2011 Wrap Up

This afternoon I saw these questions on this blog. She got the following questions from another blog, but the link to the original blog would not work for me, so I am just linking to mommode. On the way home from a quick trip this afternoon I asked Jay these questions. We had a great discussion about the year and all the changes it has brought. I thought it was interesting that all the personal growth questions were answered by him about work, where as I answered them all in relation to our kids. Even though we both have full time jobs, I just thought it was a neat parallel about how a woman thinks versus a man. Here are my answers:

REFLECTION QUESTIONS FOR 2011

What was the single best thing that happened this past year?
Charlotte being born into our family.


What was the single most challenging thing that happened?
Figuring out life with two kids. One kid didn't seem to rock our world too much. He easily adjusted to a schedule and we adjusted our lives to fit his. With two kids who have different schedules it was hard to be available to both kids at the same time with different needs. How do a get one child's lunch ready when another child needs to nurse? While it was much more challenging in the beginning, I think we now have a better handle on things. How people have more than 2 children and manage things I have yet to figure out!


What was an unexpected joy this past year?
Charlotte being a baby girl. Her gender was a surprise and I will never forget the excitement and joy on Jay's face when he said she was a girl. Adding pinks, purples, dresses and baby dolls to our house has been so much fun!

What was an unexpected obstacle this past year?
Realizing that Trey had a delay in his speech. I didn't think it was that big a deal that he wasn't saying many words when he turned 2 and when the pediatrician wanted to recommend him for early intervention it really threw me for a loop. I am so glad we did it though because he has taken off with his speech and now we can't get him to stop talking! I can't believe that just 6 months ago he was only speaking 30-40 words. Now being able to communicate with him and hear everything going on in his head still amazes me. He continually surprises and cracks me up with what comes out of his mouth.

Pick three words to describe 2011.
Balance. Joy. Change.

What were the best books you read this year?
I honestly could not name my tops books of 2011. I have read TONS of books on my kindle, many of which were free downloads so they weren't always the deepest of books. I think it shows that I need to read more books that might stretch me or make me think, since not one single book stands out to me. As I look back through my kindle downloads though I can recommend one good read, Saving CeeCee Honeycutt by Beth Hoffman.

With whom were your most valuable relationships?
My husband. He challenges me and teaches me things every day. I love living life with him.


What was your biggest personal change from January to December of this past year?
My biggest personal change was learning that I can't do it all. I can't be the best at everything in my life. There have to be compromises. I can be the best mom, wife and teacher I know how to be each day, but what is my best isn't going to be the same as someone elses and that's okay.

In what way(s) did you grow emotionally?
Emotionally I grew in learning who I am. I love my kids more than life, but they aren't me and they will one day grow up and I will still (hopefully) be here. I am learning to find out who I am and continue to develop my person to be one that brings glory to the Lord and finds my joy in Him, not in my family or my blessings.


In what way(s) did you grow spiritually?
God is constantly teaching me to trust in him and not in my own ways. I grew in trust and seeing that trusting God will bring peace that no amount of my own planning can bring.

In what way(s) did you grow physically?
I would say I shrunk physically in that I lost my baby weight. I will also have to say that despite weighing what I weighed before I got pregnant with baby #1, my body is not the same. I know now what strength my body is capable of after two births, but lets just say it still shows that I had two babies in two years.


What was the most enjoyable part of your work (both professionally and at home)?

Watching my kids love each other. Charlotte lights up when Trey comes into the room and she crawls to the bottom of the stairs when she hears his voice coming down the stairs. Trey will give Charlotte a hug randomly and then say, "I am glad to see you Charlotte. Want to play with me Charlotte?" It melts my heart every time.

What was the most challenging part of your work (both professionally and at home)?

The most challenging part of my work at home was finding balance. How to let things go just to play with my kids and not worry about the dirty dishes or the laundry in baskets. I am better than I used to be, but I still need to focus on the time I have with my little ones and not just trying to go through the evening checking off chores.

What was your single biggest time waster in your life this past year?

Facebook.

What was the best way you used your time this past year?

Spending time with my family. Afternoons where we just played together on the floor tickling or reading a book. Singing songs with Trey and playing peek a boo with Charlotte or listening to silly rendition of a nursery rhyme being read by Jay. Those are times that are so precious and I wish I could relive over and over again.

What was biggest thing you learned this past year?

There is no "right" way to parent. It is just what works best for your family at the time. My two kids have different personality and what worked with one doesn't always work with the other. If that is true for my two kids with the same mom and dad then there is no way I can compare my parenting to that of another mom with a completely different child.

Create a phrase or statement that describes 2011 for you.
Once you think you got it down, something else changes, but each change fulfills you a little more.