Since its still January, I feel like it is ok to still reflect on the past year and look ahead to the future.
Some would say 2016 was a terrible year, but for us it will probably be remembered as one of the most amazing.
Welcoming Isaac into the world was the best day of our lives and that alone give 2016 the title of Best Year. I cant imagine what our lives would be like without him. He has recently started walking and getting into more trouble than ever, but to make up for it he says “mama” and “dada” and gives hugs. There is nothing like baby hugs!
No one can ever truly prepare you for a baby. No one prepares you for the feelings you will have when you have a baby. We were discussing this in our Bible study today and our leader says “until you see that sweet face you can never believe it when people warn you about how you will feel.” No one prepares you for how your life will change. No one prepares you for how your ideas on parenting will change. There are so many things that change.
There are areas we have had to loosen up on and others that we have held firm to. Since people find it hard to believe, yes, we are still cloth diapering, yes, we still say no to plastic toys, yes, he still doesn't watch tv at home (we did have to allow dads in the car to combat the screaming), and yes, he still nurses. The areas we have loosened up in are the areas that push us farther into the realm of natural/attachment parenting, but that is a whole other discussion.
This year we set goals for ourselves to become healthier and more conscious about our choices. I am proud to say we have done very well. It seems that every time we reach a goal, we push that goal farther, so I see that as a success.
Possibly the second best thing to happen this year was we bought a farm! I set my secret goal of purchasing land and then hoping one day to build, but we were blessed to be able to buy our land with a house and move in on December 23. It was the best Christmas gift we could have given ourselves.
I am still debating this year’s goals, but if 2017 is a quarter as good as 2016 it will be a great year!
