Goodbye 2009!

I wanted to take a minute and reflect on this past year and try to remember every event, celebration, trial, or life changing moment. 2009 will be an unforgettable year all because of:

1. The first couple of weeks in 2009 began with the big news of 2 becoming 3, a baby!!

2. Which brings us to our next event, the pregnancy. I can remember those weeks where all i felt was nausea. But really enjoyed the whole experience in its "huge" splendor! A funny moment I remember is when I went swimming in my bikini (7 months) and having kids stare at my belly, looking concerned. They were worried it would come out of me in the water!!! I assured them that she needed more time in my belly and that she wouldn't be coming out for a while. LOL

3. My Grandpa George passed away in January of 09. He was the cutest old man that you ever saw! I can just picture him doing his Maori dance and singing his atooittaaaa dance. (My family knows what I am talking about.)

4. Last May we had a great celebration of Luke's graduation from SVU!! What a fun and long journey it was watching Luke get to play college football and baseball. And of course get his education on top of it! lol

5. We decided to join the ranks and sell APX alarms in CT for the summer. The selling part wasn't as fun as we hoped but, we sure had a grand time getting to know Luke's cousins. We were able to see Boston,NYC, and Rhode Island for the first time. LOVED IT! And we love you Nikki,Devin, La'Akea, Aleki, Malia, new little Owen, and, Chris...Yayyy baby!! haha

6. Our long awaited Claire was the biggest event/celebration/and life changing moment of the year! We just love her so much. I live to see those big blue eyes and gorgeous smile everyday. We have been so blessed to have her in our lives. She lets us take her to movies, games, out to eat, and doesn't give a fuss! She has a sweet temperament and is a happy-go-lucky girl.

7. This wasn't much fun for me but I know Luke loved it. He was able to Coach Football! Too bad they didn't pay him more than beans otherwise we might had stayed another year. He coached the quarterbacks and recruited for SVU. And it was a great for his resume to coach College ball.

8. We moved back home to Arizona! What a trial that was. I had to take out my IRA and 403B to afford to move across country. And we still have half our stuff that wouldn't fit back in VA!! Owell, it will give us an excuse to go back and visit our wonderful friends and to do my favorite thing...travel!!

9.My uncle Paul pass away suddenly- Obituary:

Paul David Madsen passed away December 22, 2009 in Bountiful , Utah . He was the much-loved son of Judith Pitts Madsen and Clair Evan Madsen, born January 12, 1967. He is survived by his mother, Judy, his brothers, Duff (Arlene), Jeff (Karen), Kevin (Jeneline), Robert (Michelle), Michael, and his sister, Jill (Kevin). His father preceded him in death. He also leaves behind a grandmother, many aunts and uncles and sixteen nieces and nephews.He loved his family very much and was looking forward to joining all of them at Christmas. Instead he celebrated Christmas with his dad, grandparents and others. He is also now enjoying the company of his favorite dog, Shilo, the family pet for 14 years. Paul was an avid BYU fan, never missing a game and calling his siblings to make certain they were also watching. He loved riding his bullet bike, ATV and going target shooting in the mountains with his brothers and friends.Paul was an Eagle Scout and a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints ( Bountiful 22^nd ward) and had previously been a member of Centerville 6^th ward for many years. He will be buried in the Centerville City Cemetery after a short service at the Centerville 6^th Ward Building 900 South 400 East on December 31, 2009 at 12:00pm. There will be a viewing beforehand.

10. Luke was offered a job with Knight Trucking!! He is training to be a driver manager. We are so blessed to have this job in this economy. We thought for sure it was going take at least 3 months before landing the job. Way to go Luke!!!

11. And lastly we were able to spend Christmas with our fabulous family and start the new year back at home in AZ.

We are so grateful for all of our wonderful blessings. The Lord truly has a plan for all of us. I know that as long as we are on the right path doing everything that we can the Lord will meet us half way, and everything will fall into place. I truly am grateful for the trials that I have faced in my life. It has helped me grow as a person and as a daughter of God. I am grateful to attend the temple and to be sealed to my sweet family for Eternity.