Reflections

2008 has come and gone. It's been fun for me to reflect over the year and everything that we have done. We used 2008 to set us up for long term goals that we wanted to achieve and we are happy with all the changes and progress that we have made. Here's a look at the last 12 months:


January: SNOW! We had tickets and equipment all ready to go skiing/snowboarding, and then got snowed in. I was secretly excited because I was having such bad morning sickness at this point. We did, however, go up again a couple of weeks later. I don't really recommend snowboarding pregnant---your body just does not have the energy that you need to do really well!


February: WORK! Here I am, working for BYU International Services, which is where I spent a good majority of 2008. This picture shows flowers that Jared sent me on Valentines Day. Then, of course, he took me to Mexican food...Joe Vera's...man, I miss that place!


March: MEXICO! I took my pregnant self to Mexico with the office for "Immigration training." It was a great experience- minus the van ride...brutal!

April: B-DAY! Jared turned 25 and I planned a sports themed day...started out at a sporting goods store, where Jared got to pick out a new baseball mitt. I surprised him by taking him to a park to try it out, where all his family had met us. We had cupcakes, then I took Jared to Olive Garden where we spent way too much money. Next, played some mini-golf with best buds, Rick & Mike, then some go-carting, and arcade games. Finished with Iggy's Sports Bar---super fun!

May: ARKANSAS! Jared leaves for 6 weeks to Arkansas to work, as he couldn't find a good paying job in Utah! It was awful being apart, but great when we were together. I flew out after 3 weeks and we had a great time together. I spent a lot of time scrapbooking and even started my blog during this time.

June: STILL PREGNANT! 8 months pregnant and about as uncomfortable as one can be! Jared & I spend most of our evenings on super long walks. Looking back, I really loved these times.

July: NOAH IS BORN! 4 lbs and 9 oz...Noah makes his appearance into our family. We are forever changed. I also begin the days of no sleep, which still continue.

August: RECOVERY! We decided that I would go to Logan to recover a bit, while Jared moved our stuff down to Arkansas. We are apart for another 3 weeks, but the time with my family was wonderful. My family helped out so much with Noah.

September: REUNITED! I move to Arkansas, after making a pit stop in Washington for Caleb & Becca's wedding. I was surprised to find that Jared's "75%" of getting our apartment put together, was really 20%. So, I spent a good majority of the month making our apartment how I wanted it and doing special projects, like re-doing our dresser and helping Jared make a bookshelf (ok, he mostly did the bookshelf himself).

October: BAD ECONOMY HITS HOME! I celebrated my 26th birthday by finding out that Jared had lost his job with Wachter. We were unemployed for 2 LONG weeks while we both searched desperately for a job. The end of the month brought us wonderful news: Jared started a job for a toy company that sells toys to Wal-Mart. It's his dream job- he gets paid to play with toys and do international business. Plus, his boss is one of the greatest people he knows!

November: MEMPHIS! Jared & I went with his family to Memphis for Thanksgiving. I met a lot of his extended family. One of the best parts was going to Corky's BBQ---so fun and so delicious. Other than Memphis, I am just getting used to being at home with Noah---and actually really struggling with it.

December: BEST CHRISTMAS EVER! I absolutely loved Christmas this year- especially having Noah with us. He didn't understand what was going on, but it was still fun for me to give him presents and help him unwrap his gifts. We were also invited to so many fun activities and parties- I just absolutely love living in Arkansas!!!

And now, here we are: 2009. I start working on Monday. I got a job with Wal-Mart doing HR work for the Real Estate division. Noah will be spending lots of time with Grandma Susie...and she's really great with him. He lights up everytime he sees her. Jared will continue working for the toy company and doing school part-time. We've set good goals for this year and excited to see where they takes us. HAPPY NEW YEAR everyone!