My 2009

I stopped writing Christmas/Year Summary letters a few years back 'cause I realized I wasn't being 100% honest on those.  I wasn't writing lies but I was just sharing the brighter parts of my year and omitting anything that wasn't exactly peachy and I don't know about you guys but in my case a lot of those hard/sad/embarrassing/imperfect times are really worth remembering.  It was just weird reading back on those letters later knowing that there was so much more to that year.

So in the spirit of transparency and because I know I will enjoy reading back on this next year and the years to come... here are some things I don't want to forget about 2009:

- My sweet Jenna was born this year.  Pretty sure I will not be forgetting that but what I do see myself forgetting is the great inside battle against FEAR I experienced as part of planning and preparing for her homebirth.  Most vulnerable time of my life so far, most empowering time of my life so far.  To HIM be the glory.

- I have never slept less.  No lies, I have NOT slept through the night this year, not one night.   I can't tell you how many times I have prayed for God to miraculously make me feel rested so that I can go about my day and believe it or not, He has, and I have. 

- I have never given away so much control over my circumstances and I have NEVER felt more free.  Both homebirthing and breastfeeding a child who never took bottles served as great tools to help me learn some lessons in this area of my life.   

- This year also marked the beginning of my fourth year parenting and it came with no lack of challenges.  Nothing too bad just the struggles that come with teaching and disciplining a spirited child.  She keeps me on my knees and that's exactly where I want to be.

- Finally, this year also marked the beginning of my 10th year of marriage.  10 years is a milestone that doesn't go unnoticed.  It forces one to stop, assess, reminisce, celebrate and those are all things I've been doing in my heart.  I know I sound like a broken record but I just feel blessed beyond words.  Blessed because only Jim and I know how rocky our journey has been at times and blessed because only Jim and I know what a cool place we are in right now.   Again, to HIM be the glory.

Oh yeah, and we took a couple trips to San Antonio and one nice trip to New Mexico (owe you a post on this one)... other than that our year was spent in the comfort of our nest in little Lumberton, Texas, God's country as our Lulu would put it. ;)

I continue to feel so thankful to have this little place to share.  Thanks for visiting!

Love you,
Danaly