And So We Begin Again...

Tomorrow is the last day of 2009. New Year's Eve. Can't say we have any big plans. I think we get a little more boring each year:) Wherever and however we ring in the New Year, I am ready. I am ready for all that this New Year is going to bring our way. Challenges. Successes. New adventures. New memories. 2010 has a lot of promises for us. Santi is receiving his bachelor's degree in March. Hopefully this means the Lord will bless him with a new job that includes a higher salary and more importantly regular hours so we have more time together. I am hopefully graduating with my master's in the fall. Hopefully this means I will be blessed with the opportunity to teach at one of the community colleges which will mean I won't work as much. Santi will finally become a United States citizen. Hopefully this means his parents will follow shortly after and they will finally be relieved of their stress. These are all things we have been waiting a long time for and to be this close is such a great feeling. I look back and remember times when we were feeling weary and frustrated, when we didn't know how things would work out, and I am reminded that even when life gets confusing and I am not certain of where we are headed, God has a plan for us. For that I am thankful.

Moving On

Well, it's safe to say that 2009 has been a tough year for a lot of people. The worst economic downturn since the Great Depression, the housing crisis, the H1N1 outbreak, war raging on, and a looming health care crisis...most people are looking forward to welcoming a new year in hopes of a new outlook.
When I look back at 2009 for us, I won't say it was easy. We had our own share of setbacks and frustrations. I could think of a handful of things to complain about. But I won't. We were blessed this year. We both kept our jobs in a time where many couples faced the loss of one or even two incomes, many with children to support. We didn't have any major health concens. God blessed us with the ability to get up and get to work every day, feeling well enough to do our jobs. By His grace we avoided the dreaded H1N1, even in jobs considered to be high risk. We still own our home, and so many people faced the loss of a dream when their home went into foreclosure. Even people close to us. We came out on top this year. We are grateful. We are blessed.
As we prepare for a new year, we are looking forward to the promises God has for us and we cannot wait to see how this year unfolds according to His plan. I am confident that this new year holds many more blessings for us. I am sure they will be accompanied by some challenges, but it is all in His hands and if we give it all up to Him, He will provide.

Another Crazy Holiday Season

It has been quite awhile since I last posted, but let me just say I have been BUSY. Actually, that would be an understatement. November and December are always crazy months,and we decided to throw in Thanksgiving at our house, my brother's wedding, being sick, and hosting my parents for Christmas.
We began the Holiday season with a wonderful Thanksgiving at our house with all of our friends. This was our third Thanksgiving away from home, and while I always miss our family this time of year and wish we were closer, I am so thankful for our wonderful Arizona friends who shared this day with us.
We rolled into December with all of the typical craziness at school. Programs, parties, pot lucks, Christmas crafts, overly excited kids. December as a teacher is exhausting. I managed to survive our pajama party the last day before break despite being terribly sick...all to hop on a late night flight to Indiana for my little brother's wedding. The wedding was beautiful, and I only wish I had been feeling well enough to actually enjoy it. I got through the rest of the weekend, and after finally getting some medicine I started to feel better just in time to catch a flight back to Phoenix with mom and dad for Christmas. We had a great time at Christmas. Nothing too special, just enjoyed time together. Our plans to take mom and dad to the Grand Canyon on Christmas day were cancelled due to snow up north, but we found pleanty to do. We shopped, attended the Christmas service at chuch, ate at Matt's Big Breakfast, toasted hot dogs and made smores in our new fire pit, walked around Lake Pleasant, caught a movie, and enjoyed Christmas dinner at Rustler's Rooste. It was nice to spend time with them. I miss being able to hop from house to house and see our families, and I hope next year Santi will have a job that allows him to travel during Christmas.

Now that all the craziness is over, I am happy to have a week remaining to relax before returning to work. I am looking forward to a relaxing week of cooking, organizing, and being lazy.