Crossing over into 2010

I have spent most of the last week thinking about the last year. I think most people do that at this time of the year. For the most part, it wasn't a horrible year, as with all years, it had it's highs and lows.

We saw the country's first black President be elected. No, we didn't vote for him. I won't get on my political platform now, but let's just say, after the first year in office, I wish the vote had gone a different way. We have felt the strains of the recession, and are very thankful that Bob has a job and steady paycheck. Still, times are "tight" and we continue to pray "everything" will get better.

Jacob and I tried our hand at homeschooling. Boy, if you aren't a stressed parent, you will be after homeschooling. I commend everyone who does it, and does it successfully. Due to my child's very stubborn ways, and behavioral changes, we decided to put him back in public school. One of the hardest decisions I have ever made. I still don't know if it was the right one. It's all in God's hands.

Jorja started school in 2009. You have never seen a happier child. She loves school, learning, and making new friends. She never ceases to have something good to say about school and what she is learning. She truly is a sponge! She is soaking it all up!

With 4 children in school, I sometimes have a hard time deciding what to do with my time. I did start my own business, making handbags from used clothing. It did pretty well, for an unadvertised business. I hope to spend some of my free time setting up a website and marketing my wares. The cell phone and purse charms are a hit too!

We hit the year mark of Bob's dad's passing. The family is slowly healing, but it has been hard. Papa is greatly missed. With that, Bob's mom moved back to Washington, as did his brother's family. We got to spend the holidays together for the first time in a couple of years, and that was nice.

We got to take our first vacation as a family, this summer. We traveled back to North Dakota for the Dietz family reunion! What fun! I have to admit, we were apprehensive sticking all 6 of us in a car, heading east, in the dead of summer... but we faired well. We left very early on the hottest day of the year, and missed the 107 degree day in Seattle. The further east we travelled, the cooler it got! I think the hottest it got was maybe 80! We lucked out. The trip on the way home was a much different story. In the end, great memories were made, we met family we never knew, and enjoyed ourselves immensely!

On a somber note, this year was filled with more news of more people finding out they have cancer, have lost their battle with cancer, or got the news they get to continue battling, or are once again battling cancer. I am so tired of hearing about more and more people effected by cancer. My heart is sick from being in such close proximity of cancer. My father has bladder cancer. He's been battling it for 3 plus years now. His battle is a no win battle. It's not curable. They are "managing" it for now, but his time is drawing near. I can hear it in his voice through the phone. I can hear him taking deep breaths of oxygen. He sounds so tired. And there is nothing that anyone can do, but make him comfortable. My prayers continue to be ones filled with pleading for peace and comfort. For minded fences and unconditional forgiveness for all family members. Life is just to short to walk with the burden of guilt and unforgiveness. Grudges are just to heavy to carry.

Many famous people passed away this year, along with many not so famous ones. My sister-in-law saw her father go to heaven just before Thanksgiving. He was a good man, and is missed in a mighty way.

As we cross over into the new year, I promised myself, as I always do, that I won't make resolutions. I feel they are promises waiting to be broken. But I did promise myself one thing, to be more present. More present in my surrounds. To be more present in my conversations. To be more present in my relationships. Just to have more open eyes and ears, to see and hear what is really going on, in and around me. I want to be sure I say what I really mean to say, and not let any opportunity to pass me by, and wish that I had stepped up, or out, or in.

May your 2010 be filled with peace and joy and unending love. May you laugh so hard, you forget your burdens, if only for a moment! May God shine His everlasting light on your life, and may you never be the same because of it!