2010...

I was thinking last night about this past year for Chris and I. Thinking about all the changes, the challenges, the blessings. It's been a full year, and one filled with LOTS of changes...so I'm just going to take a minute and reflect on all that has happened this past year, and God's continued faithfulness to us!

~ In January, the first "big" change happened for 2010 - we bought a dog! :) Todd has been a crazy addition to our home, but I'm very thankful for him, and for the company he has given on all the nights without the hubby.

~Also in January, we started the crazy quest of looking for a house! I believe we started this in late January or early February. The thought of this brings me smiles, because I loved every minute of it, and Chris...not so much! We started by spending a weekend looking with a realtor that we didn't know - which was a bad idea, because she gave us alot of bad advice, and told us a bunch of things that weren't true! We quickly switched to having Ross as our realtor, which was awesome! We spent many weekends looking at hud homes, placing bids, and waiting to see what would happen.

~In January-March, I spent many an evening at Madison Christian school, practicing and accompanying their first musical - "You're a good man, Charlie brown". This was a crazy time in our lives, as I worked from 8-5, and then would be at practice from 5-9 most evenings, and then my husband would leave for work at 10! It was a growing experience for me though, as I realized again how much I love piano, and the need to use my ability more for God's glory. Also, it was a great bonding experience with my siblings - who were both in the musical (David as Charlie Brown, and Kara managing the lights). I don't know if I would do it again or not - but it sure was alot of fun amongst the craziness!

~ We had a sweet, fun getaway to Amish country at the end of March. I think it was only a 4 day weekend that we spent there, but I LOVED it!! We had the cutest little cottage in the woods, and we spent our time watching basketball, taking long drives around the country-side, admiring the beautiful amish-made furniture, and cooking steaks on the grill. We also almost came home with a new puppy (I went and visited this puppy like 3 times that weekend..his name was copper, and I was convinced he was the perfect companion for Todd!) We DID, however, come home with a chair we had picked out for our new house - a brown leather recliner. We were pretty excited about this purchase, as it was one of the first "big" pieces of furniture we made together as a couple. :)

~ Somewhere around the end of March/beginning of April, we found our first home! Had we known the time, money and energy needed to make this livable, I'm not sure we would have bought it ;) but God graciously gave us a huge 4 bedroom, 2 1/2 bath home that we are STILL working on (not even close to being finished with). We closed on the house the first week of May, and worked pretty much the whole month of May to make it ready to live in at least part of the house! I have some pretty great memories of these times :) Sanding parties with my family, Heather and I priming the half bath (and using a WHOLE CAN of primer!!), and just enjoying watching the progress happen.

~ In May, my cousin John got married in Virginia.. which prompted a road trip with my sister, cousin and friend. It was fun :) We went to Virginia beach, and stayed in a nice hotel..and enjoyed their wedding that weekend. After the wedding, Chris and I spent the day with our friends Bryan and Nicole, and got to see our youth pastor and his family as well. It was a short, whirlwind of a trip - but a great time catching up with family and friends!

~The end of June/first week of July, we spent a week and a half on vacation with Chris' family, going to Florida. This was my first time there, and it was fun - although definatly not a first pick vacation spot for me (I don't like the hot!) But we had a great time :) One of my favorite parts was getting to see my dear friend, Julie and her family on our way there and back. They live in Charleston, and I fell in love with this city as well (would love to go back someday soon!)

~The end of July, we got a big shocker/surprise....We were expecting!! This was not planned (by us) ..but was by God, and wow...thinking back on the emotions of those first few weeks..I was very scared, a little upset and very nervous as I wasn't sure I was ready for this big change, and worried about how it would work. God is faithful, though..and we are now very much looking forward to the arrival of our little guy in March/April!

~August-September - nothing happened in these 2 months except a whole lot of sickness (from me) and sweetness (from hubby). I was VERY sick from the pregnancy, spending 2 separate days in the ER from the severity of it. I somehow managed to drag myself to work each day, but thats about all I did - and the hubs took over the rest. We celebrated our first wedding anniversary on Sept 5...and I wish I had better memories of this!!! We spent the night at the hotel in Cincinnati, where we spent our wedding night...But it's not so romantic when you're up most of the night puking! We did enjoy a movie together, and the ability to call room service at 3 am for a coke to settle my stomach!! I also started giving piano lessons during these months (not sure how I managed that either!) but it has been a fun ride!

~October - We found out we are having a boy! My favorite memory from this month includes the 3D/4D ultrasound we spent with our family (including my grandma and Chris' grandma) This was the last time I got to spend time with Chris' sweet Grandma Eddy, as the Lord took her home a few days later. This was a total shock, and very hard...but what a comfort to know that she is right now, in the presence of the Lord! We miss her so much!

~November-December - Chris had a TON of interviews during these 2 months! We were sure something would come out of it, but ..we are still waiting! However, last night was the last night Chris would work third shift, as he is moving to first shift at his current job next week!! Praise the Lord! We are excited for this!
We enjoyed our 2nd year together as a couple for the holiday season...we spent Thanksgiving with my family, and that weekend enjoyed picking out our christmas tree together! Christmas was spent with Chris' family...and we had a blessed time with them as well! So thankful for the family God has blessed us with!!

Overall, I look back on 2010 with fond memories. God provided and grew us so much this past year...I can't wait to see what 2011 will bring!!!