2009 has got to be better than 2008...

For the first time in 13 years of marriage Jim and I went out on New Year's Eve. Nic spent the night with Grandma & Grandpa while Jim, Sophie and I went to a gathering at our friends' Bob & Jodi's house. It was so nice, several couples and some old friends to ring in the new year with. Many of the people there were former employees of AT&T, recently laid off in the autumn with very little notice. Knock wood, Jim is still employed and we haven't heard anything about layoffs. In such stressful circumstances for these people it was nice to spend time having fun, playing cranium and eating treats and goodies. Bob & Jodi are new friends to us, but awesome people and I'm glad to have gotten to know them. We had a blast laughing and trying to learn to play Euchre and just generally enjoying the evening together. For the first time in a long time I was awake at midnight and shared a New Year kiss with my sweetie.

So, 2009 has to be better than 2008. After seperating many times in the past couple of years I think Jim and I are on the right track and going to stick it out. If Jim and I can both stay employed for 2009 our financial situation should continue to improve. Nicolas is doing the best he can, but to see him gain and achieve new things this last year before high school would be wonderful - and I'd love to see Sophie grow in church and grow in herself as well.

The tree and decorations are down and put away, the kids go back to school tomorrow and hopefully life will just stay on the smooth path it is on now.

Happy New Year to everyone near and far - may your 2009 be better than your 2008 - whether 2008 was rough or wonderful!

No Excuses

I'm horrible at this. Apparently raising two very different kids, taking care of and loving my sweet hubby and cooking, cleaning, shopping and yes, working leave me very little time for keeping in touch.

I recently spoke to two friends of mine who moved away, far away, thousands of miles away. When they lived here I spoke with these women every day, cuddled their babies, laughed and cried with them and I hadn't spoken to them in over a year. The babies are in second grade and kindergarten and one friend has a baby I've never even met. How does this happen? How do we drift away from people who were once so very important? I still love these women, I miss them every day and I think of them all the time. But, I rarely pick up the phone, email or write - I wonder why? I hope to do better in the future letting the people who are important to me know it.

On another note, after 5 years of pretty consistent inactivity, Jim and I are back at church. It is a bit uncomfortable at times but familiar - like visiting your parents home as an adult. It is amazing to me how much, yet how little changes in the church. I'm glad to be back and I love the gospel, it will just take some time to get back in the groove.

I bring this up only because last night was our Ward Christmas dinner and Nativity. It was a good time with lots of people in attendance. The kids in the Nativity were darling; the food was good and of course the songs were beautiful. A nice evening.

Jim is sick. He has a horrible cold and he is trying hard not to complain but I can tell he is miserable... its rainy and wet here - (is it December or March?) and it was a great day to wrap presents and bake cookies.

Since I haven't posted all year, I'm putting up a slideshow with some pictures of the kids... another thing I'm hoping to get better at.