TwentyTwelve

My New Year's resolution was going to be to stop talking smack about people.  It's not really talking "smack" as much as it's just talking about people because I like to know what's happening.  Occasionally I will be harshly judgemental and critical and share my two cents with whoever is sharing, while still acting nice to someone's face - and that's what I'm going to try my hardest to eliminate.  It's just nasty.  I did, however, sit next to two women in their late 20s who discussed every person that they knew and what was wrong with them during breakfast.  They covered whose wedding would be fun in 2012, who was bound to break up (Allison and Dave are totally out), and when they think they'll find their next boyfriends.  They typed all of these conversations out into a Word document and had a total of six pages when I walked past their laptop and took a hard glance on what was happening on the screen.  That, my friends, is really talking smack.  I've got nothin' on them and may have to come up with a new resolution because their show this morning made me feel like a saint.

It's funny how much hype people create about new year's eve.  Saying "goodbye" to a year as if things are going to be totally different when they wake up on the 1st. And then "2012 is going to be great, I know it!" covers facebook as soon as we wake.  Maybe if they say it, it will be true?  I suppose there's good intention here and it's better than waking up with the glass half empty, but I've learned that there's just no way to know what to expect and all I can do is roll with the punches.  But I'll say it anyway, "2012 is going to be epic."  There.  So now it better be.

After an evening of dinner and parties, Toby and I rowed out into Lake Union from his house boat to watched the fireworks explode into the clear night. We held each other, both bundled in sweatshirts and life jackets and he told me how much he loves and appreciates me... and my family. I told him that I've never been happier. And then people in the house boat behind us started jumping into the lake.

I clicked back through some of my posts and re-read the one from last new year's day.  I can remember what I was wearing when I wrote it.  I remember typing the words.  I remember wondering what I would be doing on January 1, 2012.  I remember it like it was yesterday, and yet so much has changed this past year.

I've learned that...

Having a child is the most incredible journey that anyone can take.
Singing in the car is a must... especially if it's to the Lion King.
No means NO.
Being patient will get you anywhere.
A good vacuum is a life saver.
Abuse can come in many shapes, sizes, genders, and roles... get away as fast as you can.
Always having goldfish on you can get anyone out of low blood sugar crankies.
It's hard to read anything after reading The Hunger Games.
Potty training is a bitch. And so is still changing diapers.
Santa Claus is real.
Throwing things away is just fine.  Great, in fact.  Especially toys.
Value Village is my heaven.
I love being back in a classroom.
It doesn't matter how small my boobs are now... because I remember how they used to be.
Nice guys are best.
Asking for help doesn't make you weak... and living on a budget doesn't make you lame.
Whoever thought the twos were terrible clearly never had children. 

2011 was full of fun, love, new friends, new relationships, and constant learning.  I've never been more stressed, overwhelmed, or busy in my life and I have a feeling this pace is not getting slower any time soon. 

I just hope that Mayan calendar is a bunch of crap and I'll remember writing this post during the Bachelor (does anyone else think this Ben guy is weird looking?) next year.  May you all be happy and healthy in 2012!