We had a quiet ring into the New Year. Both girls had been invited to New Years Eve parties, so Milo and I enjoyed a quiet night at home. I prepared a special dinner for the two of us, complete with shrimp and cocktail sauce, barbecued pork chops, green beans, roasted potatoes, and a FANCY desert (Cherry Almond Angel Roll). New recipe and it was YUM! I partook in one of my favorite beverages, Colorado Bulldogs. After dinner we popped the top on some champagne, while we enjoyed listening to the Crash Test Dummies (flash from the past) in front of a roaring fire.
Of course the conversation turned to a review of 2008. At the end of 2007, we went on a date and tackled the categories of career, spiritual, family, friends, extended family relationships, health, and finances. If you read the blog entry on dumping your bucket, you will know where I am headed with this. We both wrote down goals and ideas for 2008 in each of those categories and it was fun last night to see what happen and what didn't happen.
Some of the things that did happen included...
We started a family tradition of Sunday Family Fun Night.
I lost 20#s. My goal was 75, so staying on pace that should be accomplished in 2011!
We both agreed our marriage had gone to another level. Growing stronger and more connected. We could honestly say that we didn't fight in 2008 and have learned how to have open, honest, and some hard conversations, respecting the other's opinion.
We survived an incredible winter, topping 53 inches of snow in combination with an amazing amount of ice. That was followed by a summer, watching downtown Cedar Rapids and surrounding areas be swallowed up in water within a 24 hour period. It evoked feelings of helplessness as we witnessed the wrath of Mother Nature.
Kennedy had her first and not last experience with track and field.
I joined my first book club.
Madison joined a swim team for the first time.
We enjoyed a family vacation in northern Minnesota and also week visits from all of the cousins for our first annual 'cousin camp'. We have already had request for reservations in 2009.
I stepped down as a sales director with Mary Kay Cosmetics, maintaining my consultant status in order to pursue the start of a NEW business idea. Reveal debuted on October 28th and has BIG dreams and ideas for 2009!
Milo was relocated to another position within Aegon in June, only to be laid off in December. Being an entrepreneur at heart, he to is looking at starting his own business in 2009! Some of our best conversations are around goals, ideas, and BIG dreams! We both marveled at the fact last night that right now, he doesn't have to travel any more! His traveling every week has been a part of our lives for the last 10 years!
We got EXTRA family time this fall watching and following my brother's high school football team to the state championship title!
I bought my first vehicle ON MY OWN and got a WOMAN CAVE! I am woman, hear me roar!
Finally, as I mentioned in a prior blog I don't believe in NEW YEAR resolutions. I belive any DAY can be a fresh start, if you commit your self to making a change. On January 1st of every year, I pull a list that I have filed away. It is my Top 100 things to do list before I die. I will stand in truth when I say that I ONLY look at this list ONCE a year! I firmly believe that WHEN you write down aspirations and goals, it sticks in your sub conscious. You undoubtedly will move in the direction of your goals more so, than if you don't write ANYTHING down.
Every year I think there is NO WAY I accomplished anything on the list, however I am always surprised to usually check off 2 or 3.
2008 accomplishments included.
1. Go rollerblading. It wasn't pretty, but I did do it. I chuckled hard when I checked that one off, remembering the summer day when as a family we went biking and rollerblading.
2. Establish a weekly family fun night. On Sundays someone gets to pick an activity for us to do together as a family. Even with a 13 and 10 year old, it was a HUGE hit!
3. Write a letter every year to the girls. Through the growth and development of my blog I could confidently check this one off. For I now have a document for them to reflect on to see my thoughts and feelings. An archive for them to remember every day moments in our lives and for them to see how God works through the BIG things and also the little things!
If I had to pick two character traits that The Potter worked especially hard to mold and shape in me in 2008, I would pick patience and perseverance. Through life lessons and experiences I learned more in 2008 in these two areas than any other year of my life. I learned to listen more, wait patiently, and grew a deeper sense of determination than I have ever had before.
Despite a roller coaster of emotions over the past month, we are refreshed and excited to see where God will lead us in 2009. We know without a doubt that it will be filled with excitement, blessings, trials, and important lessons, so stay tuned!
Happy New Year!
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