1. What did you do in 2008 that you had never done before?
I mother three kids now, that's new. I work from home. I had my gal bladder removed. Yup, never done that before. Do homework with my first born.
2. Did you keep any new years resolutions and will you make any new ones for 2009?
Yes. We've had regular FHE and scripture study with our kids. We have not gone to the temple regularly like we wanted to though.
3. Did anyone close to you die?
My sisters little newborn died at three months. That was very sad for the whole family. Our previous neighbor died in a horrible car accident. A boy died tragically at Mike's school. All the deaths that surrounded us all came within one month and were hard to deal with. It was a learning experience- both emotionally and spiritually.
4. What countries did you visit?
I visited Las Vegas. It might as well be another country. Well, and I live in Utah, so it's like I'm in a different country all the time.
5. What would you like to have more of in 2009 that you lacked in 2008?
Umm lets see.....we could use more income, which will be fixed this month and next. I could also use more sanity, time, sleep, patience......
6. What was your biggest achievement in 2008?
Giving birth to my third baby. Yup, I did it naturally and it wasn't nearly as bad as brain surgery. I also think getting used to the whole kindergarten/Mike's new job/Anna's preschool/new baby was quite the achievement. It's a lot to juggle and keep organized (which I know many of you have already aced)!
7. What do you wish you would have done more of in 2008?
I wish I had served more. I find I get kind of complacent and I really need to get out of that state of mind. That and I need to show my kids how do do it more. I also wished I had lost more baby poundage from my huge rear. Give me a few more months.....
8. What do you wish you would have done less of?
Yelling at my kids. It goes back to that whole patience thing. By the third time I ask my kids to do something, my voice is a little louder then it should be and if it's past 5pm, well, don't expect much from me.
9. Did you fall in love in 2008?
Oh yes. He's so handsome and chubby. Yes, he does slobber on me, he smells sometimes, and I have to wait on him 24 hours a day, but I would walk to the ends of the universe for my little Squishy.
10. What did you do on your birthday?
My birthday? Geez, that was 3 months ago. Ok, now it's all coming back. I worked at Tuacahn. It was the rainiest day of the season. I got bucket loads of water dumped on my head from the over head "cover" as the wind picked it up and the pooled water fell out. I was soaked! Not fun, but it was funny.
11. What kept you sane?
Most of the time it was Mike. He keeps me grounded. But having things to do kept me going. Last year (2007) I went crazy staying home. I HATED it. I'm not the type that finds cleaning 24/7 to be fun or in the least bit fulfilling. There has been so much going on this year that I have found sanity in being a "stay-at-home" mom through my new job and the new schedules of my kids.
12. What is the most valuable lesson you learned this year?
I learned two this year. One is that life is short. We are blessed to have every moment with our families and friends. I learned that when I had my surgery, but watching death occur in families helped to remind me of that precious gift. The other is that complacency is bad. I had a bad few months after Brayden was born. I didn't have post-pardum, but when I had to have my gal bladder removed, I was pissed. I just was tired of health problems, became angry with God, and stopped caring about a lot of things. I went through the motions of life. I stopped moving forward because I did nothing to help myself spiritually. I'm glad it was only a few months, but I did learn a lesson, and knowing me, I'll probably have to learn it again a few times before I get it.
13. Quote a song lyric that sums of the year: Just let's sum it up the the music of Les Mis. There's love, hope, agony, death, and salvation. Not to mention, I lived and breathed the show for half the year and I am so grateful that I did.
