A Look Back at '08

So, I know I'm pathetic and at this point, probably shouldn't even post my look back at '08 post when it is almost MARCH. Seriously...how is it already March? But I told myself as long as I finished before March 1 I will feel okay with myself. And here it is Feb. 28th, 10:00 p.m. :-)

To say it was an incredible year would be an understatement. I have never had a year full of more adventures and more traveling.

January '08, Amanda and I took a roadtrip to Houston. It was one of the best weekends ever! We had so much fun! Amanda's mom so graciously hosted Ella and I, along with Amanda and Jackson at her house. It was so fun to wake up each morning and to see the babies' faces when they realized they were both waking up in the same house. There was so much squealing going on.

We were incredibly spoiled by Bibby all weekend!!







And Beth's coffee...I was practically squealing every morning getting to have some that. She knows how to make GOOD coffee!!

You can read about our entire weekend and all the fun things we all did together by clicking on these links! It's been fun to relive.

Weekend at Bibby's Part One!
Weekend at Bibby's Part 2
Weekend at Bibby's Part 3

The first week in February '08, my family took a 7 day trip to DISNEY WORLD!! I've said this before, but I can not tell you how much I LOVE Disney World! I would go there every month if I could. This was a dream trip. We got to celebrate Ella's 2nd birthday there. We had not only my family, buy Heath's mom and sisters came too! It was the greatest time.

I blogged about each day, so there's a lot of links, but it's worth it. Especially day 3 when Ella gets her first haircut at the barber shop on Main street!
Disney World Part 1!
Disney World Part 2!



Disney World Part 3 & Ella's 1st Haircut!




Disney World Part 4!
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Disney World Part 5!


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Disney World Part 6!
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Disney World Part 7!


Upon returning from Disney World, Ella & Jackson had a combined 2nd b-day party at Pump It Up! They are only 2 days apart and practically have the same friends, so it just made sense and was so much fun. Great place to have a party.
Ella & Jackson's Combined 2 Year Birthday Party!
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In March '08, I got the opportunity to travel to Honduras with our church for a week long mission trip. Our church takes a group every year and this was my second year to get to go. It was an AMAZING trip!

I get to go back on this trip this year and we leave in 6 DAYS!! We definitely need your prayers. I will post some prayer requests in the next few days.
Honduras Part 1
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Honduras Part 2



Honduras Part 3


Honduras Part 4

June '08 - DEEPER STILL
I don't really need know how to express that the gratitude I felt for this trip. It was beyond a dream, beyond my imagination. I was able to sit under the teaching of two women whose Bible study teachings have meant so much to me over the past several years and has helped mark so many milestones in my relationship with the Lord. But not only did I get to get a good Word from them I also got to spend LOTS of one on one time with them. I still can't believe I got to do all of that!!! Thank you, thank you, thank you Beth and Amanda.
Deeper Still Part 1

Deeper Still Part 2

Look...it's Big Mama & BooMama!!!



Photo by Rich

Deeper Still Part 3
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Deeper Still Part 4

Deeper Still Part 5

July '08 AFRICA!! AFRICA!! AFRICA!!!
Y'all I am still reeling from the fact that my husband I got to spend two weeks doing ministry in Africa!!! I don't really have words for this trip either, but i am so grateful. Doing the Lord's work is so fulfilling and He will take you on some wild adventures. (I still need to finish blogging about this trip.)


You can find the links on the right side of my blog.

September '08, I got to lead Genesis Part 2. I have a group of ladies at the church that are working our way through Genesis using Kay Arthur's Precept materials. It was another very fun, very interesting class!
Genesis Bible Study!

What we learned.

October '08 - This was certainly one of those difficult times of the year. The unexpected passing of our good friend Ileeta is still something we are all trying to deal with.
Ileeta

Also in October, my family took a trip to Colorado to visit other family!! It was TONS of fun!!! I can't wait to go back.
Colorado Part 1


Colorado Part 2




In November, my family was able to take a trip to San Antonio to visit my sister and her husband. They have just recently moved there and I see lots of fun San Antonio trips in our future!


Overall, it was a great year, but not because it was full of fun travels, but also because in the midst of all the fun adventures I got to go on, it certainly was NOT without it's trials. Not only did I deal with the loss of a good friend, but my husband was laid off from his job in '08. It was a year of learning to lean more and more on the Lord. It's been very difficult at times, but what we learned in '08 can not be replaced. I am so thankful for every blessing, even the blessings of difficult lessons.

My hope is that at the end of '09, I can say that I am even more in love with Jesus than in '08!