Best of 2008

Here are some of my favorite memories from 2008.

~By far, the absolute best was giving birth to Karis peacefully in our home, without drugs, and in the water. It was so many dreams come true.
~Celebrating Abbie’s first birthday with our church friends and family
~Matt getting hired at UPS…and getting promoted to management within a few months
~Our annual summer journey to New Jersey, and meeting our new nephew Evan
~Getting to know Ryan and Aura (and their three awesome kids) better, and deepening our friendship with them
~Spending a beautiful summer day at Ocean City with Derrick, Kerri, and Summer. Gosh, we miss them!
~Thanksgiving in KY with a very random gathering of church folk; have I mentioned lately how much I love our church family??
~All the family babies who were born: Evan, Dylan, Xavier, Leandro, Mia, and Leah and Luke (ok, last two aren’t technically family, but they’re close!)
~Nicole and Tyler’s wedding
~Getting all A’s during my first 9-credit semester of grad school
~Getting passionate about politics for the first time in my life (even though my guy lost)
~Dr. Systma’s Human Sexuality class last January, and traveling to Atlanta in April to take Basic Sex Therapy. I finally know my calling!
~Good books I’ve read (and recommend): Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth, Soul Virgins (Doug Roseneau), Theology in the Context of World Christianity (Timothy Tennent), and a great article entitled A Christian View of Sex in Art by John Stuart Peck. Read these!
~Our awesome small group and spending six weeks just talking about how awesome marriage is
~Watching Abbie do the hand motions to Itsy Bitsy Spider during the Christmas Eve service
~New Year’s Eve at home with Matt and our two sleepy girls