Grateful to have Nate as my sparing companion

Although it seems that we fell off the face of the bloggin' planet, we're still here.

Both Nate and I have found 2008 to be a very challenging year in many ways. I look forward to the beginning of 2009, as though a mere change in number would magically change things around. There have definitely been some wonderful, great things that have happened this last year, don't get me wrong. But as a whole, it's been a royal butt-kicking -- at least for Nate and I. One night after the kids were in bed, I closed the door and said to Nate, "I feel like I'm in a boxing match with Life that isn't ending, and it's beating me up real bad. I feel I am sunken in a corner, trying to catch a breath. But I'm still in it, and I haven't fallen yet. So BRING IT ON!" Nate laughed, and without speaking, we both understood the same thing, that both of us were in that corner together. I am so grateful to have Nate by my side.