What Went Down in 2022

2023! We’re really closing the gap before we the hit Zenon: Girl of the 21st Century era. I just googled it and it happens in 2049. Only 16 years left! Please tell me the metallic spandex and mini skirt thing will be in, because I’m ready for it. I feel like that’s when I’ll hit my fashion stride.

I’ll be 50. Omg.

Still. I’m going to a Proto Zoa concert no matter what the kids say. I’ll be livingggg!

Okay, this blog really took a turn before it even started. I’m not mad at it. However, back to 2023 we go!

By the time you read this, you’ll be nursing a hangover from your New Year’s Eve celebrations—- or if you’re anything like me, you’ll be well-rested after a glass of champagne at 8pm before hitting the sack nice and early, knowing full well your children DGAF that tomorrow is January 1st. They’ll be up between 5-7am ready to complain about whatever you make for breakfast and attempting aggravated assault on whichever sibling makes eye contact first. (Plz pray for Warren.)

But 2022 is worth some retrospective attention. Especially for us Leykos.

BIG HIGHLIGHTS:

  • Went on a Disney Cruise in the Caribbean

  • Celebrated my grandparents’ lives in San Diego, CA

  • Finished a half marathon pushing all 3 kids in strollers

  • Said goodbye to Alaska, our favorite place in the world

  • Survived (!!) a 26-day road trip from Alaska to Florida, stopping at 19 locations including the following favorites (not exhaustive):

    • Tillamook creamery

    • The Redwood Forest

  • continued…

    • Big Sur State Park/Carmel-by-the-Sea

    • Disneyland

    • Legoland

    • San Diego (family and the world-famous zoo!)

    • Joshua Tree National Park (Skull Rock!)

    • The Grand Canyon

    • Meteor Crater Natural Landmark

    • White Sands National Park (sledding!)

    • Carlsbad Caverns

    • Magnolia Silos (stayed at the Shotgun House from Fixer Upper!)

    • Space Center Houston

    • New Orleans

  • Moved into our new home in the Florida panhandle

  • Completed 50 miles of stroller-walking in September to raise money for childhood cancer research

  • Took another road trip (2 days— 15 hours total) to Ohio for Thanksgiving

SMALL HIGHLIGHTS:

  • Potty-trained Jo (twice…)

  • Warren learned to walk

  • Anders started school at his first real elementary school (pre-school)

  • I read 28 books (23 since July)

  • Aaron officially promoted to Commander in the USCG

  • My parents, followed by my older brother, visited us in our new house, which meant the absolute world to us

  • Dressed up as the Encanto cast for Halloween

  • Noma learned to use stairs to get on and off the couch

  • I started working part-time as a ghost-writer for a psychologist/couples therapist with a massive online following, getting to combine my favorite things: Love and writing! Looks like my degree in psychology wasn’t just for show, after all!

What a year, am I right?! There’ve been some dark moments. The first few weeks here in Florida were among the hardest of my life. Leaving our friends and the peace of Alaska was devastating. And day-in, day-out life with 3 kids under 5 is pretty tough. Beautiful and magical and fun! But tough.

However, there’s no denying this year was full of far more adventure and love than hardship. Besides— hardship is how we grow and look for new doors waiting to be opened. I’m not sure I would’ve considered working again so soon after moving had I not been pushed to the edge sleeping on an air mattress and living in an echoey house with no furniture for a full month with 3 kids. I was DESPERATE for change, and even though my dream job fell in my lap after the kids and I had settled, the ball initially started rolling due to that really painful season.

That difficult time is also what pushed me back toward reading consistently, as I absolutely needed to escape in a way that calmed my nervous system. I’ve read 3-4 books a month since living here, bringing me so much joy, satisfaction, and a new book-loving community.

We’ve been blessed to get to know wonderful neighbors and new friends who’ve reminded us that community and love can be found anywhere. We’ve been blown away by extraordinary teachers for the kids, who’ve set the bar impossibly high for years to come. And we’ve experienced our families scooping us (me) up when I was floundering, reminding us how fortunate we are for those who love us most— even though they live so far away.

Entering 2023 with 3 healthy and hilarious children, a husband I’m obsessed with, in a safe and beautiful home, and loved ones all over the country…having traveled and reached outrageous goals (Who in the world did we think we were pushing 3 kids in a half marathon?? And how did it go so smoothly??) and made giant memories (road trip much?)…all I can say is that 2022 holds a LOT to be grateful for.

Let’s do this, 2023!


Shannon Leyko