Sunday, January 1, 2017

Life, Loss, Love in 2016: A Year in Review

Hey Y'all! HAPPY TWENTY-FREAKIN-SEVENTEEN! As you know, I said on social media, that I was done with the year in review posts...well, one can never be too reflective, right?

I've had plenty of time today, even after sleeping way past what one would consider "sleeping in," to think about the past, the present and the future. Time to ask myself, what will my New Year resolutions be? Will I have any this year? Time to ask myself what will I do differently or the same in 2017 as in 2016?? Time to decide which seven foods I will eat on my first month of Seven: An Experimental Mutiny Against Excess by Jen Hatmaker, that I'll be doing with my friends Julie, Caitlin and Theresa?? Time to think about this blog and my lack of commitment to it. I've arrived at conclusions about all of the above, but tonight I'll focus on this blog. ;)

I've decided one of my goals will be to prioritize this blog. I've had it for several years now, but I don't keep up with it enough to even fathom anyone else keeping up with it. I'm not going to put myself in a box (I tend to that at times) and say I'll update every week, but I am committing to just blogging more. I enjoy it; it's therapeutic for me, and after 2016, well, I down right need a place for that in this life of mine! :)

If you're still with me, I've decided to do my life in pictures for 2016. I've gone back through my very organized FB albums and have found the highs and lows of this year and here they are.

January
New Year's Day 2016 at River Road Ice House
 We found out that these precious friends were going to add a baby girl to their family. 
I got to have these two crazies as my dates to our high school friend Nut's wedding and they turned another year older...see picture below. 

February
It's safe to say, that even in this whirlwind of a life that I live, that February was one of the hardest months of my life. There were a series of events that the devil threw at me that were inconvenient: car trouble, fractured foot, ongoing case of impetigo, but as annoying as these things were; they were simply inconvenient first world problems. The hardest part was hands down the sudden loss of my mom. This time in my life showed me that life is fleeting and memories are priceless. That the best kinds of friends are the ones who show up, even when it's not convenient. It showed me that my momma really did the best with the hand she was dealt and made me realize that I will live the rest of my life doing the same to honor her. This month, as unbearably painful as it was at times, showed me that my tribe is the BEST and that I am not alone; between God, my family and my friends, I am not alone. The photos for this month, they don't need captions.



A highlight of this month being married to my Russell for 1 year.

March



 Russell and I, with the help of his dad, had the opportunity to go to Guanajuato for Spring Break to visit Brandon, Cata and Alicia, which couldn't have been at a more perfect time. It was one of the coolest experiences of my life so far. 
My Sweet Caroline's Bach Bash on the River Walk was one of my favorite March memories.
Any time I spend with this sweet girl and her family is time well spent. :) 

April
The best part of April was watching Caroline and Tom get married. :)



We also celebrated the life of our momma at the butterfly release in Beaumont; it was beautiful. 

May
May was pretty chill; you'll find no complaining from me when that happens though. 
 Cinco de Mayo with these sweet girls and...
Hopi came to visit!!! :) 

June
I ended the school year with some quality time with these sweet kiddos.
Oh yeah and I got a new job! 
 I watched my best friend shine teaching PD.
I can't forget about 'Buelo's Beach! This tradition is by far one of my favorites! 
July

At the beginning of July, we went to Chicago to visit Brandon, Cata and Alicia and had the best time! 

We also celebrated Brent's life in true Brent fashion: floating and a Texas Country concert at Whitewater. 
Summer hasn't happened if you haven't seen Turnpike or our Astros play. :)


BONUS: Getting to hang out with our sweet, little Landry and her momma!
Oh yeah, and I bought a new car! 

At the end of the month, Julie, Lindsay and I set off for the adventure of our lives, and it did not disappoint. 



#esteswithmybestest was the bestest ;)
 August


I said, "See you later!" to my sweet WCH babies and Russell and I made the move to New Braunfels. 


Also, I was lucky enough to have a Teacher Fellows Cohort 19 reunion.
I ended August with school starting at RCES with these precious ladies!

September


College football is BACK! Russell and I loved cheering on the Longhorns with these two!

 One of my favorite memories of the fall, was our trip to the Frio with these precious friends. 

We can't forget about out Bobcats!


October
With October, came my 10 Year Class Reunion. I know what you're thinking, I don't look old enough to have been out of school for 10 years?! We also made it to another TXST game; we're working on being good alumni. ;)



This could quite possibly be my favorite picture of Russell and me! 

We rounded out October with probably the biggest surprise Hopi has ever had! It was perfect! 



November

 We participated in the 2nd Annual Brent Lewis Bridges Crossfit Fundraiser. 


We had the wurst time at Wurstfest two different times and if we weren't sure already, we love our new town! 

 Leaning Pear dates with these two have been one of my favorite things this fall!

We ended November with crazy Texas weather (as usual) and Thanksgiving with our families. It's been a rough year, but we still have so much to be grateful for. 

December
To save you reading like 20 captions, December brought with it WassailFest, my birthday, the Jingle Bell Run, Turnpike, Lindsay and Patrick got ENGAGED and the holidays with our families. :)













366 days later, we're right back where we started; together on NYE at River Road. I'm so grateful for this husband of mine and the love he shows me daily.

If you've made it this far,  thanks for sticking with me! While I was ready for the stroke of midnight well before it happened last night, I couldn't help but reflect on my life and the precious relationships that make my heart feel so full every day. I miss my momma more than words can explain, and I have no idea what the future holds, but I for one, am ready to see! 

Alright 2017, here's looking at you. May we have more happy moments than sad moments. May we recognize the day to day moments are moments to be grateful for. 

-APB

"The purpose of life is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for a newer and richer experiences." ~Eleanor Roosevelt