Here’s a look back at the year I captured (nearly) monthly in my Life Lately posts — the moments that made me pause, smile, breathe, and reflect. From big changes to difficult moments to tiny joys, this year has been full. If I fell behind a bit… we made the memories worth remembering anyway.
January 2025: The Longest Month Ever
The new year kicked off with feelings of excitement as my podcast co-hosts and I were planning to launch our very own show. Then six days in, we received terrible horrible no good very bad news from my husband’s company that took the wind out of our sails. I barely shared this with anyone, so my fears/worries silently took over my happy garden like the nastiest weed you’ve ever seen. My mental health started to secretly and slowly decline, but I tried to remain optimistic. Spoiler: this news would be the best thing to happen to our family.
While that was going on in the background, here is what I shared with the world:
- Winter sickness hit — and hit hard. Back-to-back illnesses kept us close to home all month.
- Silver lining? I painted, read five books (a personal record!), and found joy in simple indoor moments.
- Ice skating at the neighborhood pond became a new family highlight.
- January’s theme: The beauty (and challenge) of slowing down. Read more about January 2025.
February 2025: Cabin Fever & Warm Moments
- February felt short but long — icy weather and lots of indoor days.
- We finally got out: hit up our fav pizza spot Christo’s, played at a corn-hole fundraiser, met the neighborhood for a snow date, sat in a box at a hockey game, and Arbor had her first time bowling.
- I entered the Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas world and never turned back – one of the best series I have ever read.
- Tried a game-changer hair tool (that I’m still using 1-2 times a week!).
- February’s theme: Welcome warmth, welcome freedom from cabin fever.
Enjoy a few unseen moments from the month of love:
March 2025: Dance Comp + School Presentation Season
- The first month I don’t write a Life Lately post as we are busy, busy, busy (or maybe I forget to).
- My mental health is quietly in shambles despite all of the smiles – I rely on my friends and family to distract me from worrying about the uncontrollable.
- We are in full dance competition mode – my favorite season where I thrive on watching my daughters’ and their friends on stage and bond with my best dance moms. Ailey performs in her first small group!
- Annabelle participates in the Invention Convention with a Kitty Calming Bed and Ailey presents her second grade literary projects. We are beyond impressed with our girls’ confidence and hard work.
April 2025: Spring Break & Cape Cod
- Spring brought mixed weather and mixed feelings — from awful allergies to blossoming flowers to re-learning to cope with anxiety again.
- We enjoyed a restorative Cape Cod trip with Mom and my Mother-in-law over Spring Break
- New wardrobe finds – this pair of black pants are one of my most worn pants in 2025.
- April Theme: Growth, travel, transition
May 2025: Celebrations on Repeat
- May was packed with everything — Mother’s Day, Brandon’s birthday, school events, Memorial Day parade and party at the neighborhood pool opening (it was so cold!).
- Ailey celebrated her First Communion, one of the most meaningful moments of the spring.
- Annabelle shows off her photography and choral skills at big fifth grade school events – I start to come to terms with the fact she is going to be graduating elementary school.
- Arbor and I explore all of the beautiful parks around us.
- Theme: Milestones for all.
June 2025: End of School + Summer Kickoff
- June was full of milestones and celebrations — from the Houston girls’ dance recital (Arbor’s first and my second!) to Annabelle’s fifth-grade promotion and my nephew’s high school graduation to Arbor’s first haircut.
- We honored Father’s Day, hung out with my amazing cousin Brian, and kicked off summer with our annual St. George Island family vacation.
- Between graduation parties, a girls’ night out, and preparing for dance nationals/summer trips, life was equal parts busy and joyful. Even though I had a mild breakdown about Annabelle’s goodbye to elementary school, I was able to put my anxiety on the backburner. I consciously decided to embrace the excitement of summer.
July 2025: Dance Nationals & Back-to-Back Vacations
- July was another month where I forgot to write a Life Lately post – but that is because we were on the move 24/7. From a golden hour maternity photo shoot to a seafood sibling feast, and then lobster rolls/cocktails at Tree House Brewery in Sandwich, MA to our annual OWA Fourth of July pool party.
- Next was a Dance Nationals trip in Massachusetts — the greatest time with our dance family and the girls did incredible! I’ve never seen Annabelle bring so much energy to the stage and Ailey – well she was flawless.
- After nationals, we headed straight into back-to-back vacations: first our family’s annual Cape Cod getaway and then our first-ever trip to Hilton Head with Brandon’s family, which carried us into the first week of August. (More on Hilton Head in my travel guide 👉 https://caitlinhoustonblog.com/hilton-head-travel-guide/)
August 2025: Summer Travels + Family Time
- August began while we were in Hilton Head – and we came home to begin celebrating Ailey’s 9th birthday.
- During our three week vacation away — and leaving my MacBook and journal at home —I learn what it could be like to actually soak up presence and peace.
- We spend a lot of quality time with extended family: my cousin Brian who’s courageously fighting a brain tumor and my nephew Finn who’s about to head to college across country.
- Back to school shopping for all three girls – and the first day of school comes quickly for the older two.
- Our family receives some unbelievable news of an unexpected diagnosis for my Father that rocks me to my core. It’s private, not to be shared at the time, and we are left with a million questions. I throw myself into preparing to start a new job and motherhood – but it is difficult to not catastrophize the future.
September 2025: New School Year + New Job
- All three girls are officially in school — three different schools – a new chapter as a family.
- Dance began again for all 3 girls – Arbor started playing soccer – Annabelle joined cross country (and is really good at running – who knew!).
- I began a 3 day a week position at Glow Medical Aesthetics while juggling school/dance schedules and motherhood. It is NOT easy, but it is good for my soul.
- Lamented – or rather cheered – as I celebrated a HUGE birthday (40!) and had the ultimate 40th backyard birthday party at my parent’s house. It was the party of my teenage dreams.
- My friends host a Summer I Turned Pretty finale party and we take the girls apple picking.
- All the while, offline and off-blog – we learn my Dad is eligible for treatment for his diagnosis, but my cousin’s health takes a turn.
October 2025: Cape Cod, Halloween & Heartfelt Loss
- October is busy — from a long weekend on Cape Cod over Columbus Day to Halloween celebrations that stretched across the month (so many trunk or treats).
- We surprised the girls with Tate McRae tickets in Boston — a memorable first big concert.
- Alongside the autumn fun, our family faced something deeply personal — the loss of my cousin Brian, who fought brain cancer with courage and humor until the end. His passing reminded me to hold close the people I love and find beauty even in the hard moments.
November 2025: Cozy Moments, Grief, and Christmas Prep
- Fall events – like Arbor’s Barnyard Dance – kept me afloat when I felt as if I was drowning in grief in the beginning of the month.
- We started decorating our house for Christmas before the turkey is even thawed – and that helps brighten my spirits too.
- By Thanksgiving I feel like I have a better handle on my mental health and balancing my new job/motherhood. My cousins and I stick together as we navigate grief.
- We help my parents decorate for Christmas and it’s one of my favorite days of the month.
- Brandon and I have our first night away in forever to go to our friends’ wedding at The Litchfield Inn the weekend after Thanksgiving.
December 2025: Celebrations, Traditions & Soaking It All In
- December was overflowing with celebration — Arbor turned 4 with a birthday stay at Great Wolf Lodge and a trampoline park party, and Annabelle turned 12 with a creative junk journal–making themed party.
- I had many adventures: from Glow’s Staff PJ Party to my favorite annual Moms Christmas party, to an epic sleepover at the casino wrapping gifts with my best dance mom friends.
- In between it all, I soaked up every quiet moment — sitting by the Christmas tree and roaring fireplace, baking cookies, watching all our favorite Christmas movies, and savoring the traditions that make the season feel like home.
Reflections from the Year
- Presence over perfection — like leaving the laptop behind on vacation.
- Transitions — school changes, new job beginnings, and milestones.
- Joy in everyday life, even when it feels scary, slow or repetitive.
What I Learned
- You can fall behind on your own content and still have an abundant story to tell.
- Life doesn’t pause for perfection — and neither should we.
Closing Thoughts
Thank you for reading along this year — for celebrating small wins, laughing at the chaos, and remembering with me. This year was really difficult – some moments harder than others – but I am happy to have ended it on a most positive note. I’m looking forward to what this year brings – and can only hope things go up and onward from here.
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