Saw this on a few blogs and thought I'd try it:
What did you do in 2009 that you'd never done before?
Went to a Celine Dion concert
Went to a Harlem Globetrotters game
Went to see Celtic Women in concert
Sewed my first and only quilt
Made my first advent calendar
Exercised my entire pregnancy
Went to a civil wedding
Visited the Memphis temple
Had a child admitted to the hospital for illness
Had a lemomade stand with my girls
Visited the one and only Corvette Museum
Cheered my husband on in a few half marathons
Went to a Janet Evanovich book signing
Had a baby in the state of Tennessee
Ate tomatos from my own garden
Did you keep your new years' resolutions?
I only made one and I kept it--to exercise my entire pregnancy no matter how tired I felt.
What are some of your resolutions for 2010?
Lose the rest of my baby weight and say "yes" more to my little girls.
Did anyone close to you give birth?
Me, myself and I. My cousin-in-law, friends.
Did anyone close to you die?
Yes--my cousin Pat died unexpectedly. He will be missed so much.
What countries did you visit?
None--except through google earth I travelled to all sorts of places.
What states did you visit?
Kentucky, Alabama
What would you like to have in 2010 that you lacked in 2009?
Patience has always been a problem for me.
What date from 2009 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
August 18 because it was the day our beautiful baby Regan Meabh was born (same birthday as her big sister, Bryn, her Grandpa Turner, and her Aunt Desiree).
What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Exercising and gaining minimal weight during my pregnancy-- a first for me.
What was your biggest failure?
Blogging (my journaling) was lacking and I spent too much time in front of the computer than playing with my kids.
Did you suffer illness or injury?
Not me besides the effects of pregnancy. However, we had a scary experience with Coco having to be taken by ambulance to the hospital because she couldn't breathe and the other hospital didn't know what to do for her. But, we now know she has asthma and is on medicine she must take everyday so that doesn't happen again.
What song will always remind you of 2009?
"Party in the USA" by Miley Cyrus, of course ;)
Compared to this time last year, are you: much happier, richer, nicer?
Absolutely happier! I am beyond blessed and I have no complaints at all.
What do you wish you'd done more of?
Said "yes" to my girls about the small stuff that really doesn't matter which brings me to this year's resolution.
What do you wish you'd done less of?
Talking--I wanted to do more listening
How did you spend Christmas?
Friends house for breakfast and they came over for dinner. It was a wonderful day!
What was your favorite TV program?
The Office, The Little Couple, Cake Boss, Dancing With the Stars
What was the best book you read this year?
"Hunger Games", "Chasing Fire", "Eve's Daughters", "The Ladies Auxilliary", "The Giver"
What did you want and get?
A healthy baby girl, and a beautiful picture of the temple
What were your favorite films of this year?
"Up" and "New Moon"
What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Not sweating the small stuff when it came to my kids.
What kept you sane?
My witty husband, my amazing sisters and friends, having two girls in school most of the year.
What drove you insane?
My girls arguing and tattling
What political issue stirred you the most?
Health-care reform.
Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2009.
To accept acts of kindness from others. It blesses them just as much as it blesses you. Also, that a ward family is just that--family. Heavenly Father has organized His church in the model of a family and we are all connected as brothers and sisters even if not by blood.
What are you most excited for in 2010?
Surprising my mom for her birthday (Regan and I), Scotlyn getting baptized, Bryn entering Young Women's, Coco going to Kindergarten, Regan walking & talking, lots of fun Enrichment Meetings to plan, helping Jared prepare for a marathon, creating special memories for my kids, planning and creating new traditions for our family, etc.
What are you least excited for in 2010?
Bryn growing up and going to Young Women's, Scotlyn growing up and going to Activity Days, Coco going to Kindergarten, Regan growing up and becoming a toddler instead of a little baby.
My sister, Michelle (a.k.a. Mickey) with Regan at the airport. My cousins, Amy, Desiree and I at the care center. I so wished I lived close to these wonderful women! I miss my sisters, brother, my cousins, my aunts and uncles, and my mama! I really feel blessed to have such a wonderful family!
Aunt Barb and Regan.
Mickey, me, mom, Barb, and Kirk at Uncle Henry's birthday party.
This picture was taken at was once known as the "Rose Bowl" a car-hop type of restaurant my mom worked at in the 1950's when my dad pulled up in his brother Cleve's convertible and saw my mom for the first time. Well, it was all history after that. . .
My sister, brother, sister-in-law and I went to Lovell, Wyoming to surprise my mom who is in a care center. I haven't seen my mom in 2 1/2 years and I was nervous. My sister and brother and sister-in-law went into her room first and surprised her. She was shocked to see them. Then, my sister said that she needed to call me to tell me what my mom's reaction was. She called me on her cell phone while I was in the hall and said, "Sister, I wish you could be here." Then I said, as I walked into the room, "Maybe I can." My mom looked right at me and just stared! She couldn't believe it. Everyone was crying. Regan went right to her and snuggled her for a long time. We only stayed 2 days but it sure was worth it for her to see her last grandchild. I miss my mama! It was so hard to leave. Tears were shed knowing I might not be able to see her again for a long time. It was all very emotional but I'm so grateful to all the people who made it possible for Regan and I to have experienced it all!
When I arrived in Billings, MT on the way to surprise my mom I spent the day with my AWESOME cousin, Amy. She has a wonderful family who spoiled me and made me feel right at home! I miss you Amy, Clint, Patrick, Paige, Karissa, Kyla, and Randon--ya buncha Pollocks! 
Trying to get a decent shot of Regan on the plane going to surprise Granny in Wyoming! Oddly, sat next to another mom that lives in Murfreesboro, Tennessee who is also from Anchorage, Alaska. Pretty cool.
So, my sister really wanted one of my Christmas advent calendars but due to time restraints I wasn't able to make her one before I went to see her. So, my wheels started spinning and I came up with a "Special Occasion Week Advent Calendar". Cheesy, no? Anywho, I had this little muffin tin (for children's use in a play kitchen) and put magnets on the back of paper I cut out and did a mini advent for my sister. She can use it all year long for special events like birthdays, valentines, Easter, Independence Day, Thanksgiving, Halloween, etc. I know it's a stretch but my seester loved it! That's all that matters. . .
