Happy New Year y’all. I cannot believe 2017 has come and gone, just like that. I know I have mentioned that 2017 has probably been the most challenging of my adult life. That is not even a stretch from the truth, it really has been. But there has also been a lot of good that has come out of 2017,  let’s reflect back for a little bit.

One, Jackson got rid of his pacifier. Who wouldn’t count that as a blessing!! He also got out of his baby crib and into a “big boy” bed! And he also became potty trained. Wow, he is growing up right before our very eyes. In fact the other day he got himself out of bed, went to the bathroom, got underwear out of his dresser and came downstairs, all by himself. I may have had a small breakdown, as you slowly realize you are needed less and less. Ugh, I can only wait for next year when he will go to school. This momma will be the one following him down the hall, into his classroom, and may just spend the rest of the day there!

Two, I started this blog. My husband has been telling me for years to start a blog and I brushed him off because I didn’t think I had anything to talk about that anyone was interested in listening to. Well, in hindsight I have a lot to talk about and I guess I have a lot who want to listen. So thank you to all of my followers. Thank you for allowing me to be a part of your journey or at the very least thank you for allowing me to share with you our journey. I also had no clue what it would do to our relationship with Heather. I had no idea how close it would bring us. If I would have known that I would have done it a long time ago! But of course like many things in life hindsight is 20/20. So for now I will just treasure what we have and keep telling ya all about it.

Three. We sold our house and moved into a townhouse.  We did this for many reasons but mainly so Jackson would be in a better school district. Oh man, the things you do for your children! We also were not in love with our house. It was a house not a home. So much had happened at the end of 2016 and the beginning of 2017 in our lives that we needed a clean slate. We needed a better place to call home. And let me tell you, it has been one of the best things of the year. Our neighborhood is amazing. We have met some of the nicest people in the world. In fact, two houses down lives Bonnie, oh sweet Bonnie. Who, when Jackson had a sore throat a few weeks back, went to McDonald’s (she goes everyday, it is right down the street from our house) to buy Jackson a milkshake. Because don’t you all know a milkshake will help a sore throat. Well, when Bonnie got back Bonnie wasn’t too happy. The milkshake machine was not working and the new girl (because Bonnie knows them all) didn’t know how to fix it so she got him just a dish of ice cream and proceeded to give JJ $3 so he could buy Jackson a milkshake at a different McDonald’s. Oh she is just the sweetest. Of course that doesn’t include the neighbors that brought us puzzles for Jackson, or the neighbors that let us borrow their bounce house for Jackson’s birthday party or the neighbor that gave Jackson a bike or the other neighbor that gave Jackson a scooter. I am telling you, it is just the nicest little neighborhood. And right along side of that I have been doing some freelance writing for adoption.com. Of course when they are published works, I will let you know. Until then I will just keep these fingers typing.

Four. We started some amazing new traditions with Jackson’s birth-family. Which we hope to continue as long as the Lord lets us. Of course this included our camping trip this last summer. Which we have already talked about setting a date for next year and my parents are also coming next year. There is just something I love about camping. Well there are a lot of things I love about camping but there is something even more spectacular when you are doing it with your son’s birth-family. It brings joy to my heart and tears to my eyes just thinking about it! Of course we hope to make our Christmas get together an annual tradition as well.  And who knows what else 2018 will have in store for us.

Lastly, we are all here to celebrate a new year together. Having almost lost one of my parents this year I seem to have a new outlook on life, or at least on relationships. I wasn’t and am not ready to lose either of my parents or for that fact anyone else in my life. I know it is the circle of life but I just am not ready. So we will enjoy every moment we can with every single member of our family.

Until 2018 graces us with her presence, be in the present! (Of course I wrote this with every intention of posting it before the new year, but I didn’t!!)