Update

So we've been busy. Being Junior sponsors has taken over our lives. Dress checks, skit rehearsals, planning committees... it will be good when Junior Presentation is over. Maybe I'll see my husband some evenings... I can dream at least. So besides that I'm off to a good start so far this year with my resolution to read more books. I've read six so far. Not bad for four weeks. And I've almost completed a really great scarf. Very soft and fuzzy.

Next week we get our first homeleave of the new year and we're going to spend the night in New York, a first. We'll leave here around noon on Wednesday, and hope to get to New York in time to see the Daily Show. Then get a bite to eat and see Billy Elliot! I'm super excited about that. This trip is my birthday present, and I've wanted to see Billy Elliot since I heard it was coming to New York. It's supposed to be amazing. So then we'll spend the night and find something to do on Thursday and then come home.

We've also been doing some job hunting in hopes of moving to Nashville this summer. No bites yet, but we've been sending out the resumes. We need to decide by mid-March, so please keep that in your prayers as we struggle to make this decision. If we don't move we might go to Europe again, just to give me something to look forward to. I guess we're Europe junkies now.

So that's the main stuff that's going on, besides all the little things, like coordinating Children's Story, being greeters at church, being on supervision, teaching and doing song service at church this week. I get tired just reading this.

Also, there's been a lot of snow. I'm done. I don't even think it's pretty anymore. It's just in the way. Spring can not come fast enough.

A peek at last year

Here are some random pictures from last year, just thought I'd put them up for fun and to remember the good times.

Me and Leslie at Cheekwood Botanical Gardens (Christa's future wedding site) from last July when we were both home for a bit.


Also at Cheekwood, my mom and Dino.


Justin and Shelli with some wonderful crepes we ate in D.C.


Justin and Shelli at the Jefferson Memorial.


Me and Michael near the Capitol Building.


In October we played card games by the lake near Shelli's building during Phillip and Crystal's wedding weekend.


Also by the lake.


At the wedding.


After Christa found "the dress" we got freshly made popsickles at this little place near downtown Nashville where they make the popsickles fresh every day. Yum.


Pounce loved the Christmas tree very much.


All the kids.


On Sabbath of our Gatlinburg Christmas. It was beautiful up in the mountains.


The church in Cade's Cove where we sang lots of Christmas hymns. Great acustics

Year in review (a little late)

1) What did you do in 2008 that you'd never done before?
Taught Business Math, went to Paris, Venice, Florence and Rome, met Barack Obama and Dan Rather, went to the National Zoo, paid off our car, saw Brian Regan live, saw Mary Poppins on Broadway.

2) Did you keep your New Year's Resolutions, and will you make more for next year (this year)?
I don't remember making any resolutions last year.
This year I want to lose some weight and move to Nashville.

3) Did anyone close to you give birth?
Linsey Bailey

4) Did anyone close to you die?
My grandmother

5) What countries did you visit?
England, France, Italy, Austria

6) What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008?
More time with family, a house and job in Nashville, more joy.

7) What date(s) from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory and why?
January 18-the day my grandmother died.
June 22-the beginning of our European adventure.

8) What was your biggest achievement of the year?
A lot of days it feels like just surviving is a big achievement. But probably, I feel like I am a better teacher all the time, and I am keeping up with my grading better than the last two years, and over all, I just feel more competent in my job, and that's a pretty big accomplishment.

9)Did you suffer illness or injury
No, just the usual maladies...

10) What was the best thing you bought?
Plane tickets!

11) Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
Various students at various times.

12) Whose behavior merited Celebration?
Michael's. He is very patient with me and is willing to do just about anything to make me happy. He's pretty amazing.

13) Where did most of your money go?
Bills and Europe

14) What did you get really, really excited about?
Europe, dancing with Shelli, a baby book that my mom made me.

15) What song will always remind you of 2008?
"Yes We Can" by WillIAm.

16. Compared to this time last year, are you?:
Wiser? Hopefully I'm getting wiser all the time. This is kind of difficult to measure.

Healthier? Emotionally? Yes. Physically? It's really a toss-up.

Richer? We have more in savings and less debt, so I suppose that we're richer, yes.

17) What do yo wish you'd done more of? More playing and time with friends and family, more reading, more exercise and more traveling.

18) What do you wish you'd done less of? Less anxious worrying and computer game time.

19) HOw much did you spend on christmas? I have no idea. Several hundred.

20)Did you fall in love in 2008? Marriage is a constant re-falling in love with someone you know better all the time.

21) What was your favorite blog post that you wrote?
Probably the series about Europe.

22) What was your favorite TV programs?
My favorite new series is 30 Rock, favorite returning series: The Office.

23) Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
I sometimes hate various students. But it doesn't last for more than a day. So I guess not really.

24) What was the best book you read?
Probably my favorites were People of the Book and I Am Asher Lev.

25) What was your greatest musical discovery?
Probably Ingrid Michaelson and Eastmountainsouth

26) What did you want and get?
This sweet winter white cape jacket.

27) What did you want and not get?
This cute little dress in Paris.

28)What was your favorite film this year?
I really liked The Dark Knight and Wall-E.

29) What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
We ate at Uno's and saw Charlie Wilson's War. I turned 25.

30) which celebrity/public figure did you like the most?
Tina Fey.

31) How would yo describe your personal fashion concept in 2008
Comfort and cost effective with a little quirky.

32) What kept you sane?
Michael, antidepressants, Barack winning the election, trips home to see the family and dreaming of a different future.

33) Who did you miss?
My grandparents.

34) Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2008.
Don't trust the stock market.

35) What did you lose this year?
My temper, several times.

36)What did you gain this year?
Hope that there can be joy again, a book club.

37) What was the best new person you met?
Maybe the new principal.

38) Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
It's been a hard year, but I'm climbing out of the rubble...