New Years came with such a happy heart for me this year. Last year at this time, we were in the middle of a tough time with some close relationships in our lives really struggling. I walked into 2016 with a sore heart and discouraged spirit. There was a lot of uncertainty in 2016 and I knew I had a lot of work to do. Of course, expecting our fourth baby, I knew 2016 would also bring such blessings. So we pressed on. My word for 2016 was “more”, and my goodness that was the perfect word for me this year. More babies, more love, more time with friends, more self love and acceptance, more God, more happy, more travel, more Mr. Miller. That is exactly what I got this year.
2016 was a year that I know was so necessary for my own personal growth. I was brought to some despair, but more importantly through despair. I had a real trial in faith last year, but as I was willing to let God take care of it, He did. I saw Him work hard in my life like I hadn’t before. That trial really was a blessing because I feel my faith is much stronger now.
2016 was a year that my marriage became more solid. I had to lean on my husband this year, and he never failed me. I knew he was a good husband, but I didn’t know the depths of his faithfulness like I learned this year. He is such a great partner for me. He was able to gently call me out when it was necessary, extend such unconditional love to me when I needed it most, pick up and take care of things when I couldn’t, and celebrate along side of me at all the goodness. We saw the highest of highs, and experienced some pretty low lows and we are stronger, and deeper rooted because of it. We really grew, and grew together this year and I think that’s the trick for a strong marriage, growing individually as well as growing together.
My children blossomed in 2016, our family dynamic was blessed beyond measure with the welcoming of our boy. We learned better the type of family we want to have, and that we are raising. I was so proud of us this year, all of us. We have never let the number of kids we have hold us back, and it felt so good to have such a year of fun times and travel and adventure with our FOUR children. We had the best year together. My biggest accomplishment and my greatest blessing is being the mother in this wonderful family. I am so grateful.
Our friends became our family this year. They rallied with us, loved us, encouraged us and set the tone for such a wonderful year. This year was the year of our tribe. I truly feel like we have found it. It took us a while, and it’s even better than I imagined. The friendships we have in our life are friendships of a life time. I can’t thank them enough for loving us like they did this year. Whether it was a shoulder to cry on, a celebration to join in on, a late night conversation, our friends delivered. They helped me grow as a wife, a mother, a woman. I know God brought me these people specifically, and what a blessing they have each been to my life. We are thrilled to be doing life with them.
It only made sense to have a couple of our bests over to ring in the new year. We filled up the Miller Manor! We ate yummy food, played Just Dance until we laughed so hard we cried, and talked and laughed until our kids were melting down. We cheers’d to the new year (east coast time) and called it a very successful night. And year.
2016, you were a growing year. I am grateful you’re over, and grateful you came. I am starting 2017 a better woman in so many ways.