Tracy's Favorites of 2011

I find myself every year saying "I can't believe how fast this year has gone by".  I really don't know if it's because I'm older now or what, but each year goes by faster than the one before.  This year in particular definitely flew by!  I always enjoy looking back on the year and reflecting on all that had happened, and all that I have learned.  It's no secret that this has been a very hard year for me, so in a way I'm not too sad to say goodbye to 2011.  But as I look back, I can't help but give thanks to the Lord for all that He has done.  I am especially grateful for my husband.  Our first full year of marriage and it was pretty amazing!  I can't praise the Lord enough for answering a specific prayer and bringing Justin and I together.  Now here are some of my other favorites of 2011:

Favorite Movie of 2011: Courageous

Justin and I both loved this movie.  Justin is very strict with the movies he watches and likes watching movies with good values, which is hard to come by these days.  I really respect this about him.  Christian movies have gotten a pretty bad rap with the acting and low budget, but I would have to say I didn't notice either one of those in this movie. I thought the acting was great and the movie was very well made.  Or maybe the story is so good that you just don't notice it at all.  If you haven't seen the movie, go rent it or buy it when it comes out.  It's funny, sad (have the tissues ready), and has a great story.  You won't be disappointed! 

Favorite Book of 2011:
This was really hard to pick a favorite since I've read many good books this year, though not as many as I have wanted.  I also started a few books that I just couldn't finish. Out of all the books I read, I think the one I learned the most from was:

I wrote a blog post about this a few months ago so I won't go into more detail.  To learn more about the book, you can go here to my previous post. 

Favorite Album of 2011:

I really can't say enough about this album. I.Love.It.  It's the Passion Album titled Here for You.  If you don't have it on your itunes already, get it!  I love every song on it and have it playing while I work out all the time.  That leads me to my next favorite:

Favorite Song of 2011:

My favorite song is of course on the album Here for You.  It's called Always.  I had this song on repeat the morning of my 1st miscarriage and the morning I went in to have my D&C procedure.  The song was repeating in my head the entire day.  Here are some of the lyrics:

Trouble surrounds me
Chaos abounding
My soul will rest in You
I will not fear the war
I will not fear the storm
My help is on the way
My help is on the way

Oh, my God
He will not delay
My refuge and strength always
I will not fear
His promise is true
My God will come through always
Always
I lift my eyes up
My help comes from the Lord

Favorite Work Out Video of 2011:

I love this workout video.  I have 2 of her other videos that are also really good but are 45 minutes long.  I love this 30 day shred because the workouts are just 20 minutes and are perfect for a busy day.  I try to workout 4 to 5 days a week and when I don't have time, I just pop this video in and it definitely counts as my work out!  I also like it because it combines cardio, strength and abs so you are doing it all in 20 minutes.  And yes, you are sweating when you're finished.  And that leads me to my next favorite:

Favorite TV Show of 2011 (my guilty pleasure):

I actually just got into this show this year and dragged Justin down with me.  He loves it now too :)  I don't know why we like it so much but it's really the only show we keep up with now especially since Justin is busy with school.  It's definitely inspiring and I get attached to the people on there.  The producers also do a good job of adding the drama to it.  It starts up again on Tuesday and we can't wait! 

Favorite Famous Wedding of 2011:

Ever since planning my own wedding, I've been a little obsessed with watching wedding shows (I love Say Yes to the Dress and any type of wedding shows, it's ridiculous).  I just get so happy for others planning their weddings and think it is so fun.  I even think it would be fun to work at a bridal salon or be a wedding planner one day!  Okay, I digress.  I tried hard to not get all wrapped into the Royal Wedding, but I just couldn't help it.  The wedding was on a Friday morning airing at 4am.  Since Justin and I both had that Friday off, I decided to record it and watch it when I wake up.  Well, I just so happened to wake up around 4:30 and couldn't resist.  I crawled quietly out of bed, made some coffee and snuggled on the coach and watched the whole thing.  Justin woke up around 6:30 wondering where I was and ended up watching it with me!  What a good husband :) 

Favorite Article I read in 2011:

I love reading blogs and great articles online.  Sometimes I can spend a little too much time doing it :)  After my 1st miscarriage, I found myself surfing the web about miscarriages as it encouraged me to hear other women's stories.  I stumbled upon this article: Suffering a miscarriage in Silence
This article was my inspiration for wanting to write about my miscarriages on my blog.  I never would have thought about it before reading this.  I was heartbroken at the thought of so many women suffering in silence and not having the freedom to talk about their loss.  I also realized that I had no idea how deep the pain was until I suffered it myself.  I am so thankful the Lord led me to talk openly about it and pray that it will be an encouragement to women who face this pain in the future.

Favorite Getaway of 2011:

Bed and Breakfast in the Hill Country!!

Justin & I stayed at Biscuit Hill in Canyon Lake for our 1 year anniversary and loved it.  It was our first B&B and we really loved being outdoors and having a relaxing weekend together.  Justin was a little skeptical about going to a B&B ("what will we do??") but he even says how much he loved it!  If you're looking for a place to getaway, I highly recommend this place:  Biscuit Hill B&B

Favorite Milestone of 2011:

And last, but not least....our Favorite Milestone of 2011 is...drum roll please....

We bought a house!!  It's being built as we speak and we are scheduled to close around the beginning of February!  More details on the house coming soon!

Hope you all enjoy your last day of 2011...Happy New Year!