2025, what a
mixed bag you were. You started out
pretty awful, if I’m being honest, and the first few months were rough. But thankfully, as the year progressed,
things started to look up in our own little world (despite the turmoil in our
nation and the rest of the world) and the last few months were pretty darn
good.
Let’s recap 2025, y’all…
The Bad…
It was the year that Maui started going downhill from the very beginning of January… she stopped eating, she started having accidents on the floor constantly, and we could tell that her dementia was ramping up, causing her to act differently. I begged and pleaded with her to eat something – anything – in those last few weeks, I was literally trying anything and everything I could do to get her to eat. But we watched her waste away and eventually pass away the day before we were going to have her euthanized. The silver lining – that God took her, so we didn’t have to. I miss her every single dang day, though, y’all. I wrote this tribute to her a month after her death.
It was the year that I also started off completely unprepared for everything. Five days into the year I hadn’t even planned my blog content for the year, I had no clue what I wanted to do for my word for the year, and I just couldn’t get myself together from a work or personal standpoint. For the first few months, I felt like I was just flying by the seat of my pants every. single. day. and that is an awful feeling for me.
It was the year
that a new administration took over and every single day since then has been
completely and utterly shocking… such shameful behavior coming from people who
are supposed to be representing our country.
I could go on and on documenting all the terrible and irresponsible things
they’ve done this year – pardoning insurrectionists, raising tariffs astronomically,
deporting American citizens without due process, leaking war plans, stripping
benefits from those who need them most, blatantly disregarding the very laws on
which our country was founded, covering up horrific crimes of loads of powerful
people, writing childish and hateful (and actually really disturbing) messages
to Americans on social media all year – and that is just the tip of the
iceberg. The saddest part of all,
though, is that many of the people in said administration are doing these terrible
things in the name of Jesus. But the
Jesus I know welcomed everyone to His table.
He fed the poor. He clothed the
naked. He loved everyone… not just those
who served His best interest. Needless
to say, towards the end of the year, I pretty much disassociated from
everything going on in our country and in the world for my own mental health… and
what a privilege it is to be able to do that as so many people do not have that
luxury! All that said, I do also believe
it’s so important not to become complacent, so my disassociation time is
short-lived. And on another note, I
would love to give a big shoutout to all those creating and curating all the
political memes from the year… sometimes you just need to laugh so you don’t
cry!
It was the year that I found out that my braces would have to stay on for another year… and if you’ve been here for a while, you will know that these things have caused HELL for me the last three years as they’re most likely the culprit that sent my body over the edge in 2023 into a vertigo, dizziness, unsteadiness, brain-foggy spiral. I had been counting down the days to February 2025 for so long, only to be told that the braces would have to stay on much longer.
It was the year that we lost my Uncle Bob… he was the first uncle that I have ever lost, and we miss him every day. I pray for my Aunt Becky and all of their kids, grandkids, and great grandkids every single day because I know they still miss him fiercely.
It was the year
that I had horrible withdrawals from tapering off my vertigo meds and I spent nearly
two weeks completely out of commission, unable to cook, unable to drive, and
barely able to function. Ultimately, my
doctor had me add back in a tiny dose of the medicine to help with the
withdrawals, but I still had moderate symptoms for months afterward. I have finally reached the point where I feel
mostly back to normal, but in January, I have to begin the tapering process
again… this time muuuuch slower. I am dreading it already.
The Good…
It was the year that we finally had SNOW after seven years of waiting!
It was the year that Jacob got braces!
It was the year
that a new Pope was elected… Pope Leo!
It was the year
that we got to spend time with our beloved Father Manny when he came for a
visit.
It was my eighth
summer home with the kids and even though it involved a lot of travel for my UCC
adjustments, we made the most of it, and had the very best time!
Week 2 (and see beach recaps)
It was the year that we spent time giving back to our community and volunteering at our church’s outreach center.
It was the year that Jacob joined Teen Advisors.
It was the year
that Georgia beat Alabama in the SEC Championship Game! Back to back wins, baby!
It was the year that I had my most peaceful, restful Christmas season of my whole adult life. Somehow, some way, I was able to stay organized and stay on top of things, never feeling too rushed, never feeling too overwhelmed (even though I still had the same amount to do), and I really had time to soak up the season. I still don’t know how everything aligned to allow this, but I’ll be forever grateful as this was one of my favorite Christmas seasons to date. I even had time to complete an Advent study which is something I’ve never been able to do!
It was the year
that we went on 3 weekend getaways.
UGA vs. Auburn Basketball Game &
Dinner with Wil – Atlanta, GA
UGA vs. Alabama Football Game – Athens,GA
UGA vs. Texas Football Game – Athens, GA
It was the year
that we were able to go to 6 concerts.
Judah & the Lion – Chattanooga, TN
Dave Matthews Band – Atlanta, GA
UGA vs. Georgia Tech – Atlanta, GA
It was the year
that B and I managed to squeeze in 11 dates. We always aim for 12 each year (one per
month).
Dinner Out + Christmas Popup Bar
Judah & the Lion Concert Overnight
Trip
Dinner Out + Shakey Graves Concert
Dinner Out + Abe Parker Concert
Dinner Out + Dave Matthews Band Concert
Dinner at a New Italian Restaurant
Dinner Out + a Teddy Swims Concert
Day Date for Christmas Shopping
Dinner Date to Eat Mexican Downtown
It was the year
that I spent loads of time with dear friends.
January Girls Dinner at a New Mexican Restaurant
February Galentine’s Day Celebration
March Girls Dinner at the New Indian Restaurant
April Girls Dinner at the New Italian Restaurant
May Girls Dinner at the Tiny Pizza Place
June Girls Dinner at One of Our Favorite Mexican Restaurants
July Girls Dinner at Texas Roadhouse
August Girls Dinner at a Local Restaurant
September Girls Dinner at the New Mexican Restaurant Downtown
October Pumpkins at Callaway with Our Poker Night Group
Taylor Swift The Life of a Showgirl Movie with Friends
October Girls Night at Our 25th High School Reunion
Trick or Treating with Friends
December Girls Christmas Ornament Exchange
It was also the
year that was full of play dates and fun family get-togethers.
Jacob Hang with Mack, Buckley, and Noah
Field Trip to the Infantry Museum
Olivia’s 11th Birthday Slumber Party
Caroline’s Birthday Slumber Party
Jacob’s Overnight Velocity Lock-In
St. Patrick’s Day Party at Jeannine and James’s
Jacob’s Velocity Event + Sleepover with WJ
Maggie’s Ice Skating Birthday Party
Bowling with Noah, Mack, and Buckley
Pool Day with Khristina and Noah
Sleepovers at Our House with WJ and Maren
Liberty Bell Pool with Friends
Jacob’s Sleepover at WJ’s & Olivia’s
Sleepover with Aubrey
Pool Day with Khristina and Noah
Back to School Social + Football Game
School Tailgate + Football Game
Homecoming Alumni Social + Football Game
Olivia’s First Middle School Dance, Dinner, and After Party
Christmas (coming in January)
It was the year
that I read 41 books... a record for me as an adult!
It was the year that I chose to continue my monthly gratitude posts...
December Gratitude Snapshot
(coming in January)
It was the year
that I shared some fun organizing tips, how-to’s, DIY projects, home tours, and Other
Helpful Tips with you.
2025 House Cleanout + Projects – Mid-February Update
How to Fix Album Artwork on Your iPhone When It’s Changed or Corrupted During an Upgrade
How to Throw the Perfect Wicked Themed Birthday Party
2025 House Cleanout + Projects – Mid-May Update
2025 House Cleanout + Projects – End of August Update
Whew!
And now I’ll leave you with my top five most viewed posts that were written in 2025. Before I get to these, a few notes…
These
are the top five most viewed posts that were written in 2025… all of my most
viewed posts of all-time were written in previous years.
I
do still have several old posts making the rounds on Pinterest, and several new
ones that picked up speed this year.
Without further ado, here are my top five posts that were published in 2025…
My weekly recaps are always my most viewed posts each week, so it’s no surprise that three of them made it into the top five. Not sure why this was the one to do it, but I’m thinking maybe because people were interested in hearing a story about my internet troll? Good times. I wonder how she's doing all these months later?? Haha.
I knew from the start that this one would be a big one since we had to say goodbye to our girl. That weekend was, perhaps, the most chaotic and challenging weekend of our whole year – celebrating Brian’s birthday, having a house full of girls for Olivia’s birthday, and attending a benefit ball all while our sweet baby, Maui, was fading away. It was bittersweet, that’s for sure, and I was completely drained, mentally and emotionally, by the time that weekend was over.
I’m pretty sure this one cracked its way into the top five of most viewed posts this year because it was the week that I finally met the doctor who was able to resolve my vertigo. It was the beginning of my journey to healing, once and for all.
T W O – Holiday Gift Guide for Teenagers
This one was surprising because none of my gift guides has ever cracked into the top five for the year, but I owe this one all to Pinterest as it took off like wildfire. Teens are hard to shop for, so I’m sure a lot of people were looking for ideas!
O N E – How to Fix Album Artwork on Your iPhone When It’s Changed or Corrupted During an Upgrade
Okay, this post was, by far, the most viewed post of the whole year… it beat all the others by a landslide, coming in with ten times more views than the second place post. I have had people contact me from all over via blog comments and emails thanking me for writing this tutorial. I don’t ever even post about things like this and I only wrote it up so I could have a place to keep it for future reference for myself, and I figured that if I could help someone in the process then that would be great. Turns out that it helped thousands upon thousands of people and it was my number one post for the whole year. Haha.
***
And just for
fun, here are my Instagram Top 9 photos from the year… and it's no surprise at all that my most liked and engaged with post was my tribute to Maui after she passed away. I have never had that many likes and comments and shares on any other post on Instagram ever. People love sweet pets. <3
2025, you were…
a roller coaster to say the least. So
many highs and some pretty terrible lows.
You will always be the year that we lost our first baby, Maui, but you
will also be the year that I found peace even in the mess.
Cheers to a happy, healthy, fun, peaceful, slow, and intentional 2026!
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