The end of 2009

Just an hour to go and 2009 is gone forever. I am always in awe of how quickly time is moving. I vividly remember being younger and time moving oh so slow. My pregnancy and Benjamin growing, by far, have been the fastest things to me. It feels like only yesterday I was nursing him, feeling nauseous, and crying because I was going to have a baby and he was still such a baby. While he is still such a baby, it's not like it was 8 months ago. He is walking everywhere, being a total boy, and an amazing communicator. I am so grateful for all three. Aubrey will be here at the beginning of 2010. A great way to start the new year for sure. There are many, many things I want to remember about 2009. One, being, God's never ENDING faithfulness to me and my family. He has sustained me in a miraculous way throughout this year. He has richly blessed us with a precious closeness as a family and I am forever grateful.

A few 2009 highlights, with more thoughts to follow in the coming week:

*Restoration of my parents marriage (by far one of my biggest answered prayers... thank you again Jesus!)
*Birth of my sister's baby, my niece, Cailynn
*Benjamin's many teeth and Avery and Abby's many losses. Poor Abby had to have her big tooth removal surgery this year. She did pretty well. I do remember her throwing up for several hours that day from the nitrous oxide. But no infection and easy healing.
*Benjamin's surgery to have tubes placed in his ears. Only 3 ear infections followed that surgery and none since then!!
*Our fabulous, incredible, awesome, fantastic marriage conference we attended where we made our marriage a covenant marriage!
*Celebrating Ben's first birthday, Avery's 9th, Abby's 7th, and the exciting news that baby number 4 was on the way.
*An awesome vacation to Disney World!! Our first time to take someone precious to help us. We love you Brittney!
*Abby making incredible progress in school and with her vision therapy.
*Attended my first ever homeschool convention and LOVED it.
*Finding out my sister-in-law and best friend's were pregnant then at the same time weeping with a best friend over the loss of her precious little one.
*getting to see my precious grandparents
*having my cousin, Marina and her family for a visit
*Finding out our baby was a girl!!
*Watching in amazement as I helped the girls memorize 1 Corinthians 13 and Colossians 3, and then hearing them repeat it!
*Participating in family devotions led by my amazing husband. Some of the sweetest times!
*Watching my girls grow deeper in their walk with the Lord. Seeing the Holy Spirit work to give them discerning spirits and tender hearts.
*Seeing brother and sisters love each other. Thanking God for 2 precious girls who JOYFULLY take care of their brother. Nurturing him and teaching him amazing things.
*Paying off debt!!!! Having 2 cars completely paid for. Yeah!
*Being amazingly blessed by God with the means to pay cash for our needs and wants!
*Having a fully funded emergency fund.
*Being with my family and extended family for the holidays
*Watching Avery's first gymnastics competition and watching as Abby stood to yell and cheer for her sister. It brought tears to my eyes.
*Being blessed with the opportunity to carry another life, feeling her move inside of me and watching her grow. Extremely grateful for a healthy pregnancy.
*Spending time deepening relationships with precious friends
*Camping at Marval!!
*God giving us all that we need to raise our children, disciple them, nurture them and homeschool them.

I am so blessed. I can't wait to pull out my 2009 calendar and be reminded of all God has done for us.

Happy New Year!