Can you believe that 2018 is drawing to a close? The first half of the year seemed to drag on as I continued slugging through my 3rd pregnancy, but once Jonah was born time just sped right up, and now here we are. Truly the older I get, the faster time flies, and it breaks my heart a little bit, sometimes. But at the same time, I’m thrilled to be starting a new year. If you’ve been reading long, you know that I love new beginnings, and this feels like the best one yet.

Reflecting back on 2018 is an interesting time. The feelings I felt during my pregnancy seem like a dream, yet I remember them so vividly. And adding Jonah to our family has been perfection, although 3 young kids is no small feat! I won’t lie, I kind of gave up on my PowerSheets and goals this year, and I totally forgot about my word of the year sometimes, but at the end of 2018, I can honestly say I am feeling grateful. No huge goals were accomplished this year (except keeping 3 kids alive, ha!) and not too much progress was made in measurable aspects. But it was a good year, filled with a lot of fun and love, and for that, I am grateful.

We added the sweetest baby boy to our family, and I experienced a dream recovery.

We were able to go on a wonderful family vacation.

I read a lot.

I did a lot of thinking and praying, and while I received some answers, some things are still a little muddied, which I’ve learned is ok.

Kyle and I also celebrated 8 years of marriage, and boy, am I grateful for him.

I received the cute dolman sleeve top I’m wearing in the pictures featured in this post from Pink Blush and I could not love it more. Cute tops are a must-have for me, and I could not wait to get this one on my body and take some photos in it! I haven’t always loved to take photos, but this year, I’ve really found a love for it, and for myself – and it doesn’t hurt that this top is so flattering. My sweet friend Bree took the photos for me last week, and once she sent them over to me, I loved looking over them. My prenatal depression sucked the life out of me, and I remember last Christmas feeling very apathetic and ornery about everything. The Christmas season was not the fun, and I really struggled. This year, hallelujah, I’m happy and myself again, and these pictures show it. Sure I didn’t meet as many health goals as I would have liked, and we haven’t fallen into a routine quite as easily as I had hoped, but I am happy. And that’s all that matters to me right now.

I’ve learned that happiness is paramount over everything. And you can really make the best out of every situation you are in. Depression kicked me down, but I got back up and came back into the world with a smile on my face, and that is reason enough to smile as 2018 closes.

2018 was a good year – lows and highs were experienced (as they are with any year) – but I am so excited to see what 2019 has coming, and to truly make it my best year yet.

Cheers to that!