So a friend of mine did this on her blog, Meggan's Moments, and I thought it was cute/a good wrap-up, so here goes :)
1. What did you do in 2011 that you have never done before?
I was home alone with the kids for 7 months.... I'm not gonna lie, kind of feel like a rockstar for that one. Mainly for the fact that none of the 3 of us died. Went on an airplane completely alone, yes I was fully freaking out the entire time. Any and all things having to with the military... But my favorite was the first time I saw my man in his uniform (and figuring out how to take it off ;-) haha)
2. Did you keep your new year's resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
Uhmmmm I have never really made a "resolution" exactly... I just tend to make goals throughout the year. My main goal was to lose weight & go to the gym regularly this last year, and I did. I lost 12 pounds while John was gone, and went to the gym 2-4 times each week. Sadly, I gained 8 back since John came home (the man does not allow eggs & meat or chicken & cottage cheese for every meal), but have lost 3 of it again since the new year started.
Goals for this year = Like how I look in a swimsuit this summer - this includes losing more weight, hoping for another 15 pounds by my birthday, and shave off that other pesky 5 I gained back by June. Be more understanding and patient towards my kids - I should have known I would create super stubborn children, especially at the ages of 2 & 3! Bring them on a walk or to the park every day that it is nice enough out. Enroll Brooke in soccer camp (the girl loves soccer), and swimming lessons. Create a budget and stick to it. Make time 1 night each month for just John & I to go out on a date.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
My friend Kayla had her second baby boy. Meggan had her son. Solid chance I forgot someone, my memory is terrible!
4. Did anyone close to you die?
My husband's best friend's father passed away very suddenly to cancer last spring.
5. What countries did you visit?
None. Just different parts of the US :)
6. What would you like to have in 2012 that you lacked in 2011?
Never having to "visit" my husband. I am done with that junk. Not because I don't love seeing him, I just don't want him gone from home again this year :)
7. What dates from 2011 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
March 2nd - The day John left for Basic Training. I was such a wreck.
September 29th - The day John came home for good from training, I was so excited and happy and flipping out all at the same time.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Potty training Brooke. Jake walking - totally his achievement but I am just so stinkin happy about it!
9. What was your biggest failure?
Not seeing friends enough. This year was so insanely busy, I missed my girls like crazy and didn't see them nearly enough.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Nope! Can't say the same about my sickness-prone little man though.
11. What was the best thing you bought?
The slide-climber for the kids. New living room furniture. Everything having to do with the trip to DC. Gym membership.
12. Where did most of your money go?
Bills. Rent. Booooooo.
13. What did you get really excited about?
The trips out east, they were so much fun! And I know I'm a broken record, but John coming home. I was excited for 7 whole months.
14. What song will always remind you of 2011?
Party Rock Anthem. I love it, the kids love it, and we jammed/danced like fools to it all the time.
15. Compared to last year are you:
- happier or sadder? Much, much happier, 2010 kind of sucked the big one.
-thinner or fatter? Thinner, thank God.
-richer or poorer? Richer, sounds weird to say rich in any way, shape, or form lol.
16. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Gone to the park more with the kids. Jake just made it physically and mentally exhausting. We spent most of our outside time outside of the apartments.
17. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Less time spent at the hospital. Hoping that 2012 means Jacob's body kicking out that Reactive Airway Disease.
18. How did you spend Christmas?
With lots of family, it was a great Christmas season.
19. What were your favorite books of the year?
The Help was absolutely amazing. So excited to buy the movie. Every book I read by Jodi Piccoult. She is an outstanding author, and every book is so different.
20. What was your favorite music of the year?
Couldn't tell ya.... anything upbeat I loved this year.
21. What were your favorite films of this year?
Friends With Benefits, Harry Potter 7.2, Crazy Stupid Love.
22. What was your favorite TV program?
Criminal Minds. The Mentalist. One Tree Hill as always. And I totally watched a ton of late-night Wizards of Waverly Place while I was writing letters to John lol.
23. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
Spent the day pouting, because it was a super hard day with the kids. But that evening me & my sister went to MOA kid-free, it totally made up for the day! I turned 22!
24. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Having John home the whole time. I am willing to bet about 12 trillion dollars I would have had almost zero breakdowns then, instead of at least 1 a day.
25. How would you describe your personal fashion concept of 2011?
Uhmmmmm Idk. I don't really have one ever. Its pretty much wear junk that fits, doesn't make you look like a hoe-bag, and you think is cute. And some days it is 100% about comfort, thats what days off are for!
26. What kept you sane?
Letters. Phone calls. The internet (mainly the 3-13 ladies). Friends & family. Tuesday nights at the gym, alone. The kids' sweet moments. Having awesome bosses. Seriously, no sucking up needed, I think if I had any other job this past year I would have gone nuts. Jake turning a massive corner and going from screaming/crabby 24/7 to be so happy the majority of the time!
27. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2011.
Giving your large master bedroom for your 2 children to share and moving into their much smaller room is so worth it. It made them so happy, and has kept their crazy amount of toys *mostly* in one area. Also, always update the computer when it tells you to. Always hitting "Remind Me Later" leads to computer problems..... for the next 10 months. Props to my awesome cousin Sam who is currently working on fixing it. Sooooo excited to have a working computer at home again!!
Overall 2011 trumped 2010 by a mile :) And hopefully 2012 will be even better!
