I did one of those word searches you see on Instagram, the ones that promise that the first four words you see will define your coming year. I squinted and had to come back a second time because one of Gideon’s favorite hobbies is taking my glasses off of my face, but finally I found my four words.

Change Strength Power Creation

If you’ve been here before, you know I usually pick one word in lieu of a New Year’s resolution. But for 2023 I got four, so I’m going with it.

This year was humbling in so many ways.

I earnestly set goals, worked toward them, and made absolutely zero progress. I felt overstimulated and overwhelmed. I lost my temper more often than I needed to. I learned what self loathing felt like, maybe for the first time. I did not love the person that looked back at me in the mirror every day. I was either completely unkind to myself or uselessly forgiving, and I struggled to find a middle ground.

And sometimes I felt hurt by people around me. I have learned more about boundaries this year than ever before. I’ve learned that if you love someone you should show them, not just tell them.

We were busier than usual this year and life felt chaotic a lot of the time.

But there were still beautiful moments—a year of happiness, health, and enough love and laughter that I look back at the last twelve months with gratitude and joy.

Rob worked harder than he has ever worked and excelled in his career. I secured a really exciting photography contract with a major client, which was so fun, paid well, and did wonders for my imposter syndrome. I came back to teaching Pure Barre in the spring and gained a new studio family, which I didn’t even realize I was missing until I found myself sending an email to inquire about getting on the schedule.

I spent time with old friends, made new ones, found a routine every other Thursday morning for coffee with babies in tow. There were Saturday morning playdates with egg casseroles and coffee while the kids bounded up the stairs to build a fort.

My mom got married, my brother is planning his wedding, and we are thinking about our 10th anniversary in the spring of 2024.

Gideon turned 1, Sophie turned 5. Gideon went straight from walking to running and is saying new words every week, Sophie finally got to start preschool and has best friends and a social life.

We traveled to California for the first time since we moved and Gideon got to meet all of our west coast family and friends. My heart was healed a bit coming back for fun after we left so abruptly at the beginning of the pandemic without really being able to say goodbye.

It was a hard year, but it was a good year.

So I look at those four words and realize that I need them and I want them. Change after feeling stagnant for so long. Strength because I have felt weak. Power in a world where I so often feel powerless. Creation because there’s an entire part of me that has felt shut down lately, and it’s time for her to come back.

Happy New Year, friends. I hope 2023 gives you exactly what you need.

Somehow, the snuggly little baby we brought home from the hospital one Thanksgiving afternoon in California is a tall, brave, funny, joyful, kind five year old today.

We love you, Sophie. Happy birthday.

This post was sponsored by Naked Nutrition. As always, all opinions are my own. Thank you for your support as I continue to work with advertisers!

I’m sure I’ve mentioned before that I really wasn’t much of a protein powder person until recently—and even still I don’t really use before or after a workout so much as I enjoy how convenient it can be when I’m busy with my kids, my side gig teaching Pure Barre, or just so tired of our usual breakfasts that I don’t even want to look at another egg. I do enjoy a protein shake now and then or adding some protein powder to pancakes or smoothies, but it wasn’t until Naked Nutrition sent me this clear whey powder that I started drinking it regularly.

When they told me they were sending me grape flavored protein powder, I was honestly confused. But once I got it and realized that it wasn’t the sort of milky, shake-like consistency that I was used to, I really got into it. This stuff foams up when you shake it, and then dissolves into your water and basically becomes like a flavored water drink. The grape is really pleasant and the color is so fun—it is a bright pink, almost purple. I did notice a bit of a gelatin kind of taste the first few times I drank it—almost like jello, but I don’t really notice it anymore so I definitely got used to it and it doesn’t bother me at all. I really prefer this to traditional protein powders, I find it easier to drink and a lot more refreshing.

It has 15 grams of protein and only 70 calories per serving so I don’t use it as a meal replacement so much as something to keep me going between breakfast and school pickup or between classes when I’m teaching a lot and don’t have time to grab something more substantial. It is definitely an easy way to get more protein into your diet if that’s something that you are struggling with.

They sent me this a little over a month ago and I am almost done with the container! I’ll definitely be ordering some more soon, and as much as I like the grape, I may try one of their other flavors (they also have lemonade and fruit punch).

I have really enjoyed working with Naked Nutrition this year—I love how simple their products are and that they don’t have a ton of sugar or other unnecessary ingredients or fillers. If you give them a try, let me know how you like it!