Starting Over - 2016

yes, this is the best picture we could get of them on the first day of 2016 :P About to go on a super cold afternoon family walk.

goofy izzy on christmas morning :)

We are almost the 3rd week into January, and Izzy's face right here, ^^^, is still how I feel sometimes about it being another new year already. I know, I'm seriously so slow and behind because c'mon, it's 1/17 today! But the truth is, I never feel truly ready to think about the new year and all that "starting fresh" stuff (aka resolutions) during/right after the holidays. The end of 2015 till now has been especially difficult for me because physically, I've been so weak and sick (yay, baby #4!) and that every single day is literally a huge challenge to get through. But as I enter week 15 in pregnancy, I now catch myself being able to feel normal and not sick for a few hours in a day (despite those hours being unpredictable.) It makes me hopeful about the new year, and so here I am. This poor, poor blog. No, I didn't forget about it. And I really didn't have any excuse for why or how life would just take over at some point every year that I stopped writing and taking pictures altogether.

I want to be different this year. I want to be less "perfectionism" about blogging and everything else that I want to do. I want to live out my life by doing more, by acting on my ideas and thoughts instead of thinking about them. I want to be positive and confident. I'm not going to talk myself down like I always do. And I want to be consistent person, which has always been a huge struggle. Kids and family-wise, my goal really hasn't changed all that much. I want to continually try my best to be present with my kids. It doesn't matter where we are, what we do, or what vacations we go on, but it's being there and engaging with them in the moments we have together -that's what matters. Husband-wise, lots of dates in 2016! Haha, this is my favorite one. It might cost a damage in our bank account, but quality time to connect and just be with my husband is so priceless and definitely worth everything.

In the midst of the hectic holiday season and new years, we also celebrated Zoey's and Nathan's birthdays. They are 4 and 6 this year - can you believe it??! It's definitely hard for me to wrap my mind around it. Time is flying by and they are growing up so fast, it's crazy. Even though I stay home with them, I still fear I'm not cherishing my time with them enough and will miss out on something along the way. I think it's from those old ladies at grocery stores. You know how they always go "treasure this time" to young moms that obviously have their hands full while shopping for food? Hehe. One of the things Gary and I love to do is laying in bed and looking through our old instagram pictures together. It's fun to reminisce and look back on the days and weeks and years we've spent together - all those good and bad, big and small moments. It makes my heart warm and excited thinking about this new year, especially. For all the things we are going to experience and get through as a family, and all the memories we are going to make, good and bad, big and small.