December 31, 2009

Goodbye 2009...Hello 2010

Well here it is...the end of another year and time to reminisce about all the good and sad time of 2009. This year sure has been a whirlwind of emotions for me but am so thankful for all I have and am so excited to ring in another new year! As I've done in the last couple years, I like to share my year in chronological order where my life has been...

January
  • Started the New Year in Steamboat with Laura, Tom and Samuel, my first time skiing in 10 years! (this was the weekend, I knew I wanted to spend the rest of my life with Jason...awww)
  • Started serving at our church's "Connections Desk"
  • Andrew turns 2!
  • Grandpa celebrated his 90th Birthday with a big celebration at my parent's house
  • I became a brunette
  • I was laid off from my job as a Special Events Manager
February
  • Started working part-time at a school in their Development office...met Heather. :)
  • Learned all about COBRA and unemployment benefits
  • Attended "Corporate Challenge" for Young Associate Board affiliated with Children's Memorial Hospital
  • Turned 30! Celebrated with Meredith at a sushi BYOB
  • Had a 30th birthday bash at Jason's with lots of my closest friends
March
  • St. Patricks Day in true Chicago fashion
  • Went back to being a blond...they really do have more fun!
  • Shawn, Tiff and I threw a surprise 60th Birthday party for Dad...I mean 59th...
  • Saw Chris Tomlin Worship concert at Sears Center
  • Found a sub-let and packed up 3115 Southport...
April
  • Sam, Chaz and I moved back to the suburbs
  • Trip to Cancun with Mom, Dad and Jason
  • Started attending a women's Tuesday morning group/class/Bible Study in the burbs
  • Cub's Opener with Ellis and Josh
  • Brittany Spears "Circus" concert
  • Gave up drinking bottled water for Earth Day...and still going strong!
May
  • Planned and attended my first Cubs Rooftop game (for Young Associates Board)
  • Got my first couch!
  • Mothers Day in Ottomwa, Iowa
  • Said our goodbyes to Grandpa who was laid to rest on May 20...I miss you, Grandpa!
  • My parent's brought home Sophie!
  • Mom, Dad, Jason and I saw Mary Poppins, on Broadway
June
  • Young Associates Board's "Summer Luau"...was canceled :(
  • Got an i-phone!! (then learned all about AT&T's deadzones first hand!)
  • Cubs/Twins game and Old Town Art Fest with Meredith and Jason
  • Ran Children Memorials, "Race for the Kids 5k"
  • Joined Ellis and her family on their family vacation in/on Green Lake, Wisconsin
  • Michael Jackson died
  • Cubs/Sox game
  • Small Group begins
July
  • Went to Brookfield Zoo with Karrie and the kids
  • Survived Phil's Birthday bash in Des Moines, IA at 80/35
  • Bike ride to Navy Pier for fireworks with Jason
  • Rascal Flatts at Wrigley Field
  • Women's Race...barely survived this one
  • Visited Cousin Amy in Rock Island
  • Ran and volunteered for "Run for Gus" 5k...Young Associates Board's 5k
August
  • Jason and I rode our bikes all over Chicago trying to find Meredith as she ran and completed her first Half Marathon - YAY MEREDITH!
  • Dog-sat Sophie in Chicago
  • Trip to see my family in Geneseo
  • Attended Willow Creek's Leadership Summit...amazing leasders/speakers!
  • My first Lollapolooza!!!
  • I was baptised...again.
  • Celebrated Mom's birthday at the lakehouse
  • Saw Cavalia
  • Heard Pearl Jam at United Center
  • Went on my first mission trip - Baja, Mexico
  • Figured out what I want to be when I grow up - A Special Ed teacher
September
  • So sick from some Mexican stomach bug
  • Stacy's 30th Surprise party
  • Cubs Bleachers...first time in the bleachers in a couple years!
  • Architecture Tour...and ran into Jenee and Will there
  • Saw DMB...in Iowa!
  • Cubs game with Mom, Dad, Uncle Dennis, Marilyn and Jason...Mom's second Cubs game!
  • Phil and Laura in town...more Cubs bleachers
October
  • My baby, Chaz was put to sleep
  • Over-night trip to Devils Lake
  • Jason proposed!
  • We're Engaged!
  • Dog-sat for Jelenik's labs
  • Walked 5 miles for Making Strides Against Breast Cancer - our team raised over$1,000
  • Met Aunt Shelby for some girl time and wine...way overdue!
  • Volunteered at Young Associates Board's Hospital Party at Children's Memorial
  • Served at a homeless shelter with our small group
November
  • Andrew's sister, Kate, was born
  • Saw Hillsong United's Documentary with Christy
  • Cousin Amy and her friend visited Chicago
  • Our Engagement party at Shawn and Tiff's
  • Went to see "New Moon" with Jacinda
December
  • Cousin Karrie donated her kidney to her husband, Al - so this really has nothing to do with me, but was a HUGE blessing this year!
  • Started working at Nohea Cafe
  • Attended Chris Tomlin's "Glory in the Highest" Christmas tour with Christy
  • Celebrated Christmas with the small group girls
  • Willow Christmas with my parents and Jason
  • Sioux City, IA for Christmas with Jason's family
As I look back at 2009, I again realize how blessed I am. As last year closed our, I had this uneasy feeling that something big was going to happen in 2009, something life-changing. It wasn't even a month into the year that I lost my job. From that first day, I have tried to maintain a positive attitude and remember that God is there for me and won't let me fall. I could probably write a book about all the things I have been able to be a part of or how much my life has changed (in good ways) because of this one loss. (I probably will blog about it all once I'm working again!) There is no way I thought I'd be writing my "closing of 2009" entry sitting on a couch in Wheaton, IL, but gosh have I been able to experience amazing things because of this big loss. I have a great family, incredibly loving and loyal fiance, good health and an amazing God who loves me and always has my back!

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As I said last year, rather than New Years Resolutions, I like to call them "positive changes." First, I posted my 2009 "positive changes"...then commented after it with my progress. Followed by that are my 2010 Positive Changes.

2009 Positive Changes...and their progress...
  • less wine...always something I struggle with!
  • Nashville 1/2 marathon in April...was injured, then the move put a damper on things!
  • more time at the gym....still going strong!
  • grad school if I feel led by God...God led me to be a Special Ed teacher and I should start in March at National Louis University!
  • trip to see Anne and JT...went in July to Geneseo
  • keep up with my reading...still trying
  • eat healthier...still trying
  • turn 30...check!
  • Cubs make it to the World Series...2010 will be it :)
  • spoil my cats even more than I did in 08...check!
  • Chicago Marathon (and run for a charity)...see Nashville 1/2 update
  • trip to see Laura (can check that one off! :)...check
  • Move to Bucktown?...Wheaton, Bucktown? Whats the difference ;-)
  • See Chris Tomlin in March...check, plus again in December!
Last but not least...
constantly improve myself by keeping God first and respecting Jason as he needs to be respected....Always, always working on this!

"Positive Changes" for 2010
  • get a job!
  • less wine
  • Run the Disney 1/2 marathon in Jan '11 (or something before)
  • find a new serving opportunity at the church I can serve in
  • lose 10 lbs...preferably by 9/18!
  • begin grad school for Special Ed teaching
  • Read the Bible, starting with the new testament...and finishing with the old
  • Cubs make it to the World Series
  • Be comfortable praying outloud
  • Keep a clean car (bring my mugs/cups in every day)
  • Marry my best friend
  • Move back to Chicago
  • convince Jason to let me get another cat ;-)
As always...constantly improve myself by keeping God first and respecting Jason as he needs to be respected. This year it is especially important to remember to keep God first in all of our wedding plans and as we start our lives together

Happy 2010!!

1 comment:

  1. What a great idea for a post...I might steal, i mean borrow, it! So happy to be part of some of your memories in 2009 and can't wait for many more in 2010!!!

    ReplyDelete