There's one thing I'd like to say before I start. It seems the general consensus is that 2016 was the. worst. year. ever. I understand. There were a lot of terrible things that happened, generally speaking. But, personally, 2016 was a really awesome year. I would go so far as to say it was my best year ever. But...I've said that about the last few years. The last year I've lived has been the best year ever. Part of it is, I know God's in control. I know he's working out his perfect plan, and he's ordaining what's best for us.
Now, to the point...
- I played volleyball in a league with our church during the spring. Dad, Mom, Stephen, and Johnathan played too! I was very unsure at the beginning, and I chickened out at my first game, but I really enjoyed it in the end. I felt like I improved over the season, and I'm looking forward to starting again in a few weeks. I just hope I improved over the summer too. :)
- The older kids participated in a home school co-op over the spring semester. I stayed home with Joseph and we had fun watching TV and eating sweets on Tuesday mornings. It was fun to hang out with him, just the two of us.
- I voted for the first time! In the primary election...
- I knit my first "real" sweater, as I like to call it. The others I made for myself had short sleeves or no sleeves. I love how it turned out, and I've actually worn it a few times! Haha. I'm bad at wearing things I've knit.
- All of us, except Josiah and Katherine, went to a Cubs vs. Brewers game in Milwaukee. The Cubs lost, but it was wonderful to go to a game. I hadn't been in years, and I didn't realize how much I loved being at the ballpark!
- Madison Stratton came to Illinois! We met her in May and it was awesome to spend so much of the year with her. Meeting her was more of a life highlight as opposed to a year one!
- This was the first year I didn't go to Worldview camp since I experienced how awesome it was. I knew it would be hard. Khyrstyn and I spent several days of camp week eating junk food and watching movies and talking in the middle of the night. We called it a pity party, but it wasn't, really. :) We had a great time. It was really hard not being at camp, and picking the kids up and realizing I wouldn't ever go to camp again. Lots of tears. But God really spoke to me that week. He loved me, he was pleased with me, and he showed me ways I could serve him. It hurt a lot, but it was so clear, him saying, "I love you enough to not send you back to camp."
- Madison took Katherine and me to a drive-in theater for my birthday. We saw Finding Dory, which I loved. Also, junk food.
- We (minus Josiah :( ) drove out to Colorado and spent a week in the beautiful Rocky Mountains with Mom's family. Best week of my life!! Hiking, swimming, playing games, cooking, eating, all together. And the mountains! No words. I can't wait to see them again!
- On our way back home, we saw Mount Rushmore and the Badlands. So cool!
- I added a few more states to the list of where I've been: Wyoming, South Dakota, and Minnesota. I visited ten states in 2016!
- Sharyssa and her parents invited me to go camping with them in Door County for twelve days. The longest I've been away from my family. I had a great time!! I experienced outdoor theater by Northern Sky, which was awesome. Eating ice cream on the beach isn't too shabby either!
- I joined Facebook. Still considered a highlight at this point. :)
- The kids were in co-op again, and this time Joseph joined in! I helped out in the Simple Machines, Presidents, and Creative Writing classes. I really enjoyed the Presidents class, it was a great overview of American history. The Creative Writing class was a lot of fun too. I loved hearing the stories the kids wrote. So imaginative and hilarious!
- I started and finished the Harry Potter series. I wasn't allowed to read it when I was younger, and I know I judged anyone who did. My younger self would be appalled. It's technically juvenile fiction, but I think it's a bit dark for younger kids. I really enjoyed them, and will probably re-read them.
- I bought my first cell phone and became the first in my family to have a smartphone.
- I joined Instagram! I got an account in March or April, but I could only start posting once I had a phone, so I'm counting it here instead of earlier. More than half of the reason I bought a phone was so I could post on Instagram. :P
- Dad took some of the boys to Father Son camp this fall, for the first time in years. With the boys gone (except Joseph), we watched chick flicks and had a tea like we always used to do when they left. Jill and her girls, Madison, Khyrstyn, Kylee, and Annie all joined us. Jill used to join us, so it was just like old times!
- After an awesome season, the Chicago Cubs WON THE WORLD SERIES!!!! It still gives me chills. Maybe it always will.
- Piggy back on the Cubs, I bought yarn in March for a sweater I was going to knit to record the 2016 season. I kept track of home/away wins/losses all season long, and finally started the sweater in August. I just finished the sweater at one this morning. I'm so glad to have a knitted record of this winning season!
- I voted in my first presidential election!
- I went Black Friday shopping with Madison. It's not something I would normally do, and Mabs is one of the few people I'd do it with. We had a great time, bought some sweaters, and I found an awesome hoodie I wear all the time. And we had ice cream at Coldstone and a nice chat. :)
- Anna and Mary Ann got baptised!
- Christmas is my favorite time of year and this one was wonderful. I received some pretty awesome presents (like a Kris Bryant Cubs shirt, Downton Abbey Seasons 1-2, pretty colored pencils, The Selection Coloring Book, and a LEGO set from Mary Ann and Grandt among others!), but the best part about Christmas is Jesus coming down to us. Immanuel, God with us. Singing "Silent Night" in candlelight at church on Christmas Eve is one of my favorite things in the world.
