how times change!
I’m thrilled to be back to blogging after my 2-week hiatus, and I have a bunch of really fun, exciting posts to share with you over the next week (HINT: an epic “Top 20 Favorite Things”, some new changes on the blog, and a brand new “20-Day Clutter-Busting Challenge”!)
However, before I jump into all the fun and excitement that comes with running an organizing blog in January, I want to take a moment to officially share our family’s 2019 Christmas card.
Believe it or not, I almost didn’t send a card this year — I know, you’re shocked!
It just felt like one more to-do on my very long, seemingly never-ending December to-do list.
The fact that my holiday card-loving-self was seriously considering NOT sending a holiday card was one huge indication that I really needed to step back for a couple of weeks and rest.
My time away from the blog and (mostly) away from my computer was much-needed.
I was tired and needed a change of pace.
Thanks to the fact that Dave didn’t have many school projects to work on over break, we were able to plow through a few episodes of “The Crown” on Netflix, and I’m super excited to get started on Season 3 of “Anne with an E” (any other Green Gables fans out there!?!?!) I also read a couple of quick ebooks — very light reading, nothing too heavy at all.
We tackled a few house and yard projects (thanks to several days of sunny, 55º weather), went for walks and bike rides, had a few epic soccer games with friends and neighbors, and played more games of Uno than I can count!
I didn’t do much baking (besides my whole grain bread, cinnamon rolls, and my great aunt’s famous Spiced Molasses Cookies) but I did quite a bit of cooking… and certainly ate my fair share as well!
It was a good break for me and for my family — a time for me to “catch my breath” and regroup before the start of a NEW DECADE!
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A Note About Our Christmas Card Design:
I designed our card myself using Canva (it’s FREE!) and printed them as postcards through VistaPrint (here’s more on that process).
I also ordered these self-sealing envelopes on Amazon… TOTAL game-changer for me! The kids all wanted to help stuff and seal the envelopes — I practically worked myself out of a job!
These are my acrostics for each child’s name on the back of our Christmas card:
CLARA…
- Chatterbox
- Loves life
- Affectionate
- Really stubborn
- Adorable
SIMON…
- Sweet tooth
- Independent
- Michigan fan
- Optimistic
- Nicest kid ever
NORA…
- Nurturing
- Opinionated
- Reading fanatic
- Artistic & crafty
JAMES…
- Joyful
- Agreeable
- Musical
- Energetic
- State fan (MSU)
I sincerely hope your holiday season was enjoyable (or at least bearable) and that you had a bit of time to reflect on 2019, and consider what goals you want to pursue in 2020 and beyond — remember, they don’t have to be big, huge goals!
I have SO many thoughts, ideas, tips, recipes, and new content to share with you this year… all in good time!
Happy New Year, my friend!
I’ll see you back here tomorrow with my biggest, most fantastic Favorite Things post yet!
ShellyL says
I love this beautiful card and this beautiful family!! The acrostics were a great idea.Thanks for sharing your family with us.
Andrea says
thanks 🙂
and you’re welcome!
Elena says
Happy New Year Andrea! I loved your Christmas cards! The kids have grown so quickly. I don’t leave comments too often but still enjoy coming to your site and reading your posts. Wishing you and your family a healthy and happy New Year and looking forward to more of your wonderful recipes.
Andrea says
Thanks Elena! I appreciate hearing from you 🙂
JJ says
Love your card!!! The acronyms idea is awesome!!! So so glad you had a break and also as glad that you are back!!! Best wishes for 2020!!!
Christine says
My daughter and I watched Anne with an E and season 3 was amazing !! We are in Canada and it was shown this past fall on tv each week. So well done, so heartbreaking and so good!!
Happy new year!!
Andrea says
yay — I’m so excited to watch it! Now I just need to make the time to actually sit and enjoy it 🙂
JoDi says
It’s good to hear you enjoyed your well-deserved break! Best wishes for a happy and healthy 2020 to you and your family. Can’t wait to see what the new year brings to the blog!
(Can’t believe how tall Nora is. She’s going to be up to your shoulder in about a second!)
Andrea says
yes, she’s getting tall. I believe she’s the tallest person in her class!
JoAnn C. says
Happy New Year, Andrea. Glad you’re back and well rested.
Patti McGinnis says
Happy New Year to you and your sweet family.
Andrea says
Thanks so much Patti!
Leanne says
Happy New Year, Andrea!
Thank you for your faithfulness to your blog and your readers! I get so much from your posts! I have chosen SIMPLIFY as my word this year! I appreciate your encouragement on that journey 🙂 I hope 2020 is full of blessings!
Leanne
Andrea says
Great word! 😉
You’ll definitely like some of the new things I’ll be offering later this month and later this year — many of which are geared towards helping you SIMPLIFY your life!
Rebecca says
I love the acrostics for the kids on your card!
So glad to have you back! I’m starting a blog and as I’m setting it up I keep finding myself opening a tab with your blog so I can see how you have certain things set up 🙂 You are a great inspiration—would love to see a post about the “behind the scenes” work of running a blog.
Andrea says
yay for starting a blog! I am not the person to talk to about the behind the scenes stuff because I don’t pay attention to a lot of it. BUT, you could check out Blogging With Amy and she’ll walk you through the process.
Jamie says
I love the acrostic idea- something different but still sharing something about each child. “Simplify” is my word for 2020….I wonder where I heard that before. HA! When did Clara get so big? I feel like you just had her. lol Happy New Year Dekker Family!
Andrea says
great word fro 2020 🙂
Paulette says
Happy New Year! Missed you and your family, Andrea, but understand the need for a break. Look forward to your upcoming posts!
Michaela says
So glad you are back, dear Andrea!
Happy New Year to you and your sweet family!
Chris says
Happy New Year to you, too! The acronyms for the kids is a unique idea. I met most of my goals for the year. I’m so happy about it. I think it was the first year I really made concrete goals and I’m doing it again this year. I also joined an online decluttering class by Sarah at Abundantly Minimal. I decluttered over 1,000 things (including a LOT of paper), so I’m really excited about that. I’m looking forward to reading your blog again this year.
Andrea says
cool — I’ll have to look into the decluttering class. That sounds like fun! And wow — 1000 things!