2011 in One Picture

I'm trying to be a cool kid like all the other bloggers and write a 2011 wrap up--and I'm really struggling.  because I realized I never wrote about Braden's birth.  There's a whole bunch of pictures from the beach that never got posted.  I really need to make my Blurb book.  I just got Lightroom and don't really understand how to use it or where my Mac has hidden my photos.  I've been meaning to print pictures from MPix for months.  How do you wrap up a year when there are so many other things to wrap up?  I'm really not sure, but I do know that I want to sing "Seasons of Love" from Rent right about now.

I think there is one picture, and one picture only, that sums up 2011.



BAM! We'll always remember 2011 as the year that Copper got a ridiculous hair cut.

Poor doggy.  Copper's hair all grown back--in fact he has strangely long toe hairs these days. This picture is one of my favorites--in spite of the fact that I think it's actually a terrible picture. (It's a little blurry and the white balance is beyond repair.) I love it because of all the people who commented, emailed, and mentioned it to me in person that they thought the picture was hilarious.  It is hilarious.  Nine times out of ten when we see someone that we haven't seen in awhile, this is what they mention.  And unfortunately, the same thing happens to Victoria.  People love this picture.

It makes me grateful that people give me a few minutes of their day to stop in and see what we are up to.  Although sometimes blogging seems like a chore, looking back at the end of the year I'm so grateful that I took a few minutes (or sometimes hours) out of my day to record what has happened with us.  I love that I have little memories stored up from the past that I would otherwise forget.  And I love that it's a quick way for our friends and family to check in on us.

What I like a little less is that I have all these friends and family reading about our lives, and I sometimes don't know that they are checking in or what is happening with them.  If you care enough to read about us, I probably care enough to read about you!  I love hearing feedback about what I write here, whether it's in person, on Facebook, through email or as a blog comment.  It's just good to know who is out there.  And based on the feedback from the Great Copper Shaving, there are quite a few people reading.

To kick off 2012, I have two blogging resolutions.  One for me, and one for you.

For me: Keep blogging and make my stinking Blurb book, even though it takes like a zillion hours.

And for you:  Let's make this two sided.  YOU need to start a blog.  I promise, you will NEVER be sad that you took the time to write down your memories.  I only wish I had started blogging sooner.  I promise to read your blog faithfully.  Even if it's about something that you think is totally boring, I won't think it's boring.  I think everything is exciting.  You really should blog.

2011 has been a good year.  It brought us Braden and a hairless dog.  We really couldn't ask for more.  And as for 2012, we're ready.  I'm looking forward to just being a little bit better.  A better mama, a better wife.  A better follower of Christ and a better me.  No huge sweeping resolutions, just a little bit better.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from our very photogenic family.