The year 2017 was crazy, am I right? Political drama was everywhere. I had three surgeries and was declared cancer-free. We started a garden. We pulled out all the potty-training stops. My sister had ACL surgery. The boys joined our church community preschool. I started a new job. I finally saw Kirk Franklin perform.

I was so busy riding the rollercoaster that I forgot to work on Christmas cards. (Honestly, I forgot to do a lot of things.) But, it brought me a lot of joy over the holidays to sit and reflect on the year.

Here’s a visual retelling of notable highlights and lowlights.

January

January_05
Hyatt thought riding the train at the mall was the best thing since sliced bread.
January_02
Despite the snow, we made it to a dear friend’s wedding. That’s me on the left (wearing a wig, y’all), with my sister, Mom, and Dad. 
January_03
Ragland made a lot of messes.
January_06
When cancer treatment got old, I challenged myself to go for walks and find one beautiful thing each day. I took this picture the day before one of several surgeries.

February

February_01
I took this picture the day after another surgery. I was ready to see some flowers and thankful for God’s impeccable, mysterious timing.
February_02
With much more gusto and intentionality, I embraced my oncologist’s recommendation to “eat the rainbow.”

March

March_01
We read a lot of dinosaur books.
March_02
My sister moved back from California (her second home) for her ACL surgery and some serious family time.
March_03
I figured out the deal with Pinterest.

April

April_01
We stared at the seeds until they grew.
April_02
Easter officially became my favorite holiday.
April_03
Lincoln basically said “game-on” to every adventure we threw his way.

May

January_04
Ragland passed away. It was hard, especially for Bryce.
May_03
Weeks later, Rambo got lost in the woods for five days, probably looking for Ragland. A good friend found him. We were so relieved. 
May_02
We participated in the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure with a gang of great family and friends.

June

June
Hyatt, a.k.a. Peter Rabbit, nibbled away at whatever he could find in the garden.

July

July_01
My dad put on a free fireworks show in the backyard.
July_02
Hyatt turned three!

August

August_02
A friend did some work on our floors. We slept in the backyard.
August_01
I took a lot of pictures of Mexican sunflowers.

September

September_02
Hyatt and I both had strep throat at the beach, but our friends were so sweet and we still had fun…
September_01
…Lincoln most of all.
September_03
We (I) made it through Preschool Open House without falling apart…
September_04
…and then we embarked on a new adventure.
September_05
Lincoln turned five!

October

October_01
The fall weather was divine.
October_02
We went on our first field trip.
October_03
Hyatt found just the right pumpkin.

November

November_01
We logged at least 2-3 hours per day building Legos.
November_02
We made it to Maymont’s Japanese Garden when the leaves were at the peak of their fall glory.

December

December_02
We welcomed winter with a snowy weekend.
December_01
We spent most of the holidays building Legos. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, everyone! Thank you for all of your incredible support in 2017!