Enter the New Year 2009 (a review)
Be warned… this year end review is a flow of random thoughts. It’s more for me than anyone else. It helps me to see where this year has gone.
Year End
It’s been an exciting year end as we just became first-time homeowners. Thanks to the generosity of my brother, we were able to buy the house from him and keep it in the family. Even during the slumping economy (and advice from co-workers and family) we decided to go ahead with renovations which you can see from the previous post. Uncle Philip is helping with that and trying to keep costs low.
But before we head to the year end, let’s do a year in review.
Year in Review
Many events took place this year that was either life-changing or just a change in scenary… but in no particular order these included:
- celebration of Eli’s first birthday, and other firsts… first steps, first words, etc… potty training…
- the conception of our second child
- trip to Vancouver through Seattle for cousin’s wedding (which included a rush to get Eliana’s passport and passport photos)
- trip to NY for cousin’s wedding, and visiting family…
- visits from friends from afar including: Un-, thduggie, joofly, littlefrienddebby, and others
- visit to Ernie’s and seeing his five kids
- going to Annapolis, MD and visiting St. John’s College
- as well as many births, birthdays, weddings, and funerals…
Everyday Life
But besides these things, life has been fairly busy with just “normal” everyday life like my continued work at the USPTO, at church, seminary classes, visiting extended family (grandpa, grandma, grand aunties and uncles, aunts and uncles), and finally keeping the house in order as well as life in our neighborhood. Eli likes to play with her best friend and other kids in the neighborhood. Unfortunately her friend moved to Culpeper, VA so we have to drive out there to play with them.
Surprised by Joy
We’ve been able to form a pretty consistent family life schedule, with the occasional surprises… just when we think we got it, God seems to remind us that we are not in charge… He is… so trust Him.
Expecting baby #2 (coming Feb 2009) was a huge surprise for us, we were just getting the hang of Eli, but still not in total control. Even throughout the night, we are never sure if Eli will sleep through the night or wake up suddenly. Nothing is ever a given. Our ever vigilant mommy has been a trooper this year taking care of the pains throughout the night while giving me the chance to get a good night sleep. As with baby #1, we conceived right before a major vacation… in which mommy went first. Last time it was to Hawaii, this time to Vancouver.
Highlight of the day
Our night time ritual includes: reading a baby book, then a chapter in the bible and then listening to the CD Sleep Sound in Jesus (see below), then prayer followed by a benediction (Numbers 24:25-26). This is our daily ritual for getting ready for bed. It is one of the highlights of our day (and probably Eliana’s).
Thoughts and analysis
What have I learned this year? Like I said before, no matter how hard I try, I will never be in total control. I am also slowly learning about responsibility and being responsible for the people and things I have been given in this life. I am learning what it means to be a husband and a father. Continuing learning about love, forgiveness, sin (both mine and others, but mostly mine), and most of all, my need for Christ in all areas of my life.
Growth
There’s definitely growth. Even as I watch Eliana observe the world around her, she’s observing not just for the sake of observing, but in an effort to understand and do things. She’ll associate things together, through trial and error, see how cause and effect works. She’s even observing how her “no’s” will affect us. During the potty training times, she’ll say “bah-bah” just to see our reaction… and sometimes she’ll give us false signals just to see how we would react. Her arsenal includes “done” “more” “no”. Even as an infant, we can see how she tries to be both manipulative and controlling (knowingly and unknowingly). This is what I mean by learning about sin.
But I am also able to see that she is learning… unlike a computer that must be programmed, she learns mostly through seeing cause and effect. For example, whenever she sees “Sponge Bob” she’ll say “bob-bob” which we instinctively praise her for… then she continues to associate “Sponge Bob” with the words “bob-bob.” This association is accompanied by great visual observing skills. She recognizes places as well as houses we’ve been to. She knows whenever she sees balloons that they are “ball-ball.” Much of her learning comes through affirmation and praise from us. Mommy praises her every time she “pee-pees in the potty” so she’ll do it more readily. I don’t understand it all, but I hope to learn more about infant brain development and learning…
Goals and Resolutions
Well, as a homeowner, with hopefully a renovated house by the end of January, we hope to host more gatherings. With baby#2 coming in February, we’ll have a fairly packed house with in-laws and extended family visiting. My hope and prayer is that it would be a reminder of God’s goodness and faithfulness. I remember when Eliana was born, I was pretty stressed out. I’m not very good with change and changes to my schedule. It would have been good to remember God’s goodness and faithfulness then. We hope to re-evaluate some of the things we do currently. Try to streamline our lives, cut out the excesses. I’ll go public and say that I’m planning to lose 20 pounds this year. I hope to be 110% at work. Grow more in prayer and as well as in faith. Learn to forgive. Learn to trust. Learn to love. Learn to lead. Grow in Christ.
Chief end of man
I’m still wrestling with the first question of the WSC. “What is the chief end of man? Man’s chief end is to glorify God and to enjoy him forever.” I’m still trying to see how that plays out in my life and in my family’s life, as well as our church life, work life… all areas of life.
Until then, may God bless you this coming year.
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