Hello 2016

Goodbye 2015 and hello 2016! Can you guys believe we're already 1/2 way through January? Time has been flying by so fast, I feel like I haven't been accomplishing anything lately, which I will explain a bit later.  

For my first post of 2016, I wanted to take a little break from design related topics and reflect upon the past year personally and professionally. 2015 held a lot of ups and downs but it was by far the best year yet. 

Late winter - early spring, my Dad became very sick. He was hospitalized and had an emergency surgery. Doctors kept telling him he had one thing, than another, with no such luck in healing him. It wasn't until his last hospital visit and x-rays did they figure out was lurking inside. Luckily he pulled through and was healthy enough to canoe me to shore on my wedding day. He is by far the strongest person I know. He is quite the fighter and has been continuing to heal day by day.

July 23, 2015 was the best day ever. I married my best friend in the Adirondacks with our closest family and friends. It was like a dream come true. A full week of hiking, kayaking, swimming and spending time with those we love most. It was perfect. (I'll share pictures soon!)

In August we had our local reception in Buffalo with all of our friends and family. So many people came from out of town and it was such an amazing and beautiful night. We carried our Adirondack theme into the reception and kept it very relaxed. A canoe held all our drinks as we danced all night under the moonlight. 

After all the wedding craziness, I relaunched the new Hello Monday brand and website in November. The rebranding process was difficult and long but it was well worth it. The past couple of years have been a learning experience which resulted in a brand new image and list of services offered. 

Shortly after launching the new Hello Monday brand, I went in for a routine doctors visit which then resulted in multiple doctors appointments. Through sonograms, ultrasounds, blood work and an MRI, I was diagnosed with Hashimoto's Thyroiditis and they also found a pituitary tumor. Needless to say, all that information broke me down. To be diagnosed with a second (and possibly 3rd) auto immune disease and something growing inside my head, I was pretty freaked out and became an emotional mess. With the support and love from family and friends, I was able to turn things around and look on the bright side. It could be worse.

In December Evan and I traveled to Hawaii for our honeymoon. After all the bad news we received a week or two before, we needed this trip more than anything. We stayed in Maui & Kauai for 2.5 weeks and simply loved every second of it. Island beach life is something that I have always been drawn to. The warmth of the sun, the ocean, the sea breeze and the sand between my toes... Very different lifestyle from here in Buffalo!  This trip was symbolic of a new life for us, our last big trip before our lives start changing. 

We returned back home a week before Christmas. It was so nice to spend time with family and to share pictures from our trip. The day after Christmas, my life long wish came true. Evan found me a puppy! I am now a fur moma and that is one reason why I have not been able to get anything done! We named our little guy Dax (short for Adirondacks) and I love him with all my heart. I didn't think I could love this much, but he has truly become like a child to me. Sorry in advance for all the puppy pics I will probably be posting on Instagram.

Just like they say, with a baby, it will get easier... As we train him up, I hope to have more time to spend on Hello Monday. 2016 will be a year of getting my health back on track so that I can be the best wife, fur moma, friend, sister and designer that I can be. It's my soul's purpose and passion to serve you all. To bring happiness to everyone through design and art. Whether it's creating custom art for your home or providing freebies to make your lives brighter. 

Here's to 2016, let's do this!