I'm so bad about this...

If there is anyone out there still following our family blog, I am so sorry. I don't get around to posting new information enough. Perhaps that's because there just aren't that many exciting things to tell you about. It would be pretty narcissistic to just blab on all the time about doing the dishes or changing diapers. Not to mention really, really boring. So I'll keep it short and somewhat exciting:

Christmas was good, but a lot of sad things happened in the couple of days beforehand. My cousin's mom, former aunt, passed away pretty tragically on Christmas Eve. The day before that, an old friend's baby boy, 2 months, died suddenly in the night of SIDS. When I got home from visiting family and checked my facebook, I discovered a friend had also passed away on Christmas Eve. It really showed me how Christmas comes no matter what and life doesn't stop for it. It was nice to have Hadlee around, so excited and completely oblivious to everything sad, constantly "singing" Jingle Bells. I was able to truly appreciate all of my blessings this Christmas with all of the things that happened.

With all of the ending of life that I've seen this Christmas season, I was also blessed to see what joy new life brings. My best friend Kelsee gave birth to a daughter yesterday. They named her Shyloh Elizabeth and I can't wait to meet her in person. Listening to her tiny cries over the phone made me miss having a tiny baby in our home, and all of the light and newness in brings. We'll just have to keep trying for our second addition.

I've heard it said that the more people you tell about your goals, the more likely you are to meet them, so here goes: as a New Year's resolution for 2010, Cor and I have decided to read Dave Ramsey's "Total Money Makeover," and do what we can to start cutting down our debt and living more frugally. It will be hard, especially not traveling or going out for dinner and movies, but we can do it and we'll be better off for it. I'm hoping that it will help me appreciate my blessings even more. I'd also like to buckle down and start writing a book in 2010, so hold me to it people! I'm not going to mention the old, "I'm going to lose weight this year," because, as much as I'd like to, I'd like to be all fat and pregnant even more. If we could welcome another baby into our home in 2010, I would love it. But I can't really make that a goal, because it's kind of up to the Lord, no matter how hard we try. Ha ha ha. I'll keep you posted though.

Nothing that's the most important ever really changes in my life. I love Cor and Hadlee so much, and they love me back, even though they see all my imperfections. That's what makes us family and that's my greatest blessing. So even if it's same old same old, and perhaps boring to read, it's what brings me the most happiness and that's worth sharing I think. It's a struggle to be the stay at home mom whose not the independent woman out conquering the world, and it sometimes feels like thankless work, but the rewards are there. And perhaps I'll still shine in other ways later. If I can shine as a Mom for Hadlee now (I'm pretty dull but trying to polish up,) then I'll take that.

SORRY IT'S BEEN SO LONG! I know, I'm a total slacker. Well, since the last time I posted, Hadlee turned one!!! I can't even believe how fast time flies. I got some poetry and photos published in Black Rock & Sage, which was flattering and exciting. I GRADUATED from ISU. Hallelujah. Cor and I took an AWESOME second honeymoon to Guatemala and Belize (actually Ambergis Caye, Belize), and went to see Tikal. It was a dream come true, especially because our stay in Belize was free, our plane tickets were a combination birthdays/graduation gift, and the Tikal excursion was only $300 total which is what I got as a graduation gift from my Dad, and we've always been fascinated by the ancient Maya and never dreamed we'd be able to go on such a trip. Plus, we got to go on some awesome snorkeling trips, had a beachfront villa all to ourselves, and we got to hang out with Jessice and Steve, who we've missed. IT WAS WICKED AWESOME! I would suggest Central America as an inexpensive and super entertaining trip to anyone. I thought that upon returning from the trip my life would slow down and I'd be able to start enjoying the life of a graduated house mom, but I was so wrong. June has been the BUSIEST month EVER for my photography business. And since it wouldn't stop raining, I had to cram a ton of appointments into short spaces, which made it even more hectic and stressful. But I'm not complaining. I'm just running out of fingers and toes to count my blessings on. Just kidding, I ran out of those a long time ago. My two greatest blessings: Cor and Hadlee. Every day I think about how lucky I am to have my sweet little family. And my extended family as well. How did I ever get so lucky to be born into a family I love to death, and then marry into one that I love SO SO much? It's crazy. That's another exciting occurence in my life, my sister (in-law, but just sister to me) Brittany is getting married to an awesome guy named Justin. Another family member to be grateful for! Cor is still chugging along, working and trying to enjoy summer. He'll return to school in the Fall. It's crazy that I won't be. I don't know what I'll do without school! Besides lots of photography work, take care of a little HANDFUL child, and eventually start a novel. And perhaps one day start considering extending the Hofman clan once again, but that day is not in the near future for those that are wondering. I'm still learning how to be a mother to the one I've got, and that's a very daunting task!!! Well, until next time, be happy my friends. Look at the bright side, there is always someone who loves you. And I'm not just talking about me!