Our Year In Review

It's funny how this time of year causes us to reflect and look forward to what's ahead. It's funny because January 1st is really just a date. But in it lies so much symbolism and hope.

Every year Rich and I set quarterly goals where we review what happened over the past 3 months and set new/more goals for the next 3. It is so fun at the end of the 4th quarter to look back over the year and actually see where we've come and what we've accomplished.

We don't know anyone who hasn't had a pretty crappy year. Us included. We've been looking forward to the end of 2009 since, oh about June! But in reflecting back, God did some amazing things for us.

Let's start with the little Waller. Almost every night we look at Tayden sleeping in his bed and are so thankful for his health and sweet spirit. He makes us laugh every day and are really enjoying the age he's at now. He's talking up a storm and tells us all about it. It's fascinating to watch the little wheels turn as he thinks and processes everything in his world.

Also on the child front, for those who haven't heard, we're pregnant with a baby girl! We're past the halfway mark and things are going really well. She's healthy and growing great. Cute little profile too, just like Tayden:

Max is still a crazy, wonderful dog. He and Tayden have a definite love/hate thing going on and mostly he tries to just cuddle up with mom & avoid the wrath of a toddler. He's still included in everything we do!

This year brought huge change for both of us in the working world. Rich was offered a position at Cornerstone Mortgage Group at the beginning of summer and after a lot of thought and prayer he accepted it. And we couldn't be happier he did! After getting the hang of things 3 months in, he was promoted to Regional Manager for the state of Oregon! It meant a little traveling (which Tay & I tag along when we can) but a huge advance in his career and is pushing him out of his comfort zone and stretching him both personally and professionally. He's also on the board for The Kilns College and their Conference Director with his big project being the Central Oregon Apologetics Conference. He's started a new hobby of beer making and is really loving getting into it, has brewed 3 different brews so far and looking forward to getting into the harder recipes this next year.

I was also completely blessed with a fantastic part time gig. I was offered a job as an independent contractor working for banks taking pictures of homes in foreclosure. It is awesome. I bring Tayden (and Max) along with me as we go out and do my route. They're good little co-workers. But it was such a blessing as we were praying for something I could do that didn't require daycare but allowed us a little extra income. Otherwise, mommyhood keeps me pretty busy and I love it! We both are super happy that I'm able to be at home to raise our kids.

We love having company and were happy to have lots of them this year. Between friends and family visits, we were entertaining every month spring through summer.


We took lots of weekend trips, exploring more of this awesome state we live in. The best trip was to Astoria in September when my beautiful sister Lori married an equally beautiful man Scott. Rich was honored to be the officiant and I the maid of honor. We looooove having them just a couple miles away here in town and see them on a daily basis. We're so enjoying being close to Evan and participating in his life. He's an extrodinary boy!

So. There's lots to look forward to in 2010, largely with the birth of our daughter, but as you can see, 2009 wasn't so bad afterall.