January:
Celebrated the New Year in Austin with the family and worked my butt off during year end close at work. Thank goodness it's only a few weeks a year.
February:
Sushi for Valentine's Day - I can't remember much else about February. Started playing keyboard and singing at church with the praise band. SO MUCH FUN!!
March:
Started getting antsy for another getaway - but unfortunately nothing until May. Grant still plugging away at Samsung on Days.
April:
Celebrated 6 years of being together (April 12!) crazy it's been this long!
May:
Celebrated 2 years of marriage. Got an amazing deal on a last minute weekend getaway to Barcelona (ie booked it on Monday left 4 days later on Friday last minute!) . It was awesome!!
In front of the Museo de Catatlan in Barcelona - we had beautiful weather and such an amazing time!! 
At the top of the Ramblas that leads down to the Mediterranean Sea in Barcelona, Spain!
The famous Sagrada Familia - Gaudi's design in progress - this thing has been in progress for over 90 years!!
June:
Still working hard - had to take mandatory vacation in Q2 of 2009 so we took some time to spend in Fort Worth with Grant's family. Had an amazing tubing trip down the Comal River with the small group - I haven't had that much fun in a LONG time!
July:
Enjoyed the four day weekend for the 4th of July in Fort Worth. Things starting to look a little more worrisome for Grant and Samsung, but he's still working away.
August:
I'm really busy at work before September 15, celebrated my Dad's birthday at Austin Park and Pizza (he's still a little boy inside!). Found out at the end of September that Grant would be laid off as of Sept 24 (a day after Grant's Birthday).
September:
Grant had his last day at Samsung and the first day of a lot of big changes for us. Grant's Mom had a double knee replacement so we went to Fort Worth to help out for a long weekend.
October:
We found out that we are pregnant!! A bit of surprise, but a huge blessing all at the same time!! We also left at the end of October for a trip to Hawaii. My parents gave us a week of their time share so we went to Kauai for a week and then island hopped to the Big Island and Oahu for a few nights. Overall it was a good trip - but sadly we aren't beach bums so it wasn't our favorite trip overall.
November:
Celebrated Thanksgiving with Grant's family in Fort Worth. Grant went up there again right after to help with some household projects of his sisters and brother-in-law's (they're expecting as well!!) Started buying and selling TONS of stuff on craigslist to redecorate our house for the baby. So far with all the selling and buying, I've come out $200 ahead!! Gotta love Craigslist!
December:
Celebrated my birthday by finally using a gift certificate to a bed and breakfast that my parents gave us for Christmas last year. It was SO nice and a great mini-escape before the holidays. Celebrated Christmas in Austin with my family. New Year's with the small group and are ready for the excitement that 2010 will bring.
At the small group White Elephant Exchange / Christmas Party. Courtesy of Jenni's blog!
Prospects for 2010:
In January of 2010, Grant started taking Anatomy and Physiology, not sure if he was going back to school for good, but it was better than doing nothing this spring since he is still searching for work. Thankfully, on January 14, 2010, we were notified that the employees that were laid off from Samsung were certified under the trade adjustment act to qualify for "additional services". What that means to us is that the Federal Govt will help pay for Grant to go back to school to finish his degree!! We are in the process of trying to figure out all the red tape (there is plenty!) but we are excited about this blessing in disguise from the layoff. Right now he is planning on studying Computer Information Systems, but we are still looking into all the options. His A&P will not be a complete waste as he needed a four hour science with a lab. He is doing well in the class and got a 97 on his first test!! The goal is that he will be a full time student by Summer. All in all, I think this will be a HUGE blessing not just for him finishing school, but for him to be able to spend time with the baby and help with child care. While I'm still working, he'll be able to help share some of the child care and defray the enormous cost that child care can be. If all goes as planned (which we often know doesn't! :->) Grant should be able to finish school by the Summer of 2012.
At the beginning of February we found out that the baby I'm having is a little girl!! We have a name picked out and it is Claire Marie Ledyard. I've ordered the nursery bedding and we got the furniture off of Craigslist used (have I mentioned I love/am addicted to Craigslist?!) and are in the process of painting the new guest bedroom and nursery. I am due June 20 and am looking forward to spending some time at home with her for a little while. Right now my plan is to take a full month off and then begin working from home for a couple of months, returning to work full time by the middle of September. Fortunately, I work for a very accommodating boss and she is very flexible with how I handle my maternity leave. She had told me that if I wanted/needed to I could take 3 months and not work at all. I don't have that much sick time and with Grant being out of work, the best option I've come up with is the take the time off and then work part time from home for a while to extend out my time with Claire.
Everything works out and while at first we were so worried about what we were going to do when Grant was laid off and I found out I was pregnant, God has been completely sovereign in our lives. He has provided an amazing blessing through allowing Grant to go back to school and an even MORE amazing blessing through giving us this baby. So often we try to be in control and determine what is "enough" for ourselves based on what the world says, but it's amazing how much more exciting life can be when we learn that God is enough to sustain us through the trials. This year I'm going to try to be a better blogger, especially with all of the life changes we are going through...so keep an eye out and give us a shout if you're ever in Austin!!
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