Today is the final day of 2016, and what a year it has been.  So many highs and lows… The highs being announcing Baby Dietrich 2.0, Bennett’s First Trip to Cali, Our 5 Year Wedding Anniversary Trip here & here, and of course Bennett’s First Birthday!  The lows being selling my childhood home in Houston, celebrating my dad’s 60th birthday without him, and basically just living a whole year without his laughter or hugs.  2016 has seriously been the hardest year of my life so far, and I’m glad it’s over.

On a happier note, I’m feeling so optimistic about 2017!  My cousin/ sister from another mister/ best friend, Kelly, recently got engaged (another high moment from 2016!!) and will be getting married in Hawaii in July, Baby Dietrich 2.0 will be born eventually ;)… maybe they will be a New Years Day baby?!? (mommy’s wishful thinking), Bennett will be starting pre-school when he turns 2, I plan to run a 5k for Mother’s Day (#goals), and my other best friend, Torey, will be welcoming her first baby (a girl!!) in May!  What a wonderful year 2017 will be!

When you think of all the hard times- disagreements with loved ones, work stress, construction problems/ delays, etc… it’s all so petty.  I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else, with anyone else… going through life with my wonderful family and small group of close friends is exactly what makes me happy.  Life is hard, and the older I get, the more I realize how important the support from these relationships are to me.  In 2017, I hope to build on these relationships, become a rock for others like they have been for me, I want to be someone very reliable in any situation whether it’s just for a quick phone call or something more serious like a hospital visit.  What it all comes down to is…

I want to be more like my dad.  That’s my goal for 2017.

I hope you all have a wonderful New Years!