I haven’t done a “Good Bye YEAR” post since 2015. The year 2016 sucked and last year we were super busy in December with graduation, holidays and getting ready to move across the country. (UPDATE: I actually did write one for 2017. I just didn’t publish it until the end of January 2018. Here it is). This year was pretty busy too so I almost skipped it again. But I decided since this year was so jam packed with awesome adventures, that was all the more reason to document it!

So I’ll start with the little 2018 recap I posted on Instagram today…

New Year’s Eve. The perfect time to reflect back on the year and make goals and plans for the year to come. That’s what Pearson and I will be doing tonight. We’re gonna plan out 2019 complete with budgets, bucket lists, schedules and everything in between. This will be the first time we’ve ever done this on a large, year-long scale and I couldn’t be more excited! Pearson has never been much of a planner but I’ve watched that slowly change over the 6.5 years we’ve been married and he was actually the one who suggested we sit down and plan 2019 today. I love that man of mine!

2018 was such a fantastic year. I just might say it was my best yet. We moved to Oregon (where we both feel we belong) and took (practically) a month long road trip to get here complete with a trip to Disney World, visiting a ton of family, Las Vegas, the Grand Canyon, the Avenue of the Giants and much more! Once we got here, we never slowed down. We went on many #MaugerisPNWAdventures including 2 trips to #CraterLake (one of which included backpack camping), two trips to #SilverFall, lots of other hiking/outdoor trips, a trip to Bend. a couple weekend getaways to the Oregon Coast, and a couple trips to see family for a wedding and a funeral.

We enjoyed the post grad school life. We made some great PNW friends. We got plugged into a wonderful church. We strengthened our marriage. We leaned on each other a little more and both learned to let things roll off our backs a little more.

Pearson has been killing it at Intel and getting great recognition right and left. He’s looking forward to continue working for this great company and accomplishing his personal goals.

I sorted through some blogging stuff and finally bit the bullet to make the switch to WordPress (I know, I’m super late to that party). I’m looking forward to putting out some great content in 2019 and creating my first digital product to sell!

Now for the typical list-style recap…

Favorite Events (in chronological order)

• Our trip to Disney World and Universal (aka #MaugerisMagicalAdventure)
  • Especially spending my birthday at The Magic Kingdom
• Our road trip move across the country (aka #MaugerisDoTheOregonTrail)
• My best friend’s baby shower in Ohio
• My brother’s wedding in Memphis
• We tried Keto for a month
• All our #MaugerisPNWAdventures with lots of hiking and exploring
• Going to Arkansas to be with family for my grandma’s funeral
• Getting to see my other best friend’s baby two days after he was born
• Backpack camping at Crater Lake
• Our trip to Bend for our anniversary
• (All 4 of the above events were recapped here)
• A day trip to Astoria, Oregon
• Our weekend getaway to Seal Rock, Oregon
• Our weekend retreat to the coast with our church group

Favorite Music (in the order I though of them)

• The Greatest Showman Soundtrack
• The Hamilton Soundtrack (yes, still)
• Emily Scott Robinson
• Mamma Mia (& Here We Go Again)
• My Disney Playlist
• Delta Rae
• Avett Brothers
• Delta Rae
• The Civil Wars
• Sara Bareilles

Favorite Movies (In order of how I liked them starting with my favorite)

• The Avengers: Infinity War
• Black Panther
• A Quiet Place
• Ant Man and the Wasp
• Deadpool 2
• Incredibles 2
• Solo: A Star Wars Story
• Mary Poppins Returns
• Venom
• Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again
• Oceans 8
• Christopher Robin
• Life of the Party
• Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom
• Annihilation

Favorite Posts on My Blog (in order of how they appeared on the blog)

• How To Make Your Spouse Your Best Friend (And Why That’s So Important)
• Applying The 7/12 Mindset To Your Marriage
• 15+ Tips For The Best Disney Experience Without Kids
• The Platinum Rule
• How Labeling Date Night Makes It More Special
• 5 Surprising Marriage Lessons From Our Cross-Country Move
• 5 Creative Ways To Celebrate Your Anniversary
• 5 Absolutely Amazing Anniversary “Gifts” Your Spouse Will Love
• How To Support Your Spouse’s Mental Health Journey

How was your 2018? What were some of your favorite things this year?What are you doing to celebrate the New Year?

Thanks for reading!