it's without a doubt that 2016 was a grand ol' year. i take a look back at all that I was able to do and see, and all the places i got to visit and experience; no other word in the dictionary can describe it but blessed. at the beginning of 2016, my wife and i decided that we should try for a baby. i really didn't know how to absorb something like that; it's such a grown up decision. i've never been faced with something that made me really sit and rethink my entire life like this did. it's truly a life-changing moment. I mean, there's a ton of choices in life that can alter your life but there really isn't any other choice like this one. it's just crazy to me; we legit planned to have a baby. like we really said to ourselves that we're are going to attempt to conceive a life. not one of those oh shit, i accidentally.. uh... yea... we planned this. well, my wife did all the planning, i just did my part in the process i suppose, haha. it's one of the best decisions i've ever made. most rewarding, at that. i know a lot of people are scared to have kids, or just waiting for when the time is right but i've always believed that there really isn't ever going to be a time where things are right. it's those people who hang on to that belief that someday, all the stars will align and hold up a sign that says, "hey, it's time to have a baby." and even if that were to happen, it's not as simple as going to the store and swiping your card and bam, there's your baby. i know people who have waited and when they finally decide to have kids, it's too late. i've heard some sad stories about the stress that comes with many failed attempts at have kids, or ivf's not working, which are hella expensive by the way. i thought to myself at that time,
hey, i'm in my late 20's, 30 is right around the corner, i don't own a house, i don't have a steady income, i really don't know how we are going to handle 2 kids with no family around to help, but shit... we can figure all that shit out a long the way. fuck it, let's have a baby.
it was a tough choice to put away my travel bug. it really took some convincing, that this is way more important. it's not like i've never travelled. hell, i've done quite a bit of traveling around the world and i think that's what made it easier for me to make the decision. i've got to see the world and experience so much diversity outside of the states. although i know there's so much more out there to see and do, i am 100% content with putting a bookmark where i left off and pick up this new book and start this new chapter of my life. i think the change in pace will do me some good honestly. it was my dream to travel the world and get paid for it; i did that.
now it's time to follow through with another dream of mine, to have and raise a daughter, to raise kids, to raise a family.