I can’t believe it’s almost over.
I know a lot of people think of 2016 as a pretty crappy year. In terms of pop culture and politics, yeah, it wasn’t that great. But in my personal life? Although it had it’s hardships, It was a pretty good year and I’m so thankful.
We ended up traveling a lot this year! We got 2 separate vacations which is unheard of for us! We spent a week in Balboa Island, my favorite place in the world.
Sawyer and I took a short trip with my family to Arizona to visit my grandparents
I got accepted as an official Legoland blogger and we went to Legoland!
We spent a week in sunny San Diego!
And we took the weekend before Thanksgiving to go on a quick 2 day trip to Breckenridge with my inlaws.
Sawyer turned 1!
We finally bought a new car!
Unfortunately, it was also the year we lost a pregnancy. My miscarriage taught me a lot. A lot about loss, a lot about faith, a lot about strength, and a lot about what I want for my family. I definitely, definitely, want at least two kids. No matter the preeclampsia risks.
We found ourselves as a family. We found our groove in parenting. We learned how to discipline, how to shop and cook for 3, how to sleep train, we learned how to budget, we learned how to live with less, we learned how to prioritize.
I learned a lot about running my own business. I learned a lot about writing, social media, marketing, and photography.
I learned how to turn this passion into profit. And because of that, we were able to put a dent in Sawyer’s hospital bills and buy a new car.
When I first started this journey, I was taking pictures with my iphone and blogging on a tumblr page. Now, I own my own site, have a whole slew of photography and editing equipment, even an assistant who helps me out from time to time. I run this whole thing. From writing every post, designing the website itself, negotiating deals and emailing back and forth with companies, doing all my photography and editing, running my social media, promoting my content, and more.
I don’t say that to brag or draw attention to myself, I say that so people will understand how much work I put into this. And because I’m so proud of how far I’ve come and what I’ve been able to do with just my little hobby. All by myself. I don’t get a lot of days off, but I do get to be home more with my family, and I love what I do.
Than you guys for reading and supporting. All Things Lovely wouldn’t be much of anything if nobody read it, and for what it’s become, I’m so grateful. The Lord has taught me so much this year. As much as I love blogging, it is not my first priority, nor can it ever me. God and my relationship with Him always comes first, then my family and friends, then my job, then my blog. It seems kind of low on the totem pole, but in the grand scheme of things, it’s one of the most important things in my life.
I can’t wait for 2017 and the opportunity and adventures it will bring. What was your favorite part of this year? Comment below!
xoxo.