As we say goodbye to another year.....

We reflect on the happenings of the year. The ups, the downs. The awesome, the not so awesome.

2013 was a CRAZY  year full of every kind of emotion you can imagine. For me, it was a tough year. I enjoyed so much of it but mentally it was tiring. I have found myself DONE DONE DONE on many days. But I keep on chugging through. I keep on trusting in my husband to bring me back to the right level and make me believe in the things that I am forgetting in the moment.

As I look back and reflect on this year, I see how truly awesome my family is. Nothing is ever perfect and I would not want that changed! I am thankful for all that we have been given, all that we have been tested with and all that we have in each other.
Gary - He helps with just about everything under the sun. He always attempts to make me smile, laugh and remember that our life is wonderful. He makes me feel safe, reminds me of who I am and  when the kids are driving me completely bonkers that everything will be fine soon. We are a team and even on the days that I get the short end of the stick, he is there to cheer me on.
Dominic - He can be the biggest help with the kids. He is the best shopping buddy and I enjoy our time together. He is almost a teenager and will be going to college before I know it!
Logan - This kid is the funniest person I know. He is a whirl wind of awesome. Makes me smile every single day.
Charlie - She is just too much. Her cuteness kills us and her laugh is contagious. She can make you smile with just one of her expressions.

I did this survey last year and loved it so I wanted to answer the same questions and see how things have gone from the first one in 2012....

1.What did you do in 2013 that you’d never done before?
Took Dominic to NYC. It was a great weekend away from the toddlers, just spending time with him (and our friend's daughter Audrey). We went on a family vacation to the beach with NO help from family. We went to Sesame Place with my cousin and drove there and back in one day...NEVER again. Heh. The next few have happened before, just worth mentioning: We had a year without anyone getting a surgery! We had a year where our medical bills were under $8,000! (this is the first in a LONG time) Gary got his "dream" job in his field. I got a promotion and reached the highest level in my current position. Took my sisters engagement photos and they turned out pretty well for being a non-professional. Saw a huge yellow duck on one of our rivers!
2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I never really make resolutions because in my mind that meant you were doing things wrong before. I do make goals for myself and I did accomplish some of my goals. We did meet a lot of our goals and we continue to strive to meet the others.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Yes! We have had a couple friends have babies and we even have a new cousin.
4. Did anyone close to you die?
There was one death this year, yes.
5. What countries did you visit?
We did not travel outside of the good ol’ USA.
6. What would you like to have in 2014 that you didn’t have in 2013?
Find a way to make things work in our favor to get more goals accomplished.
7. What dates from 2013 will be etched upon your memory, and why?
January 27^th, Dominic turned 11 years old.  April 24^th, Charlie turned 2.  June 6^th, our anniversary. October 16^th, Logan turned 4 years old. June 27th Charlie finished fully potty training herself.
8. What was your biggest achievement of this year?
At work: being recognized as a hard working asset to the team and being promoted.
At home: remembering that tomorrow is a new day and if the house is messy that I can do it tomorrow.
Mentally: proving to myself that I can be pushed beyond my limits and still bounce back.
9. What was your biggest failure?
Not spending enough one on one time with each kid. I want to include more days like that next year.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
My back continues to give me problems. It has been 5 years since my surgery and I think I may need to break down and go see the neurosurgeon again. I do not want to start 2014 off with huge medical bills but it might be what happens. 
11. What was the best thing you bought?
Ipad minis for the little kids. It has stopped the constant fighting over the ipad that we had.
12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
Charlie potty trained herself and we are beyond proud! We have not bought diapers in a year or pullups in 6 months! 
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
There are a few that we will work on changing for next year.
14. Where did most of your money go?
Mortgage, car payments, medical bills, daycare.
15. What did you get really excited about?
Seeing the kids faces when we went to the beach. They are real beach babes and love it!
16. What song will always remind you of 2013?
There are a ton! Mostly anything One Direction or from Pitch Perfect. My kids LOVE music.
17. Compared to this time last year, are you: a) happier or sadder? b) thinner or fatter? c) richer or poorer?
A: Although I feel like I could break apart into a puddle at any time some days, I am happier and thankful. B: Thinner! YAY C: Same as last year.
18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Take more videos of the kids. I take lots of pictures but videos are few. (this has not changed from last year, obviously I still need to work on it) Taking more pictures daily of the kids-they are growing so fast!
19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Yelling. Worrying. Being annoyed. Spending time in pain.
20. How will/did you spend Christmas?
Families houses.
21. What was your favorite TV program?
Criminal Minds, Pretty Little Liars, Parenthood
22. What was the best book you read?
Well I have not read a book that did not contain some type of animal or princess…so there is not answer to this.
23. What did you want and get?
Reassurance from Gary that I am still the person that I once was.
24. What did you want and not get?
I wanted a bigger raise with my promotion but the one I got was shockingly low.
25. What was your favorite film of 2013?
Pitch Perfect, Hunger Games Catching Fire, Thor
26. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I turned 35 in Oct and went out to dinner with Gary.
27. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Being able to do more with my family.
28. How would you describe your personal fashion concept of 2013?
Comfy.
29. What kept you sane?
My husband. Venting on twitter.
30. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2012.
Live for today because there is no guarantee for tomorrow!

I welcome 2014 and hope for a wonderful year filled with laughs, joy, fun, crazy, chaos and love!