The things I learned in 2010

Every year around this time I like to take a bit to think about the past year and what I have learned. I love learning. I love figuring things out, finding ways to make things faster and more efficient. I really like random facts and figures. I am a nerd and I proudly admit it. But it goes beyond nerdy things. Every year there are life lessons, some joyous and some difficult, and I even though I may not enjoy these sometimes, I appreciate them none the less. What did I learn in 2010? Here are a few little nuggets...

*Loyalty is one of the things I value the most in a relationship.

*DVR is amazing. TV without commercials that I don't have to rent on dvd by the season. It rocks.

*Gil from the Gilmore Girls was once the lead singer for the band Skid Row. Who knew?

*I kill house plants. I can grow nearly anything outside, but houseplants are better off if I ignore them. I kind of knew this, but it was reaffirmed this year.

*I still and probably always will need to call my mom for advice about cooking, and have accepted the fact that her mint brownies will always be better than mine.

*Texting is an introverts best friend.

*Officially, it has snowed every month of the year in Minnesota except July. However, people from northern Minnesota and Duluth swear that it has snowed on the 4th of July. But there is no official record of that.

*I have an amazing heritage. I am thankful to have had the grandparents I did, and was reminded of what incredible people they were when my grandmother passed away this past year.

*My daughter can do something I will never be able to do. Sing in front of people by herself with no accompaniment. She is so much more brave than I am!

*Luke is one of the funniest people I know. Just the other morning as I was putting syrup on his pancake, I dropped the bottle. He looked at me and said, "Well, that was surprising! It scared me to death!" He has funny little one-liners all the time.

*Everytime it snows in the twin cities, a crew of 4 people has to climb on top of the Metrodome and spray it down with warm water to melt the snow so it doesn't collapse. We all just witnessed what happens when they can't keep up. Oops. Not a job I ever want to have, and at this point, looks like they aren't hiring.

*Lately I have been pondering why I don't like different foods because of their texture. I don't like pumpkin pie, bananas or Yoplait Yogurt Whips, purely because of their texture, not taste. Yet I like cottage cheese. Why? I know, I am weird.

*Apologizing to your children and asking their forgiveness might be the most humbling thing in the world.

*If I am going to jump on the trampoline with the kids I have to go to the bathroom first. Any of you women out there that have had babies, you know this to be true. Otherwise accidents may happen.

*Even though I might complain about Minnesota, there is no other place on earth I would rather be. This is where God has called Andy and I to be and that is enough. Lately I have been thinking a lot about Isaiah 6:

8 Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I. Send me!”

Isaiah didn't say "Here am I. Send me... but only somewhere close to my family, and only somewhere that has a shorter winter, and only somewhere where I can live in a hut and not a tent, and only somewhere etc, etc." And Isaiah even knew that he was going to have trials and his task would not be easy, yet he doesn't complain or back out. Yes, the climate here is not my first choice, but climate doesn't matter to God. It is time to start finding joy even in every aspect of where God calls us to be. And be thankful when he does call us to somewhere that has blessings, like being close to family or a climate you love. Where else will my kids get to build snow forts in 20 inches of newly fallen snow?

That is a little peak of 2010. I can't wait to see what I get to learn in 2011!

(Happy anniversary to my wonderful husband of 11 years! I love you!)