2010 looking forward, 2009 Reflecting Back:)

Ok, baby is sleeping so I have a few moments to do this! I wanted to do a quick recap of the year for myself to look back and remember. I also have loved the trend I have seen on other blogger friends pages where they choose a word for 2010..so here is both. First I saw this lovely recap questionare on a few blogger friends pages, so I thought I would copy and follow suit..so here we go! Following I will tell my word for 2010!

1.What did you do in 2009 that you haven't done before??

-Well this one is easy, had a baby!

2. Did you keep your new years resolution and will make more for this year?

-Don't remember, and no!

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

-Yup! Aimee, helena, nicole, Kristi, and Heather..it was a busy couple of months!

4. Did anyone close to you die?

-Yes, we lost my grandfather in May 2009.

5. What countries did you visit?

-Nothing exciting, just a quick border hop a couple of times;)

6. What would you like to have in 2010 that you lacked in 2009?

-A bigger place to live;)

7. What dates from 2009 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?

-The day my grandfather died and the day my princess was born!! It was a full circle...

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?

-Surviving 12 hours of labour without an epidural, yes I had one, but only seconds before my c-section, and being a mom! I don't think I will accomplish anything greater in my life than being a mom, accept being a mother of two, or three...or...oh wait..we aren't going past that number;)

9. What was your biggest failure?

-Failure is a word a battle a lot. I feel like I fail all the time. The biggest thing I battled, and felt LIke I had failed at was giving birth. Any post partum that i had after having Addyson was in relation to having a c section. For the longest time I felt like i had failed. As a woman, as a person as a mom, I felt I let myself and everyone around down. This is something I still battle, and may always have it hanging over my, but I working through it..and I no longer attach the failure word to it!

10. Did you suffer any illness or injury?

-Nope, just all the yucky stuff that comes with being pregnant and having a c section:)

11. What was the best thing you bought?

-Our new computer..we get lots of use out of it! and, well we didn't buy it, but our stroller...I love my BOB, and have gotten tons of use out of it!!!

12. Who's behavior meritted celebration?

-This is a hard one..there are a lot of people who have amazed me at moments this year. I don't think I can choose one!

13. Who's behavior made you appalled or depressed?

-Unfortunatly, as many people who have impressed me there have been many tough moments too with many let downs..but we have overcome, and are moving forward, and that is what matters!

14. Where did most of your money go?

-Where do I begin! Well, baby, government, down the toilet:)

15. What did you get really really excited about?

-Giving birth to my baby girl, and meeting her for the first time, as well as all of my other little people that came into my life this year...i have been so blessed:)!

16. What song reminds you of 2009?

-Well there are two! Chris Browns Forever, and I got a feeling from the black eye peas! they keep me going, and dancing!

17. Compared to this time last year, are you: (a) happier or sadder (b) thinner or fatter (c) richer or poorer?

-I am a million times happier, a little fatter, and definetly poorer!!!

18. What do you wish you’d done more of?

-oh, again, where do I begin. Pray, ready my bible, exercise, eat healthier, smile, kiss my hubby, laugh...

19. What do you wish you’d done less of?

-Look at the glass have empty, and beat myself for things.

20.How did you spend Christmas?

-With family..where else:)

21. Did you fall in love in 2009?

-I fell in love with this little peanut who took over my world, so quickly, and with her daddy, as well, in my personal opinion, nothing is sexier than watching the man you love become a daddy!

22.What was your favourite TV program?

-Again, where do I begin!!hehe ok, greys anatomy, private practice, Glee, House, Big Bang Theory and the Good wife. Oh and brothers and sisters and desperate housewives..oh my, I am a tv addict!!yikes!

23. What was the best book you read?

-The Glass Castle! Highly, highly recommed it!!!

24. What was your greastest musical discovery?

-umm, Addison Road, and Jesus culture music!

25. What did you want and get?

-A beautiful healthy baby girl:)

26. What did you want and not get?

-To move into a bigger place.

27. What was your favorite film of the year?

-I actually thought this was a crappy year for movies. But, I would have to say, The ugly truth, the proposal, the blind side, and love happens..yup, chick flicks!! I am sure I am missing some:)

28. What did you do on your birthday and how old are you?

-I turned 27 and we went to seattle for the weekend with my brother and SIL.

29. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?

-Taking a tropical vacation and moving into a bigger place..see the theme:)

30. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2009?

-umm, well it started with whatever fits:)..I was pregnant for half the year. And now its, whatever fits and I can afford. Buying a whole new wardrobe on a very tight budget is tricky, but my success happens at superstore and Forever 21! I just want clothes to be fun!!

31. What Kept you sane?

-My hubby and my family:)

32. What celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?

-umm, not sure..

33. Who do you miss?

-I miss my grandparents and them not meeting my daughter.

34. Who was the best new person you met in 2009?

-ok, well this is kind of crazy for me, but really, no one! I seem to always be meeting new people and changing place, but not this year...and i kind of like it:)!

35. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2009

-I could write a book on this one. But the biggest thing I learned in 2009 was I learned how to be content. And it is the best feeling in the world. So many things fall into place, and I have gained a whole new persepective on life by getting this concept!


OK, now for my word for 2010.....its CREATE. I have always been a pretty creative artsy person. Grew up around music, arts, loved to color, design, paint, scrapbook..ect. but over the past decade those things kind of got put on the shelf as pursued other things. But I really feel that I have been building my role as a for now, stay at home mom, these things are starting to blossom again, and I am excited! I have lots of neat projects I am working on right now, and a few fun classes I am going to be taking over the next couple of months that i am really excited about! So as i walk this journey, I will try and post things as I learn and grow! But being creative isn't just in the tangible sense. I also want to create, a better home, filled with more love, security, joy, ect..for my hubby and my girl...I am so excited for this year and things to come. We have some big hurdles ahead that I am terrified of on some level, but I am trusting my KING as I know he will provide...and I will just pursue what he has called me to!

Pool time!

Addy and her daddy, all bundled up after the pool!

The first family swim!

Christmas 2009

Well the craziness of christmas has come to an end:) We had a great first christmas with Addyson, and are so grateful for our family who spoiled her rotten! She was a little overwhelmed at times, bu that was due in part to her teething. That's a whole other story! Christmas eve was church and appy's with the colbourne side. After that we headed over to my parents to sleep over! We woke up christmas morning, had waffles, coffee and cranberry mimosa's..it was all delish! I am pretty sure that we spent all christmas day opening presents as i had to open addyson's and my own this year, things take a little longer:) So we did our gift exchange with my parents, got dressed and headed out to my brothers and SIL place for MORE presents, a wonderful turkey dinner, and than MORE presents from my granny..I wasn't kidding when I said it was a giftathon!!*grin* Boxing day was the colbourne Christmas with more great food, the kids get more toys than they need, and a wonderful walk around the neighborhood to see all the pretty christmas lights, and to get the nephews energy run out!

Overall we had a really good christmas this year, and are so thankful for our best gift this year, our daughter. It was such an amazing experience spending it with her. The reality hit at times, such as when I was writing her card on her gift, from mommy and daddy..tears I couldn't hold back..it was just one of those surreal moments. We are so blessed! and of course so grateful for the one who made this all possible...my Jesus!

The true meaning of Christmas

About a year ago this time, my dad came to me with a proposal, well more a proposition. My dad had a dream to start an society to help woman and children in critical need in our town. So a year ago we began what is call Life Exchange Ministry's. My dad asked me to sit on the board which I was more than happy to do as this is something that I am passionate about. We have been doing some small projects this past year and focusing on raising money for some future endevours we would like to take part in, but God had a big plan for us just a few short months ago. It was God's time that a young school teacher just happened to call my mom's place of work, and just happened to be calling asking for support for her program. So my mom just happened to mention our society, and a meeting was set up. We have started off with doing lunches for these kids. Three times a week my dad takes them subway. So who are these kids. Well have you seen Freedom Writters the movie? first of all if you haven't, rent it! and if you have, its a very similar situation. there are 17 kids in this class. These kids are kids that society was ready to give up on. But this young teacher wasn't. So she started this piolet project. We decided to do this lunch program as these kids are highly malnurited and just getting a proper lunch can do so much for their focus, consentration, and much more! already we are seeing such a big change. Last week we also provided them with a christmas dinner! The big thing, that I got to take part in happened on Friday. Each kid got to make a list of specifc items they want. We picked the categories such as deoderant, toothbrushes, ect, and they picked their favorites..and man, do they know what they like:)! So I had the priveldge of doing the shopping, oh my, what an adventure!! but so much fun! So this Friday was the big day for the kids to get their stockings. Talking to my mom yesterday brought tears to my eyes, and still till this day! My dad was just going to go and drop them off, but the teacher wanted him to stay! What an experience, watching 17 teenagers unwrap their gifts! My dad was so overwhelmed at the experience. I was so worried that i didn't get them all exactly what they asked for, because that is what i am use to in my level of society..but not these kids. All they kept saying was wow, I can't believe I got what I asked for..the toothbrush I wanted, the socks I wanted..not the Wii I wanted. how amazing, how sad, but how amazing this was. The one the broke my heart the most..was one sweet boy, who my mom describes as quite withdrawn. He asked my dad if it was ok if he waited till christmas to open his because it probably would be the only thing he got to open on christmas..I still tear up as I write this. So this christmas, I hope this little story reminds you how blessed you are. I know things can be tight, and hard at times, trust me I know. But I also know how blessed we are, with clean homes, roof's over our heads, and presents to open with loved ones this Friday. So remember the true spirit of christmas, what Christ came to earth to do and if given ANY opportunity to pass this love along to anyone around you please do, don't hesitate that your gifts, food, love, open door isn't good enough, I have learned this week that it is MORE than you could even imagine! MERRY CHRISTMAS.....Love the Colbournes;)

Jesus My King

Sunday we had a guest preacher at church. He is one of the youth pastors at one of the churches in town. I have to say I was quite impressed with this young mans message:) And it really got my thinking of this truth that he spoke of.

So here is my summary in my words; my thoughts on the subject.

There are two very different views the bible gives us of christ. There is Christ our friend, friend of sinner, lover of our souls. This is a very important concept to grasp and what really makes that personal relationship we have with christ real. He is my best Friend, as many of us say. I talk with him, walk with him, listen to him, cry out to him..he is there, and by grace I am free to have that unique relationship with him. This title of friend makes our relationship with Christ somewhat casual, which i have always appreciated, and one of the things that I love about my savior. Comes as you are, they tell us, and most times, that's how I present myself to him. Broken, humble, unrighteous, at fault, sinful, real...just me. And I know beyond of a shadow of a doubt thats how he wants me to be; that is how he created me to be, just me. As I know, I was created in his image, which some days is such a hard concept to grasp. But on the other end of this scale, sometimes I truely believe, especially in our generation and the ones coming up, we have abused this relationship. Sometimes we cross that line and treat him like we do anyother friend. We take advantage of him, munipulate him, don't defend his honor, don't keep our commitments to him, don't respect his values and morals when we are in his presence, which is always. we take the lords name in veign without even uttering a word. We break his heart as we bring him to our level. We abuse Grace on a daily basis, and forget the price that was paid in order for us to receive this amazing gift, and a gift is what it is!!
I now, more than ever as a mother I am just starting to finally grasp a hair of what my lord did for me that day when he let his son hang on that cross. There is no greater loss than that of a child, and that is why that and that only is the sacrifice he made..so where am I going with this?? well, as i said at the begining of this note, there are two very important roles Christ is to play in our lives, our friend..yes, but there is another huge role that he is to play in our lives that I feel so many days we forget. That christ, is my king. not just the king of kings and lord of lords..but MY king, YOUR king. So what do you think of when you think of a king..I know I think of powerful words such honor, respect, awe, reverence..do we attach those words to our relationship with christ? I was a womans conference a few months back and the speaker was talking about the path to beauty. The one major factor that makes us beautiful is having the fear of God in our lives. People have misconstrude that concept for many years, but what it truely means, what it really really means to fear God, is to have the utmost, powerful, fall to your knee's reverence to him...do we have that? Do we worship him as our king??? As his birthday approaches next week I pray that we all can remember that we are not just celebrating our savior, or friends birthday, but our Kings birthday. I know we talk a lot, especially lately with the economy about not putting emphasis on gifts but focus on the real meaning of Christmas and spending time with family, ect. But as you do exchange gifts, if you do exchange gifts, think and remember the first christmas gifts given. They were not handed to the baby Jesus as a have to, or I will put it on my credit card, or to do it because...they were given in reverence, to the king of all kings, of us, of you and me. My heart is challenged this week, to bring a new level or reverence to my father, my king. I am not sure yet how that looks every day, but I am on a path to discover as he deserves it more than anything..he deserves everything.

Six Months old!

Well we are half way to one; man is that scarry! my little miss is 6 months old today; I can't believe it! This last months we have seen a lot of changes in our little girl. She is really starting to develop in her mobility, and verbal skills! I was reading in one of my baby books how by nine months a baby should be making his or her constanence sounds like baba and dada..well this one has been doing that for the past three weeks:) She loves to say dada..no mama...come on now! but we are working on that:)hehe

She's gotten so much stronger with her toys grabbing them from all different angles, starrying at them and analyzing them, especially her soother. What a fasinating thing those soosies are:)

She has finally learned how to roll from her stomach to her back as she has been doing the other way for a couple of months now!

She also learned to sit up this month, and not the hunched over version she had been doing for a while but really sit up and she is doing so well at it!

She is a little food obsessed like her parents. She stares down everything we eat, and thinks she can have it! we will see how beans go in the next couple of weeks:)hehe She might not be liking solid foods so much after that. I will be back with pictures on that one! Whatever is in your hand she thinks is hers, especially cups. She loves cups, mugs, and of course most importantly starbucks cups! shocking, i know:She survived her first flu, not so much fun. but we made it! It was a rough long week as both Dave and I were still recovering from our batch with it, but thanks to the help of pedilite we made it! Her lovely teeth are still moving around, her eye teeth are still pressing up on her poor little gums but still nothings cut..so we wait patiently. I was a horrible teether so there is no suprise that my kid would have a tough process with this as well.

She loves to laugh, and smile, and make dinasour noises. She can get quite loud now. She is more of a ham all the time which we are just loving. She makes Dave and I laugh and smile so much, she truely is our earthly joy!!

Happy six months birthday girl, words could never express how much we love you and how much joy you bring to all our lives!!!

A Split Second

A split second changes everything, sometimes for the better sometimes for the worse.
We were all set to go out tonight to a church christmas production. All day I had this not right feeling in my stomach but figured it was just my nerves as the snow flakes were kissing my windshield, a sight that is beautiful but not pretty on the roads. Ever since my car accident three winters ago, my nerves get shaky during this time of year. But as the evening approached the snow was staying away we got ready to go. We headed over to my parents place to drop of the princess. Just before we were about to walk out the door, their phone rang. as we listened to the message, we knew good news was not on the other end, so my mom ran and picked it up. It was one of those phone calls you dread getting...did you hear....so in so was in a car accident and died on impact. my heart sank. The person we lost was an old family friend. His dad was my dads associate pastor at our church in Vancouver. he was 21..6 years younger than me, 60 years taken to soon. This was a boy who broke the odds. He was born with a medical condition that almost took his life at a young age, but God spared it...so why now? these are all the questions we ask. but we thank God that he is with his father now...

The moment the phone call ended the tears ran down my face. I knew I couldn't leave. To sad to go anywhere like a production, and to fearful to get in a car and drive a far distance on the highway and most importantly to far from my baby. I think i will just keep her close to me the next couple days, weeks, years! its so wierd now being a mom, and hearing of these losses...it hits so much harder. because that was someones baby, and that thought is unimaginabal.

So pray four our friends, pray for this family as this grief will be overwhelming especially at what is suppose to be such a special time of year...