2009

With 2009 at an end, I'm excited to start 2010!!!

2009 started with a bang as Jon, Mom, and I went to Oberlin Congregational and spoke with our wedding coordinator on January 1st. officially marking the day we started planning our March wedding. I have to say that I don't really remember much of January or February... With the stresses of wedding planning that can happen to a girl. I do remember Jon buying me diamond earrings for our first Valentines Day together. He got them for me to wear them on our wedding day. :) He's good to me.



I remember spending Tuesday through Thursday stuck at St. Joe's Hospital the week prior to our wedding. I remember that agonizing pain and horrible tube draining my stomach. I remember crying because that was the week I was supposed to be doing my programs, finishing my favors, and having my bridal party come into town... Then WOW! The big day arrived; no one noticed that we didn't have programs or the things that were done last minute. None of that mattered... What people will remember is that Jon changed our exiting wedding song to "Celebrate (good times, come on)."



Jon and I have had a great first year of marriage, we've gone through surgery for me again, Jon being laid off (he went crazy those three weeks), the disappointment of not going to Kauai for our honeymoon as planned, getting another dog Junior, and sharing the holidays with all the parents and family for the first time.



For 2010, we're hopeful for no more surgery, work keeping steady, possibly buying a house, and maybe becoming parents. I'm excited to see what happens, for now we're placing it all in Gods hands!



2009 was a trying year for many, but Jon and I are happily married despite everything we went through. We thank God every day for his blessings and for staying true to his promises. I pray that everyone has a better year, it's time to put 2009 behind us and look forward to 2010!

Wonderful Christmas

Despite how hectic the month of December was, Christmas was wonderful. Jon and I spent Christmas Eve at Grandma B's in Steilacoom (my Step-dad's family). We had a wonderful dinner and gift exchange. Christmas morning we drank coffee and did presents before getting ready for the day. We then went to my moms and met up with the siblings. We opened presents and had brunch as a family.

After spending the morning at Mom's; Jon, Andi, Kevin (Andi's b/f) and I all packed into my SUV (with three dogs) and went to Enumclaw to visit Dad, Leslie, and the family. My step brother Gabe came to town... He just got engaged last week to Rachel. I'm so happy for them! My step sis Jen-ai, her husband Jim, and the kids Johanna & Josh were there too. Josh is 5 and loves Jon. They had an amazing time riding the three wheelers and playing laser tag together. Jon needs a son! He's the biggest kid I know and when he and my nephew get together... they have a BLAST! We enjoyed a prime rib dinner and Wii.

Saturday morning we slept in a little, then got up and drove out to Shelton to visit Jon's Mom, Sister Kayty, and her boyfriend Shaun. His momma made sausage biscuits and gravy. YUMMY! We did our gift exchange and spent some time catching up and enjoying the afternoon. We went grocery shopping on our way home and cleaned up the house a bit. By 5:30 I was feeling pretty nauseous and miserable, so I let Jon cook dinner. Around 8:30 Momma, Kayty, Shaun and his daughter Kaylie were at our house for dinner and staying the night. I ended up with the stomach flu and wasn't the best of company or that great of a host. Jon did a good job filling in though. The Hunter's had their Christmas gathering on Sunday. I wish I could have been more apart of it, but I did not feel well.

I found out today that of the 26 people in attendance on Christmas Eve at Grandma B's, 18 people ended up with the stomach flu... I say flu, not food poisoning because Grandma B was sick before Christmas Eve, Nate was sick Christmas Day, and everyone else was sick in the days following Christmas.

We had a wonderful Christmas and are so thankful for the time with our family.

10 days until Christmas...

Where has the year gone? This is the first time I have ever done last minute shopping. I'm usually ahead of the game; with my Christmas cards done the weekend after Thanksgiving, presents bought and wrapped under the tree by the second weekend in December... THIS YEAR IS DIFFERENT! :) I have the majority of my shopping done, some presents wrapped, and my Christmas cards??? That's a good question. . . I haven't even started. I'm hoping to have them done by the New Year. We will see how that goes.


Continueing with the idea of different... This is our first year married and we're struggling to do it all. Prior to Jon, I went to three different places on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas. Jon had two places to go. Now that we're married we are trying to divide holidays "fairly" among family. We would of course love to be able to see everyone, but in an attempt to keep our sanity and the joy of holidays we are splitting things up. I can't imagine that we are the first couple to go through this... but it sure feels like it. We made it through Thanksgiving, I'll let you know how Christmas goes.


Jon and I have been so busy this month with work and our new dog. A big dog requires so much more of us... Balls thrown every night, rain or shine and a long walk to exert all that energy! What did I get myself into? Better yet, what did I let Jon get us into? Hahaha- We love Junior and he's a good dog. Because he's so good, we want to give him the best life possible and make sure we meet his playing and running needs. Paco's small, doesn't like to be wet, loves to play in the house and not outside. He's a good lovable, little, indoor dog, but he never prepared us for the demands of Junior.



I'll post picture of Junior and Paco soon

Keeping Busy

Since Thanksgiving, life has been very busy. I went Black Friday shopping with my dear friend Chanda, we spend the entire day together and got some pretty great deals. Saturday I went to Woodburn, Oregon with my my mommy and my Aunt Char for outlet shopping at wonderful places like Coach, Cabi, Carter's, Lucky, Le Creuset, and North Face. We had lunch before shopping and stopped in Lacey on our way home and had dinner with Andi. It was a nice time, but long day.

Sunday was an early morning at church. Instead of our normal worship and service, our church closed and we went out into the community and served. Gramps organized a project for injured soldiers. We made 50 backpacks filled with snacks, toiletries, playing cards, clean clothes, and stationary. After each pack was made, we hand wrote a Christmas card to the recipient. When our group finished we prayed over the packs; we asked that the recipient know and feel the love and prayers put into each backpack. It was a really neat opportunity to give back to men and woman, who have given so much to everyone of us.

After church Jon and I ran a couple errands, came home and packed him up for the week. He was gone with work for the week and didn't come home until Thursday night. I hate when he's out of town, but it gets a little easier each time he does it. Doesn't hurt that we have a new bigger dog around too.

We got a new sweet 3 year old dog named Junior. He's "Jon's Dog"... but since Jon was only home with him for a day and a half, he's bonded to me and is my dog. :)