Goodbye, 2018. Hello, 2019.

As I sit here, drinking tea and reflecting on all that has happened in 2018, I feel a little overwhelmed - it was quite a year.

Here is the condensed Coles notes summary.

The greatest moment of 2018 was most certainly the birth of our rainbow baby, Charlotte, in April. I held my breath during my entire pregnancy, terrified to be excited for fear that she would be taken away from me as Olive had. The day she was born I held her in my arms and stared at her in disbelief - she was here and she was perfect. Although Molly has a wonderful bond with her angel sister, watching her fall in love with Charlotte and build their sister bond has been incredible.

I feel like this was the year that Molly blossomed. Don't get me wrong, every year she amazes me at how much she matures and grows as this wonderful little girl but this year, she had me in awe. She is empathetic, smart, loving, outgoing and so darn hilarious. She FINALLY mastered swimming with her head under water (after FIVE sessions at the same level and refusing to do it!), she fell in love with riding a bike and had her first real camp experience. Our date nights are full of giggles and girl chats.

We said goodbye to our sweet fur baby, Joey, this year only a few weeks before Charlotte arrived. He showed us it was time for him to leave and although my heart was shattered, I was honoured to be with him at the end as he crossed over. I had adopted Joey over 15 years ago and truly believe he saved me when I was in my darkest moments. Somewhere in the fog of pregnancy and grief over Joey I promised Molly she could have a kitten for her birthday. Friends, meet Matilda. She has destroyed our house and torments our old boy, Clarence, but I look past it because she is the so loving you may even call it smothering. She is the perfect little heartbeat addition to our home. (Although it will be nice to be able to have Christmas ornaments again....maybe next year?)

My hubby is a pretty private guy and rarely jumps into the spotlight. What I will say about him is that I couldn't be prouder of the person he is and all that he achieved in 2018. I would go as far as to say I have never been prouder. He is a supportive husband, good cop to my bad cap, an energetic and patient father for our girls - quietly treads through the year with purpose, faith and love.

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It seems like everyone is asking about New Year's resolutions? Although I don't like the word 'resolution' but I do like sharing my goals and desires for the year. In some way I feel like it helps to focus my intentions and vision for the months to come.

So, here they are:

1. Spend more quality time with family and friends. Life in general is busy. Life with two kids, a partner, a job, and a list of 'to-do's' longer than my arm is exhausting. There is no better way to 'fill up your tank' than to surround yourself with energy and love. Making time for a dinner date, a coffee date or flying to see your adorable beyond belief nephew is a priority this year.

2. Ensure time is dedicated for self-care. I know the appointment schedule of every member in my household, including the cats. I make sure everyone

3. Start a happiness jar. Every night at the dinner table share what made us happiest that day and write it out on a little piece of paper, placing the paper in the jar. At the end of 2019 we will read the notes and remind ourselves how lucky we were to be surrounded by joy and love. It is easy to focus on the negative, this should help us focus on the positive.

I may not have done everything on my 2018 list of intentions but I am proud of what I did accomplish. I weathered a dark storm and brought a beautiful little girl into this world. I surrounded my two girls with as much love, light and joy as possible. I was able to ask for help regarding my mental health and said goodbye to my gall bladder to top it off. 2018 you have been a rollercoaster, thanks for everything. 2019, look out, Giggsy is coming for you with purpose, passion and some tricks up her sleeve.