1. What did you do in 2010 that you’d never done before?
I tried a cycle class for the first time, and once I got over the soreness in my derriere, I loved it! I also tried Zumba and loved it, but I knew I would.
2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I didn't make any last year, although I did join a better gym and did pay for my membership upfront and was successful at making it down there on an average 3 times a week this entire year even though it is a good 20-25 minutes away. As for this next year, I'd like to finish reading this church history book with John, and pray more together.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
My friend Julia had Charlotte, Liz had Levi, Julane had Cale, and Carolyn had Avery. All sweet sweet babies!
4. Did anyone close to you die?
No, thankful we had a year off of deaths in the family, especially compared to last year when we lost two of my grandparents.
5. What countries did you visit?
John traveled to Spain for a law school course last Spring. Other than that, we stayed in the States this year. We did visit Illinois last Summer though.
6. What would you like to have in 2012 that you lacked in 2011?
a husband that is finished with law school, which is scheduled to happen this coming Spring! It'll be cause for celebration.
7. What dates from 2011 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
March- the night before John had to travel to Spain, and we had to stay up most of the night so that we could book train rides around the country for him, and hotels. He hadn't had time to plan much because he was so busy with finals beforehand.
March 22nd - Luci turned 2! We made our own knock off of Baskins n Robbins ice cream clown cones.
April - during Spring break when we were visiting Portland and my mom fell in the back room and caused major nerve damage. Her legs and feet haven't been the same since.
May- My mom treated us (even the oldest kiddos) to the Broadway production of Mary Poppins! We all loved it.
May 8th- Mother's Day and Gabi's 5th birthday. We had a bakery party for Gabi that was so sweet with her friends.
May 16th- drove back early from Portland on my bday. My friends came over for a morning brunch and I had WAY too much caffeinated coffee which sent me into an emotional rollarcoaster for the rest of my special day. NEVER AGAIN CAFFEINE!
June- my Aunt Kathe and Uncle John visited from CA. We had such a fun week with them, and my John landscaped our backyard in one week!
mid July- getting my Gabi her glasses for the first time!
August - a weeklong trip out to Chicago to visit with family and friends. It was muggy, hot and lots of mosquitoes, but we still had a blast.
September 1st- Emilio started first grade, and Gabi started full day kindergarten.
September 14th- E turned 7. Threw him a LEGO birthday with some of his favorite buddies.
October 31st- took my kids Trick or Treating. Had a blast with a huge group from our neighborhood.
December 17th- Took the kids to see Santa with my in laws and John. We lost Luci for 3-5 minutes in the mall which was the scariest thing I have walked through. I'm so thankful that we found her.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
being able to be okay with sending my two oldest kids off to school ALL DAY long at the beginning of the school year without too many tears.
9. What was your biggest failure?
does eating too much during the holidays count? Also, insecurities follow me still. Don't they for most of us though?
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
just the common cold thank goodness.
11. What was the best thing you bought?
this is silly, but the other day I bought the FAGE greek yogurt at Costco that has the fruit you can pour in, like cherry pomegranate, and blueberry acai, mango guanabana and strawberry goji, and let me just tell you......they are HEAVENLY! love that stuff. It was splurge well spent.
12. Who's behavior merited celebration?
several sweet friends who have been so willing to help watch Luci so I can volunteer in E and G's classes once a month and on holidays.
13. Who's behavior made you appalled or depressed?
just the strangers on the plane that Emilio had to sit next to on our way to Chicago. They were obviously annoyed they had to sit next to a child. He was completely polite and quiet the entire trip. He opened his camelback water bottle the last hour of the trip though, and didn't realize that pressure had built in his bottle and it sprayed some water out which happened to land a bit on said couple. They were very exasperated, and had the gall to ask me if he had a cold. Emilio was in tears and had apologized to no avail, and so had I. I finely just moved Emilio over by the girls and I, and put Luci on my lap (John joined us a few days later on the trip). It still bugs me to think of how rude and immature this couple was to my little guy.
14. Where did most of your money go?
Mortgage, health insurance, groceries....they are getting so expensive!
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Birthday parties for my kids, our trip to Chicago, frequent trips to Portland, parades, Mary Poppins.
16. What song will always remind you of 2011?
Adelle's Rolling in the Deep, and Maroon 5's Moves like Jagger seem to be playing everywhere, and they get stuck in my HEAD.
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
a) happier or sadder? happier
b) thinner or fatter? thinner
c) richer or poorer? poorer
18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
kept up with my blog more, although I've done really well this month. I wish I knew how to balance my participation in lots of activities, and not spread myself as thin sometimes.
19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
worrying
20. How did you spend Christmas?
We celebrated the weekend before with John's parents by seeing Santa, making a gingerbread train, playing games, going out to Maggiano's for lunch, and opening gifts. We celebrated with my family at our home for the first time EVER on Christmas morning with a brunch and gifts, and had dinner at my brother Michael's home.
21. Did you fall in love in 2011?
with each new stage of my children, there are parts I fall in love with, and parts that are challenging too.
22. What was your favorite TV program?
Amazing Race, Survivor, Modern Family, So you think you can Dance
23. Do you dislike anyone now that you didn’t dislike this time last year?
nope
24. What was best book you read?
Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen was a fun read. I'm reading Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet at the moment, and it is good.
25. What was your greatest musical discovery?
I know this is corny, but it is another Disney soundtrack, Tangled this time. So fun! We loved David Crowder's new Christmas album recently too. I know there are so many others, but my mind is blanking right now.
26. What did you want and get?
a laptop when our other one died on us last year. Also, a land line again! A tea organizer too.
27. What did you want and not get?
I really could use a new teapot!
28. What was your favorite film of this year?
The Help
29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I turned 34. We watched the Survivor finale with my parents the night before, and then drove back on my bday early in the morning. My small group friends brought over brunch to my house and gifts and visited with me which was fun. Like I mentioned before though, I had too much caffeine which my body is extremely sensitive to, and felt like a jittery emotional mess all day. My husband and kids gave me gifts that night and we had a good family time.
30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Not hearing the news of 8 divorces and or separations of couples we know. It has been heartbreaking.
31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2011?
leggings with cute dresses and warm boots, yoga pants and comfy shirts, skinny jeans and long sweaters. I definitely don't have a gift in fashion, but once in a while you'll catch me trying.
32. What kept you sane?
Jesus, and my phone conversations with my mom.
33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
I really don't fancy anyone in particular.
34. What political issue stirred you the most?
none
35. Who did you miss?
My Grammy. I miss Albuquerque, such great memories from there.
36. Who was the best new person you met?
I became friends with several ladies this year that I've met in the past, but our paths didn't cross much until this year. I really appreciate and cherish my new friendships with Kristin, Jessica and Sundee.
37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2011.
that life is messy, but God is good all the time.
38. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
Everlasting, Your light will shine when all else fades Never ending, Your glory goes beyond all fame And the cry of my heart is to bring You praise From the inside out, O my soul cries out
