(no subject)
1. What did you do in 2008 that you'd never done before?
Experienced pregnancy and childbirth!
2. Did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
My #1 goal was to stay happy and do all in my power to have a healthy pregnancy/birth. I definitely accomplished that! I also had another goal (spiritual) that I don't want to say because I am embarrassed that I didn't accomplish it. Also I wanted to maintain a clean home, and I didn't do such a great job at that. Better luck next year!
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Why, yes! I was blessed with my beautiful angel, Ava Elizabeth, on September 5, 2008.
4. Did anyone close to you die?
No.
5. What countries did you visit?
None.
6. What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008?
I can't think of anything! Overall I just want us to get caught up from me being out of work for 12 weeks and having over $2,000 in bills that we don't normally have. :-\
7. What date from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
September 5, 2008! You know why.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Giving birth to my sweet baby girl!
9. What was your biggest failure?
Honestly, I don't think I had any big failures!
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
I had the normal "injuries" associated with having a natural childbirth, but I didn't mind! I was also very sick from about week 6 - week 15 of my pregnancy. I would normally throw up first thing in the morning, then I'd be nauseated all day, then sometimes at night I'd throw up again. It was very miserable!
11. What was the best thing you bought?
All of the cute and adorable stuff associated with a baby girl! Shopping for babies (especially girls) is the most fun thing ever.
12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
Jared's. He was fabulous during the pregnancy. My mom's. She's an amazing grandmother to Ava and we are so blessed to have her.
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
No one's.
14. Where did most of your money go?
Ava.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
AVA!!
16. What songs will always remind you of 2008?
Chris Brown, Closer
Katy Perry, I Kissed a Girl
Stevie Wonder, Isn't She Lovely (Ava's song)
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
i. Happier or sadder? At this time last year, I had just found out I was pregnant, so I was pretty ecstatic. But I still say I'm happier.
ii. Thinner or fatter? The same, halleluia! I am grateful to be back to my pre-pregnancy weight even though my body is definitely not the same anymore...
iii. Richer or poorer? Poorer.
18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Scripture reading, praying, family home evening - always things we can improve upon. And definitely saving money and cooking at home.
19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Frivolous spending, though we were dramatically better this year. We still ate out WAY too much.
20. How will you be spending Christmas?
Christmas was spent the traditional way - Christmas Eve steak dinner at the in-laws', Christmas day morning at Sariah and Scott's, then over to the in-laws', then my mom came over to our house.
21. How will you be spending New Years?
No clue. It will surely be low-key.
22. Did you fall in love in 2008?
Not in the romantic sense, but I definitely experienced that love that everyone always tells you about - the one you'll never understand until you have kids. It is amazing and so, so true!
23. How many one night stands?
None.
24. What were your favorite TV programs?
Jeopardy, The First 48, anything with Paula Deen, A Baby Story, Ellen, The Price is Right.
25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
No.
26. What was the best book you read?
I read a lot of pregnancy books. I am glad I read them because I felt pretty prepared (as prepared as you can be...). I also finally read the last Harry Potter book!
27. What was your greatest musical discovery?
I don't think I really had one.
28. What did you want and get?
A baby! Gift cards galore.
29. What did you want and not get?
Can't think of anything.
30. What was your favorite film of this year?
The Dark Knight
31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I turned 25 on November 16. I had a family birthday party and my mom came and I was so happy! I got Guitar Hero World Tour, gift cards to Dress Barn and Old Navy, some cash, books, and a lot of fun.
32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Having a baby. This is my answer for everything, it seems! But it really does take over your life in the best way.
33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008?
Flats, flip-flops (toward the end of my pregnancy they were all I could wear because my feet were so swollen), Secret Fit belly jeans (THE BEST maternity jeans EVER), long flowy dresses + cardigans, basically anything that was cute and comfy. I strived to be the cutest pregnant lady ever!
34. What kept you sane?
Picturing the end result, satisfying my food cravings, sleep.
35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Whatev.
36. What political issue stirred you the most?
I'll have to say that I was overall pretty apathetic, despite this being a very important year for politics.
37. Who did you miss?
My friends. I never see enough of them, and I fear we will only grow more apart as we grow older and our lives change.
38. Who was the best new person you met?
Well, obviously it was my sweet Ava.
39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2008.
Family truly is all that matters. Epidural is amazing.
40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
Isn't she pretty
Truly the angels' best
Boy, I'm so happy
We have been heaven blessed
I can't believe what God has done
Through us he's given life to one
But isn't she lovely made from love
-Stevie Wonder, Isn't She Lovely
In 2009...
1. Will you be looking for a new job?
Nope
2. Will you be looking for a new relationship?
Nope
3. New house?
That would be lovely... but it's unlikely.
4. What will you do different in 09?
Be a better church member. Keep a clean home. Cook more often.
5. New Years resolution?
See above.
6. What will you not be doing in 09?
Being lazy. Spending money frivolously.
7. Any trips planned?
Nope.
8. Wedding plans?
Nope.
9. Major thing(s) on your calendar?
None, other than Ava's first birthday!
10. What can't you wait for?
Nothing. I mean, life is exciting as it is... but I don't have anything huge to look forward to or anything.
11. What would you like to see happen different?
See my New Years resolution.
12. What about yourself will you be changing?
I would like to tone up my body. Be more responsible.
13. What happened in 08 that you didn't think would ever happen?
Well, if you'd have asked me when I was younger where I'd be when I was 24, I don't think I ever would have said married with a baby. It's pretty amazing!
14. Will you be nicer to the people you care about?
Absolutely. Why not?
15. Will you dress differently this year than you did in 08?
Yes - no more maternity clothes!
16. Will you start or quit drinking?
No.
17. Will you better your relationship with your family?
Sure.
18. Will you do charity work?
I mean, I don't have plans to...
19. Will you go to bars?
Not so much.
20. Will you be nice to people you don't know?
I mean, in passing... I'm not going to go out of my way or anything.
21. Do you expect 09 to be a good year for you?
Yes!
22. How much did you change from this time last year till now?
Gosh, immeasurably. Being a mommy is so different, but so fabulous!
Do you plan on having a child?
No sir. I'm good for now.
Will you still be friends with the same people you are friends with now?
Yes!
Major lifestyle changes?
Nah. That was this year!
26. Will you be moving?
Probably not.
27. What will you make sure doesn't happen in 09 that happened in 08?
Uhhh.... a messy house the majority of the time.
28. What are your New Years Eve plans?
Don't know.
29. Will you have someone to kiss at midnight?
Yes.
30. One wish for 09?
A healthy and happy baby girl... I could have nothing else in the world if I have that.