'08 was great, looking for more good times in '09

2008 is now done. For most it was a year to forget. Luckily, we feel differently. This past year had a lot of new and wonderful things. More than things, they were BLESSINGS. The greatest and most obvious of these was the birth of Nathan, which was quickly followed by me starting the new job, which led to the challenge of selling the house (to relocate closer to the office). We sold the house in less than a week (blessing is the only word that can describe that). We then found a great house with everything we needed for a great price in the neighborhood we really liked. If that wasn't enough, Carrie's design business has been gangbusters since she opened up for business, and although she now has four full time jobs (mom, CEO, Art Director, Designer), she never stops and does an amazing job. I am not surprised by this at all. She is incredibly talented, and with having creative license she is doing wonderful things. All the while she is doing this she is also doing an even more amazing job as Nate's Mom. This kid is awesome, and it is due to equal parts genetics, God's plan, and Carrie. He is always learning and advancing mentally and physically, and a lot of this is because Carrie has been very conscious of keeping him stimulated in the right ways, feeding him healthy and nutritious food, and interacting with him in amazing ways. We were just talking yesterday in the car about how healthy, happy, and overall great he is. Look, I know you are all thinking, "Yeah, OK, you are his dad, and every parent thinks their kid is the most amazing thing in the world," and all I will say is, "YEP!" Before one becomes a parent you wonder if you will do things the right way. You hope your child will be healthy. So, to see how much he smiles and laughs, and to see how healthy he is, is a big deal that makes you feel you are doing things right, and the stuff you have no control over has also worked out well, so all you can say is that you are blessed.

The final blessing came right before Christmas. As you all read from Carrie's post, I passed the exam, and am now LICENSED! The odds were not in my favor. Only 50% of applicants pass each time, and only 40% of these pass it on the first try. Needless to say I am glad I don't have to study for that again.

So for all of you who had a rough year, good news: IT IS OVER! For us, it was a year to remember. For all of us this New Year is what we can make it, and I can't help but feel that is is going to be one of the best ones yet. So, good luck. Eat right, workout, read a book, and just put a smile on your face everyday. Half of everything is your outlook on it, so be positive and half the work is done. Have a happy New Year.