Ciao, 2008!

Literally, for days now, I've been wondering what the heck to say about 2008. So, I'm just going to ramble.

A wonderful friend of mine (and her family) moved South. Trust me, I miss her (and them) tremendously, but . . . it was better she move first. I can move from Maryland this spring without a lot of emotional pain this way. When she left I was ready to go, too. Without my daily dose of Dawn, I managed to get on with life. Homeschooling has continued to be a blessing to our family - even though there are days of great trial.

The biggest decision this year: do we enroll our eldest son in the local high school? We did. So far, we do not completely regret this decision. Of course, without having home schooled him through middle school with Seton, I'm sure his worldly ways would be one hundred times worse. He has picked up some 'tude, which we are working through. The second biggest decision concerning the same child: do we enroll him in the Catholic high school in Oahu when we get there. Decision: Yes. We are going to roll those dice and trust in God that the money will be there to help us pay for it.

My sister and niece came to see us this summer. We toured all over the place (D.C. and Annapolis) and had good, quality time together. I can't wait to host them in Hawaii.

September marked our 16th Wedding Anniversary. Let's just say I am grateful to God we're still together and we're still determined to stay that way. We're in it for life. He drives me absolutely batty - as I'm sure I do him as well - but we never fight, really. We voice our opinions and we bother each other, but bottom line: we always seem to work things out. What we have in common is important, but he's really a couch/sports/relaxing in a hammock kind of guy and I'm artsy-fartsy, flirty and obnoxious. I get bored - he's complacently happy doing nothing. It's really strange, but we work together pretty good. I used to be totally uptight about everything; him, not so much. Now we both care about stuff in balanced proportion. Nice, huh? See? God knows what He's doing.

I turned 39 in October. My state of mind at the moment can't let me accept it. So, let us just move on then, yeah?

October started out great because I got to see San Antonio for the first time. I loved it. It meant seeing many women I haven't seen in a while (including my dearest friend, Dawn). I've already blogged about what I experienced there and I continue to experience ripple effects - God's abundant blessings.

December brought me another teen in the house. My weeness, my girl.

I have a hard time looking back because there is so much ahead of me. I guess that's a good thing. My mind is occupied with the move, obviously. There's so many things to consider: the kids school situation, but primarily the oldest boy's; where will we live (that's solely up to the housing department on the base we'll live); how long will it take to get registered and licensed to do in home daycare; where will we go to Church? There's the before questions, too: what do we donate or sell or throw away? what do we pack? do we go visit family before we go to HI? And, dealing with the animals.

I'm thinking about the retreat this January and the Crusillo in February. I can't help but think God is moving me closer to a new reality in Him. I can't help but have this "knowing" that these retreats are shots in the arm for my well-being. He's always taking care of me.

One thing I know and can be certain of: God will provide. I know this because: He always has.

Thank you, Lord, for ALL Your benefits! May I always have this realization that I would be and could have nothing without You. Thank you for my husband, our children, our families and friends, our health and our Faith. Lord, You ARE the center of our life together. Amen.

May He grant you all a safe New Year's Eve - in your coming and going. May Our Lord bless you all with abundant blessings and thankful hearts in the coming year.

2009 - wow!