2011 In Review

1. What did you do in 2011 that you've never done before? Maggie started Kindergarten!
2. Did you keep your New Year's resolutions, and will you make more for next year? I did not make any resolutions last year. This year, I would like to make Sundays social media free – basically, no playing on my Droid on Sundays. I’m also planning to get some walks/stairs in at least once a week at work. I’ll be sure to do a resolution update!
3. Did anyone close to you give birth? We had some births in our church family and extended family this year.
4. Did anyone close to you die? We unexpectedly lost Otis in May.
5. What places did you visit? We went to Minneapolis for cousin Zac & Katie’s wedding where Maggie was the flower girl (with stops in Wilmot, Redfield & Watertown along the way). We went to Deer Lodge, MT to visit Great-Grandma Lucille. And of course, our annual trip to Luccock, which no summer would be complete without.
6. What would you like to have in 2012 that you lacked in 2011? A family vacation, that doesn’t involve visiting family, but does involve leaving Montana.
7. What dates from 2011 will remain etched upon your memory and why? June 5, 2011, when Jessie was baptized.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year? Giving up satellite/cable TV
9. What was your biggest failure? Honestly, I don’t think I had any large failures. 2011 was a year with some ups and downs for us as a family. I am still enjoying my career. I was able to do some Bible studies and grow closer to some friends here in Billings. Our summer was rough with Rocky working Saturdays, but now that he’s been home and is almost done with his doctorate, I think it has been a worthwhile change.
10. Did you suffer any illness or injury? 2011 was another year of health in our family.
11. What was the best thing you bought? A membership to a wine club at Simply Wine!
12. Whose behavior merited celebration? Jessie, as she has spent the last year turning from a baby into a toddler. Curious about everything. Maggie, as she has become a big kid. She’s in Kindergarten, loving most of it.
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed? No one’s. We have 2 good kids, 2 good dogs, and I have a wonderful husband.
14. Where did most of your money go? Where it always goes: taxes, the house, and daycare.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about? Getting a puppy!
16. What song will remind you of 2011? Billy Joel’s You May Be Right (but it was worth it to get a puppy!)
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
a. happier or sadder? Compared to last year, about the same. 2011 was a pretty good year.
b. thinner or fatter? Thinner! So much so, I lost my wedding rings!
c. richer or poorer? Technically, poorer. Rocky quit his job in early September. While the Lord has provided for us in the last 4 months as he has searched for other employment & taught part-time, I can’t lie and say it wasn’t stressful or a challenge in these new roles.
18. What do you wish you'd done more of? Dancing! Jessie and Maggie are definitely getting us up and dancing more, even if it’s just during the movie credits!
19. What do you wish you'd done less of? Watching TV. But I am a TV/movie person. I do love to have the TV on, even for background noise. I am happy that we have done more playing and wrestling as a family, now that Jessie is big enough to hold her own!
20. How did you spend Christmas in 2011? As a family. It was a wonderful Christmas! We also visited the North Pole!
21. Did you fall in love in 2011? Every year, I think I do fall in love again with my husband (aww)
22. What was your favorite TV program? We still like “Community”, “Big Bang Theory”, “Modern Family”
23. What did you do for your birthday? Went out to eat with my family. It was a quiet birthday. May have to plan a party for next year’s milestone.
24. What was the best book you read? I don’t think I read a book for me this year, but I always enjoy reading to my girls. I think the best is when Maggie reads to me.
25. What did you want and get? Some special time with my girl friends. Family time in our backyard.
26. What did you want and not get? A new bra! (though that’s my fault for not just going out and getting one!)
27. What was your favorite film? Rocky & I went to the final Harry Potter movie. We went to see “Captain America” at the drive in, and discovered Jessie was not ready for a full length movie! Rocky & I took Maggie to see The Muppets over Christmas break and I think we all enjoyed it.
28. Did you make some new friends? We had several new families join our church and our Sunday School/small group.
29. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? A satisfying career for my husband. It was a challenging summer and it’s been difficult to watch him struggle in a position that didn’t really challenge him for the past few years. I am praying the Lord will bring him the right career move soon.
30. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2011? Casual, comfortable.
31. What kept you sane? Wine.
32. What celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most? My Jessie :)
33. What political issue stirred you the most? Healthcare Reform. On this issue, I am, apparently, a socialist.
34. Who do you miss? My babies – they aren’t babies anymore!
35. What valuable life lesson did you learn? Mostly just this reminder: Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not harm you. Plans to give you hope and a future.”