My take on 2017

Well, you saw it coming! An end of the year post recapping my 2017. One of the most challenging & heartbreaking years of my life. But also, one of the happiest, and most memorable.

The beginning months of the year definitely started off rocky. I received so much harassment from strangers and pushed myself back in a downward spiral of depression. I fought that, battle after battle, and decided to change EVERY aspect of my life for a fresh and healthy new beginning. I said goodbye to the first love of my life, soccer. I went through many jobs to find a place where I was happy and felt like I belonged. Many goodbyes were said to people who were more toxic than helpful to my life, and even had a few people do the same to me (ouch). I pushed through my social anxiety as Brent and I went through THREE ward changes in less than 6 months. Three moves. TONS of battles both with my emotional & physical health, and more "little" battles with myself that almost every girl has. (marriage weight, money struggles, comparison, etc) Now that we got through the downside, let me tell you about the high notes of the year! I was introduced to SO MUCH GOOD!I continued on my path of going back to church, gained a Temple recommend after 4 YEARS, and went inside of the Temple to receive my endowments! A month later, I married and became sealed to the love of my life. We traveled to several different States together and were blessed to have visited the #1 beach in the USA for our honeymoon! Celebrated several marriages, a family reunion, and the birth of my first beautiful niece, Sage. We adopted a dog, and Brent accepted an amazing job offer with an awesome insurance agency. (WOOT WOOT!)

Needless to say, this year was very eventful and very busy. However, no matter how much good, bad, or in between, I would not have had my 2017 go any other way. Simply because this year went the way it did for me, for a purpose. Are there things I wish I did better or things I wish I had done? SURE! But that will not stop me from looking back at 2017 smiling.

Because of all of the hardship, I was able to experience the immense joy that is felt from climbing back up and deciding to keep going. I grew because of the struggles I faced. And I was blessed because of the faith that I maintained throughout the year.I am so thankful for the joy I have experienced this year from the relationships created, strengthened, and that are continuing to develop.

I look forward to this upcoming year, and for the experiences, lessons, and joys to come!

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I challenge YOU to look at your 2017, and be proud of yourself. You made it! No matter what obstacles came your way, you made it. May your new year be wonderful, and may it be full of blessings!

Please remember to make smart decisions celebrating the new year! Drive safely and if you do, drink responsibly! ❤️ Happy New Year everyone!