Today, I’m taking part in one of my favorite memes when I can think of nothing to write about. Mama Kat is always full of inspiration and it all comes together every Thursday for her Pretty Much World Famous Writer’s Workshop!
This week, I chose a prompt that fits the season:
This year in blog posts…choose a favorite post from each month of 2011 and share.
So, I guess I’ll start at the beginning!
January
Obviously, I should focus on my past resolutions for this one. I absolutely failed at keeping my Google Reader cleaned out (I think I’ve logged into it twice in the past three months and I haven’t been great about uploading photos (although my iPhone has helped with that tremendously). I can say, however, that I have been much better at visiting back my commenters (with the exception of giveaway entries because that’s just insanity) and I have definitely kept this a family-friendly environment. No F-bombs here, people!
February
This was a really wonderful month for me. A month that I found purpose that I didn’t have before and even though my blog has not transformed in the way I expected, my life has. That was the month that I found joy in being intentional and looked back at fond memories of my grandma. I even got all nostalgic over some old pictures that I had laying around.
I also wrote a post that I refer to regularly whenever someone asks me how to become a successful blogger. That has been my go-to post every time the question has been asked and it is a great jumping off point for some good discussion.
March
Ah, March. I am happy to say that on March 19, 2011, one of my dearest friends brought her son into the world. It was also the month that I faced my greatest fear and told my story to a room full of people in my church family. I have since left that church for another, but I’ll never forget the love that I felt that day and there is one verse (my life verse) that got me through that day.
For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.
2 Timothy 1:7
April
It was Spring and it was beautiful outside. I had everything in the world that I needed and even some left over. That’s the day I learned what the best feeling in the world feels like and that it only costs $8.03. It hit me like a Mack truck and I still haven’t forgotten the man in the red jacket that needed that lunch way more than I did.
May
I wrote about this girl that had come into our lives and was fighting for her life against demons that do not give up. I am so proud of her and her battle and the fact that she is still winning the war every single day. It’s been 8 months (possibly 9) since she came home and I couldn’t be more proud of how she has turned everything around. The fact that she gives all of the credit to God and realizes just how merciful He is just makes it all the better.
June
In my birthday month, I tried my hand at selling cupcakes. While I still adore baking, I simply don’t have time to try to run a side-business that actually requires hours of preparation and on-hand inventory. So, that went to the wayside. This was also the month that I got to show off my bumps from past pregnancies and proved that my girls are NOT afraid of everything with our very first successful trip to the movies! It was also a very sad month for us because we thought we lost Buddy, but luckily he made it home safe and sound!
July
Probably my favorite month out of this entire year because we got to take our very first family vacation! We visited Chattanooga, Tennessee, because it’s only a few short hours away and has the famous Tennessee Aquarium. The girls had an amazing time. We got lost, enjoyed the city and had some quality family time together. It was definitely a great vacation and we will definitely be repeating the tradition of taking a short weekend vacation this year, too!
August
I am so thankful that BookSneeze gave me the chance to attend the Women of Faith Imagine Conference this year. I had an amazing time of fellowship and worship with amazing women and we absolutely filled Philips Arena with sounds of shared joy, sorrow and love for those two days. I can’t wait for the 2012 Celebrate conference! This was also the month that my Pumpkin started Pre-K and grew up right in front of my eyes.
I also still stand by post that begs, “Bloggers, stop paying companies for the ‘privilege’ of hosting a giveaway!”
September
This was the month I became either incredibly stupid or amazingly brave and took a 10-hour road trip to Illinois – just me and the girls. When we came back, I overloaded you with pictures of our trip. I still can’t believe I made it all in one piece, but I’m so glad we did it. It gave me a sense of confidence in my own parenting skills and one heckuva reminder how lucky I am to have my hubby standing by me in our parenting journey!
October
This month was all about my girls…Their love for The Village People, their aspirations of growing up to be a mom just like me and my Pumpkin turning five.
Oh, and we bought a house. {Insert squeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee here}
November
Oh boy, this was a crazy month. With the addition of NoBloPoMo to my repertoire, November became my most productive month ever. Although, I will say one thing…it was one of my most painful months to date. I guess I should stop getting in fights with stairs and injuring myself, eh?
December
And we’re back to the present. My blogger friends and I created a super goofy Christmas video to share with the world and I’ve given you a teensy sneak peek into 2012.
This year has been phenomenal for me as a blogger and I hope you all feel the same way. I can’t wait to make 2012 even bigger and better than 2011!
I’m also linking up to Mommy of a Monster for her “Best Of” posts since this is definitely my personal “Best of 2011″ post!
