A Reflection "meme" for 2008

Simple Mom had a series of Reflection Questions to help you look back on 2008. I've repeated them here to think out loud with my dear (poor!) readers. :)

I found the following questions extremely difficult to answer - not through any fault of the questions themselves, but mostly probably due to lack of brain cells and a horrible memory. Also, I tend to be a much more global thinker who loses the details of my life over time - I have a very hard time picking "one event" as an answer - especially when I can hardly remember last week, LOL.

Reflection Questions for 2008
1. What was the single best thing that happened this past year?
Watching Jeffrey go through babyhood? The rare date with dh? Winning the haiku contest? LOL

2. What was the single most challenging thing that happened?
Recovering from skin cancer surgery and childbirth while trying to homeschool and deal with a colic-y baby and a difficult toddler (see, I can't pick *one* thing - there was no ONE thing there was just a stream of not-so-little things every.single.day)

3. What was an unexpected joy this past year?
Watching the girls interact with their new brother.

4. What was an unexpected obstacle?
I'm an eeyore, I expect all obstacles. ;-) I didn't think adding another student would be so hard - she's very smart but I'm not finding any *time* to work with her properly.

5. Pick three words to describe 2008.
Simplifying (of stuff). Challenging (in good and bad ways). Tiring.

6. Pick three words your spouse would use to describe your 2008 (don’t ask them; guess based on how you think your spouse sees you).
Hmmmm, I'd probably say the same three things I said.

7. Pick three words your spouse would use to describe their 2008 (again, without asking).
Gratifying (family). Long. Dissapointing (work).

8. What were the best books you read this year?
I can't narrow it down to a few - I'll have to think about that, I can hardly remember what I read.

9. With whom were your most valuable relationships?
DH, hands down. No one else comes close.

10. What was your biggest personal change from January to December of this past year?
Weight! LOL. I went from freshly postpartum to way underweight due to allergen free eating, back to overweight (for me) again now. Technically my weight is probably on the high side of average for my build and height, but it is ALL in my abdomen. Ugh.

11. In what way(s) did you grow emotionally?
I wrestled with several issued from growing up/being adopted, hopefully for the better. I gained slightly more control over my hair-trigger high-sensitivity and temper.

12. In what way(s) did you grow spiritually?
I think I have a slightly greater appreciation for suffering.

13. In what way(s) did you grow physically?
See number 10. ;-P

14. In what way(s) did you grow in your relationships with others?
I think I'm getting better at being straightforward with dh. While I was never dishonest, I think I'm expressing my wants and needs more instead of wanting him to guess. My relationship with my three year old is improving.

15. What was the most enjoyable area of managing your home?
Decluttering! Nothing like a good purge.

16. What was your most challenging area of home management?
Simply trying to house 7 people and all their stuff in a small-ish house with very little real storage space.

17. What was your single biggest time waster in your life this past year?
The internet - it's great for a limited time each day, but then the rest is just a waste.

18. What was the best way you used your time this past year?
Reading aloud to the girls, especially our Sonlight books.

19. What was the biggest thing you learned this past year?
I'm stronger than I think and I'm a better parent than I give myself credit for

20. Create a phrase or statement that describes 2008 for you.
Ummmm, over? :)