Thursday, December 30, 2010

2010 Review Extravaganza--Part 4



My final Review Extravaganza.  I'm glad I found a few minutes to actually sit at the computer today.  I've been holed up in the house, surrounded by all my chickens, playing games, attending a heartbreaking funeral, refereeing arguments, waiting for wisdom teeth to be pulled, making food, decluttering from Christmas, medicating for Valley Fever (Roxy) and bronchitis (Ben), helping a dear friend move, and enjoying every second with everyone here.  I'm never happier than I am when everyone's home and I can micromanage love them all in the same room.

October
October 1, 2010
The best day of the year--nine hours completely to myself.  It was spectacular.

I got to have lunch with Katie and her girls and meet her mom, Karen, one of my blogging buddies.
Heidi's big news hit the blogosphere.
I posted a real day and challenged others to join the revolution.  Thirty people linked up.  I was thrilled.
And I reflected on my struggles of late--time management and professional mothering.  Update--still struggling.

November
My two-year blogiversary.  A giveaway.

A linky post about family size.  I loved reading all of your stories.  Some made me laugh.  Others made me cry.  I enjoyed every one.
I did a series of posts on gratitude--here and here and here.
And my first of four Christmas traditions--Black Friday with my bestie.

December
One of the sparsest posting months of the year.  It feels like not much happened around here, as I scurried to and fro feathering the nest with Christmas cheer.

I showcased Brad's handiwork.
 I shared pictures of a beautiful AZ fall.
I overstepped and chewed out a child's teacher.  Still don't regret it.
And I shared my newest love--lime gum.  MMMMM.

As I reflect on my life and the changes this year, I see growth.  And that makes me happy.  I've been thinking and thinking and thinking about how to orient my wagon for this next year, and looking back on where I've been (weddings, graduations, mothering highs and lows) and looking to where I'm headed (new babies, grandmothering, Tucker leaving for a mission) gives me a hint which direction to go.

Thanks, 2010.  You stretched me more than any other single year of my life. 
Here's to a great 2011.

Hoping I'll be back to regular blogging on Monday.  Tucker and Heidi fly out Sunday morning.  I love every second we're all together.  But it's going to take some digging out to get back to normal around here.
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10 comments:

  1. Just enjoy every minute they're there! The rest can wait till next week.

    Happy New Year, Jen...

    =)

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  2. I know what you mean about having the kids all in one place at the same time. I love when we can all get together. OMW!!! I know I have missed a lot of my favorite bloggers posts the past few months, but I cannot believe I missed that you are going to be a grandmother (hanging head in shame)! Congratulations, how exciting! When my oldest son and his wife announced they were going to have a baby I was stunned and speachless and the first thought was that they were way too young and then the second thought was WAIT! I am way too young to be a grandmother! But my world sure has become a better place since my Little Darling has entered it.

    Happy New Year to you and your beautiful family!

    ~ Tracy

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  3. enjoy your time with that beautiful family! we'll get back to blogging next week! it was a good year...I met you!

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  4. It looks like an eventful year! I've enjoyed getting to know you and your life in the Sanatorium.
    Sweet stuff.
    I've been reading other blogs that have done the extravaganza. That has been fun for me especially the ones I've recently become addicted to. It's a great way to get up to speed and see the great talents out there.

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  5. We still have a week before the kids and grandkids head back east, so I'm enjoying every blessed minute.
    Thanks for all the great reading, some inspiration and lots of laugh, Jen. It's lovely to 'know' you!

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  6. Isn't it funny how we savor?? The special times of the year that have happened, the time with family...yet the time alone? It's nice to have New Year's to reflect on all that goes on in life so that we can reassess values and priorities and hopefully go forward better for it. Love your blog, new friend...Happy New Year!!!

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  7. I was very surprised to see my face on your blog! That was a fun afternoon, wasn't it? I think 2010 brought growth for all of us. It's been rendered almost painless for me because of all the wonderful friends like you I've met in the blogosphere. Best wishes from me to you and your family for 2011!

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  8. i just love the feeling of your post. it makes me so happy! 2010 was a huge year of growth for me. i am in the happiest time of my life and the blessing is that i'm recognizing it while i'm in it. for that i am so grateful:). i'm still having bad days and getting used to our new routine of our move, plus it's winter and it's been so frigid cold that i'm pretty sure i've been battling some winter depression from lack of sun and interaction with others. i just am so excited to see what the future brings. i think i am finally exhailing:)

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  9. 9 hours to myself.. oh what would I do with that? That would be awesome!

    I have been reading some of your posts you have links to, glad I am able to get to know you a little more this way.

    Thanks for playing along!

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  10. It's always hard to get back to it. I'm struggling this year, too. I've missed reading posts like yours.

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