I thought about doing a top 10 list for the year of 2009, but honestly-the year wasn't that notable to me, in fact w/ the exception of Ainslee's birth it wouldn't hurt my feelings to clear this one off the board:). So I've come up w/ my highlights of the past decade-so many amazing life experiences:
10) Turned 21, at the time I felt it was the epitomy of becoming an adult. After all, if you can legally drink, it must mean you can deal with the consequences afterwards:). Physically and mentally that is.
9) Got married, I don't refer to Jason often on many things in the public sector, aka the internet, my blog, or facebook. We have spent the past 13 years of our life together, and the strides we've taken from then til now are countless. I often think of the song "Remember When" by Alan Jackson, cliche I know but honestly the line where it says "we came together, fell apart, and broke each other's hearts" was a good way to sum up the past couple years since he's went into business for himself. It's been hard, physically and mentally-throw in 3 kids, and two adults in school and it's a recipe for near disaster. We literally almost separated right before Laura was born, the stress of our new house project-Jason's absence, and poor decisions regarding work, drinking, and work all came to a head. In many ways I think people mirror their parents in relationships-because it's all they know. The Bonnie in me resented him for poor decisions, and wanted to prove I could do it w/ out him-which I now know I could, but didn't want to. He taught me perserverance, and self confidence at least that's the positive light I can take away from that time in my life. We went to marriage counseling, and it was there I learned that even the best marriages could benefit from counseling. We came back to square one, respect was restored for both of us, and a clean slate was started. I can honestly say that I wouldn't want to be living my life with anyone else, we come from very different places-but it's those differences that balance each other. I believe he is the love of my life, but the support he's given me this past year has been immeasurable-he is my best friend, and nobody understands me the way he does. It's an amazing feeling to know I have the rest of my life to entrust to him.
8) Worked in the most amazing environment possible. My job at Ripon turned out to be the most amazing opportunity ever for me. It afforded me an opportunity to use my skills, and continually grow. I'm indebted to Ron Haefner, without the financial support I would not have completed my associates degree. Personal and skill growth were not the only perks to that position, but I had the opportunity to work with 3 other wonderful people. One of which I can easily call one of my best friends. People asked why I left since I enjoyed it so much, I needed a change. All good things come to an end, and at that end hopefully there's another great opportunity waiting for you.
7) Alex was born. Alex was not planned, he was more of a pleasant surprise due to number 1:). Words cannot describe the birth of your first child, it is the most life altering experience known to man and woman I think. When I hear of couples pregnant with their first child, I just smile and tell them that they are about to experience one of the greatest days in their life on the day of that child's birthday. Alex brought Jason and I into a reality that life is not lived for ourselves, it's in the joys that bring a simple smile to a child's face. It's that first smile, first laugh, first tooth, first word, first step. All of those and so many more firsts are indescribeable and unless you are a parent-you will never know that feeling.
6) Mag graced us w/ her presence. I don't need to elaborate on this, as I have in the past. I still cry sometimes thinking about the circumstances of when Mag left us. A smile crosses my face on a sunny day though, knowing she'd love to embrace that warmth. Or when we're in the vehicle and Laura will randomly say "there's Maggie, jumping in the clouds".
5) The house project. This 10 month project was noteably one of the hardest times in our lives. Long hours of work, long hours of entertaining children, lots of incomplacently-which I hate, financial uncertainties, and a shaky marriage. We're lucky to have gotten out of this one alive, but 2 years later when the dust has settled we're left with a beautiful home that holds amazing memories of families before us, and many more of our own to create.
4) Laura was born. Much of what I stated in 5 is the same here, but I have to add that the best part about having more than one child is not comparing how much they look alike, but accenting how different each child is from one another. The similarities are what make them brother and sisters, the differences are what make them individuals. They will always have one another to rely on, but it's their individualism that will take them far in life. My mom always told us that she loves each of equally, but differently-that is how I feel about my children as well.
3) Completed my associates degree. I started this process shortly after Alex was born. I worked fulltime up until last Feb, and attended classes online, at night, or on weekends. Often times I took the accelerated format of classes, and progressed. Two more children, and 3 years later I will finally see my degree. My in laws sent me a beautiful bouquet of flowers the day after I completed my final course, w/ a card stating "congrats on all your accomplishments". It was probably the nicest gesture anyone has done for me-they realized how hard I worked, and practiced the juggling of working, kids, and school. My own family doesn't have a clue what I've accomplished, which is a little disheartening; but I'm proud of the fact that I juggled it all and managed a 3.95+ gpa. I'd love to keep going, but we can't swing it financially, and now is the time for Jason to focus on his school and hopefully go at it hard; I don't want anymore irons in the fire than necessary so now is a time to sit back and relax for a while.
2) Ainslee was born. Ainslee's pregnancy and birth were an amazing experience for Jason and I. It was the first time throughout our kids that we were on the same page. She is our last, so it was wonderful to have such amazing memories of those last 9 months and birth as a couple. She's a good baby just as the other two were, and I cannot wait to see her emerging personality to see where she rounds out our multi-facade family.
1) I turned 30. It seems like such a milestone in somebodies life when you see it on paper, but the realization is that between 21 and 30-you grow so much physically, spiritually and mentally. It's these life experiences that age you, and help you learn how to deal with the hard things in life. This past year has been one of those "hard things", and had I not experienced any of these things in life-I might have went off the deep end.
I'm so excited to see what the next decade will have in store for me, what other life experiences will shape me. While not everything is good-you need to embrace the hard things as well cause it's usually those things that make you grow into a better person.
