Welcome, New Year! + December Wrap-Up (a little late)

Hey guys! How are you all? So, yes, I know I'm a bit late. I spent the month of December snapping pics and planning my wrap-up post and then . . . I got sick. Yep, for the first time in over three years I caught the flu. And believe me, when you live in a big family like I do, influenza is one of the worst things you can possibly get. I spent almost a full week in bed, alternating between Andy Griffith, I Love Lucy, and Little House on the Prairie episodes and listening to music. I discovered some new Casting Crowns and Jeremy Camp songs, read and reread many stories, etc. Important thing was: stay put and don't spread the germ. Thankfully, I'm feeling much, much better now, and no one else in my family appears to have caught the nasty bug (yay!). With Mom mere weeks away from delivering (Lord willing, at this time next month, Ruby Jane will have made her appearance!), this is very important. Please pray for us!!

Okay, now that I've explained all that . . . how about a December wrap-up post? No pictures this time (maybe I'll deliver them at the end of January instead), but a few highlights:

~Book exchange

I received a good amount of participants for the exchange, and the number came out odd so I could join in, too! 

~New Casting Crowns merchandise

A Black Friday sale on the Casting Crowns site meant new shirts, a book, and an ornament for my parents and me. Hurrah!

~Christmas dinner made by yours truly

Truth be told . . . I had never made a meal for someone before in my life, and then there I was! It wasn't possible to mess up on ham, potatoes, and carrots, right? Maybe. It still turned out edible and (if I do say so myself) kind of tasty. ;-)

~Making our own loaves of sourdough bread

We bought a starter and stirred up a batch of our very own sourdough bread! Yummmmmmm. (Anyone else out there love sourdough?)

~Christmas tea parties w/ friends

~Mom had to go in for another ultrasound, and I was able to tag along and see my sister! <3

~New books

~Writing

~Trying to tell my dad that I have photographic memory and then forgetting how to pronounce the word "photographic" 

So, yep, just a few highlights. And now . . . 

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! I can hardly believe we've left 2019 behind and have officially entered 2020. I'm still drained from my flu, so I'm gonna link back to the post I put up last year - the first day of 2019.

Happy New Year

I have to say I'm really excited for the new year. I just know God has big plans in store! Ruby Jane is coming soon, I'm waiting for answers to certain things in my life, etc. 

I'm continuing to make writing in a journal a daily goal, and I encourage you to join me. A word to meditate on and act upon for the year is a fabulous idea, too. My word for this year is endurance. :-) Finally, to wrap this up, my top two favorite books from 2019 (both of which you simply have to read):

I can't wait to see what God does in 2020!!

A sweet New Year's reminder from Abby Hickey @ Little Birdie Blessings

What about you? Are you excited for 2020? Have you made sourdough bread? Do you ever want to? What're some of your favorite books from 2019?

Let's talk in the comments below!