2009

I (mistakenly) thought after we got home from our vacation to Michigan, things were going to be pretty dull around here for awhile. Turns out that's the farthest thing from the truth!

We had a rockin New Year's Eve party at Eric and Teresa's (although I was sick and out of it for the most part, there were some great memories made)

Tomorrow, Thursday, January 15th brings a PAYRAISE!!! Much needed and greatly appreciated. It also brings something Richard is very excited about....the release of NEW UNIFORMS!!!!!!! This is a much anticipated move by the Navy to reduce the number of uniforms one is required to have (currently an insane number). I'm not up on the details but I think it brings cami's that they can wear to work. Not positive though, I just know Richard is so excited he wants to go right to the NEX that day and get his new uniforms. Good thing we saved our uniform allowance from last year and have money set aside.

We have Lillian's first birthday next Friday, the 23rd. It DOES NOT seem possible that she's been here for a year already, but it also seems like she's been a part of our family forever. We all work so well together, I couldn't have asked for a better daughter (well except for this week, but more about that later).

We have Lillian's One Year pictures and her birthday party next Saturday, the 24th and I am busily (and slowly, thanks mono) preparing for that. As OCD as I am, you know everything has to be color coded and theme oriented and blah blah blah. Our photographer is going to do her one year portraits before the party and stay and photograph the party, I'm so excited.

Also next weekend, Richard's parents and grandparents and nephew are coming for a visit. We are so excited! We love having company. It's just too bad they'll only be here for a little over two days.

February first is our ledgendary Super Bowl party at the home of the fabulous Owen family. This was Lillian's first introduction to the madness of our group last year.

February 14th brings a triple 2nd birthday party. With a theme of Dora, Elmo and Cars. Whew! I'm tired already.

February 28th brings Spectacular Miss Kylie's First Birthday Party. A party for a princess.

March 4-8 we are having a "Girl's Weekend" at Whitney's family lakehouse in Georgia. I CANNOT wait for this. Not only to hang with some of the best women I know, but to get away for a few days and best of all, to have NO KIDS around. The men of our group, mighty as they are, are all taking leave to stay home and babysit the children. Go men!

The middle of March brings my 27th birthday and a much anticipated surprise from my wonderful husband. It involves Lillian, Ashley and a trip, that much I know. I can't wait for my annual "spring break with Ashley".

The end of March will be Miss Makailyn's birthday, the last of the "baby girls" who are no longer the "baby girls" of the group, as they got booted in November by Laynee, Eden and Ruby. (We have two women in our group pregnant now and every other one is fasting and not drinking the water until the third unlucky subject is chosen.)

April (or sooner hopefully) will bring us a (hopefully) large tax refund. It will be our first tax refund having three members in our family.

April 21 brings Richard's 27th birthday.

And most anticipated of all.....

The third week of May will see us in Florida at The Happiest Place on Earth, Walt Disney World!! And spending the time there with Brandon, Lindsey and Kylie, just makes it so it couldn't get any better than that. This is our first VACATION that is not a trip to go see family. Not that we don't love seeing family, but we love to travel and see new places and have been wanting to, but leave time doesn't always allow both. We are excited to start our family travels at DISNEY WORLD!!!!!!!!!

And we will be back on Saturday before Labor Day so we will have Sunday and Monday to relax before getting back into the routine of things.

This summer, we are hoping to be able to see the Coffman family as they are trying to make a trip to Virginia Beach. I love those kids so much and can't wait to see the entire family.

July brings a life altering decision, to re-enlist or not to re-enlist. Well actually, it looks like July is going to bring an "extension" until January 2010 when we will then make the decision to re-enlist or not re-enlist. Not that we are having thoughts about the second option but it is still always an option. July will bring another pay raise though, as Richard will have completed 8 years of service!!


Hopefully somewhere in there, we will insert a move into a three bedroom!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That might actually top Mickey as Most Anticipated Event of early 2009. And even better, my Dad is going to try to come down (depending on date and work and all that stuff) and help us move.

As you can see, we are very busy and are actually taking quite a bit of leave the first half of this year. This probably means that we will not be getting up to Michigan during the year at all this year. So people, that means that when you're planning your vacations for this year, you should schedule in a trip to Glorious Virginia Beach. We would love to see you, and pretty soon, you should be able to stay with us without having to stay in the same room as Mis Lil.