2017 Survey

I've been diligently doing this for four years now. I usually start this post early so I have time to think about my answers and gather pictures. Plus, I can never answer all the questions right away. 366 days is a long time!

2013 Survey
2012 Survey
2014 Survey
2015 Survey
2016 Survey

1. What did you do in 2017 that you’d never done before?

Went to a funeral for a baby. A little baby. 7 months old. It was absolutely heart wrenching.

2. Did you keep your new years’ resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I think so. I tend to not make resolutions. But I did accomplish some goals- so there's that.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

I did!!! I did!! I'm a mom of three... woah.

4. Did anyone close to you die?

There were a few deaths in my church family. Some of which were quite shocking (also, see #1).

5. Did you visit anywhere exciting?

We visited quite a few places this year. I'm not sure I would call them exciting but we went nonetheless!

6. What would you like to have in 2018 that you lacked in 2017?

Some sleep. Did I mention I have three children?

7. What date from 2017 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?

The birth of my baby girl. I honestly couldn't believe we would be welcoming another person to our brood but we did and we're in love!

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?

Changing jobs at 6 months pregnant. Our society has come a long way from pregnancy discrimination. We are not completely there yet but I'm glad that pregnancy discrimination is illegal.

9. What was your biggest mistake?

There are a few things I wish I would have done differently but you live and you learn.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?

Nothing too big thank goodness. I did give birth, have a couple of colds, allergy related stuff and so on.

11. What was the best thing you bought?

Baby gear. I've kept a lot of stuff we are able to reuse but everyone knows how expensive a baby is regardless!

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?

I'm really proud of Rhianna and the launch of her beauty line along with her responses to critics of her weight gain and use of transgender models. She gets it!

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?

Oh we not even gonna go there. Not on my platform.

14. Where did most of your money go in 2017?

My children. It's always my children.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?

Having another baby! I feel like this who survey revolves around her but she is a big deal!

16. What song will always remind you of 2017?

I honestly don't think I downloaded any new music this year. that's ridiculous. I don't know if I should blame music artists or my lack of caring about anything beyond the itsy bitsy spider.

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:

Incredibly exhausted. (see last year and the year before that)

18. What do you wish you’d done more of?

Praying, Blogging, Exercising, Saving. Sleeping.

(Some things never change)

19. What do you wish you’d done less of?

Eating bad foods. Although, we did sign up for a plant based meal service this year. We have good intentions but execution can sometimes be an issue.

20. How did you spend Christmas?
With my loved ones the same way it's been for years!

21. Did you fall in love in 2017?

I was in love with her from the day I found I she would be joining our family.

22. What was your favorite TV program?

Same as last year. Who has time for TV? Although I will say during my maternity leave I was able to enjoy reruns of Moesha and Sister, Sister. I loved those shows growing up!

23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?

Nope. I try not to let negativity consume me. If I come across someone I don't care for then I quickly disassociate.

24. What was the best book you read?

Good Night Moon?

25. What was your greatest musical discovery?

26. What did you want and get?

A healthy and safe child birth. I've read of horror stories and am so grateful that I have been spared.

27. What did you want and not get?

Sleep.

28. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?

I spent it with my family. Much like last year I started at work mainly because my maternity leave left no choice but to show up to work on my birthday. We do a little celebration for everyone's birthday at work so that was fun. Next year I'm not working on my birthday though. I'm going to the mall and actually use my birthday coupons.

I took my oldest and youngest to the doctor in the later afternoon and it actually went well.

Next year I have a milestone birthday so perhaps I'll be at the mall in the Caribbean (unlikely but a girl can dream).

29. What’s one thing that would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?

Paid maternity leave. The state I live in did pass a paid maternity leave to begin January 2018. I was 7 months too soon.

30. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2017?

I have no sense of fashion. It's quite sad.

31. What kept you sane?
I truly picked a good man. My husband keeps me so sane!

32. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
See #12

33. What political issue stirred you the most?

#TakeAKnee

34. Who do you miss the most?
All my grandparents. Grandparents are awesome!

35. Who was the best new person you met?

You guessed it... my baby girl!! And here is one last gratuitous photo of this precious little baby.

36. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2017?

Don't give up. I've always known that but 2017 was pretty good to me because I didn't give up. Also, I learned that I need to be more confident. I can do more than I give myself credit for.

37. What are your new years resolutions for 2018?
Last year my word for 2017 was Grateful. I wanted to be consciously grateful for all the blessings bestowed upon me. Even during the hard times. I haven't quite chosen a word for 2018 yet but I like having a word of the year rather than resolutions. Although I do need to resolve to get healthier.

2016 Survey

Yep, that title is correct. I'm a year behind. But what's new? This is my life now. The good news is- I'm planning ahead for 2017 and I'm not publishing that a whole year later- haha!

In case you have (or haven't) been following along here are the previous years...

2013 Survey
2012 Survey
2014 Survey
2015 Survey

1. What did you do in 2016 that you’d never done before?

Make a Halloween costume. Well, I kind of made it. I mean I gathered materials and such. So that kind of counts, right? 

2. Did you keep your new years’ resolutions, and will you make more for next year?

I haven't made new year's resolutions in years. I did want to make some but never got around to it. Maybe next year?

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

My childhood best friend had a baby girl. She and I aren't as close as we used to be but still it's exciting!

4. Did anyone close to you die?

My Father-in-law. Although he and I were not by any means close, it is worth mentioning. It definitely caused some emotional upheaval in our household as well.

There were also a few distant relatives. This is a stark contrast from the way life used to be. My father's mother had 16 siblings- they all aged at the same time which means a cluster of funerals that no one ever believes. That's a story for a different day.

5. Did you visit anywhere exciting?

Bermuda!! Last year it was just hubby and I, this year we were able to take our children and my parents even came along (super helpful!!). I love that place. Hopefully we will make it back soon!

(spoiler alert: we haven't been back yet)

My babies and I on the beach

The best group picture I could get. My little girl is asleep in her stroller!

We also took a cruise. It was my children's first (hopefully not last- I have my eyes set on a Disney cruise) and my parents first as well. My brother was missing for both of these trips!

6. What would you like to have in 2017 that you lacked in 2016?

I can't really post about that on such a public forum. But it comes down to finding my passion and pursuing it.

7. What date from 2016 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?

1. My children's first international flight.
2. All of the milestone birthdays we were able to celebrate!

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?

Being a wife, mom of 2, daughter, sister, friend, and employee. I wear so many hats and keep on juggling. I also joined the PTA at both my children's school. Life can't get any busier... or can it?

9. What was your biggest mistake?

Letting things I can't control get to me. Generally I am pretty good at distinguishing the difference but sometimes things can get rough!

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?

Luckily the extent of it was the common cold and allergies.

11. What was the best thing you bought?

Every year I invest in family pictures. I sometimes struggle with this because how much of an investment is too much. Then again I don't want them to be crappy because then the worth is lost. I wish my brother would be more open to doing portraits. He's a still life photographer and that's where his comfort zone lies- I need him to photograph me and my family which would be even more meaningful!

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?

My son started Kindergarten this year and I am extremely proud of his transition. I was probably more nervous than he but he's soaring and I couldn't be happier!

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?

Facebook trolls sometimes get to me. I can't stand keyboard warriors.

14. Where did most of your money go in 2016?

My children. Between childcare and extra curricular activities- these little guys take it all! But then we did travel a lot too so maybe they didn't take it all.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?

Both of our trips. The Bermuda trip was planned and I looked forward to it the entire time. The cruise was very, very last minute and I was pretty skeptical about going but I am so glad we did.

16. What song will always remind you of 2016?

Rhianna's Work featuring Drake has a (to me) a Caribbean feel. Since I absolutely love Bermuda and it was a big deal for me to go there with my family this song is it!

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:

Exhausted. Although I'm sure I was exhausted last year at this time too. Is there anyway to become well rested?

18. What do you wish you’d done more of?

Praying, Blogging, Exercising, Saving. Sleeping.

(Some things never change)

19. What do you wish you’d done less of?

Eating sugar (i.e. sugary foods). I have awful eating habits and tried to make a conscious effort to change that. In April and May I did really well and ended up losing quite a bit of weight. But then excuses happened, follow by lack of self control, followed by more excuses.

20. How did you spend Christmas?
With my loved ones the same way it's been for years!

21. Did you fall in love in 2016?

Absolutely, although I haven't met or her yet.

22. What was your favorite TV program?

I probably watched a grand total of 5 hours of TV in 2016. Ok, perhaps that's an exaggeration but still, TV watching is never on my to do list.  I've watched an entire season of Bring It, an episode or two of Ayesha's homemade, Tia Mowry at home, and that about sums it up. What's probably worse is that I just found out that we have a Netflix account. My husband downloaded the app on my iPad and I have since watched nothing.

23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?

Much like in previous years, my answer is still "No". I consciously remove "the negative" from my life. That will never change.

24. What was the best book you read?

I don't get to read for pleasure. I read to my children almost nightly but I rarely get to read grown-up books. However- leave your recommendations in the comments. One day I will get to read for pleasure again.

25. What was your greatest musical discovery?

I took a liking to Nick Jonas and Tove Lo's Close. It's really catchy.
I also like Flume's and Kai's Never be like you. Also catchy. FYI: I prefer the radio version
And I can't let a music reference go by without mentioning Beyonce. Hold Up is my jam!

26. What did you want and get?

I got to travel overseas with my family. I had hoped we'd be able to pull this off when hubby and I went in 2015.


27. What did you want and not get?

I'm still without a computer. As you can tell by absence from my little blogging space.

28. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?

I spent it with my loves! I started at work (boo!) which is surprising because I refused to work on my birthday. But my job is going through quite the transition period and taking a day off is almost like hell when you return. Then I had to take my son to his 5 year well visit. This was not fun. At. all. He hated every moment of it. I felt really bad (not a fun way to spend your birthday). Hubby made it all better with a wonderful meal made specially for me :-) And there was cheesecake too!

Crab legs, broccoli slaw, sweet potato chips, caprese salad, lobster tails, and pasta shells for the littles!

29. What’s one thing that would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?

Meeting some of my financial goals.

30. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2016?

Fashion... what's that?

31. What kept you sane?
I truly picked a good man. My husband keeps me so sane!

32. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
I tend not to "look up" to them too much. I feel like they have to much pressure to have a public persona and a lot of that isn't genuine.

33. What political issue stirred you the most?

I think this is worth repeating...

Black Lives Matter, and just in case you didn't know Black Lives matter is not anti police- it's anti police brutality (yes, there are some who have gone overboard), and BLM also doesn't mean that other lives don't- it means black lives matter as well.

34. Who do you miss the most?
All my grandparents. Grandparents are awesome!

35. Who was the best new person you met?

I've become a lot closer to some of the mom's in my neighborhood. It's been great! We have a lot of the same ideals (that mainly center around our children) and together we've been able to affect some change in the schools. I really like these mama's and best of all- no drama!

36. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2016?

I can do anything I put my mind to.

37. What are your new years resolutions for 2017?
I typically don't do resolutions. But I am doing a word of 2017 and that word is GRATEFUL.

2015 Survey

This is the third installment of this yearly survey. As always, I love reflecting on the year and envision what I'd like for the year ahead. I know I'm all late but that's what happens when you unintentionally take some time off from blogging.

2013 Survey
2012 Survey
2014 Survey

1. What did you do in 2015 that you’d never done before?

Visit the beautiful island of Bermuda
Ran a 5K at 7 months pregnant
Become a mommy of two
Become a girl mommy :-)

2. Did you keep your new years’ resolutions, and will you make more for next year?

I didn't make any so I didn't have any to keep. I am contemplating making some for 2016.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

Me, me, me, me meeeeeee!!!

4. Did anyone close to you die?

There were a few deaths in my circle- most of which were due to old age.

5. Did you visit anywhere exciting?

Bermuda!! Our baby moon was amazing. And can I share a secret with you? We get to take our children soon. I am so freaking excited about that!!

6. What would you like to have in 2016 that you lacked in 2015?

Honestly, I'm so overjoyed with the blessing of having a little girl, I'm not sure I could want anything more.

7. What date from 2015 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?

My little girls birthday. It's been months but I need to write down the rest of her birth story. Although I feel like I could never forget that day- the little details sometimes slip your mind as it tends to do when you have to remember all the other things in life.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?

Giving birth without pain meds. Chiiiile, I never thought that could be me, but lo' and behold. I wear that badge with pride.

9. What was your biggest mistake?

Putting down my camera. I miss being attached to it. Good thing I can still rectify that!

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?

Just the kind from giving birth. Cause you know...

11. What was the best thing you bought?

I pride myself of find good deals. However I can't think of one right now.

Also, I'm a hoarder. And I knew that eventually my husband and I would have another child. So I saved every baby item my son has which left me to only purchase diapers. Score!

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?

My son has settled into his role as big brother nicely. He helps, he's patient, he's the best big brother she could ever have!

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?

I'm going to leave this to the imagination.

14. Where did most of your money go in 2015?

Child rearing. It always goes to child rearing.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?

Becoming a girl mom. Dresses, bows, shoes, and all things girl. I suspect I'm going to end up with a tomboy though.

16. What song will always remind you of 2015?

Lean On by Major Lazer and DJ snake. My son names songs after the people it reminds him of. This song was called "Uncle!" It's also the song  that I tried to teach him to snap too. We''re still working on that. I listen to the instrumental version more often than the original.

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:

Working on Grace. I recently saw a TV segment about a $12 bracelet that "all the celebrities" are wearing. It's called My Intent. You identify your "word", it's but on a bracelet and serves as a reminder.

I honestly find it hard to come up with "A word". I've seen many people declare a 'word of the year' before but that's never been me. It seems so definitive and not all encompassing. But when I forced myself to think about it- for now I'd like to work on extending a little grace to others.

We could all use it. We're all humans.

18. What do you wish you’d done more of?

Praying, Blogging, Exercising, Saving. Sleeping.

19. What do you wish you’d done less of?

Time wasting, sitting at work (but only if I still get paid), figuring out how to fix the craziness.

20. How did you spend Christmas?
Christmas Eve was spent with my husband's family. Christmas morning was spent with my family and Christmas evening was spent with my extended family. We had way too much fun. Since I'll likely never recap our Christmas on here I'm going to use this as an opportunity to share my favorite photo of the day. I hope my family doesn't mind.

21. Did you fall in love in 2015?

Yes. She stole my heart before I even met her.

22. What was your favorite TV program?

During maternity leave I was able to catch a few shows. I don't want to say what my new guilty pleasure was for fear of backlash but I also enjoyed Bring It! (Lifetime) and Tia Mowry at Home (cooking Channel). I've always liked the show Flip or Flop (HGTV) but being pregnant at the same time as Christina was kind of cool. Our babies are exactly two weeks apart (her son is younger).

23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?

My answer to this has always been "No. I consciously remove "the negative" from my life. In the most gracious way possible." See #17.

24. What was the best book you read?

Without a doubt- Goodnight Football.
I'm sure that wasn't the answer you were expecting but the extent of my reading (beyond Facebook and come on, that's not real reading) is bedtime stories. And I love this one. Although I had to end up hiding it because it was all we read.

25. What was your greatest musical discovery?

Nothing really. But didn't Adele release her 3rd studio album? I like her music but don't really follow her like that so when all the hoopla came out surrounding it I wasn't all strung out like everyone else. But I did learn that her albums titles are her age in which she wrote it.  I like when artist put thought into stuff like that. Everyone always has at least one self titles album and one album named after a song on that album and this is neither. Which I love!

26. What did you want and get?

As if I haven't mentioned her enough in this post yet... And here's another gratuitous photo.

27. What did you want and not get?

I desperately need a new computer. For real. I don't get anything done unless it's at work or on my phone or tablet. And there are just somethings I despise doing on my phone like blogging. I've been procrastinating on getting one mainly because I can't make a decision about what to get.

Leave some suggestions in the comments.

28. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?

I actually had to go through my photos to answer this. I spent it with my family. it was great! My mom even made me a peach cobble and whoamahgawd! Heaven in a bowl! I was still on maternity leave so hubby took a day off of work so we could stay at my family's a little longer.

29. What’s one thing that would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?

A longer maternity leave. Scratch that paid maternity leave. I seriously missed that benefit of my old job. As a result I definitely wrote to my senators about paid maternity leave. Yes, I know all about the sanctimommies who were able to save all their coins before having a baby and why it's not anyone's else responsibility to pay me for having a baby, and small business owners wouldn't be able to sustain such a cost but seriously- there has to be an answer. I know because I lived it!

And if you are so inclined to support paid parental leave I urge you to read about little Karl (grab some tissues) and his mommy's cause. Just to clarify Karl's story isn't linked but the cause is.

30. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2015?

Awful. Moving on.

31. What kept you sane?
Hubby. He always does. Love him!

32. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Hmmm.... I've been writing this post over the course of three months and still not quite sure of the answer.

33. What political issue stirred you the most?

Black Lives Matter, And just in case you didn't know Black Lives matter is not anti police- it's anti police brutality (yes, there are some who have gone overboard), and BLM also doesn't mean that other lives don't- it means black lives matter as well.

34. Who do you miss the most?
I miss my grandpa's. I think I've said this before in a previous year but there nothing like a Grandpa to make everything all better.

35. Who was the best new person you met?

If Iv'e met you in 2015 and we have a great relationship blame my mind- not my heart, but I'm going to say no one.

36. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2015?

Mommy strength is real. Maybe one day I'll get to post my birth story but I unexpectedly and proudly gave birth to my daughter without any pain meds. Whoa!

37. What are your new years resolutions for 2016?

Seeing how we are bout  a quarter of the way through the year I'm going to go with nothing. Never mind what I said in #2. Maybe next year.

2014 recap survey

I've done this in years past and love the way it challenges me to reflect on the past year.

2013 Survey
2012 Survey

1. What did you do in 2014 that you’d never done before?

We visited NOLA!!! New Orleans, Louisiana

2013 Year In Review

This is the third year I've done my Year in Review in pictures. It's always nice to look back and reflect. You know what they say "you can't get to where your going if you don't know where you came from". At least I think that's what they say.

And for the first time here is a short video clip of my top 5 instagram photos of 2013. Love this little recap! Although I don't have a huge following - I love the followers that I have. Feel free to join me!

2013 Survey

I did this survey last year when I got it from Dani. I like the way it recaps my entire year so here goes...


1. What did you do in 2013 that you’d never done before?

Raise a 2 year old?! Other than that- I've got nothing... nothing.

No, no... wait! I've never been to

2012 Year In Review

I initially said I wasn't going to do this, but alas... here it is. My year in review in pictures.  Some of these events made it to the blog, some didn't. I'm hoping to be able to blog more in the future because I will turn my little space here into a book so why leave anything out?

 

Now, I'm glad I did it. It was fun looking back on the year past. And just in case you weren't here before you can check out my 2011 year in review.