farewell, twenty-sixteen

Reading my 2015 recap post almost seems like reading another person's life.  I'm not really sure how to pinpoint why I'm in such a different place, because honestly this year has been a bit of a blur with not a lot of reflection time. 

I do know I've been overall a lot more optimistic (or at least aware of my pessimistic, dramatic responses to things), and I definitely feel like an intense, sassy mama bear more than a broken shell of myself. To the first-time mom of an infant, this might not be your most favorite year, and that's okay.  More amazing memories are coming. I've come to realize the tiny baby years are not my favorite. It doesn't mean I don't think they should be savored for what they are. I'm just personally really glad God makes that part go by fast. haha! 

The toddler phase is so fun, exciting, and entertaining -- even with all of the daily tantrums and mama vs. toddler stand-offs. Watching him run and jump and explore new places makes traveling even more magical and totally balances out any scenes he may cause along the way.  Even with his lack of words he's a great communicator, and I love talking to him!

2016 in review...

JANUARY - Continued my teaching schedule at Hayes (through March)
Got a solid start on my health and emotional-health goals 

FEBRUARY - Started a creative collaboration called Gold Leaf Creative
Helped host a fun baby shower for my cousin-bestie

MARCH - Celebrated my 30th birthday with a treat-yo-self day
Took our first trip to Portland, the Oregon Coast and the Redwoods
Did calligraphy for my first wedding

APRIL - Took a partial social media break 
Officially began the home renovation planning process

​MAY - Took Rowan to Disney World for the first time
Had an amazing no-kid date to Universal and Diagon Alley 
Finished teaching classes with the Birmingham Museum of Art

JUNE - Worked on an app project that still has been on hold
Contributed calligraphy to my first styled shoot (featured later in Social South)

JULY - Celebrated Zack's 31st Birthday
Organized my first styled shoot (featured later on Artfully Wed)

AUGUST - Rowan sang his first song 
Was part of my final styled shoot of the year (featured later on Beauty, Cocktails & Girltalk)

SEPTEMBER - Took Rowan on his first international trip to Oxford + Scotland 
Had a fun Lake Martin day with moms + kiddos

Photo by Brittny Rene Photo

OCTOBER - Launched my calligraphy website 
Rowan turned 2!
Found out I was pregnant on our 3rd wedding anniversary

NOVEMBER / DECEMBER - Visited Boston for the first time during Zack's conference week
Got the test result call from the doctor with news of a BABY GIRL!
Enjoyed our 3rd holiday season as a little family.

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I think 2015 knocked me down.  For anyone obsessed with Enneagram like I am, I'm a 4 with a 3 wing... Studying and learning about that has helped me SO MUCH.  Mundane, hard infant-mother tasks in addition to the feeling that you're not accomplishing very much was a rough mental space for me. 

2016 was my standing up year. Brush off the dirt. Doctor up the wounds I inflicted on myself by negative thinking and lack of faith.  Start taking steps forward in faith.  

So all I can think of for 2017 is keep walking in faith + lay strong foundations.  

• Even literally, we are weeks away from laying the new foundation for our home addition.  
• I will have to make decisions and scheduling changes for two kids.  
• I will have to choose faith over fear with all the uncertainties of pregnancy and birth. 
• I launched a calligraphy business that I need to continue organizing and refining.  
• As many of my friends are far away now, I need to lay foundations with new relationships.

All of these things are going to feel like blindly walking in faith and are very focused on foundational work. 

"For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ."
1 Corinthians 3:11 

"For we walk by faith, not by sight."
2 Corinthians 5:7

For my lighthearted goals... I want to gain less weight than with my first pregnancy, take cooking classes, complete my studio space after the home reno, build more time for face-to-face friendship building and less digital/texting communication, and have more date nights or an anniversary trip.  Also bonuses for getting Rowan transitioned to 2 days of Parent's Day Out, 100% weaning, and 100% potty training! 

BRING IT ON, 2017!

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