Farewell 2012.......

I had dubbed 2012 the Year of Me!  Looking back I have to say that I am lucky that I was able to devote a portion of an entire year to figuring out what I wanted/needed in life (I do have 2 kids, a job, a husband...etc, so I can only do so much).  I looked back at the goals that I wanted to accomplish this year and I did a pretty decent job on them.  Some, not so much, so I'll revisit them in 2013. Some key highlights from the Year of Courtney:

1.  Not only did I conquer my fear of running a 5K, but I also conquered my fear of group fitness classes.  I have been successfully working out 4-6X/week since February 2012.  I still have that layer of baby fluff, but my butt is starting to de-sag! 

2.  I minimized my life.  I quit Stella & Dot (unfortunately didn't make it the full year I wanted to) and dropped to 32 hours/week at work.  I was trying to do too much and it made me mediocre at all of it.  I wanted to not only be with my children, but be present.  I couldn't do that when my mind wouldn't stop racing. 

3.  Dates with Mike.  When I was working 40 hours we did Happy Hour every Friday before we got the kiddos.  We also had a lot of Friday dates when I had Fridays off from TerumoBCT.   We ate great food, had a lot of laughs, hit a lot of golf balls......etc.

4.  Took great trips.  In 2012 I went to Geneva, Madrid, Ft. Lauderdale, Orlando, Portland, Keystone, Tulsa, Utica, Washington DC.......etc.  Some were work trips and some were family trips, but all in all I enjoyed them.  I got to spend time with good friends, meet some new ones, and enjoy our wonderful families.  Plus I got to see the ocean which was a goal for 2012!

5.  I excelled at work.  Having the 32 hour work week really drove me to do my best.  I wanted to prove that I could maintain that schedule.  I was a part of great projects, took great trips, got amazing feedback, and finally felt like I was an important part of the teams that I supported. 

6.  Assisted in raising amazing children.  I look back at when Leo was born in 2011.  Gwen was just a chubby little baby.  Now she is this amazing little person who asks 400+ questions a day (I just read that the average 4 year old asks 427 questions a day.........Gwen is one of those).  She's brilliant, and funny, and such an amazing big sister.  Leo runs and walks and laughs and cuddles.  He's sweeter than any other person I have ever met.  He may not say much, but his smile speaks a thousand words.  Those 2 little kiddos are my biggest achievement and I am so glad I have the ability to modify my life so I can be the best mom possible to those kids.  Whether it be through "girls days" or extra hugs, playing board games, or watching swim class.  I want to be there for them and am lucky I have a husband and a job that supports that!

Happy New Year!
May your days be filled with amazing memories.