Goodbye 2008, Hello 2009

2008 was an challenging, yet AMAZING year! Here are some of our top memories:

• Josh left for Iraq. This was not what we had hopped timing wise, but the journey was amazing and God did so much through our separation! Josh and I both look back in awe at what this experience taught us and did for our relationship both with each other and with God.
• Stephanie Jo came into this world.....AFTER THREE DAYS OF LABOR! We can't IMAGINE things without her! She is forever making us laugh, smile and say "wow, she sure has an opinion about life" She is SO my mini me....we are lovin EVERY MINUTE of it!
• Weddings, TONS of family in town, road trips.....we have been busy but had a blast!
• Josh came home and we had TWO MONTHS of non-stop family time. Everyone told us there would be an "adjustment period" when he got home....we are still waiting for it ;)
• We have done more home repairs in one month than I think my parents have had to do the entire time they have been in their house (heat (07...but still), ac unit, oven, microwave, washer, dryer, roof, shower, siding, bedroom carpet to name a few!
• We went "Green"....well started to anyways. We use cloth diapers (and wipes), no more paper towels (I think that's driving my family crazy when they are here!) we recycle (actually had to ask for an extra bin!), shop at second hand stores, use vinegar and baking soda to clean (some bleach), started buying organic or local produce and started composting (STARTED...I have a ways to go on that one!)
• "We" decided to live by a new rule: If there isn't room for it.....it goes to someone who needs it. Josh talked about this when we first got married (among MANY other things I'm finally realizing are a good idea)....I'm just now falling in love with it. If my clothes don't fit in my closet of dresser, they go. No more storage bins (except baby stuff, duh!) My aunt told me about it and I was like "Hey Josh, we should do this"....and he said, I told you that YEARS ago and you said no! Oh well, it's golden now that someone else said it, haha!
• I cook more....seriously! I make mashed potatoes, chicken, fish, veggies, yummy fresh rice (like the 99 cent bag), different soups and beans...lots of beans! They are like 50 cents a bag and that can last us 2-4 meals! Stick some sausage or buffalo meat in and it's a meal!
• Josh has been blessed with several STEADY overtime jobs which are helping us meet some pretty big goals.
• We are plugged into a homegroup and are building relationships that we have SO MISSED since we left Fellowship.
• God has done some AMAZING things in our lives in 2008! We were pushed beyond what we thought we could survive....and He gave us the strength to do more than survive! I pray we can be challenged and grow just as much in 2009.

Hello 2009. "New Years Resolutions" just doesn't sound right....and it almost dooms you from the get-go to fail (or so it seams). I do much better with "goals". So here they are....some family, some personal. Remind me often, hold me accountable and of course, encourage often :)

• Continue with our evening quiet time together. Josh bought us this AWESOME study Bible and it has been AMAZING for me to read the Word in this much detail....and I actually understand it :)
• Pray more with Stephanie. I want her to see how much God and Jesus are a part of our daily lives.
• Eat more fruits and veggies from the local farmers market. Sure, it's one more stop I have to make on Saturdays....but it's oh-so-yummy, cheap and supports our local growers.
• Only eat fast food twice (at most) a month.....you heard right! I LOVE it so much, but it's horrible for us, not something we want Stephanie to develop a habit for
• Get more physically fit. I have a wonderful jogging stroller Stephanie LOVES to go for walks in, we are getting a Wii fit and I now have a toddler to chase around....this shouldn't be a problem :)
• Notice I didn't say lose weight...no, my friends.....I want to GAIN weight in 2009. Prego weight that is! Josh and I would love to welcome our second little angel into this world this year.

There are a few more goals we have..but they are TOP SECRET kind of a "Secret Mission". Keep an eye out....we will reveal them in the upcoming months :) Much love to all! and may you have a joyous and blessed 2009!