2016 didn't suck for us

We are saying goodbye to 2016...

and although for many it has been a rough rough year... for us, it was pretty okay.

Yes, it's true that we are living in a surreal world where Donald Trump is the presidentmy 

(did that ish really happen?)

And the world is kind of a catastrophe in so many areas.

So much so that I have to mentally prepare my heart to turn on the news.

Many of my friends have dealt with heartbreaks beyond comprehension and I have lived through some broken relationships, restored relationships, hurts and sorrows.

But overall, 2016 has been a good year for these Wilkersons.  

I thought I'd share our highlights from the year in a monthly form and then, tomorrow, I'll share some dreams I have for the new year.  Here goes... perhaps redundant for those who follow us on the social medias.

JANUARY

January marked the 1 year anniversary since the loss of my dear friend Paul.  Some days I can't even believe everything that transpired. Aaron said that to me the other day, 'I cannot believe everything that happened, how quickly it happened'.  I take great comfort in my friend, I pray for his intercession almost daily.  I ask him to calm me, to make me nicer, to help me put up with people I don't like.  I have begged him to welcome into heaven the children/friends/family members of people who I know. I feel proud that my dearest friend sits with Jesus.

And I pray for Ann his wife, and his children. I pray for Ann's family, and the Coakley family and the grief they carry.  Will you say some prayers for them as we approach the second anniversary of Paul's unexpected passing?

The girlfriends at Paul's grave.  With a little whiskey...duh ;)

Father Mario offered a private Mass on the anniversary of Paul's death. Do you think we could get him to do it again?

The crew after Mass celebrating with a drink

FEBRUARY

February rocked.... we had the superhero dance...

MARCH

March started out awesome with a gathering of friends for St. Patrick's Day...

But it ended kind of cruddy.

Malia Paul was hospitalized for two nights with RSV.  

 We totaled not one, but TWO cars in the time span of 10 days...we lived Lent well.

APRIL

 Our luck turned around in April... First, we Dave Ramsey'd ourselves a new van with no payments (praise you Jesus)

 Malia recovered and was all smiles all the time 

 Aaron and I got to get all sorts of fancified and attend a 'gala' with our dear friends Tom and Erin

MAY

May was awesome.  We got to meet Baymax at Disney :)

 The boys bought me a beautiful mother's ring/claddagh ring set. A wonderfully thoughtful gift

 We got to celebrate my birthday at a fancy restaurant with dear friends, we were suppose to go see the 'Sound of Music' but apparently 36 makes you too tired to stay up for a complete musical. We left at intermission.

JUNE

We were blessed to play host to my sister and brother's families.  That's a LOT of cousins. That's 15 cousins to be exact. And 5 adults. So 20 people, in my 1000 Square foot home.  It was awesome

 We took the girlie to get her ears pierced. I am so glad my mother in law and Malia's godmother were able to join

 AND- our family took a little local overnight to Great Lakes Crossing to enjoy the Rain forest Cafe, Sealife Aquarium and LEGOLAND

2016 was the year of fancy, so the Wilkersons and the Coules got all doll'd up and attended the Sacred Heart Gala.  Such a fun night! 

Oh, there were some priests there too. Shout out Father Mario and Father Paul

JULY

WHOA. Did we get our travel on this month or what?  We went to Minneapolis to see Aaron's very best friends

 On our way back home, we stopped in Chi-town, our family's favorite place to go.  We got a sweet deal on the fanciest hotel I've ever stayed at. It was nothin' but awesome.

 Our travels were just getting started. We went to Kentucky for cousin time and fun

 And last, but not least, we went to Myrtle Beach to finally meet Grammy's whole family

AUGUST

August was awesome, we went to Papa's family reunion...

 Celebrated the opening ceremonies...

 celebrated Daddy's birthday at American Coney Island...

And had our heart's kind of broken by this kid starting school...

S

 SEPTEMBER 

September came quickly as this one started pre-k...

 And our baby girl turned 1...

 We began to enjoy Fall fun in Detroit City

OCTOBER 

October brought the visit of one my dearest friend's friends from college

 Mary, from Better Than Eden 

It also brought all the Fall fun you can imagine...

 And game-day Saturdays...

 And, of course, Halloween!

NOVEMBER

Gosh, November seems like three seconds ago.

There was outdoor fun...

 And we found out some INCREDIBLE news

News that the boys are still celebrating...

We went day drinkin' the day before Thanksgiving...as now has become a wonderful tradition...

 Lots of family came in, so we enjoyed the magic of Detroit city...

 and I soaked up time with my sisters

 DECEMBER

Aaron and I had planned a trip to NYC! It was lovely, and hard. I'm not sure I am built to leave my kids for multiple days...

 But we got to get fancy and spend time with just us... that was awesome

 And I got to take 'Seeing the Rockette's at Christmas time' off my bucket list

 We had our annual 'framily' Christmas party. One of my favorite days of the year

 Aaron was the angel Gabriel in his class program and rocked it (with the help of my mom's costume)

 Joseph was the most enjoyable Reindeer ...

 We celebrated as a 'just us' family by going to my favorite restaurant in Detroit city, 'Pegasus'

 We celebrated a wonderful and drama free Christmas Eve...

 Christmas morning was everything you want it to be for your kids...

And Christmas Evening continued the blessings at Grammy and Papa's house

 Then, my sweet husband let me leave to see my 'sisters who I never see (but actually see all the time)' for an overnight in Columbus.

This year was good my friends, and we are wishing your family health, happiness and holiness in 2017!!!