It's almost a new year already???

I am in disbelief that Christmas is past, the New Year is quickly approaching. This year has been like a wonderful gift. Truly, there have been so many gifts and lessons, we are all well adjusted and enjoying ourselves amongst the chaos. We are now raising children, enjoying unit traditions that give them memories to last their lifetime, actually all of our lifetimes.
Just a calendar glimpse of our blessings and lessons:
Starting off the 2008 year, January, in adopting Slater from a rescue, turned out to be the best decision ever. Slater is a perfect addition to our family. He is everything a family would ever want. He's full of love and calmly gives us all the love he has.
In February Jon was #1 sales rep and won the company trip to Bermuda for the 2nd year in a row. March; Lulu turned 4! Wow that was crazy. She's absolutely a really awesome child, I'm loving age 4!
March 29th I ran my first 5k, in Gastonia, and that was the very beginning of my running adventure. April; I spent the first week, our Spring Break, in bed the entire week with the flu. Then a few weeks later I turned 36. On to May! Hayden completed the toddler program with an amazing teacher, Ms. Wendy at the UMCApex. What a lovely experience for both of us. Jack Henry and I completed our year of Homeschooling. We both agreed that homeschooling was the best ever! He is a very bright boy and it made me feel like he was more prepared for kindergarten than i had originally thought.
June, Jon and I went on the cruise to Bermuda! What a fantastic trip. I cannot even wait to go back to those beaches and small gorgeous towns again. I just took as many pictures that I could, but still just not enough time on the island. The people there were so sweet and kind. Nobody pushed their "sales" $$ on us, like plenty of other places we have visited in the past. The children stayed with Auntie Nif, Uncle Joe, AJ, Chloe and Troy, and had a grand ol' time. Not sure I could speak for Nif, but she's AMAZING!
July was Hayden's 3rd birthday spent with plenty of friends from the neighborhood and from our "crowd" of close friends whom we share each birthday with. July was also spent at the pool almost every day. Jack Henry was on the swim team this year and we had a long summer, so the pool was where you could find us, each day, every day, all day.... We went through tubes of sunscreen.
Late August, Jon got a job offer. It came out of nowhere. He asked around before making a switch. Still ranked #1 in his current position, it wasn't a leap to make lightly, this was a leap off a cliff and the only thing to do is fly! So...after confirmation, he switched companies. He started over, in a field he is very familiar with. It was amazing to see this all transform. He works so hard and commits himself in each relationship. This is one of those very proud moments. I am so very proud of him making a decision that in the long run will benefit his family.
We call it Godly, that this position, in this company, in this territory came about and his name was the one called to take it. Truly, it's a blessing. I pray it continues to be a just that and that Jon continues to prove himself in the company as he has in the past.
September Jack Henry turned 6! Oh I could not believe we hit the 6 year mark! I remember wearing him around in a Bjorn. I remember the late nights, the continued smile since he was just 2 weeks old. It's so hard to believe that 6years have flown. I now have a son who is full of sensitivity and positiveness. He is the leader of his siblings, trail blazing, only taking direction and cue from me and Jon as we see the other follow his lead. It's truly astonishing how the birth order works, especially in sibling-peers.
October, Jon turned 36, finally caught up! xoxo We rarely saw Jon during October, the calendar was booked, it was fun and work was a focus for us both. It was a crazy month! Ran my first 10 miler, did okay, on the American Tobacco Trail.
November, aah, November, I competed in my first half Marathon in OBX. It was the most perfect weekend with four families sharing a beach house. We all thoroughly enjoyed each other's company. My favorite part was running with, alongside my very close friends. Not sure how to express that feeling of completely 13.1 miles and running across the finish with your "sister-friends", it was really special. Then unexpectedly Brendan and wife Jess faced an emergency, Jess went into precclampsia and had to deliver Olivia way early. So little bitty Olivia Marie born Nov. 20th at 32 weeks at 2 lbs 11 oz. TOO cute! Although home, she's being quarantined until the winter bugs and anything airborne can not get her. We are staying far away until then, three kids someone might be carrying something. We cannot wait to meet her!!!
Thanksgiving was also just about perfect. We were invited to the Asta's house and boy did we have fun! It was relaxing and special and each one of us enjoyed eating the great turkey dinner.
December was all about getting ready for Christmas, the lights, the decorations, the annual children's cookie party, then Christmas itself. We kept it simple and reflected on this year. We counted each of our blessings by the light of the tree. We toasted with our neighbors on Christmas day at brunch. This year we couldn't ask for anything more. Even through the economic crash, the "making ends meet", the foreclosure rise, the turmoil, we have seen this first hand, and know that as Americans we must get redirected and re prioritize family values, what really matters should be our relationships not our "stuff".
There is FAITH above all else. Above anything is faith, family, friends, and love. Let's make 2009 one that helps others continually. HELPING is our 2009 mantra. For those who want it, we are there. For those who don't know they need help, we'll still be right there.
Happy and Healthy New Year!