Life Lately / January 2025

Sharing a little life lately update with a full recap of January in 2025 on Caitlin Houston Blog.

Life Lately – January 2025

January always feels like the longest month – especially when your kids have back to back to back illnesses. We kicked off the new year with strep and finished it out strong with the flu. It isn’t just my family though – I find comfort in knowing the majority of my friends have also been hit with every sickness in existence. Why does everyone get sick during the winter? I don’t remember it being like this in college or during my childhood.

We literally spent every weekend at home in January. I am not complaining though – during this time I was able to paint and read more than I have in months. One of my goals for this new year is to be intentional with my free moments, doing things I love instead of scrolling my phone or binge watching a show. I am also journaling, cooking actual meals again (I became lazy), and even pulled out my ice skates to get some exercise on the frozen pond in our neighborhood.

Actually – the ice skating has been a new addition to our family activities list. We have wanted to skate on this pond for years and it’s finally happening! Arbor mostly stands around in her snow boots on the ice and Brandon doesn’t own skates – but Ailey and Annabelle are learning how to glide and love it! Personally, I have not ice skated on a natural pond since I was Annabelle’s age and did NOT think I would still be able to skate. But it was all muscle memory – and such an incredible feeling.

What I’m Reading in January 2025

This section should be “What I Read” in January since I completed FIVE books – which is a lifetime record (since becoming a Mom). I have to thank the creation of audiobooks for being my co-partner in cleaning and mothering too. Follow me on GoodReads to keep track of my bookshelf and reviews.

1. Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros – O.M.G. If you’re an Empyrean series fan, let’s chat.
2. House of Sky and Breath by Sarah J. Maas – This book took me months to finish, but that’s because it took 400 pages to get good. I’m a huge Maas fan so I knew I had to push through the fluff. It’s safe to say I’ll be reading the third in the Crescent City series soon.
3. Storm and Fury by Jennifer L Armentrout – I listened to the first in the Harbinger series so quickly. It’s a simple fantasy romance, nothing special, but I will definitely continue reading to find out what happens to Trinity.
4. Powerless by Lauren Roberts – I bought this book after seeing the series on sale at Barnes and fell into it fast. It’s an awesome fantasy romance – borderline YA – with no smut.
5. Reckless by Lauren Roberts – The second book did not disappoint. I read it so fast only to learn the third is a different POV and the new book is not being released until April.

What I’m Loving in January 2025

1. I finally finished repainting my bathroom… after my brother in law fixed the ceiling almost a year ago. At first I did not like the wall color, but it’s growing on my. I accidentally purchased the wrong color and since you can’t return paint, I had to use it.
2. Timothée Chalamet on SNL
3. Painting – there is something so soothing about watercolor paints and audiobooks.
4. The Kizik Lima
5. Zach Bryan’s new song: Blue Jean Baby
6. The Grammy’s are this weekend! Charli XCX is performing and Taylor Swift is presenting – I think she is going to announce Reputation TV!
7. I’m listening to “Quicksilver” by Callie Hart on Audible – it’s pretty good so far in terms of magic/fantasy, but no real romance yet.
8. I’m also listening to “Good Girl, Bad Blood: The Sequel to A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder” by Holly Jackson on Hooplah when I want a little YA fiction break.