There were a couple of
things that we could have done without, but at least they both had happy
endings…
It was the year of Olivia’s cancer scare. She developed a lump on
her thyroid that turned out to be a thyroid nodule and she had to have several
medical procedures including a surgical needle biopsy under anesthesia. Thankfully, the pathology report came back
with the very best results… it was non-cancerous!
It was the year that the
thyroid nodule came back and we had to deal with doctors all over again. Thankfully, we received good news that Olivia's hormone levels are normal, so we were able to avoid surgery. Our doctor has a game plan and we
feel that she is in good hands while we monitor it over the years until she’s
old enough for them to remove it. In the
meantime, we are just praying that it continues not to grow, or even better,
that it shrinks and goes away on its own.
It was another year of horrendous
allergy issues / scary breathing problems… I legit thought I was going to
suffocate and die a couple of times. Dramatic,
I know, but it was terrifying. BUT it
was also the year that my doctor finally figured out what is going on so we can
now know how to treat it properly… reflux?!
It was also the year that my
Nana’s (Daddy’s mom) health started failing to the point where she could no
longer care for herself. It was sad
seeing her deteriorate so quickly and it has been even sadder watching my Daddy
go through everything this year, but she is now in a nursing home with the
proper care she needs. That is a good
thing.
And it was the year that we had to say "see you later" to one of my dearest friends because she moved away to South Korea.
And it was the year that we had to say "see you later" to one of my dearest friends because she moved away to South Korea.
Y’all, I had TWENTY bad
things on my list for 2017 and this year I only have FIVE. If that doesn’t go to show you how much
better this year was than last year then I don’t know what does!
Now for the good… and there’s
just so darn much of it!
It was the year that we
celebrated our jolly gal’s fourth birthday!
It was the year that I
celebrated my 36th birthday (this time with no tornadoes!!)
It was the year that B and I went on 13 dates! We always try to average one per month and we did it yet again (and then some) for the third year in a row!
It was the year that we went
on several weekend getaways.
It was the year that we took three big family vacations which included our first trip to DISNEY WORLD!!!! And friends, this totally made our entire year! 2018 will forever be one of my favorite years JUST because of this vacation. It was literally perfect in every single way. We are already planning our trip back!
Disney World - Disney Springs / Animal Kingdom / Epcot / Magic Kingdom / Hollywood Studios / Character Breakfast / By the Numbers
Everything You Need to Know About Disney - Tips and Tricks for the Perfect Trip Part 1
Everything You Need to Know About Disney - Tips and Tricks for the Perfect Trip Part 2
Everything You Need to Know About Disney - Tips and Tricks for the Perfect Trip Part 1
Everything You Need to Know About Disney - Tips and Tricks for the Perfect Trip Part 2
30 A , FL
Hayesville, NC - Days 1 & 2 / Day 3 / Days 4 & 5 / By the Numbers
Hayesville, NC - Days 1 & 2 / Day 3 / Days 4 & 5 / By the Numbers
It was the first year ever that I was able to enjoy the summer off at home with my babies, and we made some sweet memories that I’ll cherish always!
It was the year that we celebrated Jacob’s seventh birthday.
It was one of our best years for concerts YET! We went to six concerts and they were all just phenomenal. What a year for music!
It was the year that I got to spend lots and lots of time with my friends, with and without kids. Not working at a corporate job definitely has its perks!
Movie Night with Mom, Sass, Joy, and Shelby
Shelly's Birthday Dinner at Bonefish
Botanical Gardens Picnic
Two Lunch Dates with Coworkers
Coffee Date with the Girls
April's & Katie's Birthday Dinner at Bonefish
Janna's Baby Shower
Rock Ranch with Friends
Double Date for Lyle Lovett & Robert Earl Keen
Friendsgiving
Georgia vs. Auburn Game
Play Date at Our House with Friends + Library Play Date
Katie's Goodbye Dinner
Girls Scarf & Ornament Exchange
Work Christmas Dinner
Shelly's Birthday Dinner at Bonefish
Botanical Gardens Picnic
Two Lunch Dates with Coworkers
Coffee Date with the Girls
April's & Katie's Birthday Dinner at Bonefish
Janna's Baby Shower
Rock Ranch with Friends
Double Date for Lyle Lovett & Robert Earl Keen
Friendsgiving
Play Date at Our House with Friends + Library Play Date
Katie's Goodbye Dinner
Girls Scarf & Ornament Exchange
Work Christmas Dinner
It was the year that our
It was the year that I found my groove as a stay-at-home mom. Although, I still miss my coworkers daily, I am loving this stay-at-home mom life SO MUCH.
It was the year that I
experienced less pain than ever. You may
remember that I’ve had chronic back/pelvic issues since Jacob was born, and
I’ve had less pain this year than I have since he was born thanks to my
wonderful pelvic physical therapist!
I swear, she is an angel sent straight from heaven! She has worked out so many of my issues. I still have a couple that are lingering, but I'm hoping to take care of those in the new year with yet another doctor. To say it's been a long road is an understatement.
It was the year that we
celebrated our eleventh wedding anniversary.
It was the year that my
brother and sister-in-law moved back home so I can finally love on my nephew
and niece up close and personal, instead of from afar.
It was another year of
wonderful holiday celebrations.
It was the year I shared some new recipes with you here on the blog.
It was the year that I shared some fun DIY projects with you.
It was the year that I decluttered our entire house from top to bottom.
Decluttering Update (Home Office)
Decluttering Update (Kitchen)
Decluttering Update (Master Bedroom, Closets, Outdoor Closet, Playroom)
Decluttering Update (Kitchen)
Decluttering Update (Master Bedroom, Closets, Outdoor Closet, Playroom)
It was the year that I shared a peek at our finances and how we are saving money now that I am staying at home after quitting my corporate job last year.
It was the year that I had
another blog post go viral on Pinterest which opened some new doors for me.
It was the year that I
started making real, decent money here on the blog with sponsorships, affiliate
marketing, and ad revenue.
It was the year that I
started hitting 50,000 pageviews in one month… a new personal best for me!
It was the year that I was
accepted into the Mediavine family… a goal I’ve had on my list for a long, long
time.
It was the year that I
finally realized that I might actually be able to be somewhat successful at
this blogging thing.
And since this is a Five on
Friday post, I’ll leave you with my top five most viewed posts that were
written in 2018.
F I V E – How We’re Doing Financially After I Quit My Corporate Job to be a Stay at Home Mom on 11/14/2018
This post is at 2,642 views and growing.
F O U R – Smart Ways to Spend Those Amazon Gift Cards on 1/2/2018
This post is currently at
4,459 views and growing. Apparently
y’all love Amazon just as much as I do.
;o)
T H R E E – How to Organize All of Your Child’s Keepsake Papers in Just One Box on 6/13/2018
This post is currently at
4,845 views and growing. This was my
follow-up to my main post that went viral (number one below).
T W O – Winter White Cosmo (Bonefish Copycat Recipe) on 1/17/2018
This post is currently at 8,450 views and growing. I totally
understand the hype around this one… it’s delicious.
O N E – How to Organize All of Your Child’s School Papers in Just One Box on 2/27/2018
And finally, this post was
my most popular post of 2018 by a landslide.
It is currently at 163,752 views and still growing. I can’t even believe it! It has now surpassed my original viral blog
post – Olivia Cate’s Pink and Gold First Birthday Party. I honestly never thought that would happen!
And just for kicks, here are my Top Nine most liked photos on Instagram in 2018!
Cheers to 2019!!
*Linking up with A Liz Adventures and Carolina Charm for Five on Friday, A Little Bit of Everything for Friday Favorites, Meet @ the Barre for Friday Favorites, and Cup of Tea for High Five for Friday.
Y'all had one heck of a year! Here's to 2019!!
ReplyDeleteLooks like your first year as a stay at home mom has been awesome! Can't wait to see what next year brings you and your blog!!
ReplyDeleteSarah at MeetTheShaneyfelts
I love your 2018 recap. I have always done a year in review post, just listing things by the month. I might give this format a try - much more interesting to read through. :) Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteIt has been a year for the books. Thank goodness for this blog to help capture and remember it all! I am so excited how much your blog has taken off - those numbers are awesome!! I know next year will be even better and I cannot wait to follow along!!!
ReplyDeleteThis post makes me so happy! I love how many beautiful and wonderful things you experienced this year. I am so impressed by the success of your blog as well! Congrats!
ReplyDeleteWow! That is one wonderful year! Congrats on all your successes.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much! It really has been a wonderful year! Thank you for always following along!
DeleteWhat a year! Your decluttering and simplifying has inspired me and I can't wait to do more in 2019! I am so glad you have had such a successful year, bring on more in 2019!
ReplyDeleteWhat a fantastic year for you!! Can we make 2019 the year we actually meet in person?? 😉😉.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year! We're so glad you joined the Mediavine family in 2018 <3
ReplyDelete~Jenny, Mediavine Marketing Manager
Aaaahhhh, thank you, Jenny! I'm honored to be a part of it. Love you guys so much!
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