Goodbye 2008

I can hardly believe the year is nearly over. Indeed, just a little over one hour left of 2008! I know everyone says it every year, but this really has seemed to be the fastest year yet! I can so vividly remember December 31st, 2007 - and the days following it.

Last year on this day so much was different! We were still in the apartment, Patrick still used a pacifier, and I was pregnant with our 3rd baby (would have been our 2nd child) but didn't know it yet. I'd find out on Jan. 5th.

This year, I sit in our little brown house, just a few days shy of 40 weeks pregnant with our 4th/2nd child. Patrick has grown by leaps and bounds, and not just in the area of giving up the pacifier! He has made a huge jump from "baby" to "boy"with the biggest change being his talking. He has entered into a whole 'nother realm in this area, and it is so fun.

This year seemed to be full of lots of little things - little things that took up a lot of my time, yet AT the time seemed to go by so slowly....but look where they have led! Another whole year gone by. We are all another year older, and hopefully a little wiser, too :)

Along with all those little things in my daily life, some BIG things happened in our "together" life (meaning, they happened more to James, but I AM a part of it, of course! :) )

We moved for one thing, Patrick's allergy situation is improving lots, we got a second car, we are about to have another BABY!, James switched jobs, James got to play the Biber w/ Dallas Bach (and got a GREAT review from a difficult reviewer!) and today, my dear, sweet, hard-working hubby past his CISCO test. He is now a CCNA! What a way to send out the old year. He studied SO much for this. It's a VERY hard test to pass, and I am SO proud of him - and grateful to God.

A few nights ago, amidst his mad studying, James took me out on a little before baby final fling :) Well, maybe not a fling, but a very nice date to Olive Garden :) It was a very sweet time together. Talking about the past and the present and the future.

It's amazing to think back to where we have been, and to see where we are now. God has brought us through so much - and I know we have a very full year of new things ahead of us, namely with adding little Nicolas to our family of three!...and it's going to be a wonderful year!
James asked me then what my goals for 2009 were. It seems like I had more that I said then, but after all, it's almost midnight, and this is all I can remember -and it surely seems like enough, anyways!

Figure out how to raise two children

Lose some weight

Relationship with God

So, goodbye 2008. You were a good year. A special year for me and my two boys. I look forward to adding to the happiness this year with a third little guy around the house in 2009!

Happy New Year, and God Bless!

20 good things.

1) I'm almost done with this pregnancy. Soon I'll have a new BABY!
2) Patrick's food situation has improved GREATLY since February of this year. (only 10 months - less than a year!)
3) James is almost done reading his CISCO book.
4) I was able to get some nice things for my boys for Christmas, and it's not even Christmas eve yet, lol :)
5) We have all that we need as far as needs, and even a lot into the "wants" too.
6) I have a car. no more day after day stuck at home, needing trips to medical appointments etc. etc.
7) Hot showers. I love, love, love, LOVE them.
8) Ice cream. maybe not so good for me, but a good thing, still :)
9) SALVATION. I am saved from eternal hell - which is what I deserve.
10) James' DBS checks. Making the last few weeks of pregnancy (ie not wanting to cook) and Chrsitmas shopping possible :)
11) Love. I have so much love in my life. I am loved and I love.
12) Family. We live close to both sets of parents. They love us and support us, and are a blessing to us.
13) Freedom.
14) God's Word. Encouragement, Conviction and so much more - a guidebook for life, right at my very fingertips.
15) Photographs. I love pictures.
16) Nicolas. I am so happy to have another little baby and son coming! I can't wait to hold him in my arms.
17) Fans. very helpful to pregnant women who get hot at night!
18) Patrick being so sweet and good about me needing to sleep more. He plays so nicely while I sleep!
19) Christmas coming!
20) James' days off coming up this week!

Happy 3rd Birthday To My Firstborn Son

Today was Patrick's last day to be two. Tomorrow morning at 1:58 am he will turn three years old. I can hardly believe he has been alive for three years!!! I am sad to see him leave behind age two. Three seems so much bigger! But I love him at his current "stage" so I guess that means he'll continue to be tons of fun, no matter what age he is. It is hard to see him leaving his babyhood behind though. Probably to some it would seem he left it behind long ago, but not so much to me. In some ways, yes, but it others, no. He has been the only child or baby I could hold for these three years. He has been the only one. It has been a time I treasure in my heart, and always will. He has been the one and only delight of our days and lives, and my one and only little companion throughout each day. When we go places during the week, it has been just he and I. On the weekends, just the three of us. It has been a special gift, this time. That time is drawing to a close. I am ready to "baby" someone - and my little Patrick is ready to be released from having to be the baby. There will still be times (after all, he's only THREE!) where he will need and want to be cuddled and held and babied. But he is a boy. and he is three. I want to give him what he needs, and I want to release him as he needs to be released, from my "apron strings". How my heart loves that little boy!

Today we had a family party for Patrick. It has been such a fun time shopping for it with Patrick. It's the first year he gets it, and is excited about it. Together we picked out the theme, together we shopped, together we read our lists as we walked through Wal-Mart getting things "for your birthday" that made his eyes light up and his little voice squeal with delight. For weeks he has looked at the items, and wished to open them. Today was finally that day! Watching him throughout it all has been priceless. I loved making a special day for him. We had only food/drinks that he could eat, and we had his special "banana/blueberry" frozen fruit as the "cake". This all meant that he could go and grab anything he wanted off the table to eat. It was all "OK" for him. That's something he doesn't usually get to experience, and he really seemed to enjoy it.

He was so excited about it all. The food, the "hee" the streamers, the "burfday hats" and blowers.....what a special day.

Patrick is a sweet, sweet boy. He seems to have a caring and compassionate heart. He is affectionate, too. There's nothing like the feeling of his little arms around our necks, or his head resting our our shoulders. He knows his mind, too. He is "strong-willed" in some ways, yet so passive in others. I wish for him that his strong will can be used for the Lord, and will help him to stand strong for what he believes is right. I hope that he will continue to view others with affection and compassion, and that he will understand when other's are not kind to him, and chose to forgive them and love them anyways. I hope above all else that Patrick will come to know the Lord, that his heart will be soft towards Him, and that he will desire to do what is right because that is what God wants.

I know he is only Three. yet at the same time...HE IS THREE! I wish that he could be my baby forever. I love you so, little P Pat Pat. Thank you for the joy that you have brought to my life, and for the changes you have made. Three years ago I was a different person. You have showed me many things, and I love you more than I can say, and more than you may ever know.

Happy THIRD Birthday, Patrick!!!