By hope
Thanksgiving came and went in a flurry of food, laughter, and cherished moments, and just like that, the holiday season is officially here. My kids and I all met in Texas at my parents’ place at the same time for an entire week. Last Christmas, they all came home, but there were only 24 intervening hours when everyone was together. My four older children left yesterday to go home and back to reality.
There’s something magical about this time of year when the air is crisper (even in Texas), the days seem shorter, and everything sparkles a little brighter. And to be with my parents, siblings, and children…so grateful!
The family gathered around my mother. We don’t take any moments for granted. My sister is the queen of documenting all our gatherings.
Catch up with the kids
I was able to have some alone time with each of the children and have meaningful conversations, conversations that will stick with me, give me pause, and will certainly be revisited over time. I could feel their love, their struggles, and their hopes. As a mother, there is no better gift than truly connecting with your children and knowing that they are growing into their own lives while continuing to value and rely on the family bond we share. And I’m already looking forward to next May when we plan to be together again for a family weekend and graduation from Prince’s College.
Family volleyball is a tradition we never give up. We play boys against girls, old people against young people, and randomly. It’s always a big adventure.
The twins go on their own unique adventures, and it was fun to hear their stories and aspirations. The gymnast is thriving in his endeavors and will be coming to Georgia for a week in January. Beauty, my eldest daughter – who is now engaged – shared updates on wedding ideas and how she’s already stressed out about it…so many decisions. The princess heads home for final exams week. One more semester until graduation! It’s surreal to watch your children develop into adults with dreams and responsibilities of their own, but I wouldn’t trade that for the world.
We look forward to 2025
As we move from Thanksgiving to Christmas, my mind is already moving to 2025. Maybe it’s the planner in me, but I can’t help but think about how much potential the new year holds. There are big plans in the pipeline for my family, business, and personal growth. It looks like 2025 will be the same the In general, I know that success does not happen on its own, but rather requires preparation.
This preparation begins now.
For me, it’s about setting goals that align with my values and priorities. It’s about defining what I want my life to look like a year from now and making a plan to get there. By improving my business strategies, fostering deeper relationships with my children, and taking better care of myself physically and emotionally, every decision I make today is a step toward the future I envision.
The holiday season is a perfect reminder to balance thoughtfulness and anticipation. As I deck the halls and check off items on my Christmas shopping list (thank you, $5 savings jar!), I’m also taking time to reflect on what went well this year and what I want to improve.
So, here’s to the holiday season and all the joy it brings. Here’s to good food, good company, and those quiet moments where you can step back and marvel at the beauty of it all. But most importantly of all, we need to dream big for 2025 and start making it a reality now.
The holidays may be in full swing, but my heart and mind are already looking forward—because the best is yet to come.
Hope is a creative, solutions-focused business manager who helps clients grow their businesses and operate more efficiently by leveraging expertise in project management, digital marketing, and technology solutions. She has recently become an empty nester as her five foster/adopted children spread their wings. She lives with her three dogs in a small town in northeast Georgia and prefers the mountains to the beaches any day. She has the travel bug and does her best to help each of her children finish school and become independent (but it’s hard!) She’s been running her own consulting company for nearly twenty years! Hope began sharing her journey with the BAD community in the spring of 2015, and feels like she’s finally in a place that allows her to truly focus on making wise financial decisions.
