It’s hard to believe that 2018 has come and gone already! I always love the fresh start on a new year. The sense of a clean slate, refocusing your priorities, putting new goals and desires into rotation and the list goes on! There are so many good and some not so good memories to reflect on from 2018, and I thought I would jot some of my thoughts down for those of you who enjoy a peek into our lives.
Reflecting on 2018
The year started out hard! Learning how to cope (and even still to this day) with the loss of my husband’s dad, my sweet father in-law. The fall of 2018 marked one year of his sudden and unexpected passing. Grief is so unique in the sense that it never goes away. You just learn how to cope and adapt to the new life that’s now your reality. We are still grieving, but are thankful for God’s never ending love, protection and provision for our family this past year!
One of the biggest highlights from 2018 was the birth of our third child Ella Rose! What a bundle of joy and complete “grief buster” as my mother in-law likes to call her grandkids since the passing of my father in-law. She was born on May 17th weighing in at 8lbs 3oz.
She is the absolute sweetest baby, and loves snuggles and kisses from her family!
2018 brought lots of birthday celebrations. My daughter Ava turning 3, and my son Joshua turning 5. Watching them grow each year always makes me a little sad, but also so extremely grateful the Lord has put me in the role of their mama. I feel so undeserving of his blessings, and yet he has entrusted these three beautiful babies to me!
We enjoyed a full summer of “firsts” as a family of 5. My husband and I are now outnumbered and it was a little tricky to get into a routine, but we are getting the hang of it….most days! Of course we spent lots of time out on our pontoon boat, enjoying time at our family cottage, and making memories with our families!
Fall is my favorite time of year! Some of my favorite highlights included…A trip to Door County WI to ride in a memorial century bike ride for my late father in-law (I of course supported from the sidelines). It was so wonderful to see all the support from friends and family who came to take part in remembrance of him! My big kids running in their first Ironkids race, and lots of time spent outside enjoying the beautiful Midwest fall weather.
Thanksgiving which is my favorite holiday, was a little different for our family this year. My sweet mother actually suffered a stroke on Thanksgiving night as we were cleaning up from the days festivities. Thankfully, my sisters were there with her and called for an ambulance immediately! They rushed her to a local hospital where she went into ICU for testing and CT scans. The CT scan showed a bleed on her brain which is what caused the stroke. Thankfully and only by God’s grace and protection, there was no extreme damage to my moms brain, or fine motor skills. Her outcome was far above what some experience, and with her continued PT appointments, they don’t expect any major side effects moving forward. Praise the Lord!!!
Christmas was so special this year because my mom (who just a month before was in ICU from her stroke) got to enjoy Christmas with all her kids and grandkids in one place. I’m so thankful we still get to make memories with her and I pray we do for years to come!
Going through some of these big and downright scary life experiences makes you look at life through different eyes. Losing my father in-law so unexpectedly and then with my mom’s stroke, it made me realize how short and frail life can be. We should be living each day with great purpose and paying attention to what God has for our lives. Which brings me to my goals for 2019….
2019 is going to be a big year for us! As of today, we have accepted an offer on our current home, and will be moving to a new home at the end of February. There are going to be so many learning curves…hello moving with three small children, have I lost my mind?! But I am so thankful for the opportunity to take on this next chapter of life with my amazing husband and three kids. So many memories to be made this year as a family, which is at the top of my goals list!
Goals for 2019
- Be more present for my husband, kids and loved ones
- Grow in my relationship with the Lord
- Practice contentment
- Live each day with purpose
- Enjoy the little things
- Love people fiercely
- Continue to grow Clothed in Grace, help women find their confidence and help them experience true joy in who God created them to be
Thank you for supporting and loving me through this past year. With all the ups and downs, you all were right there to send an encouraging note, check in on how my mom was doing, and share in the joy of our happy moments. I could not be more thankful for this space and where Clothed in Grace has come. All thanks to you wonderful ladies! I wish I could hug all of you and tell you face to face what your support means to me. Blessings in the new year!
Much love, XO Becca
1 thought on “2018 Reflections”
Thanks for sharing your year, story, and beautiful family. I wish you all the best in your goals for 2019.