I am not quite sure I have ever had a life changing year, quite like 2008.

*My one and only brother was not expected to live. Although he pulled through, his life is changed forever. Each time I see him I am faced with understanding God, which is not possible. But it makes me question why are we worthy of Him? How are we worthy of a 2nd, 3rd or 4th chance at life? It is amazing, and i am so thankful.

*After 5 months of my moms new marriage, her appendix ruptured. She was also not expected to live. After 10 hours of throwing up infection in the ER, she was finally taken into surgery where her body had become toxic, over taken by the infection. The surgeon said it was the worst appendix rupture he had seen in his 20 years of surgery. After 8 weeks she was “released” and is still not in 100% health. BUT she is ALIVE, and I am thankful.

*Our baby niece Emily Sue Wolf was born. She is an amazing, perfect, little angel and I am not sure I have ever come about a baby as perfect as she is. 🙂 I have decided I do want children. I am truly thankful for our new niece.

*I stopped smoking. Notice, I write stopped, rather than quit. Not that I plan to start again. Thing is, I am a picky smoker. Will NOT smoke anything except Marlboro Milds. So when I am in the car with my husband for 3 hours, it is the hardest thing I have ever done not to smoke. But any other time I am okay. Still getting there.. but thankful (that’s like 60 bucks a month I save for shopping!! Go me!)

*I started training for a 5K. Walked my first 5K, which wasn’t too bad. My time wasn’t so great (50 minutes) but i want to run a 5K next time; I thankful I can even walk!

*I became completely and totally addicted to yogurt, bananas, and granola bars. Random, I know this. However, a very important note because I have never liked the texture of yogurt, smell of bananas, or blandness of granola. But I am addicted now and thankful I am addicted to healthy foods.

*I stopped working. This was a HUGE deal for me. In the 8 years since I was 15 I have never ever been without a job, sometimes 2 or 3 jobs at once, so this was very hard at first. However, it quickly became a blessing which I have learned to LOVE because I am able to focus my many hours of school work. I am thankful for a husband who can and wants to support me in all that I do.

*I worked my butt off and got all A’s in school. This would be the first time since I was in 2nd grade. Of course, it is also the first time I have tried since about 2nd grade, so I am not sure it is much to be proud of.

*I earned my Associates degree. To most this would mean nothing because it is not a 4 year degree; however for me it was a four year degree (as I worked my way through part time). To me it is the world. Although I start at the university in January, I can honestly say I have a college education! I am just very excited and blessed.

*I learned I am very passionate about public education, politics, and animal rights. Speaking of which, my mom got a Mink coat for Christmas, which is BEAUTIFUL, but all I could think about when she opened it was, “those poor little babies” But I am thankful I have a brain to be passionate about issues.

*I learned to love JTom’s church or rather, OUR church. Silly I know, but I am a Full Gospel girl, not a Presbyterian and there is a BIG difference. However, I have grown to love our church home and family. They are a sincere, very loving group of people.

*My car was broken into (this is not the point) and I felt violated (this is the point). This act of complete selfishness angered me and made me feel so taken advantage of. When you work your tail off to pay for your own vehicle and the school books, makeup and IPOD in it, that does not mean someone else can wrongfully STEAL them from you. And I mean, seriously, I was like a perfect citizen this year! (I didn’t throw out my cigarette butts, I put them in a water bottle, so I didn’t litter! I tived to the church and a few families who needed it at my old job. I helped other students at school. I didn’t even get a speeding ticket this year (that’s a first). And yet someone felt they could be a terrible citizen and take what was not theirs. I do understand worse injustices occur everyday, you know, like murder and rape, but this is just something that happened to me and is very frustrating. Sometimes no matter what you do right, stuff just happens I guess.. But, ODDLY (and thanks to Mrs Holly Leal) I got my books back just before finals (very strange). And again, thankful! 🙂

*I learned I am a giver. Although I enjoy taking too, I am a giver. I don’t like to see people going without, or getting less than they deserve. I know life isn’t fair, but when you can make it better for someone else, why wouldn’t you? Why would you just sit by and let them suffer when you can help them or give them more (love, food, clothing. etc)? What is a coat or a bike to you? Because it may mean the world to a 14 year old girl. Sometimes it really is better to give to someone than to keep for yourself. I believe that. (So maybe those burglars really needed my brand new BareMinerals makeup and ipod.. who knows).

*My theme song for the year would have to be Grace, by Saving Jane. Who knows us better than Him? I am thankful to have Christ in my life, and a family who does as well.

Anyways, just thought I would vent about the year. I am sure everyone has stories. I kinda think it’d be fun to read them, but I don’t think a lot of people read this. And don’t get me wrong, it was a WONDERFUL year because my family lived, but it was just draining.

OKAY, well, here is to a happier new year with fewer near death experiences and more giving!