Bringing in the New Year...

I just got back from visiting my parents for a couple of days. My sister, Joy, and I drove up together and though it was a fast trip, it's always fun to hang out with the rents. We went to Memphis to do a little shopping and then headed back to eat at one of my favorite restaurants, The Sandbar Grille...yummy! Their filet is one of the best I've ever had and their banana pudding is DE-LISH!!

My cute parents, sitting by the carousel.


Me and my sis, looking terribly washed out in this pic...I hear the tanning bed calling our name!


Alex and I decided to make reservations somewhere and bring in the New Year, just the two of us. We wanted low-key, this year. I feel like we've been running non-stop right up until Christmas, so it will be nice to spend this evening and tomorrow, just me and my man. Late last week, I started calling around and so many restaurants were completely booked or only had 5pm reservations left. So we reserved a table at P.F. Chang's for a late dinner and will come back to the house and watch movies on the couch until midnight. My definition of a perfect evening.

I can't believe that I have to start writing 2009 on my checks, starting tomorrow. It took me until July to get used to writing 2008. Has this year not flown by? When I stop and reflect on 2008, it makes me smile. God has truly blessed us this year. I have to say, the one thing that I am most thankful for this year is Journey Church. We started with 4 of us in a living room. I have to admit that it was hard to even imagine at that time, just how far God would bring us and in less than a year! It's exciting to be a part of Journey and to be under pastors that have such huge hearts for bringing others to Christ.

When I think about what Alex and I have been through personally, this year, it also makes me smile. I'm thankful for each and every exciting and painful moment. Though I wish it had been God's plan to give us a baby in 2008, for whatever reason, it was not. So until then...I will wait. I love how He continues to heal our broken hearts and give us renewed hope. He is such a cool God. I'm trusting Him to grow our family in 2009! :)

I also can't help but stop and thank Him for blessing so many of you with healthy pregnancies this year. I have so many on my prayer list that I've been able to write ANSWERED PRAYER by your name! Each time He answered a prayer, it strengthened my faith...it showed me He is in control and He still performs miracles on a daily basis. I still have many on my list that are still waiting and I will continue to pray and believe that when the time is right, He's going to bless you with your miracle.

I'm excited to see what God has in store for my family, church, as well as all of you, that I've been blessed to come to know this year.

Happy New Year!

Love to all,
Jill