Goodbye 2008

There are but a few days of 2008 left, and what a year it has been. We started 2008 off by getting engaged, then I graduated school, then we welcomed our first neice, and then Maurice graduated! And dare I say, 2009 is shaping up to be an even bigger year than the last.

Each year on my birthday (January 8th), I always take some time to write a little bit, and think about what life looked like for me on my last birthday, versus the way it looks today. It's a great way for me to indulge my nostalgic side, but mostly to gain some perspective about how far God has brought me, the ways that He has blessed me, but most importantly... the things that I have learned.

So I figured today that this seemed like the perfect time to reflect, and share the things, both great and small, that I learned in 2008:

- That life after school is every bit as wonderful as I imagined it would be.

- That "Jon and Kate plus eight" is possibly the best show on television.

- Not to take my family for granted... because before long, I will probably miss them terribly.

- How much money you can save by cutting frivelous purchases (fast food, starbucks, etc.) out of your spending.

- The importance of taking a day off to get away and invest quality time in those we love.

- That I am much more capable than I give myself credit for.

- That God's best for me is better than my own idea of what is best.

- How good it feels to push myself beyond what I thought were my limits.

- To always go straight to the root of an argument with a person, because you are many times upset or frustrated about the same exact things.

- What it means to truly love another person above myself.

- That God's love for me is much more profound than I am able to understand.

Merry Christmas

I hope that everyone is having the loveliest Christmas!! This is BY FAR my favorite time of the year for so many reasons... one of which is Christmas music. I've loved Christmas music since I was a kid. But it wasn't until I got older that I began to appreciate what some of my favorite Christmas songs were really saying. I think because we've known them all of our lives, it's easy to sing them without really listening to them.

So with these words, I wish all of you a warm, happy, and merry Christmas

"Long lay the world in sin and error pining,

'til He appeared and the soul felt it's worth.

The thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices,

for yonder breaks a new and glorious morn"

So funny...

This just makes my day

An all around eventful week

Well it's been a big week around my household. And first up, we have my adorable niece!! Sofia Noelle Schindler was born on December 18th at 9 pm, she weighed 7.9 lbs, and she was 20 inches long. It was a long day for everyone... mostly for Stefanie, who was in labor for over 16 hours... which also happens to be the amount of time we all sat in the waiting room at the hospital. So like I said, it was a long day. Around 8:30, they decided that little Sofia just wasn't going to come on her own, so they did a c-section. Pretty soon... Adam and the nurse came and introduced this little bundle of joy!

at which point... we all oo'ed and ah'ed over her.

She has had to spend a few days in the NICU because of minor problems with her blood sugar, but she's a tough little gal and she's getting super healthy and it's looking right now like mom, dad, and baby will all be going home tomorrow!


Then before I knew it... it was time for Maurice's graduation. Like I mentioned a few weeks ago, Maurice has finished up his undergrad in architecture. He is so talented and dedicated, and it was great to see all of his hard work pay off. And a bonus... once he got to graduation, he also found out that he was graduating with honors!

It's been such a busy week around here, and it feels right now like I haven't slept in about a year, but when I take a step back to reflect on everything, I can see that God is just pouring out His blessings... abundantly :)

The Song Game

This goes out to all you music buffs... PLAY!!! Here's how the game goes... the ipod goes on shuffle, and I write down the first line to the first 10 songs that come up. Leave comments with your guesses as to the artist and song title, and I will highlight them when they have been guessed correctly. You may guess on as many as you like, but keep in mind that googling the lyrics is not only cheating, but a sign of poor character.

Happy Guessing!! and when you're done, make one of your own. FYI: in looking at this list, I would say that every single one of these songs is a must-have in your ipod or music player of choice. If you don't know them already, go download them... you will be a better person for it :)

1. "Was it you who spoke the words that things would happen, but not to me... " (answer: "you and i both", by jason mraz)
2. "So you think you can hold the world up by a string" (answer: "brace yourself", howie day)
3. "Gonna close my eyes, gonna watch you go..."
4. "Don't you be wastin all your money on syrup and honey.."
5. "From this day on, I own my father's gun" (answer: "my father's gun", elton john)
6. "Love is a burning thing, and it makes a fiery ring" (answer: "ring of fire", johnny cash)
7. "Yesterday I got lost in the circus, feelin like such a mess"
8. "If you leave me now, you'll take away the biggest part of me"
9. "I don't get you, I can't forget what you've forgotten" (anwer: "don't cry out", shiny toy guns)
10. "Another summer day has come and gone away in Paris and Rome..." (answer: "home", michael buble)

and a bonus one!

11. "Trouble, trouble, trouble, trouble, trouble" (answer: "trouble", ray lamontagne) the bonus goes to the great shannon)