2009 in photos
As we approach the final days and hours of 2009, I'm struck by the many ups and downs my family and most likely yours have experienced over the last twelve months. And although I know it was a tough span of time for many people, I really need to articulate just how awesome this year has been for us. And oh my god, Heather Armstrong is getting all positive up in here. UNFOLLOW! WHERE IS THAT ACERBIC WHOREBAG YOU USED TO KNOW AND LOVE.
Let's see, in the last twelve months I have (NOTE: I am about to start bragging, mainly so that my mom can print this out, take it to church, and tell her friends that I'm not all that bad, that when I die my fellow brothers and sisters in the Telestial Kingdom will be in good company):
1. Gained 45 pounds. See: all those boxes of powdered donuts.
2. Lost 50 pounds (that extra five due to the stress of bullying a multibillion dollar corporation into fixing my broken washing machine).
3. Been a guest on The Today Show, The Bonnie Hunt Show, Dr. Phil, and Oprah. I repeat: OPRAH. OOOOPPPPRAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH.
4. Made the New York Times Best Sellers List, something I owe to my seventh grade English teacher, Mary Krause Fowler.
5. Named by Forbes as one of the top 30 most influential women in media. (NUMBER TWENTY-SIX BITCHES!)
6. Been featured as a $2000 answer on Jeopardy.
7. Made Time's list of the 25 Best Blogs of 2009.
8. Toured with my book to New York, Chicago, Portland, Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Denver, and Austin.
9. Enrolled my oldest daughter into kindergarten.
10. Briefly met and then slightly harassed Peter Frampton.
11. Launched a community section of my website which has soared far beyond my expectations in terms of the respect and generosity among its members.
12. Oh, and I had that baby. Without any pain medication. Yes, I will always point that out even though it is tacky to do so. Also, it makes it so that Jon cannot ever trump me.
And then there was the broken toe, the SHINGLES!, the minor case of swine flu, and a bathroom remodel so offensive that WE WILL ALL DIE! (see comment #93)
I also had to say goodbye to my beloved Granny Boone, the magnificent matriarch of my giant Southern family, a woman whose iron will I strive to emulate every day of my life.
It's been a hell of a year, and we are among the lucky ones who still have the means to pay for our house and our car and the food on our table, and for that I thank you, you who come here to share in this total wackadoo story. I wish I could take each and every one of you out for a beer. Or a Sprite if that is your preference.
Here is our year in photos:
(soundtrack is "Follow Through" by Hotel Lights)
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- Office remodel, episode two: http://bit.ly/dmqDas
- Leta, after saving her money for six months to buy a toy and purchasing it this afternoon: "Today is the best day of my entire life."
- Happy Eighth Anniversary to my soul mate, @blurb. And they said it wouldn't last. We're laughing all the way to our therapist!
Chriss said:
Very nice! I can't believe I have only been following you online for just under a year now. It may sound wacko but I feel like I have known you for years!
12.30.09 - 12:26 PM / 1Peanut22 said:
Beautiful year in review montage, Heather. You're a lucky lady and it's a pleasure to follow you and your family on your journey. Thanks for putting it all out there for the world to see.
12.30.09 - 12:30 PM / 2assortedchocolates said:
Gorgeous post! I started reading about 3 weeks before Marlo arrived, so I'm a relative newbie, but I can't get enough of you!
It's been a hell of a year all round, and your community have sorted me out in many ways already.
So much love to you!
12.30.09 - 12:30 PM / 3catslye said:
What a beautiful year, thank you for sharing.
12.30.09 - 12:38 PM / 4the grumbles said:
oh dear, this gave me the teary eyes...
12.30.09 - 12:40 PM / 5Tiffaney said:
Awesome. Simpy awesome.
12.30.09 - 12:40 PM / 6Tara P said:
I found your blog about 3 months ago and read it from the beginning.
My husband and I are expecting our second child at the end of the month and her right hand is not developed past her wrist.
Your blog has been one of the few things that has given me a more positive outlook about it all - it's hard to continue to be devastated when you are laughing out loud. I appreciate that more than I can express.
I hope that 2010 is a happy, healthy, prosperous year for you and yours.
12.30.09 - 12:45 PM / 7louloupink said:
Thanks for ALL of the inspiration. You are truly amazing at what you do. That's why you have that sweet list up there :)
12.30.09 - 12:45 PM / 8KatieMama said:
That was beautiful - thank YOU for sharing!
12.30.09 - 12:46 PM / 9Suburban Matron said:
You know, I was reading along for all these milestones, but I forgot they happened all in one year. Whoa! That was a major stretch of road for your family. Congratulations on all of it.
And simply everybody is doing this year in pictures thing so I may have to steal this idea.
12.30.09 - 12:46 PM / 10Keriwgd said:
You lead a very lovely life Heather and I do have to say that your two girls are absolutely gorgeous.
12.30.09 - 12:47 PM / 11austinmomof7 said:
I love that you documented your whole pregnancy in photos. With all the kids I've had, there are very few photos to cocument any of it. And I totally agree that once you have given birth with no medication, there is not much your husband can do that tops it. "Ouch, I broke my leg". "Tough noogies, boo boo, I birthed your baby." I win.
12.30.09 - 12:51 PM / 12Jessica Eiden S... said:
My God, Heather. Each time I see one of your videos I'm so inspired to whip out my camera and take note of..well, everything.
Thank you for sharing this with your public. I think you're great.
Happy New Year to your family. I wish you all the best in 2010.
12.30.09 - 12:51 PM / 13Pinkporches said:
That was very sweet. Thank you for sharing.
Smiles
12.30.09 - 12:52 PM / 14laurenmhall said:
Ahhh.. I had forgotten the uproar your bathroom tiles caused. Thanks for the reminder & the laughs!
Happy New Year!
12.30.09 - 12:54 PM / 15ohhayitskk said:
this makes my year look...less exciting than i had imagined. but you rock!
12.30.09 - 12:56 PM / 16KBHouston said:
Congratulations and Thank You!
Congrats on all the well deserved recognition in 2009 and the wonderful moments.
Thank you for sharing the good, the bad and the ugly. Also, on a serious note, thank you for your continued open and honest discussion of mental illness. Every voice that speaks out sheds light and helps drive away ignorance.
12.30.09 - 01:02 PM / 17patrickahles said:
Great little movie! Happy New Year!
12.30.09 - 01:02 PM / 18ChristinaC1253 said:
Happy New Year to you and your family! Thank you for sharing such an amazing year of photos, you and your family are so beautiful! I hope this new year brings you many more awesome memories!
12.30.09 - 01:07 PM / 19Rebecca from Texas said:
Absolutely stunning! Here's to an awesome 2010 - cheers!
12.30.09 - 01:08 PM / 20Lornadoone1972 said:
I loved seeing all your happy moments and fabulous photos, which I always enjoy! Can't wait to see what 2010 brings for you all... I too had a baby in 2009 - NATURALLY - and damn straight I say it like that everytime... I worked hard and feel accomplished and want everyone to know so I understand why you do it!
12.30.09 - 01:08 PM / 21Friday said:
Tears.
12.30.09 - 01:11 PM / 22Lauren - louisi... said:
I wonder how this year would have been different if Chuck didn't have the amazing ability to balance anything and everything on his head? Miserable, I bet.
12.30.09 - 01:13 PM / 23Ashley I said:
Thank you for helping me on my 'black hole' days with insight into your and your family's lives. Best wishes for 2010, can't wait to see what it brings.
Still can't get over the girls eyes: LOVE Leta's green and absolutely can't get over how blue Marlo's eyes are-- you could almost name a new color after them :P
12.30.09 - 01:14 PM / 24ria1224 said:
What a gorgeous representation of the wonderful life you share with us all! Thank you. My favorite picture is the one of you and Marlo where she's wearing the red cap and you're smiling so beautifully. Thank you for making my life more interesting and creating your kick-ass blog. You rock my world.
12.30.09 - 01:14 PM / 25kristanhoffman said:
What a great year, Heather. Thank you so much for sharing it with all of us! (Also, a great song choice! Never heard it before but I love it.)
12.30.09 - 01:14 PM / 26X5455 said:
I cannot read SHINGLES! without making jazz hands... thank you for that. :D
12.30.09 - 01:17 PM / 27sybann said:
Beeeeaaauuuutiful! And I am glad your stoopid company was stoopid enough to give you a chance to REALLY soar. Maroons.
12.30.09 - 01:17 PM / 28BrotherItchy said:
I swore I would never comment on your blog since I am a dude and I think commenting here will violate some subsection of the Man Code. (Please make note of the capital letters there. The Man Code is THAT important.)
Anyway, I just wanted to say that you have a beautiful family. I have two daughters myself so I know where you have been and I know where you are going.
BTW, is it just me or does Marlo always look like she is getting ready to start something in every picture she is in? :)
12.30.09 - 01:19 PM / 29SusanCharmain said:
Thank YOU, Armstrongs. Happy New Year.
12.30.09 - 01:29 PM / 30