Hello 2017

2016 was an amazing year. Brian had his incredible job with GOAL for most of the year. Katie started her homeschool program in January 2016, which means we've been loving that for 12-months and still going strong. I learned and grew so much in my job. It feels like a lifetime ago that I wrote for the Standard Examiner, but in reality, 2016 was the year I let my writing career go after 17 wonderful years. It makes me feel old to say I worked in any field for that long.

In the first half of 2016 Isaac completed 4th grade. He had the most amazing teacher and she helped our family in so many ways. We will never forget Mrs. Hunsaker. We also met a new psychiatrist and have been on a journey of discovering medications to help Isaac have a good life. I never thought I would be a parent who would put her children on medication for behavior. I am always humbled when I judge something before I have gone through it. I judge a lot less than I use to.

2016 is the year when my path through years of babysitting challenges grew into one of my greatest blessings. I now count it as one of God's greatest gifts that Isaac and Katie's best friends (two of the children I watch) get to play with them after school every day. It is special that Isaac can have a BFF who he has everything in common with in light of how difficult it is for him to make friends otherwise. It is also a gift that Katie has a built in playdate with a beautiful BFF every day now that she has less interaction with peers due to homeschool.

Sophie rocked AP European History and Ian excelled on teaching himself to play the electric bass.

After a long lull in my passion for exercise (two years?), I finally found my way back in 2016 and I have been loving my sporadic yoga class attendance. I even made a brief stab at running before it got so cold and I have joined my friend Dori on a couple of winter hikes. Winter hikes are exhilarating!

2016 was full of warmth, friendships, growth and fun. The presidential election was difficult. Brian's job loss at the end of November was painful. Looking forward from both of those events and feeling optimistic that 2017 has more incredible things in store. Happy New Year!