5 Things That I Am Thankful for in 2009

I have been meaning to post this since Dec 31!  BUT...I came down with the crud AGAIN!!! SO...Here I am on Jan 8, posting the things that I am thankful for in 2009, and goals for 2010!!  UGH!!  I hate being behind...just last night started removing all of the Christmas decorations!  By now I am usually so sick of seing them and really wanted to get the house back to somewhat of a organized mess, but when you don't feel good stuff just doesn't get done!

5 Things That I Am Thankful For ~ 2009

1. Husband ~ I probably have the most patient/loving husband in the world!  I am certain that I don't deserve him!  But, I am so thankful that I have him!  I honestly think that he lives to make me happy, he is always there to help me thru all of my screw ups!  Thank you Bill for 34 years of putting up with me...I Love You!!

2.  Family ~ My Kids/Grandbaby - The Days are Long but the Years are Short!

I have to start this part with a note to you guys:  I recently read another mom's blog that found out during her pregnancy that the baby girl she was carrying may not live thru her entire pregnancy, and if she did, the baby would certainly die.  Things like this sometimes do not seem real to anyone that it doesn't actually happen to directly.  But let me tell you this touched my heart so much and I am so blessed to have all of you in my life.  I love you all so much.

Jason - My First Born:
You were my first  baby, I love you so much!  I know that I probably way overprotected you!!  I just wanted to give you the best of everything in the world.  I surrounded you with the best people to influence you, best schools to send you to, best clothes that I could buy you...(you always had to have the NAME BRAND stuff)!! Just a little bit spoiled, huh??  I tried to train you to make good choices so you would grow into the best adult you could be.

I enjoyed watching you grown up, chasing you all over the place and supporting you in your sports activities was just so much fun.  I look back and think about all of the different sports that you participated in from, swim, soccer, baseball, basketball ....it is no wonder that you are such a sports nut!!

You now have your own babygirl, my first grandbaby who I totally adore!!  I think you now can see and feel the love for a child that only a parent can understand or know.  You WILL make mistakes, I DID, but you will do the best you can.  You may not recognize them as mistakes until Jordan is much older or even grown!  The best advise that I can offer you is to LOVE her as much as you possibly can, then LOVE her more.  Spend lots of time with her, she will be grown before you know it!!  Teach her right from wrong and about God, then she will have no choice but to become a wonderful young lady!

Jared - My 2nd Sweet Baby Boy
My little "preemie", "tadpole" (as Papaw Bivens used to call you)...what a tiny little guy you were!!  I was so totally amazed by you, and you were so small and fragile!  I was so scared that I was going to do something wrong and hurt you.  When you were only a few weeks old we had to take you to the ICU at St Vincents hospital, you were so sick.  I was so afraid that I would lose you, and I wasn't sure that I would ever be the same without you.  Little did I know how strong you were and what a determined little guy you were.  When I was pregnant with you I sometimes wondered how in the world that I could love two kids as much as I loved your brother.  But let me tell you...one look at you and God made a BIG HUGE spot  in my heart that only YOU could fill!!

I know that you STILL fuss at me all of the time about the "flower" clothes that I put on you as a baby, I really am sorry about that!  I honestly never really thought about them being flowers or being "girlie" I just wanted to put clothes on my "little guy" that you didn't get lost in.  Also, there really wasn't much to choose from in premmie clothes back then. 

What a loving and affectionare little man you were.  I loved, loved. loved being at home with you when you were little.  I also loved being a parent that participated in the activites of what their kids were involved in.  I often wonder where the time went...how did you grow up so fast? 

I know that someday you will have babies of your own, I have always said that you will be a great dad....and I still believe that!!  You have a special gift of patience with kids and that will be useful to you someday.  You know I tease you guys all of the time about wanting another grandbaby....but I am just messing with ya...I know you will when the time is right for you. 

Krista - My Sweet Little Baby Girl
What a "Little Princess" you were, and still are!!  I have enjoyed every minute that God has given me with you!!  From the time you were 4 weeks old, as a little girl, and now a 17 year old teenager, almost grown ... you have been very very busy young lady.  From Jared pooping in your pants... to you putting on my make up, making your aunt Linda feel like a child kidnapper, your stringy thin toddler hair, to the big thick head of hair you have now, from dance to cheer, and traveling everywhere with you.  I can't believe my baby girl is almost grown and a Senior in High School now.

It is so true....The Days are Long, but the Years are SO Short!!

You truly have been a blessing to us!  I couldn't have ask for a better daughter!  You have such a sweet spirit, (a little OCD at times), but your heart always wants to please!

I am so impressed with your committment to God and your faith!  Keep that close to you, and you will have a very happy life and future. 

As you start your adult life, focus on your education, prepare for your future, get married and have a family of your own, I want to be there every step of the way with you.  I love being your mom and your friend!

Little Jordan - My First Grandbaby!
Where do I start, to tell you how special you are.  YOU are my very first grandbaby!  I have wanted you for so long...you will forever have a special place in my heart. 

I have only had you for a year and a month now, but I cherish every minute that I get to spend with you.

I have had you almost every weekend of your life! I live for Friday's when you are mine for the weekend!!  What a blessing that is for your mommy and daddy to share you with me (Nana) and Peepaw!!  With the exception of only a few weekends, you spend time with us and it is such a joy to have you in our life.

You have such a precious little personality...a little mean to me at times, but we are working on that!!

3. Church/God - Isn't It Amazing!! ~ God Never Leaves Us....Even when we are not as faithful as we should be.
I may not understand what/why things happen, but I know in my heart God is always with me.

4. Health
I have to admit that thankful isn't the first thing that came to my mind when I put Health on this list.  I sometimes do not feel healthy or thankful!!  It seems that all my life, well since having kids...(sorry guys), I have struggled with weight, high blood pressure, now heart disease and diabetes.  I get so frustrated and want to give up sometimes. 

I often wondered if I will get to live long enough to have grandkids.  Now that I have Jordan, I wonder if  I will live long enough for her to get to know me (be old enough to remember me).  Also, if I will be able to really know the grandkids that I hopefully will have in the future from Jared, and Krista....

I don't want this to sound like I have given up, because I haven't ...I have a new outlook and goal to be healthier in 2010!!  I want all of these things that I have mentioned...so I have resolved to do what I can to make it happen!

Since both my daddy and my grandmother, (his mother) died in their 60's, I realize that I have to do something different!  If I don't want the same thing to happen to me that happend to them.  I have some changes to make! 

5.  Job
What do I post about my job, when what I really want is to be at home.  Actually, I really am thankful to have this job, it is actually the most non stress job that I have had in many many years!!  In this economy, since I do have to work, I am very bless with this job!

Goals for 2010! 

BE A BETTER ME!!

" Do You Hear My Family?  They Are Sayin "YOO HOO"

1. Wife - Be A Better Support To Bill

2. Mother/Nana - To love my kids and grandkids more, spend as much them with them as I can

3. Just Me - I Am Work In Progress

4. Friend -Randon Acts of Kindness, Pray for Others, Pay It Forward

5.  Christian - Spend more time with God, sometimes, I totally neglect Him.  I know that he is always there, and I Love Him everyday, but fail to show Him, by studying His word and getting to know him more.


2010

I truly want 2010 to be a great year for my family!  The number "10" seems to be a magic number for the Koder Family. 

Bill wore # 10 in high school (basketball)
Jason wore #10 in high school (basketball and same school)
Jared wore #10 in high school (basketball and same school)
Krista graduates high school in 2010 (same school)

should be a Great Year!!

**When You are down to nothing, God is up to something**