January started great with my parents visiting and me on vacation. They were here for Christmas (’08 along with Melanie & Co – but they had to leave before 2009) and stayed through New Years. I had fun showing them how a real winter looks like – a real San Antonio winter, that is:

In February (the 18th to be exact), my second grandson, Liam, was born. I’m still pretty sure I’m way too young to be a grandmother, but apparently, what I think here (or there, or anywhere) doesn’t matter all that much. And they are beautiful:

March 2009 was a fun month – Eric’s Mom and Dad and an uncle (MIL’s brother) and wife who live in Indiana and Minnesota, respectively, came to wait out their winter with us. It was great fun and great company, and they can winter with us any time they want to. Sadly, while they were here, we had to say ‘good-bye’ to Fred, our beautiful, strawberry-blond, long haired, haunted cat.

In April, we decided we needed a bigger patio – actually, we just needed a patio – what we had was a postage stamp sized concrete slab – builder’s grade (came with the house). Mainly, of course, we did this in case our winter guests come back – wouldn’t want them to have to sit on the lawn for a second time…. Patio Upgrade.

In May, I was finally able to fly to Indiana to meet Liam for the first time, and to spend some time with Corodon as well – and Melanie, too, of course. Still May, Phillip turned 18 – – I swear I had him when I was 9 or so. It’s definitely kind of weird to have all your kids all grown up – even if it’s only 2 (kids) and one still (sort of) lives with you:

In June, Phillip graduated from High School, and for the event, my Mother- and Brother-in-Law flew in and spent the week with us — hmmm, apparently, I never uploaded those pics to My Facebook. Then there was the mugging… that sucked, but let’s not go back there again.

July, Phil left for Basic Training – in December 2008, he signed up for the Army National Guard College First Program – his MOS is Military Intelligence – Data Analyst. We took him to the Riverwalk for a Last Meal before taking him to the hotel from which he shipped out the next day.

August, Eric and I discovered Government Canyon.

September wasn’t so good, we lost Keesha

on the 7th, and the pool closed for the season.

October – I changed my mind and decided to go with Eric to Phil’s Basic Training Graduation – and I’m so glad I did: see pics.

November – Eric got promoted to Manager (don’t tell him I said so – and I know he doesn’t read my ramblings, but I’m might proud), Safia, our new niece and Eric’s brother’s first child was born, and Eric’s Dad and wife Dorothy were able to visit us for Thanksgiving. I hadn’t seen them for years, and it was great to have them and show them around – pics.

December – Phil was able to come home for Christmas.

Looking back, while not without a few bad things like losing the 2 pets, the mugging, and some of the normal issues of life, it was a great year, and I feel very lucky and blessed.

For 2010, I’m looking forward to Phil and Diego coming home from AIT and living with us until they call ‘Uncle’ and go out on their own – whenever that may be. Also, we just decided to rip out the carpet and replace it with laminate – that’s going to happen relatively soon, and I’m way excited. In March, Eric and I will have our 20th wedding anniversary. We’ll have to do something special for that occasion!! In July, we’re flying to Germany for my parents’ 50th wedding anniversary. And I want a new counter top and back splash. It’ll happen. I also want to lose 45 lbs – I’m starting tomorrow or Monday, the latest – my money is on the counter top – but I won’t quit trying.

How in the world did I get this lucky?