So… I realize I posted all of like TWICE in December… and I failed to post a merry Christmas, or a happy new year or well, anything useful… I’ve got some pictures I need to share and probably more than a few stories I should have shared… but December came and went in a flash – filled to the brim with good days and bad days… but most importantly lots of special family times. It was a beautiful month, I’ll have to try to sneak in some pictures for you later….
But… I’m not here to beat myself up… actually that is the exact opposite of what I’m here for! Instead I just need to rant and rave a bit… because not only is December over, and gone in a flash, but also today marks the first day of a brand new year. 2008 is over and gone before I knew it, and we are looking forward already to the new year…. warning… this is a long one! but I’ll make it worth your while if you stick with me!
So… I could say the exact same thing I think about 2008 as I did about the month of December. It was filled to the brim, with good days, and bad days… tons special memories and lots of changes… it was a beautiful year.
… I was thinking last night, as the clock neared midnight, about all the incredible things I experienced in 2008, the birth of my last baby. My first facial piercing… my first successful attempt at weight loss, a beautiful family beach vacation, my Owen starting Kindergarten… it really was a beautiful year. I woke up this morning feeling (well feeling really sick, stupid head cold, but that is another post) but feeling satisfied and content and really really fulfilled by everything 2008 brought my way.
…but what do you know…. as I look around, I see lots of people just beating themselves over the head… I didn’t work hard enough last year, I didn’t clean enough last year, I was always late last year, I ate too much, I smoked too much… I was a bad friend, I was a bad designer, I was a bad parent, a bad daughter… the list just goes on and on and on…. of all sorts of people tearing down the beautiful year they created… tearing down the amazing person they are, in some sort of attempt to be better next year.
Now, I’m the first person to embrace the notion that change is good, and I really do believe whole heartedly in making yourself a better person, in trying your hardest, in doing what needs to be done to meet your goals… but must we do it by beating on ourselves and discrediting the amazing things we DID accomplish in 2008???
It hurts my heart I tell you, because you know what I believe… I really whole heartedly believe that if you made it through another year intact, if you have your health, your family, your friends, your memories… or you know if you were hit by all manners of catastrophe, or maybe you were a major god awful bum and managed to lose all of that… still, if you are still breathing to watch that clock tick over to 2009. Then you have reason to celebrate… and you really do have reason to be proud.
Here we are, another year has passed, we have all lived and loved and learned over the past 12 months. We’ve all grown and changed in a million ways. And we’ve all managed to make it through in this crazy dark depressing world. We’ve all live to see time march on, and we should all be proud.
… and not only that, but I guarantee you that we have all done countless things that deserve to be recognized, and for mercies sake before we start to ponder all the ways that we should be better… maybe we should take a big deep long breath and just give ourselves some credit for who we have become!
Seriously! Please for my own sanity’s sake, just love yourself a little this new year, and not only by making changes and improvements in the year to come, but also in giving yourself the credit that is due, for who you have become over the past year…
Now… this might seem a little familiar to you, especially if you know me very well, because every year I go through this, and I remember one year, I even posted a similar rant in our MOMS Club newsletter… but every new year comes, and every new year I just can’t help but ache for everyone to love themselves just a little more!
So… Will you all PLEASE do me a favor, and help me regain my slipping sanity by just taking some time to list some of the incredible things you did last year? You can blog it, or comment here or, maybe you just want to ponder it or something… but please please please give your wonderful self some credit, so that I don’t go berserk!
Oh! and, If you play along with me here, and leave a comment with a list of some of your accomplishments, or a link back to a post on your blog, I’ll put your name in a drawing for a $10 gift card to my store at SSD…. (if you aren’t a digi scrapper or aren’t interested just let me know and I’ll keep your name out of the drawing) Drawing ends Sunday night at Midnight.
I will be back on Monday to give you my own list and to post the gift card winner. But you, don’t forget to please take some time to give yourself some kudos for a job well done in 2008.
Share on Facebook
Friday, 2. January 2009
you know it makes me giggle when you say for mercies sake.. it’s just cute lol..
and I’m one of your beloved debbie downers so i’ll duck back out before I get something thrown at me again ^_^
I know yer right.. and I love you for it – well and other things – but I’m still going >< I’ll get over it, and one of the reasons is cause I have such a great supportive friend like you :]
there that was semi positive.
la
Friday, 2. January 2009
Great post! Some of my 2008 accomplishments: gave birth to my 3rd child, finally got the correct speech diagnosis/therapy program in place for DS2 so that he’s now making progress, nurtured DS1’s budding love for science, worked on keeping things neater for DH, and preserved lots of family memories in my scrapbooks.
Friday, 2. January 2009
I just checked your blog about an hour ago and nothing. LOL!
What did I accomplish last year that was good. I gave birth to a beautiful baby boy, I was a good wife & mother. I lost some weight, I was at 30 pounds, but then gained 10 back after I stopped breastfeeding, but I also think I took another step forward at becoming a pretty good baker. LOL! I baked a lot over the holidays. I started my family recipe book so that my kids will always have their favorite things I cook at hand.
Friday, 2. January 2009
I had a great year (for me).
I found medication that works for me, got discharged from the pdoc, started college & started doing voluntary work 2 days a week.
I’m really looking forward to 2009
Friday, 2. January 2009
Last year was difficult for me however I do have several accomplishments.
I lost nearly 30 pounds following a very strict diet. I gained back 20 and found out that I have thyroid disease. I’m not upset about gaining the weight back, I’m relieved to finally know what’s been wrong with me for years on end.
Friday, 2. January 2009
i blogged about my year. i had a good one (overall)
http://jovigirl81.blogspot.com/2009/01/2008-in-review.html
Friday, 2. January 2009
I accomplished quite a bit in 2008 to be proud of – first off, I took my 3 kids on their first REAL vacation to Florida in February and we had a great time together, my middle child was able to return to Florida for 5 weeks in the summer and take part in a hosting a foreign exchange student with my sister, my oldest made it to his senior year in high school as my youngest entered middle school!!! financially, my hubby and I worked and now are ahead with bills and not struggling even though as a nation we are supposedly in a recession. both vehicles are now paid off
all in all, it’s been a good year!! here’s to an even better 2009!!!
Friday, 2. January 2009
I totally agree with you! While 2008 was a crummy year for us, I don’t believe that it was the things that I did or did not do that made it so. My resolutions for 2009 are ways that I can improve myself, but that does not mean that I was a bad person in 2008. In 2008, while I need to lose 130 pounds, I still managed to lose 20 pounds before Thanksgiving, and I kept it off during the holidays. I managed to gain the trust and make myself valuable to the new managers and director I supported this year. I’ve helped my mom settle into a new state/town/place, and I think she’s happy for it. I started quickly on the job hunt once I found out I was going to be losing my job (I still have six months to go at my company), so I feel like I’m one step ahead of some others who are in the same boat. I was also able to get off my anti-depressants, and I feel emotionally stable in spite of the turmoil going on around me. I finally finished several knitting, scrapping and crafting projects that had been lingering for some time. So I think that I had a pretty decent year from a personal accomplishment standpoint.
Friday, 2. January 2009
It has been a really rough year BUT this year we paid off our house and we are still pretty much free of debt. My kids are all healthy and relatively happy and had a wonderful christmas. My daughter has a boyfriend who treats her so well and she is happier then she has been in a long time and doing really well in school. My sons are both growing and changing everyday becoming young men. I know that whatever happens we will be ok. even with my husband losing his job we will be ok. I rarely ever make resolutions for the new year. I have goals I would like to accomplish but if they dont happen thats ok too.
Friday, 2. January 2009
In 2008 I was forced to relinquish a LOT of my control issues. While I kicked and screamed the whole way, I’m a much better person for it on the other end
Friday, 2. January 2009
I took care of my dad through 2 major surgeries!! That was major as he tends to be a little ungrateful for all me and my brother do~!!
Friday, 2. January 2009
I love this post. You are so right. We DO need to focus on what we’ve done that’s good in the past year. So, here are a few of mine:
-I left teaching to become a SAHM. I never in a zillion trillion years believed I could be a SAHM. But guess what? I CAN!!! And I’m pretty good at it!
-I saw my DH through some health issues and those very issues are what brought us closer together than we’ve ever been.
-I made the commitment to work on my marriage. Not that it was bad, just that all marriages take work. So, we’re working to make ours the best it can be.
-I learned that I love my children more than life itself.
-I realized that I can survive without controlling every aspect of my day. Being a SAHM will do that to ya.
-I saw my son make entering kindergarten a wonderful experience.
-I successfully potty trained my daughter. No more diapers for us!
-I learned that even though I may not love myself all the time, I have people who do love me…always. Isn’t that what it’s all about?
Thanks, Shawna…I needed this! :wub:
Friday, 2. January 2009
Great post!! Although I love to make resolutions (or rather goals), I also appreciate to have the opportunity to look back and be proud, so thank you for that. 2008 was a very busy year and I kept my sanity (almost) all along. That’s definitely my main accomplishement! LOL I also learned to simplify, to let go, to take things less personnally. Still a work in progress, but I’m proud of the way I’ve come so far!
Friday, 2. January 2009
Shawna, this is awesome. You are 100% correct. I have spent too much time beating myself up for things I can’t change. But in this last year I started college (I’m 34) and I made the Dean’s List! I let go of a house that I could not afford. I found a wonderful place for my family to live. I made a decision to do things that make me happy. I made new friends in spite of my social anxiety. I learned to stand in front of a room full of strangers and sing for the love of singing. I survived raising 5 children, 2 of them being teens, 2 of them being twins, and 1 of them being SARA! It was a good year!
Friday, 2. January 2009
I have a list of my 2008 stats over on my blog
http://www.havocandmayhem.com/2008/12/some-stats-from-2008.html
Some highlights were taking 5687 photos, reading 68 books and creating 146 layouts
Friday, 2. January 2009
I posted about resolutions here:
http://www.babysites.com/sites/alansrock/
Besides the weight loss here are my other accomplishments for 2008:
I got to visit my niece for a week long solo trip, played softball as a a started with an elite team and traveled with said team to a tourney in FL, I grew as a scrapper this year making my best calendar yet and I successfully started home schooling my twin boys! I’d say 2008 was pretty good to me!
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Friday, 2. January 2009
This was an awesome post and I love all the comments you have!!
What did I accomplish in 2008? I kept my kids safe and healthy all year long. I was a good mom and a decent partner. I dusted off my scrapping skills and created some amazing pages. I survived a thousand trials by fire and I’m still standing. I saw my first baby through kindergarten and into first grade and I spent special time with baby #2 taking her places and doing things that have been just for her.
Seriously. Great post. Lots to think about.
Friday, 2. January 2009
So true, Shawna. So true.
2008 brought me and my family one hell of a year. There were losses, but there was growth. There was a new job for me. New daycare for the girls. We found a babysitter for the weekends. My bestest friends got pregnant. My mom is healthier & my dad got through surgery and is recovering well. I maintained my weightloss. I was a good mom and a good wife. I have a roof over my head and I can provide for my kids….really, what more could I want? What more could I need?
Thanks dear.
Happy 2009 to you.
Stephanie
Friday, 2. January 2009
I’m really proud of my 2008!
I got a new car, and I’ve made every payment early and in full… despite 5 months of unemployment. My other bills are current, too, and I only had to ask for a small loan one time from a family member. I’m working again, and even though I hate the job and the hours, it will make enough $$ to support my family & me and help us get ahead in the new year.
My FI proposed to me in Sept, and we moved in together in Nov. I’ve worked hard on both of those transitions & being a good parental figure to his son. I’m most looking forward to the surprise waiting for us at the end of 2009 (shhhh — it’s still a secret for now!).
My scrapping is ‘behind,’ but I applied for the CTs I love even if I got rejected from them, have started to evolve my style, and continue to practice my photography.
All in all, it was a very good year.
Friday, 2. January 2009
What a wonderful post! Well lets see.
This was a wonderful year for us because we finally managed to get pregnant after trying and trying, and yes its our fourth baby but a new baby will never be an old hat for me kwim.
I also really grew in my photography, made great friends, discovered digiscrapping, made more great friends, watched my kids grow, watched my daugher graduate Kindergarten. Watched my baby sister turn 16. Grew even closer with my husband celebrated our 5 year wedding anniversary and ten years together! Quit smoking cold turkey. Weaned my son Noah (bittersweet but still an accomplishment LOL This kid was determined) Great a back bone. Wow Im getting pretty emotional, thanks for this. All in all it really was a better year then I expected!
Friday, 2. January 2009
I like where you’re going with this. I’m one of those who thinks I need to do this, this and this before I’ll feel successful… but this reflection is good!
This year, I continued raising 2 kids to be compassionate and kind people (and they’re smart though I’m not sure I can take credit for that!)
I took a risk that paid off- opening a new program for our district at a new school and I LOVE it.
I started scrapping for myself- to keep track of the memories that count in our family history.
I stopped beating myself up about dumb things (well, sort of….)
All in all, a good year!
Friday, 2. January 2009
Love this Shawna, you are so right!!!
While I may not have given birth this year, or done anything like that, I did manage to successfully spend time with family, watched my cousin get married in May, made it through birthdays, two trips to Branson, my baby girl turned 5, no one close to us died, and we had a great year. Thanks for making people think, Shawna.
Friday, 2. January 2009
Hmmm….
First of all…wonderful post. Very thought provoking and insightful.
2008 was crazy for me on a deeply personal level. My DH and I struggled through his depression, and…fingers crossed…have found him the right doc and meds and path. I survived my first year as a SAHM after 12 years of a career in management. I made HOMEMADE dinners almost every night of that year! Sent my oldest son to pre-school…and bawled like a baby. *finally* cut a tie with someone and let it go after a long relationship of hurt with this person. Found a craft that I love and have really really grown with in the last year…that being digital scrapbooking
learning more every day about my creativity, passion and other cool stuff. I’m sure there is more…but I’ll spare you!
Thank you!
Friday, 2. January 2009
Thank you for this post and putting things in perspective. I’d been feeling down most of last week despite the holidays, mainly because I feel disconnected with some offline friends.
BUT to think about my accomplishments for 2008: My biggest one would probably be finally jumping into digital scrapbooking after more than a year of simply dabbling (using freebies and scrapping every…three months or so, lol). I finished close to 150 layouts in 2008, quite a feat considering I only did about 13 in 2007! My goal this year is to put more journaling in my layouts
Another accomplishment would be finally getting out of credit card debt! This has haunted me since 2007 and I finally was debt-free in April this year!
I actually have a working list of stuff I’d like to accomplish this year, and I hope I can make it happen!
Friday, 2. January 2009
Hey Miss Shawna! I saw your phone number the other day on the ole’ HD and thought about texting you. IDK why it never made it into the phone!
So, how ya be sistah? I know having little ones is a hard (and incredibly rewarding) time of life. Enjoy it while you have it… even though at moments you want to pull your hair out.
Something incredible I did? Hmmm… well, when I got sick (July) and couldn’t do a thing (I got AN-AEROBIC just walking around my COFFEE TABLE!!!!) I started crocheting. I knew how, but hadn’t done in any in ages… and now I have my own little shop online and I have to tell you – its been an incredible blessing because my man’s company closed! He had the same job for 22 years and he got a whopping 23 days notice! My little store has paid for the dishwasher we got and January’s car payment so far. I am just about $100 shy of making the Feb car payment and girl, it feels good to say I am ‘giving’ to the finances in this way. I found what I am good at and made it work. That is my big woo hoo accomplishment for 08.
That and the fact that I didn’t kill anyone for leaving us high and dry the way that they did while they still drive their Hummers and Corvettes through our dinky small town.~G
My Etsy Store – http://www.crafttealady.etsy.com
Friday, 2. January 2009
I quit smoking and I made steps toward being a better wife (and mother as a result). It’s all I can think of right now… LOL!
Friday, 2. January 2009
I think 2008 was a good year, nothing really over exciting for the most part. However 2008 did bring us the pregnancy of our 2nd child, that will arrive in 2009. DS started kindergarten this year. And I have a job that when DS is out of school I am not at work!
Friday, 2. January 2009
My big accomplishment for this year was the birth of our first child. I learned a lot about myself, and became stronger person. It has been a wonderful year!
Friday, 2. January 2009
Thank you so much for the reminder to celebrate what’s good amidst all the bad. Last year was a year of discovery for me. After 8 months of feeling totally confused and hating myself, I was diagnosed with postpartum depression. And that diagnosis has helped me realize that even though I have PPD, I don’t have to be PPD. Despite my faults and weaknesses, I am a person of worth and I do good things every day. I am a good-enough mom. I am a good-enough wife. I have talents. I can draw. I can scrap. I can design. I discovered that I could make the biggest difference in my own life–that I was the one holding me back. And it’s been so liberating to feel in control of my life, to determine for myself what I really want in life, and to put my whole heart into becoming that person and doing those things that I really want. 2008 was a good year. And this year will be even better. I’m committed to that.
Friday, 2. January 2009
What a great post and good for all of us to remember.
I’ve read alot of complaints about the year that we just left behind, but I can’t look at it as a bad year. Yes, there have been lots of problems, but I have a family that loves me, a roof over my head, food to eat (more than I need LOL), clean water, medical care when I’m ill, and more than most people on our planet. So God has been good to me; and even if I don’t have all that I would LIKE, I have all that I NEED, so all in all, 2008 was a good year, and I look forward to seeing what 2009 will bring.
Best wishes and blessings to you and yours this year!
Friday, 2. January 2009
Wow, I totally agree. I don’t do the resolutions at the beginning of the Jan thing (my new year actually starts Nov 1, but I don’t do it then either). Most days quite frankly I just remind myself that getting through it in one piece and my children and dh all in one piece is a true accomplishment. Between house, laundry, cooking, childcare, and work it is sometimes amazing that we all make it. But, we had a good year got to see a lot of new places, had some great times with my family.
Susan
Friday, 2. January 2009
Wonderfully written post, you’re such an amazing writer! So just for you sweetie….
http://geekswithblogs.net/clingermangw/archive/2009/01/02/128311.aspx
Friday, 2. January 2009
Hope you are feeling better, Shawna… I did lots of amazing things but my best one is named Sophie! Hugs, Feel Better Soon!
Friday, 2. January 2009
Yeah 2008 started off lousy but it got progressively better as the year went on and we as a family accomplished a lot! It ended fantastically and 2009 looks better than ever!
Cheers to you girl for reminding us of that, and I just red your hubby’s post, you lucky girl!
Friday, 2. January 2009
You need only ask, my dear. A list as long as your arm, or at least as long as your waist size.
http://thatsmywhine.blogspot.com/2009/01/my-gravy.html
Friday, 2. January 2009
good idea re: recognising last years accomplishments. I spent the first few months getting into shape and then the rest of the year ballooning out and being sick carrying DS, who i birthed naturally just before the end of 2008. I also managed to maintain the house and prepare food occassionally for my now 3.5y.o DD, and answered easily over a billion questions about totally random stuff asked by above mentioned DD.
Thanx for the prompt to reflect rather than just look ahead
Saturday, 3. January 2009
I have blogged about this here: http://csdesign-online.de/blog/2009/01/03/sneak-peek-saturday-at-il/
My biggest thing in 2008 was my that we found out why our little boy has problems and found the first solution for it!! He now starts getting clean all day and the astringency is getting away slowly …. so hoppefully in a short time, he won’t be having this problems anymore… and after that we found out that he has learning difficulties and hopefully he can change the school in summer so thatwe have more help for him! Yes, this was sooo great in 2008 and make me look better in 2009…
Saturday, 3. January 2009
I blogged. Thanks for the prompt and chance!
http://veuvefamily.blogspot.com/2009/01/out-with-old-in-with-new.html
Saturday, 3. January 2009
I want to win! What a great way to bring in the new year!
http://agbayani.blogspot.com/2009/01/did-someone-say-gift-card.html
Saturday, 3. January 2009
Shawna, You are so UPLifting!!!Yes, yes we should feel like what you wrote and I mite add you are sooooo great at writing. I’m so looking forward to seeing books from you in the near future–I truly believe I will be saying that is my daughter-in-law when I go to the book store and buy them all up to pass out as “gifts”! Perhaps I will be going to conferences to hear your wonderful Godly wisdom that you so often share. A toast to you and the new year!A Big Hug, Love and prayers
Sunday, 4. January 2009
Wow. I literally just finished crying my eyes out because I am under so much stress and feel like such a crappy mom because I am so impatient with my kids right now (because of all the stress). Your post was really something I needed to read right now. Overall I have had a great year. I ran my first marathon, left an unhappy work situation and have worked my butt off to open my own practice which is happening on January 5th! And best of all I have 4 beautiful, healthy, sweet boys. Thanks Shawna!
Sunday, 4. January 2009
I had a busy year. I was the mom, wife, taxi driver, chief cook, and maid at my house.
I put in over 700 hours of volunteer work at the kids’ school. I have no idea how many hours I put in as the cubmaster too. I would guess at least 700 maybe more.
I’ve learned alot more about digi scrapbooking. I love continuing my digi skills. I became a member of my first CT (for purpletulip designs), and guested for Kristin Cronnin-Barrow in August.
I’m the neighborhood digi scrapbooking guru. I have taught 3 ladies how to digi scrapbook this year.
I’m super mom. I always have extra kids at my house and feed everyone. I like to know where my kids are and what they are doing, so I make our house the party house so I can keep track of what’s going on.
This year I want to cut back some of my volunteer time and work more on my family and my hobbies.
Well I guess that’s enough for the contest.
keepscrappin’
kayla
Monday, 5. January 2009
I carried my preemie 4 weeks longer than everyone thought I could with my placenta previa! I went on extended bed rest with a toddler and still made it far enough that my Phin didn’t need to be put in a incubator or go on oxygen even when he was born 7 weeks early.
I survived 3 months being pregnant and taking care of a toddler while living with my insufferable in-laws while my DH was 400 miles away trying to get us situated in an area I had never even been to.
We moved 400 miles away while I was pregnant and caring for a toddler, which meant I was stuck alone in a car for 8 hours by myself with a 14 month old.
I discovered a brand new me behind the lens this year, this biggest thing of all, for me. I found a place where I feel comfortable, and artistic, and at home, behind my shutter.
**hugs** Shawna! For bringing all this to the forefront!
Monday, 5. January 2009
OH! And my preemie never dropped more than a couple of ounces because of my obsessive pumping and breastfeeding and getting out of the hospital a few hours after my c-section so I could start making the trek to the next hospital, where the NICU was.
I don’t know where I found the strength for all of that now that I look back… but sheesh!!
Monday, 5. January 2009
What a wonderful idea! I blogged about it…
http://cheltzey.blogspot.com/2009/01/reflecting-on-2008.html
Monday, 5. January 2009
Great post Shawna, here is a link to mine:
http://creatively-yours.blogspot.com/2009/01/2008not-so-bad-after-all.html
Wednesday, 13. January 2010
Really great info on your blog, I will try to return again soon.