Our new year wasn't dancing on the table crazy like Ruby's. We spent a quiet night at Matt and Jaime's where (thank you Alex!) I did not have to watch my husband play
wii tanks all night. Then a relaxing day at Mom and Bernie's.
Since I'm behind on posts anyway I decided to take the time to answer Becca's request for a tedious yet whimsical review of 2008.
A is for adoption. While it wasn't quite the outcome we were hoping for in 2008 it consumed a lot of our time, energy and finances.
B is for blog. Mess free scrapbooking - genius! I also love a glimpse into the lives of my friends and family so if you have one please share.
C is for civilian. After 14 years in the Army and National Guard Brian is officially done. No more deployments!! FYI, 2008 is the first full calendar year Brian has been home since 2002!
D id for dog toys. I love that Abby drops one on my head if I try and sleep in past 7:30. It is hard to be mad at a cute alarm clock.
E is for election. I was proud to be an American the day we elected our first African American president. Even more important I believe this man can do great things even in difficult times.
F is for first Thursdays. Blending families can be challenging but I think the addition of first Thursday dinners at Mom and Bernie's has helped us feel more like a family.
G is for Gustavus. My 10 year reunion felt like going back to college for a night.
H is for high school friends. I enjoyed many happy hours, girls nights, family functions and a weekend away with this group of girls. Thanks Leigh!
I is for I-171H. This is one of the MANY documents that made up our Dossier.
J is for joker. That's my Brian. He tells me I'm his toughest crowd but I couldn't have made it through this year without his sense of humor and optimism.
K is for kin. Corny I know but F was taken. I love the amount of time we spend with family. Their support of our adoption has been amazing! I'm thankful so many live close by but I also had fun visiting family in Michigan, South Dakota, and Iowa this year.
L is for Lake Vermillion. The annual trip to the cabin.
M is for Monday dinners at T+D's.
N is for my 10 years as a nurse. I love my 12 hour day shifts!
O is for orphanage. This is probably the place my child spent most of his or her time in 2008. It is also where we met two sweet little babies who I hope found their families in 2008.
P is for party. O.k. I turned 32 in 2008 and now officially prefer a night out with the Chaing Mai Thai book club to a party. I love trying new restaurants, wine, and discussing life and a book at least one of us has usually read.
Q is for quiet. 2008 was a year to enjoy some good quality quiet time before a child joins our family.
R is for Reysa. She was the wonderfully supportive school teacher who was our translator in Russia. Her kindness and patience will not be forgotten.
S is for Stock Market. Yikes! Coincidentally this is the year Mom and Bernie tried to teach us a lesson about investing money. Lesson learned!
T is for tornado. Years that end in 8 tend to bring tornadoes to the town where I live. While it definitely could have been worse we spent this summer residing, reroofing, and rewindowing our 9 month old house. We also got an unplanned new car.
U is for Uncle Bri. We love spending time with our nephews and niece. In case you can't tell by the blog we think they are pretty cute.
V is for VEGAS BABY!! I got to experience a Las Vegas style wedding in 2008. Thanks Jen and Martin!
W is for wedding. I also had a blast at Ken and B's Lutsen wedding.
X Seriously?
Y is for Yeah it's 2009. To quote Oprah "Cheers to the new year and another chance to get it right."
Z if for Zaffke. Maren and Ken's engagement was an exciting wrap up to 2008.
Matty and Lizzy's wedding weekend began with the girls meeting for lunch at Savories followed by manis and pedis at the spa.
After the spa we checked in to the Outing Lodge at Pine Point, a rustic mansion we took over for the weekend. Then we met the boys and kids for dinner at Gasthaus. We ended the night chatting by the fire back at The Outing.
When it was time for bed Maren and I realized we were the only Thursday night guests staying in our wing. I don't know if it was the creeky old house or the recent horror film shot at the Outing Lodge but we had no trouble spooking ourselves out!!
