New Year's

We watched the First Night fireworks from the roof of one of Jon's parking garages. It had a great view and only 2 other cars were up there. It was incredible to feel the vibrations. There was a large building behind us, so the sound echoed. The parking garage shook. Once Taelyn calmed down from the initial shock, she really enjoyed it.By the time I started to get the hang of taking photos, the fireworks were over. I'm excited to try it again next year. I'll move up to the railing so it won't be in the pictures...

Due to being out so late, Tae slept really well. In fact, we slept until 10. That is the latest I've slept in for 20 months and 4 weeks!

The next night Taelyn had a slumber party at our house. It was more to give the boy's very pregnant mother a much needed break, but Tae was thrilled that these 3 would come to see her. I honestly think she has a crush on the oldest. I've already tried to talk to her about him being too old, but she won't listen.

Going from 1 to 4 children wore me out. It totally increased my amazement of mothers. It honestly took me over a week to fully recover. That may have had something to do with only getting one full night of sleep in before spending the night, or early morning, on an air mattress in their living room while their parents went to the hospital to have their baby brother. Or maybe I'm just a wimp.

'Bout Time

[WARNING! LONG POST!]

So I'm running out of days in January to review the past year. I've been super busy, but secretly I don't think I wanted to remind myself of the things that I didn't get done.

2009 Plans

In my original wording (don't mock it!)

1. Weight Loss. 30 lbs. Safely, that is a pound a week (with some wiggle room).
2. Start taking violin lessons.
3. By 2010, our house WILL have curtains!!
4. Decorate house.
5. Finish reading BOM with Jon.
6. Read 20 books (lame #...I know).
7. Compete in bikathon (AND put forth a good effort--not the looser& at least 20 rides).
8. Hold at least 4 bake-a-thons to fill the freezer. Buy tupperware to split up meals.
9. Garden. Grow at least 3 types of veggies/fruit that we can eat.
10. Pay off the credit card.

Review of my Progress
I actually don't think I did too bad.

1. I was close, and could have made it if I didn't have to come to work in December. Seriously, consultants bring in goodie baskets. Lots of consultants means lots of goodie baskets. Then someone decided that we needed more treats, and made a sign up list for people to bring in food every day for the month of December. I gained 4 in December. That put me at a total loss of 20 for 2009. [2/3]
2. I actually did start taking violin lessons. I played when I was younger. My parents told me I would regret it if I quit. I said 'BAH!' They were right. I'm finally putting the ol' violin to good use again. [1]
3. I didn't get to this plan. In fact, I managed to shrink the curtains we do have! Still working on it. [0]
4. I'm not done decorating, but I accomplished a good deal of what I wanted. What I didn't get done is in progress. I'm loving how our little house is starting to look. [2/3]
5. I'm sad that I actually didn't get through this one. Alma gets me every time. I feel like it is taking forever and my progress slows. [2/3]
6. I'm really sad that I didn't make this goal. I set the number low, thinking it would motivate me. Didn't work. [1/2]
7. My logic on this was the same as the previous plan. It worked really well...for the first three rides. On the fourth ride I got into a yelling match with a motorist who honked at me at one of the lights. Honestly, I'm sitting there in a neon orange shirt with a neon yellow triangle on the back that says "Share the road". Tae is in the bright orange bike trailer. I don't know what the motorist expected me to do. The light was red, I couldn't just pick it all up and move. And, when it comes down to it, I HAD THE RIGHT OF WAY! After we were starting to draw a crowd, it dawned on my that my cargo was far too precious to be yelling at motorists in the city. That was the last time I biked. So, I didn't make 20...but I didn't loose. And I did more than double my pathetic 1 ride from the year before (when I had a newborn). My scoring of this goal is lenient, but I think I deserve something. [1/3]
8. Check. Jon and I took frozen meals to work for lunch. It saved us much money. I did learn that I could only stock up 1-2 weeks worth of lunches. After they have been in the freezer that long, Jon will no longer eat them. [1]
9. Oh the garden. Jon put so much time into it. It was beautiful. He planted peppers, tomatoes, summer squash, zucchini, cucumbers, carrots, beets. Everything looked good...until the foliage on the trees came in. Even the sunniest spot on the property doesn't get enough light. We did get tomatoes (20 or so), carrots (100 or so 1/2 baby sized), 3 zucchinis, 2 small cucumbers and 1 squash. We decided to bag it. I can have my parking spot back and we can continue to enjoy the farmers market in Murray. [1]
10. Paid it off right before Christmas. Wahoo! [1]

Overall, this only puts me at 68%. If I look at it as a grade...well, then I don't feel comfortable posting it until January is nearly over! Really though, I feel like last year was quite productive. In addition to my listed goals, I :

• got involved in the Parent Advisory Committee at the daycare
• volunteered as a judge for the Salt Lake Valley Science and Engineering Fair
• got involved in the ASCE YMF and am now the Treasurer
• became CERT certified
• completed the Division of Homeland Security Post Earthquake Evaluation of Buildings course
• took some Tango classes (with a few waltz lessons)
• volunteered at the CAST Event
• started a RS cooking class
• sang in the Stake RS Choir
• spent way too much time with those crazy sister missionaries (that I completely love and miss)
• secretly filled out a USU application for Jon (who was accepted!!)

Other noteworthy events from 2009:

• got pneumonia
• used all of my sick leave
• went to the dentist for the first time since...we'll just say in a very long time (pre-pregnancy)
• didn't have any cavities
• found out I had a chipped filling
• had to get it crowned
• tooth decided it hated the crown and decided to die. MOST. PAINFUL. FEELING. EVER.
• had my first root canal

Now I feel justified in being so tired. I also feel justified in ending this extremely long post and covering my 2010 Plans later.