Hello 2012

So now that we are well into January I've decided to do this little year in review.

1. What did you do in 2011 that you'd never done before?

Hmm, I can't think of anything. I felt more comfortable with myself, inside and out, who I am and more importantly who I want to become - a better version of me of course.

2. Did you keep your new year's resolutions and will you make more for next year?

Hmm, kept some and failed in others. Didn't do as well as I would've liked in the spiritual aspect. My goal was to read scriptures everyday and while I did often, do as consistent as I would've liked, I'm pretty good with prayers and though and Jeff and I did spouse scripture study more often this last year too. Have a meal plan and follow it - failed. I make meal plans and for some reason they never work! Go to the temple 2 times a month - well we got there our regular once a month but last year I wanted to increase it to twice a month. Unfortunately that didn't happen and I know it won't this year either. We haven't been since Shanelle has been born. I haven't left Shanelle yet except with Jeff and only for less than 1/2 hour. Memorie one song a month on the piano - nope. Go to bed earlier, I was able to do this one better. There's more goals that I made, actually 17 all together. Looking at my goals for last year I'm thinking that I need to read them more often, half of them I don't even remember. So here's to a new year and accomplishing my goals!

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

Me. A few friends

4. Did anyone close to you die?

No

5. What countries did you visit?

Montana - love it down there!

6. What would you like to have in 2012 that you lacked in 2011?

More planned activities with the kids. I do good with doing planned things that centre around all the different holidays, but I want to plan things for just the everyday. Just need to use the things I have pinned.  

7. What dates from 2011 will remain etched upon your memory and why?

When I discovered I was pregnant! 

The birth of Shanelle

Trip to West Ed. We had so much fun as a family. The kids still talk about it. 

Bryce waterskiing

homemade bread - started making bread all the time, we never buy bread anymore. We all love having homemade bread

8. What are your favourite finds this year?

pintrest - need I say more?

homemade ice cream

sandwiches in the sandwich maker. We make all kinds, the possibilities are endless - cheese with whatever, ham, chicken, egg, sausage, tuna, turkey, pesto, or just plain cheese. And made with homemade bread they are divine! I love how the cheese that oozes out gets crusty on the sides and is 'baked' my fav part. We all love them especially Bryce.

My stroller and car seat. 

New hairdresser

9. What were your favourite new recipes?

Oh I tried quite a few new ones this year. Sometimes too often and Jeff said, can we just have some regular old recipes? :) I should do a whole post about ones we liked and others that we didn't. 

Lemon crinkle cookies

Beef stew

Pork and Ranch with potatoes 

crockpot potatoes

baked taquitos

ham and egg cups

french breakfast muffins

snickerdoodle muffins

candycane popcorn

poppyseed chicken casserole

hot and spicy chicken

curry pork kabobs

butter chicken

Definitely need to do a post with ones I tried that I liked and didn't with links to all these recipes. Another night.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?

No

11. What was the best thing you bought?

an elliptical. I like it way better than my treadmill. It was great when I was pregnant, I could still exercise since it's low impact. 

12. Where did most of your money go?

Mortgage payment

vehicles

food

13. What did you get really excited about?

Being pregnant and having a sweet baby girl!

more dates with my hubby

swimming with the kids. We had such a fun summer together! We went here and there and did whatever with nothing to tie us down.

14. What song will always remind you of 2011?

William Joseph's songs (went and saw him in concert in Cardston)

I'm really bad for knowing songs but not the names or who they are by

Joy School songs

15. COmpared to this time last year are you: Happier or sadder? same Thinner or fatter? fatter Richer or poor? richer. making more on Mat leave than I was working taking the whole year into account. 

16. What do you wish you'd done more of?

Played the piano more. I don't play as much as used to. Being busy with kids during the day and then spending an hour or so each day teaching piano, I don't play the piano often. I miss just sitting down and playing for fun.

17. What do you wish you'd done less of?

Less time on meaningless things like the computer and email. 

Eating

18. How did you spend Christmas?

With family and just relaxing together

19. What was your favourite TV program?

Bones and Flashpoint and CSI New york. That's the only tv we watch. I'm not big on tv at all.

20. What were your favourite books of the year?

I re read James Farrel book "The Peacegiver" 

Chris Stewarts series 

21. What was your favourite music from this year?

111 classical songs album. Phantom of the Opera. 

22. What were your favourite films this year?

I know we saw some good ones... I would have to go back and look to figure out which ones and would but Jeff just got home from his meeting and I'm hurrying to try and finish this.

23. What did you do on your birthday and how old were you?

Went for an ultrasound and found out we were having a girl! Then out for dinner at Firestone. Mom also had us over for dinner for my birthday and spent time with family. I turned 28

24. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?

Nothing! I had a great year. Had a great pregnancy (I don't get sick and sleep well right up to the end etc.) Had fun with the kids, had a fantastic summer, fun at the lake, and the list goes on. Maybe the only thing would've been to work less since I worked more this summer trying to get enough hours in for a mat leave. But its been worth it.

25. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2011?

cardigans, bigger/different earrings, other that that Maternity clothes....so not much fashion here....

26. What kept you sane?

I love being outside. The sunshine and fresh air. Going for walks is one of my favourite things. 

27. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2011?

Live life in the moment. Don't wait for your 'golden ticket' or the right/perfect time. Not expect so much of people. Be grateful for what you can accomplish even if its not all you wanted to. (eg. If you can only get in 15 min of exercise instead of 30 do it anyway and be grateful that you at least got 15 min instead of doing none at all) If you want to get things done you need to plan. How important your example is so watch what you say and do always.