Welcome to 2020

Happy New Year everyone! I am reflecting on the past year (and decade) and it’s been interesting.

This decade was nearly the entirety of my 20’s. I got married and had two amazing kids. We bought our first home, then sold our first home and bought our (hopefully) forever home. We took our dream “once-in-a-lifetime” trip to Ireland, and had several smaller vacations as well. I finished college and eventually got a permanent position with Government. I lost some of my favourite family members, and I gained some amazing friends. Our marriage made it through some of the best but also the toughest times, emotionally and financially. We were thrown into the world of Autism and it realigned my long-term life goals and priorities, which is very humbling. I can also now talk for hours non-stop about the joys and struggles of Autism, which I never would have anticipated at the beginning of this decade.

This past year, Penny started grade 1, Rory finished up ABA therapy and started daycare, and Shamus went back to work full-time. Well, full-time(ish). And I very reluctantly turned 30. It’s been a year of changes for us. 

Rory started babbling more, which in the last few months has meant a lot more communication and a calmer and somehow happier child – how he could have gotten any happier is beyond me. Him and I seem to have bonded a bit more which thrills me, and he seeks me out for more than just comfort and food now. He makes me tear up nearly every day.

Penny started medication this year which seems to have helped her impulse control quite a bit. We had a rough summer with her but she hasn’t tried to climb out a window in months, so yay for progress? She’s also made a couple of friends at school and is socializing more than ever. And it’s because she wants to not because she has to – a huge milestone for her. I’ve also learned she loves to play tricks and make jokes, and her little giggle when she makes us laugh is the sweetest thing I’ve ever heard.

Personally, at the beginning of every new year I always create a concrete goal or two that I’d like to accomplish. My 2019 goal was to write a novel. I wrote a novel and a half and outlined a third, which makes me proud. I also started this blog this year, which I had been wanting to do for years – so I feel like I’ve had a lot of personal accomplishments. That’s very important to me.

For 2020 my goal is to knit a sweater, which I’m starting to think is actually going to be harder for me than the whole novel thing.

I’m looking forward to what this coming year and decade are going to hold. Anyone have any fun goals for 2020?

I leave you with a picture of Penny taking advantage of cuddles from Rory because he was asleep.