2023 was a great, but busy year. We got a little traveling done, a little hiking done, lots of dancing done, and even finished some much-needed home projects completed.

We are excited about what the year 2024 holds for us, but before we celebrate the new year, let’s recap 2023 in the Lumber-verse.

January 2023

In January, this kid got her braces! She has had them now almost one year and had a very minor oral surgery this year. She is looking forward to getting them off in one more year.

February 2023

We started our goat’s milk soap business, and began selling bars of soaps to our friends, family, coworkers, and church family.

My husband got a  little older (he wouldn’t let me post the picture), and these kids were amazing at their first two dance competitions of the season. 

We also decided to double she size of our flock. Since this photo was taken, they live in one big coop together.

And then we adopted sweet Stella, our German Shepherd dog.  She was 5 months old when we got her, and she recently turned one.

I made some crafty things that were particularly fun.

April 2023

I turned 38, and we had a blast celebrating my birthday four times with various family members.

Then, we observed Easter with our church family.

Then, our greenhouse seed starting was a success, but our heater nearly started an electrical fire. Side note: we didn’t lose our greenhouse or our home. Could have been much worse.

May 2023

We celebrated 14 years married, and the kids danced in their fourth and sixth recitals, and we began moving toward changing dance studios.

The girls and I had a fantastic Mother’s Day together.

And I took some adorable pics of my girls.

My school took a field trip to the coast, which in turn inspired me to plan a similar trip for my family.

June 2023

Our girls and Mr Lumber celebrated Father’s Day and our oldest turned 12.

Then, our oldest went to camp for the first time with our church. Our youngest will be old enough to go in 2024 and she is very excited! We also had Vacation Bible School at our church and had a blast.

We also took a day trip to Great Wolf Lodge and had so much fun!

July 2023

We used some cast-off shelves to make a modular mudroom.

And we finally got around to replacing our rusting, falling-down backyard fence.

We took a short and sweet beach trip for the first time in a few years. We enjoyed the aquarium, Fort Fisher and playing at the boardwalk.

August 2023

The girls began their seventh grade and second grade school years, and I began my 16th year in education.

And…Aubrey was saved and baptized, which we are truly grateful.

And…we started dancing with a new studio, and it has been an amazing experience!

September 2023

We ended our summer with a concert from some of our favorite musicians, Chatham Rabbits, and had fun at Old Fashioned Farmer’s Day.

And we built a bigger coop for our birdies.

October 2023

The girls dressed up for Halloween and wore their costumes to school. Meet Thing One and Taylor Swift!

We took a field trip to Kersey Valley with my youngest and loved it!!

And I did a little notice organizing.

November 2023

We celebrated a certain little girl’s eighth birthday and had so much fun!

We traveled to Spartanburg for a dance convention but had to leave early due to a sick kid. It was a good time while it lasted though.

We traveled to my home state for Thanksgiving and got to see both of my grandmothers.

And we made some cinnamon soap for Christmastime.

December 2023

Our youngest wrote a few letters to Santa.

While we made lots of Christmas soaps, ornaments, and door hangers.

And then we danced in three parades.

In the very near future, we will celebrate four Christmases, travel again to my home state, and complete lots of organizing projects.

I hope you have enjoyed our year in review! We are so excited about what next year holds for us. Stay tuned!!