Saturday, December 31, 2016

Farewell, 2016

Here we are again, face-to-face with another new year! I know my posting has been sporadic at best lately, but I certainly couldn't let tonight pass by without reflecting on the year that is now so near its end.

2016 has gotten a pretty bad rap in the last few months, seemingly at least in the general public opinion. I can get on board with that to an extent - 2016 certainly brought some struggles for friends and family, our country seems to be in a very unsettled place, and personally, my kids have been non-stop sick (leaving me non-stop stressed) for the past two months. So, I'm ready to start fresh and hope 2017 ushers in a healthier vibe!

But for our family, really, 2016 has been a pretty great year. In addition to all the usual fun of travel, birthdays and other memory-making, 2016 brought answers to questions that have been hanging in the air for us for years. Eric has finally found a career that both satisfies him and challenges him. For the first time, he can envision doing this work long-term and I love hearing him talk excitedly about it. That answer brought about another: we're staying Jacksonville indefinitely. We've moved to our house that we love, joined our church, and are settling in and making friends. At last!

It's a strange feeling to be sitting here on New Year's Eve and not thinking and writing about all the potential for change that lies ahead of us in the new year. I suppose that potential is always there, to an extent, but for the first time in many years, I think I know where we will be next year at this time and what we will be doing. Our big uncertainties have been resolved and now we're just enjoying the life that is coming together for us.


VIDEO: A look back at our year in 2016

2017 does promise some big things for us, too: our tenth wedding anniversary; Ellie's fifth birthday (WHAT) and the start of kindergarten; E.J. starting preschool; a trip to the Cayman Islands; several weddings to attend; increased work responsibility for Eric. And that's just what we know about! I think it's going to be great.

So, friends, regardless of how you feel about 2016, I hope tonight you feel at peace and filled with hope for the year to come. It's a fresh start! Let's enjoy, shall we?

Happy 2017, all!

Signing off for 2016,

Meghan