2014

The annual Sundry year-in-review

1. What did you do in 2014 that you'd never done before?

threw Owen a first birthday party! went to Las Vegas with Adam. 

2. Did you keep your new year's resolutions, and will you make more for next year?

I did ok on my to do list and obviously updated it for this next year.  

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

yes, this year was hard, there were happy births and there were terrible things that involved friends not getting to take home their baby.  we also had friends get the call that their adoptive son was about to be born.  it was highest highs and lowest lows. 

4. Did anyone close to you die?

I didn't attend a funeral this year so I consider myself to be incredibly lucky.

5. What countries did you visit?

no foreign countries, boo. I think every trip I made was a repeat to a previous visit but I had some excellent travels in 2014, nonetheless. 

6. What would you like to have in 2015 that you didn't have in 2014?

this is a very tough question for me this year, I really felt a lot of balance in my life in 2014.  I could always say that I would like to have a house that we own and/or a better kitchen but I know that the next two years will involve more of the same.  Happily, I've completely made my peace with this road that we're on and it's going to make the big move we have in the summer of '17 all the more sweet when it happens. 

7. What dates from 2014 will be etched upon your memory, and why?

April 26th was Owen's first birthday party.  March 19th was the day that my friend delivered the baby she lost.  My birthday, 12/5, was exceptional this year.  September 5th was Owen's first day at Mother's Day Out. 

8. What was your biggest achievement of this year?

going back-ish to work! It was a totally unexpected thing and a huge blessing in my life.  I felt sort of human and grown up again, yet at the same time, since I work with a ton of college students and young twentysomethings, I still feel young.  It rocks. 

9. What was your biggest failure?

My parenting has been a failure at times.  "Put down phone and play with the child" should be my 2015 motto. 

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?

I missed the Cowtown Half Marathon due to an unfortunate bout with fasciitis in Feb.  

11. What was the best thing you bought?

Hands down, easiest answer.  The FitBit.  

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?

Adam, as always.  He's a better parent than I could ever dream of being. He's so fully present when he's home.

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?

Appalled is a strong word but I have way too many family members who totally depress me with their crummy life choices and then the endless complaining about said life choices.  

14. Where did most your money go?

Savings, rent, feeding the baby child.  Probably in that order, too. 

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?

Moving! It ended up being pretty awesome. Owen going to "school". 

16. What song will always remind you of 2014?

Jealous by Nick Jonas will always remind me of our Vegas trip

17. Compared to this time last year, are you: a) happier or sadder? b) thinner or fatter? c) richer or poorer?

a) happier, this was a pretty alright year
b) thinner, than goodness
c) richer in savings, poorer in the fact that we now pay higher rent

18. What do you wish you'd done more of?

traveled but that might always be my answer 

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

spent time on my phone, which is why I deleted the Twitter and Facebook apps

20. How did you spend Christmas?

We rocked our traditions! We did the family service at church, had an even better Tamale Party at our house after church for Christmas Eve, had a fabulous Christmas Day and Christmas dinner of BBQ.  We get better at it every year. 

21. Did you fall in love in 2014?

I think so! I fell in love with the idea that it might always be just the three of us.  I love our family the way it is now, it feels like our perfect. 

22. What was your favorite TV program?

HA. Always the same.  House People (HouseHunters), Dateline, Rehab Addict, pretty much anything with the Property Brothers, Fixer Upper.  We have cable for sports for Adam and HGTV for me. 

23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?

No.

24. What was the best book you read?

The Fault in Our Stars, Eleanor and Park, Attachments

25. What was your greatest musical discovery?

I got a bunch of killer music from a fellow yoga teacher after a class in September, it all made many a playlist.

26. What did you want and get?
Everything I wanted and more.  My birthday/Christmas was ridiculous. 

27. What did you want and not get?
A better kitchen when we moved.  I sacrificed there for more family space.  It's going... Ok.  

28. What was your favorite film of 2014?
um.. I don't think I saw anything in the theater and I'm not even slightly sad about that.

29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I turned 33 this year.  I accidentally ended up with the whole day off!  I took Owen to school and dropped off a huge car load of toys at the Dallas Children's Advocacy Center.  Nothing like a charity drop off to make you feel all warm and fuzzy on your b-day!  I went for a run on the Katy Trail.  I felt so good that my first mile was in 8 minutes flat!  I went to pilates that my friend Meredith taught.  I shopped for a bit and knocked out some Christmas list to-dos before meeting my friend Jennie for lunch at the brand new bar at Whole Foods Park Lane.  We drank delicious beers and ate even more delicious food, like cheese fries.  It was fantastic.  I went to pick up Owen and dropped him off at Christmas Camp at the YMCA.  I showered, got a manicure and finished up some more shopping at the mall.  The mall was in fantastic Friday afternoon of Christmas form.  There were piano players everywhere and I got a lot on my list accomplished on my solo trip.  Adam took off work early so we went to pick Owen up together.  He made us an ornament while he was at "camp".  We went and walked on the lake- it was AWESOME weather!  We ate dinner outside at Cane Rosso.  I seriously had the BEST day.  It was probably the best birthday I can remember. 

30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
nothing, satisfaction could have been my key word this year.

31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept of 2013?
yoga pants and running shorts.  I have a rad mom uniform.

32. What kept you sane?
yoga, having a job outside the home that did not stress me out, my husband 

33. What political issue stirred you the most?
exactly the same as the last 2 years

I have a list but most of it can be attributed to so-called "Christians" who use their "religion" to judge other people for their actions.
-Men who talk about abortion.  My thoughts are as such:  You have no uterus, you have no say.  I also don't understand why America constantly needs to argue an issue that is between a woman, her doctor, her beliefs and potentially her sexual partner.
-Anyone who is against gay marriage.  What harm does it cause to you?  Live and let live.
-Assault weapons.  I have yet to hear a good argument about why anyone needs one of these other than maybe our military.  Deer don't need to be shot with a semi-automatic rifle. 

34. Who did you miss?
always the same, my beloved Grandmother.  Grief catches me in the oddest moments, this year I had a really hard time at the 12 Days of Christmas at the Arboretum. 

35. Who was the best new person you met?
our new children's director at church

36. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2014.
I have a lot more to learn but my husband is teaching me some really valuable life lessons about saving money and having discipline.