2011 Survey

I am copying this idea from another much bigger and widely read blog....

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

Ate a vegan diet for a month just because I felt like it. I learned I love cheese and eggs and being a vegan is not easy for me but I could easily be a vegetarian.

2. Did you keep your New Years Resolution and will you make more?

My very silly resolution last year was to accessorize more just because I had just had a baby and was trying to keep myself out of sweatpants for the remainder of the year.

Resolutions this year are to find a church home that we all really enjoy going to each week and to have more fun and special moments with my girls.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

My girlfriend and neighbor Tina had her second little one.

4. Did anyone close to you die?

My great grandfather passed away earlier this year.

5. What countries did you visit?

I think counties would have been a more appropriate question for me. So NOWHERE SPECIAL!

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

A vacation!!

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

January 5th was when Emmy was released from Texas Children's Hospital and December 10th was their big birthday party that they loved so much.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?

For this first time in my life, I think I have really made exercise an important part of my routine. I look forward to waking up at the crack of dawn and have that time just for me.

Also I would say potty training Allie was a great feeling too!

9. What was your biggest failure?

Hmmmm. I think there were times that I could have been a much better wife and mom. I had a hard time coming out of the postpartum funk this time.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?

No it was a lucky year health wise.

11. What was the best thing you bought?

I got an new Acadia this year with a DVD player in it and it has been LIFE CHANGING! Seriously! No more crying fits in the car. I love it! Also I did not buy them but I got a pair of cycling shoes that I love for Christmas from Kyle and a juicer that I use everyday from my mom.

12. Where did most of your money go?

Texas Children's and the NICU. Ha! But I have healthy kids and it is paid for so who cares?

13. What did you get really excited for?

Kyle and I made a quick trip to Atlanta and that was exciting. Kyle also started a new job at his company which he really enjoys. I am so proud of him!

14. What song will remind you of 2011?

I don't ever get to listen to the radio since we now have the car DVD player so I don't really have a current song to name here.

15. Compared to this time last year are you

Happier or sadder?

Much happier!

Thinner or fatter?

Thinner but just because I had a just had Emmy last year.

Richer or poorer?

Same? Kind of a weird question to answer on the internet?

16. What do you wish you had done more of?

Played with my girls.

17. What do you wish you had done less of?

Complained about my girls? And fretted over everything. I am a world class fretter.

18. What did you do at Christmas?

Spent the holiday with Kyle's family in San Antonio.

19. What was your favorite TV program?

Oh Lord do I watch way too much TV. Probably Parenthood is my favorite.

20. Favorite books of the year?

I had lots of favorites this year. My absolute favorite that I recommend to everyone is The Middle Place by Kelly Corrigan. It was fantastic! Honorable Mention goes to Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer and then Blood, Bones and Butter by Gabrielle Hamilton and then Bossypants by Tina Fey.

21. Favorite music?

What ever got my fat butt up and working out at the gym. And my favorite Pandora stations at home.

22. Favorite films of the year?

I only saw Bridesmaids and The Help and I liked them both a lot.

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

I turned 31 and celebrated with a shrimp boil at my parents house with my family and the Raskas.

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

Wow. I can't really say I feel like I missed out on having anything. I think I am overall really content with what I have in my life.

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

Ha! I would sound so stupid answering this question. Basically I try to copy my sister in a more age appropriate (for me) way.

26. What kept you sane?

I think you are assuming I was sane. I will say Kyle though. He is a good person to talk to when I am upset. He talks me out of my emotional freak outs and always has a cool head about things.

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

I learned it in 2010 and then again in 2011, having your health is everything. Take care of yourself and others you love, because you never realize how devastating it can be to have an ill loved one until it smacks you upside the head. Also, I always talk about the money stuff with the hospital bills and maybe we could have done a lot more this year had we not had all those to deal with, but stuff is just stuff and really does not make me all that happy.