Along the Narrow Way: New Year

Now that we are coming up on the first weekend in 2012...already, I thought it was about time I list my resolutions for 2012.

1.) Live more simply. The Nilsson household has already cancelled cable, Netflix, and smartphones in order to focus on the things in life that are truly important (and to save some money!) Living simply means living with less and being satisfied with all that I have. Living simply also means to enjoy the little things in life...watching the birds outside, making homemade bread while wearing my apron, snuggles with Anya, sipping Josh's yummy peppermint mochas (he makes them perfect!)

2.) Blog more, facebook less. I done well with blogging more this year, wouldn't you say? I do still check facebook from time to time to see updates on my pregnant friends and updates from Cindy. Journaling on my blog is a wonderful way for me to capture and remember each moment with Anya!

3.) Less material, more quality time with loves. This kind of ties in with resolution number one. I guess I just want to stress that I want to find value in people and relationships, not in what I own or want. Along with this I plan on shopping a lot less and using my crafty/ creative-side more often!

What are your New Year's resolutions?

Dear 2011,

You have been one of the best years of my life! With so many exciting new chapters opening. God has blessed our family tremendously this year. Here are our most memorable moments from 2011!

January

The year started off with a very busy musical season for Josh ("Wizard of Oz") and me on bedrest by the middle of the month. I was having contractions and started dilating early so the doctors thought it would be best if I took it easy and rested. So I stopped teaching and got some much needed naps. God blessed us with many DJ jobs for the year at our expos. We were fortunate to work with some awesome couples.

February

LET it SNOW!!!! Us Chicagoians got the blizzard of a lifetime February 2nd! Everything was shut down and closed for two days. That never happens in Chicago! This month I started making Anya's crib bedding. I was having so much fun getting her nursery ready for her arrival.

March

As you can see, most of my life at this point and time revolved around the fact that I was pregnant! I did finish the bedding this month. Here is the final product! And my crocuses came up! I knew Anya would be with us soon when I saw that early sign of spring. This month Josh and I had our first baby shower thrown by his mom and friends of hers at church. It was so nice to visit with old friends and be given such nice gifts for Anya!

April

My mom, Katie, and friend Melissa threw me an awesome shower at our community center. My Aunt, cousins, and their children came from Cincinnati to surprise me....it was so great to see them.

May

The most exciting month this year! Anya was born May 3rd at 4:44pm. She is the joy of our life!

At the end of May, Cindy and Tony came in from CT to meet her. It was fun having our first Harrington-side reunion. We went to church on Mother's Day when she was only 5 days old.

June

Josh celebrated his first Father's Day. We enjoyed a nice morning at church and his parents came over for dinner. We ate outside on the patio...salmon!!! This month is very much a blur...as we were totally sleep deprived. Josh started summer break the second week in June, which helped me out so much. I started running again 6 weeks post-partum and began Zumba for the summer.

July

4th of July weekend we travelled to Cincinnati for a extended family Meet Anya Party! It was great for everyone to meet her. Josh and I celebrated our 5th anniversary. July 25th Josh turned 28 and we celebrated by having family over. I enjoyed garage sale shopping with my girlfriends a lot this month, and Josh caught up on good books. We took a day trip to the arboretum for a picnic and some hikes, and went to a pool party. Josh and I escaped and went downtown to see Beauty and the Beast. My little beauty at home wore an outfit I got her at a garage sale.

August

This month can be summed up by saying harvesting. We made so much with our yummy tomatoes! Anya started sitting up in her bumbo. My mom came over a few times to help out with Anya when Josh went back to school at the end of the month. I like to refer to this month as my official stay at home mommy month!

September

We had our official "kick-off" to fall Labor Day weekend...also my birthday weekend. I turned 27 on September 7, and we went apple picking to celebrate. I was thrilled to have been given Fiestaware!!!!

October

Columbus Day weekend we went back to Cincinnati, because Cindy and Tony moved the KY! It's so nice to have them closer than CT! Aunt Cindy loves seeing Anya. Anya was dedicated October 16th to the Lord. We also went to the pumpkin patch store, apple cider press farm, and dresses our little Tigger up for Halloween!

November

As I am typing I am just blown away by how quickly a year goes. I'm so glad I am documenting things, or most would be forgotten! We had an Iron Chef party with our Community Group, secret ingredient was Pumpkin. I won with....Pumpkin Ziti!!! Anya came with Josh and I to Olive Garden and sat in the high chair (a little small for it though). We celebrated Thanksgiving with my parents and Katie for lunch and Josh's cousins for dinner. Thanksgiving officially kicked off our Christmas season.

Anya's first time seeing snow...only flakes, nothing stuck.

December

We went with our families to our church's Christmas concert in the beginning of the month. This month was so fun...as we celebrated Anya's first Christmas!