What a year. If you would have told me last December that this year would have included the many outrageous things that it did, I wouldn’t have believed you. I embarked upon 2016 with big dreams and big ideas as to what the year would look like. I was overjoyed about turning 30 and I even claimed that this would be my year. I think that naiveness goes to show just how unpredictable life can be and that we should always be careful what we ask for. While standing here at the end of 2016 does leave me in a happy, wonderful place, the journey to get here was less than ideal. I learned so much about life this year and I can honestly say the trajectory of my life and my perspective have been changed forever. Let’s look back at this year together.

• I turned 30 and had a wonderful party to celebrate with people I love.
• I went snow skiing for the first time and even that trip brought a few unexpected twists and turns for us.
• I attended Keller Williams Family Reunion in New Orleans.
• Our home flooded and our lives were turned upside down. I learned more about life and perspective in the months following than I ever have before.
• We lived with friends, in a camper, and in a duplex across town as we rebuilt.
• Matthew left his nursing job, got his real estate license, and came to work with me full time.
• Ashlee got her real estate license and took on a vital role in the business.
• We traveled to Dallas multiple times.
• We launched Firecracker – The Store.
• We helped with flood relief locally and in Baton Rouge.
• I spent a lot of time at Kiroli Park and loved it.
• We renovated our house from top to bottom in a mere four months.
• We celebrated four years of marriage with a lovely, relaxing weekend nearby.

• We traveled some of the West coast with stops in Portland and Seattle.
• I attended World Domination Summit for the first time.
• I started yoga.
• We bought two investment properties.
• We invited friends and family to see our “new” home.
• We did the Hwy 80 Garage Sale.
• We had a Halloween party where we dressed as a Ringleader and the World’s Strongest Man.
• Ashlee and I spent a couple of days at the beach for work.
• I embraced the gray hair.
• We hosted my family for Thanksgiving at our house and stayed home for the holiday for the first time since we’ve been married.
• We both got sick right before Christmas and I missed the Petrus family Christmas and missed my family’s Christmas for the first time ever.
• We spent the week of Christmas at Disney World with family.
• Our business grew by an astonishing 44%, despite the upset in our personal lives.

So many ups and so many downs this year. I’m happy to say that we’re ending the year in a wonderful place, despite the many unforeseen trials we faced this year. We have a home that we love. We experienced many new things. We traveled. We get to work together and dream together every single day. And most importantly, I have a renewed faith that we can navigate anything that comes our way. I know that future struggles are inevitable and that sooner or later we’ll face another obstacle that at a glance seems impossible to overcome. We’re bound to see more tragedy, natural disasters, illness, or misfortune. After all, that’s what life is – a combination of highs and lows that hopefully even out into something you’re proud of. After 2016, I feel confident that we’re strong enough both individually and as a unit to handle whatever is next. My perspective on everything is different and I learned the hard way how to identify what’s truly important and what isn’t. And for that, I thank you, 2016.