1. What did you do in 2009 that you’d never done before? went on a family vacation, just the 5 of us (Tom's there, really, he's just behind the camera=)
2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year? well, last year I said there are lots of things I would like to accomplish in my life but no "resolutions", no time frame, just a determination to keep working on "things". I'm still working on "things", but I have had some successes;) And I even managed to set a running routine on the treadmill; now I just have to get back into it=)
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Leslie had li'l miss Ruby.
4. Did anyone close to you die? nope.
5. What states/countries did you visit? Ohio, woo hoo! I went to Cedar Point with my sisters. Other than that, I think I couldn't escape stayed in Michigan this year.
6. What would you like to have in 2010 that you lacked in 2009? less stress and worry over financial matters. I've said it before but this time I think it's really true... Lord willing, the credit card and one (of the many) school loans will be paid off this year!
7. What dates from 2009 will remain etched upon your memory, and why? Tom getting the keys to his "new" business. We checked out the facilities one Friday nite, made "decorating" plans and then went to celebrate this big new step with dinner at the Beach Bar. The kids' first day of school. A significant conversation with my dad.
8. What was your biggest achievement? Making it thru 2009. (And actually enjoying most of it.)
9. What was your biggest failure? My relationship with Tom. But sometimes you need to fail to realize that you really do want to succeed. And admitting the fact that I failed could actually be my biggest success, right?
10. Did you suffer illness or injury? Austin's asthma was almost totally under control, just a few minor flare~ups. I'm still waiting for results from a cervical biopsy.
11. What was the best thing you bought? My children's education. Every time I walk into their school I am so reaffirmed in our choice to send them there. I love everything about it and it's totally worth the financial sacrifices, crazy work hours, and hectic coaching schedules to make it work.
12. Whose behavior merited celebration? Tom's for stepping up and accepting a wonderful business opportunity. Austin's for learning to ride his bike without training wheels (even after a mailbox jumped out and tackled him to the ground, he got back up to ride again). Audrey's for being independent and walking into preschool like she owned the place; and Lexi's for mastering writing the letters "H" and "A"! And let's not forget Bubba and Lindsey for gradgitating and landing "grown~up" jobs=)
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed? Everyone makes mistakes, right?
14. Where did most of your money go? (This probably won't change for a long time) the house and the kids .
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about? my kids' accomplishments, Tom's successes, my days off from work, the times Tom would take the kids out of town and give me "mommy~free" weekends. (even when the kids look completely "motherless" in the vacation pictures;) Don't look too close, but when Lexi dressed herself, she got her legs mixed up in her panties and wore her leg thru the waistband, Tom knew and didn't change it for her. C'mon, Daddy, help a girl out!
16. What song will always remind you of 2009? Darius Rucker "It Won't Be Like This For Long" reminds me to enjoy every bit of my time with the kids.
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
a) happier or sadder? I'm pretty happy and content b) thinner or fatter? Let's not ask that question right after Christmas... let's say the same, give or take a few pounds=) c) richer or poorer? richer in the long run but only because we've paid off some debt. But financially, things are pretty tight right now. I don't know how many times God will have to teach me to completely trust in Him for our provisions, but He has never failed us once; He is always faithful!
18. What do you wish you’d done more of? Getting up early to enjoy the quiet of the morning and being ready to start my day before the kids are up.
19. What do you wish you’d done less of? Worrying. Obsessing about all of the "what~ifs" in life.
20. How did you spend Christmas?
With our families. Hosmer family Christmas Eve morning. Hrebec family Christmas Eve. Just our family Christmas morning. With my mom later in the afternoon and with my Grandma Collins in the hospital that evening. Then Christmas nite with Tom's family.
21. Did you fall in love in 2009? Every day more deeply with my kids.
22. What was your favorite TV program? Little People, Big World: John and Kate plus 8 (before John went psycho); Bill and Gulianna; Diners, Drive Ins, and Dives.
23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year? nope, hate makes your heart heavy and your life miserable.
24. What was the best book you read? Twilight saga. (I normally don't get into this "type" of book, but I *loved* these.) Thanks to my track girls for getting my hooked with the movie and my SIL Rona for lending me all the books.
25. What was your greatest musical discovery? Lexi singing. She will often just bust out in song and I love to hear her sing "I Can Only Imagine" by Mercy Me.
26. What did you want and get? my new tattoo... finally! And Tom got his, too, so it turned into a "date nite" ;) Reconciliation, it's a wonderful, peaceful thing to experience. Oh, and a new Canon=)
for my kids: Austin: blue, Audrey: pink, and Lexi: purple (biggest to littlest)
the kids' birthdays
27. What did you want and not get? The opportunity to stay at home FULL time with my kids.
28. What was your favorite film of this year? New Moon. I can't wait to buy it on DVD! I also really liked The Proposal and Marley & Me.
29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you? 29. I had a track meet in Colon. It was freezing cold and I was absolutely miserable. It was a very generic day. Not a whole lotta special, but I guess that's what happens when you become "grown~up".
30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? a less chaotic lifestyle. Is there really such a thing as a "typical/normal" life?
31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2009? Clearance racks at Kohls and Target and one rockin' pair of semi~stilettos=)
32. What kept you sane? Blogging~ it can be so therapeutic. Play dates, and girls' nites out.
33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most? eh, no one really.
34. What political issue stirred you the most? I don't "do" politics.
35. Who did you miss? No one- everyone is close by
36. Who was the best new person you met? I don't think I met anyone new.
37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2009. God is always in control, even if His plans don't match up to my type A/ control freak plans.=)
38. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year. "My best friend gave me the best advice, he said each day's a gift and not a given right... that first step you take is the longest stride... if today was your last day, tomorrow was too late... would you live each moment like your last... if today was your last day..." Nickleback
