Resolved, 2018

And I’m back.

2017 was documented within an inch of its life on Instagram as I finally actually accomplished a 365 photo project last year. It’s been something I’ve wanted to do for several years, but it felt too daunting, too time consuming, too ripe for failure. And a lot of the days, it felt like all of the above. But I am so very glad I convinced myself to do it, I am so thankful for all the memories that were captured and saved for what a crazy year it was (!), and now I am very grateful it is done and the self-imposed pressure is off.

As glad as I am to have done the picture of the day project, I’ve so missed being here, catching up on stories and reliving sweet family memories. Some of my kids (Allie mostly, as she has started up a blog of her own) have asked me when I’m going to blog again. And even Phil has mentioned that he’s missed seeing my longer stories here.

So as great as Instagram is for pictures, it’s just not quite as good at allowing for the longer version of stories that I’ve missed being able to write.

All that to say, 2018 is upon us. I am happy to be back here in my little corner of the internet and am resolved to make this the year that I pull myself together and get caught up once and for all. And if Allie and maybe Phil are the only ones still reading, then it will still be worth the effort.

*Cracking knuckles*

So, back to 2016.

*Ahem*

I still gotta be me, right?

And that means picking up where I left off: Summer of 2016, Lauren’s 8th birthday. Never mind the fact that she is 9 (and a half) now. Who’s counting? Certainly not me, and certainly not the white hairs that have been appearing on my head at lately an astonishing rate.

*Ahem*

Okay, so our girl turned 8. And she was a great 8. Starting from her very first day at it: