2011: Highlights

2011 has been a crazy year, and I honestly cannot believe it's over already. What's even crazier to me is: I have no idea what 2012 will bring. Since I can't predict the future, let's look at where 2011 took me...

January:

We took a road-trip to California that included home-made candies, Disneyland, a dueling piano bar and reminiscing.

I started my last semester of college, part of which was spent as an intern at the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal.

Then I got this crazy idea I should train for a triathlon, which was awesome -- at least for awhile, until health issues and stress got in the way.

I took photos of my pregnant sister-in-law, Becky, in anticipation of the baby boy she would soon deliver.

February:

The boss-lady told me I didn't suck, which I promise was a compliment. And I got published.

My nephew made his biggest and greatest debut.

Our kitchen flooded and the firemen saved us.

And somebody got the crazy idea to invite me to be a camp director.

March:

I covered the Japanese earthquake and tsunami from a local perspective.  I was in the newsroom all day long, but it was totally worth it.

My photo was on the cover of a magazine I worked at, I designed my graduation announcement, and I got crafty with my girls camp girls.

April:

I had my very first guest post at See Sallie Run, all about faith.

I made chocolate-covered Peeps...yum!

May:

I showed off the art I created during the semester.

Texas Tech gave me a piece of paper that made me a professional.

I took engagement photos for some friends.

June:

I got crafty again with the camp girls and wrote a freelance story.

We celebrated one year of marriage.

And I was blessed to spend a week at girls camp with girls that taught me more than I taught them.

July:

We took a trip to Oklahoma and decided to make a pretty big move.

Some strange man sold me steak at my door, and we locked ourselves out of our house.

I threw Kourtney, my cousin, a bridal shower -- including homemade decorations, strawberry frosting cupcakes and strawberry ice cream.

I shared my ideas with you on how a women's self-image is so wrapped up in two things: weight and beautiful hair.

And...we made the move.

August:

We flew to California for Kourtney's wedding and had an interesting time getting there. While we were there, we also went on a white-water rafting adventure.

I told you about my grandmother's lucky coin, and shared my favorite braid.

And my favorite...I started a series on creativity.

September:

We explored Oklahoma -- including Bricktown and the many delicious foods of the state fair.

I began volunteering for Segullah and I shared with you what I think are common misconceptions on mental illness.

I made a whole slew of baby onesies.

And how could I forget? The best weekend ever aka being sick and having my car broken into.

October:

My grandmother's lucky coin finally worked, and I could officially call myself a journalist.

I experienced Oklahoma in its truest form: football and rain -- oh, and Bricktown, again.

I hosted my first giveaway.

And we talked about the strange need to be perfect, and what it means to be Mormon.

November:

Work had gotten crazy but I shared some of the most important things I'd learned.

Oklahoma had a massive temper tantrum in the form of tornadoes and earthquakes in a 12-hour time span.

I showed you some of my favorite candid wedding photos and I posted on Segullah.

December:

I embraced my newly-discovered laugh lines.

I took a quick trip to Utah, visited Temple Square and partied for my cousin's wedding.

Our Christmas was simple, but I shared a fabulous Christmas book and how to make an easy-peasy ornament.

How was your year?

Always,