Happy 2022!
2021 was a whirlwind. As I was looking through pictures from this past year, I realized that so much of this year flew by so quickly and that 2020 kinda blurred into 2021. So much happened this year. Sharon of Jan 2021 definitely had no idea what this year had in store. This was also my worst blogging year by far. I’ve been blogging pretty consistently since the 7th grade and I only published one post last year (a record low for me!). I’m hoping to get back into it this year (for the sake of sharing with dear friends and family and also for my personal memory keeping!), so as a way to (hopefully!) jumpstart a good blogging year… let’s do a quick review of 2021!
1. post-holiday Covid surge was in full effect in January… so we stayed home and kept to ourselves for the most part. I didn’t blog during Covid because it felt a bit bizarre and awkward to do so.
2. Celebrated Asher turning 5 (via zoom with friends and then rolling down a hill and eating subs at a park) and Avery turning 4 (with a date with mommy and daddy – book store, panda, ice cream, carousel). We were also able to throw her her first real birthday party – a dog themed.
3. On that note, this year Avery became obsessed with dogs and puppies.
4. Lots of playing outside, going to the park, doing water play with bubbles, liquid watercolor, shaving cream) and enjoyed spending lots of time outdoors with friends and our favorite neighbors ever.
5. Found out I was pregnant at the end of Feb. we had been trying to conceive for a few years and decided a few months prior to stop – gave away all our baby stuff, switched jobs and then was surprised to find out that we were pregnant!… was so shocked and thankful. ♥️
6. This year (or was it last…? lol) Asher learned how to play Chess! and learned how to read!
7. This was my first (full-ish) year working home health and I love it so much! Though working home health whilst pregnant had its challenges – not having bathrooms easily accesible due to COVID with pregnant woman’s bladder is major #struggzzz (i litearlly almost peed in my kids’ portable potty one time…’twas desperate times haha. And having to wear a mask in muggy, warm/moist and stinky homes while doing sopping and oozing stage IV pressure ulcer dressing changes does not mix well with morning sickness. Also lots of napping between patients in the car (1st trimester fatigue was #killaaaa) and charting any and everywhere (#IYKYK).
8. Lots of garden prepping was done this spring, lots of hopeful seedlings sprouted (cucumber, zucchini, perilla, kale, lettuce, squash, beans, bokchoy) only to have everything die once I became pregnant and too exhausted to try to keep my two human children and my 200 plant children alive. Had to prioritize the hoomans.
9. Kids did some fun extra curriculars for the first time: swim lessons (Asher learned how to swim and avery learned to not freak out like an angry cat when placed in the water -WIN!) and soccer!
10. In May, we went to our friend Alex’s BJJ competition and it was a life changing day for Eugene. A month later, they all started BJJ and I became a true BJJ mom (scheduling everything around their BJJ schedule – we love it!)
11. I craved so many salads and sandwiches during my pregnancy (a first for me!) and couldn’t stomach many things I usually love (creamy and sweet drinks, pho, ramen, meat) Hoping that the healthy habits continue into the new year!
12. Read 10 books this year! and memorized through the book of Titus. Every year my resolutions include reading more and memorizing more Scripture! Also random highlight for me was I got to watch Hamilton LIVE!!!!!! :’) #WORTHIT #sorryEugene (LOL)
13. Went on our first family trip to Hawaii (all of our first times!) and HAD THE BEST TIME! :’) Even my husband who doesn’t really like traveling enjoyed it (Yay!) Asher said his favorite thing was going to the beach (which we of course did daily) Eugene loved snorkleing..and swimming specifically at Lanikai! I loved the views, the extended family time and trying the different eats. Avery’s favorite part was staying in a hotel…lol. Hoping we can go again sometime!
14. Did a few getaways to SD (our fave!) and lots of zoo and aquarium trips! (our kids love animals!) Also visited an Apple tree farm for the first time and it was the best fall activity ever (definitely need to go annually)
15. Had a baby and transitioned into a family of 5. Thankfully has been our smoothest transition thus far! So thankful and love our little family so much.
16. Kids really grew in their love for books this year, so we got a library card for two local libraries and frequented them often. Their favorite place is also B&N so we go every week :’) Enjoyed a year of audible and Asher listened to SO many books (his favorites are Magic Treehouse)
17. I felt like we were on the go constantly..so lots of car nights and starbucks trips in between school/classes/meet ups.
18. Asher started kindergarten! We started officialy homeschooling which has been wonderful. Lots of painting and coloring for Avery!
19. We moved shortly after having the baby – which was probably not the best timing (and if it can at all be avoided, I would not recommend…) but it was God’s timing for our family and we are so thankful! He truly sustained and strengthened us as we packed in between the nursing sessions and sleepless nights. He is good!! but also… so thankful that its over…but the unpacking continues…and proably will for the next 11 months.
20. Eugene and I celebrated our 10th year of marriage! Though we haven’t really ‘celebrated’ yet because a week after our anni, we had our baby and then moved (which I guess are also ways/reasons to celebrate!) but hopefully will sometime this next year once the craziness subsides…so thankful for the many ways God has blessed us, provided for us, sanctified us through our marriage. Hopefully I can devote a post of some things God has taught me in these last 10 years..but let’s just try to get past this post first. (haha!)
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Thankful that even with all the uncertainties and unknowns of 2022, that we can fully trust in the One who holds it all in His hands. Praying that we can continue to hold fast to Him as we enter this new year!
Cheers to 2022!
life with the tsengs 