My biggest goal for 2017 didn’t start out that way at all. It started with a few days in a row of closing all of my activity rings on my Apple Watch. Two weeks ago, I wrote about how I had closed all three rings for 365 consecutive days.

Somewhere along the way, I made it my goal to close all three rings every day in 2017. It was not easy. There was vacation, sick days, a cross-country drive, and nights of exhaustion after chasing the kids around all day. Regardless of how sick or tired or completely unmotivated I was, I pushed through.

Next year I’m going to go further with higher activity goals, and maybe even completing a year of the new iOS 11 challenges. It’s a different game, but the same objective. To be the healthiest that I can be to manage my migraines and ensure a long life with my family.

Every time I open the Activity app on my phone, I now have a little reminder of just how tenacious I can be. Hopefully I’ll be inspired to keep on pushing.

Here's to 2018.

Sunday morning before the kids wake up

If it’s not Prime, what is it doing on Amazon?

Wife reaches into MY stocking and pulls out a piece of candy for herself. You know that ain’t right!

Last December, I was a mess. My migraines were worsening, almost becoming a constant cycle of pre-migraine, migraine, post-migraine. I decided to focus in on my lifestyle factors in an attempt to get myself back on track.

For 365 days, I closed all three of my rings on my Apple Watch. That means that I was active during at least 12 hours of the day, I spent at least 30 minutes exercising, and I expended at least 450 calories per day. My calorie goal fluctuated between 450-650 active calories, usually not dipping below 500.

From December 17th, 2016 until August 1, 2017, I walked 4 miles every single day, usually taking me about an hour.

I did watch my food intake, but overall, I just focusing on hitting those goals. The net result, I lost 18 pounds.

In the end, my weight loss was just math. When you put in the work, it pays off.

I’m going to close my rings each day for the rest of the month so that I can close all of my rings each day in 2017. Next year, I’ll try something different to challenge myself even more.

It’s been a great year.

BREAKING: Son terrifyingly adds "spider" to list for Santa without further explanation.

First Day of Winter! Aaaaaand it’s 74 degrees

My niece, Maddux Rose, was born on December 9th. Maddux is my brother and sister-in-law’s third daughter. The next day, Maddux displayed trouble breathing. Hours later, she was transferred to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at the area children’s hospital.

We learned last week that Maddux has [Edwards Syndrome](https://www.trisomy18.org/what-is-trisomy-18/). Also known as Trisomy 18, it’s a genetic disorder that causes developmental problems across many systems of the body.

Edwards Syndrome is terminal. Most children who have this disorder don’t make it to birth. Heartbreakingly, Maddux will not be with us for very long.

The outpouring of support for my brother, sister-in-law, and Maddux’s two older sisters has been unbelievable.

In the midst of this great sadness for our family, we’ve found many blessings. Maddux was welcomed into the Church through the Sacraments of Baptism and Confirmation. She was able to do her own newborn photo shoot. She also took plenty of pictures with her parents and big sisters. Many family members have traveled to the hospital and gotten to meet our newest addition.

I invite you to join me in praying for Maddux’s peace and comfort as well as for her loving parents and two older sisters.

There’s something really special about the light of a Christmas tree

It’s nice to be home.

Good night, New Jersey

I love this town at night

Beautiful night

Beach.

Colorado is spectacular.

Stainless steel is a lie.

The Magic School Bus Rides Again is a crime against humanity

Gosh, remember when the internet used to be fun?

I love Fall

Y’all, someone needs to get their act together and figure out how to standardize children’s clothes sizing.

Every time Alison tells me to rework a project, the second version is considerably better than the first.

Remember when Chipotle used to be fun?

I don’t buy apps like I used to. Rare to find quality apps these days.

Why are we so obsessed with blame?

It seems to be our culture’s default response to any given crisis. In the immediate aftermath all that we’re focused on is who’s at fault.

We should be focused on how to help.

Las Vegas is no different.

Instead of getting off of the Internet and doing something about it, we hurl digital bombs at each other.

Blame the Republicans for not passing gun control. Blame the Democrats for targeting a Country music festival. Blame Donald Trump for being divisive. Blame professional athletes for being unpatriotic. Blame the media for lying.

Murder is a tragedy. Mental illness is a tragedy.

59 dead and 500+ wounded (as of 7:15pm) is a devastating statistic. But not nearly as devastating as the humans behind it. These are people, each with their own family, story, hopes, and dreams.

There will always be sick and deranged individuals in our society and, from time to time, they will act to hurt us.

We won’t rise above these events by tearing each other down. We won’t rise above these events by using hashtags. We won’t rise above these events by changing our profile pictures. We won’t rise above these events by casting blame. We won’t rise above these events by waiting for the government to fix our problems.

We’ll rise above by minding our corner of the world. So put an American flag on your front porch. Give blood. Volunteer as a firefighter. Mow your neighbor’s lawn. Donate to charity. Work in a soup kitchen. Raise your children well. Hug your spouse.

Blame gets us nothing. Go do something to make our nation a better place to live.

Contentment is a beautiful thing.

Now, more than ever, I’m convinced that Apple Engineers created Safari reader mode for the Vatican website. That background... have mercy!

Relativism. lol

I’m not one to praise Walmart, but man, Walmart Grocery is keeping it 💯

There are few things as satisfying as sitting in the dark, coffee in hand, praying and watching the sun come up.

The new coffee at McDonalds is not bad.