December 29, 2011

A Look Back

This year has been incredible to say the least. 
This was my first whole year as a mom {Kendall was born in August so in 2010 I was only a mom for 4 months}.  To say that it has been amazing is an understatement.  I have watched this little person grow and change so much in such a short amount of time, it's incredible.  She's gone from this little tiny, helpless, completely dependent baby to a semi-self-sufficient, getting-more-independent-by-the-day, little girl.  She never ceases to amaze me with her little personality.  She loves to dance, like her mama, and she can throw a ball {or anything for that matter} farther than I've ever seen a small person throw, like her daddy.  This year she has brought us so much joy and nothing will ever top being her mommy, nothing.
This year has also been a great year for self discovery.  I made some big changes last year, as my New  Years Resolution for 2011.  I said I wanted changes, from hair, to makeup, to clothes, to weight, and I think I succeeded.  I went from blond to brunette, bought tons of new makeup {thanks to my new partnership with Avon}, bought lots of new clothes {my bank account is still recovering} because I got that new body!   Today I look and feel like a completely new woman. 
For good measure, here is a picture of me almost exactly one year ago.
Do you see me?  Second from the left.  Yeah I almost didn't recognize me either.  I never posted this family photo from my brother-in-laws wedding because I was so embarrassed.  But you know what's awesome?  This picture.

These are the jeans that I wore a year ago.  These are the jeans I couldn't button one year ago.  In fact, I used the ole rubberband through the loop around the button trick just to wear them.  These are the jeans that were so tight on my thighs that I thought I was going to rub a hole in them.  So to put them on yesterday and, literally, watch them fall to the floor, yeah that felt pretty good.
I know that everything that's happened in life has brought me to this place in life.  This happy place.  I have a new found confidence that has blossomed within the year.  I don't know if it came with the weight loss or the running, maybe a little with each.  With the weight loss I realized that I can do anything I put my mind to.  I had a goal and I reached it.  That's probably the first time, in my life, that I've ever been able to say that.  The running has given me confidence in my body.  I have learned that my body is strong and much more capable than I ever gave it credit for. 
I feel like my style has changed too.  I'm more comfortable wearing things I would have probably felt uncomfortable in before.  I think I take more risks with my fashion now.  I no longer look at things and say, "I wish I could pull that off", and keep walking.  I mean, don't get me wrong, there are still things I think are cute and will not attempt because of my body shape or bra size, but for the most part I'm a lot more versatile.  I think being a mom has really helped shape my style and made me "come into my own".
As for my relationship with Jimmy, it's rock solid.  This year has been full of ups and downs for us, mostly ups.  I'm not here to sugarcoat anything, parenthood is tough on relationships.  I have learned that no matter what happens, we are in this thing together.  He is a great man, great.  All he wants is for me to be happy, he says it all the time.  He may work a lot but it's because he wants us to live comfortably.  He may go hunting, a lot, for a couple months a year but it's because he wants to provide for us.  He truly is a dream come true.  This year I have felt his love for me and Kendall so much, I never want to forget that.
  This year I started a new job that allows me to spend more time with Kendall.  I have gone through ups and downs with this change.  I still don't love my job but I have come to realize that I just don't love working.  So until the day I can be a stay at home mom to Kendall, I will just suck it up and do what I have to to reach that goal.  I am thankful that I got Fridays off so I have one more day a week with her, that makes the whole transition worth it.  We both have little side jobs going on, me with Avon and blogging and Jimmy has his electrical skills and a new taxidermy business {gross, yes, but whatever floats his boat}.  He makes more money with his side jobs than I could even fathom making with mine so guess he's got the right idea.
This year has been good to us.  I would say that it's been the best year but I say that every year, and it's hard to top 2010 {the year Kendall was born}.   I have become the person I always wanted to be and I can only hope that this goodness continues into 2012. 
Here's to a new year!
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28 comments:

  1. Bravo on losing the weight. I know exactly how hard it is.
    I made a committment this past spring to get the weight off. Afte 2 kids I had never been as heavy as I was at the beginning of the year (size 18 & 230lbs)...Beginning at the end of May, I started getting up crazy crazy early to work out and completely changed my eating habits (weight watchers) and by October I was back in my size 10 jeans. Now my 10's are quite loose and down to 152lbs. It has been such a transformation and I haven't felt as good about myself as I do now in a really long time...and now wanting to get outfits & clothes that I never thought I'd be able to wear again.

    Here's to 2012!!!!

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  2. what an awesome post!
    you are so inspirational in ways you probably don't even know shannon! keep doing what you do & being who you are -- because you ROCK!

    happy new year!

    xxoo
    cyn

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  3. Whoa! Look at those jeans! That's awesome, Shannon! Isn't it amazing what almost 365 days can do? I'm really proud of your accomplishment!

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  4. This is so awesome!! You do inspire more people than you could every imagine. Keep it up girl you look PHAT!!!!

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  5. Cheers to THAT! You rock girl.

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  6. Great post! Congratulations on such a wonderful year for you - very inspiring!

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  7. Great job on reaching all of those goals! You are an inspiration!

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  8. Congratulations girl!!!! You are amazing!

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  9. Congrats on your 2011! I wish I had your motivation! I have 2 kids and I so badly need to lose the weight so I too will feel good about myself again! You are going to be my motivation!

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  10. You look amazing. Strut your stuff, sister.

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  11. That is awesome!!!

    I agree, a baby in the mix takes a long time to figure out your 'new life'. Although it is wonderful and I wouldnt trade it for the world, I finally feel like I have a handle on it along with being a wife & momma as well...but it took about a year! Sheesh! Now I just need to add working out into that...

    Keep it up, so glad that 2011 was great to you!!

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  12. You are such an inspiration to me....And I hope that one day soon...(hopefully in march) I will be able to make a post like this. I'm so proud of you for sticking to it, and the running?! Awesome!!! You Totally Rock!!!

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  13. Such a great post! So inspirational to me! I lost 25 pounds this year but i need to lose about 10 more before my wedding in May. This was the motivation i needed so, thank you!!

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  14. Yay! Good for you girlie! Can't wait to see what's next ;)

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  15. I am so happy for you and your family. I am sure that 2012 has only more good things in store for you!

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  16. Shannon, you are amazing!! What a change! Your hard work has paid off and you are such a healthy inspiration to others.
    Here's hoping 2012 brings just as much happiness!

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  17. Thanks for sharing! Such a good inspiration for me as I come to the part of pregnancy that is scary with the weight. You look great and I bet feeling great makes it even better! :)

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  18. you are amazing! I hope 2012 brings you more happiness! and 5k's :)

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  19. You have had one incredible year!! I'm so proud of you for putting your mind to something and doing it. That jeans picture is amazing!!!

    Here's to an even better 2012!!!

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  20. Cheers to 2012 Shannon! You're amazing!! :)

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  21. This is so wonderful Shannon! My prayers are that I will be able to have a post like this next year! Congratulations to you, I have no doubt this wonderful time will continue for you in the new year :)

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  22. Congrats girl! You did such an awesome job. That's something to be really proud of!

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  23. You have done awesome and look GREAT!!!! So wonderful reaching goals!

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