The Last Post of 2010

I can not believe that today is the last day of 2010. I can not believe that tomorrow is the first day of 2011. 2011. 20-11. Doesn't that sound so futuristic? It seems like Y2K was just last week, and the week before that was like 1995 or something. Am I really 23 years old? Am I really a mom and stepmom? Am I really a "grown-up" now? More importantly, is Aiden really 2 years old, and Jenny 5? Wow, wow, wow. I. Can. Not. Believe. How. Fast. Time. Flies. It's crazyness!

Last year on New Year's Eve, Jaime and I spent it in the emergency room. He had burned his face and shoulder at work (with hot butter), and I had to take him to the ER. Luckily, he healed just fine and you can't even tell he was ever burned. Still, I hope and pray that tonight is accident free. 2010 was a pretty blah year. Nothing great happened, nothing really bad happened. In 2010 we just were, and I am totally fine with that.

Here's to a great year in 2011. I wish you all a year of exciting beginnings, family health, lots of laughter, and experiencing God's goodness and mercy day in and day out. Happy New Year, friends!

Books Read in 2010

I have seen several other blogs who have posted reviews of the books they read in 2010, so I thought I'd do the same thing. Although, I am a little ashamed to admit that I only read 6 1/2 (I'll explain the 1/2) books this year. I'm hoping I'll do better next year, I have a pretty large list of books I plan to read.

Here are the books I read...

The Twilight Saga Complete Collection by Stephanie Meyer 

 Honestly, I saw the first Twilight movie when it came out a few years ago. At the time, I had no idea that it was based on a book. Looking back though, that should have been obvious. I liked the movie, and once I found out that it was also a book, I had to read it. I liked the book even better than the movie. Isn't that what always happens? Books are (almost) always better than the movie. I will admit that the books are pretty poorly written, and are not by any means the best literary work. I do, however, like them. I think they are a fun, cheesy, read.

Dear John by Nicholas Sparks

This book was one that I wanted to read because there was a movie coming out about it, and I wanted to read it before I watched the movie. This book was pretty good. It was a little predictable, but I liked it.

Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert

This is the 1/2 book I read, meaning that I only read half of it. I don't even know if I finished half. It was so boring. After all the hype made about this book, I was totally disappointed. Of course this is just my opinion, and there are a lot of people I know who really liked this book. I guess memoirs just really aren't my thing. It was the first memoir I've read and it wasn't what I expected. I probably should have finished the whole thing, but I literally felt like I was forcing myself to read it.

The Secret Life of CeeCee Wilkes by Diane Chamberlain

I read this book as part of an online book club I did, Book Beginnings and Bookends. I loved this book! This was my favorite book from 2010. I could not put it down! Since it was a book I read as part of a bookclub, we had a reading schedule we were supposed to stick to. I just couldn't do it, I had to know what was going to happen next. I ended up finishing the book several weeks before the book club ended and I was so glad I did! I'm not gonna tell you what it was about because I don't want to spoil it for anyone who might read, but this is definitely a book I would reccomend.

Well, that's it. That's all I read in 2010. I'm going to post my 2011 reading list in a few days. Let me know if you have any suggestions as to what you think I should read. I'm always looking for another good book! Right now I am reading a book called Look Again by Lisa Scottoline. I just started it last night so I don't know enough about it yet to say if it's good or not, but so far I like it and I've heard good things about it. 

Also, I recommend that (if you like to read) you join Goodreads. It is a great way to keep track of the books you've read, books you want to read, and your opinions on the books. It is also a good place to find books you'd like to read based on the reviews of other people. 

I hope you're all having a great week, I can't believe tomorrow is the last day of 2010!!   

A Look Back at 2010

Looking back on 2010, there aren't really any big, life-changing events that I can think of. In 2010 we played with our kids, spent time with family, cherished our realationships with friends - and gained a few new friends too.

When I look back at the blog posts from the past year, it is obvious that we have been very happy. We have had lots of fun, laughed a lot, and created wonderful memories that will last a lifetime.

Jaime dedicated himself to working harder than I could have ever imagined, allowing me to stay at home with Aiden and Jenny. I found other ways to keep myself busy though. I started going to MOPS, and met a lot of great mothers who are all in different stages of motherhood. I became involved in Jenny's school, and I found the time to co-lead her Girl Scout troop. I started going to a church that I love, and that also inspires me to volunteer and serve the Lord.

We moved from a 4 bedroom home, into a 3 bedroom apartment. We sold or donated a lot of our belongings in order to squeeze ourselves into a much smaller home. Sometimes I regret moving into an apartment, but then I look around and realize that it doesn't matter where we live, or how much space we have. All that matters is that we're together, happy, and healthy.

I am always having to remind myself to pick my battles, don't sweat the small stuff, and to enjoy stop obsessing over how clean the house is or if she laundry is done. My search for personal satisfaction led me right back to my kids. I learned that I never want to be too busy (especially with chores) to see what Aiden or Jenny is doing on that particular day. I never want to be too busy that I can't stop what I'm doing to sit down and play choo-choo train, Hungry Hungry Hippos, or to finger paint. I will do what I can, but my kids will always come first in my life.

One of the most important things that happened to me in 2010, was that I grew closer to God. I know that He loves me just the way I am. He has taught me to see myself the way that He sees me. Of course, I still struggle with this everyday. I am by no means perfect and I am by no means done being taught. I am however, very blessed and very grateful for what I  and my family have been blessed with.

I think the thing I am most grateful for from 2010 is that I found a church that I love so much. I really feel at home there. The congregation is much smaller than what I am used to, and that makes it much for personal for me. They encourage you to serve in the church and to help out in the different ministries of the church. I have never felt so involved in a church before and I am truly thankful for that.

In going into 2011 with no presumptions. I'm not setting any resolutions. I don't want to hold myself to standards of any kind that may cause me to stress or obsess over them. I don't want to miss out on the things that matter most in my life - my kids, Jaime, my family, my friends, and Jesus.

I am looking forward to becoming the woman that the Lord wants me to be in 2011. I hope to focus on what I have rather than on what I don't. I want to learn to be more grateful for what I have. Not just the matieral things, but the relationships with people in my life. I am going to strive to be more appreciative of the time that I have with Jaime, Aiden and Jenny, my parents, extended family, and friends.