It's so hard to believe that yet another year (and another decade) has come to an end. This year presented us with a lot of opportunities for growth.

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Bob completed his tax season and then his first full year doing taxes, rather than audits. I've watched him shed off the burdens that weighed him down while living in Portland. He's emerged a different person... His laughter comes much more easily. He's so much more relaxed. He's more interactive with others. He relishes political discussions, the more heated the better.

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It's amazing the difference between Ryan-who-had-just-turned-eight (beginning of 2009) and Ryan-who-just-turned-nine (end of 2009). I look back at photos of him from the beginning of the year and he just seemed so young. Now, when he plops down on my lap or gives me a hug, it's a little more substantial. The little boy is totally gone. In his place is a boy he definately has his own ideas, his own plans, and the ability to perform them. He still needs us, but for totally different things now. It's amazing to me how it's both very sad to see him moving away from us a bit each year and very exciting to see him coming into his own.

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Emmalee. Hmmmm. She, also, seemed so much younger when 2009 began. She's just turned five and, man-oh-man, is she ever in the "I'll do it myself" stage. She loves to play with her toys...not the ones that do things for her, but the ones that demand interactive play. She'll go to her Barbies, or dinos, or Scooby Doo toys and act out an entire story all on her own. She loves to fight with nerf swords with Ryan, she loves to wrestle with her Daddy, she loves to read stories, cook and color with me, but she also loves to be on her own.

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I've never been one to make resolutions on January 1st. I don't remember if I made any last year. I do know that there are things, spiritually, physically, and mentally that I need to work on to be a better wife, mother, daughter, child of God, etc. For me, it's definately an on-going process...one that will never have an "end-date." This year, for me, was a wonderful year. Being back here, rather than Portland, has been so good for all of us. For me, it's opened my up to new friendships (while not forgetting the old friendships)...friendships that have come to mean a lot to me. It's strengthened my relationships with my extended family. It's helped me learn that, when things don't go quite how we planned them to, life does go on. But, not only does it just go on, but it's enriched if we're willing to learn and grow from the experiences.

I hope that I continue to be willing for this.

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Happy New Year to all.

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P.S. Things are a little hectic here now, but more on why later. Christmas and birthday photos will be posted sometime this next week (hopefully) and then my postings will be hit and miss for awhile. Keep checking in!