2017 in Review

2017 has been a year of change, but one that I am exceedingly thankful for. Some heartache, but a lot of hope and healing. I’m walking in to 2018 excited and ready to make it the best year yet!

Here’s reviewing 2017, with a #LifeLesson or two thrown in.

In January, Kevin and I took our second trip to Seattle to teach a class and speak at a show for our friend Brook. We were able to take a week of vacation and spend time experiencing Seattle, solidifying our love for the PNW. We also made our first visit to Snoqualmie Falls!

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March was a great month! Kangabloo was able to work on a great project for the Conway Area Chamber of Commerce with our friends at Eric, Rob, & Isaac. The photo on the left is from their annual meeting, where this project was unveiled. We are really excited (and out of focus!) in this photo because Kevin also passed his oral exams and became a licensed counselor this same day!

The next week, we left for our third annual cruise with some of our close friends. The week was a great time of rest & relaxation!

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In April, my brother married his perfect match – who also may be Kevin’s soul-twin. We adore Leslie and her family, and were so thrilled to celebrate them!

Later the same weekend, we had the “Make Your Mark” event for Stoby’s. This was the first big event for one of my largest projects of the year – and so much fun!

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May was kind of a big deal. 😉

When we talk about 2017 being a year of change, our wedding is one of the primary reasons it was. Getting married meant a lot of things changing for us, especially in relationships. While there were many hard conversations leading up to our wedding, there was much more happiness and joy surrounding it. You can read my post about our wedding here.

#LifeLesson Number 1: There are times in life when people reveal who they really are, for better and for worse. There were people who were excitingly loving and supported who we never would have expected. There were people we expected to hear from who were silent. There were people we expected love from who chose a different path – which brings me to lesson 2.

#LifeLesson Number 2: You are loved far more than you know. 30 people flying from all over the country to share our day was easily the highlight of my life.

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The month of June is a black hole in reviewing the year. I took 3 classes in June (30% of my masters in a month) and there are literally NO photos on my phone from June.

#LifeLesson Number 3: Three summer classes at a time will consume a month of your life! 

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July was a great, normal month, settling in to our new normal. This month did bring our first trip to Minneapolis, though!

#LifeLesson Number 4: Puglets are the cutest.

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August was a nice finish to a race and a great working-vacation. Stoby’s re-opened with a great event supporting HAVEN House, and we left the next day for a Tanning Salon Owners cruise with some of our closest industry friends.

#LifeLesson Number 5: A project completed that you can sit inside and take in may be the most professionally rewarding thing in the world.

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In September, my dad and I made a trip to Austin, TX to drop of relief supplies after Hurricane Harvey. On the way to TX, multiple people honked and offered waving support, while others stopped at gas stations and restaurants and either gave us more things to donate or money to contribute to the cause. It was incredibly heart-warming to see how, even in the midst of tragedy, people can come together to support others in need — even those they don’t know.

I don’t have photos from our trip to the Texas State Fair, but Kevin and I started a new tradition this year – attending the Texas State Fair with his mom. We had so much fun! We also ordered our hot tub… but more on that later. 🙂

#LifeLesson Number 6: doing what you can to help others (even something small) is just as rewarding for you as it is for them.

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October was busy with school and mostly uneventful, but we made a barely 48 hour trip to New York to see Dear Evan Hansen. If you get a chance – go!

#LifeLesson Number 7: You Will Be Found.

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In November, we finished the pergola for our #SideYardParadise in preparation for our hot tub! We also enjoyed Thanksgiving with my family, and told my parents about my MBA. You can watch the surprise video here:

#LifeLesson Number 8: Building it yourself is sometimes more fun.

#LifeLesson Number 9: Sometimes 16 month-long surprises are worth every single moment and penny!

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December was a great wrap-up for our best year yet. We had a great retreat for Kangabloo, I graduated with my MBA, we finished our #SideyardParadise, and spent lots of time relaxing together, and with friends and family.

#LifeLesson Number 10: There is no better life than the one spent with your true love, dear friends & family! 

After a year of change, I am so thankful for the personal and spiritual growth we’ve had this year. We can’t wait to see what 2018 brings us! Our goals are intentionally focusing on gratitude and peace, spending more time at home cooking, reading, and relaxing!