2011 A year in review

7th annual year in review

Please note last years for reference.

What did you do in 2011 that you've never done before?
Became a Mother of 4!

Did you keep your New Year's resolutions and will you make more for next year?
My only resolution was not to have any, and I kept that. I am going to stick with that one. Same as last year... and the year before... and the year before that... and the year before that.

Did anyone close to you give birth?
Me!!!! And several others.

Did anyone close to you die?
Unfortunately my grandmother passed away last month. She was a devoted Christian woman and was ready to go and is no longer in pain.

What countries did you visit?
None.

What would you like to have in 2012 that you lacked in 2011?
Well I got my baby that I asked for last year I honestly don't know how I could top that. Honestly I can't think of anything.

What date from 2011 will remain etched in your memory and why?
Halloween, Oct. 31, the day Heston was born.

What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Heston being born, and probably the fact it was a home birth with no complications.

What was your biggest failure?
While it was not my failure I regretted that Heston had to go to the NICU a couple of days after birth for dehydration and jaundice. But I grew from the experience so not all is lost and he is perfectly healthy now. I also regret losing our IFS contracts but all worked out in the end with that as well. I started my private practice, started working at Vista part time as a school based therapist, and I am back to doing the counseling contracts with Kathleen. I also still get more time with Ryker and Heston.

Did you suffer illness or injury?
Mastitis a couple of weeks ago, it was terrible.

What was the best thing you bought?
My midwife's services. I love going that route.

Where did most of your money go?
Student loan bills, Heston midwife, and now NICU bills.

What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Heston

What scripture is a theme of 2011?
James 1: 2-4 "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." Same every year.


Compared to this time last year are you:
a. Happier or sadder? Definitely happier.
b. Thinner or fatter? fatter for obvious reasons. Got about 10 pounds left of baby weight. Might as well work on more after that.
c. Richer or poorer? Poorer, again for obvious reasons.

What do you wish you'd done more of?
Always spend more time with my family. Although I got to spend I good amount this year considering the lapse in my jobs plus this maternity leave.

What do you wish you'd done less of?
Maybe time on the internet.

How did you spend Christmas?
With my family!!! 3 days in a row and mine and Steven's parents and then home for Christmas with the kiddos. Just the way we like it. Same as last year.

Did you fall in love in 2011?
Yes, with a little baby named Heston.

What was your favorite TV show?
Watched a few on Netflix, but none are really my favorite.

What was the best book you read?
Read some Frank Peretti books. So far This Present Darkness is my fav. Have two others of his I need to read still, Prophet and Piercing the Darkness.

What was your greatest musical discovery of 2011?
Loving me some Adele. Also the young Greyson Chance from Oklahoma.

What did you want and get?
Heston.

What did you want and not get?
IFS contract.

What was your favorite film this year?
Breaking Dawn part 1.

What did you do on your birthday?
I think we went out to eat. It was low key.

What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Hmm, not sure, last year it was a baby, now I got that I don't know.

How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2011?
Comfy but trendy. Still the same.

What kept you sane?
Alone time, family time, sleep, massages, church, and working out. Same every year.

Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
none I suppose.

What political issue stirred you the most?
economy

Who did you miss?
Still the same, my friends from home, and family.

Who was the best new person you met?
I call him Heston in case I haven't said it yet.

Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2011.
Life is fragile, but I knew that already. I also learned that I can withstand a lot more than I knew. When Heston went into the NICU there was a part of me that thought we would lose him. I almost lost it that day. Closest to insanity I have ever been. With the help of loved ones and their prayers and God's grace Heston, Steven, and I both made it through.

Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
Days go by, Lifehouse
"So don't sit back and watch the days go by
Are you ever gonna live before you die
And when things fall apart
The world has come undone
Leave it all behind
Leave the loneliness alone
You wait forever blind

So come on and leave the years
When you watched the days go by
Come on and leave the fears
That you were afraid to find
Cause while you wait inside
The days go by"