Happy New Year!

1. What did you do in 2012 that you’d never done before? Joined a homeschool co-op. Nothing else super exciting comes to mind.

2. Did you keep your new years’ resolutions, and will you make more for next year? I don't really remember all the ones I made last year. I know I prob'ly didn't accomplish many of them. I think I failed most of them, but still made a pretty good effort. I didn't make many for this year. I plan to read through the Bible this year. Mom got me a daily Bible last Christmas, so I'm planning on actually following thru w/ that this year. I need a daily commitment to be in the word. I'm hoping this greatly helps. I also plan to run more. Just for the love of running, not to do anything too amazing. I do have a 15k on the books for March, and would love to PR at a 5k, but overall, I just want to run. For the sake of running. I've really found a love for it in the last few months. I also want to read more. And to be more present and have some real quality moments w/ my kids every single day. They are growing up so fast.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth? Just a couple friends.

4. Did anyone close to you die? Not that I can recall. I'm pretty sure I would remember.

5. What countries did you visit? Grand Cayman and Cozumel, Mexico.

6. What would you like to have in 2013 that you lacked in 2012? A calm spirit, and more patience. Less PMS.

7. What date from 2012 will remain etched upon your memory, and why? I can't remember exact dates, but January and July were pretty memorable. Hospital stay for 4 days in Jan, and 5 day anniversary cruise in July. Oh, and Sept 22nd, the date of my boys' birthday party and the day my Dad broke his neck on the waterslide in our backyard.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year? Doing a major overhaul on my/our diets this year and changing what I cook. Being more dedicated and passionate about homeschooling my boys.

9. What was your biggest failure? yelling too much at my kids, missed opportunities w/ friends; letting satan have a foothold in my mind regarding some pretty serious stuff.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury? yeah. Found out I had diverticulitis/diverticulosis in Jan. Was sick for a really long time. Sawed my hand open pretty bad in November...that was rough. Just a few tiny running related injuries but nothing memorable.

11. What was the best thing you bought? more Under Armour compression carpri's, 2 new furniture pieces for the house w/ an insane amount of storage, and some cube systems for the toy room/school room, which have in turn made our lives so much more organized and peaceful. Cowboy boots:)

12. Whose behavior merited celebration? My husbands, like usual. Marriage is hard work!

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed? I think I was just disappointed more this year. Finding out diff ppl's  beliefs and values. Guess just bummed me out and surprised me more than anything.

14. Where did most of your money go? 
the business, health related stuff, better food, movie going:)
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about? when I heard my Dad's neck was healed and he didn't need surgery. 

16. What song will always remind you of 2012? Gotye's "Somebody that I used to love"...not sure how you spell his name.

17. Compared to this time last year, are you happier or sadder?: I'd hafta go with happier. More stable. It's been a pretty rough year on many counts, but I've felt God's hand through it all. And it's all had a pretty good ending, thankfully:)

18. What do you wish you’d done more of? Pray, rely on God's word, run, listen, read.

19. What do you wish you’d done less of? Assume the worst of people, drink caffeine, stay up too late, try to make everyone happy and stress.

20. How did you spend Christmas?
My folks came over Christmas morning and we had a big brunch, then read the Christmas story outta Matthew. Then opened gifts. I made some awesome bean/spinach enchiladas in the crock pot for dinner, then we watched a movie and I talked on the phone w/ my girl, Liz. Laid back day. It was awesome.

21. How did you spend New Years? 
Spent it at our cabin w/ the folks. We were actually watching "Machine Gun Preacher" when the clock struck midnight. It was a pretty powerful movie about a guy who went from drugs and crime, to being a missionary in the Sudan, saving the orphans from the LRA. True story too. We went running at the river the next day on the trail and I ran 4 and 1/2 miles, let the boys play and ride bikes, hot tubbed and had a thrown together dinner of pasta, venison steak and scalloped potatoes. 

22. What was your favorite tv program? Duck Dynasty is our new show we love to watch together. 

23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year? Hate's a pretty strong word. Not really. Just really been specific about who I chose to spend my time and energies on these days.

24. What was the best book you read? Jane Eyre

25. What was your greatest musical discovery? nothing specific comes to mind. Uploaded some great new workout music. I'm really loving Adele these days too. I need to get her cd.

26. What did you want and got? money for new clothes, stuff for the house that made my life more organized, cowboy boots!A juicer! 

27. What was your favorite film of this year? Jane Eyre..the 2011 version. Beat out Pride and Prejudice by a long shot. A.mazing.

28. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you? turned 34 this year. Don't remember the actual day, but spent my b'day at the cabin w/ 3 of my closest friends. No kids. Just time to chill, talk, catch up and do lots of shopping.

29. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? If I'd spent more time in God's word, and really meditated and applied it to my life.

30. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2012? More my style. I try not to buy anything I don't love anymore. I tend to dress pretty simple and wear cooler accessories. Usually flip flops in the summer and boots in the winter. Who knows.

31. What kept you sane? Working out, time to myself, my hubbs and God. 

32. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most? nada

33. What political issue stirred you the most? a lot. Watched a lot of the debates and was so into it for once in my life, and then got more than depressed over the results. It's much easier w/ your head in the sand. Oy.

34. Who did you miss? Liz, Jamie, Debbie, and my G'ma Katy...always. 

35. Who was the best new person you met? Some of the gals from the homeschool co-op. What a great year meeting ppl going thru some of the same daily battles, who love the Lord, and encourage each other.

36. Tell us some valuable life lessons you learned in 2012: Life can change in an instant. I'm not immune to that. What I invest in now, will have a huge impact on my future--health, friends, time w/ the Lord. I need to look at the big picture instead of getting sucked in to the stresses of day to day life. Don't take those you love for granted.