2008 in Review

It's amazing how much faster the years go by the older one gets. 2008 was nearly a complete blur. It has been full of ups and downs just like all the years before it. I recall 2008 being a rather "funky" year though. Here, let's take a look....................

We rang in 2008 at home. It was me and Jimmy, David and Hannah and Michael and Nicole. We all smooched in the new year, just like "they" say you should. Jimmy and I are the only couple still, well, a couple.

February, David and Hanna broke up. Sure, you say, "that's what kids do". But this wasn't just any break up. It's not like they had only been dating a little while. No, David and Hannah had been dating for 4 years. It was a very difficult time for everyone. Difficult for them as they started new lives without each other. And even difficult for the rest of us. Hannah had become part of our family. After 4 years, you kind of get attached to someone. But we all recovered and moved on with life. We all grew.

Don't know exactly which month the economy started going completely insane and the gas prices went off the charts, but I just know that for what seemed like an eternity, we all suffered with $4 a gallon gas. Ridiculous!!! We trusted the Lord to sustain us.......and He has. We grew.

In June, I got a $3 an hour raise! Yeah! WooHoo! It felt GREAT to be so appreciated. I gave Him all the praise and glory!!! I grew.

In July, my oldest baby, David, had a milestone birthday. 20 years old! He is growing into a fine Christian man. He grew. (and continues growing!)

In August, I dove in a little deeper doing the Lord's work. I love my church and my church family. But more so, I love the Lord. I love Him with all my heart, mind, and strength. He sustains me. It was in this month that I started teaching Sunday school to 2nd graders. They are still at that age where they are like little sponges. They take in all we fill them with. It is so encouraging to ask them questions about the prior week and they have retained these gems of information about their Lord and Savior. It fills my heart! I grew. (am growing!) I also started leading 3rd through 6th graders in our AWANA program on Wednesday nights. A whole different group of girls, but they are delightful and so much fun. I have been so blessed by them. I grew. (am growing!)

In September, my youngest baby, Michael, had a milestone birthday. 16 years old! And driving! Look out! With new freedoms.......he grew. (my prayer life increased even more! I grew!)(am growing still!)

In October, I was laid off! Ouch! Talk about a SHOCK! Well, I guess I really shouldn't have been that shocked. They had already laid off 12 in our Tallahassee office. I was the first to go in our Marianna office. I didn't fret though. I knew the Lord was in control of it all. We grew.

In November, Michael and Nicole broke up. They had been "dating" for 2 years. Again, it was strange not seeing them together. You rarely saw one without the other. Losing that "first love" is really a hard one. It's painful to watch your child suffer. But, with prayer and lots of love from family, Michael grew.

In November, after 5 weeks of searching, I finally found a part-time job. I don't feel like it is the end all/be all job, but I have no doubt that the Lord put me in it to share Him with others. Every day I encourage people I encounter and invite them to church. I offer to pray for them and their needs. I am growing.

December found us with a pocket full of pennies being pinched so hard their scream was deafening. But, we have been sustained! We are growing. We have put all our faith and trust in the Lord and He has provided EVERYTHING we need. We have not gotten behind on our bills, we have had plenty to eat (if you don't believe it, just look at me! ha!), and we even had a plenty for Christmas. It was not the lavish Christmas that many have, but it was just right. Instead of lots of junk and electronics, we kept it simple. A few new articles of clothing and "needed" items. We had a nice dinner together and spent quality time together with family and friends. And you know, I think this is the best Christmas we've had in some time. We grew. Also this month, Jimmy passed his Contractor's test! God's blessings have been evident throughout this month. His provisions are glorious! We grew.

Here it is, the very last day of December 2008. As I reflect on the ups and downs of the past year, I count my blessings. 2008 was chock full of them. The movement of the Lord is so evident as I look back. Our growth as individuals and as a family is remarkable.

Thank you, Lord for all the blessings you've given each and every one of us. Please help us to seek You first and in all things. Help us to be thankful for all things as Your will unfolds before us. I pray that you would keep us all safe and healthy in 2009. Please help us to share You with all those who don't know you. Lord, please bless all those who are fighting illness, loss of jobs, loss of loved ones, those who are lonely and those who don't know You as their personal Savior. Lord, I offer these prayers of thanksgiving and these petitions up to You. And it is in Your Holy and Precious Name I pray, Amen.

And may the new year be filled with blessings at every turn! Happy 2009!

Building anticipation.......

I am SO excited! On Friday around 5:00 am we will be hitting the open road! ROAD TRIP!!!
My nephew is getting married in Kentucky. No one in my immediate family has ever been to Kentucky, so we are all very excited about this new adventure. I will have my camera charged up and raring to go! I will return with LOTS of photos to share with the three of you who read my blog. I know, oh, JOY and rapture! hahaha!

I plan on driving the first leg of the trip. I understand that it's pretty much a straight shot through Alabama. I plan on driving the first 300 miles to be exact. No need to take any pictures going through Alabama. We've all been there, seen that.

And the weather is supposed to give us some SNOW!!!! on Friday night and possibly Saturday morning. The wedding is at 2:00 pm.

I promise to deliver lots of great photos upon my return. Check back here to see our road trip and the wedding and reception pictures.

Adios!

PS - Tomorrow, between laundry and packing for the trip, I do plan to blog and interject about 2008, if anyone is interested in my ramblings!

Anything but dressing and ham!!!

Well, last night we had our last "official" Christmas dinner. Ham, dressing, giblet gravy, cranberry sauce, collard greens, fried okra, crescent rolls, pecan pie.............the works. OK, it's "official" alright........I am SICK of this type of food. Bleckh!

When I got home from work tonight I fixed me a grape tomato, cucumber and celery salad with balsamic vinaigrette and a bowl of green grapes and a celery stalk with peanut butter for dessert! Ah.......... light and refreshing! I feel MUCH better now.

I've been thinking about how "bad" I have been since my "relapse" at Thanksgiving, you know, the one where you give in to the "holiday" and just, well...........GO FOR IT! I know, that's so wrong and not good. I know that gluttony is a sin. And yet, I went there...........again. Yes, I am ashamed. Surprisingly enough, from Thanksgiving through Christmas and all the feasts in between, I only gained about 6 pounds. I need to lose 50, mind you, but I was rather relieved to only be 6 more pounds to the positive.

I have decided that there is no time like the present and I am choosing to not wait until my new year's resolution list on January 1st to kick this new lifestyle off. Today is a perfect day. Today is the first day of the rest of my life. I've started.......................Today!

So, for all of you out there reading this who know exactly where I'm coming from as I sit here trying to pump myself full of enthusiasm, I just want to say....................Thanks for always loving me just the way I am! I love you all back SO much! But, today (anyway!) I am choosing to, well, just do a little better.

Here's to the new year that I pray will be full of blessings for us all!

Christmas 2008

Merry Christmas
2008

Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse. The stockings were hung from the bookcase with care (well, I don't HAVE a chimney!) in the hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there..................

Poor Santa didn't get any of my homemade goodies. What I didn't deliver to family and friends got gobbled up before the big day! Fig Newtons were a quick substitute. Obviously not his favorite. He left one and some. hahaha!

That afternoon we celebrated Christmas some more at the home of some friends of ours. Their children and our children are the same ages and have grown up together. It's unbelievable to see how they have all grown. Our oldest children are now 20! She is married with one child (this adorable baby you see in the next few photos) and David, finishing his sophomore year at Chipola, with a girlfriend.

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!

David & Haley (Set 4)

Here's another set for critiquing. Let the comments fly.

David & Haley (Set 3)

OK, here's the next set. Let me know what ya'll think. I encourage constructive criticism. I want to get good at this, so fire away!

And, thanks, J, for the good feed back. I appreciate it.

David & Haley (Set 2)

Here's another round of shots. Leave a comment. Let me know what you think. Give me some pointers. Constructive criticism welcome. I'm new to this and will gladly take some pointers. Especially from my highly talented "photographer" friends. Come on, you know who you are!!