I was going to tell you about my wins for the year, but instead I made a list

I knew coming into 2017 that it was going to be incredible. At five months pregnant, I had high expectations of a year filled with all of the joy that a new baby brings. Thankfully 2017 did not disappoint. From my daughter turning out to be the best big sister ever, seeing my husband fall in love with our son, to connecting in real life with family and friends, growing the Courage to Earn community, and working on some really cool creative projects, this year will be hard to top.

There’s a lot of accomplishments and highlights that I had planned to share from the year. I was going to do a list like I did in 2016 of my top moments. But, now that I’ve pulled out my computer and I’m sitting down to write, something else is on my heart.

You know, this is the first year in a long time that my family didn’t face any huge tragedies. There are so many people in my world, in the world, who were not so fortunate. As thankful as I am for a year full of blessings, I know that at any time the tides can turn, and we could be facing hard times. Whether it’s a natural disaster, or one of the manmade kind, we never really think it can happen to us—until it does.

I’m not being a pessimist at all. In fact, it’s the opposite. Since I know there is so much that I can’t control, I’m focusing on being better with the things I can.

In 2018, I am going to:

See my family and friends in person.

Be kind.

Think about how it will make someone else feel before I speak.

Get more good sleep.

Hug my children and tell them I love them every day.

Sow into my husband and make him feel supported.

Turn off my computer.

Read the Bible.

Pray.

Listen to audiobooks.

Volunteer.

Cook dinner every night. Or at least order out good food.

Drink hot tea in the morning.

Send letters in the mail.

Put my phone on DND when I’m driving.

Turn down the music when my daughter gets in the car after school so we can talk.

Find a hobby.

Dance more. A lot more.

Master a twist out on my new postpartum grade of hair.

Not complain (as much) about breastfeeding.

Drink lots of water—sparkling and non.

Pay my library fine.

Text my friends funny jokes and memes.

Not apologize for crying.

Keep my phone charged to 50%.

Take more and better pictures.

Pause to watch the sun set on my balcony.

Be joyful.

I want to encourage you to do the same thing. Focus on making the most of the things you can control. Do what you can to make the world better for others around you. Don’t be afraid to live.

Thank you!

Thank you to all of you, folks who read and engage with my stories, for the positive energy you send my way. It makes a huge difference in my life, and my family and I are both better because of it.

Happy New Year! So much love to you and yours!