2025 EOY Wrap Up

At the end of every year and the beginning of the next, I go into contemplative mode. I think about the past year. What happened? What changed in my life? What were the big things that I accomplished? What did I spend my time doing or thinking about? And then I think about the upcoming one as well. What do I want to see happen? What do I want to change in my life? What big things do I want to accomplish? What do I want to spend my time doing and thinking about? What things about last year do I really want to see change in the upcoming one?

Twenty twenty-five felt like a pretty solid year. The kids continued martial arts and have already made it to blue belt. The first half of 2025 we were finishing our second year of homeschooling. The big kids played baseball/softball for the fourth year, and Little Boy played t-ball for the first time. Big Girl started pitching lessons over the summer and has continued with those. Both big kids went on the annual mountains trip with my parents for spring break. We finished our second year of homeschool. By summer we were swimming nearly every day. And then come August, we started our third year homeschooling with Big Girl for 4th grade and Big Boy for 2nd Grade. At this point, Big Girl is more than halfway through her curriculum and Big Boy has already moved into 3rd grade math and is ready to start 3rd grade language arts when we start back in January. Little Boy is also doing another year at Mother's Day out 3 days a week for half a day. And he's enjoys that. Our co-op closed this year. The church that was hosting us needed to do some rennovations, and then the two directors ended up getting jobs. We have limited our field trips this year, but we have done more trips to the park compared to last year. But we have done a few--the most memorable one was Majestic Caverns. October through December, we always have a lot going on. We are continuing to soak in the days of our children being young. Big Girl turned 10 this year. So it doesn't feel so much like we have littles anymore. Our youngest turns 5 in January. Our family is maturing, and seeing it happen over time is beautiful. Husband is still working from home which we all love. We are so blessed, and I'm loving this life that God has given us.

I continued to incorporate more audiobooks into my "reading." This helped me boost my overall books read for the year. I have been even more behind that ever on writing book reviews which is really embarrassing. I currently have 14 reviews to write. I can't seem to catch up and stay caught up. In large part, this is due to the limited amount of time I'm actually sitting at a computer. Husband did recently give me a keyboard that connects to my phone via bluetooth, and I think this might help me get caught up. 2025 was the first year out of the last 12 that Holly and I didn't host the Series Enders Reading Challenge. It was time to let that go. Participation had dropped to nearly zero. I think we had one or two people outside of myself that was linking up, some months we literally had zero entries. And Holly has been in a years-long reading slump with only reading between 5 and 10 books a year.

I don't have any specific new year's resolutions for 2026, I'm continuing my focus on homeschooling my kids and whatever I can do to keep my reading and blog going in the process.

EOM Wrap Up Posts for 2025

January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December

Blogging Highlights from 2025

This was the first year Holly and I didn't host a Series Enders Reading Challenge.

I celebrated my 14th Blogoversary.

October was my 13th annual All Things Halloween event of Halloween-ish book reviews and such.

I didn't review any movies this year.

I listened to 18 audiobooks.

I re-read 4 books this year.

I completed my Goodreads books read challenge with 163 out of 65 books read (including some children's books).

I completed my Bible-in-a-year reading plan for the 14th year in a row.

I reviewed 23 children's books with my Homeschool Friday feature.

Books Read in 2025

Shadow and Storms (The Legends of Thezmarr, # 4) by Helen Scheuerer
There Goes the Groom (A Romance of Rank, # 3) by Esther Hatch
A Lady of Conscience (Somerset Stories, # 5) by Mimi Matthews
Ruthless Fae (Zodiac Academy, # 2) by Caroline Peckham & Susanne Valenti (will not be reviewing)
The Reckoning (Zodiac Academy, # 3) by Caroline Peckham & Susanne Valenti (will not be reviewing)
A Fire in the Sky (A Fire in the Sky, # 1) by Sophie Jordan
He is Here!: 25 Days Of Christmas Devotions by Browning Montgomery Wood
Shadow Princess (Zodiac Academy, # 4) by Caroline Peckham & Susanne Valenti (will not be reviewing)
Onyx Storm (The Empyrean, # 3) by Rebecca Yarros
Lady Ivy and the Irishman (Claivoir Castle Romances, # 5) by Sally Britton (revinew coming soon)
Between These Broken Hearts (These Hollow Vows, # 4) by Lexi Ryan
A Soul of Ash and Blood (Blood & Ash, # 5) by Jennifer L Armentrout
Fourth Wing (The Empyrean, # 1) by Rebecca Yarros (re-read)
Cursed Fates (Zodiac Academy, # 5) by Caroline Peckham & Susanne Valenti (will not be reviewing)
Into the Rapids by Ann Braden
Metal Slinger (Fire & Metal, # 1) by Rachel Schneider
Blood of the Old Kings (The Bleeding Empire, # 1) by Sung-Il Kim
Kingdom of the Wicked (Kingdom of the Wicked, # 1) by Kerri Maniscalco
Juniper's Christmas by Eoin Colfer
Midnights With You by Clare Osogno
Risking It All (Pushing the Limits: The Next Generation, # 1) by Katie McGarry
Iron & Embers (The Ashes of Thezmarr, # 1) by Helen Scheuerer
A Scar in the Bone (A Fire in the Sky, # 2) by Sophie Jordan
Now or Never (Stephanie Plum, # 31) by Janet Evanovich
Spark of the Everflame (Kindred's Curse, # 1) by Penn Cole
Glow of the Everflame (Kindred's Curse, # 2) by Penn Cole
Boundaries in Marriage by Dr. Henry Cloud & Dr. John Townsend (review coming soon)
Heat of the Everflame (Kindred's Curse, # 3) by Penn Cole
Dangerous Games (Dating Games, # 3) by TK Leigh (will not be reviewing)
A Wager with the Matchmaker (A Shanahan Match, # 3) by Jody Hedlund
The Lemonade War by Jacqueline Davies (review coming soon)
Waiting for the Rancher (High Country Ranch, # 1) by Jody Hedlund (review coming soon)
Second Grave on the Left (Charley Davidson, # 2) by Darynda Jones (re-read)
Look Before You Leap (Miss Prentice's Proteges, # 2) by Virigina Heath
Powerless (Powerless, # 1) by Lauren Roberts
The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by CS Lewis (review coming soon)
The Perfect Rom-Com by Melissa Ferguson
City of Gods and Monsters (House of Devils, # 1) by Kayla Edwards
Death and the Girl Next Door (Darklight, # 1) by Darynda Jones (review coming soon)
Tale of the Heart Queen (Tales of Ouranos, # 4) by Nisha J Tuli
On Wings of Blood (Bloodwing Academy, # 1) by Briar Boleyn
Iron Flame (The Empyrean, # 2) by Rebecca Yarros (re-read)
Sanskari Sweetheart by Ananya Devarajan
Rules for Ruin (The Crinoline Academy, # 1) by Mimi Matthews
A Presumptuous Hope (Daughters of the Gentry, # 3) by Jennie Goutet
Heart Marks the Spot by Libby Hubscher
Drive Me Crazy by Lizzie Dent (review coming soon)
Secret Nights and Northern Lights by Megan Oliver
A Whimsical Notion (Daughters of the Gentry, # 1) by Jennie Goutet (review coming soon)
The Horse and the Boy by CS Lewis (review coming soon)
A Sea View Christmas by Julie Klassen
Daughter of No Worlds (The War of Lost Hearts, # 1) by Clarissa Broadbent (review coming soon)
A Wild Hope (Wild Swan Trilogy, # 1) by Celeste De Blasis
House of Earth and Blood (Crescent City, # 1) by Sarah J Maas
One Dark Window (The Shepherd King, # 1) by Rachel Gillig
Splendor of the Land (The King's Men, # 3) by Connilyn Cossette
The Hunt for an Heiress by Martha Keyes
Winterset (Summerhaven, # 2) by Tiffany Odekirk
Roar Like a Lion: 90 Devotions to a Courageous Faith by Levi Lusko (review coming soon)
A True Home (Heartwood Hotel, # 1) by Kallie George (review coming soon)
Against a Crescent Storm (The Balkan Legends, # 3) by AL Sowards
Indescribable: 100 Devotions About God and Science by Louie Giglio (re-read)
How to Take the Grrrr Out of Anger by Elizabeth Verdick
The Governess and the Rogue by Mimi Matthews
Red Queen (Red Queen, # 1) by Victoria Aveyard (review coming soon)
The Marriage Method (The Crinoline Academy, # 2) by Mimi Matthews
Lacey's Story: A Puppy Tale by W Bruce Cameron
The Little Wild Library: Elder: Simple things to do with the plants around you. by Clare Gogerty
Room to Breathe by Kasie West (review coming soon)
Threaded Lies (Tangled Hearts, # 2) by K. Bromberg
Heartless Hunter (Crimson Moth, # 1) by Kristen Ciccarelli (review coming soon)
Better Than the Movies (Better Than the Movies, # 1) by Lynn Painter
Prince Caspian by CS Lewis (review coming soon)
Glass Sword (Red Queen, # 2) by Victoria Aveyard (review coming soon)
The House Saphir by Marissa Meyer
We Who Will Die (Empire of Blood, # 1) by Stacia Stark (review coming soon)
If You'll Have Me by Esther Hatch (review coming soon)
The Duke's Sacred Vow (Brides of the Regency, # 1) by Isabel Jacobs (review coming soon)
The Wicked and the Damned (The Dark Inheritances Trilogy, # 2) by Rebecca Robinson (review coming soon)
Brimstone (Fae & Alchemy, # 2) by Callie Hart (review coming soon)
The Last Wish of Bristol Keats (The Courting of Bristol Keats, # 2) by Mary E Pearson (review coming soon)
Empire of Flame and Thorns (Flame and Thorns, # 1) by Marion Blackwood (review coming soon)
We Met Like This by Kasie West (review coming soon)
Mr. Popper's Penguins by Richard Atwater (review coming soon)
I Want to Trust You, but I Don't: Moving Forward When You’re Skeptical of Others, Afraid of What God Will Allow, and Doubtful of Your Own Discernment by Lysa TerKeurst (review coming soon)

Books DNF'D

After Life by Gayle Forman (DNF @ 11%)
Everything I Promised You by Katy Upperman (DNF @ 10%)
Cursed (Gilded, # 2) by Marissa Meyer (DNF @ ?%)
Love, Just In by Natalie Murray (DNS - Did not start)
Finding Us by Tracie Peterson (DNS)

Children's Books

Manners Time by Elizabeth Verdick
The Power of a Praying Kid by Stormie Omartian (re-read)
Teeth Are Not for Biting by Elizabeth Verdick
Jesus and the Lions' Den by Alison Mitchell
The Garden, the Curtain and the Cross by Carl Laferton (review coming soon)
God and the Bible (Answers for Kids, # 3) by Ken Ham (review coming soon)
Go and Do Likewise!: The Parables and Wisdom of Jesus by John Hendrix
Feet Are Not for Kicking by Elizabeth Verdick
Courageous World Changers: 50 True Stories of Daring Women of God by Shirley Raye Redmond
The Children's Book of Virtues by Michael Hague
The Storm that Stopped by Alison Mitchell
Be Polite and Kind by Cheri J Meiners
Be Careful and Stay Safe by Cheri J Meiners
Be Honest and Tell the Truth by Cheri J Meiners
Hands Are Not for Hitting by Martine Agassi
Sharing Time by Elizabeth Verdick
Have Courage by Elizabeth Verdick
Noses Are Not for Picking by Elizabeth Verdick
Voices Are Not for Yelling by Elizabeth Verdick
Sin, Salvation, and the Christian Life (Answers for Kids, # 4) by Ken Ham (review coming soon)
What If Everybody Said That by Ellen Javernick (review coming soon)
Questions from Kids on Space and Astronomy (Answers for Kids, # 5) by Ken Ham (review coming soon)

Children's Books Reviewed in 2025 (some read prior to 2025)

Lewis and Clark Go West by McKay Pierce
Jane and the King by Jenny Phillips
Jack and the Lost Maze by Jenny Phillips
I Really Like Slop by Mo Willems
Curious George: The Dog Show by HA Rey
A Crown for Kate by Jenny Phillips
Booger the Bigfoot by Beau Bryan
Calling All Cars by Sonia Sander
Tell Time with Thomas by Christopher Awdry
Tails are Not for Pulling by Elizabeth Verdick
180 Days of Spelling & Word Study: 2nd Grade
Bears by Dona Herweck Rice
The Close Shave by W. Awdry
Cooking with the Cat by Bonnie Worth
Biscuit and the Little Pup by Alyssa Satin Capucilli
Cookies by Amy Krouse Rosenthal
Let's Go for a Drive by Mo Willems
Can I Play Too? by Mo Willems
Watch Me Throw the Ball by Mo Willems
Brent's Bots by Tessa Greene
The Wonder of Creation: 100 More Devotions About God and Science by Louie Giglio
I See Love by David Wiseman
The Giver (The Giver, # 1) by Lois Lowry
Cool Down and Work Through Anger by Cheri J. Meiners M.Ed.
Looking for the Lorax by Tish Rabe

How was your 2025? Are you exciting about moving on to 2026? Let me know!