2009...Where Did it Go?

Christopher and I were recently talking about how fast last year passed. I spent most of it pregnant with Cassian, but really time flew. It's hard to believe that my pregnancy is already over even as I hold my sweet boy in my arms. We spent a beautiful nine months together, he and I, and it was the most amazing pregnancy I had experienced.

As for 2009...

I didn't blog a single time. Every time I came to do so, I was overwhelmed with all the things I hadn't blogged, and the pictures I needed to upload from the camera. I was shamed over missed photo opportunities and undocumented memories. It seemed easier to just close the blog window and move on to more fun things, like Facebook!

One of my 2010 New Year's resolutions was to keep my blog current. I think it's amazing to be able to look back on our daily lives and relive the fun times and even the not so fun moments that present themselves every so often. Having this collective record also helps me to appreciate time even as it passes so quickly. I have also committed myself to taking more pictures, though I may not always post them. One. Step. at a time.

Just a few things about 2009...

We spent the first 5 months homeschooling the last semester of the 2008-2009 school year. Cayden was the first to come home and Jordan followed behind soon after. It was an AMAZING experience, and we had a GREAT time together. I was also working at the Y, and it was often hard to manage my time, but we endured and I think it was worth every minute. I miss it greatly, but we were blessed with some really incredible teachers this year at the boys' public schools.

The first days of May left us feeling overjoyed at the fact that we were expecting our 4th child! The boys were thrilled, and Adrian was especially excited as he had been asking for a baby for some time!

Morning Sickness followed for the next few months, but I was so excited about being pregnant that I didn't care. Chris took great care of me. Jordan played flag football at the Y over the summer and also went to his first overnight camp- Camp Woodmen. He loved it, and is counting days to go this year. Cayden is hoping he'll get to go, too, but the decision has yet to be made.

Adrian started Kindergarten this year. Cayden went to 2nd, and Jordan headed off to middle school in 5th grade. All are thriving. Cayden has all "E's" (A's) and ADORES his teacher. Jordan is one of the top readers in his school. He spent the last few months working his way through the Harry Potter series. I was so proud as his love for reading flourished. Both Jordan and Cayden have been getting some great drawing lessons from their very artistic dad. It's amazing to watch them improve under his instruction.

Christopher has been enrolled in school for the entire year of 2009, with a perfect GPA. He won a prestigious award at Oreck this year, and has been presented with some great opportunities for professional growth. All of this and somehow he still remains a loving, devoted, and simply AMAZING husband and father. We are so blessed.

I continue to work at the YMCA, though right now I am taking a break for baby. The past year was a year of great change at the Y, but we pressed on. I look forward to going back to work in a few weeks, and I think the boys miss being there, too.

Chris and I took a mini vacation together this year. We went to DragonCon back in September. Dad was kind enough to fly out and take care of the boys. It was great fun for everyone, and we enjoyed the opportunity to embrace our geeky side. :D 2009 was also the year that I finally ventured to play a few video games with him, and found myself having way too much fun! The boys love watching us play, too, so it makes for some amusing family times!

The boys played soccer in the spring and fall. Cayden and Adrian show amazing talent at the game. Jordan opted to sit out in the fall but will play again this spring. They all love playing sports at the Y. Jordan played basketball at the beginning of the year, and I think that is probably his favorite sports experience so far. I hope he'll get to play again in the future. We are sitting out this time since we just had the baby.

Other things to note:
MeMaw, Morgan, Dad, and Aunt Lou came in the Spring. So. Much. Fun.
Jordan won 1st place in 4-H speech contest.
Adrian and Dad built birdhouse together.
Went to Frist Art museum- so much fun!
Took a trip to MS over the summer.
Crawfish boil in TN with the C's. 100 lbs for 100 people! Doh.
DragonCon!
4th of July with the Kail family.
Halloween with the Kails.
Dad was with us for Christmas AND New Years!


....and I reserve the right to add to this list as needed.


So, there you go! Next post will have pictures... stay tuned.