2008 -- A Year in the Life

Good-bye 2008. Hello 2009!

After seeing the usual "best and worst of 2008" TV shows and magazine issues, I decided that I would do my own “year in review” here on the old blog. I was just saying last night that I don’t usually get all reflective at the changing of the years. Maybe it was just because I said that, I don’t know, but somehow, I began to reflect.

So, here it is, a year in the life of the Nadreau fam!

In 2008…

• Perry started guitar lessons. While he very much enjoyed the lessons, he did not so much enjoy the practice. He has been on a break for some time now, but is asking to go back to it in ’09.
• Perry started baseball… and an obsession was born. : ) Hard to believe that he just started that less than a year ago. He’s played 2 seasons now and seems like he’s been at it forever.
• On our annual ski trip, the youngest Nadreau really got the hang of snow skiing on his own. He even made several trips down the mountain with no falls!
• The Lord brought me to my new job. What an amazing blessing that has been! I found a new love for teaching and met 15 super kids who would become a huge part of my life.
• We had a fabulous summer full of friends and family time. Just a few highlights – a birthday backyard bbq for Eric; a trip to the lake with our dear friends, the Statzers; our annual 4th of July trip to my dad’s house; a big extended-family vacation to the beach with uncles, aunts, cousins, sisters, etc.; many day trips and pool days with the Crouses and Statzers; art camp and drama camp.
• We spent many LONG days and nights at my fabulous new school as we moved into our new building. A visit from my little sis helped tremendously. It was quite the memorable time as we transformed that place in about 48 hours into a functioning school.
• Perry started kindergarten! Wow! He learned so much in 2008! He can now read, do lots of math problems (his real gift), tie his shoes, quote many Bible verses, and much, much more.
• We made a small dent in our home renovation wish list. We replaced basement carpet with laminate – a do-it-ourselves project. And we had the pros install new hardwood floors upstairs and refinish the existing ones, and they also tiled Perry’s bathroom. Perry’s room got a makeover as well.
• I got a whole new wardrobe, thanks to my 35 pound weight loss. Eric joined me on the bandwagon and lost about 25 lbs. of his own. We’re definitely greeting this new year healthier than we’ve been in a long time – and we’re looking good, too! : ) I hope to finish the job in 2009. Stay tuned.
• We visited Mickey Mouse and his pals at Disney World in November. I want to go back already!

Overall, it was a great year. There were some events that would fall into the “worst of 2008.” Through these storms, we have learned, we have grown, and we have clung to one another and to our faith in Christ. We have definitely felt His presence and heard from Him this year, for which we are very thankful!

• Pregnancies number 6 and 7, which resulted in miscarriages number 5 and 6. Though this road continues to be long and hard, we do know that our God is at work.
• My dad’s quadruple bypass surgery. This came as quite a shock. He came through it well, though, and I think we all came out of it with a reminder of how precious our family members are.
• The last week of the year was a tough one for Eric’s family. His uncle passed away on Christmas day. Then 2 days later, his nephew was attacked by a dog and had to have part of his ear reattached. Thank the Lord for the feeling of renewal that comes with the new year!
  
  And the number 1 BEST, most memorable, life-changing thing that happened in 2008 was that our little boy prayed to receive Christ! On Christmas Eve, Perry asked Jesus to come into his heart and be the Lord of his life forever. He will be baptized this Sunday, and we are so very proud of him!
  
  Eric and I have prayed since before Perry was born that he would grow to know and love the Lord and would develop an awesome relationship with Him. Hearing him explain all that he knows and understands about Jesus and His love for us was really overwhelming. He was so ready and so excited about this decision to follow the Lord. He fully understands our need for Jesus and that His sacrifice saves us from our sins and allows us to know Him, talk to Him, hear from Him, and be with Him forever.
  
  We are incredibly thankful for a church and a school that have taught him so much about what it means to be a child of God and for adults and children alike who show him everyday what it looks like to walk with Him. Our joy is beyond words knowing that God has plans for Perry in this life that we cannot even imagine, and now we know that our sweet boy will be with us for eternity!
  
  And THAT, my friends, made 2008 a wonderful year!