The Year in Review

The Year in Review...again.

1. What did you do in 2010 that you'd never done before?

ummm....i can't say "gave birth"...but I CAN say I gave birth to a girl!

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

i will write the same thing i wrote last year. i don't usually make resolutions. i don't think they are bad, but i don't think resolutions should be reserved for just the new year. i am more likely to keep a resolution if God has convicted me of something rather than doing a traditional resolution just because.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

well...myself!

4. Did anyone close to you die?

no

5. What countries did you visit?

none...wish I could! But Jeff went to Greece!

6. What would you like to have in 2011 that you lacked in 2010?

energy!

7. What date from 2010 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?

June 30 - Carley was born!

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?

I picked up playing the piano again. I don't think I will EVER forget how to play the piano, but when you are not playing regularly you get "fumble fingers." I started playing for our services this year at church and I have enjoyed it and gotten rid of the "fumble fingers." haha.

9. What was your biggest failure?

I feel like the end of last school year (that 2nd semester...Jan-June) I was pretty lazy at work. I was getting more and more pregnant and my mind was everywhere but at work. Those kids did not deserve for me to not be a better teacher for them.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?

just more IBS stuff! lol.

11. What was the best thing you bought?

Jeff's new truck...we like it.

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?

Jeff graduated and with lots of honors! I am so proud of how he persevered and SO glad it is over!

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?

i guess my some of my students. they are REALLY good kids that just have big needs and so they just act out. Their behavior doesnt appall me, but i do get frustrated and sad that no matter how hard I try I will never be able to fix their problems.

14.Where did most of your money go?

mortgage and childcare and paying off my car.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?

having baby #2 and God's word!

16. What song will always remind you of 2010?

"Movements" by Rend Collective

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
i. happier or sadder? happier
ii. thinner or fatter? thinner - only because I was prego last year...now I'm not! haha
iii. richer or poorer? same

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

spent more one on one time with some youth from church

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

worrying about what others think.

20. Did you fall in love in 2010?

i always love Jeff and Colin more and more every day. And I got to fall in love with a sweet little girl. She has added a whole new dynamic to this family and I love her!

21. What was your favorite TV program?

I really don't watch much TV anymore...but I guess still The Office!

22.. What was the best book you read?

I finished "To Live is Christ" and now I am starting "Radical." Good Stuff!

23. What was your greatest musical discovery?

Rend Collective Experiment!!!

24. What did you want and get?

a sewing machine

25.What did you want and NOT get?

a shed for the backyard...I actually said this last year! haha.

26. What was your favorite film of this year?

I suddenly became interested in Harry Potter. I took Jeff to see the newest one over Thanksgiving break for a date (thinking I would honestly fall asleep) but then it got me interested. So over the past month we have been watching all the movies. I just got caught up yesterday! So now I am going to start reading it!

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

I turned 27. I don't think we really did anything. Probably just went out to eat.

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

digging into the word. I have a new found love for scripture and memorizing it. It has been so rewarding as it keeps me connected with God. However, I didn't really start doing that hard core until about September. Wish I had started it earlier!

29. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2010?

ummm...I think I should go on "What Not to Wear." I just am not good at putting outfits together! Its not that I am not willing to wear certain fashionable clothes. I will wear just about anything! I just need someone to shop for me and tell me what to wear everyday! haha.

30. What kept you sane?

3 things.

1) the Bible

2) cleaning/organizing...for some reason, when my house is clean I just feel calmer.

3) spending time with Jeff and the kids.

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

ummm...I really don't know!

32. What political issue stirred you the most?

again...I don't know!

33. Who did you miss?

my sister

34.. Who was the best new person you met?

Carley Erin Stapleton! Such a sweet heart. I cant wait to see what kind of little girl she will grow up to be!

35. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2010:

Live simply and give generously. We have again had to shift around our budget since we added a new baby to the picture. When we do that we really are forced to evaluate what is necessary and what is not. Also, we have given away more money and things than we ever have before this past year. Its humbling to do so. And at the same time, God has always proven himself faithful to provide!

36. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:

I will not fight You
Take me past the line that my heart draws
I will not fight You
Take me beyond the laziness of my thoughts
I will not fight
Lead me further than I've gone before
I will not fight You
I'm abandoned to Your call

(another Rend Collective song)

37. The best thing you discovered this year?

Harry Potter

38. The best thing you lost?

I could cry just talking about it...but sometime during the packing/traveling between here and Arlington for Thanksgiving, I lost my Bible and journal. I know most of you are thinking "just get a new one!" and I have done that. But its just not the same. I had stuff written in that Bible and journal that was good stuff. I was quite attached to them! lol

39. What are you glad to leave behind from 2010?

although being pregnant is worth it and even fun, I am glad to leave it behind. There was so much that i missed out on at church (especially during the summer months...like camps and mission trips) and that made me sad. So I will be glad this year to be able to participate in all of that stuff!

40. What are you looking forward to in 2011?

Jeff and I are going to Chicago in March for the Simply Youth Ministry conference. We are both SO excited to go and spend some time together with just us! And we are excited to learn.

Christmas Survey!

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Wrapping paper and ribbons/bows

2. Real tree or Artificial? Artificial....and definitely pre-lit!

3. When do you put up the tree? As soon as we get back from Arlington for Thanksgiving.

4. When do you take the tree down? Jan 1st or 2nd

5. Do you like eggnog? havent had it before

6. Favorite gift received as a child? hmmm....a bike...that actually got stolen like 5 days later.

7. Hardest person to buy for? Jeff's dad

8. Easiest person to buy for? my mom and jeff's mom. Just give them some things with pics of the kids on it!

9. Do you have a nativity scene? yes. I have almost all of the Willow Tree nativity set and it is my FAVORITE part of decorating for Christmas!

10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Mail!

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? ummm...I guess it was Christmasy corningwear. It was nice, but at that point in my life I wasn't married and never cooked.

12. Favorite Christmas Movie? Elf and The Polar Express

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? just whenever I get a chance.

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? I don't think so.

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? this is random, but this is a staple in my family...Clam Dip!

16. Lights on the tree (colored or clear)? White!

17. Favorite Christmas song? I have 3. Silent Night, Welcome to Our World, and I Celebrate the Day

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? Travel

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer's? Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen, Rudolph

20. Angel, star or ribbon on top of tree? ribbon on our big tree. Star on the kids little tree.

21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? Eve with my family, Day with Jeff's family. We will do presents with the kids a few days before Christmas...like before we go to Arlington.

22. Favorite children's Christmas song? Santa Claus is coming to town

23. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? Traveling with small children

24. Favorite ornament theme or color? Red and gold. But I think I want to change next year to Red and Silver.

25. Turkey or ham on Christmas day? both!

26. What do you want for Christmas this year? To be with my family! And I'd love to not have to wash the dishes for one day. :)

27. Does anyone in your family dress up as Santa? No.

28. Age you discovered who Santa was? I don't really remember. It had to be pretty young, because I don't ever remember believing in him!

29. Eggnog, hot chocolate, or apple cider? apple cider

30. Traditional colors (red and green) or other colors? Traditional

31. Do you have any Christmas decorations on your roof? no

32. How does Santa get into your house? Chimney or magic key? key

33. Do you prefer gifts or gift cards? both are great!

34. Favorite children's Christmas Cartoon? not really a cartoon, but The Muppet Christmas Carol