What happened to 2016?

Hello and goodbye 2016! It feels like everything in between January and December was a blur. What a year it has been! A recap is below with links included to find out more or see pictures of where we have been!




We kicked off the year in Winter, and I hated 99% of it. That 1% was the initial novelty of snow fall. I love watching it fall but it just isn't worth it for me - the sliding around the road, the cold, the need for all those extra clothes...you get the point. I'm satisfied in just browsing pictures of the snowy landscape. Right now, I'm clutching my pearls with the thought of snow being around the corner. I can't even look at those places on the news that have so much snow. Nope.

Luckily, I married this guy.

We had a remarkable Spring! We returned to South Africa, and that was the highlight of the year. It was the first time I've been since 2012 for me and the first Luba has gone home since he came in late 2013. We went for the full two weeks and wish we could have stayed longer. All of me needed it! It filled a hole I've had since moving to St. Louis- a sense of familiarity. You can find out more on previous blog posts below:

Greetings from South Africa

Updates from Paarl, South Africa

7th trip in the books!

We explored more of areas around Missouri including Jefferson City, Hannibal, and Kansas City.




I visited friends in LA and Orange County on the weekend of my birthday in June, and I went to my annual women's conference. Like South Africa, it was balm to a very dry soul. In addition to spending time (too little) with friends, I was able to squeeze in some of my favorite foods - In-n-out and Shik do Rak Korean BBQ as well as have some Hawaiian food!

In July we celebrated birthdays (mine & Luba's) in Chicago over the 4th of July weekend. My friend Jody met us there, and we had a blast. I'm still salivating over the food we had. It was really fun and I can't wait to go back again (after Winter).

We did make it home for October for my niece's wedding, which I was able to be part of as Matron of Honor. I had been worried about the trip but thanks to Zofran, we all survived!




Work has been busy. I moved up to a management position in my department and it has been a brain bust when I'm running on "pregnancy brain," which is a real phenomenon. Luba is still enjoying his work at the International Institute. He's also squeezing in some extra hours after work with another agency because well, see below.




I'll be posting another post on this but we found out that we are pregnant in August so travels and a lot of things halted due to morning sickness. I'm now feeling better but then the holidays somehow had managed to sneak in so we've continued to be homebodies. Being pregnant really makes the "homesickness" for my California friends move to the forefront. How I miss my people.




Here's a sneak pic of our person we've made thus far. I think she looks like Luba.

I hope you've had a wonderful 2016 and Cheers to 2017!




Happiest of holidays to you & yours!




Love,


Danielle