2011 #1 - month by month

WOW. I can't believe this year is already OVER! I can still remember with all five senses this time last year. I mean wow. I'm amazed at how fast this year went by. I could say 'wow' a few more times, but I'll spare you.

I did 4 end-of-year posts last year [changes/month by month/top 10 moments/recap], and I'm not really sure how many I'll do this year. I'm thinking 3 or 4.

Here's a month by month recap of 2011--the best and worst of each month:

January

• that evil book project for comp & research that kept me feeling stressed for weeks until it's over. it feels so good to talk about it now that it's over! muahaha.
• I got my restricted license! I was SO worried about it, but I passed the driver's test and I'm so glad I did, because this year would've been a lot different if I wouldn't have been able to drive myself places!
• ah yes, this was the month of what I called Christmas Break Part Deux--when it snowed one night and we were out for a week. it was GREAT. I loved it and barked at all the kids who were complaining about being home.
• oh. the month where I found out some bad news that made me hate a state (even more than I already did) and be sad a lot.
• the month where I wrote one of my favorite songs "Out of My Hands" where I did the best job I've ever done of expressing my feelings in a song.
• this was also when we played Jeopardy in youth and when the sound booth became my second home!

February 

• this was the month when I started leading the 5th-6th grade ministry praise band, which ironically doesn't have any 5th or 6th graders in it. but it's really fun, although frustrating when the sound system decides to somehow mess up every time we play.
• apparently I went to winter jam in february! I remember it vaguely. I loved getting to see david crowder band live.
• one of the coolest nights ever happened in february--during worship in youth God showed me just a glimpse of how amazing His love is and I was crying like a baby. it was amazing.

March

• my birthday! it was simple, as usual, but it was really awesome because one of my favorite families in the world surprised me by coming to my family get-together. it was so special.
• I participated in the Tomorrow Song project. it ended up being another of my favorite songs I've written.
• the Forget You chemistry project! (you can watch here)

April (apparently a jam-packed month)

• ugh I'll never forget that one video I watched that made me wanna puke.
• the sophomore sleepover! it was really fun, and I hope we do a junior sleepover.
• ooh the week I named Freak Week was in april. I remember walking into Ms. K's class for study hall on that Tuesday and she was like "Lee, are you ok?" I lied and said yeah, but I was about to lose it. it was just a stressful week, but obviously it was all ok eventually!
• oh and I got my braces off this month--BIG deal haha
• this was the month the youth moved from the small room back to the big room. I was very upset about this because I loved the small room and how it brought us all together. I got over it, but I still have hopes of going back in there :)
• this was also the month I finally started playing in the youth band! I'm so glad I did. I love it.
• and last, but not least, this was the first time our school praise band played at my church. it went amazing, and no one messed up except me when I started playing the 4th song instead of the 3rd. it was bad. and I hate thinking about it, so I'll stop.

May

• I believe this was the month of the royal wedding? I don't know. I watched some of it, but I don't understand all the hype.
• Just a side note, just looking at my journal from May, I was so in tune with the Lord. I need to get back on that.
• The first time I ever witnessed a wedding proposal in person. it was SO sweet. the sweetest thing I've ever seen.

June

• ooh this month was a roller coaster, I do recall.
• the first "the dwelling" service!
• our night of worship in the youth
• when I got my mac!!!
• when I started my first babysitting job that lasted all summer

July

• when I started the handful of sporadic voice lessons I've taken
• included a few sad days I remember well
• the first time I led a worship song!

August

• refuge beach retreat!
• probably the most awful thing that's ever happened to me, a fire ant attack that made my foot swell up for like 3 days
• cross country camp where I ran the most and hardest of my life
• when I had a Job moment with God haha, something I'm not likely to forget
• when I got a tumblr for a little while
• the beginning of a new season that ended up being very healthy

September

• highschool retreat!!! best one yet in my opinion! (I'll elaborate on it in my next post)
• the first time I watched the Notebook. I used to make fun of girls who went on and on about it, but it really is freaking sad.
• PR'd in cross country and won a race!
• the first time I led a song at school (see you at the pole)

October

• when I regrettably started playing words with friends
• the annual halloween party!
• when I got hit in the face really hard with a stick! I'll probably never forget that.
• when I started using spotify!

November

• that really fun shopping day with alex and kaitlyn!
• when I joined the "big" worship team at my church--soooo awesome, I love it!
• when our combination school and church band played at that random baptist church, such a fun time.

December

• the worship team christmas parties! fun times.
• our youth christmas party
• our church christmas production
• the end of a season and beginning of another short one
• our trailer park christmas party for the kids!
• well tomorrow will be the first time I played bass on stage...I'm excited for that!

Yep, so this year was quite eventful! Next post will be top 10 moments of the year, which will be difficult.