Chris' 2008: Year in Review

So the year's all done. 2008 you certainly made your mark. Where to begin, Brooke and I were married. That was the single best moment of 2008 which leads to the single best moment of 2009, Olive Barragan. (Yep, I'm sure Olive will take the number 1 spot for '09.)

Back to 2008. In the winter I came to Utah, went through a few jobs (Zane Benefits, TriHealix and a nice long break until The Mahoney Group in September) and now we're off to Arizona to work for Eli Lilly.

I've been so blessed with new family, here in Utah. It's been especially nice with the Ellermeiers, Jenny and Mark, the Eatons, Jimmy and Alisha, Dave and Heather, the Cisneros', Laurie and Darin, and the Lees, Brandy and Mark. During Thanksgiving I was able to spend more time with the Carolina Eatons, Scot and Ann as well as Lisa and Scott who came from Chicago (my biggest regret is not being able to spend more time with Tim and Sarra and their little one's, a huge goal for 2009).

And let's not forget about my roommates for the fall, Gessie, Mallory, Ashley and Budgables.

Oh yeah and all of my newest nieces and nephews: Scottie, Emilee, Nick, Morgan, Lacey, Shane, Ethan, Madeline, Sarah, Allie, Samantha, Julia, Torrance, Azalea, Josh, Drew, Alexis, Dane, Troy James, Molli, Brock, Luke, Layla, Jane, Charlie, and Jacob (my only hope is that I got them all).

These twenty-six are joined by my siblings' children, Anna and Gabriel.

It's been so nice to be near friends, I got to spend so much time with Craig Tovey, I loved it. We made one lousy video this year, which you can find on my blog... Roommates.

I got to go fishing with Poopsie, Jessie, and Todd... Busy Life

And even got to see the Mormon Tabernacle Choir... MoTab

It's been wonderful.

To Make An End Is To Make A Beginning

Chris and I each wanted to put up one final post for the year, so here goes mine.

2008 has been tumultuous and exciting and just a million new things. The beginning felt a bit bleak, mostly because of my own follies, but I must say the end feels huge and hopeful. I'm humbled at the mercy of the Lord, the space and time he continues to give me to fix mistakes and become better and to learn and grow. And I'm humbled at how generously he's blessed our little family. I really look forward to 2009. I can't wait to see my little Olive, to love and support Chris in his endeavors, and to make a life and home for us in Lake Havasu. And I'm eager to get working on my own personal goals and ambitions. It's going to be a good year.

Happy New Year to you and yours! Thanks for reading!!!

35 Weeks

Merry Christmas and Happy Birthday to Chris!

So, there was a slight change in plans and we ended up spending Christmas here instead of in Arizona. I was actually really happy about that, knowing we'd be gone from all these people real soon and feeling the homesickness setting in all too soon.

We've been getting dumped on with snow, which is a delight because we just get ourselves all cozied up with some blankets and some minty Stephens. On Christmas Eve we read Luke 2 and talked a bit about the birth of Christ. And then on Christmas morning we took our time and stayed in bed and read a talk by President Benson about keeping Christ in Christmas. It was a great way to start the day, making sure we didn't make the presents the focus. Instead we tried hard to focus on the Savior and thinking about ways we can continue to seek him.

Here are some pictures for your viewing pleasure...

Alisha & me and our tummies

some of the girls on Christmas Eve

they love each other so

Happy 32nd Birthday to Chris!

The Absence, I'm Sorry Things Have Been Crazy

It's been a long time (believe me I don't want to look at the gas prices picture anymore either). And for our loyal four readers I sincerely apologize. In my defense I've been incredibly busy. I stopped working for the Mahoney Group in December and took a new job with Eli Lilly (not to be confused with Cotton Gin creator Eli Whitney). This was a job that I had been after for quite some time. I'm happy to have it. The past three weeks have I've spent studying Osteoporosis and a wonder drug called Cymbalta. It hasn't been anything but extremely stressful.

We moved our belongings (Brooke, myself and our newly acquired puppy, Maeby) to Arizona. We'll live in Lake Havasu full time after I return from training in Indianapolis.

Let's see, today is the day before Christmas, and its almost time for "Christmas Eve". The weather is cold outside and a storm is on its way. I welcome it. It's been a long year and I just want to duck under the blanketing storm and rest for a little bit.

This year has been full, Brooke and I are married, with Olive due in a little over a month. I've been through four different jobs finally getting the one I had been after since the beginning of January. I've moved to Utah and now from Utah.

I'm very happy. I'm so happy to be with Brooke, to be having a little daughter. Happiness I suppose doesn't come close to the feeling I have for Brooke and Olive. I have such an immense gratitude for both of them. Stress has distracting me from truly realizing how lucky I am. I hope whoever reads this is having a little bit of the same fortune as I have this year. I promise lots more posts. I have good stories and I intend to share them.

Merry Christmas.

Love,

Chris

Maeby We'll Keep Her

Or maybe not...

Shower Olive

Here are some shots from the shower - none of the pictures turned out very good, but you get the...picture...

i have good friends

ashley (grinning in the background) made the loveliest quilt

we played some fun, and embarrassing, games

jenny made one of her signature cakes - booties for olive

I had such a good time - thanks again, everyone!