In case you missed Heather’s reflection on our 2017 post, I have posted it here for you. I sometimes wish there were better words to describe our relationship with Heather. I truly do call her a friend. I do truly care about her and her family and wish them the very best. And I love that we can share advise with each other. She also is a huge inspiration to me. I remember when I ran my first half-marathon just before Jackson was born and the whole time I was running I kept telling myself, if she is going to carry a baby, deliver the baby, and give the baby to me, I can certainly run 13 miles. She inspires me to be a better person, a better wife and a better mom constantly. Here is to us Heather!

“Hope is the Only thing stronger than fear”.. I just love that Jessica!!
I also cannot believe 2017 has come and gone. I am so thrilled to be able to read your reflection on the year.

It makes my heart smile reading about Jackson’s milestones, and I feel you- its so hard watching your baby grow and not be a baby anymore. (baby Michael is starting little tantrums already! Feels like just yesterday he was a little peanut curled on my chest) I am also so excited for you – what lies in store for you as parents as Jackson becomes more of a “big boy”.. I just cannot wait to hear more as he grows!! I am so happy you started this blog, too. I am glad to hear JJ encouraged you to do this, and you did it! I want you to know that I will always be interested in what you have to say! I am also so excited to hear that you have been writing for different websites, and I am really proud of you for opening up yourself on this journey. You do touch the hearts of others, and I pray your openness always does that! I’m also so happy to hear that you are loving your home and neighborhood. & that the people around you are so kind and caring. Im glad to hear you enjoyed the time we have spent together just as much as I have. Also super happy to know that your parents are all doing well, and that the struggles throughout this year have brought you closer together and deeper in heart. Sounds like you had a great year, throughout all the struggles. You all got this! & Gods got you!!

2017 has been the most life changing, challenging year of my life!! I went into 2017 with absolutely NO hope at all, and was just so unhappy with my life. & This year was hard, painful, eye opening, and full of so many life changing events for my family. Coming into 2017, so many things in my life were sorta flipped upside down from how I desired them to be. My faith (I felt so apart from God), my personal love for myself, my family unit, my health, my relationships, my connection with my birth son and his family, my home, I can go on really…. Through the heaviness of it all, I am sooo grateful to look back on a year and see the difference this year has made, for the better. I can sit here in the early days of 2018, and am generally content with my life, and everything I’ve gained. FAITH is a big one, and its my foundation. I literally cling onto my faith with everything I have in me. STRENGTH.. Theres a saying by Bob Marley “you never know how strong you are, until being strong is your only choice.”… Hope. Hope. Hope. That’s why I love that quote you included, because I have gained so much hope in my heart this year. and The more HOPE I gained, the more FEAR melted away. Throughout this whole year, I wanted to believe that God would work everything out for my good. Throughout the year, Something “MORE” kept happening, and Romans 8:28 kind of explains what happened in my life, and my change of heart and mentality throughout this year. Everything in my life, now, seems to be flipped back or right where God intends it to be, for now.. & I believe he’s going to continue to work on me, my children & my family & I trust him, and I am excited and remain hopeful what 2018 has in store. About 5 years ago, I got tattoos on my feet. They are definitely goofy looking now, kind of worn and you can barely read what they say, but…. Anyways, one foot says, “Let Go” the other foot says, “Let God”… Pretty ironic I got a tattoo 5 years ago, but actually REALLY understood the meaning this past year. Let Go & Let God! I just feel abundantly blessed.

I want you to know how happy I am that our relationship grew this year. I am happy that I have been able to spend more time with you all, and have grown to know you more. I am happy that I had opportunities to give you advice. I am grateful for the advice you have given me. I am happy to know you. I am happy you look at me as a friend. I am happy to have you all in my life. I can go on and on… I love you all & am thankful for you! Looking forward to this new year!

She may shoot me for putting this picture up on the blog, but I think she is so beautiful!!!