I hear a lot of people saying 2016 was the worst year ever. I can understand what they mean. Lots of terrorist attacks, racial indifferences, lots of hate crimes, a lot celebrity greats passing away (Prince, David Bowie) and Trump elected to be president of the USA kind of split the nation even more.
As for our family, 2016 was pretty awesome. We did a lot of traveling this year, went to Utah for a great family reunion and birthday celebrations, trips to Sedona, Minnesota vacation and San Francisco made for some great memories. Got to spend lots of time with family this year and welcome a new little one to the Horton clan.
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| Some of my favorite Lily moments from this year. |
Lily started little gym, she is active and loving living healthy (despite all the sugar she's eating in most of these pictures, who doesn't love treats?!). She is starting to read and can write, loves to do math and knows all her numbers, so I think she's going to be ready for school. She makes us proud everyday. She has the best sense of humor and keeps me laughing all day. When she knows I'm upset (even when it's with her), she is trying to make me laugh with a silly joke. What an awesome kid I have! I call her My Heart, she truly is.
My favorite lily story of the year:
One day lily was playing at the park with a little boy, about 6 yrs old she had just met. They began playing when I heard Lily say, 'we have a father in heaven, his name is Heavenly Father.' The boy responded, 'no, my fathers name is Jonathan.' Lily, seeing he did not understand what she was saying, 'no, you don't understand. We have a father on earth and in heaven named Heavenly Father. He's our real father.' Boy thinks for a minute puzzled, then yells 'NO! MY FATHERS NAME IS JONATHAN!' Lily rolls her eyes and changes the subject.
Several months later, Lily out of the blue asks, 'mommy, why did that boy not know who bravely father was?' Me, 'because his parents have not taught him yet.'
Made me think a little harder about my role as a parent. And the amazing chance I have to pass on the knowledge I have, to my little missionary who understands the truth that she has a father in heaven. Pretty cool. Lily is an awesome kid.
Lily's flu shot after video, for future reference. She freaked out during her flu shot, hopefully she's learned her lesson: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HA7ln44KKVo&app=desktop
Lily golfing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kDRHnWk_x4M&app=desktop
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| Pirate Jacob! Argh! |
My favorite little stinker...Jacob started walking this year, he is talking more and more (if you really listen hard) and we discovered his love for knives, plungers and dolls. Jacob is an entertaining boy :) Though he is really good at following directions, when he gets frustrated or man, he will let you know it! However, he is so sweet too. People are always commenting on how much he laughs and smiles. Happy little man most of the time. Lily is afraid to go to the bathroom by herself, but I'm often unable to go with her due to something I'm preoccupied with, so Jacob, being the sweet little brother he is, will hold Lily's hand and go with her to the bathroom. He LOVES playing with his sister. He calls her 'Ba' and will wake up every morning before her, and try to wake her up to play. When she wakes, he is smothering her with hugs saying 'BA!!!' They are so cute together. In reference to the knives, he is able to reach the drawers in the kitchen. We have caught him on five separate occasions with a knife, chasing lily with it or jabbing me in the leg with one. Needless to say, we have relocated all our sharp objects. He is a bit of a destruct-o, but he is sure sweet too. I like to call him my kitten. He can be sooo cuddly, but then before you know it he's scratching your face. haha! He keeps me on my toes. We are loving our crazy boy.
Mark is doing well in his job. He received his first raise, which was higher then expected (we like that) and now he gets to take his CPA exams. He works a lot of hours and has to leave often, but we sure do love it when he's around.
As for me? I have accomplished a lot of physical goals. Of course I still have the occasional anxiety about my health, weird aches and pains that my doctor claims are normal and I am completely healthy, but I'm still trying to focus on health. I was able to reach my goal to do 20" box jumps in the gym and RX at least five workouts a month. I missed the Mark on Cleaning 120lbs, but am now at 117lbs. I created a new goal to deadlift 225lbs, and smashed it at 235lbs. New goals for 2017, I'm confident each will be met. I had a great year being home with the kids every day. I do miss working, earning money, but I know where I'd rather be.
Video of me working on my Cleans weight was only 105lbs, this was more to fix my form: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6flQUaGLlxw&app=desktop
We love living in Gilbert and have made lots of great friends. We've explored our new home town and have found lots of fun things. My mom got married to her best friend. And Mark and I bought our first car. Though there were some negatives in this year, (losing my job, Durango dying, Lucy's hard birth)...thus is life. Overall, there were way more positives then negatives. Hopefully 2017 will be even better. Pray that 2017 will bring us lots of success as we strive to make goals and keep them. Pray that we will be happy, safe and healthy in the new year. Lily turns 5 this year and will be starting school...*gulp* NOT READY!!!
