A Year In Review

1. What did you do in 2010 that you'd never done before?
I had a VBAC. And an unassisted VBAC at that. Steven and I caught our own baby. Most definitely the highlight of my year.

2. Did you keep your New Year's resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
Most of my resolutions had to do with being healthy for a (hopeful) healthy new baby and a home VBAC. I’d say that turned out very well, thank the Lord!

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
The ladies in my trio all had babies and so did my sister, among others! This year was THE year of babies!

4. Did anyone close to you die?
No, thank God. A friend’s husband died unexpectedly and that shook us pretty badly. I still think about it every day. Please pray for Cortney and her son Xav.

5. What countries did you visit?
Haha. Next question…

6. What would you like to have in 2011 that you lacked in 2010?
More self-discipline, more generosity, and servanthood.

7. What dates from 2010 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
June 25 – the date my parents were in a terrible car accident, but lived to tell the tale, praise God! It was also their 44th wedding anniversary. November 7th, the day Henry Isaac was born!

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Giving birth to Henry. Homeschooling Emily. Helping Claire learn to read! Being a mother to my 5 amazing little blessings who I love more than words can describe!

9. What was your biggest failure?
Not loving my children, husband, or my Savior enough. Losing my patience on multiple occasions. Being selfish.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Not really! I dropped a waffle iron on my left big toe…. that was about it. And that’s rather minor, if you ask me!

11. What was the best thing you bought?
I don’t know! Maybe school curriculum. Maybe a gift for someone…

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
Steven’s. Always Steven’s. I married the most incredible man!

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
I can’t think of anyone in particular and that’s a wonderful thing!

14. Where did most of your money go?
Probably the normal things- food for my family, a roof over our heads.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Our pregnancy and new baby, of course. The new ICAN of Chattanooga chapter and helping to lead such an awesome cause.

16. What song will always remind you of 2010?
Viva La Vida by Coldplay

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
a) happier or sadder? Happier.
b) thinner or fatter? About the same.
c) richer or poorer? About the same.
18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Reading to my children.

19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Wasting time.

20. How did you spend Christmas?
With my sweet family!

21. Did you fall in love in 2010?
Every single year I fall more in love with Steven. This year I was also blessed to fall completely head-over-heals in love with a beautiful baby boy named Henry.

22. What concerts did you attend this year?
Mostly concerts that I performed in. That’s just the way things usually go for me.

23. What was your favorite TV program?
LOST, SYTYCD, The Office, and Glee. <3

24. Do you dislike anyone now whom you didn't dislike this time last year?
Not really? There may be some I like less than I used to, but that’s the normal ebb and flow of relationships I suppose.

25. What was the best book you read?
I honestly didn’t read a lot and most books I read were pregnancy and birth related…

26. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Am I horribly behind the times in that I just discovered Coldplay!??? Every song I hear by Coldplay I think, “Oh wow! I really love that!” Then I realize that it’s yet another one by Coldplay and I think yet again, “Huh! I must really like them!”

27. What did you want and get?
An incredibly beautiful home VBAC. I hoped and dreamed for Henry’s birth to be safe, healthy, unhindered, calm, peaceful, empowering, and beautiful. It was all that and more than I dreamed. The only reason I am so passionate about ICAN and helping other women is so that more women can have the kind of natural births that I have been so blessed to have. I can’t imagine missing out on it…

28. What did you want and not get?
I dunno. A futon!? LOL! (Not much!)

29. What was your favorite film of this year?
Toy Story 3 and/or Ramona and Beezus. I think those were the only two new movies I saw and both were great!

30. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I turned 29. I saw Mary Poppins at the fabulous Fox Theater with my mother-in-law and my daughters and it was SO good! We also had dinner as a family at Café Intermezzo which was really delicious! It was a good birthday!

31. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
I had a pretty amazing year, but it made me really sad to see loved ones suffer through some really hard times. I would have liked it if none of the people I love the most had such a hard year…

32. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2010?
Maternity? lol!

33. What kept you sane?
Steven. Forever and always… Steven.

34. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Mayim Bialik

35. What political issue stirred you the most?
So many things. Lots of birth-related issues as always as well as food-related issues. FREEDOM, I cry… FREEEEDOM!!!

36. Who did you miss?
My friends and family who live far away. As always.

37. Who was the best new person you met?
I can’t recall necessarily meeting a lot of new people this year, but I got to know some newer friends even better and they’ve become some of my best friends. I can’t imagine life with out Rachel J., Michelle R., and Christina H. just to name 3 of many!!!

38. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2010.
Steven is always more experienced and capable than I think or expect. Why do I doubt!? God gave me a good man!