2008 Blessings

Steph read me some of her latest diary entries after reminding me that she, too, has a diary and actually still feels good keeping it old school with pen and paper. I was impressed with the content. She's a good little diary writer.

This is our entry last night, penned by the one and only, SSC...

3 hours until 2009. What a year it has been. Went down the street to our neighbor, Dustin & Morgan's house with the kids around 6 PM, we were back by 7:45 for jammies, snack and bottles. It is now 9 PM and we are in our jammies too, wondering 'what's for snack?'

Instead of resolutions, we want to reflect on this amazing year.

1. Once I was admitted (Jan. 26th), we truly undestood what a precious, fragile thing we were going through - carrying two precious baby boys in my belly. It also introduced a whole new appreciation for our mothers, Terri & Teddy. They were our rocks for the first 6 months of this year.
2. We have been blessed to watch our baby girl metamorph from our baby girl biscuit into a big girl big sister. She started school and has quickly blossomed.
3. Gracie discovering and also "living" The Wizard of Oz has been an unexpected dream come true for me. When she quotes scenes verbatim, it astonishes and delights me.
4. Our appreciation for good doctors is so big. Dr. Jan delivered two perfect boys. Wow!
5. What a surprise and joy it was for Terri and Michelle (Mike's mom and sister) to be with us as I progressed to 10 cm dilation and then being right outside the delivery room.
6. By the grace of God, I've been able to stay home with our children. This has provided stability and routine for not just the children, but Mike as well. I had no idea how necessary this would be for our collective sanity.
7. Mike changed jobs within his company and survived a round of layoffs. With this economy - this is an immense blessing.
8. Our country has collectively voted an individual full of ideals that have made us all believe in a change for the better. Barak Obama will be the first African American United States President.
9. We reconnected with Derek and Courtney Johnson after a couple years of life.
10. I've become closer with my sister than I have in 30 years. Life's funny that way.
11. Nick and Max were Christened on August 2nd.
12. Gracie has learned how to pray and insists on blessing the food "by herself" every night before dinner.

Good stuff. Good year.

We know 2009 will be tight, tumultuous and sometimes scary. The ever-slipping economy and my dad's ailing health are signs of that. But through prayer and the bonds of family and friends, we will make it through.