1) I started out my last birthday being unemployed for the 3rd time here in Vermont. Which at times seemed like another downer, but at least this time I was earning some unemployment income. I was also able to do a few things like visit my in-laws for a week, go to Ikea in Montreal with my cousins, participate in a sleep study in Boston, and I suppose I had time to find another job, though there was an increase to the benefits and the thought of 48 weeks of unemployment income actually seemed a bit tempting. =)2) Sleep Study #1 - This will hopefully soon gets its' own post so I can fill you in on some details, but in short, this is something I found on craigslist persued for 10 weeks and finally entered into a white room for 9 days where I was deprived of sleep for 50 hours and then a day later for another 36 hours. Overall, I learned that physical things are mostly mental- that's why playing boggle after being awake for 2 straight days was actually still fun even when my body was in pain and aching for sleep. Oh yeah, and I earned a little over $2000 for it too!
3) "Weekend to Remember" is a Marriage Conference that hubby and I attended immediately after my sleep study. It was in the same area to I thought it was perfect timing. We had never been to one of these and it was great. I loved renewing our vows and meeting other couples that longed for a Christ-centered marriage. I highly reccommend this conference. We're looking for something similiar to do this year, let me know if you have any ideas!4) Easter! This was the first Easter I spent with my family in years! My mom knows that the two things I love most to get is 1) Christmas Stockings and 2) Easter Baskets, other than that just a simple card brings a smile. She always puts together a myriad of things and waking up to an Easter Basket, even at 24 never felt so good. I loved how my family of all adults had a ton of kids over for egg hunts. My sis and I even had these really cool eggs that looked like grass, rocks, tree bark- they are awesome!
6)In direct correlation, with the sleep study I wanted to push my physical abilities even more. So I signed up for the Avon Breast Cancer 39 mile Walk in Boston, MA. To even enter each participant also needed to raise $1800, so with the help of family and friends I managed to raise $1810 in just a few weeks- THANK YOU!! When the weekend finally came, I was suppose to walk 39 miles, a marathon on one day and half a marathon on the next. Well I only made it the first day- 26.2 miles. Did I mention I only trained for about 3 weeks, which really only consisted of my walking on much lunch breaks for about 30 minutes and on the two weekends for a hour or so? I was still super happy to make it a full marathon. I've never walked a marathon before! Also, just 4 days later I walked another 5k for my company's corporate cup. I definitely learned you can push yourself further than you think (pain is weakness leaving the body right?) and I also learned the importance of training- less blisters and less hobbling around afterwards.
7) Janette's Wedding- This summer Matthew's cousin Jannette was married to fellow Air Force Officer, Seth Taylor. This is the first wedding Matthew and I have been able to attend since we were married back in 2005.We had so much fun being around the Foy family and this special couple.
8) First summer in VT- Yes, this was my first full summer living in Vermont since the last two were spent in mission trips to Australia and Africa. I was finally able to be home for a Vermont summer and be in the "warm" weather here. It rained most of the summer days, but I enjoyed it nonetheless.
9) Family Visits- We were so blessed to have some family come and visit. First we had my mom visit-It was her first time to Vermont. We visited the usual places- Ben & Jerry's, Van Trapp Family Lodge, and she loved the Skinny Pancake. My sister also visited for the second time and we had a fun time like we always do. We went to a waterfall, went shopping and celebrated Matthew's 25th birthday. Also, matthew's uncle Dan, aunt Kim, and two cousins Mary and Jennifer came for a visit- our house was full! We met a goat that can put a rope to feed inself a treat. We love having family and friends visit, so come anytime!
10) Cape Cod Getaway- Matthew and I went on a mini getaway just to go to the beach and getaway! It was so nice to put my feet in the sand and feel the warm sun on my skin. I just can't get enough of it!
11) Times of trials- I can't just overlook or forget when sad things happen. It's part of me, it will always be, but that doesn't mean I have to let it get me down or keep me from moving forward. We don't know why tragedy occurs, why it occurs to us in particular, and we ask ourselves if we did something to cause it, and sometimes we don't get all the answers to these questions. All I know is that I trust in the Lord. I put my faith in Him above all that happens in this life. I know He has good plans and a future for me, for you, for all of us. I'm letting this heart break of a moment drive me close to him and hopefully closer to His will for my life. It will not be soon forgotten, but maybe one day I will be able to look back and just know it was for His perfect plan.
12) Decorated my dining room and living room- Now this may not sound too exciting to you, but I have never had the talent and vision when it comes to decorating. In the summer of 2008 I traveled to Africa and bought many things to decorate my dinning room- I love themed room that have to do with traveling! But I could not think of how to even begin. Finally, when my mom came up for another visit we planned to have a makeover week. We went to work finding things at Good Will, Home Depot, TJ Max, Marshalls, and Big Lots. It was a crazy busy week, that caused a few minor bumps and bruises (sorry about your ankle mom- best mission impossible somersault I ever saw!), but we finished it. It's so nice to see something up on our walls and to remember my trip to Africa ever time I eat- makes me grateful with every bite I eat! (Hope she can come back and we can finish the upstairs!!)
12) Decorated my dining room and living room- Now this may not sound too exciting to you, but I have never had the talent and vision when it comes to decorating. In the summer of 2008 I traveled to Africa and bought many things to decorate my dinning room- I love themed room that have to do with traveling! But I could not think of how to even begin. Finally, when my mom came up for another visit we planned to have a makeover week. We went to work finding things at Good Will, Home Depot, TJ Max, Marshalls, and Big Lots. It was a crazy busy week, that caused a few minor bumps and bruises (sorry about your ankle mom- best mission impossible somersault I ever saw!), but we finished it. It's so nice to see something up on our walls and to remember my trip to Africa ever time I eat- makes me grateful with every bite I eat! (Hope she can come back and we can finish the upstairs!!) 
13) Met my favorite author Elizabeth George- This was definitely a highlight!! I first read A Woman After God's Own Heart when I was 20 and had been married for a few months. I got really sick with Mononucleosis and was literally in bed for weeks that's when I read this pink book of hope and advice and wisdom. It changed my life! (I always knew there was a reason my mom always kept this book close to her!), and Elizabeth George has written many other books that have helped me in marriage, in my relationships, in my walk with God, and in my dreams of the future. I was so happy to go to the Iron Sharpens Iron conference where I heard Elizabeth George speak, she was everything she said she was and more. 
14) Each year I try to stay active in my "creativity" in one way or another. I'm not sure how it really came about, but the past couple of years I've had a go at making diaper cakes for my mom-to-be friends as a part of their shower presents. I've made about ten so far. This past summer one of my friend Michelle was pregnant with baby number two- a girl who she was named Elizabeth. =) So I decided to venture out yet again and try something new for them. So in Michelle's and baby Elizabeth's honor I made a flower bouquet, with little pink, purple, and white socks as the roses. I've made a few others, hopefully I'll get better in time master this little art of sock bouquets. 
15) Baby Shower For Bailey- This was so much fun! I've never hosted a baby shower at my house before, but I had co-hosted the two past showers for fellow Marine wives so that gave me some confdence, plus my nearly decorated dinning room fit it right with the King of the Jungle theme. We had the cutest moneky faced cupcakes made by Amelia and the yummest Jungle Juice made by Melissa. I'm sure Bailey was so happy her mom could fly in from TX to attend and I'm sure little Xavier has enjoyed all the gifts.
16) First sledding experience- Mind you it wasn't down the biggest hill and it wasn't the fastest of all sleds, but seriously I couldn't have asked for a better day in the snow with my hubby, pup, and old family friends. Amelie loved taking turns pulling us on the sled. She was made for this type of weather and terrain. I'll never forget this fun day. 
17) Road Trip- After spending a wonderful Christmas with my family in Florida I had 1700 miles to drive home. Thankfully, I had good company. For the first part, it was just Amelie and I, we visited my uncle Brooks and Aunt Linda and my cousin Grayson. This was special to me because I hadn't met my aunt or cousin and hadn't seen my uncle in years. The first night I stayed in South Carolina with my cousin Jannette and her two young sisters Mary and Jennifer. Mary and Jen traveled with me to NC to stay with my in-laws and then to New Bern to see my good friends Josh and Jamie and see their lil girl Emily. We also saw Kelly, Mary and Jen's older brother who was about to leave for sea for several months with the USMC. Then we stopped in VA and visited my friend Jadeen and her two boys before landing in PA for the night- Mary and Jen's home. The last leg seemed to take hours, thankfully Amelie endured it and she was never so happy to be home & see Matthew- neither was I.
18) Joined a Gym- I never thought of myself as a gym type of person, I'm not a big fan of weight training and I can't stand paying for something I think I won't use that much. However, this year I finally threw my ideas away and Matthew and I joined a gym. One of the biggest reasons we joined was that I am competing in a sprint triathlon with my mom and sister in May. I am so glad we joined the gym, although Matthew and I don't go together very much, I have been using te best of my ability, going nearly every day, sometimes two or three times in a day. I have learned to like swimming, and my new found love at the gym is Zumba. I am so glad that exercise is part of my DAILY life, not just some days or for two weeks for a few months. I know I need this to be healthy and lively and it feels great, well most days ;-)
19) Bible Studies- This has been such huge blessing to my life this past year. This has been the first full year of a Bible Study since we left North Carolina. So glad that my friend Bailey and I were able to complete our first one "Beautiful in God's Eyes" and started and completed a study on James, both of these were by Elizabeth George. I'm not so sure I could have made it through some of the things that happened without the lessons I've learned from these books. I can wait to see what new Bible Studies and books will teach my heart and soul this coming year.
20) Sleep Study #2- Well, when times get tough and I have no work, it is back to the sleep studys. This one was actually a light study. I had to sit in a chair for around 9 hours a day sometimes in darkness, sometimes in dim lighting, and sometimes in bright lighting. I had a contraption on my head that had a video that watched the reflection of my pupil on these glasses. It's quite interesting really to try and learn what these studies are really for. I saw some of the same techs that I saw last year and it was neat to see how they were doing. I met an awesome Doctor that has really got me thinking about life and my future. Three days, a sore eye, listened to 3 books on tape, paid $1000, and some thoughts about the future- not too bad!
21) Melon Popsicles- A very strange thing. As I dropped off my cousins in PA, Mary offered me a Melon popsicle. I, of course, accepted because basically every Korean food is delicious. I tasted this sweet treat and it instantly made my mouth water. Now mind you I'm never a big fan of certain dishes or foods, I don't crave sweets or salty things. I just eat and that's about it BUT this treat has done a number on me. It's just so yummy. So I picked up two boxes on my way home from Sleep Study #2 and they have been my "treat" for days that I had an extra workout. If you are ever near an asian market, go straight to the freezer section and buy a box- promise you will love it, I know I do!
22) Amelie- Words really can't describe how much this puppy means to me. She has been such a friend this past year. She came to us from my sister-in-law Natalie and I can't help, but be grateful for her. She's through the good times and bad with us, always smiling and knowing just when I need a lick on the cheek. I never thought I'd love a dog this much but I do.
23) Trivia Night- this is just a little something that has become a staple of our week. It's just a game of trivia at our local pub, but it's the one outing every week that Matthew and I look forward to. It keeps our minds active and me always thinking wow I didn't know that! We have come to love all those music, movie, news, and history rounds and welcome anyone to ever join us if you're here in town.
24) CSA- Community Supported Agriculture. We joined a Meat CSA just a few months ago. Matthew and I had thought about doing this a while ago and then never did. Finally this past January we signed up and have been eating local, hormone free, grass fed beef as well as organic pork, chicken, and eggs. This summer we signd up for a vegetable CSA so all summer we will be eating local meat and local veggies! We also recently watched Food Inc and I will definitely be careful about what I eat and be more concerned with where it exactly came from- like they say you are what you eat!
