It has been 4 years since I have officially updated this blog and you can thank Instagram and Facebook for that. I miss this space and the avenue it provided to journal the Collings' family journey. My first goal for 2019 is to update this page at least twice per month. Here we go!
2018 was pretty epic (to say the least) but it seriously kicked my butt. Here is a little recap from those that don't have birthdays in January. We will get to them on their special week.
Charlotte Ann: Wrapped up a great year with Jenni Smith the local home-preschool and started her year at Alpine Elementary with Eliza.
She is ultra obsessed (like as obsessed as it gets) with horses and unicorns. I think every present she received this year had something to with one or the other.
She started dance in January but left for the same reason Eden did back when Eden was 3. She did however participate in the Lone Peak Christmas dance workshop and concert with Eden. She loved it so much and is dying to try again.
The highlight of Char's year was her trip to California and Disneyland. It was so awesome that I even wrote a blog post about it for work. If Char could have, she would have spent the entire day on the carousel.
Eliza Jane: Is currently in the 5th grade and still thriving in the chinese program at Alpine Elementary. She kicked off the year with a killer basketball season. The girl averaged 1/2 of the team points almost every game.
She decided in early spring that harp was 100% absolutely not her thing and quit. As hard as this was for me, I started thinking about her outgoing, athletic personality and how hard it was to play an instrument that was so isolating. She has been the goalie on a premier soccer team since she was in 2nd grade and while it is a love/hate relationship, she is one of the best in the state for her age. She is currently playing with coach Mike on United FC. We spend our Saturdays at games and most holidays at tournaments. I must say it has been a fun gig for all.
Eliza is quite the animal lover and after our dog Sophie passed away last year she started begging for her own. She turned the begging into diligent work where she earned over $250 to show her father just how serious she was. On the 1st day of November of 2017 we surprised Eliza with a 6 month old golden doodle. It was hands down one of the sweetest reveals of all time.
Her favorite memory from 2018 is Christmas. And it should be. The girl earned money for months and purchased a very thoughtful gift for every member of the family.
Dave: Has been working from home since 2010 and this was the very reason we were able to move to Utah in 2012. With that situation comes a lot of travel and this year alone he visited Mexico, Chile, Brazil, The Netherlands x2, Chicago (with me), California and Tennessee. He is really, as in extremely really, not happy with his boss and hasn't been for a couple of year SO we may see "new job" on his 2019 goal list.
Bianca Jane: I have worked since 2012 in Social Media, mainly for Makay's company: Simple Addiction. It was a great gig and allowed me to not only work from home but I learned a TON about marketing, business, social, small business... everything. I was really itching to do something new and was recruited to work at a startup software company located in a restored flour mill (super cool!) in American Fork. While the opportunity is amazing, it requires me to be in an office 25-30 hours per week. If Dave didn't work from home there is no way this would be possible. Even with him home, it has been the craziest juggling act that I have ever done. There are days that I literally am on my feet from 7am-9pm. It's get the kids up and out, work, work, work, come home taxi kids around, dinner, taxi some more and then bed. I have let a lot of things drop that I actually miss like friends, harp, running (or exercise in general) and being more meaningful in my relationships and gifts. I now have the hang of it and am hoping to bring back some of those things that bring so much meaning into my life in 2019. Don't get me wrong, the work experience has been incredible - I've met some seriously amazing people and love the learning. I feel like I am getting paid to get an MBA.
The highlights of my year are pretty much the same as Dave's. Nothing makes me happier than watching my kids do what they love. I shed many a tears in the audience of a music concert or on the sidelines of a soccer game, in the auditorium of a dance concert or in the mountains at a bike race. I love these kids so very much and their passion for what they do gives me fuel to keep on swimming and work hard so that we can make all this possible for them.
On a more personal level, I got my bum off the couch and started running again, only for 2 months, but I did it and was able to Ragnar with Dave in San Fran.
I dedicate 2019 to being more consistent. If I somehow make it back to this blog next week, you will know I am on the right track.
2018 was pretty epic (to say the least) but it seriously kicked my butt. Here is a little recap from those that don't have birthdays in January. We will get to them on their special week.
Charlotte Ann: Wrapped up a great year with Jenni Smith the local home-preschool and started her year at Alpine Elementary with Eliza.
She is ultra obsessed (like as obsessed as it gets) with horses and unicorns. I think every present she received this year had something to with one or the other.
She started dance in January but left for the same reason Eden did back when Eden was 3. She did however participate in the Lone Peak Christmas dance workshop and concert with Eden. She loved it so much and is dying to try again.
The highlight of Char's year was her trip to California and Disneyland. It was so awesome that I even wrote a blog post about it for work. If Char could have, she would have spent the entire day on the carousel.
Eliza Jane: Is currently in the 5th grade and still thriving in the chinese program at Alpine Elementary. She kicked off the year with a killer basketball season. The girl averaged 1/2 of the team points almost every game.
She decided in early spring that harp was 100% absolutely not her thing and quit. As hard as this was for me, I started thinking about her outgoing, athletic personality and how hard it was to play an instrument that was so isolating. She has been the goalie on a premier soccer team since she was in 2nd grade and while it is a love/hate relationship, she is one of the best in the state for her age. She is currently playing with coach Mike on United FC. We spend our Saturdays at games and most holidays at tournaments. I must say it has been a fun gig for all.
Dave: Has been working from home since 2010 and this was the very reason we were able to move to Utah in 2012. With that situation comes a lot of travel and this year alone he visited Mexico, Chile, Brazil, The Netherlands x2, Chicago (with me), California and Tennessee. He is really, as in extremely really, not happy with his boss and hasn't been for a couple of year SO we may see "new job" on his 2019 goal list.
The Netherlands
Brazil
Mexico
Chile
He took me to Hamilton in Chicago and we loved every. single. second.
From the looks of these pics (except the first and the last) you can tell his travels mostly consist of work and not leisure.
One of Dave's favorite memories from this year, and likely the last 10 years, is watching the kids participate in their activities. He was able to take Luke to the state mountain bike race and realized for the first time just what kind of grit that kid has.Bianca Jane: I have worked since 2012 in Social Media, mainly for Makay's company: Simple Addiction. It was a great gig and allowed me to not only work from home but I learned a TON about marketing, business, social, small business... everything. I was really itching to do something new and was recruited to work at a startup software company located in a restored flour mill (super cool!) in American Fork. While the opportunity is amazing, it requires me to be in an office 25-30 hours per week. If Dave didn't work from home there is no way this would be possible. Even with him home, it has been the craziest juggling act that I have ever done. There are days that I literally am on my feet from 7am-9pm. It's get the kids up and out, work, work, work, come home taxi kids around, dinner, taxi some more and then bed. I have let a lot of things drop that I actually miss like friends, harp, running (or exercise in general) and being more meaningful in my relationships and gifts. I now have the hang of it and am hoping to bring back some of those things that bring so much meaning into my life in 2019. Don't get me wrong, the work experience has been incredible - I've met some seriously amazing people and love the learning. I feel like I am getting paid to get an MBA.
On a more personal level, I got my bum off the couch and started running again, only for 2 months, but I did it and was able to Ragnar with Dave in San Fran.
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