Reminiscing on 2016

As I sit here on the second day of 2017 drinking my coffee, eating my simple lunch of microwaved leftover pot roast, and looking at my half-cleaned house, I start to think about all that I was blessed with in 2016.

I graduated college after four very grueling years. I worked harder during the four years of college than I ever have before. Did I have fun every day and have the "well-rounded" college experience? No. Did I have a 4.0 all four years and get involved with a thousand different activities? No. I was working most of the four years and spent more time at my jobs than I did being in class, but I wouldn't trade my experience for anything. I learned so many life lessons and came out ready to handle anything the world could throw at me. My graduation day was one of the best days of my life. I didn't know what I was going to do next or where I was going to work, but I was confident in myself.

I chose not to start graduate school right away. Instead, I wanted to start working and get experience under my belt. I ended up working for a company that I had worked for in high school. I helped mentally and physically handicapped adults and children. While I was good at it and have a passion for the work, it wasn't the type of experience I was looking for (I had already done it for 4+ years). I started to waitress at a restaurant that I had also worked for in college as extra income. I hated the job, but I loved the extra cash.

I finally got a job where I could gain experience that would be useful towards my intended career. I was offered a position as a teacher's aid at my old middle school and helped with the after school program. It has been a blessing to be able to work with the most amazing 25 second graders. It is challenging, but so rewarding.

It did start to become difficult seeing where I wanted to eventually end up; as a school counselor. I decided to look for a program that was completely online. I found a program that I could finish in 2 years and was offered through an accredited school. While it doesn't start until June, the idea that I will finally start to work on my Master's degree is exciting.

I got married in September to the most wonderful man. He is everything I dreamed and prayed for. Being a wife was weird and new territory for me and I had to learn how to "adult." Our relationship was no longer Skype and texting all day (I was in Minnesota for college and he was in Iowa for 75% of the relationship). We had to learn to live with each other's quirks and differences. So far, the married life has been wonderful, despite some things that we could not have predicted.

In October, my husband and I found out we were expecting. It wasn't something that we were trying for and had decided to wait for a few years. Nonetheless, we were excited and so thankful. Things were going great and I got to see my 6 week old baby's heartbeat through ultrasound in November. The next day was when things went wrong. My husband took me to the emergency room where we found out that I was losing the baby. In all my daydreams and hopes for my life, I had never imagined I would lose my first baby. It was and is the hardest thing I have ever had to deal with.

The two things that has made it easier is my husband and our amazing fur baby, Spirit. We rescued our 1 year old Siberian Husky from a rescue shelter. He has been a handful, but we wouldn't trade him for anything. The cuddles and loves he gives me are so worth his sassy and stubborn ways. We want to eventually get him a friend, but he is quite the special dog and it will require another special dog to deal with him.

2016 was mostly good for me. I have an amazing husband, and a supportive and loving family who continues to grow. I am more than ready to see what 2017 has in store for my husband, my fur baby, and I. While nothing in our life is absolutely perfect, it is everything I could ask for.