2008???

Sooo, I know this is kinda late, but I had to blog about all that other stuff first and it took a REALLY long time. So back off! Now that we've settled that, I miss 2008. It was such a good year and it went by wayyyyy too fast. Let's see, in 2008 I got pregnant in January, found out in February, celebrated my 24th birthday in March (uneventful number I know), went to Las Vegas for the first time in March, spent the whole summer getting bigger and bigger, went to Wisconsin and rode in a car from one coast of the state to the other in July, became closer friends with Emily and David in August, had my beautiful baby in October, had my first Thanksgiving at home since college in November, had a tacky Christmas sweater party with our best of friends in December as well as spending two fabulous weeks in Chicago. I'd say that's a pretty stinkin' awesome year (and that's a pretty stinkin' long run-on sentence).

For 2009 I am thinking of so many things that I want for my family and myself. It's a little overwhelming all the things I wish I could resolve to do or be better at...so I'll tell you those first. Then I'll tell you the actual things I plan on implementing for 2009. The list of "I wish" is as follows (in no particular order):

1. I wish I would be a better, more thoughtful friend to those I am already close with, and a better more thoughtful friend to those I only have occasional contact with. I wish I pursued others and encouraged them.
2. I wish I would read lots of books instead of wasting time.
3. I wish I would be a better blogger.
4. I wish I would be good about taking personal pictures and printing them and posting them.
5. I wish I would be super organized and keep my house super neat (eh, maybe I wish that I wished that. Know what I mean?)
6. I wish I would memorize more scripture.
7. I wish I would tell people more often how amazing it is that an innocent man died so that I don't have to experience the wrath of God, even though I am the one that deserves it.
8. I wish that fact would just radiate into and radically change every area of my life.
9. I wish I would be the wife of my sweet husband's dreams.
10. I wish I would be a loving mommy (that's pretty easy right now having the sweetest baby ever).
11. I wish I would not be so vain (I know that one is getting a little personal...but it's true. I'm vain. I don't like it about myself, ok??)
12. I wish I would be selfless.
13. I wish I would be really careful with money and not be wasteful.
14. I wish I kept in better touch with my Grandmothers.

Ok, maybe I should move some of those to my "I'm going to do this" list. Here's that list (it's short so as not to be unrealistic!):

1. I resolve to read my MaCarthur Daily Bible. My mommy bought it for me and it is a Bible with a little bit of commentary, that is split up into days so that you can easily read through the bible in a year. I don't want to be too unrealistic and say that I will do it every day, but I at least want to keep up with it well. So far I'm doing pretty good, and I LOVE it. It has helped with resolution #2.

2. I resolve to pray more. (I know I'm getting personal again...but I struggle with this one. I so badly want a deeper relationship with Christ but so often just ignore that and do my own thing. I'm a sinner, I know).

3. I resolve to eat healthier. (This one may be a bit vain...I want to lose the baby weight! But also I want to be a good steward of the body God gave me. Ok, maybe I just want that to be why I'm eating healthier...sheesh.)

4. I resolve to visit my Mimi & Great Aunt Dedi more often. They live next door to my parents and I so could just stop by and say hi more often. Also, I resolve to email Grandmother more. She lives in Atlanta and is actually internet savvy. She may even read this blog post! Hey Grandmother!

Ok, I'm gonna try to cut my list off here. Otherwise I'll get too overwhelmed and be frustrated and we wouldn't want that. So far the only one I really haven't done well in is the fourth one, so I am going to start being better starting tomorrow at that one. Hold me accountable blog friends!

On another note, Kate wanted me to let you all know what her resolutions are for the year. We sat down this morning over a cup of coffee and made a list (Ok, neither of us drink coffee. Kate had milk, and I had OJ. ;) Her list is as follows:

This year, I, Kate Rocha, resolve to:
1. Roll over
2. Laugh out loud
3. Learn to appreciate peek-a-boo
4. Sit-up without mommy or daddy's assistance
5. Make mommy laugh and/or smile EVERY day
6. Same for daddy
7. Crawl
8. Give daddy an eskimo kiss (Ok, that was Keith's resolution for her.)
9. As soon as I'm able to crawl, get into everything that I shouldn't
10. Have my picture taken a LOT
11. Take my first steps, and eventually walk on my own.
12. Say my first word (besides "coo". That one doesn't count)
13. Give my mommy and daddy more joy than they ever thought possible

Phew! That is quite the exhaustive list. But don't worry everybody, I warned her that New Year's Resolutions can be hard to keep and can be overwhelming, but my girl's strong. Lord willing, I believe she will meet every one of those goals this year.

So I guess this is goodbye 2008. You were a good year to us, but all good things must come to an end. If 2009 is filled with just a fraction of the blessings that God gave us in 2008, we certainly won't complain (but will continue to give thanks to Him, because as He always says "Every good and perfect gift is from above").

The End. No Pictures...can you believe it???