It has been quite a year in the Hamrick household. It is here near the end of 2009 that we finally provide an update of sorts as to our comings and goings this past year. Here is a year in review for 2009, as best I can remember:

April:
April was a big month. We bought a house, found out we were pregnant, and got a new dog. Yeah. Told you it was big. In fact, those 3 events pretty much set the rest of the year for us. So, maybe this is a month in review, with the rest of the year being a response to that month.

A New Dog-
We got a Golden Retriever puppy and named him Sutton. As of today, he is a few days shy of 10 months. He is definitely a puppy, and we have had the joys of house breaking, training, and chewing things that ought not to be chewed. All in all he is a sweet, good dog. He just needs to do a little growing up, and continued training. :) His favorite activities are playing ball, chewing his blanket, and bothering his “big [little] brother, our Bichon Frise, Jasper. It has been an adjustment having a big dog in the house, especially one that sheds so readily. I have never seen such furry dust bunnies as the ones that develop every other day in the corners of our house.

Tiny Puppy Sutton


Sutton, when he joined our Family


Sutton now

A New House-
We bought a house and 5 acres outside of Fayetteville. The house is an older home that required a LOT of remodeling before we could move in, and we are still ‘finishing up’ projects [and probably will be for years to come :) ].

After the cast iron tub was torn out

We had to tear out nasty carpet, tear down a wall or two, put in new carpet, wood laminate flooring, and tile, new tubs, showers, sinks, plumbing, cabinets, paint, trim, light fixtures, shelving, fixed and reinforced subflooring…..and it seems like a whole lot more.

putting in a new tub and floor

WOW. I just realized we really did a LOT. The house looks completely different from the wreck it was when we bought it. Makes me wonder why we bought it in the first place….hmmm…. just kidding. We really enjoy it now. It has its quirks, but we like the land, we like the chicken coop in the back and the eggs they provide [we haven't purchased eggs since the summer], and I really like my clothesline in the backyard. Country living…. :)

A new floor


a new kitchen

A New Life-
We were overjoyed to find out this year we are expecting our first child. It has made for a very full year for us as we have been planning and preparing for his arrival. We are expecting a son in just a few short days from now. We are so ready for him.
We took a 12 week course on the Bradley method of husband coached childbirth, and are planning on a natural, drug free birth. We really like the hospital and midwife we have chosen. We hope for a successful natural birth, and have worked hard to prepare for such. David has been wonderful these past months. He has taken such great care of me. :) He will be a wonderful father.
Mostly, we are ready to hold our son in our arms. We plan on naming him Joshua. He is a wonderful gift from the hand of our Merciful God, and we are thankful everyday to Him for expanding our family.

34 weeks

All in all, it has been a very full, very wonderful year. We are overwhelmed by God’s blessings. He is good.