Every year since 2004, I have completed a “Year in Review” survey in my journal. It’s basically 25-30 questions that allows me to reflect on the year, remember my experiences, challenges, accomplishments, review my goals and what I achieved, and list what I’d like to achieve in the following year, and a whole bunch of other cool stuff.

The last few years, Nathan and I have marked the year by a new Christmas tree ornament that represents the year for us. It’s like the six-word novel of ornaments. In 2013, the ornament was a sterling silver “first Christmas together”. Last year, it was a pink mitten with glitter made from mercury glass noting “Baby’s First” (Christmas). So this year, it’s a festive camping trailer that will remind us of our worst mistake to date–buying that lemon camping trailer in July for $2,000; and our best decision, a camping vacation (the best of my life so far) to Glacier National Park, Yellowstone National Park, and Butte, MT in August. I have always wanted to go to Montana, and it was as beautiful and country as I imagined.

One of my favorite parts of the annual review I do in my journal is listing at the end the song lyrics that sum up my year. This is the song. It’s the song, the lyrics, and the artist. Here’s to 2016!