What a year it's been!

Completely stole this idea from Pinterest.

Check out the original post from this blog here.

But I loved it and thought it would be a good end for what has been a huge year for our little family.

Really, trying to wrap my brain around all that has changed this year was overwhelming. Like pull the covers over my head and wiggle down further in the bed kind of overwhelming. This seemed like a nice way to wrap up the year in a nice little package. Or rather a list. Because y'all know I do love a list.

WHAT A YEAR IT'S BEEN!

A LITTLE ABOUT ME

NAME: Robin

AGE; 35 (Seriously. When did that happen?)

FAVORITE COLOR: I've always said blue but I think it's honestly turquoise now.

FAVORITE FOOD: Ice Cream

FAVORITE ACTIVITY: Crafting

FAVORITE BOOK: Whatever I am currently reading which is "One Thousand Gifts"

HIGHLIGHTS OF 2011

GREATEST LESSON I LEARNED: Isn't is really the more things change the more they stay the same? The greatest lesson of this year is the lesson I have had to relearn every year. God is in control. I say it a lot. I even believe it. But that doesn't stop me from fretting endlessly over stuff I can't just grip and stretch it into exactly what I want. Sometimes the situation was mine and sometimes it was of my friends. Regardless, I spent way too much time discussing, analyzing, questioning and flat out being angry over things I simply could do nothing about. I should have been spending more time praying, reading, breathing and flat out trusting God could handle it. Why do I have to learn this over and over and over?

HARDEST THING OF THE YEAR: Losing the first house. Seems silly, I realize and now that we are in this house, we came out much better but still. Heck, at this point, I can even see the reasons we just did not need that house. And yet it crawls all over me. So strange actually.

FAVORITE MEMORY: The beach. Not sure I've ever shared this or not, but now seems like a good time. After our transfer in July 2009, I went to see Witchy Woman for our post-transfer acupuncture treatment. We'd gone to see her before the transfer too. As I'd done earlier that morning and for almost every visit the previous four months, I prayed. This time, I got a picture in return. I guess that's the way to describe it. I saw Chris and a little girl in a ruffled swimsuit walking along the beach holding hands. It was so real. I cried. But I did that a lot. So as I sat on the beach this summer and watched Chris and our little girl in her ruffled swimsuit, I was overcome with gratitude. The picture changed because Aubrey Kate was a little put off by the whole sand and moving water thing but it felt like I had been given a promise and here it was, living, giggling and calling me Mama. What a miracle our little family truly is. (If you think I'm crazy, that's okay. I can handle it.)

WHAT I LOVED MOST ABOUT 2011: Growing. Chris is so happy at his new job. These folks are good at what they do and they want to be the best. He's in heaven. Not that he's competitive or anything. Not at all. We also got to watch Aubrey Kate grow from a baby to a little girl. Sometimes I miss the little baby but really, I have loved seeing her develop.

LOOKING FORWARD TO 2012

WHAT TO LEARN: How to live a life of even greater gratitude. So much so that I can look at any situation and see the good. See the blessings. See through what Satan may want to show me and straight through to what God wants me to see. I truly believe only a life focused on praise, thanksgiving and buried in the study of God's word can see through the evil.

WHAT TO GET BETTER AT: Oh goodness. So. Much. More organized. More creative cook. Laugh more. Pray more. Be a better friend. More patient mother. Take more pictures. Eat more vegetables.

BIGGEST GOAL: Read the bible through. I've started and stopped so many times. It's pathetic really. Embarrassing. It needs to be done and I need to make it a priority.

Overall, 2011 was a good year. But I can't wait to see what God has in store for 2012!

Plus, I really like even numbers better. Well, I do.

Happy New Year Y'all!!!