2010 was a great year! We were blessed in more ways than I can tell you! It was also a year not exempt from a little adversity- but fortunately not more than we can handle (though I am sure Heavenly Father has more faith in us than we do to handle this stuff!)...
Anywho...Here is my 2010 Year in Review (thanks, Laura!!)
1. What did you do in 2010 that you’ve never done before?
Worked while having children at home- I started substitute teaching this past school year to help supplement our income when Dana's job was eliminated and he took a job teaching 30 minutes away with nearly $15K less income. It was stressful, to say the least, but a huge blessing, because I taught where Alex and Leah went to school and Celeste was in the best hands while I was teaching at Suzanne's. This income allowed us to not touch our savings, which we needed every penny when we sold our home and had to pay out nearly $20K cash!
2. Did you keep your New Years’ resolutions and will you make more for next year?
To be honest, I don't think I made many resolutions last year- I think keeping my head above water was probably close to #1 and I think I did fairly well with that.
As for this year, my #1 resolution is to stay positive...Keep Calm, right?!
Keeping life in perspective and not sweating the small stuff has always been a challenge for me, so I am hoping to continue to work on that this year...again.
Last night, the children and I came up with a list of family goals for 2011:
*Start scripture study at 8:10am until 8:20am- however much we read in that time.
*No more name calling/and or fighting with each other- this includes Mom and Dad!
*No more yelling- having a new baby in the house this year- we decided- did not need to hear such loud voices- she is worth more than that.
*Be kinder to each other and serve others more.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
A had several friends have babies, but no one in my immediate family.
4. Did anyone close to you die?
Not anyone in our family, but a wonderful man from church that we loved.
5. What countries did you visit?
Yeah, dumb question.
6. What would you like to have in 2011 that you lacked in 2010?
Great Health!!
7. What date from 2010 will remain etched in your memory and why?
30 April - the very last day of the Housing Tax Credit, when we went into contract on our house- selling it to move on to our dream house. Selling our house was a very long, daunting process- well, having it for sale for over a year was...it drove me crazy at times, always keeping it in perfect order, just in case we had a showing! Funny thing...it was at the end of our "selling contract" when these people came through, and I had given up on the perfection aspect- they loved it anyway...we sold it for only a few thousand less than what we paid, but still had to pay a ton at closing to get out- but a huge, huge, huge blessing that could only come from above.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Managing to save money and still have everything material and then some that we want.
9. What was your biggest failure?
Not spending more time alone with the scriptures and being grateful.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Unfortunately, yes...After becoming pregnant in August, I started to feel very sick and tired, and all that goes along with it...I started having anxiety attacks and hot flashes and all sorts of nausea and discomfort...my OB suggested they test my thyroid...and yep, that was it! It had given up and my body was not producing any thyroid hormone. I spent a few weeks yo-yoing on several medications before seeing an Endocrinologist, who took an ultrasound my neck and found a 3cm nodule on my thyroid. It will have to be biopsied and removed after the baby in the Spring. Fortunately, she gave me a gel capsule medication that seems to be doing much better for me- I am getting back some energy, and not having the symptoms that plagued me for weeks. I am grateful for finding out while pregnant- she has saved me!
11. What was the best thing you bought?
A new, beautiful Home!!
12. Where did most of your money go?
Closing on our old house!
13. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Moving
14. Happier or sadder?
It depends on the day!
15. Thinner or fatter?
Fatter for sure!! Before I knew I was sick, or before symptoms, rather- I started gaining weight- probably last winter- just a few pounds here and there- and then a total of 15 before I got pregnant. I just thought it was because I was getting older and my metabolism was slowing, but after diet and exercise changed nothing, it became clear that it wasn't just me!! Now I am 25 weeks along and have put on 30 pounds- (I count the 15 prior to getting pregnant!)- Now I will focus on weighing less after she is born.
16. Richer or poorer?
Richer- Dana got his job back this year here where we live, and also is coaching 2 sports- that helps us stay afloat- because this house is WAY more expensive than our old house- but because we got it at 70K less than what it was built for 5 years ago, we can afford it- otherwise, we'd be in the poor house! I officially resigned today from subbing, so now we will have to restructure our money so that we can afford to live here on just his salary- and with a new baby and new medications each month, it will be interesting...but I have faith!
17. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Enjoying nature.
18. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Complaining.
19. How did you spend Christmas?
I was not well this Christmas- or as well as I normally am, so it was a little less fan-farish than usual. My brother had Christmas dinner at his house, and because I still had anxiety attacks, I chose not to go- my parents took my kids and they enjoyed it...it was nice to just be home- it is comfortable here and I am sick, there is no place like it. Thankfully we made it to my parents for a couple hours before my body gave up. The pictures don't lie- you can see it in my face- I hope next year's are much better!
20. Did you fall in love in 2010?
Just more and more with my family
21. What was your favorite TV show?
Glee, again...and Modern Family...and SVU of course.
22. What was the best book you read?
Sadly, I don't know...I don't think I read much- except magazines when I was subbing HS.
23. What was your greatest musical discovery of 2010?
We fell in love with the music from the World Cup this year and the kids listened to it constantly this summer.
24. What did you want and get?
A perfect house- and my Nikon D3000!! Dana got me a bag and tripod for Christmas- I am in love!
25. What did you want and not get?
Nothing.
26. What was your favorite film this year?
Movies?! Did I see any of those?! Well, Eclipse came out and I am an Edward adorer-er, so that was a good one!
27. What did you do on your birthday?
Dana brought me flowers and lunch from Panda Express...then I went to my parents house for dinner with the kids (Dana had soccer), and when I blew out the candles, shouted, "I'm pregnant!!"- it was awesome.
28. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
I wish we could've gone on a vacation.
29. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2010?
Trying to fit into my clothes!! Now, I just wear the same wonderful maternity jeans everyday- because they allude that I am not as big as I really am!
30. What kept you sane?
Dana, as usual.
31. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
I fell in love with Keira Knightly's hair...but no one in particular otherwise. I did truly enjoy watching Jennifer Grey on DWTS though- she is amazing at 50- I could only wish to look that good and be in that shape at that age- I can't even do that at 35!!
32. What political issue stirred you the most?
We got a new Governor this year, and I can only hope it's going to be better with him!
33. Who did you miss?
My friends who moved far away- you know who you are!
34. Who was the best new person you met?
I became great friends with several teachers who saw me as a colleague rather than just a parent this year- that meant a lot!
35. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2010.
I learned that adversity is going to be a part of my life whether I like it or not-so I better learn to embrace it and look for ways to use it to strengthen myself and those around me. I need to see that the Lord sees me in terms of Forever and that it is important how I meet these small life challenges, because that will solidify where and how I spend eternity. I learned that great blessings come in mysterious ways- we did not think we would have more children, in fact, I was very opposed to the very idea. Then, after spending time in the Temple, and listening very closely to the Spirit, it became clear that we were to have this last one. When it happened, and I shared the news with a dear friend, it became apparent that sometimes we are given things to help others- and I have grown closer to the Lord through this experience. I only hope to embrace this new life and in 2011 and work harder to make it an even better year than 2010.
Just download the free printable and size it however you want. I just printed it on cardstock and then put some cute pink dotted paper behind it...had all on hand, including the frame!
I thought the ladies I visit teach might like some Valentine's cheer, so I whipped up these two:
Aren't they lucky girls?!! I used a 5x7 block for this, painted it black and then modpodged the printable on it- it smeared a tad, but it is still cute.
My girls wanted their own as well, so this one went in their room:
I was perusing some blogs the other day and saw that the girl writing had a messy make-up drawer to reorganize. I thought- hey, I do too!! She bought some wire baskets at the dollar tree and for about 4 bucks, transformed her drawer. I thought I could do that too- so off I went and here is the before: (embarrassing, I know!)
I had to go through it majorly, first! Half the stuff just needed to be put in my jewelry box on my dresser, and the rest got a new home:
