Wednesday, December 9, 2009

The One With The Year End Review

I know I am getting a little ahead of myself, so I apologize. I am just not sure I will get time to do this if I don't do it now.

I can't believe it's December, and only 2 weeks away from Christmas! I have been shocked at how fast this year has flown by, and how much has happened.

We have had quite the year in 2009!
Here's what happened to us...

January - February
The waiting game . . .
We were engaged, but just waiting to hear back from the first presidency. This was kind of a stressful time... at least for me! I hated being engaged, but having no idea when we'd be able to get married. By this time I had already planned at least 2 weddings, both of their dates had come and gone.

February 24 -
The moment we had all been waiting for.
It was pure bliss when we both received our letters from the First Presidency saying that we had the grand OKAY. We scheduled the temple for exactly one month from that day, barely enough time to plan. And the race was on....

March 7 -
The next step!
I moved into our tiny little one bedroom basement apartment. It was so nice to know that our big day was finally coming!

March 24 -
Our wedding day!
We were the first couple sealed in the draper temple. After the ceremony & pictures, we all went bowling, and then had an intimate luncheon at The Olive Garden. Both, of which (bowling & Olive Garden) were what Rick & I did on our first date, back in 2007.
We then spent a week in Vegas for our Honeymoon. Little did I know, Rick had a lot of surprises for me. He booked our hotel at the Paris & took me to see the Blue Man Group. Both of which, I had always wanted to do.

June 23 -
SURPRISE!!
The day after my 23rd birthday, we found out we were expecting our first baby! We took the pregnancy test 3 times just to be sure!

July 29 -
Tender moments...
We were able to hear the baby's heart beat for the first time, and see her on an ultrasound. She was a tiny little peanut. :)

July 31 -
Me? A Landlord?
We closed on our condo! We decided to still buy the condo, even though it was only 1 bedroom, since we got such a great deal on it from my boss, and decided to rent it out. We didn't want to have to move an extra time or two before the baby was born.

August (ish)
Whistle While You Work!
Rick found a second job that worked perfectly into his schedule with his full-time job. Ever since, he has worked 11 + hour work days. He also started his masters program right around this time. What an amazing, hard working husband!

September 8 -
Not so sweet surprise...
I got laid off of my job... bitter sweet. It was a good job, and paid alright, but it has been good to be with new people.

September 17 -
Blessings!!
I was offered a new job. I didn't even have to interview for this one, they called me out of the blue. They knew I was pregnant and I was very grateful that I was able to find a new job so quickly, even though I took a decent pay cut.

October 5 -
'Bout time!!
We found out we were expecting a tall, wiggly baby GIRL! Of course, I was so excited to start buying cute dresses and accessories, and Rick's search for a pink football was on.

November 6 -
The next step again!
We moved into a 2 bedroom apartment. It has carpet in the front room (our last place had tile...) and we were in control of the thermostat!! It has also been fun to have a room for Paige, just another step along the way!

December -
Money!!
Rick put us on a fairly strict budget (thankfully he's great with money!) and as of this month, we are debt free on our credit cards! I'm so proud of us, that was a big thing to tackle, and we even finished 2 months before our goal. Now, that's something to celebrate!


As I looked over my calendar from the past year, I noticed some other memories / highlights of the year:

  • I've been through several new hair styles, thanks to my great mother-in-law!
  • I was able to go to both of the new temple open houses.
  • I've taken lots more pictures this year "professionally", than possibly in my whole life up until that point combined. I even started a website (which I should update some more this week).
  • We went on a family trip with my family to Manilla / Flaming George.
  • I had fun playing & watching Rick play basketball for a rec league and badminton in his mom's back yard.
  • My family has been blessed to overcome some sicknesses, hospitalizations, surgeries & even cancer.
  • I was able to make it to the temple a little bit more this year than I normally make it.
  • Rick and I have been able to spend lots of time with our families, despite his very busy schedule.
  • I have been able to grow closer to the Lord this year, and have had quite a few special experiences & testimony builders.

It has been one of the biggest years of my life so far... if not the biggest yet. (I know... just wait until next year!!)

But we have really been blessed, not only with fun events happening to us, but with great family and friends to be there to support us and experience our exciting news with us!

We look forward to another fun filled year next year!

2 comments:

The Pumpkin said...

Sounds like life is pretty good :)

mailnat said...

I found out I was pregnant with Mel the day after my birthday too! How weird.