A look at 2009

2009 has been a crazy year!!!!! So here is a brief update:

January-Ryan started his new schedule as the night side Executive Producer. He oversaw the 8, 10, and 11 o’clock news cast. This schedule became very hard on both of us. It was a challenge not being home together in the evenings.
February-our good friends Kat and Jeff had a baby boy, his name is Levi, and he is so sweet!!!
April-our niece Hadlie turned one!!
April- I turned 26! Ryan surprised me with a very full couple of days. We went to Seattle to see Detroit beat the Mariners….kind of sad. It was a very enjoyable birthday!
May-my mom turned 50! We had a great time surprising her with a birthday party at her favorite restaurant.
June-We adopted “Meow” our little kitty (who is not so little anymore)
June-We took our vacation time and went to Yakima for about five days. We were able to do a bunch of wine tasting up in Washington and had a great time.
August-Oregon Wine Tasting Extravaganza! We spent an entire day wine tasting in the Williamatte Valley. It was a lot. I learned that I am not a big fan of Pinot Noir though!
August-after the Hawes Family Camping Trip, we spent an afternoon at Mt. Hood. It was breath taking.
September-I surprised Ryan with his birthday present early, we went up to Woodinville WA, and did a private wine tasting at Chateau St. Michelle. It was such an amazing experience! We stayed in Redmond, WA and had dinner at El Gaucho. It was such an enjoyable get away for us.
September-I got my first baking job. I made cookies for the son of a co-worker who is at the Naval Academy. It was a blast!
October-Ryan turned 28!!!!!
October- ONE YEAR!!! We celebrated our one year anniversary in Lincoln City. We stayed in a beautiful hotel that overlooks the ocean.
October-I started a sort of new job. I moved from our corporate branch, to one of our smaller branches, same job, different office. It’s been a good change.
November-Ryan started his new job. Still at Fox 12, but new position. Ryan was moved to the morning Executive Producer…he is now over Good Day Oregon. The new schedule has been amazing. We actually get to spend time with each other!
December-our nephew Jackson was born on Christmas Day!!!

It was a tough year in some ways, but it was so wonderful too!! We had a great year together, and we are looking forward to another!

Photos of our year:



Valentines Day at Cannon Beach



Levi Wiedemann



Hadlie turns One!!



Watching the Mariners



Ahh...Safeco Field!



Happy Birthday Mom!



Baby Meow



Mt. Hood



Chateau St. Michelle



Lincoln City



Left over wedding cake, that tasted so yummy and fresh...seriously!



Baby Jackson!

The Sweetest Thing

My husband went to see our niece, and brand new nephew today. He called me to tell me how the visit went. He said that our niece, Hadlie, kept asking for her "Auntie". When he told her I had to work, she was ok. Then he was looking out the window and she proceeded to ask for her Auntie again. Nothing makes my heart happier than hearing that. I love that little girl so very much, and I love that she knows me and loves me too.

An Unexpected Gift

This year for Christmas we got an unexpected gift, ok we didn't expect it for a few more days, but early Christmas Morning, Jackson Timothy was born!!

We got to meet our little 7 pound nephew Christmas afternoon, and I must say, he is adorable!!!! But don't take my word for it....

What a guy!!

Last night when I got home from a long day at work, I walked in the door not only to find the house spot less, the sheets changed on the bed, the dishes done, the floors swept and vacummed, the bathroom sparkling clean, the Christmas gifts packed, but dinner made. Chicken, rolls and mashed potatos. On my husbands first day of vacation he did all of that for me, and cooked! He doesn't cook!

I am so grateful. It made the rest of my evening so much more enjoyable, and the stress of leaving town disappear.

Thanks Ryan!! You are so good to me.

Words

I often think I am an easy going person. I try to be nice to everyone and polite. I would hope people would do the same. But in reality that is not the case. People are rude. Selfish. Mean. I try to not let these people and their comments get to me, but sometimes that is impossible. Sometimes one rude response can ruin my day, or at least put me in a sour mood, especially towards that one person.

I know people get stressed out, especially during the holidays, but really? If you took the time to breathe before making a comment, you can change someone’s day. Ok, so now I feel like a hypocrite. This weekend I didn’t get much sleep, so Saturday I was a bit short with Ryan. But if I just took a second to think about the impact it made on him, my Saturday would have been a lot happier, same with Ryan’s!

I also am aware the power of a sweet word. Today I brought in a plate of goodies to work. One of the sales reps was so nice and complimented my baking…it quickly turned my sour mood around.

Words are so powerful, whether to sting, or to lift up. The offer life, or death. The can make, or really break someone’s day. I need to try so much harder to not let these negative people bring me down, instead focus on making other people feel appreciated, and cared for. Instead of responding in frustration, I need to take a second then reply. I am sure that would change a person’s day just by being nice in my replies.

Maybe people would be happier too if we all took the time to say a nice word. After all, a kind word turns away wrath. Right?

Hark!

Yesterday at Church we sang one of my favorite Christmas Carols. It warmed my heart to be singing this song. The worship pastor pointed out that much of the song is talking about the prophecy of Christ’s birth. I am just constantly amazed by the powerful words of this song. I just love it!!!

Hark! the herald angels sing, -
"Glory to the newborn King!"
Peace on earth, and mercy mild,
God and sinners reconciled."
Joyful, all ye nations, rise,
Join the triumph of the skies;
With th' angelic host proclaim,
"Christ is born in Bethlehem."
Hark! the herald angels sing,
"Glory to the newborn King!"

Christ, by highest heav'n adored:
Christ, the everlasting Lord;
Late in time behold him come,
Offspring of the favored one.
Veil'd in flesh, the Godhead see;
Hail, th'incarnate Deity:
Pleased, as man, with men to dwell,
Jesus, our Emmanuel!
Hark! the herald angels sing,
"Glory to the newborn King!"

Hail! the heav'n-born Prince of peace!
Hail! the Son of Righteousness!
Light and life to all he brings,
Risen with healing in his wings
Mild he lays his glory by,
Born that man no more may die:
Born to raise the sons of earth,
Born to give them second birth.
Hark! the herald angels sing,
"Glory to the newborn King!"

A Reminder of the true meaning of Christmas

My friend Shelley posted this on her blog...so now it's my turn. What a reminder of what this season is all about.

I about cried....

http://blog.thenewstribune.com/street/2009/12/16/lakewood-police-officer-pens-christmas-story/

A Night to Remember

I am a pretty sentimental person. I have a shoe box that holds all my treasures from Ryan. All the cards he has given me, seashells from the beach, ticket stubs. I remember all the special occasions in our relationship. The day we went on our first date, the day he told me he loved me. The day is proposed. That day, December 15, 2007. Two years ago today.

People often ask me how Ryan proposed and I quickly say, under a 75 ft. Christmas Tree. It’s true. Pioneer Courthouse Square here in Portland. It was beautiful, and such a perfect place.

Last year we had hoped to go and visit “our tree”, but the snow storm made that too difficult. Tonight we are going to celebrate the night we got engaged. It might seem a bit ridiculous to you, but for us, we enjoy it. A nice dinner out, and a stroll in downtown Portland to see such a special tree (that is if it’s not too rainy, then we will go another night to see the tree).

None the less, we will take tonight to remember a night that changed both of our lives. A night we made a promise. A night neither of us will ever forget.

Christmas Lights

This weekend when we were in Yakima, we went and looked at some Christmas Lights. We stopped by a house that was synchronized to Trans Siberian Orchestra. They had a sign that said to tune into a specific radio station, and it played the same two songs over and over. The lights flashed with the music. If you haven't heard Trans, it's very upbeat so the lights move very quickly. It was amazing!!

If you get a chance, google Trans Siberian Orchestra and Christmas lights and you will find several YouTube videos of this same thing.

It's pretty impressive...I wish I had my camera with me!!!

Wonder

Have you ever wondered why?Have you wondered why things happen to you that don’t happen to anyone else?I do.
I wonder why I married the most incredible woman in the world.
I wonder why I get to enjoy life with the most beautiful woman in the world.
I wonder why I have been able to see parts of the world many people only dream of.
I wonder why I have been able to meet so many wonderful people and be apart of so many great lives.
I wonder why I enjoy the alarm clock going off at 2am to go do the best job in the world.
I wonder why I have been so blessed in my life.

I used to wonder why I was depressed and wanted to kill myself – going as far as trying.
I used to wonder if God would ever make something of my life.
I used to wonder if I would ever be healed.

I have been healed – and while I don’t know the “why” part of the answer, if it meant being able to appreciate the blessings I have now more than I would have if I hadn’t gone through the other stuff – that’s enough for me and for now, I’ll be content wondering why.

-Ryan

My Monster

Meow has become a little monster. By Monster I mean giant pawed huge kitty monster. I cannot believe how big he is. He loves to lay on his back and expose his very fluffy tummy, not fat, fluffy. He’s just a monster.

He is so sweet and affectionate. I have never had or met a cat like him. He loves to give love, especially to me. Ryan would tell you it’s true, but he def gives love to Ryan! Meow likes to wake me up around 3 in the morning, every night. He gets on me and starts licking my face and nudging me. He just wants so much love and wants to share it with me. Then he proceeds to sleep on my head. Yes, on my head. The other night I was laying on my stomach and he stretched from one shoulder to the other with his little face resting on my cheek just purring and sleeping. It was the sweetest thing…until I couldn’t fall back to sleep.

He also likes to be where we are. If we leave a room, he follows. He doesn’t have to be with us every moment, just in sight of us. It’s so cute. When we leave for a few days, even with someone kitty sitting, he just wants to be held and loved and is afraid we will leave him again.

I love my little guy so much. I had a guy at work ask me yesterday if he has become like our child….you know, kind of. Ryan even bought Meow a stocking for Christmas. Of course, the stocking says Meow right on it. He brings us so much joy. He is truly a good cat…curious, but good.

We have been reading up on the Maine Coon Breed of cats. I have a friend who told me that Meow might be of this very popular breed. So I read up…he does seem to have many of the traits. Long ear hair. Long hair in his toes. Fluffy tail. Giant paws. Fascination with water. Loyal. Playful. Affectionate, but not a lap cat. Huge. Did I mention how big my monster is getting? This breed can get up to 4 feet long with the tail..yikes. They tend to have some dog-like traits…like playing fetch. Yup. There were several more, but as both Ryan and I have read up, we are pretty convinced he is at least partially Maine Coon.

Looking forward to my monster getting much bigger, especially with him sleeping on my head. Great.

Baby Monster

Not so baby Monster