A year in review

So I know this amazing blogger that I like to steal ideas from (Thanks Sarah) and she had this questionnaire on her blog that I thought was really interesting and wanted to share my thoughts. So, here it goes:

1. What did you do in 2009 that you’d never done before?

Went on a houseunting trip with NO children, moved to MD, had 4 boys, moved close to family.

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

I did not keep my resolutions perfectly so I made them again and am hoping for better results this year.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth? Umm, me! Ashley finally had a boy! Yippee Ashley! Jana finally had a girl! Oh the spoiled fashionista!

4. Did anyone close to you die? My dog, Ogden. We'd had him for 9 years and it was very sad to lose him.

5. What countries did you visit?

HAHAHAHAHA That's funny!

6. What would you like to have in 2010 that you lacked in 2009?

Sleep.

7. What dates from 2009 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?

April14th?- we closed on our house and found out our dog had been hit by a car and killed.
May 28th -I welcomed into our family Elijah Aaron Griesmyer.
July 3rd and 4th-tons of family were here for Gabe's bday, 4th of July, but mainly and most importantly Eli's blessing!
Nove 20th-21st-I assisted in bringing Wyatt Joseph Johnson into the world.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?

Surviving the move, Gary's new job with its stresses, juggling 4 boys, being called to Primary, and trying to maintain happiness and sanity.

9. What was your biggest failure?

Every time I yelled at my children, got frustrated at my husband, and did not follow the Spirit.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?

I somehow broke my wrist (don't know how but the Xray's said it was fractured!)

11. What was the best thing you bought?

A house! It's 2x the size of the one in TX!

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?

Zechariah's! Thanks to some helpful medication, he has been in control of his emotions and actions 90% of the time which has given me room to relax and breathe.

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?

Obama and all the other liberals in Washington that are trying to take away my freedoms!

14. Where did most of your money go?

Housing and food--it is SOOO expensive here!

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

Fitting into my pre preggo pants :)

16. What song will always remind you of 2009?

There are a lot actually. Mainly pop songs that me and the kids like and sing all time.

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:

a) happier or sadder? a little of both

b) thinner or fatter? thinner I was pregnant this time last yr

c) richer or poorer? We make more money but we spend more too

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

Laughing, playing, and letting go

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

Cleaning and taking the weight of the word onto my shoulders

20. How did you spend Christmas? Christmas Eve at Aunt Nancy's with the Griesmyer fam, Christmas day with the Griesmyer fam at my house, the week after with the Johnson clan in Syracuse, NY.

21. Did you fall in love in 2009?

Yes. Every time my children would smile at me or laugh with me or my husband held my hand and spent time with me. Over and over again I fall in love with the 5 most amazing men on earth!

22. What was your favorite TV program?

So you think you can dance.

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

No. Hate is a really strong word. It takes just as much energy to hate someone as it does to love them. I'm working on the love thing instead. :)

24. What was the best book you read?

The Twilight saga. I know it's stupid but true. Kristen, why did you have to ruin the movies for me???

25. What was your greatest musical discovery?

Ammon plays the drums!

26. What did you want and get?

Lots of things: shoes, clothes, house, stroller, household pretty-pretties, etc.

27. What did you want and not get?

It's personal.

28. What was your favorite film of this year?

I don't know! I can't think of one.

29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?

I threw myself a Wonderwoman party/going away party and loads of friends came! It was awesome!!!

30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?

Less stress and responsibilites.

31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2009?

hide the pooch, hide the pooch, what do I have that will hide the pooch?

32. What kept you sane?

Faith, humbling experiences, serving in Church, Gary.

33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?

They pretty much all disgust me.

34. What political issue stirred you the most?

Healthcare

35. Who did you miss?

My dad.

36. Who was the best new person you met?

I have met so many amazing people here in Waldorf. I am so grateful to be here. The loadies in my ward are exceptional! I am especially grateful to be living so close to Gary's Aunt Nancy. She is a jewel.

37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2009.

Do your best, leave the rest, angels do not more. I'm still working on it!

38. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.

I'm not perfect, no I'm not. I'm not perfect, but I've got what I've got. I do my very best, I do my very best, I do my very best each day. But I'm not perfect and I hope you like me that way.
-Laurie Berkner