Hello 2010

So I suppose I'm rather late in posting a new years post :) but I'm excited about 2010!

I have great hopes for it!

It's just the beginning of the second month of the new year. It's a whole, fresh start, and I love it! I'm attempting to read my Bible through this year, which will be a first for me.

My "goal" of sorts this year, is to "put God first" I've already failed at that more than once, but by God's grace, no matter how many times I fail and fall down, I WILL get up again, and keep going.

I have other hopes and goals for this year, but I'm hoping that by putting God first that the other things might just naturally fall into place more.

I feel fairly happy with the way my "goals" from 2009 worked out. I'm glad that I didn't fail at all of them, at least! :) lol. I did not make enough spiritual headway though, and I'm hoping this year will be different.

Today I'm feeling very encouraged, because for the last three days I've been getting up and staying up when James goes to work. I have a good chunk of time before the boys get up, and it's WONDERFUL! I have time to read, get my Bible reading in, shower, pray, make the bed - catch up on FB :) I think it really helps my days to be more productive.

So, WELCOME 2010! My hope is that this will be a year of drawing closer to my Savior, learning to stay close to Him day by day, walking in His strength and grace, REJOICING always, LOVING my family, and LETTING GO of things past.

Looking UP in 2010!

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!

2008 will be an eventful year...

...check out my new ticker! :)

Goodbye 2007....Hello 2008!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

How strange to see 2008 written up there in my title-and realize that is actually is 2008 now!

Here's Rachel, Jedidiah, me and James at the New Year's Eve concert ~ what a fun thing to do on the last day of the old year! and especially fun because afterwards James and I went over to the party for just a little bit! Before that, I got the joy of visiting with my brother, sister in law and adorable little niece!! Isn't she SO CUTE?! I think she looks very much like her Mama's side of the family - such a Vande Hei little face!! But of course there is some Beeman in her somewhere, I'm sure :)

Patrick of course was DELIGHTED to visit his cousin - and they even got to match!!!

(thanks, Auntie Em!)

"Ohhh Kayte.....do you see me over here?"

Yes indeed, these little cousins are TWO cute!

After the concert we headed towards home, to welcome in the new year with my parents, who had done the babysitting honors that evening. My mom had tons of WONDERFUL food prepared, and we all eagerly ate it up!

It was a VERY fun evening - complete with opening gifts together AFTER the new year had arrived! and lastly....welcoming the new year in proper fashion :) (well, welcoming the first couple minutes of the new year, anyways! at 12 I ran out and yelled "Happy New Year" to our apartment complex!! :) )