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Well it is officially 2010! That is so crazy to me. I have no idea where the last year has went! I look back and man, I have so many amazing memories and a few heart aches.

Concerts:

2009 had to be the concert tour for me. NKOTB (still sad I went but Jana and I had a blast), Nickelback, Coldplay (the most amazing by far! Next to Mr Michael Buble), David Cook (freezing on a July night!), B-Spears and a few other ones. I had the best company for all of these and I am lucky to have some pretty sweet friends to share these with! Can't wait for 2010 concert tour to begin! Black Eyed Peas!

Broadway:

Jana and I have been obsessed with Wicked since, well 2006. We finally got to experience it together. It was by far the most amazing show I have been to Broadway wise. I have seen my fair share and I just loved it! Got the privileged to see Spring Awakening earlier in the year. It's a pretty depressing story, but was still done beautifully. Then RENT, oh RENT. You keep my jingle bells ringing all year round. The whole evening was hilariously awesome for RENT. I will never forget it! Again, I had some great friends that I got to experience these with! Thanks guys!

Family:

Michael and I each lost a grandparent this year. Eventhough it was tough, and sometimes still is, we are thankful for our Faith, Family and our Friends. Without these, the process would have been so much harder. We know they are both in a better place and we are both thankful we were able to be so close to them and that Jake was able to meet them and spend time with them. I also think our families have come around a little this year. We still have our ups and downs like all large families but I am thankful for everyone of them.

Work:

This year has had it's challenges. We survived! That is all that matters! I am so grateful for the people I work with. They are some of the greatest people I have known and I am so thankful for them!

My Boys:

I am thankful to have a happy, healthy family! Michael and Jake are the greatest gifts God has given me. I can't thank Him enough for the two of them. They are my world and I love them both so much. This year has been an exciting year with Jake. He started talking and now can count to 20 and do his ABC's. He goes in his "big boy potty" when he is at home and he loves to play with his ever-growing train. It still takes my breath away and melts my heart when he kisses everyone goodbye and says "Love you mommy". He is truly a blessing and I couldn't have asked for a better child. Michael. Oh my little Michael. He is a kid at heart and I love him for that. He is such an amazing father and is always there to play games with and sports with. Even today, he was just sitting there, coloring with Jake and Jake had the biggest smile on his face. It almost brings me to tears knowing how fantastic of a father Michael is. It makes me even more in love with the man. Something I still can't believe can keep growing this much after so long.

Friends:

This is a tough one! We have met and got to know so many new people this year. I have personally also reconnected with some of my greatest friends from the past. It's amazing when you can be away from someone and when you get back, just pick up where you left off and everything is so easy. I am thankful for those friends and am so glad to have them! It's probably safe to say that our Bible Study group is completely awesome. It's great to be able to get into the Word with these people every week and be able to open up the way we do at times. They are all amazing people and I have learned so much from them and learned so much about myself this year. There are quite a few people that have been there for not myself but for Michael and even our family. I can't thank them enough for all they do and for being our friends. We gained a few babies a long the way and each of them has been a blessing! Of course Jana. This lady is an amazing mother, wife, daughter, and sister to me. She always seems to be on my wave length and always knows what I am thinking. She is someone I can always look up to. Literally. I am so thankful that 3 1/2 years ago, Nationwide did something right and sat us next to one another! It changed history and I am so happy for her family! They are like our 2nd family and we enjoy being a part of their lives! Thank you to everyone for this year! We have had so many amazing memories, laughs, tears and dreams with you!

Pretty much all other:

It has been exciting seeing David graduate, get a job and move into his own house! We sure do miss him but he comes home quite often and we are always excited to see him and spoil him! We will be having a new nephew and FINALLY a niece this year! I cannot wait to get my hands on them and love them! Which leads to our #2. We think it is in the cards and that it is probably the right time. We will keep you posted and see where God leads us!

All in all this has been a great year. We have learned a lot and grew from many experiences that were given to us! I am excited to see what 2010 will take us! We actually stayed up till midnight this year! Hooray for us old folks!!

Slip Fall Ratio

I feel like I have been running around like a chicken with it's head cut off! I have been non-stop going, going and going. I am ready for a week of just standing still! I am not sure that will be coming but I can dream!

One thing is for certain...the snow can end! I love having a white Christmas, but enough already! I love the look of snow and I love playing in it. I just don't enjoy driving in it. It's a debbie-downer of a day when you wake up and you turn on KCCI at 5am and they announce it snowed overnight or it's currently snowing. Roads may be slick! White knuckles and I are becoming the best of friends. That is one friendship I would like to not have.

Speaking of slick. Story time. So gather around kids. We were visiting Michael's parents and the snow was as usual, falling. We were walking to our car and Michael announces "it's not even slick!" He then tried to slide and got no where. I got the car door opened, put my leg up and the next thing I know, I am falling. I was in slow motion. I felt like I was on pause. I slid under the car. The way I stopped, well, lets say, I am glad I am a lady. =) As I went down my bum slammed into the car. I am still sporting a nice black and purple bruise on my bum and the day after I do have to admit, I had to sit on a pillow. Michael and David had a great laugh about it and still give me a hard time. My slip fall ratio is increasing. I think I am turning into Bella!

We had some visitors this week also! My cousins from the Big K and Omaha headed over. It was great to see them and there is never a lack in laughter. I am so thankful they are in my life. It was great just to bum around with them at the mall. Plus the David (my cousin, not either of my brother-in-laws) impressions were amazing. Phil and Michael can always get a hard laugh out of me! It was great to see them and I am looking forward to next time when it can last a little longer.

Tomorrow is New Years Eve! What in the world?! Where did 2009 go? It went so fast! I can't believe it! I feel like nothing has changed but I know so much has. I am not a "resolution" person. I feel like I am giving myself a task instead of maybe a goal or ambition. Instead I just try to stay who I am and learn from my past mistakes and just keep moving forward. I will say a little disclaimer. I have never said that I am perfect. I am far from perfect. I make mistakes, but I learn from them. I just don't appreciate being judged when apparently you don't know me all that well. I love my family and I love my friends. I am not a perfect Christian but honestly, who is? Isn't that part of it? At least I am working on myself and growing in it everyday. I am a work in progress and I will always be. Please don't make false accusations or judgments when you don't care to ask about anything.

Operation Holidays 2009

We had a fantastic holiday with family and some friends!! We pretty much go together with family/friends Dec 22nd till today! It's been such a blessing having the Donhowe's here!! The boys are so much fun and finally someone David can play risk with!! Here is a little recap of the Janzenday Holidays.

Ups:

David was home for almost a week and camped out at our place

Sleeping in till 8 almost every day due to the last nights and Jake not going to bed till 10

Michael was able to play Call of Duty with David actually in the room

Marilyn getting a laugh at David, Michael and I working on her 1000 piece puzzle

The boys playing Risk and David always winning. That will never change

Jake telling everyone Merry Jesus Birthday on Christmas Eve! He graduated to Merry Christmas by the next day.

Jake thinking all the gifts were for Jesus!! He said "Jesus likes Thomas"....I love that child

My dad reading the Christmas story this year

Seeing the load that my parents got the boys!! I guess it's a grandparents right! But wow.

David back seat driving in the snow, everyday!

Laughing so hard our stomachs hurt every night

Having all the amazing holiday tradition foods! Even trying the new ebleskiver. Although now that I know how it is made....artery clogging.

Jake and Eli's matching outfits

Family time singing and dancing around

Tour Holiday de Lights 2009 Janzen style

Making towers with Jake and him running into them going "Kaaboom"

Watching a Christmas Story, Elf and Babes in Toyland like we do every year

 Chuck (that is all I have to say)

Just having a fantastic time with family and friends!! Faith, Family, Friends and Fellowship were the greatest gifts this year!

Downfalls:

The vacation from work never lasts long enough

I will now have, forever, Megan Fox on her motorcycle in my house....yay movies

I wish people would really see what the season is all about

That people are so quick to judge me when they apparently have no idea who I am after all these years.

Hope everyone had a great holiday!! We still have one more Christmas when the Olsen's get into town!! 4 day work week is a plus!!

Merry Christmas!

Happy Birthday Jesus!! Hope everyone has a great day with their family and friends! Remember the reason for the season! I thank God everyday for sending His Son! Have a great day everyone!

Much love this day,

The Janzens

Another tradition...

 Every year we pick a song that we all agree on. It is usually our Christmas song of the year. We each submit a few ideas and then listen to them. We sometimes get the same song, just sung by two different people. Last years winner was Faith Hill's "A Baby Changes Everything." This year we had a few good submitions but we all agreed on Andrea Bocelli's "I Believe." I think the line in this song that got us was "Find the power of your

Faith." That really hit home for all of us. Faith is believing, Faith is what Christmas is all about. If we didn't have our Faith, we wouldn't have anything. I cannot say I am a perfect person. I have flaws and I embrace them. I think we all strive to be better people. Having my Faith, has made me understand so much more then I think I could have without it.

For me growing up, we always went to Church. Sundays and Wednesdays. I loved it. You were always excited to see your friends and hang out. Yeah you had class and church but you just loved being around all your friends. In middle school/high school, you start to get more questions. Why do I believe? Why doesn't everyone believe what I do? Is this the life I really want? I was fortunate to have some amazing teachers and some fantastic people I could turn too. My parents and my family. When I say my family I mean my church family also. I was always surrounded by people that loved me and I loved back and were always there to answer my questions. I had quite a few great people that helped my through situations and even misunderstandings. Through my 20's I think I have really figured out so much. I am not done learning. I will never be done. But here are a few things that I know, for me, that I need.

1) God. Daily prayer and reading His word, has done wonders for me. Especially recently. Yesterday for instence. I read about 2 hours just about trials and tribulations and how to overcome and get through them. It's amazing to have one Book to help solve or show you so many things. I am thankful that I can do this freely and that even though I do have friends that don't believe, I can still let my light shine through. Yes, I do have friends that aren't the greatest of Christians. At times, I may not be either. But that is the beauty of it. I know I can always ask for forgiveness, work on whatever it is that has been effecting me and move on. I do not believe I can keep doing the same things over and over and ask for forgiveness. I obviously wouldn't be listening. I am just thankful for a forgiving yet jealous God. He has a right to be jealous. Myself included, I know we may all get caught up in worldy pocessions. I just have to check my self every once in a while. I have my faith and my family. That is all I need

2) Family. The definition of family is: a group of individuals living under one roof and usually under one head. I look at it as God is the head and we are all living under his roof. My family just isn't my hubby, son, parents, sister and so on. My friends and people I don't even know are my family. I will say I am very blessed with my immediate family. I have a fantastic hubby that is not just my hubby but one of my best friends. We can talk for hours and lose track of time. He is my rock and is still pretty spontaneous! Almost 4 years of marriage we still have dates at least twice a month. I love that man and we are always growing together. Jake. I can't even express the love I have for this child. He makes days to bright! I am so thankful for that child in my life. We have been so blessed with him. I couldn't have asked for a better son!! My parents of course. We have had our ups and downs. I was a teenager at one point! Ha! I can honestly say that are best friends of mine. I can talk to them about anything and feel like...I can't even explain it. It's amazing how far you come from being a teenager till now. I wasn't the worst teenager alive but I still was a little sassy pants! I apologize for that one! I could go on and on, but I won't.

3) Friends. They really should be in the family category but that would make a long point #2. We, as in Michael and myself, have changed a lot over the past 2 years. We are thankful for the friends that have changed with us and saddened by the ones that haven't or that we have lost contact with. We are slowly but surely getting those relationships back that are wanted by the other side. I have also been very fortunate to have a few friends from the past revive and be even stronger then ever. We have also met a crew of new friends that make life so joyful and a blast! We have the same interests and beliefs. We are just very thankful for everything God has blessed us with in this category!

4) Jobs. We have been very thankful that both of us have been able to keep our jobs this past year. We have been through friends and even family getting laid off. It's a difficult situation but faith really has kept these people going! Just recently one of our forever great friends just got a job! Bonus is that it's in Des Moines. I know my job just plain stinks sometimes but I just need to have a better attitude about it! Lol! We need to be thankful that we are okay and that we have security in knowing that right now, our jobs are safe!

5) All other! This is a wide category. Mainly because I have written so much already! The spirit of Christmas is running through everyone right now. I think I am most excited that it's the Christ part that is running through our family. Jake is so excited over the birth of baby Jesus. He can't wait to read the Christmas story and he wants to give all his gifts to Jesus! I think it's absolutely precious! He points down the the presents under the tree and says, those are for Jesus. Melts my heart every time. Michael and I never exchange gifts. Our gift is always one another. That gift is never ending and it's one of the most amazing gifts we could ever get. Each year we in a way, we renew the vows we did before every one almost 4 years ago. That is all I need. Gifts are just gifts. I can live without them. My lova and my son...now I can never live without them. I am just very thankful and very blessed!

Well back to the point of this whole blogfest. The song. I will attach the song once I am done typing!

Just want to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and remember the Christ is the reason for the Season. Gifts are just things, but your Faith and Family are what matters most. I hope everyone has a fantastic Christmas and if you cannot be with your family, know they love you! Safe travels to anyone that is out on the roads. I know here, it's getting pretty messy!!

Merry Christmas and God Bless!

I Believe

By Andrea Bocelli

One day I'll hear
The laugh of children
In a world where war has been banned.

One day I'll see

Men of all colours
Sharing words of love and devotion.

Stand up and feel
The Holy Spirit
Find the power of your faith.

Open your heart
To those who need you
In the name of love and devotion.

Yes, I believe.

I believe in the people
Of all nations
To join and to care
For love.

I believe in a world
Where light will guide us
And giving our love
We'll make heaven on earth.

I believe in the people
Of all nations
To join and to care
For love.

I believe in a world
Where light will guide us
And giving our love
We'll make heaven on earth.

Yes, I believe.

I believe in the people
Of all nations
To join and to care
For love.

I believe in a world
And giving our love
We'll make heaven on earth.

I believe.

A boy and finally a Girl!!!

In May 2010, we will be gaining two new members of the family! Both sisters are due within a week of each other so it will be an exciting month! My sister found out on Monday that she is having another boy!! Yay! And today Laurel called and in a shocking turn of events...she is having a GIRL!! Finally! The streak has ended! Maybe this will open the door for everyone else to have girls now! lol. I can't wait to spoil her though!! Pink here we come!

Which leads to...when shall we start?! Ha! That is the question.....

Te Amo

Since the Donhowes are here for a month, Chuck wants to learn a new spanish word everyday. Today was Te Amo. I am 99% sure everyone other than Chuck knew what that meant. All in good fun.

Today started my 5 day vacation! WOOO HOOO!! I slept in till 8 and that felt great! Although, I am tired yet again. Never ends. Jake and I played upstairs for a while and then came down to make David breakfast! It was yummy!! Omelets, hash browns, sausages and biscuits! I love days off!!

I finished "The Christmas Sweater" today at nap time! My goodness. If they ever make a movie out of this book, I need to remember to have a box of tissues next to me. Wow. I know people look at it as just another "Christmas Carol" like book. It's deeper than that for me. This actually gets into Family, God and the real reason behind Christmas. It talks about bracing and facing the storms that come your way. Not running away from them or trying to ignore them. It shows that no one is perfect. One thing I really got out of it was, You are your own keeper of your own happiness. You wake up and make the choice of your mood. You do things either with a joyful or hateful heart. You treat people in the way you suppose to or not. You make the decisions that mold your life. No one else. I could go on. It was just a good book for the season! It might have to be a new yearly tradition in the Janzen house!

Only 2 more days till Christmas!! I am so excited!! I don't care about the gifts or any of that jazz. I am so just grateful to have an amazing family, fantastic friends in my life, a wonderful extended family and a sovereign God!

Safe travels to all who is traveling!! God Bless!