Out with the old...

...in with the new! I can't believe we are winding down 2009. Soon, I will complete my second year of marriage to my wonderful husband. '09 has been a journey for us. I spent the better part of it without a "normal" job and certainly without normal income! We explored so many options and knocked on countless doors seeking out what God would have for us. Here's what I learned:

God is always faithful - He can't be anything else.
It's okay to not have it all figured out.
God is always at work - for my good and His glory.

Gosh, I'm sure there are tons more...perhaps even yet to be realized.

I'm ending the year with two jobs. My full-time job is exactly the job I left over a year ago - doing emergency psychiatric evaluations. The schedule is slightly different, but it's the perspective change that is making this job a good thing for us. My second job is really a blessing. I'm working at my church as a counselor part-time. It is challenging and hard and wonderful and a total gift from God. My supervisor is great. I have so much peace about my jobs at this time - even if I'm still figuring out how to have balance.

Anyway, last year I posted a spiritual growth plan with what I now know are some ridiculous goals - I didn't meet many. Below is my more well-rounded goal list for 2010. Some of these will be fairly easy to meet - others, not so much.

2010 Goals

Professional
-accumulate 800 face to face hours
-attend 1 professional workshop
-read 2 books on counseling

Spiritual
-BSF lessons 3-5 days a week
-regular BSF attendance
-serve faithfully in Kid K’Nex
-regularly attend church services

Family
-weekly “date” with Brian
-new addition

Relational
-long conversation with Christi – weekly
-long conversation with Jen – weekly
-face time with Jen – monthly
-face time with Christi – monthly
-develop friendship with another couple

Financial
-$1000 emergency fund
-zero balance on credit card
-building on emergency fund
-regular giving to Nicaragua/San Francisco
-maintain tithing

Physical
-stay in WW points range daily
-follow Dr’s orders

Recreational
-1 getaway/vacation
-hiking 6 times

Anybody else out there care to share your goals? I'd love to see them.

Maeson's Birthday mostly

Being a child of divorce, we generally have two Christmases. This year, my siblings and my stepdad came to my house on Christmas day. My mom is still in Nicaragua and she was sorely missed at our celebration. We went very simple on the food this year - I popped two frozen lasagnas in the oven when I got home from work (yep, I worked on Christmas day - mental health crises don't take holidays ;) and everyone else brought sides - garlic bread, salad, drinks, and dessert. We mostly just hung out, but there were some gifts exchanged. Including this gift from my mom and stepdad:


Coffee from Nicaragua! A big ole 2 lb bag of it! They do know me. I took other pictures, but none of them were truly blogworthy. Probably because I was/am still learning the new camera.

On the 27th, we celebrated my niece, Maeson's birthday. She's five (5!) this year. In the time this past year that I spent without a regular job, Maeson and I hung out on weekdays. I really miss my little helper now that I'm back in the working world. Here are some pics from the night.

Maeson and friends with her cake.

This is Jack - so cute.
He got a real kick out of shooting my nephews Nerf dart gun.

The beautiful birthday girl.

Amari - really a human cartoon.

How I love my family! It's big, complicated, and often chaotic, but it's mine.

PS

All this Christmas eating is killing me. I know I could make different choices, but I haven't. I'm feeling full and sick - bring on normal days so I can eat with some discipline.

Christmas at the Lakehouse

Brian and I had 2 whole days off together this week! Since we were going to the lakehouse for dinner with the family anyway, we decided to go early yesterday and just be vegetables on the couch and get a little quality time in with dad and Susan.

I'm still figuring out my new camera, luckily, I have plenty of opportunity to take pictures. Here are some from yesterday.

Brian

Mike and Julie (1 month until their wedding!)

Brian and Me.

Sweet Amari watching Santa and Mrs. Claus

Devan is quite excited :)

Maeson

Karis having a mini-meltdown

(too much Christmas excitement)

Me and (very short) Santa

Do you see my awesome snuggie? It's a NAP comfy from Brookstone and a Christmas gift from Dad and Susie, I'm totally enjoying it. Merry Christmas y'all!

i'm back

So, it's been nearly two months since I last posted - that's how long I've been without a camera. What I thought was a minor problem with the camera ended up being too expensive to fix. So, I waited. And yesterday, with the money I got from my in-laws for Christmas (thanks Mike and Mernie!), I got a Nikon Coolpix L100. I've been loyal to Canon for a while, so this is a departure for me. Here's a shot of my new camera that I stole from Amazon:

I really like the camera - love the way it feels in my hands. It's big enough to wrap my hand around with out being too bulky. I still have to figure out some of the settings. But, in keeping with the mission I set out on two months ago, here are some pictures of my day.

I went to lunch with my best friend, Christi (not pictured), and her siblings. Christi and I exchanged Christmas presents and we all ate Mexican - yum!

Nikki and Cathy

Daniel and his gauged ear.

The pictures look a bit yellow to me - have to fix that...any suggestions?