Year end reflections

Wow, its been one of those years ....I think every year has left us with that sort of Whew..at the end of it, but this year for us a little more than usual I guess.

When I look back over this past 12 months I am amazed at God's faithfulness. I am also amazed at my lack of gratefulness at times.

Let's see this year began with a lot of information gathering on Caleb's diagnosis of Cerebral Palsy which we had received in late 2007 (October, I think), lots of therapy and lots of tears on both mom's part and Caleb's part for not liking all that went with it. But with time and prayer (lots of prayer) we both have adjusted to life's ups and downs for the most part. God has shown us his love and grace in so many ways and has also shown us that nothing is impossible when we trust in him and give it all over to him. Caleb has made many HUGE improvements and with that came many trying days for all of us, but through the hard days God's power took over where my strength had diminished. God is good~all the time.

The older two boys have been so good this year. Both are homeschooled and excelling in many things. One of there greatest accomplishments this year is they have both read thru the entire bible (well they have 3 days left at present). I can honestly say they have done something that I have not done. I have began many times but never made it all the way through in one year. I am setting that goal for myself to do this year as well. The most exciting part about being a parent is seeing your kids grow in their walk with the Lord. I am so proud! Way to go boys! :)

Austin started youth group this year as well~another huge step in time for all of us! He seems to enjoy it most days! He loves the group that meets on Sunday mornings and is also enjoying the small group time (about 40+ kids) during the week. He hasn't really dove into the activities a whole lot yet this year, I think he is still a bit unsure of the whole thing. He did the first activity of the summer but it was a disaster, rained buckets and it was a water war day for the kids...I should of kept him home but I didn't want to disappoint him or the friend he took. Anyhow it was a horrible day and not one they either wanted to repeat again soon! So we lived and learned a bit from that one. Maybe next year will be better with his brother joining him as well.

Luke is my quiet sensitive child. Oh how I love his temperament at times and other times find it so maddening. He is so hard to understand for me ~ I am not quiet if you know me at all. I am easy to read I wear my emotions on my sleeve (or face) and so this has been my challenge. He is the most empathic of all my kids, he would make the best friend for anyone because of his caring spirit! I am praying for a way to better build our relationship this year. Luke is my hero! :)

My hubby~ wow he is the most supportive hubby anyone could ask for! He has been with me thru life's ups and many downs and still constantly encourages me to keep pushing forward! He has had a rough latter part of the year with his health. He was diagnosed with Hashimoto's disease this past November. We are still working hard to get him back to his old self and the right amount of medication to stabilize his thyroid. We have heard that its a slow process and can take lots of time and patience. (For those of you who know me, yes, that is right PATIENCE, ha ha ha). So we are dealing with it. The other big issue for my Marc has been this yucky economy, jobs are dwindling in Michigan and many other places. We are still employed going into 2009 but not sure for how long as are most people we know. How awful for our guys to think they are never sure whether they will hold on to their stability till the end of the day or not....I am praying for a HUGE blessing to fall on my husband this year, he so deserves it! :)

Let's see all that is left then is me really~ I am blessed. Truly God has given me much more than I deserve and so much more than I can believe. I am striving to do many things in 2009 ~ lose more weight (14lbs down in 2008), study hard at school, to be able to have the privilege to teach my kids, and to continue to serve the Lord with all my heart and soul!

Well that about sums up 2008~

Until next time........or next year...... :)

Christmas Eve 2008

Today is the day...must have it all done by now or else PANIC! Okay so not panic really but wonder if you can finish in time. I have it pretty much together for the most part, still wrapping and baking a bit but mostly done! This year is different from past years, the economy has really put a damper on the Holidays and unfortunately we here at the Steppey's have felt it a bit harder this week. We just received a letter "a Christmas note" I keep calling it, anyhow it was Merry Christmas and oh we just cut your pay by 20% for the new year! I call that Merry Christmas US economy style! With all that said I know we are soo fortunate to have a job with all the lay offs and businesses closing in the area we are actually BLESSED. We will make due with what ever knowing that as long as we are together than we can stick it out here! I have been praying this week for a peace to settle on me, and I really somehow feel a little better. Yes I know the economy is still bad and things will probably get a lot worse before getting better but I still have that little bit of peace now. The kind of feeling like somehow its going to all work out~ I guess because it has too. Anyhow~enough of that money talk~

I am loving having the kind of Christmas that you can spend with your friends and family~ That is truly what it is all about for me ...we are hoping Marc's sister in her family will still be able to come up for the holiday, but the flu bug hit their house today so its still up in the air whether they will be able to make the trip or not!

I have presents to wrap and laundry to do before tomorrow so I am off to work on that! Sorry again its been a while since I wrote last ~ Life is just way too busy!

Until next time......and MERRY CHRISTMAS

P.S I forgot to mention I made the Dean's list this past semester at school and so far have a 4.0 YIPPEE! :)

Updates....

Hi everyone,

Its been a really long time since I posted~Its December need I say more? Well let's see ...where do I begin? I have finals this week, one Wednesday for Psychology, and then one Saturday (computers), mostly not too worried although I know I am a bit stressed. So far I have an A so I can't do that badly I would think on the final ...just hoping to keep those A's and not turn them into B's... Fingers crossed, and all prayers welcome! :)

The kids are about the same, can't wait till Christmas, having a hard time concentrating in school to get through the month, you know all the normal stuff. Caleb is still enjoying preschool (sometimes a bit too much, I think) and speech therapy is going okay. Life will soon be more hectic I would imagine when we start back with Occupational and Physical Therapy...my days will be too short to do it all, but we will manage somehow, we always do! :)

The kids are currently working on a Christmas program to perform at my great aunt's place. Its an assisted living near Lakeside Mall. They are all very excited to share the meaning of Christmas with all the folks there. (oops, sorry my kids would be like what is a folk anyway mom?)...Anyhow, we will be doing that on the 15th, and then passing out cookies and candy canes with the legend of the candy cane attached. We have about 17 kids participating so it should go pretty well, I will keep ya posted on that one! :)

This weekend is our Christmas Auction...we are bringing it back this year after a long 5 year Hiatus, except it was always one of our homes now we are having down at the charity the money will go to. Its somehow more exciting to be able to share this place with others and let them see what its all about. This year all donations will go directly to LifeBuilders in Detroit. If you would like more info about LifeBuilders please visit their website at http://www.lifebuildersdetroit.com/ . You can donate online to help out at any time! Its a life changing place!

Well that is all I have for now...I promise to more dedicated to my blogging if you promise to read! :)

Until next time.....