...it was a very good year

Hands down - one of the best things I've ever done to preserve our memories and to keep a little history of dates and pictures of our family was to start this blog. I never dreamed others would care to read it or to even leave comments or encouragement. I just wanted a way to "scrapbook" without going into debt for ribbons, scissors, and cardstock paper - no time, $, or patience for that here.

In 2009, I felt I barely had time to blog and was a little disheartened I didn't do it more, but when looking back to put together this little review - whoa! I definitely covered the highlights if not many many boring why did I even write about that kind of posts. If you've been following the whole year - sorry for those writer's block moments and also THANKS! for sticking around.

If you're new to the blog, this is a great chance to get up to speed with what's been going on in our lives, if you so desire. I had a blast doing this post. I scanned every month of the blog to hunt pictures and links for each post and I could not believe how much I had already forgotten about. I cannot express enough to you how thankful I am for the technology and intelligence out there that makes it possible for us to blog. I LOVE blogging and blog stalking - even though it consumes many of my days - I learn and am entertained by all of your blogs and wax nostalgic over my own.

May it never come to an end.

♥

Without further adieu...

my personal review of 2009!

{with picture hightlights and links to read the entire post if you feel lead =)}

In January we...

...rang in 2009 in 70's style.

...celebrated Nick's quarter century birthday.

...decided on the next Christmas' card already.

In February we...

...defaced church property.

...went hiking in the snow covered mountains of east Kentucky.

...went searching for, found, offered on, and bought our home.

...I hit rock bottom demolishing a cheesecake in my car.

...my wedding photographer grabbed 1st place in the state with my image.

In March we...

...got a visit from Chad & Lauren.

...celebrated Karen's birthday.

...closed on and moved into our new home.

...had a girl's weekend in the Smokey Mountains with my pharmacy school gals.

In April we...

...had our traditional fun dieing Easter eggs with my family.

...celebrated Easter at my parents' house.

...my mother-in-law, Karen, and I spent DAYS painting the living room a gorgeous blue.

...I finished my last day of my last pharmacy internship EVER!

In May we...

...started studying for my pharmacy boards and I started my downward spiral into stress and insanity.

...got my first Mother's Day card, from Hendrix, care of Nick and his mom.

...celebrated our final days at school, luau style with my pharm girls.

{miss them!}

...graduated!!!!

{and 2 days later started working for CVS}

In June we...

...celebrated my parents' 35th wedding anniversary!

...brought a new friend into our home - Gunther.

...enjoyed the duck families in our backyard.

...took one my favorite pictures of my boys, ever.

...watched our beautiful friends get married in the lovliest of ceremonies.

...had a blast touring Chicago together.

In July we...

...had friends over for 4th of July and the first party in our new home.

...studied, studied, studied, STUDIED.

...had our ♥FIRST WEDDING ANNIVERSARY♥

...passed the first of my two boards on the way to becoming a pharmacist.

In August we...

...watched our Reds play baseball.

...I became a licensed pharmacist and finally stopped studying =)=)=)=)

...enjoyed sun and the lake with my family, thanks to my sister and bro-in-law's boat.

...put our dog up for sale {j/k} after finding him like this.

...rode a ferry.

...got a visit from Brittney and her new boyfriend - now, fiance!

In September we...

...attended a wedding shower for this lovely couple:

...rehearsed being in the wedding for that same lovely couple.

...celebrated the love and marriage of Nick's brother Chad and our new gorgeous sister-in-law, Lauren.

...decorated for my favorite season, Autumn.

In October we...

...visited Kings Island {theme park}with friends and toured a haunted house.

...started paining the dining room furniture and realized what a big job I had ahead of me.

...went to the pumpkin patch with Bridget and Bella, the puppies dressed as pumpkins and the same week, I got a raise at work{!!!}

...got new bedroom furniture and got the master all dressed up.

In November we...

...recapped our Halloween night.

...watched as a hot air balloon emergency landed in our neighbor's backyard.

...began a long journey into decorating our home for it's first Christmas.

In December we...

...had a dinner party that included this cutie-patootie.

...gave a tour of our home, Christmas edition.

...made lots of ornaments for friends and coworkers.

...got a new car, had a big 'ole Christmas with lots of love and family, and flew off to Disney World to celebrate 2010.

Woo-hoo!

Overall: 2009 was a GOOD

DELIGHTFUL

FIRST-CLASS

TREMENDOUS

AWESOME

A-MAZ-ING year!

I've said it a million times - I'll say it a million more.

We are blessed.

{This post reminds us of our earthly treasures and the great abundance we have of life, luxuries, and the health we enjoy among our families. With all that sparkles, we know where our real treasures lie and what we will continue to strive  to hopefully one day - through only grace, mercy, and forgiveness - achieve. It is our great hope that you will come to know Jesus as well and you will also know that eternity with Him is the greatest of rewards.}

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.  Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

I Peter 1:3-9