Looking back (and forward)

I stole this from my friend Valerie's note on Facebook--thought it was kind of a fun survey, but didn't realize it was so long when I was reading it on her page. So feel free to read it or disregard it as you please. Mostly it just made me think back over al of the past year, instead of just the hard parts, which was good.


Where did you begin 2007?
In our cozy apartment with my hubby and then 9 month old baby. Not sure if any friends actually stuck it out long enough to see the new year with us at our house that night... can't remember.

What was your status by Valentine's Day?
Still happily married.

Were you in school (anytime this year)?
Other than Sunday School, nope, sadly. Maybe this year I'll take an aerobics class at least, perhaps something more artsy. We'll see.

Did you have to go to the hospital?
Only for Breanne's tube-in-ear surgery, and to visit a few people who definitely needed visits.

Did you have any encounters with the police?
Just when Cory got pulled over, I think.

Where did you go on vacation?
Yellowstone! and it was a blast, even with the morning sickness.

What did you purchase that was over $500?
We bought a house, and a new (well, new to us, anyway) car. We also managed to buy new wheels, tires, and other random parts for the car that added up to well over 500.00.

Did you know anybody who got married?
Yep, a sister-in-law, and a couple friends.

Did you know anybody who passed away?
Umm, I actually can't think of anyone... must've been a good year, I guess.

Did you move anywhere
Yes! Clear around the corner, into the house we bought in July. I'm beginning to believe that these short-distance moves are a lot more difficult than long-distance ones... we're never as organized as we need to be to make them.

What sporting events did you attend?
Hmm, not coming up with anything.

What concerts/shows did you go to?
Again, not really coming up with anything. We've become such a boring people as of late! No money, I guess. Maybe BYU's production of Oklahoma was this year, which I went to to watch Cory play...

Where do you live now?
Provo, UT. Still.

Describe your birthday.
Hmm. Not the best time of the year this year, unfortunately. I believe I had some sort of Primary function in the morning or something like that, then out to lunch with our friend Tyler (probably the nicest part of the day) then went to a book party (and signed up to sell Usborne books, a decision I have not regretted in the least), then up to Salt Lake to go to the last few minutes of a family reunion my Grandma insisted I attend against my will because she had a cake made just for me, then off to visit my Dad. It was just a busy day in a really stressful time. But I didn't cry all day, which I was proud of.

What's the one thing you thought you would never do but did in 2007?
Sold my (our, really) Corolla... that was so sad. First car I ever bought with my own money. It blew a hole in the engine block, though, so I guess it was time.

What has/have been your favorite moment(s)?
Honestly--sitting with Cory, mutually crying over some dumb tv show or movie... just being together, and realizing that we both feel the same way sometimes. We've had a lot of good moments together this year, and have grown together a lot, I think. Our one crazy week, during which we found out that our offer had been accepted on a house, Cory had been offered a new job, and we found out that I was pregnant again, is also pretty high on the list.

What's something you learned about yourself?
That I am stronger than I thought I was. I know who I am, and who I want to be, when a lot of people I know and love do not.

Any new additions to your family?
Well, Audrey was born in March, my first niece. And Kimmy married Cory in August (though technically, we're already family, so that probably doesn't really count... we have the same 4th great-grandma, or something like that). And now we're expecting our 2nd, due in March, so though she isn't here yet, I'm pretty sure she counts as an addition in 2007, because she is definitely already a little person.

What was your best month?
That's a toughie. Maybe July or August, when we bought our house, and went on vacation and just enjoyed being together, before Cory's school started up again and things got too crazy to bear.

What music will you remember 2007 by?
Honestly, probably mostly Sesame Street stuff... like the "La la la" L song. :) Oh, and the Snowman song, Popcorn Popping, and Entsy-Weentsy Spider. Can't count how many times I've sang those over the last few months. For real music--our car radio was broken for a while this year, so we didn't listen to much, and now I'm just never out in the car, because Cory has it so much of the time. I'm sure he has music to remember this year by, though.

Made new friends?
Yeah, a few through Primary and our ward activities, which has been really fun. No one too close, though, I guess.

Favorite Night[s] out
Going to see Juno with Cory the last night of December stands out as a good date, as does the night we saw Stalking Santa and got ice cream afterwards. I also really enjoyed playing games with the family on numerous occasions, Scrabble with Cory's family, card games at Yellowstone with mine.

Any regrets?
Not really. I wish that some things hadn't had to happen, but it's good that they did, just the same, I think. I feel like we responded to everything in the best way that we could. And while I don't love our Cavalier like I did the Corolla, even that is starting to grow on me, now that the smell of the air freshener doesn't make me puke every time I get in the car...

What do you want to change in 2008?
I want to be kinder and more considerate of others, and a little bit less cynical of the world. I would like to not make fun of tv shows when they're emotional (unless they're just being ridiculous...) and have a little bit more sensitivity to others feelings. I want to be more patient.

Overall, how would you rate this year?
It was a good year. Lots of crazy stuff, but much of it necessary. And a lot of it good--buying a house, getting pregnant again, the job switch--all good things.

Other than home, where did you spend most of your time?
Hmm, up visiting family, mostly, I'd guess.

Have any life changes in 2007?
Yes, we've already gone through those, though.

Change your hairstyle?
Somewhat sadly, no. My hair is finally going back to it's pre-Breanne self, though, which is weird (because I'm pregnant again) but I really like.

Get a new job?
Yep, as an Usborne consultant.

How old did you turn this year?
24

Do you have a New Year's resolution?
Yeah. Lame as it sounds, I really am going to try to eat healthier, and once this baby comes out, I hope to get to a point where I really feel comfortable with my body again. I know, I know, you all thought I looked just fine, but it's me I have to convince.

Do anything embarrassing?
Nothing comes to mind, I don't really get embarrassed that easily.

Buy anything new from eBay?
EBay, nope, but online yes, for the first time I can think of. Lots of books, some clothes, and a few other things.

What was/were your favorite purchase[s]?
Our house, and firewood for our fires.

Get married or divorced?
Nope.

Get arrested?
Nope

Be honest - did you watch American Idol?
Of course! But I was disappointed with the results, like most always.

Did you get sick this year?
Not that I can remember... Cory and Breanne took care of that for the three of us.

Start a new hobby?
Yep, selling books, and I really got into making bows for Breanne and other babies, among other things. Also made several baby quilts and blankets.

Been snowboarding?
Still haven't and probably won't ever.

Are you happy to see 2007 go?
Yes, I am excited for what's to come this year. A new baby, Cory's possible (and hopeful) graduation... lots of big changes in store with that, I'm sure.

Drank Starbucks in 2007?
Nope, still never even been inside one.

Been naughty or nice?
Probably both.

What are you wishing for in 2008?
That we are successful at parenting two girls, that Cory graduates, and that we start to get the rest of our lives figured out.