Welcome 2009!

A new year is upon us and I am so excited to see what it has in store for me, my family, and my friends.  I was reminiscing about 2008 and all that happened during that year.  It truly is amazing how much can happen in twelve months and even more amazing how quickly it seems to go by.  I thought I would try and remember the major events of 2008.  In no particular order, here it goes:

• Our beautiful baby girl was born! July 16, 2008
• My handsome little boy turned 2! November 29, 2008
• Cale learned to sit, crawl, EAT!, use sign language, cruise along furniture, walk with a push-toy, kiss, high-five, and so much more!  I'm so proud!
• I spent my last year in my early twenties.  2009 will officially mark a quarter century.  Yikes!
• All of my friends - Crystal, Julianne, Jenna, Marissa, Rachelle, and Sarah - either welcomed a new baby or found out they were expecting!  Congrats, I love all these little kiddos!
• Alex and I enjoyed a true vacation away from kids, albeit I was pregnant, in Cabo!
• Alex's little brother joined the Marines and graduated from boot camp.  So proud, Ben!
• My husband and I celebrated our 3-year wedding anniversary.  I love you, Alex!

There are probably several things I'm forgetting about but it's hard to remember a whole year!  I think overall 2008 was a terrific time in my life.  My family is alive and healthy, my kids make me smile every day, and my husband would go to the moon and back if I needed him to.  My mom and dad continue to thrive in the role as grandparents, my in-laws are basking in their empty nest, my sister continues to succeed at work and grow her family into something beautiful, and my friends have all been there for me in one way or another.  2008 was terrific, yes, but it wasn't always easy or enjoyable, and so I tip my hat to the people that held my hand and walked me through it.

I don't have any resolutions to announce for this new year, but I do have a few goals.  I'm not quite sure what the difference is between the two, but saying I have a goal sounds so much more achievable for some reason.  One of my goals is to be there for friends or family who need me.  I feel like I've been so "needy" ever since Cale was born and I'm ashamed that I haven't been able to give much back.  There's no doubt in my mind that I will probably continue to be needy this year, but I think I am finally in the right place to start being there for someone who needs me.  The role reversal will be quite refreshing, I'm sure.  Another goal I have is to be more consistent in letting my "yes" be yes and my "no" be no.  I feel like I get roped into a lot of things I'm not necessarily thrilled about doing because I have a hard time saying no.  On the other hand, I feel like 2008 marked a huge accomplishment in my life; I really believe I was fairly consistent in following through with doing things I said I was going to do.  Even though I improved on that last year, I really want to master it in 2009!  I guess a better way of putting that is I want to grow a backbone!  

I would say one of my goals is to become better organized but I just don't think that's going to happen. :)  With two little kids and several commitments during the week, it's amazing I even have the time to keep up with daily household chores.  Organization will maybe fall under my goals for 2010.  

All in all, I'm excited for this new year!  I'm excited to watch my kids grow even though seeing them grow makes me sad, I'm excited to spend a whole other year with my husband, and best of all I'm excited to see how I am going to grow.  God has been pretty creative in that department during the last several years and so we'll see what He has in store for me this year!

Here's to 2009!