2016 - The Highs and the Lows

I thought I would look back over 2016 and do a little year-in-review.

There is so much that happened in 2016 that I don't want to lose sight of now that I am blazing full speed into 2017! My mom has always sent out a Christmas card paired with a decently long letter that updates friends and family on the big milestones and events of the past year. My level of organization (or lack-there-of) didn't afford me sending Christmas cards let alone a letter! So friends, consider this my 2016 Moad Family Christmas letter.

I'm so modern and techy blogging my Christmas letter. 
haha. 
no. I'm not. 

So here it is for your and my viewing pleasure:

The Top Ten Memorable Moments of 2016 in the Moad family.
In no particular order, mind you! 



1. Lucy Turns 2!

Now that I have an almost-3-year-old it seems like nothing, but I couldn't believe my sweet little girl turned 2 this last year! She was solidly in toddler-status and not babyhood. We had such a fun celebration for the event! Of course... year 2 brings challenges not faced in year 1. Little miss has challenged our parenting time and time again - we do not always succeed, but we are trying. By God's grace He has put in our lives many wise moms to seek advice from, to emulate and guided us to books and scripture that speak to child training which have been immeasurably helpful for this season of parenting. She's 2, but I wouldn't categorize it as "terrible" in the least! 


2. The Home Renovation Comes to an "End" and We Move Home!

Nothing like the view from the outside looking in! (Also... nothing like one-sock-McGee over here) The house was purchased in 2015. We spent a good chunk of 2016 renovating it. At the start of the year it was a cold, dirty, tore-up little house. Now it is not finished, per say, but it is cozy, it is livable, it is home. The renovation process isn't necessarily something I want to ever do again, but we learned a lot and had some great memories doing it. Plus, we got to make this house truly ours. On this side of it, I'm so glad we did it. But truthfully... if you asked me a year ago how I was enjoying the process... I'd'a punched ya. :) The renovation meant... very little family time together, lots of money out the window, more decisions than this indecisive girl ever wants to make again, even more money out the window, regrets, realities and frustrations and yet even more money out the window. ;) Greg really felt the brunt of it more than anyone since he would work all day, then spend all evening working at the house. He, my dear husband, made this old house a home for us! 

3. Charlie!

What a GREAT part of our 2016! We got to welcome baby number 2 into the world; Charles Gregory! He stole our hearts and continues to do so now at 5 months! There were some weeks / months in there where we questioned our sanity in having a second child... but such is the newborn phase! Here on the other side of it we are so thankful for him and couldn't imagine our family without him! 

4. Lucy's Milestones and Memories.

2016 was a big year for our big girl! Not only did she turn 2, but she also experienced a lot of changes in her little life that are worth noting! She became a big sister. She moved from the only home she had ever known; her grandparent's, to our new home in Hershey. She got her very own room for the first time in her little life. She retired the crib and got her very own big-girl bed! She grew and matured in many ways and is definitely no longer a baby and seemingly isn't even a toddler, but instead she is creeping into those "little girl" years. It's very hard to believe! It was also the first full year that I got to stay home with her! Thankful for this past year with her and Lord willing, the many more to come! 

5. Growing Our Families Together

2016 was also an awesome year because not only did I have a baby - but 3 of my bestest friends did too! I got to be pregnant along side Gretchen, Rachel and Steph! Each of us welcomed little boys into our families and only about a month a part from one another! There is no greater blessing for pregnancy than other moms to commiserate with! ;) What a blessing to walk this road with such amazing women and mamas! 

6. Celebrating 6 years.

Greg and I celebrated our 6th year of marriage. Anniversaries are important and worthy of honoring and celebrating! Although with a new baby in the house and many other things it was a low-key and very chill anniversary! Also... I searched and searched for a photo of the two of us from this year and found next to nothing... we are going to need to remedy that in 2017. But anyway, marriage is not always easy and life likes to throw curve balls at it regularly. But I am continually thankful for this man that God has given me to do life with. Our children look like him and I pray they grow to be like him! The renovation process, pregnancy, a new baby and a rambunctious toddler provided year filled with new challenges; some of which we took in stride and others that proved to be more challenging to our relationship. It's not always easy. It's not always pretty... but this is life. This is marriage. You walk these roads together and fight the fight together... even if sometimes you seem to be on opposing sides, you really aren't. Praying for many more years ahead which will bring many more challenges for us to learn to love each other better and honor God better in our marriage. 

7. OCNJ With the Family

This is always a highlight of my year! This year was extra fun since Lucy was able to enjoy all that the shore has to offer. It was also less-than-fun since I was 8 months pregnant and horribly uncomfortable 24/7. :) But, over all a highlight to the year and I'm already pining for its return! 

8. Meningitis

An important, worth-remembering event of 2016, though not one I am necessarily celebrating. At 3 weeks Charlie returned to the hospital where we stayed for a week as his little body fought off Viral Meningitis. Dark days in that hospital room, but thanks be to God for the healing and mercy he showed us at the same time! We are praising Him for getting us all through it!

9. The Loss of My Wedding Rings
No photo for this... as they are lost, as in missing, as in I got nothin'. 
Speaking of things in 2016 I would have preferred didn't happen.... this is another one. In June of 2016 I lost 2 possessions that are very, very dear to me. To this day I have no idea what happened to them and I still have dreams about finding them... Just last night in fact! I woke up so disappointed once again. My poor naked finger reminds me daily of my carelessness and the weight of this loss. :( 

10. The Loss of Our Best Friends

 I really didn't mean to end this list with such sad memories. But... so be it. 2016 ended with a very, very sad goodbye to a family that we did life with on a daily basis for almost a decade. This was one of the hardest things we faced this past year... and unfortunately the struggle of it will continue long into 2017 and beyond.


And there it is, friends. Our 2016 wrapped up in 10 memorable events.
What a year it has been.
But time marches on, and so must we! So we are prayerfully anticipating all the memorable moments, both good and bad, that await us this coming year. Praying that we can face the good with rejoicing and the bad with strength and trust in the Lord.

Happy 2017!