2011 Year in Review

Happy 2012! This year really flew by. This is my FIFTH year doing this year-end review so I guess I can officially call it a tradition.

What did you do in 2010 that you'd never done before? Became a mom to 4 amazing kids and learned how to manage a home with a lot of people!

Did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year? Eh. I did ok this year. Lots of survival mode at the beginning of the year where I nursed a ton and learned how to juggle the needs of 4 kids. I was in a serious funk until about October. Interestingly, deciding to get serious about my “spiritual health” seemed to pull me out of said funk. I have a few in mind for 2012 and am planning to set quarterly goals to keep it manageable and focused.

Did anyone close to you give birth? Obviously myself. Three of my sister’s-in-law had babies this year and my bestie Mindy had a new baby this fall. A couple friends had sweet baby girls after having a slew of boys. Lots of my NM friends had new babies too. It’s been a good year for babies!

Did anyone close to you die? Kind of. A childhood friend died very unexpectedly in his sleep this spring. It kind of rocked my world and took me a long time to get over. He had a young family and it make me stop and appreciate the fleeting moments we have together in this life.

What countries did you visit? None

What would you like to have in 2012 that you lacked in 2011? Getting back in shape after I’m done nursing. I should say a more permanent situation for our family but I feel really at peace with where we are right now even though it’s still a state of limbo.

What date from 2010 will remain etched upon your memory, and why? The day Emery was born. The day Carter was baptized. Several things from our fun vacations

What was your biggest achievement of the year? Getting organized. I used to be organized but I’m learning that it’s an ongoing, changing process depending on the current stage in life. Carter is in 3rd grade this year and I just figured out a good system for handling all the paper that comes into my home due to school and activities. I also feel like I’ve become more of a “tiger mother” with my kids (read “Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother” if you want to know what I’m talking about – great book) and have learned how to expect more from them and help them along the way (much more gently than the mom in the book!!) I’ve also come a long way spiritually this year. I was kind of scared of where I was for the first half of the year (and last half of 2010). Getting really, really serious about scripture study, going to the temple and putting that first in my life has brought me a long way.

What was your biggest failure? Losing baby weight. Bleh.

Did you suffer illness or injury?! Nothing major!

What was the best thing you bought? Vacations, new camera lens

Where did most of your money go? Oh boy, it has been a doozie of a year financially (not in a good way). TONS of money to medical bills, TONS of money in car repairs (I’m still so angry about this one) and purchasing a new car for Allen. I feel very, very blessed that we were able to handle all that came our way this year but hope for a much calmer, less expensive 2012.

What did you get really, really excited about? Emery’s birth and finalizing our family, our vacations, our family pictures this year, how organized I got

What songs will always remind you of 2011? It will rain by Bruno Mars, Stereo Hearts – Gym Class Heroes (feat. Adam Levine), The entire Adele 21 album

What do you wish you'd done more of? I feel pretty good about my year. I know it wouldn’t go down as my most productive but I feel so good about where I am in my life right now. I feel like I’m getting way better about appreciating the little moments than I have been in past. I love being a mom to my kiddos and just love spending my days with them. I am very content. I do wish I had kept up better with my 365 blog. The pictures are taken but I haven’t made it as much of a priority this year. I wish I’d had more time to read. And I should have exercised more.

What do you wish you'd done less of? Stressed about the future.

How did you spend Christmas? Right here with my little family, parents and brother

Did you fall in love in 2011? Of course, every day!

What was your favorite TV programs? Modern Family, Project Runway, Downton Abbey

What was the best book you read this year? Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother, Unbroken, Cutting for Stone, Room, The Giver/Gathering Blue/Messenger (did you know it’s a trilogy?!?!)

What did you want and get? A healthy baby, vacations

What were your favorite films of this year? Harry Potter 7 Part 2, The Help, Sherlock Holmes, 17 Miracles

What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you? I had such a nice birthday this year. The night before I went out to dessert and a movie with a close friend. On my birthday another friend watched my kids so I could go to the temple and to lunch with Allen. Going to the temple on my birthday is my new plan! We went to dinner as a family and then a few nights later had a GNO with a bunch of my friends. Allen and I tried a fancy French restaurant later in the week on date night. It stretched the entire week which was fab. I’m 36.

What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? Having a house with more bedrooms. Making everyone/everything fit in this house has been tricky and stresses me out. Hence the great organization and dejunking of 2011.

How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2010? Does this fit yet?

What kept you sane? My morning diet Coke run!

Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most? Mitt

What political issue stirred you the most? Just the upcoming election. It’s been so interesting to watch the political field this year.

Who did you miss? My sisters, mom, Mindy

Who was the best new person (people) you met? Some new, fun friends in my ward!

Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2011. Being married to the right person continues to be the biggest blessing my life.

What are you most excited for in 2012? We have a pretty low-key year planned and I’m really relieved/excited. I know anything can happen though! I have a lot of fun projects that I’m looking forward to completing. Oh, and getting a new computer. Ours is ancient and slow but we have a BIG upgrade on it’s way. I also have a fun girls trip planned for the spring that I’m so excited about.

What are you least excited for in 2012? A Major diet (half dreading, half excited)