the obligatory list of 2011

2011 was quite the year. 

Quite. The. Year.

Mom related:
I guess we should start the list with the one thing that forever altered my perspective on life and completely changed my life forever: my mother passing away on August 20, 2011.

Then, I was able dress her on August 23rd for burial, along with three of my sisters and my mom's four sisters (and my dad).

And, on August 24th, we buried her in the Salt Lake Cemetery.

Mom went into the ICU during July and spent over a week there-- the whole time we thought we'd lose her.

Taking days off of work to go to chemo treatments or doctor's appointments throughout the year.

The last two weeks of my mom's life spent at her house as much as possible and doing family pictures for the last time.

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everything else that also went on

Spring break in Beijing and Xi'an, China was pretty incredible!

Running my 2nd half marathon in St. George in Janurary- and subsequently giving up running for the rest of the year.

Going to the ER (for the first time in my life) twice in one week and having to call in sick for six straight days.

Backpacking for the first time in my life.

Hitting the one year mark of dating someone; officially qualifying as my first long term relationship.

The little brother turned 13 one month after Mom passed away and we had an awesome party for him.

Laurel graduated from the University of Central Florida and got engaged.

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I have mixed feelings about beginning new year. On one hand, it feels sort of freeing to be done with 2011 and the emotional rollercoaster it turned out to be. On the other hand,  it's the last year in which I'll ever have memories of my mom and it's hard to let that go.

But, life moves on and I really need to just figure out how to take the best that my mom was and create a life that brings me joy.

I think this word is my overarching goal for 2012: JOY!