Dear 2012 Katrina,
This is 2011 Katrina...well, the last day of 2011 Katrina. The Katrina that has been through all of 2011....if that all makes sense.
First off, I'll answer 2010 Katrina's questions about what 2011 was like.
The first question was if I thought that this tradition was going to be awesome...and yeah. It is probably the best thing ever. I really love it so far and I can't imagine ever wanting to stop.
The CTR4 class was INCREDIBLE this year. I loved it so much. It started off a little rocky. We had 10 kids in the class that were showing up on a regular basis and even though we were able to maintain control most of the time, it was a little much for us when a new boy moved into our ward. They ended up splitting the class and immediately we were able to feel the benefit of one on one time with the children. A smaller class meant more time to get to know each of the kids in the class. Aaron and I had so many great moments with the class this year...even though I got bitten by one of the kids (not AT church which is good). I'm going to miss them being in my class so much. But Aaron and I are so excited for the new kids to come into our class.
Last year I wrote that this was the longest that I've ever had a calling...well it has been two years now...so it is officially the longest calling I've ever had by a TON. I've been so used to my life having a very fast turn over time. There is something so calming and reassuring about the consistency in my life right now but I do miss being on the move.
We have also LOVED being Webelos leaders. It was a blast this summer going on hikes with the scouts and going to day camp. They, seriously, made our summer awesome. We get to do so much stuff working on activity pins and I felt so proud at the Arrow of Light ceremony for one of our boys a couple months ago. I almost started to cry because I felt so happy that we were able to help this boy get his Arrow of Light.
2010 Katrina asked me if I like who I'm becoming. The answer is yes. Last year, I was in a pretty dark place by the end of the year. So much stuff had happened and I was so discouraged about not being able to have kids and the way other stuff went down. I was so sad most of the time and so serious. Last year I wrote about how I felt like I'd calmed down so much from the year before. I mean, I was feeling pretty beaten down by life.
This year, I'm proud to say that I've been looking at my life with greater optimism. I'm going to be a mom someday. I know that. I have so much to do with my life. I don't have to become completely obsessed with this one part of my life. I'm a strong and capable woman. I fixed our roof. I ripped out nails and laid down shingles. I started working again. I'm working at a preschool and I love it so much. I made homemade presents for people this year. I've grown spiritually and I feel closer to God. I've gotten healthier. I don't feel nearly as "calm" as I did at the end of 2010. I feel alive again and happy all the time. I'm very proud of who I am becoming and I'm glad that 2010 Katrina asked me that.
My last question to myself was what my travel wish-list for 2012 is going to be.
Thailand is my DREAM destination. I'm not going to lie, I've been pretty home sick the past year and I want to show Aaron where I grew up. We are going to Ohio for another wedding! I'm really excited about that! Other than that, we don't really have any other travel plans at the moment. I would love to do a couple small trips here and there throughout the year. Maybe to Jackson Hole, Wyoming. We will have to see.
In other news about 2011:
- Geoffrey and Clarise totally got married. WHAT?!?! YES! Last year in my letter I wrote that he was coming home soon and I hoped that "they can pick up where they left off and live happily ever after" and guess what? After a couple hiccups, they totally hopped on that and I couldn't be happier for them.
- Aaron and I redid the roof and the garden in the backyard. We got rid of the railroad ties in the backyard and I'm so happy about it. The garden was LAME this year but whatever...it looked way cuter than last year. The roof almost killed us but it makes me proud every time that I look at it. Seriously, Aaron and I against mother nature, fighting to save our home. Such a great bonding experience. Plus, our appreciation for our friends up here grew so much.
- Bambi and Pippen are doing great. Bambi is learning so much and actually got her CGC (Canine Good Citizen) this year! I never think about getting rid of her anymore which is a total blessing. I love both my dogs so much and Aaron and I have so much fun with them that I can hardly stand it. Training, the dog park, and hikes are some of the things we like to do together, not to mention the snuggles we get to enjoy from them. I'm so glad that we have them in our family!
- I still love photography. I've been doing a lot more work for people lately and it has been great. I love giving my talents to the church to use. I use my talents all the time for the Primary. I got the opportunity to take pictures at the Halloween party and the Christmas party. After a year and a half of taking pictures, I'm still in love. We did a couple fun shoots with friends where they dressed up and we played around. And I got to take pictures at Clarise and Geoff's wedding.
- Aaron got to meet family in California this year! I'm so happy that I got to show him off. He is such a kind and wonderful man and it is perfect when other people can see that too.
- We went to Mexico and had an amazing time! I still can't believe all the stuff that we got to learn and lay on the beautiful beaches.
- We recently returned from our trip to Houston, TX. Aaron got to meet more of my relatives from Louisiana and I hadn't seen them in a really long time so it was great. Luckily Clarise was getting married in Houston so we saved on tickets! Kind of a slower summer of travel than last year but still good.
Goals for 2012:
- Actually look at this list from time to time so that you remember what you are suppose to be working on.
- Epic garden next year (This years garden was lame. Raspberries, cherry tomatoes, wild green beans...end of list LAME!) There better be an herb garden...it will help with the Paleo diet!
- Read the whole Book of Mormon with Aaron and the New Testament by yourself.
- Go to a new state with Aaron...like Wyoming.
- Go to the temple at least once a month.
- "They are doing the best they can."- Live by this and say it to yourself every time you want to judge somebody.
- Stay on a Paleo diet...hopefully you will get pregnant (but getting pregnant is out of your hands and so that part is not a goal).
Questions for 2012 Katrina:
Did the world end? Just curious...How long did you stay on the Paleo diet? I hope well into a pregnancy but again...that is all in God's hands. Did you get to travel more than you expected? Do you have more friends in Ogden? Were you able to take some couple retreat trips with Clarise and Geoff? Are Bambi and Pippen the best dogs ever now? Are you still hopelessly in love with Aaron? Why is he such a wonderful guy and so hot at the same time? It makes it so hard to get stuff done.
A year is such a long time but it seems to fly by. Embrace every day this year. The more you enjoy it, the faster it goes by and so I must have really loved 2011. 2012 will probably go by just as quickly.
Katrina, you are loved. You are stronger than you think. No matter what 2012 throws at you, you can take it. We have proved you in days that are passed. Good luck with school and work and your personal life.
Don't forget to write to me next year! This is one of the best personal traditions!
See you on the flip side!
2011 Katrina Reinert
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