I’m stealing this from Devan, Jennie, and about 200 other bloggers probably. In fact, ever since I started blogging, I’ve meant to take part in this meme.
1. What did you do in 2010 that you’d never done before?
I took pictures every single day for my 365 project. I’m really proud that I completed the project and of how much my photography and editing skills have grown. I’m also really, really, REALLY glad to be finished.
I also started trusting God and including Him in my life on a regular basis, not just for an hour on some random Sunday I happened to go to church.
2. Did you keep your New Year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
There’s something about the words “New Year’s Resolution” that just screams failure, but I did set goals. This year I’ve worked really hard at being more calm. In fact, I carried a little index card with the word “calm” written on it in my purse as a reminder. I think that I made some improvements in my flying off the handle tendencies and I know that there were times that I was really pleased with myself for not yelling, particularly at my kids. I’d have to say that I still have some work to do in this area.
Goals for 2011:
Personal:
1. Continue to work on being more calm, less rushed, less prone to yelling
2. Lose two pants sizes
3. Drink at least 64 ounces of water everyday
4. Bake bread from scratch
5. Run two 5K’s
6. Have an email/social media/computer free day per week
7. Read a whole bunch-a books (again)
8. Help teach my children to be kinder and more thoughtful by doing random acts of kindness.
9. Get a passport and travel somewhere out of the country with Tate for our 10th wedding anniversary
10. Keep in touch better with my extended family members
11. Initiate more with friends, be the one to call, the one to invite out for dinner…
12. Catch up on Mad Men
13. Organize our basement and attic
14. Have a garage sale and/or donate to a worthy organization (any suggestions?)
15. Buy all new make-up with the help of a friend to tell me what to buy
16. Be a better blog commenter (comment on at least 10 blog posts per week)
17. Take more risks even if it means that I might look stupid or embarrass myself
Photography:
1. Take photos of at least 3 families
2. Get more photos printed
3. Make a photo book of my favorite shots
4. Get better with photographing and editing shots taken in artificial light.
5. Learn to use my external flash
6. Shoot a wedding
7. Instead of Project 365, complete a Project 52, choosing the best photos from each week in 2011.
Spiritual:
1. Write one post about my faith that explains how much it means to me
2. Read books about other faiths
3. Remember to pray before every meal
4. Lead a prayer outloud
5. Lead a study in my women’s group at church
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
My cousin had twins who are truly miracles, surviving against very slim odds.
4. Did anyone close to you die?
No, thank God.
5. What countries did you visit?
None.
6. What would you like to have in 2011 that you lacked in 2010?
More patience.
7. What dates from 2010 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
I ran my first (and only) 5K on July 3. It took me 40 minutes, but I ran the whole way. I can’t believe I actually did it.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Completing my 365 project and not missing any days. I didn’t always use my fancy camera, some of my photos were taken with my phone, but there was not a day that passed that I didn’t take at least one photo.
9. What was your biggest failure?
Gaining quite a bit of weight, especially in the past few months, because I eat like I’m 12-years-old instead of 35.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
I’ve been sick for the past three weeks. I’m really sick of being sick.
11. What was the best thing you bought?
My Canon 50D 
12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
Everyone I know who did something kind for others.
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
The members of Westboro Baptist Church. They get me so riled up! It pains me that people use Jesus as an excuse for hate when that is SO not at all what Jesus taught. “Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other.” John 13: 34-35
14. Where did most of your money go?
Bills, eating out (or rather, OVEReating out)
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
God, Photography, LOST, iced tea
16. What song will always remind you of 2010?
Jason Gray‘s More Like Falling in Love
17. Compared to this time last year, are you: a) happier or sadder? b) thinner or fatter? c) richer or poorer?
Happier, fatter, richer
18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Exercising
19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Overeating and yelling
20. How did you spend Christmas?
We spent Christmas here at home with Tate’s parents and sister. It snowed and we gave and received lots of wonderful gifts. Christmas was very good.
21. Did you fall in love with 2010?
Well. This is going to sound SO, SO weird for me, but I guess I fell in love with Jesus. I wish it wasn’t so hard to admit and I wish I felt 100% comfortable and brave enough to say that.
22. What was your favorite TV program?
LOST. I watched the entire series from start to finish starting in May after the show actually ended. Best show ever, I miss it.
23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
I really don’t like to use that word, hate. But no, there is not.
24. What was the best book you read?
I can’t pick just one, I read a lot of great books this year! (I also read a lot of TURDS, yikes, how DO some books get published?!)
Blue Like Jazz
Waiting for Birdy
Same Kind of Different As Me
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society
My Life in France
Zeitoun 
(all of the above are affiliate links)
25. What was your greatest musical discovery?
The music at my church
26. What did you want and get?
A new camera and lens
27. What did you want and not get?
I can’t think of anything, I’m a very lucky girl.
28. What was your favorite film of 2010?
The Blind Side (I think it actually came out LAST year, but I just saw it this year.)
29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I was 35 and I’m thinking that my advanced age is why I don’t have any memory of my birthday.
30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
I would have liked for Tate’s job to have been a lot less stressful.
31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept of 2009?
Trying hard not to look frumpy.
32. What kept you sane?
33. What political issue stirred you the most?
Listen, I’ve already outed myself as being one of those crazy Jesus lovers, I can’t talk about politics, too! (But I will say that the any political agenda that includes any sort of hate or exclusion makes me feel very prickly.)
34. Who did you miss?
Family and friends who live far away
35. Who was the best new person you met?
36. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2010.
Backup your computer files. Be kind, be thoughtful. Being brave is something I hope to learn in 2011.
37. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
Ugh. I only just recently re-entered to world of grown-up music after years and years of Thomas and Backyardigans songs. Maybe I’ll have a song lyric next year.
********
I have a great life and I’m immeasurably blessed. Thanks to all of you who stop by here and read the silly things I write. Happy New Year!
Okay, I *AM* going to go back and read the entirety of the post, but I do want to ask, your photography equipment – are you purchasing it or are you being given some kind of a discount along with the affiliate links? I’m interested because i’d REALLY love to buy a 50D this year and if there’s some way I can save money, I’m all on it. Let me know. Thanks.
I love #21, because I know how hard it was to write that where people would see it. See? You’re learning how to be brave already.
I love your goals for 2011, I have a few of the same ones. I too feel like resolutions just scream failue. Goals are much more appropriate.
It is so awesome that you fell in love with Jesus!
Heather´s last [type] ..What Not To Wear
this was a wonderful recap. i love getting to know you a little better
MommyNamedApril´s last [type] ..Quite Possibly the Longest Holiday Post Ever Or Not But Im Thinking Its Pretty Darn Long And Awesome
I always read your blog but only comment to leave assvice so I’m turning a new leaf and commenting to say – love the write up!
I went way outside my comfort zone and photographed tons of friend’s families this year. It taught me more than any other photography “thing” I did this year. I’m so much better with other people’s kids than my kids.
LauraC´s last [type] ..2010 Summary- BEST YEAR EVER
I don’t think of your advice as being assvice! I’ve really listened to everything you’ve told me!
Oh I LOVE this post. What a great way to reflect on your year. I gained a bit of weight, too. Ready to work my butt off. (literally)
Chantelle´s last [type] ..God- I look so old
What a great post. Haven’t commented in a while but a faithful reader! I am starting a 365 project this year, at least I hope I am now that my baby is mobile things are a little more challenging…your photos look fantastic!
Happy New Year!
Yuliya´s last [type] ..Not a Christmas Tree
Thank you! Good luck on your 365 project!
i’m stealing this.
it’s a good way to force me to write something for the end of the year.
the planet of janet´s last [type] ..Round and round she goes where she stops- nobody knows
A 5k and a 365! Congratulations!
#4: google “no knead crusty bread” on Mother Earth News’ website (p.3 of the article)
Easy, foolproof! Perfect for moms
Thanks! I’ll look it up!
I love this list! And I’m totally stealing this idea for a post this evening. Thanks so much for the inspiration and Happy New Year!
Angie N.´s last [type] ..2011- Looking at the year ahead
I’m so honored to have been mentioned in this post, especially as I am so grateful to have found you this year. Looking forward to growing our friendship in 2011!
*And, Girl, we are totally going makeup shopping together! Anytime!
XOXO
Love #21 – it can be hard to admit, though I find it harder with family who KNOW anyway!!
Yay on the 365 and 5k (I walk my dog and ‘ran’ a total of 300m the other day – it is so hard when so many of my friends have taken up running. Running is for the bus, or if I want to get the dog away from something else – if I start running, she thinks she is missing something.)
Overall, a great year. And Australia is a great place to visit, especially the coast near Geelong, but I’m biased.
Australia would be an awesome place to visit! Wish it wasn’t SO FAR away.
Is there anything better than falling in love with Jesus?
I love this post.
Like you, my relationship with Jesus is deeper. Chad’s back injury and surgery, while horrible and traumatic and gut-wrenchingly painful, transformed our little family into a tightly-knit team. After 18 years of marriage, we finally began praying (ALOUD) TOGETHER. We do a very short devotion each night and hold hands and take turns praying aloud.
A couple of weeks ago, during his prayer, Chad thanked God for his back injury and surgery because it has brought him closer to God. I find him reading the Bible often. He is kinder, gentler, more understanding, loving, more patient, more tender, more forgiving than he ever was – and he was all those things before.
August and September were hard. But October, November and December have been glorious.
I hope and pray that your 2011 will be even better than 2010. But I admit that I’m worried because you asked for patience. That’s one of the things I don’t believe you should ever ask for. There’s only one way to get it, and that’s through patience-trying times.
God bless!
I want to be braver in 2011 too. Here’s to a wonderful year, with less yelling and more exercising for both of us! (Your site makes me so happy, it’s just pretty.)
anymommy´s last [type] ..Courage
Thank you! I think it’s very pretty, too! Nap Warden did a great job.
I look forward to each and every post of yours and always appreciate your honesty and sense of humor. Your list of resolutions sounds about perfect to me, and I am inspired by this post to nurture my own spiritual life.
I wish you and your family many blessings in 2011! Happy New Year!
mep´s last [type] ..C is for Cookie- Thats Good Enough For Me
Thank you! I’m honored. Happy New Year!
I actually thought today “is drinking water too boring to be a resolution?” I have that one too! As well as #6! We are doing wireless wednesday
And we will also celebrate our 10yr anniversary! I like posts like this 
It IS a boring resolution, but I gotta do it!!
I’m a lurker. I love your blog and so excited to hear about your growing relationship with Jesus. I haven’t tried the 365. I thought the December Photo Project was hard enough for me.
I thought you might be interested in participating in January Reflections ’11.
Here is more info. http://thegloriousimpossible.com/pages/january-reflections
Thanks, Corrin! January Reflections sounds like a great idea…I’m terrible about prompts, but I am in definite need of some inspiration!
Love this post! Especially how you broke down your goals for 2011 (maybe cuz I did it that way too!). Running a 5K is also one of my goals. Maybe I can do that one, because I stink at taking a picture a day (so congrats!).
Rebecca´s last [type] ..December 16 – Friendship
What great goals.
Very happy to have gotten to meet your family in 2010 and eat some chunks o meat with you!
Heather-Domestic Extraordinaire´s last [type] ..Project 102
This was a great, fascinating read. I look forward to your post about your faith. Happy New Year to you!
Marinka´s last [type] ..Happy New Year!
Happy New Year, Marinka!
A fabulous new year’s post indeed! Congrats on all your accomplishments of 2010…you sure did a lot! Especially the Project 365 — I know that isn’t easy.
Sounds like 2011 is going to be another great year. And let me know if you read any great books – I’m always looking for more recommendations!
Maggie´s last [type] ..The Bag Game
I keep track of everything on read here on the site…There’s a tab at the top that says, “I’ve read.” I try to grade everything I read!
Of course I am still a regular lurker. I love what you write and wish you wrote more. I love your goals. After my dad died, I too got closer with Jesus. I just wanted to delurk and tell you that I love your honesty and humor. We miss you guys!!
Miss you, too!
I was so worried that including the Jesus stuff would be totally weird for everyone else and it’s really hasn’t been that bad! It’s just so hard to say it outloud for others to hear!
Hope we can get together this year. It’s been too long.
They’re 2, they’re 4, they’re 6, they’re 8, shunting
trucks and hauling freight … Oh, wait, what were you saying? Oh, right, more patience. I could
definitely use some of that!
Stacia´s last [type] ..Haiku Friday
Thank you for such an honest post. I really appreciate that you acknowledged your faith and the fact that it’s hard to do. I’m right there with you. I read your blog quite often but don’t do such a good job of commenting.
Brilliant post, one of the best and most honest i have ever read, it was really thought provoking for me as i could relate to a lot of it. Thank you and good luck for 2011!
Hey, so I’ve been reading your blog for about a year and this is my first comment. I just wanted to say that I’m very happy to hear that you fell in love with Jesus this year and that even though it was difficult you were able to say it for the world to see. I want to make Christ a bigger part of my life this year, thanks for the inspiration!
Glad you decided to comment! Good luck with getting Christ more into your daily life, I know how much it’s meant to me.
Congratulations on a wonderful year! You deserve it.
I love this post! If I were answering these questions I could just copy and paste plenty of your answers. Interesting that we have so much in common…or at least we did in 2010.
Love that you fell in love with the source of love, Jennifer! This made me SO happy and gave me warm fuzzies.
And…go you with the 40 min. 5k! My first ever was Oct. 09 and I ran all the way (on ice and in 19 degree weather – rapid weather change overnight!) in 43 minutes. My big 2010 accomplishment was running a 10k in May (1hr 16 minutes – much improved pace!) – you can do it!
ramblin red´s last [type] ..Changing of the Season
Oh I love reading these. It’s neat to learn small things about people that you may never hear.
I adored the Blind Side too. Just bought it in fact.
I think…and this is just me and I’m not religious at all…that you have no reason to feel weird discussing your spiritual beliefs on your blog, if you want too. It’s a part of you and those of us who come here to read, want to know you. Even nice little non-religious peoples like me.
I hope 2011 is an even better year.
Issa´s last [type] ..Where I ask the Internet for help for my kids
what a great idea! I like the thoroughness of this. Thanks for sharing! =)
That’s a good meme. I’m going to think about how I want to be able to answer this at the beginning of 2012 and have that be a part of my life.
I’m so happy you’re happy.
moosh in indy.´s last [type] ..when your only option is through
I find it interesting that you’re becoming more spiritual and I’m becoming less. Must the Force balancing out =]
soonerscotty´s last [type] ..Liverpool and my babies
love ya, for realz.
I love this little meme, and I miss you being a Hoosier.
designhermomma´s last [type] ..a new year- a new calendar
These are such great questions. 2010 was both and up and down year for me. 2009 was the absolute worst as I lost my job due to the recession, 2010 was about picking myself up and starting all over and here’s to 2011 when I finally get back on track!
To your health, Jennifer
Happy Happy New Year! Here’s to a great 2011.
p.s. I need more patience, too
I would love to hear more about your growing faith. My faith and Christianity I find very hard to blog about for some reason. It looks like you had a great year, and I’m sure this one will be wonderful as well!
Mommy Daisy´s last [type] ..Here
Great topic, thanks for your post
Most beautiful in Europe´s last [type] ..10 Best Underwater World in Thailand
I love this! I might just have to steal this for my own post tomorrow (giving you credit, of course). I love #21, and think it’s awesome you are brave enough to share it with all of us.
I’m impressed with your goals for 2011. I, too, gave up on making resolutions this year, because they never seem to work. I really admire your goals, and wish you the best of luck in achieving them.
Sincerely, Jenni´s last [type] ..A Summer Affair
Really great, funny and honest post to read. I will take a leaf out of your book this year, i too turned 35 a few weeks ago. Best of luck with 2011