Our Year in Review
Reflection is really hard for me. Honestly, I just don't like it. It's not my thing. And if I'm being really honest, I don't know that I always see the value in it.
Or maybe its that summing up an entire year of moments into a couple of paragraphs is too daunting and I'm afraid I'll leave something out. Or maybe it's that I'm not a great writer so I feel like I won't do the year justice.
But deep down, I know that reflection is good. I know that it's beneficial and wise and a clear way that we can see God's glory woven through our story. So if that's the case? I'm here for it. Whether I like it or not, I'm going to attempt to reflect on 2019.
2019 was simultaneously one of the most rich and full years of my life while also being one of the hardest. There was so much beauty and joy but not without literal blood, sweat and tears.
There were times when I wanted to throw in the towel and hide under a rock and other times where I would look at Grant and our lil pup and I could burst because I was so content with our lives.
Maybe that's what makes it beautiful.
Maybe struggle and hard work is what makes the good stuff good. Maybe it takes grit to appreciate the beauty.
I guess that's how I would sum up 2019 in two words, grit and beauty.
And because recapping via pictures is more my style, enjoy these snippets from our year! Mainly just sharing the life stuff and not necessarily all the business things-- but in the middle of it all, we did 44 weddings and events this year and that’s where the blood, sweat and tears came in:-) Anyways, here's 2019, month by month in bullet points + pictures. (Also using this as a way to look back on my year, so not offended if you couldn’t care less)
JANUARY
We started the year off skiing in Breckenridge- can’t say I’m a great skiier (thx ACL), but had so much fun. Especially sledding, maybe that’s more my style.
We started house-hunting! Sometimes I couldn’t tell if we were on House Hunters or Hoarders with what we saw but I personally loved seeing the potential in places. Truly, we saw some terrifying things.
We crammed a bunch of seniors into our TINY condo each Wednesday before we said goodbye to that place- we strangely ate LOTS of carrots collectively. (Grant had BAGS in our fridge from what he’d grown.)
Learned to be patient with the Lord’s timing and trust him with our finances. (lol still learning this though.)
FEBRUARY
We bought a house!!! Such a scary but exciting time. The whole process we kept asking…. so is it ours now? Didn’t love the process (kind of hated the negotiation phase) but LOVE the house.
Our church helped us get a lot of stuff moved in- in the dark because we hadn’t called the electrical company:-) lesson learned. We circled up and they prayed over our house in the middle of our empty living room.. in the dark. Something I’ll never forget.
Both of our families came and helped us move the rest of our stuff and then my family stayed and helped turn the garage into my studio!!
We insulated, sheetrocked (is that a word?), textured, painted, added a window and a sink — beyond thankful for my families help and my dad’s tools.
MARCH
RANUNCULUS, lots of them. We bunched a whole lot of them in our kitchen until late at night.
We (Grant) wasted no time and built raised beds in our backyard to start our home garden.
Went to Houston one weekend for Ashley’s couples shower and it was so much fun.
Celebrated my bday and our anniversary somewhere in there but honestly can’t remember what we did? I’m sure good food was involved.
The beginning of the brown carhartt beanie..
APRIL
My mom and I went to the Round Top Antique Show for the first time for both of us— we had a blast and we’ll for sure be returning this April.
Packed lots more flowers in our kitchen— sounds dreamy but trust me, its not all fun:-)
Celebrated Easter in Keller with my family, one of my top 3 fave holidays in case you were wondering.
Happy Hour Live with my buddies!! Did the flowers, almost had some serious van accidents in Downtown Austin but ate dinner next to THE JHP. (Jackie Hill Perry)
MAY
Took a day trip to Fredericksburg and picked peaches with the Abaroas!
Things got groovy at The Knot Mixer that I got to do the flowers for, really felt like I became a part of the Austin vendor community that night.
COURTNEY BECAME MRS. ZANDSTRA
We celebrated Grant’s bday, went on a boat and had a slumber party with 16 of our closest friends in our new home
Did 3 weddings in Central Texas from 1 airbnb in the middle of nowhere hah (drove 30 min just for Mad Taco)
JUNE
TOMATOES are back!!
Ashley’s bach party in Freddy’s burg- drank some wine, did some dancing and celebrated the heck outta our girl!!
ASHLEY AND COLTON GET MARRIED
We started tearing out the old landscaping and started from scratch in our front yard.. to be continuted.
JULY
Floated the river on the 4th of July and enjoyed a little neighborhood fireworks show
Madison, Colten and Alex visited and we floated the river! Much needed quality time. Come back:)
Traveled to Mexico with our church student ministry- lots of tacos and dancing and midnight soccer (one of the best weeks)
Spontaneous Seattle trip because we needed some relaxation and inspiration, did all the Seattle things, visited family, visited lots of farms and hiked Ranier!! Would totally move there if the weather was always like it was in July.
AUGUST
Baby shower for Little Miss Landry- my mom throws a good party and makes a good latte (see picture). ALMOST AN AUNT.
Got to re-live my college years through Avery going to A&M lol gig em take me with you
Celebrated Harrison returning to America and KB’s Birthday!
Happy Hour Round 2, did the flowers and this time got to take my mom!
Greyson + Amanda get married!
SEPTEMBER
Aly moved to San Mo!! Saved my life multiple times helping me with weddings and has been such a blessing in my life.
My friends save me again helping with a wedding in Dallas, and my family too! I’ve got quite the support system in DFW and I’m so thankful.
We discovered there’s a Don Japanese in San Marcos!!! (important part of our year ok)
Biiiiig wedding month
OCTOBER
Another crazy wedding month
A little KB time for a hot second when she was in Austin
Met me ANGEL NIECE, she’s perfect and I love her and yes I am going to buy her love with gifts
Went to Silobration with the Abaroas and saw JohnnySwim, my favorite band, totally lived up to my hopes and dreams. Also got our car locked inside a gate and had to call the police but it’s fine we treated ourselves with chick fil a after.
NOVEMBER
More wedding craziness, thought I might die but didn’t! Good thing!
Payton + Eric got married in Ft. Worth and we did our biggest installation yet. Got to see my girl Ash.
Friendsgiving at home with all of our Wimberley and San Marcos friends, a full house = the fullest heart.
Spent Thanksgiving with my family and lil bby Landry. Included a little bball at the gym and some TopGolf shenanigans.
Wow I love fall and my family.
DECEMBER
Bought our lil tree and decorated our home for Christmas. Got a little sad that we didn’t have decorations so made a bunch on a budget.
Celebrated Christmas early with my family camping and it was the best time.
Grant got a new watering hose (felt worthy of mentioning, see excitement in picture)
Christmas in Houston with Grant’s family
Had two weddings post Christmas and my girls Rachel and Franny married their boys!! So much happiness.
Wow, what a year, truly. I tend to look back on things and only remember the fun times- which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. But please know that our life is not all fun and adventures (although we do try and make it fun). This year there were also a lot of hard times— stressing over finances, wondering how we are going to pull something off, feeling directionless and scared about the future, etc. Some days there were breakdowns and some days I wanted to quit and start a new career. But when I look back on the year, I’m so thankful. The Lord never once left our side this entire year and he won’t leave us for a second in 2020. He is our sustainer and our hope when things are hard and He’s who we’ve got to thank when things are good. Because even when things aren’t, we know that He is still good.
2020, we are ready for what you have in store!
xoxo, CW