I hope everyone had a great New Year! I had a fun time, but I wish I could have celebrated it with Matt. My friend from work invited me to go over to her house. We played Apples to Apples (one of my favorite games!) and Battle of the Sexes. Then we watched the ball drop on T.V. On New Year's day I watched the Rose Parade. I enjoy watching this parade every year because it reminds me of being back home with my family.
Looking back over this past year, I would have to say that it has been a difficult and challenging one. Matt and I spent only 4 months together during that year. We also had to face some hard and confusing times. Although those times were tough, I can look back now and realize that God has a plan and purpose for everything. You know the saying, "What does not kill you, makes you stronger." Well, I feel that through the tough times God has made me stronger. I never thought I would be able to get through these hard times before they happened, but I did and that was because God gave me the strength to make it through. He also gave me a great support system of family and friends to see that I would make it through.
So, as we begin 2009, I am looking forward to the things that God has in store for us. No matter what comes my way I know that God will see me through. "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." (Philippians 4:13) What an awesome promise!
We went up to Maggie Valley in North Carolina this past weekend to go snowboarding. We went with a small group of people from the base. We had a fun time snowboarding even though the snow was man made. I was trying to get some pictures, but did not get that many because the batteries died in the camera. My friends that went with us said they will email me some of theirs, so I will post more later. :)
yesterday and I am already missing my family again. I had a great time out there seeing everyone and experiencing my nephew Liam's first Christmas.
We went to Forest Falls to play in the snow, but did not stay too long because it was cold! I visited with Matt's family and got to celebrate my brother's 17th birthday with him. Wow... where does the time go?!
My dad and mom playing their annual game of 
Rummy.
We hope that everyone has a great Christmas and a happy New Year! I am going to be heading out to California in less then a week to spend Christmas with my family. I am really looking forward to seeing my family again and getting out of Valdosta for a little while. I will miss Casey though, but she is going to have a good time at my friends house because her buddy Rocko is over there so I know she won't be lonely! After I get back it should not be too much longer before Matt comes home!! Looking back now, this deployment has gone by pretty fast. I hope it continues to keep moving along, so he can be home soon!
