Back into the swing

One week without a post...that is pretty abnormal for me. I'm not sure where the time has gone, but it appears that 2008 has started without a hitch. With a wonderful 2007 behind us, we look forward to what is on the horizon for our family in the new year.

Here are just a few of the things that we already know will keep us busy in 2008:

• Joel's job as the Byron Township Clerk. It's a presidential election year so he'll be very busy! (oh, and he's up for re-election this year too which means our family will be out on our own campaign trail)
• Joel's other job as a paid-on-call firefighter for the township
• Joel's last year as the Chairman of the Kent District Library Board
  
• My job as Operations Director for All Children Matter which will also include heading up the physical re-location of our office which could prove interesting.
• Church stuff that will include, but not be limited to: attending men's and women's retreats, leading our small group twice monthly, being a nursery coordinator, attending Wednesday night dinners & classes, The Journey women's bible study, marriage retreat weekend, and any other random things that come up...yup, we love our church!
• Once a month book club (Brenda) where I'll actually try to READ the book versus going for purely social reasons :)
• A few planned trips: (February) We'll head to Amish country for a weekend with Joel's brother's family, (March) Emma and I will join Joel up north while he takes a class, (May) our annual trip, with my mom, to South Dakota to see my Grandma, (August) 9 days of camping (what am I doing!?) with Joel's parents at the Yankee Springs recreational area
• Golf league, that Joel heads up, which is mostly made up, but not entirely, of people that go to our church
• And, this list wouldn't be complete without listing a few personal goals: LESS wasted time on the internet, a photography class (or two), exercise (starting w/ a local rec Body Burn class that I've sign up for), and last but not least, I will be striving to be a better, happier, more attentive, selfless wife, mom, daughter and sister!
  

I thought I'd leave you with a few photos of my laundry-helping-gown-wearing-princess-in-training. She was checking out the dryer to be sure it was in complete working order.

Please excuse the unmentionables on top of the dryer!

A complete inspection means climbing inside

"I cleaned your link trap mom"

Apparently some privacy is needed for the process

Certification completed!