So long, farewell.....

This post is a little outdated, seeing as we are already three days into the new year! But still, I thought that 2009 deserved a little recap. It is always good to pause and reflect on the blessings of each year......

In January I went back to working part time after a gloriously long maternity leave. With tears in my eyes, I drove to my work (which is a job that I am tremendously blessed to have) and joined the ranks of workin' mamas. Praise the Lord it's just part time and that it affords me the luxury to do things that I enjoy like blogging! :)

In February I turned 28 and we celebrated Emersyn turning 6 months old. We also took a trip down south to Sacramento, CA to introduce Emersyn to some of my family members over President's Day weekend, so much fun!!

In March we said goodbye to our kitty Jack after she developed a blood clot. :( Grammy & Grandpa came to visit and Emersyn started eating solid foods and drinking from a sippy cup!

In April we had a lot of outdoor adventures! Emersyn and I planted our first hanging basket at Al's nursery. We took Emersyn to the Tulip Festival in Woodburn and got some great pictures, and we enjoyed the swings at the park as much as the weather allowed!

In May we celebrated 6 years of wedded bliss. We also said goodbye to our beloved doggie, Molly Brown, who had kidney failure. (Totally just re-read that post on when we put her down and cried like a baby again, who would have thought an animal could evoke such emotion?? Not me...) We celebrated our anniversary and Memorial Day by going to the Oregon Garden Resort; our first hotel stay with Emersyn!

In June Grammy came to visit again! We took Emersyn to Chuck E. Cheese for the first time! Emersyn started swimming lessons. We celebrated Brett's first Father's Day by going to "Famous Dave's" for the first time.

In July I was able to scrounge up just enough hair for Emersyn to have pig tails in honor of her first 4th of July! I was also hit by a car on the way home from work, sending the rest of my summer into a tail spin of chiropractor appointments and recovery time.

In August I was off work due to my accident. I enjoyed more of my summer bible study, "Me, Myself, & Lies" at a dear friends house. I learned some tough lessons about only needing the Lord's approval in my life, not the approval of others. I celebrated a sweet baby girl's very first birthday with many of our closest friends and some family too!

In September we were fortunate enough to take an amazing vacation to the island of Kauai. Joined Ladies Bible Study at church and enjoyed learning about Esther and how her life lessons can translate into my own life. Brett turned 29.

In October we started a book club for our Young Adult's group ladies. I have been blessed by the challenges issued by Frances Chan in his book, "Crazy Love". Emersyn was the cutest cowgirl you have ever seen and got a LOT of wear out of her costume. She wore it to visit her Great Grandparents in Albany, to Estella's first birthday party, and then to our church's harvest party!

In November Grandpa came to visit! Enjoyed Thanksgiving and was extra thankful for Emersyn's health and overall wonderfulness this past year.

In December we travelled to Minnesota for Christmas with my family. We celebrated our Lord's birth and were able to relax, enjoy the snow, and get caught up on LOST: Season 5!

I started the year with a baby and ended the year with a toddler. I started the year with a LOT of insecurities as a new mom and ended the year having been able to abandon most of those insecurities and have a renewed faith in my Lord. I started the year with many expectations and some disappointments but ended the year with re-defined expectations and a feeling of being content.

I can't wait to see all that 2010 has to bring. New Year's resolutions/thoughts to come later....... :)