Goodbye, 2008!

What a way to end a year!

~ With a fire burning fiercely in the faithful woodstove, chasing away the chill of a 17 degree night (despite the cold, in a few minutes, Jeff, Josiah, and David will go out onto the porch to bang pots and pans to welcome in the new year...are they crazy or what?...this is David's first time staying awake until midnight, by the way; and he's almost beside himself with joy) :)

~ With an old, easy-read book (The Song of Ruth by Frank Slaughter, copyright 1954) on my just-finished pile

~ With a Harmonia Sacra singing, an annual New Year's Day tradition, to look forward to tomorrow

~ With a paid bill on the kitchen table, ready to go out in Friday's mail (Jeff is responsible for the vast majority of our bills...I think there are a grand total of two that regularly fall into my lap...but somehow, I still procrastinate terribly about them...to have taken care of this particular bill so promptly gives me quite a sense of accomplishment!)

~ With boxes of treasured maternity clothes scattered around my bedroom, and the delightful job of switching wardrobes begun (hopefully, to be finished tomorrow so the boxes are not still scattered around my room next week!)

~ With a blog award having been given to me from the very kind hearts of Rebekah and Emily!Here are the qualifications for this award:

- Has an inspirational blog.

-Blog is updated at least 2 times each week.

-Shows faith.

-Has a positive attitude on life.

-Makes mistakes.

-Shares real life stories/experiences.

-Enjoys blogging.

Here are the women I am nominating (and I think some of these women aren't really into blog awards...that's fine, of course; there is no compulsion to "play along" or "pass it on"...no chain-letter guilt coming from my direction!...but I do want these women to know how much I admire and respect them and their blogs):

Renee at A Baker's Dozen - Amazing mom of 13 children...need I say more? :)

Christin at Meandering Through - Real life friend of mine from years ago...our child-bearing lives mirror each other's, except she has girls!

Sally at Honey Run - I also know her from a long time ago, but never knew her as well as I do now!...that's the power of blogging ;)

Debbie at Wisteria and Roses - She always has a unique take on life, and I admire so much the way she celebrates joy and beauty around her.

And now, it's time to bid farewell to 2008. What a sweet, sweet year it's been!