Wrapping it up

To say that this year has been difficult is a complete understatement. We have been tested and tried so many times this year. Our baby girl has gone through so so so much. We as a family have in turn gone through it all with her. We have also had some amazing blessings this year...first and foremost the birth of our beautiful wonderful baby girl! We can't believe she is almost 1 already. She should have been born 1 year ago today but that's a whole other story. For those of you that have followed us that long...you might remember the doctor's appointment that brought me to tears 1 year ago today. Another blessing is that Charlotte has really found her footing this year. She has blossomed and grown. She is more outgoing and strong. We are so very very proud of who she is becoming. Of course Julia has added her blessings too. She has grown in her self control, her love of reading, and her adventurous spirit. She has exploded within homeschooling and we are just so proud of our now 8 year old girl! I have grown closer to my lovely wife this year. We have always loved each other but there is nothing like the health of a child to try to pull two people apart. However it hasn't pulled us apart...it has made us one unbeatable team! Homeschooling has been a challenge but we have finally found our groove and we are super excited about what 2010 will bring for us in regards to this adventure. We have made some irreplaceable friends through homeschooling and through family this year. We don't know how we would have made it without their support. We said goodbye to the most amazing man ever this year. We are still deeply sadden by his absence, but we are surviving and thriving.

We have some pretty big plans for 2010. We are all very excited for this New Year. Charlotte hopes to become proficient in sewing. She wants to learn stop motion animation and world religions in homeschooling co-op. She also hopes to learn how to take care of and show cows through a friend of ours. Charlotte will also become a full fledge teenager in 2010. GULP! Julia is hoping to learn construction physics and explorers space in homeschooling co-op. She's hoping to become closer to her bestie Jordyn this year through get togethers at least twice a week. Julia also made a goal to read a chapter book a week for the entire year. Delaney is super eager to learn Mommy and Me yoga through homeschooling co-op. She is also hoping to learn how to walk and talk in 2010. Delaney will also celebrate her very first birthday! Jess and I are hoping to take the kids on a couple of mini vacations. We are hoping to go out on a few dates and take a few get away weeksends (with the baby of course). I have a goal of making it through 2010 still breastfeeding. Like I said...2010 is full of a ton of potential for our little clan. :)

Sorry it was so choppy...with three kids and my mom in the room while I type it's hard to concentrate!