2016.

2016 was a year of ups and downs, like every year. It brought new hurdles, like every other year does. I dealt with a lot of heartbreak, firsts without people I loved, and I tried to find my happiness in life again.

I felt my heart break more than once.
I left two "jobs," but really I left nuggets that I loved with all of my heart.
I struggled with making decisions (I hope that improves with time).
I continue to compare my behind-the-scenes with everybody else's highlight reel.

BUT.

I flew on a plane by myself for the first time.
I graduated with my first college degree (debt-free!) and started working towards my second.
I went to a bachelorette party for the first time.
I turned 20. (And had a mini mid-life crisis over it...)
I went to a couple of concerts.
I gave up social media a few times for a mental break.
I learned that facing something that scares you right away, saves a lot of anxiety and stress (something I'm still working on.)
I went on three separate four-wheeling trips with the ones I love.
I completed another year of teaching Sunday School, and started a new one.
I accepted my first "big-girl" (more permanent) job 5 months before I was needed.
I decided to go back to college to finish my second degree and leave said new job for after college.
I became a godmother to the most amazing little peanut.
I realized that I enjoy time on my own--taking drives or silence--and really need it.
I started to become a morning person🙈 (shh don't tell anyone!)
I drove the combine, the truck, the chopper, ripper, and chisel plow all by myself.
I drove a forklift, skidsteer, and payloader.
I voted in a presidential election.
I realized just how important my friends are--I left some behind and found some new ones.
I spent time at the lake, the fair, the races, and Birch Coulee.
I went to the cities countless times to visit my best friend and her girls.
I tried Japanese, coffee, and countless other things for the very first time.
September marked two years without pop.
I enjoy a simple life much more than a busy one.
I find joy in the little things--beeswings, sunsets, fresh cookies.
I took the steps necessary to get a home daycare license.
I became closer by talking with my dad more often.
I wrote about my day, every single day--all 366 of them.
I made more time for friends and family, but definitely not enough.
I realized just how okay I am on my own.
I started my plan to read my bible in a year.

Here's to 2017. Another year that will surely be filled with ups and downs.
A year where I pray that making decisions isn't such a struggle.
A year to graduate college with my second college degree.
A year to spend more time on my faith and with God.
A year to laugh, to cry, to smile, to love.
A year to go on more four-wheeling trips.
            to make more time for family and friends.
            to be spontaneous.
            to do less comparing and more encouraging.

I would say that 2016 was a pretty successful year. It didn't come without tears, but it was definitely an important year.