2008 Year in Review

Another year has come and gone

and through it all we have been so deeply blessed.

Following Jen's lead from Our Daily Big Top,

I am joining The Roost for The Year's Top Ten Photo Party.

These photos best represent the moments, the emotions,

and our lives over this past year.

Family:

My life has been made fuller and more complete through the time that I have spent with family. 

When it all comes down to it, my greatest memories of this year are time spent together.

To love one another... what else is there, really?

Discovering Dave Ramsey:

Almost exactly one year ago, I became uncomfortable enough with the way Rob and I were living our lives and handling our finances, that I decided it was time for us to change. And change we have.

On February 1, 2009, we will be one full year into our journey toward greater financial peace and security than we have ever known.

I am definitely thankful that we woke up when we did and for the changes we have made and continue to make.

Trey:

What can I say? Our newly turned seven year old makes us laugh ALL the time.

While our most wildly unpredictable child, he has a natural comedic timing that adds so much to our family circle.

He also completed ALL 80 Headsprout episodes and is reading quite well.

Chris:

How I love this boy. A good student, he is a great saxophone player and this past year discovered a love of drama when he was in SchoolHouse Rock. Next month, he will take a co-starring turn as Gaston in Beauty and the Beast.

My family: my lifeblood, my reason for being and the greatest thing that has ever happened to me.

My brother and his lovely wife, Michelle, has their firstborn this November. 

Nathaniel has brought a new dimension to my brother's life...a dimension that makes him 

a man I love even more, every day. 

Michelle, thank you for loving my brother and thank you for the beautiful nephew you have given me.

A last time:

This is the last year I will see my two boys walking off to the school together. After this, my children will only intersect in school two years; once during Kate's senior year and once during Chris's senior year.

The first teenager of the family!  

Kate turned thirteen this year. This photo also tells the story of what this first year of teenagerhood has been like...not unlike having a toddler who pushes away but wants you nearby. Kate had asked several times over the year for a cell phone but upon receiving it, decided she wasn't ready for it yet. She has used it only a handful of times since May.

The best summer camp ever!

Our church hosted several camps in the new building this summer and one, called "Circus of the Kids," was just phenomenal. The kids spent hours, literally hours, practicing their act each day and at the end of the week, put on an amazing Circus show. We were so excited and proud, and so were they!

A new decade! 

Although I will not be turning 40 until 2009, I have had the pleasure of celebrating my friend Melissa's 40th birthday with her and wishing my friend Melanie congrats on her 40th birthdays. I am so lucky to have friends I love and trust. I hope to be celebrating birthdays 40 years from now!

A year of blessings to be sure. 

Thank you to my family and friends who have shared this year with me

and thank you to my readers for sharing in and being part of my life!