AnchorMommy

A look back at 2009

January 7, 2010 by Shannon

When 2009 began, I had NO CLUE it would turn out the way it has. I had zero intentions of making any major life changes, but things quickly began to change as the year got underway. I forced myself to reconsider my priorities and make big changes — changes so big they shook my very core. I was terrified to leave a job I loved. But in the end I took the plunge and I’m so happy I did! Here’s a look at the highlights of 2009 and what’s ahead for 2010.

2009

1. I considered quitting my job during one of the worst recessions this country has ever seen.
2. I actually quit my job.
3. We took a LOOOOONG road trip with our toddler and giant dog. Twelve hours, each way. And we survived.
4. We had an AMAZING time on the Oregon Coast — our first official family vacation — and now I want to go back every year for the rest of my life.
5. We said goodbye to our dear Great Grandpa Bruce.
6. I made some really amazing connections with other intelligent, inspiring, awesome blogging women.
7. I spent several days trying to track down a creature called an Oreo cow, which I now believe is one of the most elusive creatures on the planet. Or maybe they just see me coming and run.
8. I watched the football team of my alma mater win a bowl game on my birthday! The best birthday ever!
9. I picked ridiculous amounts of huckleberries in the Idaho mountains.
10. I made my son’s “acrobat” Halloween costume and a really cute Christmas gift — a white, stuffed puppy dog which he loves! Yay me!
11. I can officially call myself a working writer, which is a pretty damn cool thing, if you ask me. (Have you ever seen the magazine I write for? It’s called Meridian Living, and here’s the digital version of our latest issue.)
12. I had one of the worst giggle fits of my life, as I left a message for my insurance agent. Seriously. It lasted nearly two minutes. I’m turning red just thinking about it.

2010

1. I’m going to see the U2 360 Tour in Seattle with Michael and two of our very best friends! (And I’ll try not to feel guilty about not bringing our number one U2 fan along.)
2. My dearest childhood friend is coming to visit this month with her baby! I sooooo wish we were raising our kids together in the same town, but visits are the next best thing! I can’t wait!!!
3. I will conquer my fear of sewing machines. If I work up enough nerve, I might even use one of my grandmother’s tablecloths for a project, but that’s only if I don’t screw up a couple beginner projects first.
4. Kellan will learn to swim!
5. Myself and another amazing woman and friend, Amy Pence-Brown, will be featured in an exhibition at Boise State University! No, I won’t be creating any art (Amy’s really the artist between the two of us) but we’ll both be doing some written work as part of the exhibition.
6. And finally, I will be….

Well, I can’t say. I’m still finalizing some details regarding number six, so I’m going to keep it under my hat for now. But I think I’ll be able to share more pretty soon.

I’m not one for resolutions, but last year I made a point to include more gratitude in my life. It was a resolution that worked for me, because it wasn’t anything that I had to “stick” to per se…it was just more of a goal. And I think it worked. A grateful state of mind has helped me get through some pretty tough times this year, from watching our family’s income drop dramatically to handling the most frustrating toddler tantrums. This year, I’m going to continue to cultivate more gratitude in my life, but until I can do a little brainstorming and journaling I’m not quite sure what goal I’ll add to the list for 2010.

What do you hope to achieve in 2010? Have you made a few resolutions, a lot or none? What were your successes in 2009?