2010 in Review

A tradition that seems to be sticking.  Here is my year in review for 2010.

What did you do in 2010 that you have never done before?

I made a baseball cake.  I bought a house.  I hosted Thanksgiving dinner at my home.  I took my kids to Disneyland.  I visited Bryce Canyon and Arches.  I lived in Texas.  Along with that..I survived humidity beyond anything I have ever known, it also means that I wore shorts and flip-flops throughout December.  I sent my kid off on a school bus.  I made a "homemaking binder" including a cleaning schedule and have stuck to it for about 3 months.  I killed a lot of cockroaches. I tried "gumbo" and liked it.

Did you keep your news years resolutions and will you set more for next year?

Yes and no.  I did good for about 6 months.. then seemed to forget.  Now I don't even remember what I set.  I'm going to write a few here because next year I will not be able to use that as an excuse.

1.  read to Sam everyday
2. exercise at least 2 times a week
3. MONTHLY temple attendance 
4. Complete at least 1/2 of my Personal Progress goals (I serve in the Young Women's program)
5.  I'd also like to set a goal that has something to do with this post that I really liked.  It's about learning to speak more positively to and about everyone in my life, including myself.
Did anyone close to you give birth?
My brother had is baby sealed to him.  My cute neighbor had a baby only a few days ago.  Kenny and Ann..... probably a few more.  Last year there were 4 births in mine and Aaron's  immediate family and at least a dozen good friends that gave birth.  I can only think of a handful this year.  An off year I guess.

Did anyone close to you die? Aaron's Uncle Lynn.

What county did you visit? None but the good ole' US of A.

What would you like to have in 2011 that you lacked in 2010? A full night of sleep.  Ha.  I'm just kidding.  I feel that I want to take on something more in my life.  I haven't decided what yet... a hobby, a service project.  Starting a preschool is on the possibility list.... 
What dates from 2010 will stay etched in your memory and why? June 26th moved to Texas.

What was your biggest achievement of the year? Okay things that seem dumb... but I am doing mucho better at keeping a clean house.  FAR from perfect, I know, but I am doing pretty dang good at sticking to my little mini cleaning schedule.  Also... cooking from scratch... and just cooking better, healthier meals more often.  I worked hard on a specific relationship in my life and it has improved a lot.  I feel good about that. 

What was your biggest failure?  Having too many excuses for NOT going to the temple after we moved to Texas.  Lately I've come to see a few things that I  have inadvertantly taught my kids...   I need to work on "unteaching" a few things.

Did you suffer illness or injury? no.

What was the best thing you bought?  I'd have to say our house.  Atleast I'd better say our house since it is definitely the most expensive thing we've ever purchased. 

Whose behavior merited celebration?  My brother has gone through some really hard times this year.  I admire his determination to keep going and turn to the right sources for help.  My kids are awesome.  I think they did a lot of things this year the merit celebration.  But maybe I'll save all of that for another post. 

Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?  I don't think I want to list people,  but generally speaking I am saddened to see the view of families in society continue to crumble until it means almost nothing. 

Where did most of your money go? Mortgage.  Mortgage. Mortgage. 

What did you get really, really, really excited about? A camping trip, visitors, trips to the beach.

What song will always remind you of 2010? I feel like such a dorky mom... but the songs that come to mind are just ones that my kiddos liked this year.  Rubber Ducky, Picture a Christmas, Jingle Bells (batman smells robin layed an egg.)

Compared to this time last year are you richer or poorer? fatter or thinner? happier or sadder?  Now that we really and truly own a home I feel like we no longer fall into the "poor student" category.  We're really poorer though because we spent our money buying a home.  My size has remained the same and my level of happiness is probably the same.  The older I get the more hardship I see.  I can't help sometimes but to wish to be young again where people didn't have problems and life was easy.  At the same time.... I've found that as I see more and more of those hardships... I am more capable of truly appreciating those good, peaceful happy things that cross my path.

What do you wish you'd done more of?  I kind of don't feel like this has been a great year for personal growth.  With three young kids I kind of felt like surviving was enough from day to day.  But I wish that I had demanded more of myself and tried to really learn and develop some new talents. 

What do you wish you'd done less of? Been sarcastic. 

What was your favorite TV program?  He-man.  Don't think I'm kidding.  You can watch it on Hulu.

Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year? no 

What was the best book you read? Family Feasts for $75 a week.  I love this book.  It is half-way a how-to book and half way a recipe book.  I make so many things from scratch now and find it so much easier than I once thought it was.  Saving some $$ as well is nice. , Bonds that Make us Free and I also read Shannon Hale's Goose Girl series again and count it among my favorites.

What was your greatest musical discovery? Mo-tab.  I finally decided this year that they are awesome.

What did you want and get? A house.

What did you want and not get? Time to myself.  That didn't happen. 

What was your favorite film of the year? I really like "Letters from Juliet."  I know it is kind of a cheesy romance, but I don't know... I just liked it.  Oh yeah and "Avatar" was amazing.  It came out in 2009 but I didn't see it until 2010 so I'm counting it.  Also our whole family really liked "How to Train Your Dragon."

What did you do on your birthday and how old were you? I turned 31. I think it was really just a simple day, but I enjoyed it.  Both Lizzy and Andrew wrote these cute birthday songs for me and a friend babysat while I went shopping.  Then after Aaron came home we had a little party.  It was sort of a nice quiet day.

What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? It's the same thing I say every year... but it would have to involve those in my family that I would like to see have those good things in their lives that they so much deserve.

What kept you sane? Aaron.  Without family around as much, I rely on Aaron a lot more.  He has to listen to be blab so much more and he has been a peach about it.  Other sanity savers... naps, chocolate, phone calls with family and friends.