Welcome 2009!

Welcome to a new year! How's it been so far? Well I worked the first days of the New Year, no surprise there. However, I do have a stretch of four days off now, so that is quite nice.

Christmas was wonderful! The family was together again, at last. There were tons of laughs, love, and hugs to go around...just the way I like it. Although, this surely was our last Christmas, and full family gathering in this house. The sadness of this, however, did not weigh down on our holiday cheer. Especially when we exchanged gifts. Because there are seven adults in the family, we draw names to buy for. This year, my dad decided it would be a grand idea to put a theme for the gifts: toys. This was the most exciting gift exchange yet, and to top it all off, we actually played with our toys. Our toys included, Cranium, remote controlled backhoe, and dump truck, Nerf guns, magnetic light-brights, more games, and more fun! It was so much fun to feel like kids again. We just sat there all night, and played with our games, and toys.

My sister looks adorable pregnant, and pregnant she is....very much so. I felt the baby move for the first time---how magical that was---to know there is this little life inside. What a reward it is to bare a child. Not to mention, Mike has a new glow about him too. The glow of a soon-to-be father! I'm truly happy for them both.

Christmas, is a time of great joy, and sometimes a time of true sadness. Christmas Eve is a hard time to lose a grand-parent, then the aftermath of planning a funeral can easily dampen your holiday spirit. You're a trooper Darryl! May God bless this new year, and a new perspective on life.

2008 ended graciously, and with great family memories, and 2009 has started the same way.

I wish you all the best for the New Year!!