Top 11 Posts of 2011

I can't believe 2012 is just around the corner.  This year has definitely been a whirlwind with our family.  It has been the best year and the worst year all at the same time.  However, we are going into 2012 with a new perspective in life, full of new goals and new changes.  Let's travel back to my top 11 posts of 2011, as voted on by you readers!  (These are the most clicked posts in ascending order.) Click the title of the post if you would like to take a look back with me!  Let's work our way down to #1, my most read post of 2011!

11.) Gender Reveal- Part Two!- This post I talked about how I made the decorations for our gender reveal party.  That was such an exciting time!!!  I love the way the decorations and boy/girl pins turned out!

10.) 16 and 17 Weeks Pregnant- Our little boy was the size of an avocado during this time!  I shared with you a few belly pictures and some of the things I have been craving lately. It's funny looking at this post because I remember thinking I was so big at the time.  Man, I had no idea what was coming!

9.) 19 Weeks Pregnant- This is the week my belly popped!!!!  I couldn't believe how it just happened all of a sudden.  It seems like it got HUGE over night!  Of course it is continuing to grow, but this was the first real growth spurt.

8.) The Measure of Your Days-  In this post, I talked about the death of my mother in law.  I miss her so much.  Just last night I had a dream that she was calling us on the phone.  I think she would have wanted me to write this post, and if you haven't already, I would love for you to read it.

7.) My Absence- This is when I first announced on the blog what had happened to my mother in law.  I really appreciated all of the sweet messages you all sent me on facebook.  Many of you also came by the funeral home, and that meant so much.

6.) 11 Weeks Pregnant- I remember this time like it was yesterday!  I was exhausted.  As you can see, I didn't even wear makeup to work.  It was all I could do to even get there.  First trimester is soooo hard!  I wasn't sick yet, but I just had no energy whatsoever.  I couldn't wait to be in the second trimester!

5.) Oh my gosh. Oh my gosh. Oh my gosh.- This is the day we first found out we were pregnant! I LOVE reading this post.  It's so much fun to look back on.  I talk about the day I found out, how I told Adam, and all of the emotions we were feeling.

4.) 18 Weeks Pregnant- In this post, I start talking about my ideal birth and what I would like to happen.  I know I've never given birth, and I plan to keep an open mind, but I do have certain things that are important to me, like laboring naturally.  Some of you weighed in and gave me some advice in the comments section, and I greatly appreciate it!

3.) Gender Reveal- Part One -This is the day we found out that we were having a baby boy!!!!  I knew it all along!  This post shows how we planned a last minute gender reveal party and has some memorable pictures from that night!

2.) 14 Weeks Pregnant- I was up 4 pounds at this time, and was eating everything horrible in sight!  I was constantly hungry, and maintained a steady intake of pizza, easy mac, and ramen noodles. :)  This week also had one of my favorite belly shots.  It was when I first started to show.

And the #1 post, which received 544 page views is...............

1.) HOW TO PAINT YOUR COUNTERTOP- I can't believe how popular this post is, but I am glad our experience/mishaps/time spent was helpful to you!  This was a big project for us to tackle, and with suspicions on our side that I was pregnant, the work was left up to Adam.  (I hint in this post that I am pregnant, though I don't think any of you caught on.  Let me know if you did!) 

Thank you for looking back with me through 2011!  I have really enjoyed writing this blog.  It's fun to document things Adam and I have done together, trials we have been through, and the way the Lord has blessed us through it all.  I am definitely looking forward to 2012.  I hope that you will continue to follow us through our journey of making our house a home, stepping out in faith, and welcoming our baby boy into the world!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!