Happy New Year's Eve! Last day of 2024. We made it. I made it. I made it! I had a moment where I thought I may not do a highlights of 2024 due to it wasn't my best year, but I am so glad I did! There are a lot of pictures and memories here, so feel free to skim. For me, I needed to do this for my own healing and to see how much joy I had in this hardest year of my life. I read a saying this month that said " 2024 feels like I had surgery and I was awake the whole time." Let me say, I honestly do feel that way. BUT, I am also so thankful to say I am healing well from that "painful surgery". Seeing these pictures makes me so thankful for the people in my life, and a lot that encouragement comes from blog friends. So THANK YOU!!!
January
There was a beautiful snow.
February
I made a trip to North Carolina and saw my best friend.
I also stopped and saw my oldest on the way.
Then, I went down to Savannah and saw my youngest.
side note....This was the hardest trip of my life, so I am so glad I was with some of the people I love the most!
March
My college girl came home for Spring Break.
I had friends to come over and help mark a milestone in my life, laugh and pray with me. It was such a special night.
I went tiptoeing through the tulips with a friend and then took my youngest there too.
I took a road trip to Louisiana to spend Easter with one of my dearest friends I have known since my early 20's. I faced my fears and had fun spotting alligators. And I ate lots of crawfish on this trip!
My sister and I went to a spa on an overnight trip and took a hike too.
April
My sister and I watched the eclipse together.
My oldest came in town and we went to a Grizzlies game.
This is truly one of my top memories and highlights of the whole year! I met up with Joanne, Jennifer and Tanya for a blog trip. It was so much fun and I love these ladies!
May
I took another road trip with a friend to see my brother and his family in Richmond, Virginia. This is my sister-in-law and niece who was days away from having her first child.
My brother and I
I had a work cocktail event and some of my dear friends came.
I had a night of catching up with former travel agent co-workers.
I celebrated Mother's Day with my sister and mom.
This was a day I didn't blog about, but 2 friends treated me to a mani/pedi and lunch on my anniversary. It was such a sweet day. Have I mentioned how special my friends are here?
The girls and I went to the first of many summer weddings.
I went back to Savannah to bring Brook home for the summer. I flew one way and rode home with her.
June
My girls and I attended the sweetest dance recital of my great nieces.
Brook and I hosted a "gummy bear" themed party with some of my greats and friends from church.
Brook and I served at a non-profit where our family use to work and volunteer.
We went to see the play Come From Away and it was one of the best plays I have seen.
Brook and I kept this little one by herself for a week. We were able to celebrate my dad's birthday together!
Brook and I at our 2nd wedding of the summer.
Brook and I had fun going to estate sales this summer.
Here we are at our next summer wedding together.
Pool time with my greats at my sister's house!
August
I bought these 2 chairs and I was so excited to buy some furniture of my own!
This was my 2nd of emergency room visits this summer. I had to get stitches this time after a fall on my face. Thankfully, Brook was there with me.
I went to our local Memphis soccer team game. I am so glad we did this because the team is leaving Memphis after this year.
I went with Jennifer to watch her get a tattoo!
Brook and I went to the annual candlelight at Graceland on the eve of the anniversary of Elvis' death. This happens every year in August.
I went to Richmond to see my brother and his family and was finally able to meet my newest great niece.
Brook went with me and the girls went away to Virginia Beach for 2 nights.
September
I rode to Savannah with Brook to move her into her new place and then flew home.
My sister and I went to see the play MJ, The Musical. It was a show full of talent!
I took a road trip to North Carolina again for the wedding of my best friend's daughter. This was within a week of all the destruction that hit western NC.
I took a day and went to Gatlinburg and it was nice to have a night away on my own.
The next day, Isabella met me at Dollywood and we had a fun day riding rides.
October
It was such a fun night to meet Boo Mama, Sophie Hudson, at her book signing.
I went to a local music festival. Jennifer went with me the first night.
I went back on Sunday and met up with my co-workers to listen to Drew Holcomb and the Neighbors perform.
My oldest great nephew and I had a birthday lunch date to celebrate him turning 8. This is a new tradition I started this year.
My baby came home to celebrate her 20th birthday!
I had an impromptu play date with these 2 and it was such a treat!
I went to a Grizzlies game with my co-worker. She is like a 2nd daughter to me.
I went to a state park in Tennessee after a work trip & enjoyed visiting some new spots and getting outside this month.
I went on a girls weekend trip to Hot Springs and we went on a trail walk at a local state park.
I turned 54 and had breakfast with Jennifer.
I had one of the funnest, most special nights of my life at this birthday party with friends from all different seasons of my life.
My boss and work roommate
I went to Graceland to see it decorated for Christmas.
The girls and I went to see Justin Timberlake in concert. He is from Memphis, so it was so fun to see him in his hometown!
My brother and his family came in town for Thanksgiving. So fun to have all the new greats and everyone together! If you are keeping track, that is 3 born this year, so I have a total of 11 great nieces and nephews!
Love spending time with my brother and sister!
December
Brook and I with the 2 newest babies born this fall.
I worked Christmas puzzles.
I had a long lunch catching up with a cousin over chips and margaritas!
I took this precious new 4 year old out on her birthday lunch date.
Brook, Wade and I went to a Pompeii exhibit at Graceland. We found this fun backdrop while there.
I received this surprise gift basket from my best friend for a Christmas happy.
Having both girls at home for the holidays is another major highlight of my year. The 3 of us had so much fun playing UNO one night. It is truly the simple things y'all.
We had a good Christmas!
Another highlight of the year was starting taking dance classes this fall. I may do a blog post on this at a later date.
Again, thanks for reading along this year with me.
Have a safe, fun New Year's Eve!
Bye bye 2024!
