This is one of my favorite posts to do at the end of every year. I know it’s cliché to say that 2022 really flew by …. but it certainly did. In the blink of an eye, we are about to open the chapter of a new year. I have so many feelings going into 2023: mostly excitement, but a bit of apprehension about the unknown. Aaron and I are about to enter into a completely new way of life than what we’ve known for these last six years of marriage. We are ready to take on the new challenge, though. There were so many high points along this year, and I always like to revisit these in my year end post. There are so many things to be grateful for. While some of the days might seem mundane, these are the little moments (and big) that made up 2022. It’s a year I’ll always be thankful for.
January – Baby Celebrations
January was filled with lots of fun moments, but one of my favorites was celebrating my friend, Kara. She was a mom-to-be at the time – and is now a fabulous mom, who I plan to learn from. That was a highlight of the year for me – watching several of my friends really and truly embrace motherhood. It gives me hope and confidence that I can do the same. It’s also fun to celebrate life changes – big and small – with your group of friends.
February – Loving your people
February had several highlights, but one of my favorites was celebrating our friends at a couple’s shower. David is the little brother of one of my really good friends from college. And, he met his match, and we celebrated them at their couple’s shower. It was my first time meeting his fiance, and she was a lovely human. Even though he doesn’t live in Houston anymore, I’m so excited for him!
March – Girl’s Trip Edition
My Waco Weekend in March was one of my favorites this year. Jenny lives in Lubbock, and Kim lives here in Pearland, but the three of us rarely can find a time for all of us to get together. We booked this trip at the end of 2021 to get it on everyone’s schedule, and we had the best time. We left husbands (and kids) at home, and we just really got to reconnect. Jenny and Kim were college roommates of mine, and it was fun to pretend like we were back in college again.
April – Nashville Half Marathon
April was one of my favorite months of the year because I felt like I regained my running confidence back. It had been awhile since I ran an official race, and the Nashville half was the one. It was hot, it was hilly, but it was such a fun way to see a new city. Aaron was coming off an injury, and I was coming off quite a bit of time with no distance running. Running has always been such a release for me. If you read here frequently, it’s been a great way to create that distance between my work life and my personal life, and I really just like those good ol’ running endorphins. I can’t wait to build my running back up in 2023 – and take my little one along for the ride.
May – Exploring new places
I’m a big fan of exploring new places around your own city. So, when we celebrated our friend’s birthday in May, he wanted to go up the road to a new-to-me outdoor concert venue. The Bellamy Brothers were playing, and it turns out that Mike is a big fan. The 2920 Roadhouse was where the action took place, and Aaron and I enjoyed the outdoor concert venue. I’d like to go back, and I’ve been actively stalking out their event listing.
June – Celebrating success
In June, I took some time to celebrate some personal and professional success. One of the publications I produce for work won a bronze award at the Excalibur Awards this year. I also celebrated a promotion. Now, more than ever, I’m glad that I took some time to focus on my career before having kids. I’ll pat myself on the back here – and say that I’m proud for going to get my master’s degree because it’s enabled me to find a fulfilling career that I enjoy. I know that I’ll be the best version of myself for my family because of it.
July – All the pool time
By the time July hit, our pool had been open for several months. I’m happy to report that the pups got in almost every day. So, for all of those folks who said we would never use our pool…… trust us, we do. Aaron and I did pool days almost every weekend. It involved lots of outside time, lots of grilling, lots of pool drinks and fun! It was at the top of our list when we purchased our house, and I hope every other house we own after this one – will have a pool as well. Spending time with our friends – and opening up our house and pool is one of my favorite parts of summer.
And, July is getting a second favorite, because who could forget our trip to Hilton Head? Spending time with those who fulfill you – is one of the greatest things in life. You can read my trip recaps here (Part I, Part II and Part III).
August – Celebrating our bachelorette
2022 was apparently the year of celebrating. We entered into the beginning of the year with no weddings on the books – and we ended the year with three. The month of August closed out my fiscal year for work, and I felt like I was nearly toward the finish line. It honestly feels like August was just yesterday. Aaron and I celebrated our six year anniversary!
And, we celebrated my bestie’s bachelorette party in Cabo!!! It gets more difficult to make time to get away with your girlfriends as you get older, and I’m so glad that we were able to spend a few days of quality time to celebrate my friend’s upcoming marriage. If you are looking for some fun Cabo recs, you can read here (Part I and Part II).
September – 36 years!
In September I celebrated turning 36, and Aaron and I found out that I was going to be a mom. Aaron and I celebrated with a birthday weekend in Waco with one of my best girlfriends! Of all the lessons I’ve learned in my 36 years of life, I’ve learned to beat to the tune of my own drum and to listen to my instincts. There is so much pressure out there on social media, on tv, everywhere….. to be someone or something you aren’t. I always try to be an independent thinker – and to make the decisions that make the most sense for me. In my 36 years of life, I’m confident in who I am – and part of that is because of the life experiences I’ve allowed myself to live along the way. Always trust your first instincts, friends, and it will allow you to be the most authentic version of yourself!
October – Wedding season
October officially kicked off wedding season for us. Aaron’s best friend, Richard, got married, so he threw him a bachelor party in Rockport. We also celebrated my friend with a couple’s shower. To say that October flew by is the understatement of the year. I was lucky to be feeling relatively okay during my first trimester because it was a long haul of activities that required me to be present. We also officially announced Baby Boy Gomez to the world!
November – Season of thanks
This month we celebrating the season of giving thanks. And, we have so much to be thankful for. Some off the top of my head include having a roof over our heads, a church we enjoy, my puppies, our families, our friends and our jobs. The holidays can be a complicated time for some people, and I experienced that more than ever this year. The pressure to entertain, and to do – during a season of life that was incredibly hectic personally. But, it was worth it to spend a week with my parents who drove in from California, to celebrate Thanksgiving with my relatives in our home and to just generally take some time to reflect on all the great moments that have made this year special.
December – Feeling Festive
Sweet sweet December. You flew by too quickly. Christmas came and went in a hurry. Aaron and I celebrated Christmas with his family in Wimberley this year. His mom rented a house way back in May, and we brought the dogs – and we were all able to be together. Texas had it’s first major cold front, so we spent some time hiking and enjoying the scenery as best we could in the freezing cold.
We’ve found that it has worked best since we’ve been married to switch off the major holidays. And, when baby G arrives next year, I look forward to establishing some new traditions with our own family unit (and including our extended family in new ways). Aaron and I are trying to figure out what that could look like, but we are excited for new traditions and new celebrations right around the corner.
That’s a wrap on 2022. I’m entering 2023 with a renewed sense of focus, with some good rest under my belt, and you can also better believe that I’m ready to hit the ground running. I’ve got exactly four months to make a lot of stuff happen before we welcome our baby boy into our family. So, no matter what stage of life you are in, I encourage you to enter this new year with hope and peace! Thanks for reading along with me this year. I’ll see ya back in 2023!
