2008--It was a very good year!

It is so hard to believe that 2008 is coming to a close. It was a busy, fun year for us. Here are a few of the things that happened this year.

• Katie and Emily moved in with us in January. We were so glad to have them and knew we would enjoy them being here. But we had no idea how much love and enjoyment they would bring into our household.
• In February we celebrated Mardi Gras and Valentine's Day.
  
• In March we got the news that Andy had a nine week job in St. Croix. We spent most of the month getting things in order and getting ready for the trip which was to begin in April.
  
• Grace lost her first tooth, then three more very quickly after that. She was a snaggletooth for a couple of weeks, then "toothless" for a little while after that. She kept her sweet smile in spite of the fact that her front teeth were missing.
  
• Emily started walking in April. I was so afraid that she would take those first few steps while we were in St. Croix, but she surprised us all by walking at eleven months.
  
• We left for St. Croix at the end of April. We were there nine weeks. It was the chance of a lifetime and was a wonderful, relaxing trip. We met so many nice people and had adventures that we will never forget. They include sailboating to Buck Island, scuba diving, snorkeling, taking a sea plane to St. Thomas, and many, many other fun things. It was a great trip, but I was ready to get home when it was over.
• Emily had her first birthday in May. We knew we were going to be out of town on her real birthday, so we had a "not birthday party" for her before we left. It was hard to believe that a year had passed so quickly.
• In July we celebrated our second anniversary. Two years of happiness. I never thought I'd be blessed with someone like Andy, and I know God was looking down on me when he put us together.
• We went to California for Danielle and Richard's wedding in July. It was a very quick weekend trip, but we had a wonderful time. The wedding was just beautiful and we had the added bonus of seeing our California family.
• Grace celebrated her sixth birthday on July 15. Six years have just flown by. She is a beautiful, intelligent little girl. I just don't know how we could ever live without the fun and laughter she brings to us.
• Our house got a facelift in August. The new siding is just beautiful. Not a week goes by that one of us doesn't make a comment about how good it looks.
  
• Hurricane Gustav paid us a visit in September. Other than being without electricity for several days, we were unscathed by the storm. My brother, Buddy, didn't fare so well. A very large tree fell on his house. He has since repaired the damage and made some remodeling changes in the process.
• We got a scare from Hurricane Ike just a week after Gustav came. Fortunately it went to Houston, so we didn't have any damage at all.
  
• Emily got a second set of tubes in her ears in September. Thankfully she hasn't had another ear infection, so they are doing what they're supposed to do.
• October was a wonderful month for us. Brian came for a ten day visit. It had been several years since I had seen him, and I enjoyed every minute that he was here. It was so hard when he left, but hopefully he'll be back soon.
• We took Grace and Emily to the pumpkin patch just before Halloween. They had fun picking out pumpkins to take home. I didn't think Emily was ever going to be ready to leave, and we finally had to take her away crying. I think she enjoyed herself.
• I went camping with Mary, Sue, and Patty in October. The weather was perfect--clear and cool. It was a great weekend. We love to get together but don't find time to do it often enough.
• We spent Thanksgiving with our family in California. Emily went with us. Everyone just loved her. She provided the entertainment for everyone there. I think she had a good time. Not a day goes by that she doesn't talk about "high in the sky". I hope our California family will let us come back to visit without her some day. Or maybe we'll just have to take her with us every time we go!
• Grace came to visit early in December to decorate a gingerbread house. She had a great time and did a super job on the house. She took it home and dared anyone to eat it!
• Louisiana had a rare occurance of snow in December. It was enough to stick on the ground. Everything shut down and kids and adults played in it. Katie and Emily built a snowman in the backyard. The snow was beautiful and something that Louisianans won't forget for a long time.
• Katie had her 25th birthday on December 12th. I just can't believe that my little girl has grown into such a beautiful young woman. She makes me proud every day.
• The sad news for December is that Katie and Emily are moving out. When they came here in January we never expected them to be here this long. We were so blessed to have them; to share in the every day happenings in their lives. But they are going back to Ville Platte to be with Brian and Gage. I'm happy for them, but really sad for myself.

2008 really HAS been a busy year. And a good one. I'm sorry to see it come to an end, but excited to see what 2009 has in store for us.