In Conclusion...

This post may be a bit jumbled... so crazy that 2017 ends tomorrow today!! (I went way past midnight writing this post and getting the Flipagram together. lol)

So these pictures are one year apart. ❤

In the time between the two pictures... I've done my first zipline and helicopter ride over the awesomeness of Niagara Falls, tried the delicious Junior's cheesecake, witnessed the view from the top of the Freedom Tower, finally learned to appreciate NYC (thanks to Tom), pushed through a difficult conversation, disconnected from an unhealthy friendship, taken Sam-Puff to obedience classes, celebrated my "Jesus year" birthday in a way that felt unique and perfect, improved my cooking and hosting skills, started friendtimacy-building Friday night dinners, said a painful goodbye to the girlfranz, been present for the birthdays of my niece and nephews, enjoyed a long break from public blogging and from Facebook, survived a legit bomb threat at our crazy courthouse, played the photographer for three families I love, honored Mom's cousin with a Navy Seal collage, celebrated the news that the Wilsons are expecting a baby, said goodbye to a resilient friend who moved to California, reconnected with Jenny, grown my friendship with Tiffany, made two wonderful new friends (Sarah B.and Elizabeth W.), participated in a radio interview about the coming kingdom of Christ, listened to sooo many audiobooks (yay for Hoopla and Audible), really enjoyed my MoviePass subscription, never cut my hair, de-cluttered and completely redecorated my house (with the help of family and friends), and strengthened my overall confidence and sense of identity!  Huzzah!! lol

Here is my official Flipagram of 2017, featuring one of my favorite songs from The Greatest Showman (although 9 out of 11 count as favorites!). ❤ I saw it again today, and I'm inclined to believe every critic who gave that movie a bad review is a cynical, narcissistic fraud. As Barnum says in the movie: "A theater critic who can't find joy in the theater. Now who's a fraud?" 

Anyway, 2017 recap - go! lol
DELETED WITHOUT NOTICE BY VIGO VIDEO. =(

There have been plenty of hard things, too -- tears, frustrations, anger, tension, and misunderstandings -- but overall, my "Choose Life" theme has held strong, and I am thankful to say 2017 has been a great year! ❤❤❤

Shifting gears here... for Christmas, Mom got me a Beachwaver curling iron, a QVC find where the curling iron automatically rotates back and forth with the touch of a button. For whatever reason, it's working and making me a bit braver and more willing to curl my hair! The Miss K doesn't know it yet, but someday, I hope she will appreciate that God gave her these amazing, naturally beautiful spiral curls!! #presh

 A couple more recent pics... Jaceman spent the night while I was there for Christmas week, and I got a few pics of him helping Mamaw bake the chocolate cake. =) 

I got to have lunch with Elizabeth, who is genuine and fun and just delightful, and we shared the Mini Pizookie Trio at BJ's!  Yummers!! =) #noragrets lol

Fun side note:  I moved into my apartment at The Mansions on this day 11 years ago, so officially one-third of my life has been lived in Tulsa (and Jenks)!  Thankful for all the memories and friendships I've made during that time!! 

*These are all 2007 pics - the top one is one of two pictures I have left from the 7 months at my apartment. I got rid of so many after the letter, and several of them are unrecoverable. =( Anyway, yay blonde hair. Perhaps I'll try it again in 2018! lol

I've chosen my word and verse for 2018, and I have a few resolutions in mind... but I'll post about all that on New Year's Day! ❤

For now, I'm excited to ring in the new year with friends at the Farmhouse!  My 2017 will end in the exact same place where it began, and I love the symmetry of that. My 2016 also began with friends at Chet and Karli's -- they just hadn't moved to the Farmhouse yet. I'm sure no one but me cares - that's just free random factoids that my mind keeps track of. lol

Anywho, I hope you've had good memories and growth in 2017, and I hope you have a happy New Year!! =)