Looking back at 2009

I must say I am glad to put 2009 behind us and move on to 2010. What a year it has been! It started off pretty quietly. We enjoyed a fun Kuehn family trip to Naples, driving over 15 hours with 2 children, one nursing baby and one almost potty trained 3 year old. Then, came the crazy Spring. Trip decided nap time and night time were going to be a fight. He refused to stay in his room and refused to be quiet. So, we had to make some changes. First, we put a child proof lock on his door to keep him in. Well, this only infuriated him more, so he would scream and throw things, and jump off his bed and his dresser for about an hour before he would calm down. He would not nap and wouldn't go to sleep until after midnight. We'd find him in the morning with everything from his room and closet piled on in his bed. Next step, we took all fun things out of his room and shoved his heavy, but empty train table against his closet door, so he couldn't empty it onto his bed. TJ and I were sad and desperately seeking our sweet little boy. As the year went on, he gradually came back to us. Now, he is full of silliness. He has a story for everything, some true, some mostly true, some not true at all. But, he stays in his room at night time and nap time for the most part, especially if he has a pile of books to "read." Trip loves books. He always wants to read and it's his favorite thing to ask visitors to do with him, not play, but read. We welcomed the summer by celebrating Mady's 1 year birthday, twice! We had a family party in Naples with both sets of grandparents and then a party with friends on her actual birthday. That first year of her life flew by much faster than Trip's. As 2009 progressed, we've watched her personality blossom. She is so flexible, but very determined. She will pretty much go with the flow and do whatever the rest of the family is doing without debate. But, she is always on the move and into trouble. She is sassy and so girlie, loving dolls and dressing up. But, she is also tough. She can hang with Trip and the big boys and it takes a lot to make her cry. Her vocabulary is growing every day and she is already trying to do everything by herself. Mady is going to be our family clown, loving to be the center of attention and always trying to get a laugh. We laughed through most of the summer, playing at the pool often and being outside a lot. Trip went to baseball camp and soccer camp and loved them both. Not one to sit on the sidelines, Mady tried to join in too. Trip also went to swim lessons and finally started swimming with his head under the water. This Fall, Trip started 3 year old preschool at a new school. His teachers are great and he is doing so well. He's made so much progress socially, emotionally and academically. It is such a joy to watch him grow and learn each day and to have fun doing it. Mady and I have enjoyed our time alone while Trip is at school too. We go to music class once a week and Mady just loves it! She is so sweet, dancing to the music, playing instruments, and she is so outgoing that she will go sit in any mother's lap during class. Both the kids and I have really enjoyed our bible study this year. Trip is soaking it all in like a sponge retelling bible stories and quoting scripture like and adult. And, Mady loves being able to go and sing with her big brother and play with her friends. While the kids having been learning new things and enjoying the Fall and Winter, personally for TJ and I it's been a struggle. With TJ's job search and Dad's cancer, we've been tested a lot the last few months. But, it is helping to grow our faith and we know God has great plans for 2010. We look forward to celebrating Dad's health with our family and for new career opportunities for TJ. I have returned to a verse that was read at our wedding, to draw strength and encouragement. Jeremiah 29:11-13 says "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come pray to me and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." I am seeking Him daily, and looking forward to His perfect plans. This holiday season has been full of blessings. Although, we chose not to travel to Wisconsin for Thanksgiving this year, we've had our house full each week with visitors from TJ's family. It has been so great to have them all here and Trip and Mady have really loved all the attention. We welcomed a new member into our family with another December birthday boy, Nolan James Garrison. And, got to enjoy some alone time with our sweet nephew Nicholas. It is so fun to see these cousins growing up together and creating memories together. I look forward to creating memories in 2010. I pray they are happy memories and that the sadness of 2009 is far behind us. So, Goodbye 2009, Welcome 2010!