End of the Year Meme

I actually went googling for an end of the year topic, and found this. If you would like to participate, leave your link in the comments. It seems fun and contemplative at the same time....

1. What did you do in 2008 that you’d never done before?
Coached my 4 year old's soccer team!

2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I accomplished some of them, failed at some of them. To be updated in 2009 in a blog post I am sure!

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
No.

4. Did anyone close to you die?
Not someone really "close" to me, but someone very dear to our family. My husband's great granddaddy passed away. A true saint!

5. What countries did you visit?
The good old U.S.A! ha ha!

6. What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008?
More control over our finances!!!

7. What dates from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
I don't keep up with dates well...

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Staying on track with homeschooling (a consistent daily schedule), keeping the house in better order, coaching soccer, losing 30 pounds!

9. What was your biggest failure?
Quitting running. It was making me feel so much better!

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Not really. Some personal issues, but nothing to write about :)

11. What was the best thing you bought?
Size 10 jeans! WOO HOO!!

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
My wonderful children! They are so smart, obedient, sweet, and just awesome in general!

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
Parents who don't "parent."

14. Where did most of your money go?
To pay bills.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Planning our trip to Disney World. ha ha!!! Christmas!

16. What song will always remind you of 2008?
I have absolutely no idea. The song that comes to mind right now is "Counting on God" because that was one of my favorites that the band at church played on our "opening" Sunday.

17. Compared to this time last year, are you: (a) happier or sadder? (b) thinner or fatter? (c) poorer or richer?
(a) Happier!
(b) Definitely thinner! YAY!
(c) Richer and Poorer! ha ha!

18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Getting in shape!

19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Worrying.

20. How did you spend Christmas?
At home with the kids!

21. Did you fall in love in 2008?
I was already in love!

22. What was your favorite TV program?
The Office

23. I skipped this question....it asked if you hate anyone now that you didn't hate last year. Bad question! Can't think of a good replacement...any ideas?

24. What was the best book you read?
I read so many great books this year! I have to say the two that I am thinking of right now are: Redeeming Love (Francine Rivers) and my most recent Bible study/book club book: Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World (Joanna Weaver).

25. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Beethoven's Wig...a really really great CD for kids!

26. What did you want and get?
A girl's trip to Disney! I won it in a drawing!

27. What did you want and not get?
A complete new wardrobe. The price you pay....

28. What was your favorite film of this year?
I really enjoyed Wall-E. I don't see very many movies actually.

29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I turned 27 this year. Some friends and I went ice skating after eating at Sweet Tomatoes. Great fun!

30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Succeeding at all my New Year's resolutions. Getting published....winning a million dollars...

31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008?
Jeans and t-shirts.

32. What kept you sane?
Praying and blogging, friends, and family.

33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
None.

34. What political issue stirred you the most?
The election.

35. Who did you miss?
I miss no one really.....I miss friends living really close by so we can visit daily :)

36. Who was the best new person you met?
I met a blogging friend in real life...that was fun! I also met lots of new friends at Graceland, which has been so great for us!

37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2008.
Don't worry!!!! God does not want me to worry! Though, still working on it....

38. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year. from "Counting on God:"

Joy unspeakable that won't go away
And just enough strength
To live for today
So I never have to worry
What tomorrow will bring
'Cause my faith is on solid rock
I am counting on God

Christmas Meme....TAG Everyone's IT!

This is one of those "getting to know your friends" type of things. I don't like tagging people, so instead of that I will just say, if you want to do this one, then post a link to your post on the comments and maybe we can all read each other's responses and up our readership for a couple of days! ha ha! I like to see what everyone says on these type of things, so link away!


1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? I use a little of both....I think they are both fun in their own way! Mostly I use gift "containers" that I put baked goodies in...and baskets.


2. Real tree or Artificial? Fake! As much as a real tree sounds quaint and traditional, I just don't think the sensitive allergies in this house could stand it. Plus, I LOVE pre-lit!

3. When do you put up the tree? Thanksgiving weekend. I almost put it up earlier this year, but I loved our thanksgiving/fall decorations too much!

4. When do you take the tree down? The first free day we have after Christmas. It gives a fresh new start to the year to have everything down and cleaned up!

5. Do you like eggnog? NO!

6. Favorite gift received as a child? A dress up trunk...I had so much fun wearing that stuff until I was just too big for it! ha ha.

7. Hardest person to buy for? Our kids!!!! They kept changing their minds of what they "really wanted" and we were afraid they would be dissapointed with their "thing they want."

8. Easiest person to buy for? My parents. They never buy themselves anything, so they are easy to buy for!

9. Do you have a nativity scene? I have had several little cheap ones through the years. I just can't let myself buy the nice ones because the one I really want is the Willow Tree Nativity, which is expensive!

10. Mail or email Christmas cards? both. Last year was the first year I did an online "chrismas card" letter and blog. It was really fun because it was a great way to review the year. I also love to mail cards, though it is getting expensive with the price of stamps.

12. Favorite Christmas Movies? I love the Charlie Brown Christmas movie! There is nothing like listening to Linus recite Luke 2!

13. When do you start shopping? We actually wait until after Thanksgiving. We don't really buy a ton of gifts. We are doing Samaritan's Purse donations for most of our gifts, baking goodies for friends, and we only do 3 gifts for our kids, so we can get it all done during the Christmas shopping season.

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? I am sure I have done this but I can't remember specifically....

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? baked goodies!!!!!! Cococut cake, cookies, breads, chocolate covered pretzels (not really baked but good!)

16. Lights on the tree? yes, prelit white lights! Easy and beautiful!

17. Favorite Christmas song? Oh I just LOVE Christmas music and it is so hard to pick a favorite. I LOVE "Welcome to our world," Chris Rice version...I also love all the oldies...It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year is playing right now on the Ipod....anything and everything except new modernized versions of the classics (like NSYNC singing Little Drummer Boy or something like that! ha ha)

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? This is going to be the first Christmas Day I will spend at home in YEARS. I have only been home on Christmas Day one other time in my entire life! I am truly looking forward to it!

19. Can you name all of Santa’s reindeer’s? The real "Santa" doesn't have reindeer. ha ha, just kidding. I can only name them because I just read the list on my friend's blog just now...Dasher, Dancer, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen, actually I just forgot the rest after I deleted her answer!

20. Angel on the tree top or star? We have a topper that kind of looks like a snowflake star. It looks like it is make of vines.

21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? This year we will be having our Jesus birthday party on Christmas Eve night and opening one gift. Then Christmas morning we will open our other two gifts and stockings. So, both.

22. Most annoying thing about this time of year? Not enough time to spend with everyone...

23. Favorite ornament theme or color? I like "natural" looking decorations. Our tree has pine cones and red wooden "cranberry" garland.

24. Favorite for Christmas dinner? Ham. Lots of appetizers!

25. What do you want for Christmas this year? I could say that I have everything I want or need, but that just wouldn't be true! ha ha! Actually, my want and need are one in the same: new clothes! I truly do need new clothes...most of mine are too big. I have some tee shirts and capris I got during the summer, but I only have 2 pairs of jeans that are the right size, one pair of khaki dress pants, one long sleeved shirt and two sweaters. I stay home, so I can make it with that, but I would love to have some variety in the shirt department! ha ha!