Wednesday, December 31, 2008

2008 in 450 words

1.  Single best thing that happened this year: Growing as a family

2.  Unexpected Joy: Watching AJ's independence grow exponentially
3.  Unexpected obstacle: AJ's independence grow exponentially
4.  Three words to describe 2008: Blessed, Busy, Fertile
5.  How Andy would describe our 08: high-maintenance, hormonal, rewarding
6.  How Andy would describe his 08: intense, fulfilling, exhausting
7.  Best books of the year: Twilight series by Stephanie Meyer 
8.  Most valuable relationships: Jess, Andy, AJ, Kate, all family, my teammates, my students
9.  Biggest personal change: more emphasis on being mommy, not career woman
10.  Emotional Growth: 
  • AJ has taught me to be more humble as the sporadically tantrums flailing wildly on the floor in public places or screams, "I POOP!" in the grocery line
  • AJ has taught me to appreciate the little things in life as he squeals with joy at watching the trash truck load our weekly trash or leaps to the doors screaming with happiness as daddy gets home...my students have taught me to remain passionate about small moments that create our strongest memories like sounds of laughter and smell of cupcakes at a birthday party
  • AJ has taught me to love more unconditionally as he always offers his hand to hold or comes running enthusiastically arms open for a hug and lips puckered up for a kiss-kiss
  • AJ and Abby have taught be to never take our health for granted
11.  Spiritual Growth:  Expressing more gratitude
12.  Growth  in relationships: being a better listener
13.  Most enjoyable moments at home:
  • Walking down the stairs with AJ's soft hand wrapped tightly around my finger
  • Eating breakfast with AJ in our pj's eagerly awaiting the day's adventures
  • Laughing with Andy as we watch AJ develop and express his opinion and passions about his perceptions of the world
  • That split second that AJ squeezes his little arms a little tighter around me right before he lets go from his hug
  • AJ's kiss on the lips, followed by an Eskimo kiss as he excitedly says, "noses!" and then turns his head to get his kiss on the check before running off
  • Reading stories snuggled up in AJ's toddler bed with five blankets and eight stuffed animals as he rests his head on my shoulder
  • Getting my last peek at AJ asleep like an angel right before going to bed...everything in the world aligns for perfect night's sleep
14.  Best use of time in 08:  playing with little dude as a family
15.  Biggest realization this year:  It doesn't matter how much you think you have prepared...kids are just unpredictable.
16.  To sum up 2008: Another year of amazing and abundant blessings 

20 comments:

Brenda L. Greenwald said...

You are one very blessed family! Happy 2009!

Jessaca said...

Aww. Now I really miss the little dude. Sounds like you had a full year.

Anonymous said...

buy diazepam online generic diazepam images - diazepam dosage for high

Anonymous said...

buy diazepam online what is diazepam 5mg tablet - venta de diazepam online

Anonymous said...

buy diazepam online cheap diazepam from pakistan - diazepam 10 mg erowid

Anonymous said...

buy xanax online no rx .5 mg xanax high - xanax withdrawal addiction

Anonymous said...

order ativan online ativan knocks me out - ativan overdose how many mg

Anonymous said...

order xanax no prescription order xanax from uk - does take overdose xanax

Anonymous said...

buy generic xanax xanax dosage .25 - much do 1mg xanax go street

Anonymous said...

cheap xanax no prescription xanax effects with drinking - where to buy xanax online forum

Anonymous said...

ambien without a rx combination of ambien and alcohol - ambien side effects bloating

Anonymous said...

soma sale soma online ticketing - buy soma online without rx

Anonymous said...

valium cost side effects valium high - 5mg valium price

Anonymous said...

buy soma generic buy soma online no prescription overnight - buy watson soma online

Anonymous said...

ambien drug zolpidem compared to ambien - online prescription for ambien

Anonymous said...

valium online no prescription how to purchase valium online - valium 10mg equal to xanax

Anonymous said...

buy ambien online ambien recreational - ambien cr generic launch 2009

Anonymous said...

buy soma 350mg deadly soma online movie - soma drug alcohol

Anonymous said...

diazepam no prescription valium dosage per kg - valium to xanax dosage

Anonymous said...

cheap valium online cost valium medication - valium 5mg rus