Every Friday I’ll indulge my order-crazed brain in a list of randomness. Welcome to my Friday Fives.

I get giddy for the end of the year, mainly for all of the Top Ten lists. You know I love lists. I like rehashing the best, the worst, the funniest, the saddest. A lot can happen in a year and it’s nice to sit back and appreciate all the last 12 months held for us.

I have a lot of favorites from this year: Book? Three-way tie between And the Mountains Echoed, Gone Girl and The Interestings. Movie? Catching Fire, but I haven’t seen Anchorman 2 yet. Am I the only one who wasn’t blown away by Gravity? And, as someone who loved Monsters Inc., why did Monsters University disappoint me so much? Best Music? Since Brandi Carlile didn’t release an album this year, I’ll give it to the ironically-feuding Civil Wars. TV Show? Downton (Duh!) and Dexter. Trip? Revisiting Baltimore after so many years (and introducing Joe to Peabody) was pretty awesome.

For today’s Friday Five, the last of 2013, I give you the most defining moments of my year:

5. Goals….check!

I set out in January with the goal to be more selfish, in a good way. I needed to give back to myself, read more, spend more time taking photos, cooking, writing, blogging (!), going to the gym….and I can check every single goal off the list. That’s an amazing feeling and I feel like a whole new person compared to who I was last year. New Year’s resolutions can be cliché, but only if you let them. A new year is a fresh start—what a gift. Seize it. (And eat every slice of cake life brings your way.)

4. Jump the Broom!

March 2014 will welcome an addition to our family when Bryan and Robbi tie the knot! I’m looking forward to celebrating with them, seeing family, eating Mexican food and gaining a sister-in-law! (Not in that order.) I’m happy for my Hotrod.

3. Movin’ on Up

I don’t know if this is part of the best or worst of the year, but moving from Virginia to Utah was no joke. The stress of it nearly did me in (and fueled a very persistent Diet Coke addiction I had to break cold turkey), but we are so happy here, winter and all. The best part was definitely spending an entire summer with our BFFs Sean and Wallis. It’s been a great move *har har* for us.

2. Lil’ Linc

Man, oh man. Just when you think your heart is already bursting with love for your favorite littles, a new one comes along and BAM! more love. Even though I haven’t yet held him in my arms, I’m pretty smitten with this handsome guy. And his big sister’s love, affection and protection of her baby bro is pretty much the cutest thing I’ve ever witnessed. I’m pretty sure Booh never felt that way toward me!

1. Pops

There isn’t a more life-altering, heart-altering event than the passing of my Pops. Two and a half months later and I still deal with so many emotions. It was a beautiful gift to be able to hold his hand in those last few days and it has since given me strength to really embrace life. And embrace those dear to my heart. The best thing we can do to honor his memory? Love, love, love.

Here’s to 2013, to 2014, and all of the life, love, calories and laughter along the way.