What did you do in 2009 that you'd never done before?
I ran in my first 5K ... I actually ran in THREE 5K races.
Did you keep your new years' resolutions?
Yes, to train for and run in a 5K. My good friend came down to Sacramento and did the first one with me. Thanks, Kristin!
What are some of your resolutions for 2010?
Work on a college course, run a 10 K, lose some lbs.
Did anyone close to you give birth?
No
Did anyone close to you die?
No
What countries did you visit?
The Bahamas. G and I went on a wonderful cruise together in July.
What would you like to have in 2010 that you lacked in 2009?
Nothing. I truly feel very blessed. Okay, a maid would be nice ...
What date from 2009 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
March 14th: J was baptized.
What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Completing my first 5K.
What was your biggest failure?
Lack of patience with children, husband, family.
Did you suffer illness or injury?
If you count getting strep throat during the cruise to the Bahamas, then yes.
What was the best thing you bought?
I don't know. I'm not a big spender. I'll have to think about this one ...
Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
This is a tough one. I can’t really say here.
Where did most of your money go?
Sam’s Club, WalMart
What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Finally being able to go on a vacation with just my hubby on our cruise. It was wonderful! Thanks, Mom, for taking the boys for us!
What song will always remind you of 2009?
I Gotta Feelin’ by the Black Eyed Peas … a very good song to play when I’m running.
Compared to this time last year, are you: much happier, richer, nicer?
Maybe a little bit of all three because I’d like to believe that I’m a work in progress that’s continually improving.
What do you wish you'd done more of?
Playing with the boys, and REALLY enjoying the small things.
What do you wish you'd done less of?
Computer time, nagging. I do now limit my computer time =) ... and yet, here I sit typing this on my computer ...
How did you spend Christmas?
Christmas Eve: just my own immediate family. Christmas Day: My brother and his family along with my sister and her 4 kids. The kids exchanged gifts and we had a yummy ham dinner with elbeskivers later on (a Danish tradition of ours).
Did you fall in love in 2009?
Again and again with my husband, especially, and my boys. They are growing so fast and it’s been so fun to see them develop into these wonderful, smart boys, and discover the world.
What was your favorite TV program?
I have a few: I still enjoy watching Survivor. G and I like to watch: CSI, The Mentalist, and The Soup, among a few others. I realize it asked for ONE, but it’s hard to narrow it down for me.
What was the best book you read this year?
I loved the “Peter and the Starcatchers” series. Very well written. I devoured them! (so did B)
What did you want and get?
Lots of love from my family and friends.
What were your favorite films of this year?
Star Trek. I loved it!
What were your least favorite films of this year?
I can’t think of one that we saw in the theater that I didn’t like. I thought the 3D feature was a rip-off when we saw Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs. We rented The Bridge to Tarabathia, expecting a fun, fantasy adventure. It was a little bit of that, and not at all what we expected. A main character dies … it was a huge let down. The kids were all depressed!
What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I turned 38 on August 5th. I went out to dinner with the family, and enjoyed many phone calls and drop-by visits. It was a low-key birthday, but another good one!
What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
If my boys would not be so WILD on Sunday afternoons! Seriously.
How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2009?
In and out of different sizes all year. Usually jeans and a t-shirt.
What kept you sane?
My husband, my very loving boys, my friends, running, & reading.
Who did you miss?
My family. I don’t have much family that lives close by, except for one brother, who we don’t see near enough. My parents were still overseas most of the year. My other siblings live out of the area or state. It's hard to get us all together. I also miss the many friends that I've made over the years who don't live near me anymore. I've enjoyed Facebook for that very reason: staying in touch with dear friends.
Who was the best new person (people) you met?
Hmmm …. We’ve become really good friends with the Ellings. We think they are amazing.
Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2009.
It’s actually from a quote that I got from my good friend, Raimi: Kindness is in our power even when fondness is not. I really tried to live by that. We are all God's children.
What are you most excited for in 2010?
When T starts 1st grade. Then, all my boys will be at school for a full day. I want to finish up my college courses and it will be much easier to do that when I have a full day. Also, I'd like to go to the temple more during the day. Plus, I’m hoping to work out some lunch dates with my hubby and then some with my girl fiends!
What are you least excited for in 2010?
Getting up for seminary when N starts High School in the fall. It will be the start of @ a 15 year run of getting up for seminary in the mornings!
This was J's FIRST Pinewood Derby. The Troop didn't do one last year because the Cubmaster wanted to try something different. Anyway, J was VERY excited to FINALLY participate himself ... especially after watching both big brothers for the past 5 years. Here, J, who is sitting in the middle, is with most of his Bear Den before the Derby.
J's car is the 2nd from the left. It is a military hummer, and comes with a machine gun mounted on top. He sanded and painted it all by himself. He applied the stickers and helped with the placement of the weights. His car did FANTASTIC!! It placed 1st 2 times and 2nd 2 times. It qualified for the final heat.
Here's J after his car placed 1st in one of the heats! He was beaming!
Here is the reveal for the top placement. J is car #4, which placed 3rd overall.
J won a trophy for placing 3rd. His car was awarded "Coolest Car", and they all got a small trophy mound to attach their cars to. This was the FASTEST Pinewood Derby we've ever attended. Our Cubmaster hired another troop to bring their state-of-the-art track and computer timing system. They handled all of the cars, and we all watched. It was very exciting. Previously, it took a long time, and there was always debate on who's car actually came in first. Here, there was NO debate. Very nice. Way to go, J! 
