2019. What a freaking year. This year started off with Elaina turning one. And what a journey that has been. Watching her turn into a toddler and gain more independence. She’s grown into her own human, talking more (with the help of the speech therapist), walking and running. I can’t believe how much she’s grown. Oh and don’t get me started on her hair growth in 2019. This year we danced together, we went to the park more this year and took more walks. We learned so much together and tackled so much of life together.
My relationship with Michael definitely had its ups and downs. We celebrated 2 years of marriage in March with our first getaway since Elaina was born. But we also faced several hard TDYs, some tough decisions, and some hard marriage bumps in the road. We went out more together alone as a couple and really rekindled our relationship. We moved into our rental HOUSE and have made a beautiful life for ourselves. One of Michael’s huge accomplishments from this year was passing his test, going through ALS and becoming a Staff Sergeant. I am so incredibly proud of him.
As a family, we took our first trip to Disney and it was such an incredible experience. We also got to see the Air Show at Moody AFB for the first time as a family. We also experienced the tragedies of several deaths and my ectopic pregnancy – one of the hardest things I’ve gone through in a while. We went to Ikea as a family and loved it. Oh and I can’t forget about the beach trips. We traveled to see family a lot this year and cherished every moment.
This year has blessed us with some of the best friends we could ask for. We really weeded through toxic ones and gained some of the best people we could ask for. We made Ashley and Austin Elaina’s Godparents. We had more nights with friends and fewer nights doing nothing at home. I became close with Emilee and McKenzie and Ariel this year and they changed my life in the best ways.
With all the blue raspberry Icees, chips and salsa, buffalo chicken dip, I’ve been working on myself a lot this year. This year I have learned more about my health and how to better it. I got more answers. I started bettering my health and working out more consistently. I was more in tune with myself because of all the astrology, personality tests, and ESPECIALLY therapy. I took self-care more important and took more time for myself. I learned more about self-confidence, independence and self-love and continue to strive and implement it into my life. Being my best self for myself, Michael and Elaina is so incredibly important to me. This year after a YEAR AND A HALF, I BEAT my postpartum depression and anxiety. I got bangs and decluttered our house – over and over and over again. I got my wisdom teeth out and started taking better care of myself. I dove more into my business by shooting over 100 families and events and taking more photography education classes. I also got a second job that I absolutely LOVE. I took care of so many babies and animals this year and that brought me so much joy. I really worked hard to be more authentic and open on social media so that even if I only helped one person, I could change or help that one person for the better.
Sure my year sounds really incredible and almost all the pictures look super beautiful but throughout you’ll notice I faced some really hard things. I saved the hardest for last. This year, in fact as of today (Dec 31st) I am taking one of the biggest steps I have ever taken to improve my life. I am cutting off someone extremely toxic to my life. I am tired of living the way I do underneath all the good. I don’t wanna go into it too much here but just know, if you’re facing a hard time, it’s okay. it’s okay to cut out toxicity, even if it”s family. Write the letter, send it and block. Don’t turn back.
2019 has been a hell of a year of learning and growing and achieving and digging deep and trying so hard. A big cheers to 2020 and all it brings. While sure it’s a fresh year, make changes that will make your life better, forever. Take chances, do big things, just do the damn thing. Don’t waste your life away. Gear up. 2020 is almost here.
Kaley Agee + Fam 