2013 Recap

1. What did you do in 2013 that you’d never done before?

• Parented 3 children (infant, pre-schooler, teenager)
• Took the kids to Disneyland
• Wore skinny jeans (that's for Shawna)
• Gave birth in front of my Mom and MIL

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


• Resolutions for 2013:
•  DON'T BECOME AN EVEN CRAZIER CRAZY PERSON.  - Collosal Fail

•  Resolutions for 2014 (Let's be more reasonable this time around):
• Take the girls to the beach. Harlie has never been and this is terrible.
• Take another road trip. See things. Do things.
• Clean the house more regularly. Clean house, happy husband, happy life.
• Use the weekends to put personal touch on our new home. This is time well spent. Getting the kids involved is a bonus.
• Spend more time outside...and in our backyard.
• Read more, crack-out on phone less.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?


• My co-worker, Jasmina gave birth to a sweet boy named Lucas.

4. Did anyone close to you die?

No, thankfully.

5. What countries did you visit?
None.


6. What would you like to have in 2014 that you lacked in 2013?


     Taking a look at last years list, I'm proud that we kinda suceeded!

• More financial stability Yes, definitely! Promotions FTW!
• A new home Yes Yes Yes!
• A growing savings account (repeat from last year), Uh, no dwindling, but this is as expected since the savings account grew initially so that we could spend it on the house. :-)
• A vacation...a real one. (repeat from last year). Yes! Disneyland!

     Okay, so this year, I'd like to have:

• More backyard bbqs
• More peace and quiet
• A napping Ashlynne
• A more relaxed Harlie
• More quality time with Scott - DATES!
• Mo' money to spend on life experiences
• Mo' money in savings that's not intended for any specific purchase.

7. What dates from 2013 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?

• January 29th - Our little miracle arrived!
• December 5th -  Setting out on our first road trip and setting foot in the Happiest Place on Earth. All in one day.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?


• Honestly. This is going to sound crazy, since we have the new house, but keeping the plan to take Harlie to Disneyland was a huge goal for me. I have long wanted to do this for her 5th birthday and even though the end of 2013 turned into the craziest, busiest time in our life EVER, I am proud that we didn't put this off. It was exhausting and amazing and truly a bonding experience for us all. So happy to have those memories...they are the sweet sweet reward that reminds me what a gift it is to be a parent.

9. What was your biggest failure?

• Not letting go of control enough.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?

• I would say I suffered some injury in late Janaury, but it was worth it. ;-)

11. What was the best thing you bought?

• This house, fo' sho'. And Disneyland tickets.

12. Where did most of your money go?

• DAYCARE!!!!!!!

13. What did you get really excited about?

• Disneyland
• Househunting
• Furniture shopping
• Ashlynne's first Christmas
• Both Trips to Tahoe
• Overnighter in Livermore, sans kids!
• Harlie meeting Ariel (The Little Mermaid)

14. What song will always remind you of 2013?

• Aa aa aaaa aaa aaa aaa aa aaaaaaaaaaaaa AKA as the song from the Little Mermaid

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

– happier or sadder? Happier!
– thinner or fatter? Thinner, since the baby's on the outside  now!
– richer or poorer? Richer.

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


• Thinking before speaking

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


• Harping
  

18. How did you spend Christmas?

Christmas Eve we had a lovely evening at Florence's and then spent a wonderful first Christmas morning in our new home before heading up the hill to Mom's for more family time and a yummy Crown roast.

19. What was your favorite TV program?

New Girl

20. What were your favorite books of the year?

Gosh, did I read anything???

21. What was your favorite music from this year?


I know nothing of music these days.

22. What were your favorite films of the year?

Okay, I really liked the Katy Perry documentary. ;-)

23. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
Why can I never remember this???? 35.

24. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
It would have been nice to have been moved into our new home earlier in the year so we could relax more and just enjoy being a family.

25. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2013?

Flats and anything that covered my butt.

26. What kept you sane?

Late night texting sessions with Melanie, my sisters ear and my parent's help and support with the kids.

27. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2013.


Strive for smiles, from those around you and most importantly from yourself.  It's hard to be unkind if you're truly smiling.