2010 Reflection

Last year I summarized 2009 with a few highlights, so I decided to continue the trend...

What was the single best thing that happened this past year?
-I had a tie last year and who'd have thought I'd have another this year... without stating the obvious, I direct you here and here.

What was the single most challenging thing that happened?
-I really don't think I could pick just one - keep reading...

What was an unexpected joy this past year?
-Let's revisit this post again shall we... we knew we wanted to start a family sooner than later, but we definitely thought it would take a littler longer.  We figured with a 25ish% chance each month that we'd be announcing news um, around now.  So while expected, still definitely unexpected.  ... and we are beyond grateful that it happened and that we have a healthy baby to soon introduce!

Pick three words that describe 2010.
-My words for 2009 were: Growth, Nurture, Dedicate.  I think for 2010 I'll stick with Growth (see above), and add Transition and Love.

What were the best books you read this year?
-I read lots of books in 2010, but the best - for many reasons - is the Bible, and I'm not just saying that because of what it is... there are some really good stories in there and reading it in 'order' helped connect a lot of dots.  I'd love to explore why the Books are arranged the way they are... I would imagine I'd just have to ask Chan.  I read NLT's One Year Chronological and was amazed at what I learned.  I enjoyed it so much that I plan to read it again in 2011.

With whom were your most valuable relationships?
-I'm sticking with Chandler again this year.  In one year we built a house, planned a wedding, moved, said 'I do,' started new jobs, made a baby, paid off some debt, saved a lot of Franklins, and if that's not enough, we found out we may be losing a job, I lost my first grandparent, Chandler lost his last... Quite a year.  Looking back, I have even more confidence in our relationship and its strength for anything that may come upon us in the future.

In what ways did you grow emotionally?
-See above.  And I've somehow managed to keep it all together. 

In what ways did you grow spiritually?
-I started using my journal to record moments of gratitude and prayers.

In what ways did you grow physically?
-Need I state the obvious?!

What was your single biggest time waster in your life in the past year?
-Facebook, it apparently has the same properties as heroin.

What was the biggest thing you learned this year?
-I learned first hand how quickly moments pass us by; I learned there is beauty in darkness; I learned gratitude in raw form; I learned strength and patience.

Word of the year...
In 2009, I decided to choose a word that would be my focus for the year.  My word for 2009 was dedication.  For 2010, I chose two words that worked together: simplicity and contentment. 

It would be a complete disservice to neglect Chandler's remarks from last year when asked his word for 2010:
"Chandler's word for 2010 is birth. I laughed at him so he changed it to creation. Umm...it should be an interesting year! ;)"

Needless to say he stuck with his theme pretty well I'd say.  Creation indeed!  Birth was pushing it... I'll have to be sure to ask his word for 2011 before he sees this post!  There's no telling what his 2011 word will be...

I haven't chosen a word for 2011 yet.  There are two that jump out right now.  I'll plan to post my word on New Year's Eve along with my 2011 goals.