Looking Back at 2024...in February
A poem, a list (a long one) and a milestone.
I know, I know. Most people have done their 2024 reflection posts and moved on already. But my January was very busy with summer holiday things and so reflecting on 2024 took a while to happen. I do love to look back and then look forward and make some goals, but find that February is a better time to do so, because the school routine starts up for the year. This gives me a bit of time to breathe and think, with two girls at school and only my one year old at home with me.
But here we are, making our own rules. First up, a poem about how my children have grown.
A Year's Growth
Um, excuse me,
but how did you turn one so fast?
Wasn't it just yesterday that I held your squirmy, small body in my arms for the first time?
Fresh and new, you were, my son.
And now, look at you,
crawling everywhere
saying your first words
smiling and giggling
making everyone fall in love with you.
You are still my baby though
and I can still cradle you as you fall asleep.
Um, wait a minute,
but how are you already finished your first year of school?
Wasn't it just last week that you were giddy with excitement for your first day?
You bounced up to the door and then felt a little unsure, my sensitive girl, my middle.
And now, look at you,
happily going every day
learning about the world
writing your friends names
making everyone laugh at your antics.
You are still my baby though
And I can still kiss away the tears when you feel sad.
Um, stop right there,
but how did you learn to read a whole book to yourself?
Wasn't it just last month that we were pushing you to just try that word?
You didn't think you could do it, it all seemed too hard, my oldest girl, my perfectionist.
And now, look at you,
zooming through your home readers
trying out random picture books
writing letters and poems
making everyone smile at your expression.
You are still my baby though
And you still snuggle under my arm as I read you a story.
Things That Made My Year (2024)
I was inspired by Stacy to write a list of things that made my year. What a fun way to reflect on the year that it has been! I got to 53 things before my brain moved on to other writing and I might not include all of them because some of it is TMI. So here’s 51 things:
Getting chooks. Fresh eggs and backyard entertainment. It’s the best.
Actually growing things in my garden: a King Protea, natives, fennel, coriander, and parsley. There’s nothing like growing my own lovely flowers or herbs to use in my kitchen.
Enjoying the first year of my sunshine boy, Isaac.
Reading while breastfeeding. I got through so many books!
Camping with best friends, for the first time, at Easter time. Our kids all get along really well and it was truly a bonding experience in the best way.
Poetry. Discovering and reading poetry here on Substack and writing my own!
Photography, always photography. My first creative love.
My Son de Flor skirt and dress (have I mentioned these before and that they make me feel so feminine and that they are so awesome to twirl in? Yes, yes I have).
Seeing Greta, my oldest, grow in her reading ability, to the point where she picks up a book to read to herself. There’s nothing like seeing your daughter curled up on the couch with a book she’s enjoying.
Audio books getting me through daily chores, especially at nap time or in the evening when I often feel very unmotivated. It really helps me focus on what I need to do without getting distracted by my phone.
My mum coming over to help out around the house, chat, and have grandkid snuggles once a week. She’s honestly the best.
Walking with my sister-in-law once a week. Big chats while exercising, what more could I ask for?
Having my best friend over once a fortnight to dedicate time to making photobooks.
Having days at home with just baby Isaac while Annie, my middle, was at Kindy. Precious days where I could just soak him up.
Lindt chocolate balls and dark mint chocolate from Aldi.
Woolies click and collect.
Hearing birds in our backyard.
Getting back into bed on a cold night after feeding Isaac and snuggling up to a warm and sleepy Chris.
Phone chats with my sisters and my mum.
Seeing my brother get married. Man, so cute.
Buying a caravan and using it as a family.
Two coffees a day with Starbucks pods that my mum gets cheaper for me with her Costco membership.
On that note, my mum’s Costco membership sure comes in handy.
Voice message catch ups with long distance friends.
Substack book recommendations. I’ve found so many good ones that I’ve loved!
The free books section at my local library. I religiously check it every time I go, and if one looks even remotely interesting, I take it home with me. Who can resist a free book?
Reserving books at my library.
Laughing with Chris at Utopia, or at funny reels.
Spoiling my girls on their birthdays.
Bluey. Everything Bluey - the music, the show. Can’t wait for the movie!!!
Introducing my kids to Enya.
Refreshing sermons that came at just the right time.
Just saying ‘no’ to certain things because it is not my season.
Becoming friends with two young women from my church.
Major restrictions on my phone for Youtube, Instagram and Substack. Because I don’t have time to waste.
Reading out my poetry to my family.
Greta writing her own poetry.
Annie’s keen interest in writing numbers and letters.
Wendel Berry’s beautiful short story collection.
My Dad fixing my vintage watch that I’ve inherited from him.
Family photoshoot with my in-laws.
Printing photos to display or give away.
Flowers.
Watching bees and birds enjoy the bird baths outside our living room window.
Chris pointing out beauty to the rest of us - the moon, the stars or things out the car window as we travel.
Meal planning, even when I don’t feel like it. It saves my afternoons.
Permission to cook and bake the same things to avoid food battles with the kids, especially when they’re tired from school.
Accepting, not resenting, and working with the limitations God put on my time with two school kids and a baby. And how it has helped me curb time-wasting, especially on my phone. See number 35.
Having a younger mum over from my church, chatting for THREE HOURS, and then initiating some playgroup sessions together for other mums at our church.
Seeing old students at events and witnessing my first class graduate from high school. It is wild how time fast goes.
Witnessing my sister’s first pregnancy and how much she’s glowing and how excited she is to become a mum. We’re all so excited because its the first niece/nephew on my side of the family!
Hmmm this one is period related and I’m not sure how much is too much to share so I’ll leave it there.
There is, of course, so much more I could add. As I looked back through photos to pick some to share in this post I was reminded of many other good, life-giving things I had forgotten about. What an abundantly kind God we have.
A milestone
My dear readers, this month, I have been posting on Substack for a whole year. I had the goal of one post every month, and I’m so happy that I have reached that goal. In fact, I think I even double posted one time! Breastfeeding time has sure helped me reach that goal too. I’m so glad I can draft posts on a phone! Ha!
I’ve really enjoyed sharing my words and my photography, knowing that there are people far far away from me who are enjoying what I post here. Every like, every comment, every restack makes me absolutely giddy. Thank you so so much for your love, support and encouragement!
If you have recently subscribed to Capturing Beauty, here are some of my favourite posts to look back on: my first ever post // our love story // first prose piece // first villanelle // photo round up of 2024
If you’ve made it this far, wow, thank you for reading. And I’d love to know if I’m not alone in this: Are you still reflecting back on 2024 and setting goals for 2025? Are you a goal setter? Despite what kind of year 2024 was, can you see God’s kindness in your year? I pray it is so.
Congrats on your first year! This poem is beautiful and poignant. I love that you had some playgroup sessions too. So much good here!
Happy first Stackaversary! This was a delight to read. Your pictures are so gorgeous!