2022 Year in Review

As I sit here writing this, I have an ice pack strapped to my head recovering from wisdom teeth removal. I haven’t been able to sleep hardly at all in the last 24 hours, so naturally my mind has had a lot of time to think and process life. I cannot even believe that another year is coming to a close and we are preparing to usher in a new year. It’s time for my 2022 year in review post! I love doing these each year 🙂

This year was a doozy in its own right. I think it’s safe to say that every single year of my life will feel like a doozy, and I suppose that’s okay. I guess it would be kind of boring to have a life with no hiccups (though it WOULD be dreamy for a week or two).

Overall though, it’s been a beautiful year for me, Lily and James. As this year comes to a close, I’m finding myself more passionate about the life I WANT to be living and using the next three years as a time to build and prepare for those big dreams. As long as the Lord doesn’t place a new direction on my heart, I think I can see it happening. Until then, I’m going to take one step after another to work hard and get after it.

Let’s see, let’s recap this year:

  • We started the year off with a bang by celebrating my sister’s 30th birthday. I’m wildly introverted, but it was still SO fun to help create this experience for her!!
  • I dug my heels in and focused on “less” and just “being.” No crazy bucket lists this year, no hustle to shoot as much as I can (I actually scaled way back this year so that I could focus on what truly matters to me – my family), just following where the adventures led us.
  • Lily, James, and I went to Maryland with my mom and my sister for our annual trip. It was sooo needed and so fun! It was James’ first experience at the zoo and it was the most heart melting thing to watch. He and Lily both had so much fun on this trip.
  • Lily and I went on our first big mama-Lily trip! To Disney!! This was such an incredible experience for us, and the first of many to come with my sweet babies. She still talks about this trip on a very regular basis and wants to go back there when it’s her turn again for a big solo trip with mama. I’m planning every 3 years to take a one-on-one big adventure with each kid so they get BIG special, individual time with me. We will do big yearly trips as a family and still aim for regular local mommy and me dates. I love making this a priority for our family and the rewards are so great 🙂
  • Lily graduated from pre-K in June and it was the cutest thing to watch. Her dad and I are SO stinking proud of her.
  • Lily turned SIX years old. We made it through her first five years of life with no themed parties, but this was the year she specifically asked for a theme for her birthday party. It was chick themed and very cute, thanks to my sister (the epic party planner) helping get all the decor for me, because that’s not in my wheel house. I can’t believe she’s six. SIX.
  • James turned TWO years old. How is this possible? He was a blob yesterday. I miss those baby snuggles so so much. I’m pretty sure he’s my last baby (because I’ve learned to never say never) and it’s been so bittersweet watching him grow knowing that they’re my “lasts.”
  • Our church closed back in June. I took a long time, but I did very recently finally find a new church that both me and the kids love going to! The Refuge Church in Windham! I’m looking forward to seeing how we all grow here in 2023.
  • Lily and James are both absolutely thriving in life. James has started getting more words since his ear tubes surgery, and that’s been a relief. He’s got such a big and hilarious, yet sweet, personality. Lily started Kindergarten and is crushing it. She’s so smart and independent and beautiful I can’t even stand it.
  • Watching Lily and James together is my favorite. They love each other so much, but they still fight on the regular, haha. That sibling life!
  • This year Lily decided she wanted to cut her hair short, so we did. She also got glasses in the fall and they’re so stinking cute.
  • Lily is currently obsessed with: science, dancing and singing, rock climbing with daddy, creating things, and reading.
  • James is currently obsessed with: books, cars, balls, blocks, and snacks!
  • Therapy continues to be a critical part of life for myself and for Lily. It’s been so helpful as we continue to navigate life!
  • In July we traveled to an island to visit my dear friend Missi. It was a three hour drive and a one hour ferry, and it was worth it 10000%. I turned my phone off entirely for the three days we were there and we all had the best time together. All day outside exploring and playing, late night girl chats with hot chocolate watching the moon rise over the harbor – it was perfection. I can’t wait to go back this coming summer!
  • I got another new tattoo this year. Already have my next one in the works 🙂
  • We all love being together as much as we can, and we logged 150 hours outside together as a family. Less than the year before, but this year was a lot different for us with school full time, running a business, and having a coparenting schedule! Hoping to get even more outside in 2023!
  • This year I’ve discovered a passion for empowering women to live their best lives, and sharing about the struggles I’ve faced and overcome as a single mama. Motherhood is hard, and I’ve realized that the more I share about the hard moments, as well as the great moments, the more people reach out to me and say “This makes me feel less alone.” It means so much to me.
  • There are a thousand more little things I’d love to share about things we did and moments that meant a lot to me and my children, but that would just take far too long 🙂

2022 was a great year. It was full of a LOT of very hard moments, but so much personal growth for us all. I feel like we’ve truly found our rhythm with our not-so-new normal, and have all adjusted very well! I’m so excited to keep digging into my powersheets as I prep for 2023 and uncovering goals that will help us continue to grow and thrive! We nourished our bodies, our souls, our family, our friendships, and our minds this year. There were SO many regular moments that meant the world to me this year.

I never want to lose sight of the fact that this is the life I’ve always dreamed of (being a mama, I mean), and I don’t want to take it for granted while it’s right in front of me. It’s an imperfect life. But it’s a truly beautiful one. I’m so thankful for everything the Lord has done for me this year, and I’m so thankful for everything He’ll do for me and guide me in, in 2023.

Check out a small selection of photos from this year 🙂

If you made it this far, thanks for reading my 2022 year in review 🙂

Linda is a Portland-based photographer specializing in weddings and creating family legacies from Portland to Boston and across New England. You can see more of her work online at lindabarryphotography.com, on Instagram, or on Facebook. If you want to reach out directly: linda@lindabarryphotography.com.

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You can usually find me adding books to my never-ending “to read” list; challenging myself to do things like not shop for a year; sneaking crispy m+ms from my secret hiding spot so I don’t have to share them with my daughter; and melting over seeing my children smiling at each other.

Oh and I guess I should mention - I’m a seasoned Portland wedding photographer who provides not only kick-ass wedding photos, but also a meaningful and laid-back experience from the time you book to the delivery of your final images. 

I share all things personal, business, tips, and life as a mom and business owner here on the blog!

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