We so easily look back over the past year or months and only see the projects we didnt finish, the weight we didnt lose, the habits we didnt overcome, etc etc etc... Instead of looking back and seeing what we did accomplish and areas where we did improve, obstacles we overcame, and changes we made that bettered the lives of ourselves and others.
Humility isnt flagellating ourselves over our shortcomings. Pride isn't acknowledging where you were and where you are now.
As a Christian I know that the good things I have done or have accomplished are accredited to Him working in my life, being my strength, His grace to help me to stand up after I fall, my successes due to talent He has given me.
Instead of reviewing all the things I wanted to do in 2011 and failed miserably at, I want to take the lead from Kristen, and take stock of what I am grateful for and proud of myself for in 2011. It's all too easy to only focus on our failures. Looking at our failures and beating ourselves up about them doesnt help us to succeed the next time. For me, looking at areas of my life where I 'stepped it up' is the encouragement I need to do better in other areas that need alot of help. I can see past success and know I am capable of it again where needed. Does that make sense?
2011 accomplishments:
-I came to terms with my mental health situation in the early spring, admitted it was beyond my ability to manage it on my own and asked for help from my husband, family and friends. I went to see an actual psychiatrist for the first time and started a new medication regimen. It was really hard to take those steps because who wants to admit that they have a "mental illness"?
- I finished out our first year of homeschool in late June. We had a lot of speed bumps over the school year, mainly due to my undiagnosed bipolar spectrum issues, but once that got under control, our days were much more productive and enjoyable. It was a big learning curve, but overall I am proud that I stuck with it.
-I started running in August, which in reality only lasted about 6 weeks. I never ever ever thought I would ever want to run unless I was running for my life from a serial killer or something. But I actually enjoyed it. Even when I hated it. It reminded me that I want to be an athlete, to find that drive within me. I am looking forward to getting going again soon.
- I became a cloth diapering mama. This was mainly borne out of neccessity, due to our little man's obsession with taking off his diaper and throwing his poo around much like a monkey. I never saw myself as a mama washing out diapers, but now I am. I do 2-3 loads of dirty diapers and wipes a week, and its no big thing. I dont know why I was so opposed to it for so long. Plus we are saving about $60 a month on disposable diapers/wipes.
- I rearranged the bedrooms in our house in the heat of July when Hubs was gone for work. I moved our entire bedroom down two flights of stairs, and the babies cribs and dressers up two flights up stairs. That means disassembling two cribs and reassembling. One queen bed frame dissambled and reassembled. 2 dressers moved up stairs, 1 Dresser and 2 night stands moved down stairs. Not to mention all the drawers full of everything and the closets full of clothes. I did all the furniture moving and reassembling in 1 day. And I was taking care of my 4 kids at the time. Shockingly I didnt break anything (bones or furniture) or kill my back or come away too bruised up. It was pretty insane. While doing this and sweating like crazy I kept thinking "wow I am stronger physically than I think I am, and I am pretty strong mentally to be taking this on and not be freaking out and overwhelmed". When I was done I was really proud of myself. I still am.
- Hubs and I started getting after our budget in late July. After a mini vacation taken with the little kids where we had budget to spend like $250 and spent double that... we knew that we needed better communication about our money and better accountability. Nothing like have 10 days left in a pay period with only $31 dollars in checking and nothing in savings to give you a little wake up call. We wrote out an actual budget for each pay period and began using the cash envelope system (ala Dave Ramsey). It has been a huge success. I am really proud of us for tackling this issue before it got out of control in our marriage.
- Hubs and I also made some big changes in our life to get out of debt. With less than a year before his military career ends, we knew we needed to tackle our credit card debt in a major way, so it wasnt hanging over our heads once we enter the civilian world. We sold our second car, and allocated our money each month in a way to pay off all credit cards by the time we get our last Army paycheck. Its HARD to watch a large chunk of money go to credit cards each month, but its worth it. Telling ourselves no is hard.
-We stuck to a budget this year for Christmas and used no credit cards for the first time in... ever? I think I've always ended up using them each year. Our gift giving was much smaller and outside of our 4 kids and ourselves no one else got gifts. We made some sacrifices this year, but now that Christmas is over, I can see the value. No after Christmas guilt about going overboard or adding to our debt burden. Changing those behaviors and mindset is difficult and so opposite of how most people think.
- I educated myself this year on "real food" and eating less grain, more real fats, less fake processed food and organics. I was a huge skeptic before hand, but I am converted. Not due to anyones "food proselytizing" but by reading the literature myself and the science behind it all. I see food very differently now and our shopping and eating habits have changed quite a bit because of it. Hubs and I felt significantly better just by making some simple changes in our diet. Not necessarily our waist lines because we (I) struggle with my sweet tooth in a big way. I'm cooking more and doing less mindless eating. And I actually started eating a new green vegetable! Green beans (string). Yum. Its amazing what starts to sound good once you cut out grains.
-I bought a new van for our family on my own while Hubs was at a leadership course in Texas. I've bought many cars before, but this was new thing of buying a car for our whole family when it was to be our ONLY car. The Lord was with me and helped me to be wise.
- I took on another year of homeschooling our kids. Its still been a challenge this year (having an 8 and 9 year old at home everyday all day would probably be challenging to any mama, right?) but we are plugging along. I am learning to loosen up my own "expectations" of myself and how I think things "should be" and rather adjusting to who we are and what actually works for our family and for me. Flexible structure.
-Emme had bilateral ureter re-implantation surgery at 6 months old. Its been so long I almost forget it even happened. But our little baby had a major 3 hour surgery under anesthesia in March. It was heartbreaking and seemed surreal for most of that day, and the days after in the hospital. God was so gracious to our girl and to our family in getting us through that time and having her surgeons fix her up.
-We moved in April to our house on post, which has been the biggest blessing of the year. Our quality of life has improved so much by being here, and in such close proximity to Hubs' work, and fast and easy access to the freeway for our 70 mile drives to church and friends and family. The kids have made a lot of friends in the neighborhood and enjoyed a summer and fall full of playing outside and being children.
I know there are so many things that have happened or we have done as a family this past year to be thankful for and proud of, and these are just the ones off the top of my head.
I am so glad for all that occurred in 2011 that encourages me to be hopeful and excited for all that 2012 has in store for us.
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| Hubs and I at our first Regular Season Seahawk game in November. Hoping to go again in 2012! |
