It sure has been a crazy year!! I lost track of time and haven't even blogged on here since Mother's Day weekend. We had a wonderful family gathering at Christmas time as we were able to share it with Dad and Mom who flew in from Arizona and as I type they are on a plane back to the warmer climate of Arizona. My cousin's from Florida Bret and Ursula came up north to celebrate both Thanksgiving and Christmas with us this year. It is amazing to stay connected to family. Brian and Jeannie hosted Christmas at their house once again with Jeannie's family and our family together. I love those times together.
Our year started out horrible as Ron lost his job due to economic downfall at Ecolab. We were very fortunate to have him find a job as a manager of a call center at AT&T and so far he loves the slower pace and less work hours, however the downside is that he is on 2nd shift and has missed a lot of family time due to the hours he works. Again we feel blessed to be employed when so many of our friends are not.
Ron and I celebrated our 10 year anniversary with a trip to Riverside Casino and Golf Resort only to be sequestered in a tornado shelter for 2 hours with 300 of our closest friends!! It will be something we will forever remember. Kylie also celebrated her 10th Birthday this year.
My stepson Scott graduated from High School in 2009 and is now working full time in Quincy. He turned 19 in the summer and is hopefully coming up soon to visit us.
Kylie is in 5th Grade and keeps us very busy. She played softball this year and came home with some hardware as they won tournament and league play. She is on a traveling Lady Rocks team in Basketball and our newest adventure is Volleyball for the RI Destroyers...she loves it. She continues to amaze us with her grades and her brain power. She has been selected again to attend IMSA (Illinois Math and Science Academy) in the fall and pursue her love of Math and Science. She recently won second place in her school at the Spelling Bee as well. She is my heart and I find that every day spent with her is my gift from God.
My newest gift is my nephew Bryce. He is now 18 months old and is a very active little boy who has killer eyes. He was featured on a cover of magazine for the Chicago land area so he is now a COVERBOY!! I am lucky that my Brother and sister in law open up their home to me almost once every month for me to come up and get my Bryce fix. He sure can make a person laugh and smile.
My parents are well. They continue to split their time between the QCA and Phoenix and enjoy the warmer climate. They just got done spending a week in the cold and snow of Illinois and are looking forward to their return to the HEAT! Health wise they have both had their problems but they keep a young at heart attitude. My mom will be celebrating her 72nd Birthday in January and my father 73 in September.
It has now been a year without my grandmother Leona Jordan and there isn't a day that goes by without me thinking of her and wishing for that ONE MORE DAY with her. I was lucky to spend so much time with her growing up and enjoyed spending time with her when I grew older as well. I have missed her terribly but have fond memories of her that make me strong and keeps me going. So if you are out and about at a casino this year sometime drop a dollar in a slot machine and think of her for me...you might just win.
Ron and I are both on the road to losing weight and becoming a bit more healthy. We have both lost a considerable amount and continue to work on it. The holidays have been a challenge but we vow to be strong in 2010. In September I was diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes and now must work hard in eliminating this from my life. I can beat it and I do intend to do so....how can anyone afford to have it as our insurance doesn't cover supplies...YIKES!!
I am still working for Dr. Simmer on a part time basis and am very active at Kylie's school and in the community. I did, however, in 2009 step down from a few of my commitments. I am no longer the PTA President and no longer Active in Jr. Board. I do however, still serve on both areas but in a role that does not require many hours. I did this for Kylie and for myself.
I hope you all had a wonderful 2009 but look forward to a better 2010. Take time to make memories, reconnect with a lost friend, say "I LOVE YOU" to people who mean the most to you and never stop discovering something new. We all need a little of all of that in our lives. GOOD LUCK in 2010!!
Lisa
