I thought I would write a New Years eve post... reminiscing about the past and looking forward to what lies ahead. My family is here all snug around me with full tummies and happy hearts. We have had a fun-filled last day of '08... starting with swimming at the Y, shopping, HSM3 at the theater, and then pizza for dinner (YAY Micah for another Book It award!). We still have yet to play games all nite (Animal Crossing on the Wii, Trouble, and who knows what else?!?) and make ginormous ice cream sundaes. I love spending special days like this and I realize how often we are too busy to do so and thus one of my first goals of '09 will be to make more time for days like today. With that said... here are some of my highlights from '08.
Spring: Unfortunately, spring didn't kick off entirely well around here. It wasn't too deep into spring when we found out the my MIL had a mass that would need removed which then was diagnosed as stage 2 fallopian tube cancer and would need to undergo chemo treatment to ensure the cancer was eradicated from her body. It was a tough recovery at times but we helped all that we could. Chemo then lasted throughout the summer into the fall but thankfully, she did VERY well with it and the light is bright at the end of that tunnel.
We spent another beautiful Memorial day at Lakeside and enjoyed one another's company up at the Cottage. Abbey, Joy and I (my SIL's) repainted the kitchen and did various other odds and ends since Mom B wasn't able to be there with us.
It was a nice spring from what I can remember- LOL. Micah finished up preschool and said sad goodbyes to his teachers but looked forward to the next chapter in his life (kindergarten).
Summer: As usual, summer was crazy around here. We were gone 2 weeks in June, a week in July and a week in August. Maybe that doesn't seem to be much but it seemed we were always living out of suitcases. In between we tried to make fun day trips with the kids and even had our niece here for a week of fun.
Conference was in June which took us up to Lakeside for a week (I got to relax and visit with people while Tim sat through meetings), Camp at the end of June (another great week of growth and reflection), Mission trip in July was relaxing and a great experience for the group and then vacation was fun and a great time to catch up with my SIL's family as we only see her 2x a year. (Micah learned how to ride a two wheel bike during that week) During June I also found out the my Mom was diagnosed with Parkinson's which came as a total shock. I guess when it rains it pours sometimes- yes?
I also began a new job in July... perfect fit for our family. It sort of fell into my lap and I know that God's hand was upon that situation as it seems as though I have been at it forever.
Fall: Fall was almost as busy as summer in some regards... From our annual Labor Day trip to PA (I know, not technically fall but close enough), to our Atwood retreat... our life was busy.
There were so many monumentous things that occurred that it is hard to believe it wasn't all that long ago. To start with, Micah, my first baby, began Kindergarten. I don't know how this happened so quickly but alas it did. He is doing wonderfully... at the top of his class though still needing to learn to listen a bit better... Addison also had a big step... her first year of preschool. She is just blossoming... making new friends and learning new things all of the time. She LOVES her teachers (0ne of Micah's from last year moved to her class) and begs to be there everyday.
Fall was also an INSANE time with the photography business... I never thought it would take off like it did. Somedays I never thought I would see the end of proofs and sessions but alas I made it through and with it brought experience for the coming year.
In between all of that fun... I found out that we were (are) expecting our third child this coming May which was a slight but welcome surprise. Everything has went smoothly thus far and we are anxious to have him join our family.
We closed out fall with a trip to Pittsburgh for a youth leaders conference (kids were with Grandma/ Aunt Abbey) and our Atwood Retreat (youth). Both were great times for everyone involved.
Winter: Technically winter just began but it has already been wonderful. At the beg. of Dec. (Again, not really winter but it was cold...) we found out that our little baby will be a boy :) and will be named Silas Andrew. We attended numerous Christmas celebrations and have learned of SO many other families that will be welcoming new little ones into their lives next year.
Christmas was AMAZING... the kids were in total awe and from the letters from Santa until Christmas morning... I have enough memories to overflow a thousand boxes. My love for the kids and Tim grows deeper each day and I can't wait to start this new year with them at my side.
So... that is my year in a nutshell. I still can't believe that '08 is truly over but the headlines tell me differently. I pray for peace and stability in the world and that our family will be free of sickness and pain... we have had enough of that to last a lifetime.
I don't really make resolutions or such but I do have goals and those shall keep me busy enough. I def. want to make more time for the small things in life and not allow myself to get so overwhelmed that life whizzes by. This year will bring numerous changes and with that will mean patience and understanding but I pray that with God's help, we will come through even stronger than we entered the year. Bring on '09... and let it shine.
Spring: Unfortunately, spring didn't kick off entirely well around here. It wasn't too deep into spring when we found out the my MIL had a mass that would need removed which then was diagnosed as stage 2 fallopian tube cancer and would need to undergo chemo treatment to ensure the cancer was eradicated from her body. It was a tough recovery at times but we helped all that we could. Chemo then lasted throughout the summer into the fall but thankfully, she did VERY well with it and the light is bright at the end of that tunnel.
We spent another beautiful Memorial day at Lakeside and enjoyed one another's company up at the Cottage. Abbey, Joy and I (my SIL's) repainted the kitchen and did various other odds and ends since Mom B wasn't able to be there with us.
It was a nice spring from what I can remember- LOL. Micah finished up preschool and said sad goodbyes to his teachers but looked forward to the next chapter in his life (kindergarten).
Summer: As usual, summer was crazy around here. We were gone 2 weeks in June, a week in July and a week in August. Maybe that doesn't seem to be much but it seemed we were always living out of suitcases. In between we tried to make fun day trips with the kids and even had our niece here for a week of fun.
Conference was in June which took us up to Lakeside for a week (I got to relax and visit with people while Tim sat through meetings), Camp at the end of June (another great week of growth and reflection), Mission trip in July was relaxing and a great experience for the group and then vacation was fun and a great time to catch up with my SIL's family as we only see her 2x a year. (Micah learned how to ride a two wheel bike during that week) During June I also found out the my Mom was diagnosed with Parkinson's which came as a total shock. I guess when it rains it pours sometimes- yes?
I also began a new job in July... perfect fit for our family. It sort of fell into my lap and I know that God's hand was upon that situation as it seems as though I have been at it forever.
Fall: Fall was almost as busy as summer in some regards... From our annual Labor Day trip to PA (I know, not technically fall but close enough), to our Atwood retreat... our life was busy.
There were so many monumentous things that occurred that it is hard to believe it wasn't all that long ago. To start with, Micah, my first baby, began Kindergarten. I don't know how this happened so quickly but alas it did. He is doing wonderfully... at the top of his class though still needing to learn to listen a bit better... Addison also had a big step... her first year of preschool. She is just blossoming... making new friends and learning new things all of the time. She LOVES her teachers (0ne of Micah's from last year moved to her class) and begs to be there everyday.
Fall was also an INSANE time with the photography business... I never thought it would take off like it did. Somedays I never thought I would see the end of proofs and sessions but alas I made it through and with it brought experience for the coming year.
In between all of that fun... I found out that we were (are) expecting our third child this coming May which was a slight but welcome surprise. Everything has went smoothly thus far and we are anxious to have him join our family.
We closed out fall with a trip to Pittsburgh for a youth leaders conference (kids were with Grandma/ Aunt Abbey) and our Atwood Retreat (youth). Both were great times for everyone involved.
Winter: Technically winter just began but it has already been wonderful. At the beg. of Dec. (Again, not really winter but it was cold...) we found out that our little baby will be a boy :) and will be named Silas Andrew. We attended numerous Christmas celebrations and have learned of SO many other families that will be welcoming new little ones into their lives next year.
Christmas was AMAZING... the kids were in total awe and from the letters from Santa until Christmas morning... I have enough memories to overflow a thousand boxes. My love for the kids and Tim grows deeper each day and I can't wait to start this new year with them at my side.
So... that is my year in a nutshell. I still can't believe that '08 is truly over but the headlines tell me differently. I pray for peace and stability in the world and that our family will be free of sickness and pain... we have had enough of that to last a lifetime.
I don't really make resolutions or such but I do have goals and those shall keep me busy enough. I def. want to make more time for the small things in life and not allow myself to get so overwhelmed that life whizzes by. This year will bring numerous changes and with that will mean patience and understanding but I pray that with God's help, we will come through even stronger than we entered the year. Bring on '09... and let it shine.
