Top 9 of 2009

So long 2009 and hello 2010? Where did this last year go? It seems just like yesterday that we were falling asleep in front of the television as 2009 was ushered in! It seems like yesterday that I had given up on having any more babies. It seems like yesterday that I felt our lives would not improve, that we were destined to live the rest of our lives as renters, struggling to make ends meet and afraid constantly for Jon's job.

2009 has been a wild ride for our family. We've definitely had our ups and our very steep lows and loops. I can honestly say that 2009 brought me clarity that I have been searching for. I've had friends talk about their top 9 of 2009, and here's mine:

Number 9 - Jon started his first year in college. He has been attending the University of Phoenix and just completed the first year with A's and A-'s. Um yeah, we're kind of proud of him!

Number 8 - After a 11 year hiatus, I began teaching piano lessons again. It has been so wonderful to begin using the knowledge that I forked out lots of moolah to obtain a degree in. I have a small group of beginning students, but I love them tons and enjoy so much working with them every week.

Number 7 - We celebrated 4 years of wedded bliss (and I say that being 100% serious). Jon took me out for a romantic French dinner, during which he allowed me to order the entire meal since I speak French and lived there for a short period of time. It was fun to share that with him and to relive a small part of my life.


Number 6 - In July, we took a 2 week vacation to Utah/Wyoming where we had our first every Cook Family Reunion. We were able to meet my new brother-in-law, Kent (who we so endearingly refer to as "the boy" now thanks to Jocey). We also met my niece, Abby, for the first time. Jocey had her first experience with fireworks. It was a great weekend.


Number 5 - Also in July, we took a vacation to Echo Reservoir in Utah with Jon's mission buddy, Craig, and his family. We borrowed my parents camper trailer, Craig had his dad's boat, and we camped and skied our hearts out for 4 days. We had so much fun playing on the boat - Jocey is convinced she is going to buy her daddy a boat very soon.


Number 4 - We found out in November that my dad is being deployed to Iraq for 8 months this coming year. The weekend before Thanksgiving, my parents were able to come down for a quick weekend visit. It was a bittersweet moment for me to be able to have my family here, but that it would be the last time I would see my dad for a while.


Number 3 - In October, we took our first "family only" vacation. We travelled to San Diego for a weekend at Sea World. It was mine and Jocey's first visit there. We truly had so much fun, even when we were soaked by Shamu.

Number 2 - Jon was laid off in October. With a baby on the way, we were very afraid of how we would be able to take care of things. Within 2 weeks of him loosing his job, Jon had received a referral from a friend in our ward and landed a great job with a solid company here in Las Vegas. Talk about tender mercies.


Number 1 - Without a doubt, at the top of my list of things that happened in 2009 is the birth of our sweet little girl, Caylee. Everything about her is a literal miracle. She was born on my birthday and it was truly the greatest birthday gift I have ever received.

So all in all, I'd say 2009 was a very successful year. And still, I am happy to bid it adieu and bring in 2010 looking forward to a fantastic year!