{downtown Houston, NYE}

Michael and I rung in the new year with my sister, her husband, and our friends Dusty and Heather. Dinner, dancing, and lots of laughs were involved. I hope I always remember the magic moments between 2011 and 2012, wrapped in my husband’s arms and screaming “HAPPY NEW YEAR!”  with my sister.

I knew I wanted to do a year in review post, but I also knew I wouldn’t get it done before 2012 had arrived. And I was okay with that. Look at me go! Even though something isn’t perfect I’m moving on with my life! With only a few feelings of disappointment in myself! In all seriousness, though, here’s my review. 2011 was crazy, in an overwhelming, life-changing, good, painful, wonderful way. It was a year for pushing myself beyond what I thought I could do. I loved putting this post together and remembering everything that happened last year.

The other night, I was making dinner and listening to one of my Pandora stations, and I heard this lyric: “Some day these will be our old days…let’s make them worth remembering” (Kaci Crowley, Kind of Perfect). Those words stuck out to me. As I’ve blogged before, I am always trying fast-forward to the next stage in life, whatever that may be. I like planning ahead and telling myself “when [insert arbitrary thing] happens, then I’ll be happy.” Except I won’t. If I don’t learn to live in the moment, this moment, I will always be looking for the next best thing. I want to be present in each moment. Such as the following:

January >> We rung in the new year as just the two of us, first going out to dinner then coming home and trying to learn the Thriller dance, armed with a bottle of champagne and YouTube videos. I put in my two weeks notice at a job I had held for nearly three years. My job with the hotel began. Also: I got glasses and learned that there are more important things in life than a dishwasher.

February >> This month flew by, and was mostly spent adjusting to my new job. I had a realization that “if there is a less than healthy situation in your life, don’t keep giving into it.”

March >> I turned 25. Michael turned 32. I blogged about crawfish and sunflower seeds.

April >> LfT turned 2 and we celebrated with a new design via the genius mind of David Stagg. I struggled with being a night owl (story of my life) and finding a balance.

May >> Amazing Glamazon trip. I geared up for the weddings of two of my best friends. I remembered that my own marriage was something worth fighting for.

June >> I was the MOH in Julie’s wedding in Chicago. We continued house hunting. I took the GRE and got into grad school (!!!). Again, I struggled with perfectionism.

July >> We bought our house. I went to Canada for Corlene’s wedding. I blogged about getting messy.

August >> Katherine and I took our annual sister trip. We began to settle into our new house (and I wrote some moving advice). I started school.

September >> Due to circumstances beyond my control, I had to work full-time + go to grad school full-time for about 6 weeks. I spent most of this month completely exhausted (and caffeinated). I blogged about self-care. My brother had his accident.

October >> I broke up with the hotel and got a new awesome job. My family was thankful that my brother was on the mend.

November >> Pancho turned 4 (Leia had a late 3rd birthday party as well). We celebrated our 4th wedding anniversary and Thanksgiving.

December >> I decided to “keep the fun in blogging.” I was a bit of a Scrooge, got a new planner, had a great Christmas, a geared up for 2012 with my list of resolutions.

Now, here we are, already TEN days into January. Where does the time go? So far, I’ve done pretty well with my resolutions. I went to the gym tonight and have been getting up earlier. I’m working on projects and crossing things off my to-do list(s). 2012 is going to be a big year (Michael graduates in May!), and I want to soak up every minute. I know my productivity and motivation will wax and wane, but as long as I’m focusing on what’s important and living in the moment, I’ll be just fine.