January 2025 in Review

 I originally intended to do this last night, but ya know what they say the road to Hell is paved with...

I don't know about anyone else, but January felt a lot longer than 31 days. In complete honesty it feels like it should be the middle of spring by now. And Lord knows I am ready for the weather of Spring. 

Although we are supposed to hit 50 degrees tomorrow and in the 60s Monday so there is that.

But I digress...

January 1st I started walking; every day, for 10 minutes. I put on my headphones and danced and sang myself around my neighborhood. Surprisingly, it did get easier as the days went on. Minus the crazy cold, but even then I got bundled up and got it done. I made it all 31 days!! 

This month I am going for 15 minutes. and I will add 5 minutes on each month. Ideally, I hope I lose some weight with this, but I am realizing that this time out in nature is very good for my mental health. So whether I drop pounds or not, the benefit is still there. 

We also, started up  homeschooling again. It is always hard to get back into a good routine, but I am utilizing more of our Jack and Link manipulatives and that is making it more fun for Kolby. We are also seeing the pay off of using Life of Fred math. For once, in five years of homeschooling, math is making him laugh and he is enjoying it. 

Obviously, I started this blog and I am getting close to being able to send my book in to be copyrighted. Super exciting and I am really loving this!

We got our eyes checked and somehow Kolby still doesn't need glasses!! Given that both Shawn and I wear glasses that is a HUGE miracle. Also, I love our eye doctor because each time we are in there, he takes the opportunity to teach Kolby something. This year it was using the images of our eye pictures that were taken and explaining the different parts, arteries, and vessels. Something that I see as a benefit from homeschooling, is that in situations like these, Kolby is very eager to learn and share the knowledge. This is where making learning a lifestyle comes in handy.

The biggest thing, in my opinion, that January brought was a new president. At the end of January he had been in office a total of 11 days and the damage done already in that less than 2-week span is monumental. I am truly worried about the next 1,375 days (the time til the next election). I struggle to see how anyone thinks that good things can come from this. Just this morning my mom sent me a headline that said there will be more protections for those accused of sexual misconduct and eliminate LGTBQ protections within schools. This is just down right appalling. I am hopeful that things will somehow improve. But I am also, very aware that this is not the time for silence anymore. Watching things being broken down has been hard. As an empath, I have had to learn to guard my spirit and energy, which sometimes means taking a step back. We will see what each month brings us with regard to this. Unfortunately, this is a situation that time will only tell us if it will get better. 

How was your January? Did you make any New Year's resolutions, goals, or intentions? Did anything super fun happen? How was the weather in your neck of the woods? Do you want to come and retrieve the weather that we have been having in good 'ole Muncie, Indiana? What are you looking forward to in 2025? Have thoughts on the first 11 days that the new president has been in office? Join in the conversation in the comments and let me know!!

Tomorrow is a day of writing so gotta turn in and try to get some decent sleep (anyone know what that actually is??? lol), so until next time Remember to be kind, smile lots and dance often!!