Last years goals were broken down by Personal, Professional, Family, House, and Fun. I wrote about Personal and Fun here. Let's move on!
Family
- Contact everyone in our will about the will
- Done! 'Make a will' was a goal for about two years. Now it is made, and in the right place, and the right people know where it is. It seems like the UK is less complicated than the US (or maybe we don't make enough money for the will to have as many decisions?) but this was actually somewhat easy and also now it's done.
- Make a Charcuterie board
- I made a few and consider this done. This summer party board from July 2023 is probably the best:
- Walk up a local mountain with Andy
- This did not happen. By the time we could take the babies out for enough time to go up a mountain the weather was not good enough. And I didn't really *want* to take babies up a mountain. I'll move this goal to next year.
- Get baby passports and renew Isaac's passport
- Done! This is especially good because Isaac is going to Sweden next year. Kid passports last 5 years and I wish I had just renewed Lilah's passport at the same time because it would have been super great to have all kids on the same passport cycle. Top tip for kid logistics, have all kids born in the same few months. It really pays dividends in tiny logistical puzzles.
Also, the kids currently only have British passports. US passports need to be done in person in London, and taking 4 kids to London has felt basically impossible. Getting their US passports will be a goal for 2027, before our (hopeful) next US trip. - Take kids to the bank
- This sounded boring so I took it off the list
- Open bank accounts for Audrey and Nora
- I had an empty account which I renamed "Audrey and Nora" because my bank currently isn't doing child savings accounts. Goal done enough I guess?
Professional
I had four vague "get in touch with x y z person" and "think about what I want to do next" goals. It was not easy to make professional goals with 6 week old twins. I am super pleased that I was promoted this year. While I know my current professional foundation is a bit rocky (maneuverings of a large company) I think I can use this year to take a step back and try to make things easy on myself. Sometimes not knowing the "next step" is probably better than reaching for some path that may or may not exist.
House
- Get quotes for home improvement
- I can't even remember what I wanted quoted or what home improvement I was thinking about. We did pay to have two rooms painted, but that probably wasn't on my radar in January. I guess I did this? I really wish I knew what home improvement quote I was looking for.
- Buy fire extinguisher
- Bought! done!
- Donate unsellable baby things
- I got rid of so much this year, and sold a lot too. I still have four large boxes to sort: one box of sentimental things (mostly halloween and and americana), one box of reusable nappies, and two boxes of "ready to list on vinted". It's been great to get rid of so much baby stuff.
- Add Photo tiles to wall
- I have no idea how I accomplished this this year, but it's done! We have a photo wall in the dining room now (it turns out it's hard to get a photo of a photo tile wall):
Mostly I am glad that 2024 is over. I know I'm not meant to wish years away, but in case I haven't mentioned it recently, newborn/infant twins are really really hard. It's fun to look back and realize I did do something this year, besides endless nappies and staying up all night. It's nice to finish some small goals.
Did you have any major home or family goals this year?
I don't want to wish years away either but GOOD RIDDANCE 2024! And for that matter good riddance to the last few years. Hard stuff happens.
ReplyDeleteMost of my 2024 goals can be summarized as "we got a puppy instead". Well, Ok, fine it was mostly "walk up a mountain" stuff that will be done when the time is right.
Twins or no twins, you got a lot done this year! Bravo!!!
I don't know if getting a will is different in the US vs UK but I do know that it's something that I put off way too long and it was the best feeling when I got it done.
I'd advocate for taking the kids to the bank, though it doesn't have to happen anytime soon. I remember going as a little kid with my mom and it was a happy place. I'm sure it was boring as mud to the adults, but from the kid POV it was a building full of cool stuff and there was a candy jar.
Here's to 2025!!!
I think I have the same fond bank memories as you do... but potentially much of this fond memory was the candy jar! And in the UK they don't have a candy jar, and I am now wondering if 99% of my positive bank memories were due to the candy jar existance. Our bank is next to a castle (actually two of the brances are close to two different castles) and I had a day that was perfect for a bank adventure and I decided "meh" and didn't go.
DeleteI think I will put bank on the future list though. I may have to BYO candy though.
I am looking forward to you walking the puppy (or grown dog - when are they not puppies? I don't know dog) up a mountain more and blogging about it. 2025 is going to be better. Right? right!
It seems like you got a lot done really; even if you did not have four kids, it would be a lot! I don't think a will is really that hard to make in the US. I do not have a will becuase I created a trust account (and the will is included) but really all I had to do was decide who was getting what and put it in writing and sign it. Then I was done!
ReplyDeleteIn 2024, I did not "make goals" but I had a lot of things that I wanted to get done, mainly to get rid of all of my things and sell my house. DONE! Actually I kind of feel like making a retroactive list and checking it off, because there were a lot of things that needed to be done to complete this task!
Creating a trust sounds hard and complicated to me... but I may just be a simple human.
DeleteAlso, selling all your things and riding around the world (or at least north america, so far) is an AMAZING goal and I have loved following it. Completing the tour divide is a life dream of mine too. So I think your "done" list this year is pretty spectacular.
The kids' school photo is adorable and timeless. -rachel
ReplyDeleteAlso finally made and notarized a will! Also created an "in case of death" folder that has everything, all the paperwork and info what to do/who to contact in case I or T or both ya know...
ReplyDeleteDid you have any major home or family goals this year?
No major goals but it depends what major means. I wanted to take two international trips, done, go camping, done, sign the kids up for activities they enjoy, done and done. The house has been just regular maintenance and it's solid but major issues thank god. In 2025 we need a new kitchen, ours is from the 90s and is falling apart.