It's hard to believe we are actually in the 2nd week of 2010. While 2009 was not my best year, presenting several challenges, I also know it wasn't the worst year. Like many of you, I felt the financial crunch and worried about retaining my job. I was blessed with keeping my job even if it came with a pay cut. I still have a job!
I look back and still find many things to be thankful for. I have a wonderful family, some awesome friends, and I've made new ones on the way. I've been lucky to enjoy some mini vacation trips and outings with friends and family. My yard has suffered some but it survived. I wasn't able to plant the trees I had hoped to put in but I kept it green and flowers still bloomed.
I have a new member of the family on the way this year and we are all excited. Our family also is growing with a new member by means of an engagement. So I guess I should say we are going to have two new members. I lost an aunt, which everyone will missed but as you see the cycle of life continues and we flourish. These are blessings to be thankful for.
Our family reconnected this year (counsins, aunts and such) by means of the first of many annual picnics. Growing up we always met for a big Easter picnic and it was filled with games, food and the much anticipated egg hunt, all of which occurred after we attended Sunday services. Many years had passed since we had held one but this year my dear cousin Luis decided it was time we renewed that tradition. It was great fun and my grandchildren were overwhelmed by the number of relatives they had, and that was just on my mother's side!
I was able to enjoy several trips to Disneyland with my grandchildren this year and we even celebrated my sister's birthday there this year. We love that Disney offered free admission on your birthday and we are sad to see that go. It was a great fun and it was one Liz will remember for a long time. I think she was surprised to find my crazy bunch joining her family for the fun too.
All in all 2009 was not a bad year, but I am ready for 2010. I look forward to new memories and great fun. I even have my first "event" planned in a few weeks which hopefully will produce some wonderful scrapbooks. I am a very blessed person, I have so much to give thanks for. To everyone in my life, I cannot express to you how much each of you have meant to me and how much joy I get from knowing you. I pray I have given back at least half of what I've received.
