Christmas Memories

Reflecting on 2008....

This year has gone by so quickly for us, just like so many others in the past. I spent so much of this last year waiting for the next big moment. It started with me wishing for the end of the school year. Let's just say I had somewhat of a "handful" for a class last year. Each day was a struggle. Once school was out, Mark and I were laid off again, and I was just anxious to be finished with my master's degree in July. Once I finally finished my degree, I was only weeks away from giving birth to Liam. Liam was born, we got our positions back, and life has now brought us to this moment.
We're not sure if Liam will be our last child or not (although with all of his issues he is really trying hard to gain that last spot in our family), but I have realized from watching Julian grow that this time is so short. I'm making 2009 my year to slow down, relax, enjoy my friends and family, and stop wishing for time to go by just so that I can reach the next milestone. I really need to look at all the good things in my life! So this is my year to finally just be me and not define myself by the next "thing" that I am working on. It's time to really start living.

Merry Christmas!

Thanksgiving everyday!

In the past year so much has happened in our lives: I'm back to work full time from part time, paying out the whazoo for daycare (I could probably afford 2 or 3 vacation homes for this price), finishing my master's degree (finished 21 credits in a year), Mark went back to school and is gone more, I've been battling fibromyalgia, Julian is two (need I say more), we had to replace the air conditioner, furnace, all outter doors and storm doors, repairs to the car, we got our landscaping finished and patio poured, and Liam has colic and acid reflux (so much screaming and puke everywhere)! Needless to say, it's been a rough go at times.
I've realized over the past few weeks that I need to change my thinking and appreciate all the goodness and blessing that God has brought into my life. Thanksgiving should not just be practiced one day a year, but everyday. I know we've all recieved email forwards that remind us of this, but I'm making it part of my daily routine. How can I not when all we hear are stories of our nieghbors, friends, and family loosing their homes and jobs. I've come to see that I'm fortunate to have a job, I thank God everytime I pay a bill (because I can), I'm fortunate that my kids have the best care in the world (they did take care of me after all), I was given the opprotunity to get a master's degree, Mark was able to get most of his master's degree paid for by a grant, I could have a disease that is much worse than fibromyalgia, and I have the two most beautiful boys in the world! And even though it can be difficult dealing with Liam's colic and reflux, I'm fortunate to know that I don't have to hesitate taking him to the doctors because I don't have insurance.
So on Thanksgiving this year, I enjoyed a day to sleep in, enjoyed wonderful cooking with our family, and really became thankful for everything in my life!