Speaking of 2106

In 2016 I only wrote one blog post, and it isn't even a great one. In fact, if I were a teacher grading the quality of that post I would call it below average. I admit to being a slacker when it comes to my blog, but don't be fooled into thinking my one blog post was because I did not have a year worth recording. 2016 probably contained more change and chaos than most years I have known in my adult life.

I gained two beautiful nieces, inside and out. They have both added much light and love to our family. Speaking of my family, my children attended so many sporting events and practices that I don't even remember them all. Madison had basketball, softball, and track. Jaron had two basketball seasons (5th & 6th grade and junior high) and two baseball teams. Megan played big kid, coach pitch softball and a little basketball. I know our house contains more medals, trophies, ribbons, and team photos than it did in 2015.

Speaking of our house, after fourteen years of sharing our 100-year-old, 900-square-foot house, we bought a new one and moved. That statement is so simple to make but the process was considerably more complicated. It is more house than we wanted or needed, but it is on the family farm where Kevin has wanted to live since he was a small boy, and it already feels more like home than anywhere else we have been. Over the years I remember wishing for a spare corner or closet, and now I have two (yes, two!) spare bedrooms and eleven closets. Eleven. I love them. There will be many posts about the new house relative to the projects it brings to us and how much we are enjoying life in it.

Speaking of fourteen years, after fourteen years of working in the same job, not quite a month after moving into the new house, I attended a meeting on a random Wednesday afternoon where I learned my program and hours would be reduced by half. Most people would probably cut and run at this point (and I considered it), but the thing is, I love my job. I considered my options and looked into both full-time and part-time employment for the first time since graduating from college. I ended up substitute teaching on some of my days off until finding what my mom likes to call a "part-time full-time" job. So on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays I am directing the cardiac and pulmonary rehab programs for a hospital, and on Tuesdays and Thursdays I am working for a title company. It's really not as random as it sounds.

Speaking of my mom, she retired. Her retirement is treating me well! I had some doctor appointments and an outpatient procedure and she was able to go with me to all of that. I call her all hours of the day now. She and Dad made several trips to the new house to help out and she was there with me on moving day. Speaking of moving day, I will definitely write more about that. It was epic.

First Day of School 2016

2016 brought a lot of change and challenge to a girl who is most comfortable with the familiar. It brought Madison into high school and Jaron into junior high. My schedule has never been more hectic. My life has never felt more beyond my control. Although I spent a lot of time moving in different directions, and I may not have been very impressive with my blog, I am absolutely trying to do the best I can with my family, home, and career. I can tell you that sometimes it really wears me out. But it also fills me up. I noticed something pretty significant during a rare, quiet moment of 2016. I have never felt more content.