So here it is, December 30th, the last day of 2008. We have all probably see the Timeline of events for the year 2008 on the Today Show or whatever morning news show you might watch. This morning as I sat there watching the Today Show and its 2008 timeline I could not help but think about this past year and what it was like for Keith and I. The medias timeline is full of junk such as who cheated who, who died, which celebrities were falling and which ones were rising, and all of this economic crud. But as I sat there in our new home, on our soft sofa with the heat going and our adorable golden retriever sitting at my feet I could not help but to think how blessed we have been.

This past year was a BIG year for Keith and I. It all began with the planning of our wedding and deciding were to go for the Honeymoon, followed by the purchase of our new home in April, 2 graduations in May, fixing up our new home over the summer, a wedding and everything to go with it in September, traveling to the Dominican Republic for our Honeymoon, our first Thanksgiving and Christmas as a married couple, and now here we are on New Years eve awaiting our new adventures for 2009!! How Exciting!!

This Christmas we received a Christmas card w/ the annual family letter from a family very special to me. The letter was a traditional family letter letting us all know what all everyone in the family had accomplished and where they stand today. As I came to the end of the letter my world stood still just for a moment. It really made me think. The letter ended with "What a wonderful world we live in!" I thought to myself....wow they are so right. We do live in a wonderful world. I had to get after myself for falling for all the negative crud we are fed daily. WE ARE OK!! These economic times will pass and we will all be back to normal and more than likely in the same boat. Whenever I find myself getting all wrapped up in the stink I have to constantly remind myself that God has control of the situation. God is in control! We cant worry ourselves to death.

A special man in our life has a saying posted in his office that says "God is in complete control of this company. Have faith he is God!" When I read that last night I could not help but to quietly apply that quote to my life. When I did a peace came over me and I just felt so much better about the things that are going on in the world and our lives.

We are OK!!
What a wonderful world we live in!
God is in control!

Happy New Year!! See you all next year! We love you all!

OK! Christmas is coming way to fast. We still have gifts to wrap and purchase, cookies to bake, and even a few gifts for the ladies to finish making. Oh shoot, I just remembered two more gifts we have to get. OK now this whole gift giving thing is starting to get a little carried away. Why do we feel like we have to keep topping the previous years gifts? What happened to the homemade gifts that cost almost nothing but really came from the heart? Don't people enjoy those more? I know I do. Plus Christmas isn't even about the gifts. Where does God come into play this CHRISTmas season? Can you imagine how much money we would save and less debt we would all be in if we just remembered that the real reason for Christmas is the Birth of our Lord, not "Santa". Don't get me wrong its a cute concept for the kiddos (plus mom still thinks we "believe" or our stockings wouldn't be filled each year, even Keith's banking in on the stocking) but lets not forget the true meaning!! So as I sit here listening to the Christmas jingles and wishing I was at home baking my Christmas sugar cookies, I challange you all to reflect on the true meaning of Christmas.

Ok, I'll get off my little soap box now! This is just a forewarning to all our followers, we will do our best to check in before Christmas but no guaranties. The Chaos has begun! We love you all. Talk to you soon!

Our Newest addition to the family(our golden retriever) has definitely put a crimp on my Christmas wrapping. He's a thief!! All my Christmas bows have gone missing! While I attempt to wrap all of our friends and familys gifts Mason insists on sitting in my lap and chewing on his chewy! Let me inform you.. he once was only 7 lbs. Now he is 31 lbs. and STILL thinks he is a lap dog!!! There are ribbons scattered all through out the house! Thank God he has not found the presents under the tree!!

Christmas is right around the corner and I am so excited about waking up next to my new husband on Christmas morning!! Let the family hop begain!! We will be spending Christmas Eve at Keith's parents for a night of pizza, tamales and gift exchange! Then off to my parents to spend the night and wake up to a morning of opening presents and indulging in some of moms famous cinnamon roles!! Christmas day we will hop back over to Keith extended family and then back over to mine! I'm getting exhausted just thinking about it, but love every moment!

Must get back to making dinner for my hubby! Needs his nutrition after a long days work!! Taco night!!

Well here we go on another online adventure. We have joined the blogging community and will do our best to keep you up dated. Thought we would just give this a try! We'll see how it goes!