Blessings & Lessons in 2011

I was reminiscing about 2011, all of our travels, events, celebrations, learning opportunities, emotions, etc. And it was a really great year. Despite polls saying that 70% of people are ready to put 2011 behind them as a terrible year that's to be forgotten, I choose to see the good that happened this past year.

Blessings:
I have my husband, Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, my church, friends and family, job, gym, shoes, dresses and the list goes on of everything and everyone that I'm thankful for over the past year. We've made new friends that have been God-sent, built a beautiful home, witnessed many lives changed forever at our local church, made awesome business relationships, celebrated events with friends and family... the positives definitely outweigh the negatives.

Our Home.

This year I've seen a side of my mother-in-law that I've never seen before. Who knew that she'd be using the grandkids' lucha libre mask to fight my brother??? I laughed until tears streamed down my face and my stomach hurt :)

I got my first designer watch for Christmas. Dear Michael Kors, I hope I do not become addicted! I have never worn watches before, but with this- I'm in LOVE!

Michael Kors Two-Toned Crystal Watch

Lessons:

I learned that you never know what people may be facing in life, so not to pass judgement or ask personal questions. Some topics are not meant to be discussed with acquaintances or friends, but kept within the confines of the marriage, i.e. "When are you having kids?" Some topics create unnecessary pressure, i.e. "Who are you dating?" or "Haven't you found anyone yet?" or "Why haven't you found a job?" And some questions are rude, i.e. "What are you feeding your husband? He's gained weight!"

(Either I've witnessed these questions and seen the impact on others, or experienced them for myself).

My husband and I have been trying to get pregnant for just over a year. I found out that I have PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome) and have been trying to get my body to where it needs to be in order to be able to conceive. The "So, when are you guys having kids?" question has gotten VERY old, and I didn't feel like it was really anyone's business. The decision as to when my husband and I plan on having children and the timing is between a husband and a wife, not between in-laws, grandparents, parents, aunts, friends etc. I really didn't want to announce to everyone that we're trying to overcome these issues to make conceiving possible. I've learned that once I tell someone that I'm overcoming PCOS and we're trying, they never ask again- so that's nice. But sometimes I feel that I shouldn't have to go there to begin with. On the other hand, because I have to decided to share the issues that we're going through, I've received advice and prayers that otherwise I wouldn't have had. I am working with  my holistic doctor and have chosen not to intoxicate my body with unnecessary chemicals that I've been told that I need to take that may provide a 50/50 chance of helping me. I'm relying on God to get us through these challenges- His timing is perfect.

I've taken a lot of supplements and herbs over the past several months. I've continued to workout daily and eat healthy. However, I've gained weight, lost it, leveled out, gained it... Hormones can make your body uncontrollable. I will never look at a "chubby" person the same way. You never know why someone's body looks the way that it does. I was working out, eating right, and gaining weight because my hormones were all over the place and there's nothing that I could do to control it. Talk about feeling powerless.

Goals for 2012:

I have two goals for the upcoming year that God is constantly trying to teach me:

1. Patience- I only have it when shopping, and need it in all areas of my life.
2. Compassion- I only have compassion for animals, and need to have it for people and the situations that they might be going through.

How has 2011 impacted your life?