2008 Highlights

Some of the things that happened in out family in 2008.
Logan potty trained, turned 5 years old, started kindergarten, threw first pitch at Bay Bears game, played tball with BayBears, learned to ride bike without training wheels, learning to read, learning to add and subtract, grew at least one foot,

Izzy started potty training, learned to spell and write her name, turned 3 years old, learned to ride her bike with training wheels, starting to articulate, expressing individuality in style of dress.

Doug has continually improved his department, bought a boat for family (and fishing), improving our relationship, took test for promotion, learning how to fish, created a beautiful yard (the envy of many of our neighbors),

I started the year looking for a job, finding out, in January, that I was pregnant, offered and accepted new job on campus with Continuing Medical Education, lost USAMC hospital family, gained some weight / lost baby at 4 months (worst experience of my life and one that I will never forget) I will always blame myself for this lost and not working out more or eating better, went to Pittsburgh with Team Alabama for Transplant Olympic games, lost support group, gained a lot of weight, started new job, lost some weight, gained weight back, organized 2nd Annual Knobbley Knee Race benefiting Team Alabama, started cooking lessons, lost 6year old boxer Shelby, found out that Doug's dad was diagnosed with lung and pancreatic cancer, organized Inaugural Halloween Hayride in neighborhood, organized inaugural Santa visit to neighborhood, started liking new job, spending more time with Logan and Izzy, becoming closer with Doug, letting go of volunteering, ticked off some people with an article in the Knobbley Gazette (although it was factual), asked to organize PR for church Women's Conference (disappointed that I haven't worked harder on this, but will do better now), did not use credit cards all year.....until December 22, but am planning on paying those off within month. Hopefully I will not use credit cards at all this coming year, including Christmas. Paid off several credit cards, learning to live within my means.

I will not be discouraged by this year's events but will know that everything can be used to the good of God and I will do my best to find peace in the new year.
My resolutions: More time with family, lose 30+ pounds (will be working with a wonderful friend to stay on track), exercise more (like I used to do), do not use credit cards again this year, take family on vacation, go on vacation with Doug to keep flame burning, Will learn to cook, will try to learn how to sew, have laundry folded each week, organize Knobbley Knee earlier creating more awareness.

2008 Was Supposed to be Great

I can't say 2008 was great but it wasn't bad either. All the bad stuff that happened, the good outweights. This is a rough time for our family right now. With the many transitions in our life, my changing jobs, changing careers, changing location, Logan starting school, Shelby having died last month, the pregnancy, massive weight gain and then the mischarriage I had this year and then Doug's dad is dying. He is a wonderful man, more like a father to me than my own. It hurts to see him suffering. With all that and much more it seems that 2008 is shaping up to be pretty bad; however, I have to see the big picture. God has a plan....it would be nice if he would share, but he doesn't. I konw the only thing I can leave this year with is knowing that I have done his will, that my children are perfect 3 and 5 year olds, that my marriage is stronger than it has ever been and that my faith in God has not been shaken.