Happy New Year! My Decade in Review

Borrowed some of these questions from another blog. At the end of these questions is Andrea's Decade in Review, hope you enjoy!


1. What did you do in 2009 that you'd never done before?
Had a baby!

2. Did you keep your new year's resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I don’t think I made one for last year and likely I won’t make one for this year either. I’m not too good at keeping up with them. Although I do plan on getting back to my pre preggo weight by April..yeah I’m aware that’s one year from when she was born.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
There were lots of babies born this year! There were 5 of us at school pregnant (one with twins). My cousin was also pregnant and gave birth in July. Numerous friends on Facebook were also delivering bundles of joy! It was a BABY year!

4. Did anyone close to you die?
My grandmother passed away 2 days after Astoria was born, it was very hard for me to not be able to travel to Oklahoma City for the funeral.

5. What would you like to have in 2010 that you didn't have in 2009?
A better grip on our financial stability.

6. What dates from 2009 will be etched upon your memory, and why?
Astoria’s birth..as well as the feeling of my water breaking..won’t forget either of those.

7. What was your biggest achievement of this year?
Staying married through our second year. We had many trials and tribulations but it all worked out and we are a stronger couple.

8. What was your biggest failure?
Not yet finding a job in an administrative position.

9. Whose behavior merited celebration?
My sister made it through the year as a single mother..I applaud her daily!

10. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
Rex has his days but I still love him.

11. Where did most your money go?
The house, hospital bills, and daycare.

12. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Counting down the days until Astoria would be here and then she snuck in early.

13. Compared to this time last year, are you: a) happier or sadder? b) thinner or fatter? c) richer or poorer?
a. happier
b. fatter (refer back to my resolution)
c. poorer in finances but richer in blessings

14. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Taken more trips.

15. How did you spend Christmas?
Thanks to my wonderful husband we made it to Oklahoma even through the blizzard to spend the day with my family. That morning however Santa visited us…I didn’t want Astoria to miss it even if she is just 8 ½ months old.

16. Did you fall in love with 2009?
We fell in love with a baby girl.

17. What was your favorite TV program?
Ohh...here's the list:
Flash Forward
Grey’s Anatomy
Biggest Loser
House

18. What did you want and get?
A healthy baby.

19. What did you want and not get?
Wow I can’t think of a single thing to put here..how fabulous!

20. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I turned 30 this year! All of my girlies and I went to Pete’s Piano Bar in Addison. That memory will last for a long time. I haven’t sang so loud or danced so hard in a long time! What a blast, I am blessed to have such great friends.

21. How would you describe your personal fashion concept of 2009?
Haha, fit into anything that half way fits and looks decent..refer back to my resolution!

22. What kept you sane?

More like who..My mother, sister and Sara.

23. Who did you miss?
My family at any given point…it’s hard living away with a baby.

24. Who was the best new person you met?
I have two Megan and Amber..they both had babies this year and we have really become a support group for one another. I hope our girls are able to grow up together!

25. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2009.
Parenting is not as easy as it should be. I know everyone told me it wouldn’t be easy but it has really been trying. There are times where I feel I have lost my sense of self and other times when I feel like I’m a new me, I’m a mom. I wouldn’t change it for the world!

Now my life this decade, a recap:
2000: I rang in the New Year in New York City. The world was supposed to end and I was going to be in the center of it all. Thank goodness it didn’t happen. I was a sophomore at OU working on my Bachelor’s degree.

2001: I graduated in May and moved to Tennessee to work on my Master’s degree in Fisheries. What a change it was for me. This was first time I’d lived away from home other than a dorm room and I managed to move 12 hours away. In July Mere and I went to Europe for a 17 day extravaganza. Won’t forget that trip! Got a cat that August named Isabelle.

2002: Still living/working in Tennessee. Met friends I will have for a lifetime. Became Andrea, someone different than I ever was before. Way more outspoken than I had ever been. Wrapping up my coursework and began looking for jobs.

2003: Got another cat named Lilly. Graduated with my Master’s Degree and moved to Oregon to work for the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. Basically realized I’d never seen the Pacific Northwest and why not move there. Mom and I drove out there, found me a place to live and I started work all within a week. Traveled to Seattle on my own via the Amtrak along the Pacific Coast.

2004: Moved two times this year within the state of Oregon. Stopped working for ODFW and started working for the non-profit Nestucca/Neskowin Watershed Council.

2005: Funding for my job was severely cut and thus I realized I needed to find another job. Decided Oregon was a bit far away from my family so I began looking into a teaching job in Texas, a bit closer. Got a job in Garland, Texas at Ethridge Elementary as a 4th grade teacher. Fell in love with education.

2006: Bought my first ever new car. Started working on my Principal Certification. Met Rex and got engaged within 6 months time.

2007: Planned a wedding, went on an amazing honeymoon. I love cruises! Found out I was going to be an Aunt!

2008: Bought a house in February. Became an Aunt on May 1st. Spent a week at NASA for a teacher’s space week. Changed from teaching 4th grade to 5th grade. Found out I was pregnant on August 6th! Lost my grandfather in November.

2009: Finished my Principal Certification in January while 6 month pregnant (don’t recommend). Gave birth to a beautiful baby girl on April 5, 2009. Realized I was a mom at some point during the year. Battled torticollis, reflux, colic, and insurance companies until I was blue in the face. Lost my Grandmother 2 days after Astoria was born. Watched Olivia turn 1. Took Astoria through the torticollis journey and came out ahead of the game. Spent a wonderful Christmas with my family even with a blizzard.

Wow, what a decade it has been for me. I graduated from three different universities. I’ve traveled across the seas and through much of the western part of the United States. I got married, bought a house and started a family. I can’t imagine what the next decade will bring.

Happy New Year to all!
Andrea