New Beginnings

Happy New Year

Everyone!!!!!

I know there are probably a lot of people who are glad that it is finally a new year for new beginnings, however I don't know if there is anyone more glad than our family. After the year we have had.....Wow. Thank you God that it is a NEW YEAR!!!!!

As a family, we have gone thru a lot of obstacles last year & amazingly and miraculously we have overcome. We are all survivors of 2009. The crapiest year ever. WooHoo!!!!!!

As you can see, Caitlyn received her first fourwheeler. She loves it & looks so cute like a such a big girl on it. The boys got BB guns from Papa Robin & Grandma Chris. They had a blast shooting them out at Grandma & Papa's.

Wednesday evening we celebrated Christmas with Tony, Kim, Chandler & Bryson. We had nachos/tacos for dinner. Not very traditional but it was delicious.

Thursday Shane put "some assembly required" toys together for the kids. We baked and then went to Grandma Lins for Christmas Eve as we do every year. We had homemade soups and bread for dinner. Then we came home and had our Christmas with the kids at our house. Needless to say it was a long day and we finally went to bed around 11:30 or so.

The next morning we got up and headed for Papa Robin and Grandma Chris'. Our ritual for Christmas Day. We opened gifts around 1 and then had an awesome meal of Beef Bourguignon. We stayed over on Friday night. And spent the day there. We cut down a vine in the woods and the guys had to swing. Needless to say, Daddy & Connor didn't make it all the way. They both fell in the water. Later we drove into Raleigh to see syncronized Christmas Lights to Christmas Music. It was really cool. Then we drove home and again didn't get home and in bed till about 12am.

Shane was off the following week. Which has never happened. He did go in on Tuesday to take care of a few things. The boys wanted to go too. They thought it was "Go to work with Daddy Day". LOL They got up at 4:45am. By 11am, Connor was asleep in the truck on the way back home. But they thought it was totally cool to get up with Daddy, have coffee, cheesestick & a granola bar.

We took down the Christmas decor later that week. Caitlyn was so sad to see the Christmas tree come down. She is still singing Christmas songs. Jingle Bells and We Wish You a Merry Christmas are her favorites. Speaking of Caitlyn she is doing pretty good on potty training. Hopefully I have bought my last box of diapers. We shall see. She is talking so good now. I look at her and can't believe how much she has grown in the past year.

Shane went back to work today. I miss him. Other than our cruise to Alaska for 10 days I have never had that much time off with him. It was so nice to have him home with us. I even missed the boys. The house was so quiet. Caitlyn when she woke up said, "I go downstairs and see Daddy." She was disappointed that he was not home. Then the school called and I had to pick Chandler up because he was coughing so much. I think he is getting bronchitis again. Fun stuff. So we started his inhaler again. Hopefully that will work. Caitlyn is finally feeling better. She has had a bad cold and cough the last 5 days or so. Connor is starting too. So I really don't want to spend $75 to take them all to the doctor.

Mom is still visiting friends in Oregon. She is coming home later this week. We miss her. It is weird not having her home while we were all off. The kids keep asking when she is coming home. Soon.

So overall we have been very busy but had a relaxing week at home with all of us. It was very nice. We had some really good family time together with the kids. I really am thankful to just be here for another year. As the new year came in and I sat next to Shane in our living room with the boys, (Caitlyn was asleep) I wept for all we have been thru this year and how blessed I am to have such an awesome family who supported us thru this last year. Thankful that I was here period. But most of all for a second chance at life, a new year & new beginnings.

There are a lot of changes in our family this past year. We have been thru cancer, divorce, car wrecks, job loss, income cuts, & adjusting to new relationships. None of this has been easy for anyone. But guess what? We made it. If we can make it thru this past year....I truly believe we can do anything. I think we are finally on the brink of the top of this mountain we have been climbing. And I am so excited to see what God has on the other side of this mountain.

So to my wonderful family...I know this year is going to bring new changes....especially Dustin, Yessie & Isabella moving to DC for his job with the Secret Service. Other than when my brothers were in the military we have always been close. Only 5 minutes from each other. So this will be a big adjustment. I always thought our kids would grow up together but now.....I guess God has other plans in store for all of us. So Family, if we can just keep trusting that he is in control and let him guide our paths. We will be A OK. I love you all so much.

So here is to a wonderful NEW BEGINNING OF 2009!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! May we never take a day for granted. We still our truly a blessed family.

Love,

Rachael