Happy Old Year (2011)

As a way to ring in the new year, I like to look back at the old year. I did it for 2010 and I looked it over today and was surprised at how much I had forgotten and how fun it was to remember.

For me, I tend to focus on tomorrow, next week, next year. I don't look back much, but when I do, it often times helps me follow the map ahead. It's important to take a moment and appreciate the things we've done well, learn from the things we could have done better and celebrate a full year breathing, loving, laughing, crying and welcoming the morning each beautiful day. It's all such a gift, if think about it.

January 2011: Started Bible Study Fellowship, Barrett was 19 mos and started soccer (which flopped), put Barrett in a big-boy bed (also flopped), bought a second crib, realized Barrett is still a baby. Vivienne was 3 mos and started sleeping through the night. I applied to become a Youth Commissioner for my local government.

 
February 2011: Vivienne 4 mos laughed for the first time, we had the huge snow storm in Chicago which shut the city down for 2 days, we started to all get cabin fever....

March 2011: I gave up Diet Coke, I hosted a Book Club and made a chocolate pie from "The Help" which was a complete disaster, and I started a 3-month cleanse with John

April 2011: Vivienne 6 mos was baptized, my brother Phil got home from South America just in time to be Vivienne's Godfather

May 2011: I hit a wall and I considered giving up our dogs (rescued Greyhounds) Jack and Jill--in the end, had a change of heart and decided to keep them, really glad I did now. Also, sent away applications to test for my LCP (licensed professional counselor) title

June 2011: Barrett turned 2, instead of a party, we did a train-ride to lunch and had a really fun family day. I became a Youth Commissioner for my local government! We had a 3-day power outage in our town, while I was watching my parents dog, Missy.

July 2011: Visited my grandma's house in Michigan, I made a marketing plan and officially decided to start working with my mom at Blue Life Coaching My parents beloved dog, Missy, of 15 years passed away.

August 2011: John and I celebrated our 8 year anniversary, my niece Stella Rose was born, my brother Phil left for China, we started going to Willow Creek North Shore church 

September 2011: I turned 30 and had a fabulous party with my friends to celebrate, My first article was published! Barrett (2 years, 2 months) started preschool and 2 weeks later, we pulled him out.

October 2011: Vivienne's first birthday!! we went pumpkin and apple picking, had a fun party, I joined the YMCA and started Zumba and other awesome workouts with my friends, John and I interviewed to be Marriage Builder leaders at our church

November 2011: John turned 33, I passed my NCE (national counselor exam) and received my LCP (licensed professional counselor) title , my mom and I expanded our business to build a partnership with a local salon, Teddie Kossof to offer Life Coaching services. I had a red carpet night with celebrities Put up our first real family Christmas tree for the kids the day after Thanksgiving.

December 2011: Vivienne, my mom and I were on the local news for our involvement with a Police Stand Off. Attended 8 Christmas parties, had a magical experience with my mom at our annual Tea at the Drake, celebrated a terrific Christmas, ran a Fresh Start 5K race with fun friends hosted by Center for Christian Life Enrichment, kissed the love of my life at the last moment of 2011 and rang in the New Year with new & old friends.

All in all, 2011 was a year to be tremendously grateful for--God is good. This was the first year in a while that we didn't welcome a new baby, so I basically gave birth to a new career in Counseling/Life Coaching. I'd say my biggest change was in my relationship with God, it has blossomed into something more real to me and I've experienced such joy, confidence and peace. Vivienne went from 3 months to 14 months, Barrett went from 19 months to 2.5 years (an age you no longer count in months). It's incredible how much happens in just one year.

Next year at this time, Vivienne will be a little more than 2 years, Barrett will be 3.5 years. Hard to imagine, but I can't wait to see 2012 has in store for us!