What did 2009 mean to you?

I have already posted "2009 in pictures" but now I am working on another tribute to 2009. I officially have finished my 2009 scrapbook, but I have one page left over. I pondered what to do with the extra page during a relaxing bubble bath and decided it would be nice if I wrote a little something about 2009, what it meant to me and it's milestones and then something about what I am looking forward to in 2010. Don't you think it will be nice to look at this scrapbook 10, 15 or 20 years down the road and read my personal thoughts? Maybe I am the only sappy person out there...I have been working on it off and on for a week or so and here is what it is looking like:

2009 was a year of many, many changes-some for the good and some for the bad. First off, it was one more year without Grandpa, not that it is getting any easier. There are so many days that I just feel like I need him, because he is the only one who would care about my whining and crying something and understand me. He was great about that! It saddens me to know that he was not able to meet Stephen, who I truly believe is my better half.

Meeting Stephen this year was incredible. I will never forget waiting in the "cell lot" at Jacksonville International Airport at midnight waiting for him flight to land. I remember praying the entire time, that our hearts would be in the right places and open to God's will for our lives whether it be beginning a 900 mile relationship or just being able to say I know someone who lives in Mexico, Indiana. Turns out it was something serious, and following our meeting in January we have flown every month of the year to be together at some point. We have made so many memories in multiple states during the first year of our relationship and I couldn't be happier about that. Thank you Serena for introducing us :)

Just when life seemed all too perfect, it started raining (as it always does). In July I was laid off from my then 3 year job that I had grown to LOVE. After weeks of looking for jobs and getting a couple of interviews, I landed a break at my current job with Dr. Gielincki. Had I ever worked in a medical environment? No, but now it is just another thing to add to my resume. Though some days I really do not care for the job, I know that I am blessed to have a job in this tough economy. Obama says it is getting better...we'll see.

God has challenged me and blessed me in 2009 with so many things. I can only pray and look forward to 2010 with an open heart!

hello impulse purchse :)

So, last weekend I bought something BIG. I went out to dinner with my parents and afterwards we went to hhgregg for them to look at televisions. Key word: THEM. Once we were there I found myself wandering and asking questions about the televisions...so I removed myself from the environment and situation. Hunter and I went next door to the department store and started shopping. After buying some shirts and scarfs we went back to hhgreg and who ended up making a purchase anyways? ME!

Here my TV and entertainment center before:

And after:

My parents had given me this entertainment center as a Christmas gift. Luckily we got a really good deal on it on Black Friday and then Dad put the finishing stain on it for me :) Thanks Mom & Dad, it looks great!

On another note: The past few weeks have been really busy! Working two jobs really kills your social life if you did not know! There is light at the end of my tunnel though, because Stephen will be here Friday evening for the weekend. We have plans to go to St. Augustine and eat at my favorite restaurant. Stephen has never been there but I am sure he will love it too!

(my parents did also buy a new TV, and home theater system...it was a very productive shopping trip!)

comments

I have re-enabled (is that a word? Well, I just made it one) comments on my blog. I had to discontinue them a while back because I kept getting lots of spam comments from people I did not know, but comments have been flooding my email the past few weeks so I decided to give this whole comment thing another try :) So, that means I need you to leave them! Enjoy reading my blog and hope you have a great Sunday with family and friends!

2009 in pictures...

Started 2009 off in Lynchburg, Virginia with great friends and some awesome Christian concerts!


Met Stephen for the first time at the Jacksonville airport after he flew to Florida to spend the weekend with me. This is the start of something great :)


Stephen went to Nigeria for a month, so I trained and ran my first race ever, a 10k mudrun to benefit MS.


Enjoyed girl time and weekend trips back and forth from Charleston, South Carolina. Oh, this driveway is the house where "The Notebook" was filmed :)


Steve came back from Nigeria and could not get to Florida soon enough. He finally made it though, and I was so happy!


My first trip to Indiana...along with many other firsts. Guess what? I love Indiana!


After getting laid off in July, many many interviews are scheduled...this is after 3 in one day!


My baby cousin Savannah Rae is born on my birthday, what a blessing!


Summer vacation starts off with a week in Alabama with Steve's family, and LOTS of yummy food!


Steve goes to Disney and meets Mickey Mouse for the first time!


Vacation with my family, camping in Fort Wilderness...our favorite campground!


I'm able to keep the biggest secret of my life thus far and surprise Stephen for his birthday...I showed up at his birthday dinner!


...Spent several days in Indiana and was able to go to Cedar Point in Ohio with Stephen, Greg and Robin. It was a great day!


Decided to test the waters in photography and take some semi-professional shots of friends and family...turned out pretty good!


Blessed to see fall colors for the first time ever...loving Indiana even more now!


Carved a pumpkin in Florida with Stephen...it was the first time he had carved one! We were also watching the Gators play LSU :)


Ended 2009 in Indiana with Stephen and a good midnight kiss with snow falling :)

weather?

Well, my pipes froze Friday night...now I can't say that it has never happened to me.

The weather in Florida the past week has been totally crazy, and there is another cold front coming! I landed in Jacksonville last Saturday from Indianapolis and expected warm, humid weather...but it was 30 degrees! On top of that, it has not warmed up too much! Saturday night I was jumping on a trampoline in 28 degree Florida weather. We had to go inside every so often to warm up! Wow! This weather is so not the usual for us, but I am loving the cold weather in Florida...I hope it sticks around for a few more days :)

The weather man just confirmed that I get my wish; it is going to stay cold for at least another week!

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year from Indiana! Can you tell I was excited and overjoyed to be with Stephen and enjoy a New Year's kiss this year? I think the picture speaks for itself!


(note: it was snowing when this picture was taken, but you can't tell)

Sledding...

...is not for whimps!

While in Indiana I really wanted to go sledding and there was enough snow, so guess who went? That's right, Stephen and I went sledding. We bundled up and went to a church in Mexico, Indiana to a big hill where everyone goes sledding. I was really excited and looking forward to it, but "maybe I am a snow ball throwin', snow angel making, snowman building kinda girl"...It looked like so much fun but scary too! After watching Stephen go a few times and riding down with him a few times I finally went on my own! The fact that Stephen said we were not leaving until I went had a little to do with it ;) It was so much fun and a great experience!

Thanks for taking me sledding and making me actually do it too, you are the best Steve!

Indiana Day one :)

Day one in Indiana was so much fun as it always is! I got excited as soon as I could see the ground as the plane was landing just because I saw more white than green...I was a happy girl! Not only was I happy about the snow, but also about the fact that Stephen was inside the airport waiting on me :) I cannot express to you how much I enjoy any time spent with him...aghh...God is good!

The next day was a day full of family, food and snow! I had so much fun getting bundled up and going outside with Emma and Ainsley (Stephen's nieces). We would go outside for an hour or so at a time and then have to come back in to warm up. Ains and Emma liked it when Stephen pulled them on the sled through the yard...I just liked sitting in the powdery snow...'twas heavenlike.

Here are some pictures:








Goodness, I love the snow!

Adventures in...

...St. Augustine

The day before I left for Indiana we had a fun girls day in St. Augustine that started out at the outlet malls...which is almost always productive! We spent hours shopping and then headed into the city to see all the Christmas lights in the historic area. We took a horse and carriage ride through downtown to see all the lights. It was a cold night, which made it that much better! I think everyone really enjoyed the evening especially Marta (from Brazil) and Froujke (from The Netherlands). It is up pretty high on my list of best days ever...it was great! Here are some pictures:

Christmas Day in Florida

Let's start out with the weather: 70's and raining...typical Florida Christmas!

Christmas morning has been the same for as long as I have been alive and even before that. I am not sure when the tradition started, but it sure has stuck! We get up and open presents at our individual houses and then everyone meets at Grandma's around 10 for breakfast and more presents. It is always crazy with 20+ people attending and the family keeps growing!

Savannah was precious as always...she is such a good baby! She got more presents than any 4 month old would know what to do with! Santa was very good to her...so was Grandma ;)
This is a shot of the "adult" room while they are opening presents. Watch out if you are walking while presents are being opened because you will probably get decked in the head by a flying gift wrap ball!
Will was into Christmas this year and wanted to help everyone open their presents. When I asked him what Santa brought him, he looked down shyly and said he had been a bad boy this year. Turns out he got a 4wheeler...and I thought bad kids got coal?

Hope your family has great Christmas memories and traditions that carry on!