Favorites from 2016

It's been so refreshing to read about how people's 2016 were wonderful and unforgettable and the best yet.  I love hearing about how people are happy and doing well.

My 2016 was definitely one for the books (aka my tell-all memoir one day), but it was also one of the hardest years of my life. Many nights were spent falling asleep in tears and waking up in the middle of the night with too much on my mind.

Plans didn't work out (the way I wanted them to) and I felt like I didn't follow my intuition on a few big decisions.  With all that said....2016 gave me the greatest life lessons......to enjoy the journey and not worry so much about the destination, and to follow my intuition even if that means putting myself in an uncomfortable situation.  It also forced me to realize all the many things I have been blessed with.  And there are so many things I've been blessed with!

2016 did have it's great moments, though...of course it did!  Every year does. Here are some of mine and also some random things/products/pictures I enjoyed throughout the year.

This guy.  Charlie is an oldest child by nature and he has saved me in so many ways this year. During the summer, when I would run to the bathroom to throw up from morning sickness, he would come in, rub my back, and then make his brothers a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Honestly this kid was born a good kid.  He has received several awards this year that have made my momma heart burst open (literally crying in the car after his awards ceremonies from being so proud).  He was able to go out on the RailHawks soccer team field to accept his award this fall and his school had an assembly recognizing just a few kids from each grade.  Love him.

Ok, this is a major shift, but this Living Proof Humidity Shield Spray is the stuff! (Honestly, I'd probably buy any hair product Jennifer Anniston endorsed...but this really is great.) Have you noticed that the bulk of hair bloggers live in Utah??!  Yeah...well they don't have to deal with humidity.  If you live anywhere in the South, this is necessary.

^Love the firefighter's photo bomb in the back...they were great with the kids!

Since moving, I have a list of pros and cons of our new area (each area comes with them, right?!)  The top of my pro list would have to be Walker's preschool. My friend, Anna, (who I refer to as my life coach since moving...she's amazing) introduced me to this school. I can't say enough great things about it.  They are loving, structured, and so on-the-ball.  One of my favorite things in life is to go on school field trips with my kids....I kid you not-I love it so much....and this picture was from Walker's trip to the fire station in the early fall.  He is the sunshine in my soul and has been a great joy to me throughout this year.

Another slightly creepy shift....but this show- The People vs. OJ Simpson- was stellar.  One of the best shows I've seen in a really long time.  Noel and I both really enjoyed it and it was fun to watch it together and talk about it afterwards.  Time spent on phone during this show= 0 minutes.  Also...Sterling Brown (who is now starring in the show This is Us) is crazy good in this.

This year, I started back into teaching and choreographing after a year or so of only guest teaching.  I just finished up choreographing the 2nd Act of the Nutcracker for my company girls and that was such a treat.  The studio is definitely one of my happy places.

Seeing the show is still on my bucket list, but Hamilton is everything.  I've watched every interview, documentary, and am currently reading the book just put out by Lin Manuel Miranda....I can't put it down. My boys also love the music and I can't help but think every time I listen to it how outstanding it really is and all the creativity and pure genius that was put into creating it.

Ohhh buddy....if there ever was a momma's boy, you are looking at him.  He is my heart and I can't go for a minute without wanting to eat him up.  Crew boo has hit so many milestones this year and has brought so much laughter and love in our home.

All these guys.  I've realized this year, more than any other year, that at the end of the day, your family is all that really matters.  I have a chalkboard in my living room that I write a different quote on every now and then and right now it says, "Taking time for each other is the key for harmony at home." The quote is by President Dieter Uchtdorf and I love the reminder that it gives me.  Despite our busy, changing, and hectic schedules, we've enjoyed a lot of precious time together this year...the 5 of us....and look forward to adding baby sister to our family this year!

Happy New Year, my friends!

Also, today I'm linking up with my friend, Helene!