The night was quiet and chill. We accomplished all the usual shenanigans we employ to welcome in a new year. As all the denizens of the house were another year older and another year settled into “staying up late is fun, but no big thing” the night was even more chill. We were missing a man cub (he got to bed early because what else is a missionary going to do in sub zero temps in northern Anchorage?) but that meant the girls got to choose with very little resistance what we binge watched and what games we played. They even vetoed a silly dance count down…in fact we almost missed the actual turning over of the clock because we were in the middle of an anime episode. Luckily we have Neil to keep us on track and make sure he and I got our customary New Year’s Eve kiss. The puppies and the kittens collectively thought we had lost our minds being up so late at night.
There are so many things I thought I would miss when I was a younger mom contemplating this eventual future with all teens and no kids. To be honest it was weird that Christmas day came with no toys and very little demands on my time (all my girls have been reading pretty much constantly all break to make up for reading time lost to school). But it’s not bad weird, just sorting out weird…making sure that this new normal is allowed and that “different” doesn’t mean anything is wrong. It was a lovely night, easy and stress free. We have big plans (as we always do) for this new year but they too feel easy and stress free. Out to dinner last night Neil and I thought back on all the surprises that 2025 threw us (losing Tatanka, work stuff, and major calling shifts at church) and tried to think about the stuff we know is coming this year. Mostly we are just happy we have each other and that we are slowly getting better at all this life stuff.

Every year is different for us (and I’m sure we aren’t unique in that). 2025 was pretty laid back and 2026 seems like it will be too. Now 2027 on the other hand is going to be a doozy. But we are here for all of it and happy for the opportunity to live out our Father in Heaven’s plan for us.

Happiest 2026 to you!