Here’s a little look back at this whirlwind of a year 2009. I can’t believe it’s been a year since I wrote last year’s review.
January
- We returned to our little apartment in Harlem after a Christmas break in Utah.
- Witnessed the pride and excitement of the inauguration in Harlem. I’ve never seen people so happy about politics!
- Got called to teach the 4 year old Primary class at church. What an adventure! I loved that calling.
- Went to Chinatown to see the Chinese New Year festivities.
February
- Loved a visit from Lori, Paul and Emmett on Valentine’s Day.
- Had a very uneventful Valentine’s Day night. Jacob was busy studying for a test. We ordered heart shaped pizza from Papa Johns (authentic NY pizza, you know!) and rented a movie.
- Enjoyed a visit from my SIL Heather and her kids from PA. We spent the day visiting FAO Schwartz, seeing the carriages at Central Park, and eating McDonalds; a perfect day for the kids.
- Started enjoying Saturday night “Dessert Nights” around Manhattan. So fun to try new things.
- Assisted my friend Kiasa with some of her
science themed birthday parties including one for
Design Mom Gabrielle Blair’s daughter. Kiasa does a fantastic job and I loved working with her.
March
- Got a fabulous haircut from Rubi. I love that haircut.
- Celebrated Jacob’s 25th birthday. He was busy with school and didn’t want to do anything special so we celebrated quietly at home.
- Saw one of my favorite old musicals Guys and Dolls with Jacob.
- Had our bathroom ripped apart because of a consistent leak. It was never put back together completely before we moved!
- Took a
trip to Washington, DC! We loved seeing all the sights and visiting some museums. The American History Museum was my favorite. I injured my ankle while we were there which really slowed me down. But we had a fantastic time!
April
- Enjoyed Conference weekend (although by myself since, as usual, Jacob was studying like a mad man.)
- Got locked in the bathroom while home alone.
- Spent a week in San Francisco with Heidi. It was so fun to go on a trip just me and my sister. We had a wonderful time seeing the city and relaxing. Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3 here.
- Started taking care of this adorable creature (and 2 other kids on days I didn’t have her.)
- Decided to transfer to Jacob’s school in Las Vegas. This decision was insanely bittersweet.
May
- Jacob finished his first year of medical school. Woohoo!
- Made a trip to PA for niece Ariel’s baptism and visit with the Lauberts, Miners, and Jacob’s parents.
- Jacob’s parents coming back to Manhattan with us to spend the day. Jacob had a blast playing tour guide.
- Celebrated our 3 year anniversary with dinner, a movie, a stay in a nice hotel in midtown, breakfast at Max Brenner and a visit to the Strand before I had to work the next day.
June
- Made a quick, impromptu trip to Philadelphia. This may be my favorite trip of the year because Jacob was out of school so he was totally stress free! And I love the early American history in Philadelphia.
- Explored the
High Line. Perhaps the coolest park in the city.
- Saw Anne Hathaway and Audra McDonald in
Twelfth Night in Central Park. LOVED this.
- Finally experienced fried chicken and waffles at Amy Ruth’s. We give it two thumbs up!
- Went to Las Vegas to find an apartment.
- Had lunchtime dates around town with Jacob when I was taking care of Puff. They were good buddies.
- Basically went some place fun in the city everyday.
July
- Had a fun 4th of July BBQ with our neighbors and then went to the Hudson to watch the fireworks.
- Enjoyed the
NY Philharmonic concert in Central Park.
- Had a
visit from my brother, Ian, for a couple of days. I was working so Jacob played tour guide. They enjoyed a city tour and a Mets game, among other things. We introduced Ian to the delicious NY food, including truck food (hello Dessert Truck, we love you.)
- Saw Blithe Spirit starring Rupert Everett, Angela Lansbury, and Christine Ebersole.
- Enjoyed another visit from my SIL Heather and the kids. We had an overpriced and underwhelming lunch at Mars 2012 (but the kids had fun!) and then went to the Heckschler Playground in Central Park to play in the water.
-
Went to the beach with Jenn, Norris and Puff.
- Saw In the Heights with Jenn.
- Reluctantly packed our meager belongings into a mini van (Jacob is MAGIC!) and
moved across the country. We stopped along the way to see my SIL Erin and my Grammy and my parents.
- Bought a car- a 2005 Toyota Corolla.
August
- Spent a few days in Wisconsin for the big family reunion with Jacob’s siblings.
- Jacob started school again.
- I went to Utah for a week to help Heidi get ready for school.
- Totaled our 2 week old car in a car accident on the way home from Utah when Jacob came to pick me up. We were very, very lucky that we walked away with only minor bumps, bruises, and cuts.
- Found out (2 days after the accident) that we had
a bun in the oven. Expected arrival: April 2010. I started getting sick immediately.
- Enjoyed a visit from Emily and baby Charlie for a few days. She helped me set up the apartment and she made me some curtains!
- Celebrated
my 25th birthday with surprise tickets from Jacob to see Jersey Boys at the Palazzo.
September
- Went to Utah for a long weekend. Got to see Laura and go to Delia’s baby blessing.
- Spent most of the month sick on the couch.
- Jacob had his first “block week” of tests.
- After a month of rental cars (for which we are still waiting to be reimbursed from the other insurance company) we finally got the money from our insurance company to buy another car: an 02 Honda CRV.
- Took a quick trip to Cali to see the Sheets and the Ames. Spent a fantastic day at the beach.
October
- Continued being sick and exhausted. Hence the extreme lack of blogging…or doing much of anything.
- Enjoyed General Conference weekend.
- Had a fun visit from some of “the buddies” (Lori, Paul and Emmett, Mike, Jeff) for the BYU/UNLV game. Lots of Rock Band was played and Jacob barbecued before the game.
- Had a visit from my friend Amy from college and her son Landon. She’s pregnant too so we mostly laid around the apartment and ate Sour Patch Kids, which was my craving that week (and one of the few pregnancy cravings I’ve had at all.)
- Took another weekend trip home to Utah over Heidi’s Fall Break. We saw the Odyssey Dance show “Thriller”, the play “Curtains” and the movie “Bright Star.” Soaked up all the fall weather I could since it was still pretty warm in Vegas.
- Jacob had another “block week” of tests.
- Went to the ward Trunk or Treat and then celebrated Halloween at home with Tortilla Soup and renting Coraline. Mom sent me this t-shirt which I considered my costume.
November
- Slowly started feeling a little bit better.
- Found out we’re having a baby GIRL!
- I went to Utah the weekend before Thanksgiving and Jacob joined me the day before the holiday. We had a great time with my family and Grammy was in town, which is always interesting!
December
- Celebrated Sinterklaas Eve with my first attempt at the Dutch dinner and presents from Sinterklaas.
- Jacob had his semester finals.
- I hosted a Christmas Cookie Exchange for some of the wives that were in town during finals week.
- Went to Utah on the 18th for the family Christmas party at Aunt Nette’s house. Had a yummy dinner of appetizers and had the traditional White Elephant gift exchange.
- Had a fantastic Christmas with the family where the baby was incredibly spoiled.
- Celebrated NYE at home just the two of us with Chinese food (tradition!) and renting 500 Days of Summer. We watched the fireworks on the strip from our window.
In summary, we’ve had a crazy year. We’ve had plenty of “downs” but the “ups” have been so fantastic that it was all worth it. When all is said and done I know I’ll look back at 2009 as one of our best years. A year ago I never would have expected we’d start the year living in NYC and end it living in Las Vegas. If I’ve learned anything this year it’s that the Lord has a better plan for us than we have for ourselves, even if sometimes we don’t understand it.
I can’t wait to see what 2010 has in store for us, especially with the arrival of our baby girl in the spring. So much to look forward to.
