We had the best intentions of enjoying a glass of champagne after Bryson went to sleep. We put it in the freezer so it would chill faster and woke up to a frozen mess in the icebox, haha! Well played, champagne.

2017-1

Walls-0

Did you make your resolutions? I took Dave Ramsey's advice and wrote down mine in my handy dandy personalized planner and am ready to knock them out this year! Some are new, and others are continued resolutions from last year.

For so many of my friends, 2016 was a heartbreaking year. Many of them lost parents, spouses or children — all too soon. I can't imagine walking through life without my tribe, and my heart broke several times over for those who were forced to face life without theirs. I pray daily for continued peace, strength and hope that surpasses all understanding.

In late 2015, my small hometown lost a sweet 5-year-old boy to cancer. At the time, Bryson was only 3 months old, and I couldn't help but think, "What if I only get five years with my precious boy?" I'm not sure I could go on, but I knew I had to immediately start making every moment count. When 2016 rolled around, one of my resolutions was to not get to the end of it and look back wondering where it went. I don't want to get to Bryson's high school graduation and think "Time flew by so fast, I don't feel like I got any time with him." We each get the same 24 hours in a day, and I'm so glad I learned early to make every one of them count.

So, for the past year, I have tried my very best to live in every moment. To put down the phone, turn off the TV, clear my schedule and be present. 

When I'm getting ready for work in the mornings and Bryson brings me a book (and I'm not running late), I sit down for a few minutes and read with him. If I'm cooking dinner and he brings me a book (he loves doing this, haha), I sit right there in the kitchen floor and read for a couple minutes. Who cares if the food overcooks? If today's my last day with Bryson, tomorrow I'm going to thank God for giving me that moment rather than regret dismissing it just to avoid burning food.

I intentionally search for and create those moments as often as I can. Making memories is huge for me, because one day, that may be all that's left. 

Plus, it's fun! As Bryson gets older and is able to do more things and go more places without a ton of gear, we love to think, "Where will we go next? What fun activity can we do?" 

These are the things I look back at in 2016 and am so glad we did. I don't regret one bit saying "no" to things that did not involve spending time with my family, and I will continue to do the same in 2017. Talk about a mindset-shift that changed everything: Not feeling bad about saying "no" to something you don't want to do out of fear of hurting someone's feelings. 

With that being said, I wish many blessings in this new year to you and your family. I truly hope you recognize the power YOU have to make every hour in your day count. After all, "This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it." — Psalm 118:24.

Happy New Year!