Saying Goodbye to 2010

Here we are at the end of another year. I swear every year seems to go by faster and faster. I know, I sound like an old lady when I say that but I can't help it.

Before going on to the new year I thought it would be good to reflect upon the past year. This year I:

• Lost 50 lbs and kept it off
• Healed my body immensely
• Completed my second year immersion program at IIN
• Completed mentoring my 11 students
• Began mentoring 28 more students
• Traveled to NY twice for conferences
• Traveled to Miami for a conference
• Watched my son graduate high school and turn 18!
• Traveled to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan for a family vacation
• Took a major turn in my life and began focusing on my art
• Started this new blog and posted 77 times
• Took 4 online art classes and 1 in person art class
• Traveled to Myrtle Beach with my hubby
• Hosted an awesome cookie exchange for charity
• Hosted Christmas for my family
  

When I finished my list I was happy with a lot of it but I have to be honest and say that I was a bit disappointed that it wasn't bigger...that there wasn't more on it. Then I started thinking about the everyday things I did that I wouldn't normally list out.

• Attended about 150 baseball games (no joke!)
• Attended at least 30 basketball games
• Attended about 35 soccer games
• Attended about 15 wrestling tournaments
• Shuffled 3 boys to at least 10 practices a week for just about every week of the year
• Went to at least 30 dentist/orthodontist appointments
• Went to at least 40 doctor appointments
• Hosted at least 7 birthday parties, a graduation party and several just for fun parties
  
• Read at least 15 books and a gazillion magazines
• Helped kids with homework for at least 6 hours a week
• Did umpteen loads of laundry (and have umpteen more to do right now)
• God knows how many hours I cleaned
• And many more things I can't think of right now
  

So I guess as a mom of 5 boys I have to be realistic and realize that there is only so much time in a day and I have a lot of responsibilities to take care of. But I know that I am so blessed to be surrounded by these beautiful boys. I am watching these miracles grow up before my very eyes and I couldn't be happier about it. And do I love every mundane task that goes along with it? No, not really but when I look back over the year I am filled with joy and love and happiness and those other things seem to fall to the wayside.

But if I'm honest, there is a big chunk missing from this list of 2010 and that is accomplishments in my career. So as I go forward and welcome in 2011 I know that my focus will need to shift if I am to look back on 2011 with pride in my career. I will dive more into my visions for 2011 in another post.

How are you feeling about the past year? Do you feel like you've done the things you wanted? Did you live the life you wanted to live? What lessons can you take from 2010 that will help to guide you through the next year?