Nearly there

We're almost there...2009 is almost over!!!!

Forgive the excitement, this year has been one for the books.  About the only positive thing I will take from this year is my sweet hubby graduating and passing the bar exam.  Other than that, I'm willing to write off this year entirely.

I know it's been a while since I posted.  One of my resolutions is to be better about posting.  More on the resolutions later.

We made it though the holidays.  I can safely say that now, with a quick prayer in reference to the rest of today.

This year, our aim was simply to make it through.  Yes there were tears, but not as many as I was afraid of.  No one cried when we were all together, so that was good.

My birthday was difficult for me. Not because I turned 30, I frankly could care less.  As terrible as 29 was, I was ready to have the dang year over.  No, it was difficult because last year, Mom made a huge deal out of throwing me a party, which was a blast!  The next day, she started getting sick.  And, as you all know, she never really got better.

Christmas was weird, not having her here.  We changed up what we always do, so it was a season of new beginnings.  I had a hard time decorating for Christmas, but we went on and put up most of our decorations.  Dad didn't, he didn't want to.  Hailey told him he didn't have a choice.  She compromised by not putting a tree up, but she did do the table settings and some knick-knacks, including Creepy Santa.
(Creepy Santa is a Santa that Mom was given several years ago by one of my grandmothers, I don't remember which one.  He is about 3-1/2 feet tall, too tall to fit in the closet where all the Christmas stuff goes, so the rest of the year he sits behind the open closet door in Mom's stamp room.  Zoe always moves the door about halfway, and if you aren't paying attention, out of the corner of your eye you just see this fuzzy man staring at you from behind the door.  He's also dressed in all gray, rather than red, so we have nicknamed him Creepy Santa)

It snowed here a LOT on Christmas Eve, which was really cool.  We had about 6 inches in the back yard, and I'm honestly not exaggerating on that one!  The only problem was the half-inch of solid ice that was under the snow, which made getting around...interesting.  We've never had a white Christmas before, and it was peaceful.  Other than the driving.

I know we all make "resolutions" for New years, and I'm no different.  Some years I am really good about them, others I'm not so good.  Last year my big one was to get healthy.  So, Pete and I both lost weight (him about 25 pounds, me about 40) and started eating better.  My other one was to spend time with my family, which I will never regret doing.

This year, I have a few more.
1) Finish losing the weight - about 25 more pounds, since I put back on about 5 that I lost over the holidays!
2) Continue to spend time with my family.  Hailey and I are getting really close, which I love.
3) Complete my stockings. (I'm making stockings for my mother in law for the whole family - very involved and time consuming!! But they're SOOO cute when they're done!)
4) Do the half-marathon.  Hailey and I are signing up for one in April, which gives us about 15 weeks to get ready.  We're also doing a 10K at the halfway point.
5) KEEP EVERYONE OUT OF THE HOSPITAL. I can't stress that one enough!!!
6) Be more positive

Hopefully I can do these.  I am supported by a wonderful family and an amazing husband.

I am also continuing to use this blog as a little bit of therapy.  It may take me a while to get over everything that happened this year.  Forgive me sounding dramatic, but this was a very traumatic year and experience.

So, I wish everyone a happy new year, and we can all celebrate that 2009 is OVER!!!!!