Every New Year’s Eve I sit and reflect about the year that just went by. And every single New Year’s Eve I always say, “I can’t believe the year is over! It flew by!”

I have a New Year’s Eve traditions that I’ve been doing since 2006… I sit and journal about what happened throughout the last year. I just love to look back and read about what was going on in my life and the goals that I had at that time. There’s something very fulfilling about looking back and knowing that some of my goals have come to pass.

2011 was a very good year for me, personally and professionally. I always look at 3 things… health, happiness and family. That’s it. Those are the 3 most important things to me.

2011…
I learned a lot.
I felt inspired a lot.
I met a lot of great (super amazing) people.
And I realized more and more what and where I want my life to go.

I saw my son William blossom into a “big” boy this past year. All of a sudden this kid can do a full lap of butterfly and read!
I saw my son Alexander blossom into a “big” boy, too this past year. He makes me belly-laugh, his sense of humor has just blossomed.
I saw my son Benjamin blossom BIG time. He’s not my “baby” anymore (which secretly kills me), he’s my beautiful boy who hugs and kisses me with every chance he gets.
I saw my son Henry turn into the “biggest” little brother ever. Does that make sense? LOL… Henry has just blossomed into a boy, he puts his own shoes on and dresses himself and loves to (finally) give me kisses.

But… I have always believed that it takes a village to do anything. Anything.

There are some very important people in my life that I want to thank for a wonderful 2011. People that make everything possible and people that are my driving force, the wind beneath my wings. So I wanted to thank these Very Important People to me as 2011 is winding down, thank you for ALL making everything possible.

My husband… Matthew.

He’s the reason everything is 100% possible. I cannot possible thank him enough. As a blogger, I work about 14 hours a day, and Matt keeps/holds everything together. Everything. He’s the best dad in the world, always putting our family and kids first… and just is the perfect puzzle piece to my life. He also believes in me and knows where I want to go and what I want to do, and wants to help me get there.

My parents… Sharon and Barry.

Believe me, I know it takes a village… and my parents, they’re are my village. I do what I do now because my parents always told us kids to do whatever would make us happy and fulfill us. I never knew what that was until I started blogging and entering the digital space. It was the light bulb moment for me. They’re support, they’re belief in me, they’re love of my own family, they’re time…. it’s all appreciated beyond words.

My sister and my brothers… Jane, Keith and Adam.

Jane was the reason I got on Twitter back in 2008. I had ZERO idea what I was doing, but she guided me through it. She also got me on Facebook and thought that starting a blog would be a good idea. Well… she was right. My sister is always there to make me laugh when I need a good belly-laugh or someone I can vent to… which I need to do once in awhile. And she’s always there to let me bounce ideas of off. And my brothers… I cannot even begin to tell you how much I love their encouragement and support. I love getting their texts, “I’m proud of you.” Means the world to me.

My business partner and her husband… Vera and Bill.

Well, if there were any 2 people to partner with, it was them. I love the line, “Who am I to tell Fate where it’s supposed to go?”… that was like what it was meeting these two. I never expected to meet a potential business partner at a blogging conference, but I’m SO glad I did. Vera and Bill have become like family to me… and I love knowing that we always have each others back and cannot wait for 2012!

My cousin… Jen.

We’ve started Rhody Mamas together this past 2011 and I am so excited to see it grow and grow! We’re having a blast with it and loving that we have created a community for Rhode Island moms to find some great deals and some very-cool things happening around Rhode Island.

My co-author… Colleen Padilla.

I got to see my name on a Harper Collins Business Book in 2011! It was an amazing thing to accomplish and see come to fruition. Most important, it’s been wonderful to hear that the book has helped bloggers… that was the main goal in writing it, and it’s been awesome to see it come true!

And so…

2012… I’m ready for you.

Lots of things to come… and I can’t wait to get GOING!