Day Twenty-Five: On a scale from 1-10 (1 being lowest, 10 being highest), How would you rate your overall 2010?

This is my last post of 2010 Reflections.  Time to look for another blog to keep myself thinking and reminiscing.

On a scale from 1-10 I would have to rate my overall year as a 7.  I had a lot of good things happen and a lot of very bad and sad things happen.

I am choosing 7 because it started off amazing; got into a great relationship, got to say hi to Shamu, saw my bffe in Vegas, moved in with my boyfriend, celebrated good friends birthdays with bowling, an amazing turn out for March for Babies, went to some fabulous weddings, hosted my sisters 1st real baby shower, had a few great pool days, friend from AZ moved here, many Isotope games, great Fourth of July Firework shows, and most importantly NO DRAMA.

Shamu!

Then the middle of the year was horrific.  Addie went to Denver for a simple procedure and ended up staying there for a few months.  Cried everyday and prayed every second for 2 months straight.  Then all we heard was good news from then on.  Mostly every step was a step forward even though we had a few steps back.  Once the good news started overweighing the bad, the end of the year started to look up.

Just before Addie left hospital in Denver

The end of my 2010 ended with hope, healing and positive outcomes. Addies came home happy and on her way to good health.  My beautiful 2nd niece, Kenley Rae, was born into this world healthy (and on time!).  Had some great holiday parties; a few trips to the well known balloon fiesta; my first trip the a real pumpkin patch & corn maze;  participated in the Breast Cancer walk; great trip to Phoenix for some fun with friends and the Cardinals game; a great Christmas with my family and Michaels, and a super fun NYE party to top of the end of the year.

Day Twenty-Four: What was your 2010 New Year's Resolution? Did you stick to it? And what will your 2011 New Year's resolution be?

My 2010 New Year's resolution was to fall in love.  And yes I accomplished that!  I cheated a little bit tho... I had thought about this as a resolution before the end of 2009 when contemplating what I should choose.  I intentionally spent NYE with a certain someone that I had feelings for and had a feeling it would turn into love.  So I finalized my resolution :)  And of course I stuck with it!

My 2011 resolution is to visit my nephews grave more often and be more patient! My sister and brother in law lost their son about 9 hours after being born @ 25 weeks.  Ever since he was buried, I have only gone to visit his grave sight on his birthday and one Christmas.  I really want to make a huge effort to go at least once a month and leave something for him.  I know and can feel him watching over my family especially his sister, Addie.  He is a lot of people Guardian Angel.

Day Twenty-Three: Who surprised you this year? In what way?

I caught the bouquet!

Myself.  I think I have truly surprised myself this past year.  I have been through a lot of up's and down's; experienced personal and family obstacles.  I've made individual goals and accomplished those goals.  I have been in vulnerable situations, times to prove my strength, and healing power.

I have needed to be strong for myself, my sister, my father and my niece.  I have faced different situations in 2010 that I have never had to face and overcame them.  I have had hands to hold and reached out my own to others when in struggle.  I have listened, received, and given all kinds of different advice throughout the year.

Thank you to everyone who helped me surprise myself.  You probably don't know that you contributed but you did and I am eternally grateful.  

Day Twenty-Two: What is your 2010 theme song?

Okay, so I didn't want to keep sounding redundant and keep mentioning the sad times of my 2010... so I have thought of a silly song that pretty much summed up the majority of my 2010 (aside from Addie).

My 2010 theme song is the Cha Cha Slide: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wZv62ShoStY

Most of us are familiar with this song because of weddings and other social gatherings.  Well in 2010 I attended about 8 weddings from the beginning to the end of the year.  This was always in my head and I ended up making it part of my workout mix!  It's a great song to get everyone moving!

Not only does this remind me of the nuptials in 2010, but it also reminds me of Addie.  There is apart of the song that says "Everybody clap your hands" and she absolutely loves that part of the song! She claps her hands so hard and looks around the room to make sure everyone else is clapping their hands as well.  The huge smile on her face and her repeating "YAAAAY!" the whole time just makes you want to join is with her :) This can continue for hours and hours if you let it ;)
(I absolutely love Addie!)

Day Twenty-One: What was one of your wishes or prayers?

My only wish and prayer this year was the prayer of Addison's survival.  And prayers were answered.  My first prayer was for Addie to regain consciousness.  My prayers after that were for her strength, progress, and recovery.  I don't think I was the only one with the same prayers in 2010.  There are so many people who joined in with us asking God and whoever else is up there for guidance, help, hope, and faith for Addie.  When my good friend Katy started the prayer group on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=116099581775135) I was so overwhelmed with the response.  I had no idea so many people would reach out to my family.  The word spread like wild fire and a large group of people that I knew and did not know reached out, prayed, and sent positive healing thoughts to Addie and to my entire family.

I personally do not think I have ever prayed so much before in my entire life.  Not only did I pray a bunch but I have never had all my prayers answered.  My family is extremely blessed.

Day Twenty: What skills/talents did you acquire?

The skill I learned in 2010 was how to crochet!!

My friend Steph taught me and my good friend Katy how to crochet.  It is such a great stress reliever for me and seems to be very therapeutic.  Plus I love doing things and getting an end product!  Nothing like instant gratification!  It took me a while to get a hang of it.  And I definitely have SO much more to learn but once I have the time to sit down and practice, I'd love to learn different stitches so I can make different things.

This scarf is my first (and only) completed product. I have started a baby blanket but am no where near finishing.  I don't have as much time on my hands as I did when I first started but it is still something I enjoy doing and want to keep up.  When I was bed rested due to a migraine, I continued on the baby blanket I have already started.  I would like to finish it in the near future so maybe that will be one of my goals for the beginning of 2011.  :)

Oh and of course my other talent I perfected in 2010 is being the best Auntie that I can be for both my nieces, Addie and Kenley! I sure love those girls to death! 

Day Nineteen: What is one thing you did that you have never done before?

I have never lived with a dog until 2010.  His name is Brian (for those of you who do not know).  He is Michael's little Maltese.  I have always wanted a dog of my own but wasn't allowed to when I was growing up.  Once I got my own place I thought it was going to be too much to have a dog in an apartment and didn't want to burden my roommates.  Also I wanted a pure breed and they are SO expensive.

I love having Brian around.  He finally gets along with my cats and we are one big happy family!

Brian is wearing pink because it was Breast Cancer Awareness Month.