Here we are in 2014 already. It’s great to look back over the past year and review all that has taken place. It’s been a quite a ride. We had some unexpected and challenging twists and turns along the way!
But looking back was a great reminder that we have made progress towards the goals we put in place at the beginning of the year.
We’ve also found the perspective of looking back is a great foundation for setting goals and planning for the year ahead.
Our 2013 year in review:
We did a lot of simplifying and sold our house, moving from Downingtown, Pennsylvania to Embreeville, Pennsylvania. Things went really well thanks to plenty of great help!
In September, we found out we’ll be growing to a family of four!
Claudia finished a book she’s been working on, Braces Made Easy: A guidebook for braces. It’s finished and being printed as I type this!
I hired a good friend, Mike Hirst, to design a new website for our business, Soundboard Music School.
We attended a business conference and got to meet one of our mentors, Dan Miller, and a good friend, Jen McDonough.
At the same conference, we also got hang out with someone who we look up to in the business world, Pat Flynn.
Over the summer, we started a logo design business called Red Giraffe Design which we decided to pull the plug on.
I joined Toastmasters and have discovered that I love public speaking.
Between the two of us, we read about 60 books. Feeding our minds with new ideas was instrumental in allowing us to make progress towards our goals.
At the beginning of the year, we released our book on goals, Compass: A goal setting guide for couples.
In September, we celebrated our 10th wedding anniversary in Newport, Rhode Island!
Claudia got back into doing artwork. This is one of her pieces.
We watched our son grow into a little boy.
We enjoyed family time together at places like Longwood Gardens and Marsh Creek.
It’s so great to look back and see all that we’ve done over the past year, especially in pictures!
We look forward to 2014 with anticipation knowing great things will continue to take place, as we press forward!
What did 2013 look like for you? We’d love to hear about it in the comments!
Love the pictures! Sounds like 2013 was overall a great success story. So happy and proud of you guys for all you do.
Thanks, Donna. And thanks for being a regular reader and commenter!
How fun to see your year in pictures and see all you’ve accomplished! You are both exceptional and this sounds like it will be another banner year with lots of wonderful things, not the least of which is your new addition! God bless you both in this new year!
Thanks, Ann. We definitely had our challenges, but lots of good things too!
Thanks, Ann. We definitely had our challenges, but lots of good things too! Thanks for being a regular reader and commenter!
Congrats on a successful year! Mike, I could totally see you thriving in public speaking. Claudia, art and writing fits you like a glove. Love you guys. xo
Thanks, Char. Thanks for your friendship and for being an awesome sister!
Love you Char!
Love you Char!
Will Claudia be selling any of her pieces? The one you showed looks beautiful.
She doesn’t have any plans to. But I agree, they look great!
Well, if she ever decides to, let me know. I’d love to pick up one or two. I think my wife would love them.
Hey Joe, I’ll let her know. I don’t know that she’s ever considered it either. It’ll at least get her wheels turning!
Awesome. If she does, I’d love to be her first buyer (-:
What an incredible year for you and Claudia, even in the midst of the difficult times. You have been strengthened by them for the next season of your life. I loved the pictures!
Thanks, Cindy. I appreciate that.
What, what an amazing year! Books written, websites and businesses made and grown, etc.
Hey Jason, thanks! We released Compass as an ebook only. Currently people get it when they signup to receive posts via email. I was on Joel Bogess’ book launch team. He did we really great job at getting the word out!
If you ever do a big launch, be sure to letus know! I don’t wantto miss that!
‘When’
Thanks, Jason! Appreciate it.
I just started following you both separately, how cool to find you’re a couple and creating and pursuing so much together – this is totally inspiring! Hope you have an incredible 2014!!
Thanks, Stephanir. Being on the same page with where we’re going has been invaluable for us. I think it’s really helped with us making the progress we have.
Here’s to a great 2014 for you as well!
I love your year-end reviews… even if I didn’t get around to reading this one until February. Reflecting on the past and planning for the future all while very much living in the present… that’s just one thing I love about you guys! Looking forward to what 2014 has in store for your family. Whatever it is, it’ll be life-changing and amazingly impactful. You find meaning and beauty even in life’s trials. Love you guys!
Hey thanks, Jody! Love how you put that – Reflecting on the past and planning for the future all while very much living in the present… Blessings to you, Steve, and Elijah!