Favorite Discoveries of 2020

In what turned out to be a crazy and difficult year, I wanted to record some of my favorite things that I discovered this year. 

Music: JJ Heller will probably be forever on my list of favorites because she comes out with a new song each month. She wrote a song specifically about being in the thick of the pandemic that was so comforting. My other favorite of hers this year were "Always", "Miracle", "Learning to Let you Go", "Don't give up too soon". Cody Fry was my new discovery (through JJ, bless her) and his songs "Photograph", "Pictures of Mountains", "A Little More" were my favorite plus his entire Christmas album. Also Lauren Daigle. Her album "Look Up, Child" is gold. 

My Sunday listen is always Sing me a scripture by Kami Jacobs Bolen. I have memorized more scriptures this year than I ever have because of her songs. They are so beautiful. A couple favorites are Moroni 7: 45, 47, Moroni 7:41, Moroni 10: 4-5, and Jacob 2:18-19. 

Books: Even though libraries were closed for about 5 months, I still got in about 107 books this year thanks to audiobooks and my kindle. Below are my favorite reads. Runner-ups are The Only Plane in the Sky by Garrett M. Graff, I'm Still Here by Austin Channing Brown, Donald Trump v The United States by Michael Schmidt, Heavens are Open by Wendy Watson Nelson, All the March series by John Lewis, A Place to Belong by Hollie Rhees Fluhman. 

Movie/shows: Since developing the habit of going to bed earlier, I can count the number of times on one hand we actually sat and watched an entire movie in one sitting. It's embarrassing and we're getting so old! But we loved the show The Chosen and Jimmy Fallon's monologues. And my favorite movie of the year is the new Little Women. It's now one of my all time favorites. And Hamilton was such a fun discovery even though I am about 5 years late to the game!

Other discoveries:

Big Finn soccer field. We knew it existed but Dallin has been getting more into sports lately and it's the best way to get the energy out. 

We found our favorite chocolate peanut butter pie recipe and crust. We've made it probably 5 times this year. 

Daniel Tiger was a wonderful discovery and it brought a lot of fun songs for him to sing that he will sometimes bust out while grocery shopping. 

Making new friends like Natalie, Adeera, Ziana, Elnas, and Eiliyah.

Still in awe that cardboard can still bring the best creations like a "desk" for your computer or a basketball hoop. 

Meeting cousins for the first time: Dallin meeting Mere's kids and especially excited to meet Ivan who is his closest cousin. 

Our weighted blankets were heaven sent. You don't realize what you're missing until you try it!

That we dig lip sync battles with family. They are the best.

Facetime is the best invention. We have done it more this year than ever and pretty much every day with baby Elise! 

Dallin's vocabulary has increased dramatically! Just looking at old videos from the beginning of the year till now. He can talk in full sentences now. His favorite phrase is "what's so funny, Mommy?" Apparently I am always laughing at the funny things he does. 

That church can happen in your home. It has been lovely but we go now every week to the Church because for me there is just something about being there. 

That we continue to love the beauty of the PNW and the proximity close to family. So grateful we were able to make a few trips there this year and a couple to Utah. 

Here's to 2021!