2018

I don't think I've ever been so pumped about a year of my life.  We are richly blessed and I felt it in full force this past year.

The (very randomly selected) highlights:

JANUARY:  We shoveled our dang North-facing home far too much, and Ivy looked precious in her snow gear.

FEBRUARY: I think February is a yucky winter month I choose to not remember (or photograph...), BUT I did get more into my instant pot!  I do love it and think everyone should get into it.

MARCH: Ivy and I tried out a new library and our minds were blown with our new favorite one.

APRIL: Scott left his old job and started his business. It's been a long process and requires endless (well, hopefully not endless haha) patience, but the whole family is thriving with more work life balance. I feel like we're finally on the same team rather than compartmentalizing our lives so much. We are hoping for more progress to speak of in 2019.

MAY: We started/continued our most successful garden ever.  We also put in a lot of work landscaping the back yard.

JUNE: Ivy became a toddler (and two-year-old). She is smart and hilarious and we love her so much. It's no secret that becoming a parent was the worst transition of my life, but 2018 brought so much joy in our family life.

JULY: - We vacationed in Oahu and dream of going back as soon as possible. We also went to Alpine, WY.

AUGUST: We lived our best summer lives playing in the sprinklers, barbecuing constantly, and I painted Ivy's toenails for the first time.  This became our new Sunday morning ritual.  I also picked 4,000 zucchini.

SEPTEMBER: We really packed in the family outings and adventures.  Many trips to parks, the canyon, Arctic Circle, and Sonic.  I made  the mistake of having a pizza picnic and now Ivy thinks we can no longer eat pizza unless it's on the floor on a blanket.

OCTOBER: Halloween was most definitely the highlight of Ivy's life thus far.  She continues to pray that we can go trick-or-treating in her morning prayers every day.

NOVEMBER: We celebrated Thanksgiving in Texas and had the best time ever.  Ivy slept and behaved like a real-live human, and it was the least stressful out-of-state trip I've ever been on.

DECEMBER: It's true what they say, kids (age 2 and up) make the holidays magical.  I can't remember a better Christmas season.