Looking back on 2009

The past year has been pretty crazy. Our little family went through so much and we are so much stronger as a result. There were some really low moments and also some very high moments... which leaves me with mixed emotions about the past year.

The first quarter was pretty uneventful. In April I got promoted to PIP at work, which was a postition I had ALWAYS wanted! I got a new manager and a new team, which I love! On 5/7/2009 Dave proposed to my sister, Sammi. He was so sweet to let me be a part, which, I am forever grateful! For all of you who know me, I am a bit of a control freak and love doing fun surprises for people! He got dozens and dozens of rose petals, made a shirt for Landon to wear that asked her to marry him and had Shawn and I sneak into the house to get it all set up. They went to Del Frisco's, came home and found us waiting for them! She cried and her hands shook... she was so happy!

Next, was Sammi and I's birthdays. This time of year is my favorite! We celebrated with family dinners and, of course, a night of dancing! On 6/11/2009 I found out that I was pregnant. Shawn and I had been trying, I just didn't think it would work. For some reason I thought I didn't think I would be lucky enough to be blessed with another beautiful baby! He was on the couch and I just walked up to hiim crying. He said, "You're pregnant!" and all I could do was nod my head. He then kissed my belly and said a prayer for us and the baby... just like he did with Landon!

On 7/10/2009 I celebrated my grandpa Howdy's passing after 15 years. Landon and I went with my mom and Craig to Fort Logan. We brought him orange and blue (he was a die hard Broncos fan) and talked to him. It was so nice to see him again. That same night, we were told that my other grandpa, Donald Keith Bloomquist "Gramps", fell and broke his neck as a result of his defibrilator going off. He had a black eye and was, once again, in the ICU.

Gramps was in an out of the ICU for several months, if not years. On Monday 7/27/2009 his defibrilator went off early in the morning and he was placed in a drug induced coma. I was called at work and told to come down and see him again for the last time. I left work immediately and went to Sky Ridge. I was so glad that Shawn, Sammi and I all made it in time. He passed away a little after 11am. I was so lucky to be able to say goodbye and to be there with him and for him in his last moments. He was such an amazing man and God blessed us with 25 extra years with him. He was a fighter and fought to the very end. We all miss him so much! We had his funeral on Wednesday August 5, 2009 and Ryan and Conolly came back for it. It was our first time meeting her! So did other family members and close friends, which were all so nice to see, just wish it was better circumstances.

On August 8, 2009 Shawn left his job. This was a great thing for him, just a bit stressful! He had been run ragged and treated misfairly by his boss and co-workers. So, it was time for him to leave. So, he was super lucky to become a stay at home daddy while he looked for a job. Which, was amazing for him and Landon to have all of that quality time together! They both just loved it.

We celebrated Landon's third birthday on August 27, 2009. I still can't believe he is getting so big! I made him a choo choo train cake and he just loved it! That week Shawn found out that he got an amazing job with Yellowpages.com and AT&T. He was over the moon! We all were, just sad to lose him as a stay at home daddy! September 14, 2009 he flew to Arizona for three weeks of intense training. I was heart broken!

While he was gone, I found out that Chance's dog food was contaminated with grain mites, so I took him in for a check up. When I was there, they did an xray of his right front paw. They came back and told me and my dad (who came with to walk Chance) that Chancey had bone cancer. I could not believe it... I just cried and cried. I could not stop. They said that he had less than six months and that it would start to spread. We knew he had even less time as he had been limping since the end of June or beginning of July. I had to break this terrible news to Shawn over the phone. It was the worst!

Shawny came home on October 2nd and I turned 20 weeks the same day. We were all so glad to have him back home! Meanwhile, we soaked up our baby Chance and spoiled him. With lots of human food (which he NEVER got before), belly rubs and love. Before we knew it, he didn't want to eat, lost his bowels and was just in too much pain to even get up. He was pacing at night and the poor thing just couldn't get comfortable with all the pain he was in. They say bone cancer is the most painful cancer to have, for dogs and humans. So, with heavy heavy hearts, we put him to sleep on November 10, 2009. That was THE HARDEST thing I have ever done in my life. I was not prepared to leave him... but I don't think you ever really can be.

As a result of Chance's death, I was so depressed. I had lost my first born and nothing seemed to cheer me up. So, on Sunday November 15th, we decided to open the card from the ultrasound tech and find out the sex of our baby. Either way, boy or girl, it was AMAZING news. News that we needed to cheer us up and get our minds off of Chance for once. We went to my dad's with my sister and Dave. After brunch, we opened it up and found out that we are going to have another baby boy! We were so excited! A brother and best friend for Landon!

After thinking long and hard about whether to get another dog, we decided that it is the right time for us. No dog will ever fill Chance's paws. :) So, on December 21, 2009 we adopted Gracie Joy Coy into our family. She is such a sweetie and it is so nice to have a dog in the house again. Although, we still miss Chancey baby terribly!

This year has brought so many blessings into our lives... Shawn's new job, Gracie and baby Luke. However, there were several extremely rough times... Shawn being unemployed, losing Chance and my Gramps. Everything happens for a reason and I am so looking forward to 2010. I know that there will be so many wonderful things in store for us, after the rocky 2009 we had! Sammi and Dave will be getting married, we are giong to have baby Luke, I will be off for 12 weeks with the boys, we are going to Mecaso (Mexico) for ten days on our first real family vacation and (not that I am too excited about it, but...) Shawn and I will both turn 30!

I hope that everyone has a wonderful and blessed 2010! I praise God for all of His blessings and I love to see His plan and purpose for our lives. Even though at times I didn't understand it, looking back now, I do. I know my Gramps is at peace and I will see him again some day. He is watching down on us and taking special care of us. Same with Chance, when I walk into heaven, he will run up to me and give me all those kisses I have been missing! Shawn ended up getting an amazing job and is doing so well at it. What a blessing!

I am glad 2009 is over, what a journey it was! Looking forward to watching my baby sis and bestest friend get married and bringing this baby boy into the world and more importantly, such a wonderful and loving family! We are so thankful to have the people in our lives that we do!

Thank you to all of my friends and family who have been there for us during this rough and exciting time! It is GREATLY appreciated and I love you all so much!
xoxo
Randi Lynn