First, let me say Happy New Year to all of you! I am anxious to continue bringing you inspiring and insightful blogs throughout the year. It is strange to be hanging up a new calendar and seeing 2010 at the top! Another year behind us, and one that was full of memories. Some of the events were fun and joyful, others a little more somber and saddening - yet all things to be remembered. Through the many years that I have been scrapbooking, I have made it a mandatory project to create at least one spread in January to show the highlights of the previous year. Although it may be a little more personal than inspiring, I thought I would share a few of my favorite highlights from 2009 with you, and my spread for this year!
To start off, one of the happiest occurrences that lasted all year long was watching my children grow and develop. Since my three children’s ages range from 10 to 2 ½, there are changes happening constantly within our household! It was a blast watching my oldest daughter, Abigail, participate in a basketball cheerleading program early in the year. She cheered for my son, Nolan’s, team. It was their first experience with an “organized” sport, so seeing how both of them grew in their new endeavors was really quite interesting. My husband even got involved by refereeing in the league. That was just as fun to watch!!
Another great event in our family was watching the Pittsburg Steelers win the Super Bowl in January. (We are diehard Steelers fans who wear our jerseys on game day and wave our terrible towels!) Although we are disappointed that they did not make the playoffs this year, we are not shaken from our commitment to them, and will continue to root them on in the 2010 season.
We took a trip to the family farm this summer so the kids and their cousins who were visiting could learn about grain, planting, harvesting and all of the equipment. The had so much fun riding in the tractor, and being allowed to climb in the little door in the empty grain bin and hear their echoes. It was definitely a fun, educational experience for all of the kids and a memory that will last a lifetime.
My youngest, Kalyn, seemed to change everyday! She mastered many things, such as her famous model walk, funny faces, talking and pedaling a big wheel. She has amazing coordination, and loved swimming in the backyard pool we put up each year for the kids. She helped me in both gardens: flower and vegetable. She would become ecstatic when the smallest bloom or sprout would appear on the plants. She loved helping me pick cucumbers, corn and yellow beans, and even spotted the praying mantis that became our outdoor friend this fall in the flower garden. We had so many fun and “first” memories with her.
Abigail and I were a part of the Chalk Walk in our city for the first time, and had a blast with it this summer. We were sad when the weekend was over because we enjoyed it so much. We are already signed up for it again this year, and are praying for good weather.
As the year progressed, Nolan became involved in a Flag football league. With games every Sunday afternoon, we all became accustomed to sitting on the sidelines and cheering his poor team on with empathy and disappointment for him as his team lost every game. He was a good sport, however, and enjoyed the season despite the team’s bad luck. He developed into a total sports nut in 2009.
I stayed extremely busy working for EK Success Brands and doing some traveling for them in 2009. I couldn’t ask for a better job and a more unique opportunity that allows me to raise my kids, work out of my home, and make wonderful friends and contacts along the way. I am truly blessed.
My last great memory of 2009 was, of course, Christmas. A week before the holiday, my husband decided that we were finally ready to trade in our minivan of 10 years and upgrade to a newer model. Besides having a child ten years ago on December 18 (exactly one week before Christmas), the van is probably the best gift I have ever received!! I also was given a very nice, new camera to replace my old, broken down one that I had been using since 2004. It was definitely time for a new one, and I am so grateful for it since it is a staple in my daily life!
Kalyn received the one and only gift she asked Santa for…. the Little Tikes Pink and Blue Cozy Coupe. The joy on her face and the excitement was immeasurable! The older two received a Wii and were just as excited with their “big” gift from Santa as Kalyn was with hers! We all had so much fun watching each other enjoy the holidays and took special time to be thankful for all that we have.
I tried to incorporate as many of my favorites in the spread as possible. Hopefully the layout, use of many photos and color scheme will inspire all of you to take note of your 2009 memories and capture them for memory sake. There have been years that I have 3 or 4 spreads to complete the year’s events, so don’t feel bad if you aren’t able to fit them all on one! It’s a fun way to look back through the years and have tangible, lasting memories to share and recall!
Again, Happy New Year! Hope it is prosperous and exciting for all!
Karen (Kabby)