2009

2009 was a busy year for us.

We started the year with uncertainty. We were without a job that would cover our bills, we were living 2000 miles from home, and I was 35 weeks pregnant. God brought us through a lot this year.

Our fourth family member was welcomed with open arms in February. Eleven short days later I got on a plane with my mom, my 16 month old, and my 11 day old and left Washington. My husband got in the car with my brother and drove 27 hours straight, and through a blizzard, and met us the following day in sub-zero temperatures in Fargo, ND.

The months that followed were hard. Really, really, hard. We were doing the community living thing, Mike was making a long commute each day, we were figuring out how to parent 2 kids under 2, Miles had severe reflux and colic, and I went back to school. All the while we felt a bit lost. Our lives were work and kids. We had nothing left at the end of each day. Because we were living with friends we didn't feel like we had a place that other friends could come over and see us, and trying to visit others was hard trying to balance bedtimes and naps. I think we did quite the job of covering it up, and putting on a good face. Maybe too good of a job. One thing that 2009 taught me was that we need to let people know when we are having a hard time, people want to help.

Things started to get better in July when we got our own place. We were looking for our own permanent place but that wasn't going to happen so we settled on renting in our ideal neighborhood, we moved again n October and I was able to get a part time job nearby which has indeed had it's own stress, but has also given us that extra push financially to get us on our feet again.

We've spent the last 4 days entertaining friends at our house. We feel like we are back on our feet again.

So 2009 was a year of big changes for us. But really, it was our year to get back on our feet. It was a struggle. In all honesty there wasn't one easy part of 2009, but my mom told me over Christmas that when she looks back at her life, with being young and married and having young kids, that the times that she is the fondest of are the times when it felt the most grim. You know what? I believe her. I really think that in a couple of years when 2009 is more of a memory and we look back on it we are going to miss it. We are going to see how much we grew and changed, and will be grateful for the lessons learned.

But 2010, I want you to be a good year!!