'09 will be FiNE - I think!

2008 was great or was it? I like memories that bring us joy and make me want to write in my journal - which I am pretty good at and have found some pleasure in reminiscing in at times. There are days I write and then want to glue the page shut because it has been a memory I soon want to just leave my mind and not recall as often as others. Anyway for what it's worth here are a few moments in time from our Lewis Lines:
Jan: Derwin has heart surgery, not all came out as expected. He had to stay in the hospital longer to be watched. The hole was larger than they thought and they had to go in 4 times. He is off work for 6-8 weeks.
We face major snow storms in UT which causes more stress. Becky gets a promotion at work - hurray! Starr turns 15 and didn't even know she was being asked on a "date" (we had to say no to that). Grandpa Franklin is also with us so trying to keep him occupied is a challenge. Death of prophet, oh we will miss our dear President Hinckley but we are so secure in the Lord's plan that we have not fear.
Feb: Leap year surprises when Heather announces her pregnancy and marriage to Marc Popletown on Leap day. Oh boy, that was a big shocker to us all especially since Heather has been telling us that all they were doing was talking on the phone. (hmmm how did that happen then?)
March: Just coping with everyday life with teen girls at home. Snow melting off the roof takes the power out at our house and major repairs have to take place.
April: A red letter day when Autumn gets her drivers license and happiness when Mom feels like she can send Autumn to run errands. Heather has her 30th birthday.
May: We make a big MOVE to another house. We have lived in our place for almost 11 years and have been talking about this for the past couple of years but the March disaster was a turning point in this decision for us. We found a beautiful place but in another ward in Liberty. Lots of work for us while we are still trying to work every day. HURRAY! Aaron comes to our home for the summer! HAPPINESS GALORE!!!
June: No garden is in this year, just unpacking and getting organized. Temple Square visit, tickets to the theatre for the girls, excitement in the air!
July: Company (Fraizers) from CA, 4th of July activities, work challenges with new assignments and then ZAP! Derwin is hospitalized with renal failure caused by cancer. Life stops for a moment to adjust to all these changes. Visitors come to the hospital, then we get home with several attachments. Derwin has decisions to make, what direction is this taking us, why don't WE have control, we add new words to our vocabulary some we still can't say.
August: More doctor visits, more tests, more directives, shots, pills, meds, tests, blood work, new doctors, new hospitals, Cancer centers, Radiation, Chemo, Hormone therapy............it all starts in some form or another. Family and friends gather. They want to all help, we don't really know what to tell them. Company comes in and out all month, we LOVE it. NEW JOB and another PROMOTION for Becky, I work in another Operation in the Operation Management level as an assistant and truly enjoy my work. More pay, more responsibilities.
Sept: Starr goes to Weber High too! Aaron goes back to his Mom in WI, we will miss our little boy!Plus of Derwin not working, the girls have a car to drive to school. Radiation starts - everyday trips to SLC to the Huntsman Center. Derwin learns first names they all become so familiar. Derwin will not be returning to work. He will take out his disability retirement. So we are adjusting to the trials of a one income family, something we were not planning on quite so soon. Larry comes and stays for a week to help us get ready for winter. We love him so much!
Oct: Autumn is 17! She has a part in Weber High's musical "Peter Pan". She loved it. Starr & Autumn have choir concerts. Hey, Derwin gets to attend - something new since he usually has to work nights. This is a plus! More Radiation and Chemo starts. The girls don't want to shave their heads in support of a bald dad due to Chemo treatments - I thought it would be a good family goal to support Derwin............NOT! Heather has a baby girl.
Nov: Derwin & I celebrated our 36th anniversary! Thanksgiving is quiet, Bonnie comes to spend the day with us. Derwin can't really be around others because of the Chemo. Larry & Debbie come in for Autumn's performance. Special feelings for those two people. Debbie flys back but Larry spends another week to take Derwin in for treatments and get the wood supply in for winter. We get to help with the Afghanistan Christmas project that Justin & Sue are sponsoring. We hope what little we did helped out. We try and focus on a "giving" project each year and this one was perfect because of the quarantine thing going on at our house. Daily cancer therapy ends, hormone continues and will for a couple of years. WE WAIT NOW! (something I am really not good at).
Dec: Derwin has a birthday! Eddy & Raechel have their 3rd anniversary. We are sooooo glad that he is here to celebrate that with us. Christmas times is always good to re-focus on lifes' blessings. There are far too many to list. There have been moments that I have sunk in to a good old fashioned pitty party and I don't like to be disturbed when I am celebrating............then somebody invaribly comes along to ruin it!!!! That has been happening all year long.
Thanks everyone for making this year a meaningful one.

2009 - HERE WE COME, don't get in our way of making this better and more blessed than ever! (no matter what is in store for us)