Another year coming to a close. It is hard to believe. Is it just me or has every single month in this year flown by? I know it always feels like "time flies" but this year for me really went by like a blur. It seems like just yesterday...
January- *I brought in the year at a New Year's Eve service held at the church. I really cannot think of a better way of starting the new year than starting it off by worshipping our God and asking Him to bless the new year. *I celebrated my 21st birthday. I guess you could say it most likely wasn't the typical 21 year old celebration. I worked and then afterwards my parents surprised me with cake and wine. I went all out and had half of a dixie cup! HAHA! I wasn't a huge fan. Needless to say, it was not a wild and crazy day but it was very enjoyable...I think I ended up having 3 different cakes between friends throwing me a party, work, and my parents buying me one. You can never have too much! I wish I could just stay 21. It's been a good year.*I started leading Sunday School or "Coffee Groups" for the youth group. It was an amazing opportunity to step up a notch and be more involved with the church...I love it.February- My family was very excited for our new nephew/grandson to be born! He was due middle of February and was born the 26th. That was the highlight of that month. And what a blessing he is! It's amazing thinking how quickly this (almost) year has gone by for him. From being a little baby who was just passed around and stared at by all, to the stage where he started smiling at everyone, to eventually being able to flip over on his back/tummy, to crawling and now to almost walking....time needs to SLOW DOWN! I love every minute I spend with that bundle of joy...he is such a good kid!!!
March-Only 9 days after Damian's birth, another baby was born! My cousins Shannon and Jon welcomed another baby girl, Alyse Abigail Bradley. It was fun watching the similarities and differences she had with her big sister Adelyn. They are both sweetie pies and have a way of melting your heart. Alyse is a joy to be around...I think all she does is smile! It was has been fun having both Damian and Alyse together. What a blessing to have two babies enter the world around the same time. :)
April- All I really recall with April is SNOW! Yes, that's right. Snow. Not the typical April weather!!! 3 out of the 4 weekends were BLIZZARDS. Not just a couple inches, but a downfall. It was rather nice having work be cancelled some of the days because of the bad weather. :) Also it was very interesting going to what was supposed to be a SPRING wedding in late April and having to wear your winter coat, gloves, hat, and scarves and having to skate your way to the church and reception. I felt bad for the couple who was getting married but they didn't seem to mind. What good sports!May-May was a time of remembrance for our family. We couldn't believe how quickly a year had gone by (do you see a theme here?) since my grandpa had passed away. And ironically enough, the anniversary of his death was on Memorial Day...that was quite fitting. By that time the weather was a tad nicer and we were able to bring flowers to his and other relatives grave.
June- The grad parties began. I traveled to WI to watch a good friend graduate and attended her grad party which was conveniently the next day. :) Later on that month I traveled with New Life Church in Sparta, WI to the Desperation Conference held in Kalamazoo, MI. It was a first for a few things. A first to travel to MI and a first to attend one of those conferences. AMAZING!!! Is only one of the adjectives I can think of to describe it. What an awesome time to get away and really focus on who God is and what He wants for our lives. Desperation is quite the fitting title as I and many others left there desperate for MORE! God is good.
July-I remember July for the extremely hot days. So warm that I actually caved and went swimming. It was just a typical summer month...relaxing. *Camping trip with a few friends....it was an adventure trying to get up a tent with two of us gals...our nice neighbors came over to help us out, haha!!
August-Wisconsinites came to visit! Tons of people came over for a bonfire and some outside games, which was a BLAST! End of August I went to the American Idols Live Tour in Minneapolis with some friends. It worked out well because it fell on the Sunday of Labor Day weekend meaning I didn't have to ask for Monday off! Good times. I'm excited for the next season which is starting in less than one month! yahoo! I needed something to fulfill my tv fix since my favorite show 7th Heaven stopped playing new episodes...i'm not one to watch a lot of tv so it's nice to have one show to look forward to throughout the week. :o)September-Hmmmm. Thinking...Thinking...Next,
October- Minnesota Youth Convention in Rochester with the youth group...always a good time!
November-
My first time being able to vote for president!! An honor, I'd say!
*Thanksgiving....it was a FULL HOUSE with relatives visiting. It was a lot of fun. Shannon and Bonnie were brave enough to hit the early morning Black Friday sales, the rest of us slept in and went later morning. :) We still got some really good deals! I was able to buy a guitar for cheap. Now I just need to keep practicing and teaching myself and I'll be a professional in no time...ha!
December-
*A dear neighbor who meant a lot to our family passed away. It was an unexpected death so that always makes the whole situation even harder than it already is. He and his wife were always such a blessing to this family...He will be greatly missed.
*Christmas was realxing and very laid back this year. It was spent with just my immediate family which was very treasurable and memorable since it isn't very often we get together anymore.
And that about sums up my year off the top of my memory. I am certain that I am missing some details, but that should do it for now.
For 2009 I am anticipating...
- The birth of yet another nephew in mid January!
-All that God has in store! Hopefully some changes which will be mentioned in another blog in the near future.
I pray that every person reading this has a year full of blessings in 2009!!!
Stay tuned for 2009's summary...it will go by all too quickly. :)
HAPPY New Year!!
