Saying Goodbye to 2012

I completed at 2011 wrap up last year, and feel the need to do the same this year.  It's fun to look back, see where we've been, maybe where we're going.

So without further ado...



1. What did you do in 2012 that you’d never done before?
I ventured into potty training my son.  Oh My Goodness.  He is THISCLOSE.  A few weeks ago, it was rough...and really the journey that began last summer.  I am looking forward to only one child in diapers and a nice long rest from potty training.

2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I wanted to keep stress away and spend more time with family.  I definitely spent more time with family, but stress still plagues me.  Ugh.  I really don't have an answer for that one.

This year:
*Get healthy and stay healthy.
*Time with family (always needed!)
*Something personal

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Yes, we welcomed a beautiful new niece to our family in February!  Plus several friends!

4. Did anyone close to you die?
Not this year, thankfully.

5. What countries did you visit?
Zipola.  We should really change that!

6. What would you like to have in 2013 that you didn’t have in 2012?
More free time.  It feels sometimes like every single weekend is planned and that we have no decompress time.

7. What dates from 2012 will be etched upon your memory, and why?
 April 2 - Dex's 3rd (!) birthday, December 30 -  Annie's 1st (!) birthday

8. What was your biggest achievement of this year?
Coming to terms with my decision to have my tubes tied.  Especially as Annie's first birthday came.  I started to doubt myself, missing a cuddly baby, and then sat and thought about all of our reasons.  It was the right choice.

9. What was your biggest failure?
Baby weight.  Still.  Too much stress.  Too little time.  Too many excuses.  ;)

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
I spent a great amount of the year sick, mostly upper respiratory.  Hoping to avoid that, but other than that, I was fine!

11. What was the best thing you bought?
We bought the kids a huge swing set.  Best thing we ever did.  It was our "vacation money" and very well spent!

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
My family.  Especially little Dexter.  He has welcomed his sister so well and loves her dearly!  Our family has been our support system again, as always!

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
I was amazed at how friends turned on each other this year with the election.  I ignored most people and kept my opinions to myself.

14. Where did most of your money go?
Mortgage, bills, the usual!

15. What did you get really excited about?
I was really pleased that I was able to take 4 months off for maternity leave due to good planning.  Due to that, summer, holidays, I spent at least half of the year home with my children.  This is something I will never get to do again!

16. What song will always remind you of 2012?
Ready or Not Bridgit Mendler...just loving it!

17. Compared to this time last year, are you: a) happier or sadder? b) thinner or fatter? c) richer or poorer?
Happier
A tiny bit thinner
Richer...in many ways that aren't always related to money!

18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Make time for me.  I never do that.  and ignore people who make me feel bad.  I have to stop letting them get to me!

19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Worrying.  Stressing.

20. How did you spend Christmas?
With our families!  This is a tradition that shall never stop!

21. Did you fall in love in 2012?
Always with my family!

22. What was your favorite TV program?
I always say every baby I've "found" a new tv show.  This year I found Mad Men during late night feedings (omg how have I missed this show??  LOOOOOVE IT!) and then the Parenthood.  Many tears shed!  As always, must include Gilmore Girls!

23. What was the best book you read?
Still in the process of DEVOURING, but Young House Love!  My favorite bloggers have written an awesome book!

24. What was your greatest musical discovery?
I've been rediscovering new pop artists.  Pop has always been my favorite music genre and now that Dex is really getting into music, and party girl Annie loves to dance, we listen to the radio more!

25. What did you want and get?
Some new hobbies, things to try and get my mind of stuff I worry about.

26. What did you want and not get?
I hate to reiterate this, but to stay home with my kids.  And to move.  But we won't talk about that.  It's pretty personal at the moment.

27. What was your favorite film of 2012?
Go to the movies?  ha!  We never do that!  But we are finally getting around to watching the last Harry Potter movies and loving them!

28. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
33.  An adult evening out and about!

29. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
To be more secure and for an end to the never ending "health issue"...and that's pretty much all I'm going to say.  Personal stuff.

30. How would you describe your personal fashion concept of 2012?
Work wear at work, comfy wear at home.  Ugh.  I've started reworking my make up routine and I've started the process of going back to a medium blonde.  More time for mama.  She needs it!

31. What kept you sane?
Same as last year.  my husband and my mother.  They get me.

32. What political issue stirred you the most?
Healthcare.  Things keep going up and up.  And we both work.  hard.  It hardly seems right sometimes.

33. Who did you miss?
I miss my grandmother still.  Always.  She was a person that other people could emulate.  An amazing woman.  I also miss a friend who is having a really rough time and can't "be" a friend right now, and doesn't want help from others.

34. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2012.
No matter how hard you work, how good of a person you try to be, sometimes you end up with the short end of the stick.  Sometimes there are people who don't work hard, and who aren't so nice, and get their way.  It stinks.  It's not fair.  You have to deal with it.

35. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
It's long but the whole song rocks.

And I came home
Like a stone
And I fell heavy into your arms
These days of dust
Which we've known
Will blow away with this new sun

And I'll kneel down
Wait for now
And I'll kneel down
Know my ground

And I will wait, I will wait for you
And I will wait, I will wait for you

So break my step
And relent
You forgave and I won't forget
Know what we've seen
And him with less
Now in some way
Shake the excess

But I will wait, I will wait for you
And I will wait, I will wait for you
And I will wait, I will wait for you
And I will wait, I will wait for you

So I'll be bold
As well as strong
And use my head alongside my heart
So take my flesh
And fix my eyes
That tethered mind free from the lies

But I'll kneel down
Wait for now
I'll kneel down
Know my ground

Raise my hands
Paint my spirit gold
And bow my head
Keep my heart slow

Cause I will wait, I will wait for you
And I will wait, I will wait for you
And I will wait, I will wait for you
And I will wait, I will wait for you
~Mumford & Sons

36. Bonus Question: What else will always remind you of 2012?
Tears...tears of happiness, tears of joy, tears of sadness, tears of anger, tears of stress.  There were many tears shed this year for many reasons. 

Read about 2011 here