The Last Day of the Year

I can't even begin to describe how I felt this morning as my feet hit the floor. I started out 2008 with some people close to my heart hurting and now I'm ending 2008 with some people near and dear to my heart hurting. Sometimes all we can do is pray. There are so many things in life that we'll never understand.

There has been so much to happen this year that I cannot even begin to summarize it all. We ended 2007 praying for a job change for Jamie and probably not one in the ministry at all. Jamie had become disheartened with the position he was in at the other church, and just wanted to wash his hands of the whole thing.

Well, God had other plans.

2008 has also taught me so much. It has taught me that...

• I can be happy outside of Murray.
  
• Quality time is actually better and makes better memories than quantity.
  
• Kids are much more resilient and adaptable than adults.
  
• I really like living in town
• I can love a new youth group as much as the old.
  
• God provides even when you have doubts.
• God answers prayers in the way that He wants and not the way that you desire.
• There is nothing like seeing your own child come to Christ.
• Seeing people I love get married makes me bubble over with joy and become giddy like a school-girl.
• Some teenagers are stronger than some adults.
• That some prayers may go unanswered for now.

Home and So Sleepy!

Christmas Eve started with a wonderful service at church. I love Christmas eve! Even as an adult there is so much anticipation in the air that it just makes me bubble up inside. This was our first Christmas eve in the history of my life (or Jamie's) that we didn't see extended family. It was the first time since we moved here that I had felt a twinge of "homesickness", and I didn't like it! We debated on seeing a movie, but it was going to cost $40 and that is utterly ridiculous! So, we decided that if we were going to splurge on a night out, it had to be at a good restaurant. So, we ended up at the Olive Garden and the kids really enjoyed it. We came home to a couple of presents for the kids (from each other and from us) and watched a Christmas movie. All in all, when I went to bed that night, the homesickness had gone away and everything was fine.

We had a ball Christmas day, then headed to Murray about 5:00 that afternoon. We found out a couple of things to make next year's trip smoother. Fill up the car with gas before Christmas day and pack peanut butter sandwiches if you want to eat on the road! Wal-Mart was out of gas and the IGA was almost out of gas, but we finally got some. Then the kids started complaining about being hungry about an hour into the trip, but trying to find food was not an easy task. We finally found out that Hardee's was open until 8, but the one we chose only had 2 people working and a line around the building. What choice did we have, but to wait? These people were working on Christmas, for crying out loud.

So, we spent Friday and Saturday having Christmas celebrations and hanging out with family. We had alot of fun, but I'm very ready to snuggle in my own bed and I'm already looking forward to my Sunday afternoon nap. I'm really hoping that our music is extra peppy during church tomorrow or Jamie may have to poke me awake.

But, Christmas 2008 has come and gone. It was 4 days of celebration, too many toys, much laughter, and way too much food and stuffing our faces with junk. All is well though and every year I can hardly believe that another Christmas has past.

Merry Christmas!

New PJ's and slippers for Christmas Eve

Santa got Oreo Truffles this year

The loot before anyone touched it

Micah and Chloe's

Abbi and Hannah's

Micah playing Bakugan

Abbi giving Alexis a ride in her new scooter

Hannah playing her strawberry guitar

Chloe showing off her new doll, "Jenny"

Look What Hannah Did!

Hannah got a new puzzle in her gift exchange at school. She loves puzzles and is very patient with them. Well, she was insistent that no one help her with this one. She was determined to do it all by herself. It is the biggest puzzle she has ever attempted (300 pieces!). It took her several hours over the course of 2 days, but she finally got it finished and she was so proud of herself. She can really say, "I did it" this time.