Wrapping Up 2024: Family, Growth, and New Beginnings

As we close the chapter on 2024, I find myself reflecting specifically on the whirlwind of changes that have marked the last two months for my family and me. While the entire year has been full of events, these final months have been particularly transformative, bringing with them a series of transitions that have reshaped our daily lives in subtle yet profound ways.

Jules loving a pink Christmas tree

In the educational journey of my daughters, Jules transition from daycare to preschool, joining her sister Madi at the same school. This change was accompanied by a shift in her swimming lessons as well. Initially, we tried group classes, but they weren't quite the fit for Jules, leading us to find a new swim school where she could receive more personalized attention, albeit for just 15 minutes. Meanwhile, Madi has thrived in preschool, her confidence blossoming as she made new friends and even attended several birthday parties, which was a big step for her.

On the home front, Erik has shown remarkable progress in his mental resilience, particularly in his trading endeavors during these last months. This personal growth has been a source of pride and relief for us all. We've also invested in family experiences by purchasing season passes to several local attractions - the zoo, the aquarium, the children’s museum, and Uptown Jungle. These passes have allowed us to create memorable moments, especially during the festive season with the zoo lights and the aquarium's lantern festival, which were absolute hits with the girls.

Professionally, the last two months were demanding. I had three work trips spread over four weeks, which was challenging. I've become adept at packing for short trips, but the absence from my family was felt deeply. On a lighter note, I switched gyms after a long tenure at Orangetheory, finding a new routine that includes a post-workout sauna and cold plunge, which has significantly alleviated my back issues.

Looking back, while the entire year was eventful, these last two months were a concentrated sprint of adaptation and growth, filled with new routines, environments, and experiences. While I've been somewhat absent from updating this blog, it's because each of these changes deserved its own story. I plan to delve into each of these developments in detail soon, sharing the nuances and lessons learned along the way.