New Year's Eve Reflection

(Questions found at www.simplemom.net)

1. What was the single best thing that happened this past year?

Becoming a stay at home mom.

2. What was the single most challenging thing that happened?

Becoming a stay at home mom! :-)

3. What was an unexpected joy this past year?
     I'm seeing a trend here - becoming a stay at home mom! 

4. What was an unexpected obstacle?

    Finding balance, finding my domestic skills, and finding myself in my new role.

5. Pick three words to describe 2009.

    Scary, thrilling, eye-opening.

6. Pick three words your spouse would use to describe your 2009 (don't ask them; guess based on how you think your spouse sees you).
    Challenging, happy, life-changing.

7. Pick three words your spouse would use to describe their 2009 (again, don't ask them).
   Scary, challenging, rewarding.

8. What were the best books you read this year?

   The Hunger Games, The Shack, The Art of Racing in the Rain

9. With whom were your most valuable relationships?

  My husband, my book club friends

10. What was your biggest personal change from January to December this year?

    Changing roles from a working mom to a stay at home mom. It's challenged me in ways I didn't imagine.

11. In what way(s) did you grow emotionally?

     I've matured emotionally, learned the value of my marriage.

12. In what way(s) did you grow spiritually?

   I've read my Bible more this year than I have probably my entire life and certainly pray a lot more.

13. In what way(s) did you grow in your physically?

   Unfortunetly I've gained 6 lbs this year!

14. In what way(s) did you grow in your relationship with others?

    I've tried to seek more friendships, weed out relationships that are toxic, and love the people in my life for who they are, not who I want them to be.

15. What was the most enjoyable area of managing your home?

   Laundry - especially after teaching myself it's a three step process - wash, dry, PUT AWAY! (ugh, living out of baskets!!)

16. What was your most challenging area of home managment?

   I feel like the very basics of home management are all challenging to me. Dusting, vacuuming, bill paying, decluttering, etc....I struggling with keeping up with all of these things and whether or not they are challenging because I have to small children or because of my own lack of skills.

17. What was your single biggest time waster this year?
   FACEBOOK

18. What was the best way you used your time this past year?

   Carving out quality 'me' time in the mornings (when i can drag myself out of bed earlier than everyone else) and making sure I do at least one constructive and fun thing with my kids each day.

19. What was the biggest thing you learned this past year?

   That I have SO much to learn still!

20. Create a phrase or statement that describes 2009 for you.
   "When one door closes, another opens; but we often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door that we do not see the one that has opened for us."   - Alexander Graham Bell