Posted in Rambles

Tonight as the New Year approaches I want to reflect a bit on 2008. I'll leave resolutions for tomorrow, that is, IF I make any.

January 2008 - My husband was in Germany for six weeks. I survived six weeks, non-stop with my precious children. I survived having my brother stay with us while my hubbs was away. I love my brother - he is a lot of fun, my kids love him and he cooks WONDERFUL food! I enjoyed not having to cook all the time.
While my hubbs was away I made up my mind to work through chronic back pain and get my body moving again. I lost nine pounds while he was gone. (Yes, I'm still losing)

February 2008 - Hubby came back home from Germany mid month. Having him away for six months was a blessing. I mean that in a good way. Even though it was hard having him away it was also nice to be thankful and grateful for what he does around the home. Thankfully, I can be handy when I need to, but I prefer my man doing it.

March 2008 - We had our 15th Wedding Anniversary. We also bought a new vehicle for our family, as well as paying my hubbs car off.

April 2008 - I don't quite remember what all happened this month... but, I'm sure I was looking forward to spring run-off so I could go gold prospecting.

May 2008 - I volunteered at Territory Day's with the Gold Prospector's of Colorado.

June 2008 - After coming back from Breckenridge, Colorado for Kingdom Day's my hubbs told me that he wanted to go to Arizona for a week or two to see his dad who was off work the first week of July. This meant I could see my dad, step-mom and my grandpa.
This was a huge blessing because I had been wanting to see my grandpa. He was not in good health and I knew I had to see him. We gritted our teeth at the gas prices ($4.00 a gallon) and left Colorado for Mayor, Arizona.
After two days with hubbs parents we drove to Bullhead City to see my parents and my grandpa. After spending five days with my parents we headed back to Mayor and spent another two days before coming  home.

July 2008 - Camping, hiking, gold panning and helping GPOC.

August 2008 - I volunteered and had a bunch of fun at the Colorado Gold Panning Championships. I competed in Teams, Women's and State.
 My hubbs went on a three week trip for work so the kids and I camped for a week with my mom.
On August 27th my grandfather passed away. Grandpa didn't want a memorial service, but instead wanted us to celebrate his life in our own way. That night my hubbs, my brother and I grilled burgers and drank beer (ales) in his honor. Grandpa loved his beer. It was a great time.. I know my grandpa would be smiling at us.

September 2008 - We attended our church's annual retreat. It was nice, but I enjoyed the time my family and I spent in Rocky Mountain National Park more.
My kids, my mom and I also helped the BLM and GPOC clear trees at Cache Creek and then spent the rest of that afternoon gold panning. Found some real nice pickers!

October 2008 - More hikes, rockhounding and gold panning.

November 2008 - New "school" year began.

December 2008 - Well, it's not over yet. It was a good month.