Year in Review

Whoa, it's here. My annual write up of what's all gone on with the world on on our side of the street. My year in review.

It's a new street this time. The third street since I started writing this blog. It's a new house with new friends and new neighbors.

And still lots of the old friends, too.

It was a year of personal growth for Hubs and me. We took time to investigate us...what happens when I'm anxious...what happens when he's over-stressed. We looked at what it means to be us and how that comes together. Insightful - somewhat challenging - a little painful - and truly rewarding.

I love this guy and I love being married to him.

Which got us to 10 years this year. How did a decade of "I DO" go by so fast? He's my other part. He's my people.

We celebrated 10 in Atlanta to start - cause y'all know that while my BFF is mine....he adores her, too. And her husband. And we had a ball. And then we took the party to Europe - with our friends- and traipsed from one side of the Med to the other. We waited 5 years for that trip and it was ahhhhmaaazzzing. Oh, let me tell you.

We lost some friends this year - because life just takes those turns. We've said to good bye to friendships - and hello to more. We relish in the fact that we evolve. Because the good Lord does grant us people that add so much to our lives - front yard, back yard and all the yards in between.

We took some family trips - we found new adventures with passports in to Canada - and the hopes of what could come in the year ahead.

The kiddos started a new school. I wish that it was all roses and sunshine, but God also gives us some good challenges to show us what we're made of - that we can rely on his blessings. We can find peace in a culture of anxiety...we can find joy under pressure. We can get surprised at all we learn from church (which I did) and all we learn from listening and sharing.

But it is in the moment of "now" that I find that I really did soar. My wishes tomorrow night will talk of finding my happy spot.

I'm tickled to say the girl I remember - being so full of joy - she's coming back. If 2016 was the year of being a duck and letting it go, then 2017 was going to be all about breathing in and out. And dang, if I didn't get it better.

Not right. Right is too hard.

But I got it better.

I hiccuped along the way - but don't I always? I lost my voice and my desire to write for a while. I can't say I've found it all back. In fact, I found Instagram, and I like it. It's pushing me back to photography, which I like. But the joyful me who laughs more than she cries...she''s back. Ahhhh.

So.

It's not the year in review I thought I'd write - because I'm hitting the end of 2017 in probably the most peaceful, zen-like spot I've ever been.

Old dog still learning more new tricks?

Heck ya.

Now, if I could figure out how to cover up my grey hair....ah, a project for the year ahead!

Just kidding. Mostly.

But to my children, who I do honestly write all this for - I love you. I'm so proud to be your mother. I love what yo bring to my life.

And 20 years from now when you're doing NYE on your own somewhere - I hope you have a solid group of friends to share the day with. I hope you make wishes and hopes for yourself - written down on scraps of paper, tucked in envelopes to be read the following year. I hope you have great food, good music, a full glass, many toasts, a wiser heart and a mind open to what ever life may bring you. I hope that has you turn from 2037 to 2038....you stop for just a moment to count your blessings, thank God daily for them, that you live generously and with compassion. That you'll learn from your mistakes and never stop trying. You are wholly and dearly loved.

You are my sunshines...here's to 2018.
Love to all,
Me.