Happy New Year! I hope your 2017 ended with a bang and that your 2018 is off to an AMAZING start thus far!
Whether or not you participate in making resolutions for yourself, the beginning of a new year is always a wonderful time to pause and reflect on the past and breathe in the hope of a new season. A new year signifies new beginnings, fresh starts, second chances, and maybe a little change. I personally have not made any resolutions for myself this year, but that does not mean I do not have any goals and dreams I wish to pursue...this blog most definitely being one of them.
This year in particular for me is bringing an immense amount of change. For starters, after being in the retail world for over a decade, I have officially left to become a stay-at-home mom to Archer and our next little boy due in February. This change both thrills me and terrifies me. I am leaving behind a place and people that I truly love and that have been the source of much joy and personal and professional growth. I have always enjoyed working and find pleasure in contributing to society and my family by having a career. I find myself struggling in losing that part of my identity now that I am home. I continually have to remind myself that I am still contributing to society and our family, just in a slightly different capacity than I was before...by raising two boys to eventually (hopefully) become responsible, mature, respectful, godly young men.
In addition to me leaving my job, my in-laws officially bought a home in Savannah at the end of last year which means we will be seeing a lot more of them this year (and for many years to come, I should say). While the thought of your in-laws moving nearby would completely terrify some of you out there, I am very happy and fortunate to say that this is a welcome blessing for our family. My in-laws are amazing, and I could not have married into a better family if I tried. (So thanks for that Bert.)
I'd like to think that with leaving my job and with the help we'll be getting from my in-laws now that they are here, I would have more free time to pursue this blog, business, and other personal goals and dreams, but with another baby on the way, I would be lying if I said I didn't have my doubts. But I refuse to give up on myself, and I do not want this to be another year held back by fear. This year I truly have the sense of the turning of a new leaf. That GREAT things are going to happen. That big, awesome, amazing things are on the horizon. That God is still and always good, and He cares for me, and He has a plan for me so much bigger and so much better than the one I have for myself.
So, 2018...let's do this. (insert fist bump emoji)