What's behind and what lies ahead

Since I've been blogging for nearly a full year now, I won't make this a drawn out post. The beauty of a blog is that it's all right here. I am a person who needs things to be "buttoned up" and tied with a bow...so ending 2009 with one final blog seems fitting.

Mike's 2009 was pretty steady. He cared for lots of patients in the burn unit and also chauffeured many people to the hospital at his paramedic job. After going on several interviews last year, he decided to stay at U of M and really focus on advancing his career. He's taken post on two nursing committees at the U and was also asked to be the unit's web master, a task he is very excited about. He also re-enlisted as a mentor for incoming freshman to the University of Michigan.

In 2010, Mike( the eternal student) plans to more seriously consider going back to school to get his master's of nursing education. He would love to be a nurse educator and some day maybe even shoot for the highest star- dean of a nursing school. He'd also like to get into a work out regimen and get back into running shape. It'll be nice to have a running partner!

My 2009 was enlightening. Having worked in childcare and pediatric health care, I was feeling pretty confident in my knowledge of child rearing. But as someone very wise once said, " It's just not the same unless it's your own." None of my professional training could have prepared me for the joy exudes toddlerdom and that joy is contagious. Raising a toddler slows down the pace of life and you get to exam those things that you before rushed by.Getting to see the world through Mackenzie's eyes is a blessing that I can never explain. Aside from that, I was successful in reaching my weight loss goal of losing 65 lbs. My summer was filled with out door fun- running the trails farther than I'd ever before, bike riding until I was soaked in rain and sweat. I discovered that I really like the challenge of training my body. While I have some pounds yet to shed, I am proud of what I've been able to do over the last year.

2010 will be a busy one for me. I plan on restarting my nursing prereqs and finally conquering math. I also plan on running my first race this April- a 10k! My biggest hope for 2010 is that I can continue to go out of my comfort zone in many different ways and areas of my life. That's where I've learned the most about myself and there isn't much more satisfying than doing something you didn't know you could.

Mackenzie- she's changed so much in '09 that it hardly seems worth it to try to put it into words. Looking back over the pages of this blog, it's easy to see that she's a whole different girl than she was this time last year. She's learned so much and is such a happy little girl- pure sunshine!

This time next year, Mackenzie will have changed all over again-she'll be potty trained and sleeping in her a big girl bed and her knowledge will be far more than it is now. I am really excited to see what this year brings for our little sprite!

A new way to travel

Christmas 2009

I have finally rounded up every last scrap of wrapping paper, reorganzied Mackenzie's new toys and am eying the Christmas tree, a plan of attack for deconstructing it already forming in my head. Can you believe Christmas 2009 is over? Just like that! One minute we are floating in a tinsel covered Christmas dream and the next, the brakes are squealing and reality sets in-Christmas 2009 is over and in the books. Days ago I was wondering if time could go any slower, anticipation of Christmas thick in the air. Now, I am trying to find those hours that flew by with out notice...Here are a some of the MANY pictures of our Christmas morning (I'm going to post as many as I can so that those far away can see reactions to gifts, etc) :

Having been up so late, Mackenzie didn't wake up until 8:30. Despite the sleep she missed, she was still all smiles :
Here are a few snapshots of Mike on Christmas day

What a great gift for Mike- Beer bread!
I love how expressive Mike is. Here he is opening his new DS game:
And a gift card to NFL.com from my mom. Needless to say, you " done good" mom:


Here are a few pictures of me on Christmas:

Mike got me this really cool running jacket. It reflect light so that I can go running at night. See the difference in the jacket with the flash and with out?

Without flash:

With the flash:
He also got me a new running hat ( maybe he was tired of the stench of my old one?) and a light that attaches to the bill so I can jog at night ( "head lights" are popular the Rose family..hehe)

And a heavy duty true canvas tote ( I've been eying it for years)

A "Sisters' picture frame with an ancient picture of Nikki and Carley learning to drive in my dads truck! I love it!


Mackenzie's holiday highlights:
Mackenzie seemed overwhelmed by all of the presents and actually had to take a few breaks. Once she had some breakfast and a little quiet time, she was back to her old self again.

This is a Sesame Street version of a doll house given to Mackenzie from my parents. She loves it although she has a strange compulsion with making sure Big Bird stays laying down on the bed:
Look what the Hansfords sent ! This pig is one of her favorite. When you touch it's nose it sneezes and says " Excuse me!" So Mackenzie keeps going around saying " Excuse me, pig"

Working on a puzzle:

Here's what Santa brought Mackenzie:
Quite the set up, Mackenzie!
And one flash back from last year:

Christmas Eve

Christmastime is busy for EVERYONE, especially those who are excited to share Christmas traditions and meaning with children! Christmas Eve too so long to get here but when it did, things flew! Here's a glimpse of our day:

Mackenzie and I wrote a note to Santa and made him a batch of cookies:

After nap, it was time to get ready for church. Mackenzie seemed little confused that we were going to church after nap instead of before, but she was excited none the less. When we picked her up from the nursery after the service, she joyously shouted " MERRY CHRISTMAS! TRICK OR TREAT! " to each person we passed!

After church, we went to the Ascher's for their traditional Christmas Eve party. We had so much fun visiting with our church family and reconnecting with those we haven't seen in a while. Mackenzie had so much fun playing with Jennifer and Gretchen and Kim and David had so much for the children to do. Mackenzie especially loved " playing" with the older kids.


As is our tradition, we opened one present each when we got home. The present given is always a new pair of pajamas ( this tradition was also practiced by my family and it's so much fun to pass it down). Mackenzie was also given a few presents by Gretchen and Jennifer and their grandma Sandy and she was allowed to open those.


Another tradition- a family photo in our new jammies:

Here we are last year:

Mackenzie was so wound up from all the festivities, it was nearly ten o'clock before her room fell silent! She sang, talked and played in her crib for almost two hours before finally falling asleep!

Thanks Leif, Marie and Chloe!

Leif, Marie and Chloe sent Mackenzie a lady bug "night light" that casts stars and a moon one the walls of a dark room. This is the perfect gift for Mackenzie who loves lights AND lady bugs!
Thank you so much for thinking of Mackenzie!

Waiting for daddy to open the box:
The best I could do in the dark. Mack was so excited, she couldn't stop moving!

South Lyon!

Mackenzie's learned her address ( for the most part!)

Video city!

Mackenzie was in an agreeable mood for videos tonight so I am posting a few! Enjoy!