Hey Guys!

It's been a while since one of my regular old "hey guys!" posts, so here we are. Although there were many partnered posts throughout 2016, I really did try to check in with some simple personal posts as well, and I'd like to do the same in 2017. I'm very grateful that this space allows me to support my family through teaming up with brands and companies I genuinely love, but I also always want it to feel authentic and real - because it is. Social media may be the place for quick personal check ins these days, but this blog remains my baby and my home.

That said, it's been quite a start to 2017 you guys. I've briefly mentioned this a few times, but starting a couple of days before Christmas I got the worst case of the flu of my life. It took me about three weeks to feel completely normal. And in those three weeks, both of my kids got it, my mother got, Robbie's parents who flew all the way here from Arizona to come to Emmett's birthday party got it and couldn't come, and Robbie, Essley, Emmett, and I, along with my sister, brother in law, and dad, got the stomach flu as well. (I mean, you can't make this stuff up.) There were three hospital visits and all sorts of missed events (from Emmett's birthday party to New Years Eve plans a year in the making to Essley's birthday party, which ended up being canceled completely), and it was just, well, a lot. Everybody gets sick this time of year but this was truly excessive. I was so ready to say goodbye to 2016 that I refuse to admit that 2017 started on a bad note because I don't want to jinx it. I'm just telling myself that 2016 ended badly and the crappy start to 2017 was just the lingering effects because it's actually going to be amazing.

Health issues aside, life is good. This is the time of year where Robbie begins to be gone pretty nonstop again, and I have a hard time with winter weather, but January (my least favorite month) is almost half way over, and after February comes the month where spring begins - and there is something about having that to look forward to that brings me a sense of peace. Truly, the day I walk into the store and first see the seasonal section full of seeds and gardening stuff and outdoor furniture (which is admittedly many, many weeks before anyone is using them around here) makes me feel renewed and excited. It's a great feeling, and I can't wait for that.

I'll check in with you all again soon. And as always, you can find lots of updates over on my Instagram.

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