2009: Blog Year in Review

O God, the beginning and the end of all things, Who art always the same, and Whose years fail not, we now, at the close of another year, kneel in adoration before Thee, and offer Thee our deepest thanks for the fatherly care with which Thou has watched over us during the past, for the many times Thou hast protected us from evils of soul and body, and for the numberless blessings, both temporal and spiritual, which Thou hast showered upon us. May it please Thee to accept the homage of our grateful hearts which we offer Thee in union with the infinite thanksgiving of Thy divine Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, Who with Thee liveth and reigneth forever and ever. Amen.

With the first month of last year, we celebrated life as we always do...celebrating a birthday. This year it's looking more and more like a LEGO party is in order what with the opening of our very own LEGO store although Ranger's Apprentice is still a beloved theme that is making the rounds of the family.

February is such a short month with so much to celebrate. St. Blaise, St. Josephine, Our Lady of Lourdes, Presidents Day and St. Valentine's Day. Also in February, our Doggie Adventures began with a cocker named Wyatt. BigBoy has come a long way in conquering his fear of dogs since then. Maybe 2010 will be the year we bring a puppy home to stay. February also brings Lent in one way or another. Time to start preparing to prepare!

March is usually the month for tempests both physical and emotional and last year was no different. Weather systems clashing tend to only be the backdrop for ideas clashing and while thunderstorms rage, tempers tend to as well. Sigh. I think I'll choose to remember St. Joseph and the soda bread!

April= ALLELUIA, fun with Easter eggs and St. George. Whoo hoo!

April showers bring May flowers, back to back birthdays and crownings!

June found us making piggy cupcakes and Trinity cookies and Sacred Heart cheesecake and a fun little reminder of the liturgical year for our littlest one. We also remembered our biggest little loss and felt that pain all over again.

In July, we celebrated independence, St. Anne, a joyful reunion, and the discovery of new musical genius! But all of that paled in comparison to the way this awe-inspiring family celebrated the brief life of their little one.

While the flowers outside were waning in the sizzling sun, our August was full of new life. New life here on earth, new lives blooming within their vocations and new lives in Heaven.

September began with our small efforts to soothe a friend's immense pain. We learned that as much as it hurts, life insists on trudging on even when you want to cover your head and hide. We know through faith and the example of our Savior that much can be gained from suffering. We were honored to share a tiny bit of this family's heroic suffering as an example of strength and faith.

October blogging was dominated by our trips down the Alphabet Path and a major bathroom renovation.

November started with a loss (of a furry friend), a gain (of the use of our bathroom, again), a puppy party and ended with the beginning of a glorious season of preparation.

Here we are at the end of December, what more is there to say? It's all still so fresh in my mind that I feel silly pointing it out... snow (the good, the bad and the ugly), prayers, candies, cookies, and creating new traditions. I know that these memories will fade as new times usurp old. I hope the new moments bring us closer together and old ones remain tucked away in our heart!

Thank you for sharing this year with us and for allowing us to share it with you!