When I realized this morning that today was December 31st, at first I blew it off. "New Year's Eve. Big deal. I haven't stayed up to celebrate in years, and I won't this year. It's just another day."
But then I really started pondering, and continued throughout today, all the amazing and incredible experiences I've had this year as well as the previous 9; thus the title of this entry: "my favorite decade". My life before the year 2000 was full of tons of wonderful experiences and blessings too, for which I'm grateful...most importantly the day I became a Christian (January 10, 1997). But now I really want to share with you some of my favorite things I've gotten to do over the past 10 years:
-2000: I graduated from Texas Tech. I got to work a 3rd summer at Camp Travis, a Christian sports camp on Lake Travis (and where I met Lee). I got my first "real" job as a teacher/coach at Brenham Junior High. Lee proposed on December 6th.
-2001: I got to marry the love of my life! Lee and I bought our first house, our first dog, and I began working at MCA. I started the MCA Cross Country program.
-2002: We met some of our dearest friends, Cameron and Christin, who had just moved back to the states after a year-long Campus Crusade for Christ stint in Estonia. We were chaperons for David's senior trip to Arizona. We got to be a part of Travis and Megan's wedding that summer. I completed my second (and last) full marathon in San Antonio.
-2003: Travis and Megan moved across the street from us. Two big trips with Lee's family....to Greece and Rome in May, then Christmas in California...visiting Dennis & Jan, Yosemite, Big Trees, and Disneyland.
-2004: We were the chaperons Becky's senior trip to Arkansas and Missouri.
-2005: I had my first baby! We got to see Luke & Lindsy get married in Idaho.
-2006: My friends threw a surprise party for my 30th birthday party. We got to go to Seattle and Canada (first time for both of us). The Dunn sisters went on our first annual Sisters' Weekend. I had Addie! Less than 2 weeks later, both my boys and girls Cross Country teams won the State Meet...the only year to do so, also the only year I didn't attend State. We went to Vail for Christmas.
-2007: Lindsy had Josiah, our first nephew!! Lee and I went to New York for our anniversary. The girls got to go to their first annual Nana Camp.
-2008: Annalee placed her faith in Jesus! We traveled with Lee's family and a few friends from church to Israel. I had Brady! Mary Kathryn and Tim got married.
-2009: We got to take the girls to Sea World and Disneyland. Wally & Micah got married. God blessed us with a 4th baby (gender to be determined by sonogram in 4 days). Becky & Keith got engaged.
We have truly enjoyed sharing our lives with all of you. We look forward to what God has in store for us, as well as you, in the next 10 years. HAPPY NEW YEAR!!
But then I really started pondering, and continued throughout today, all the amazing and incredible experiences I've had this year as well as the previous 9; thus the title of this entry: "my favorite decade". My life before the year 2000 was full of tons of wonderful experiences and blessings too, for which I'm grateful...most importantly the day I became a Christian (January 10, 1997). But now I really want to share with you some of my favorite things I've gotten to do over the past 10 years:
-2000: I graduated from Texas Tech. I got to work a 3rd summer at Camp Travis, a Christian sports camp on Lake Travis (and where I met Lee). I got my first "real" job as a teacher/coach at Brenham Junior High. Lee proposed on December 6th.
-2001: I got to marry the love of my life! Lee and I bought our first house, our first dog, and I began working at MCA. I started the MCA Cross Country program.
-2002: We met some of our dearest friends, Cameron and Christin, who had just moved back to the states after a year-long Campus Crusade for Christ stint in Estonia. We were chaperons for David's senior trip to Arizona. We got to be a part of Travis and Megan's wedding that summer. I completed my second (and last) full marathon in San Antonio.
-2003: Travis and Megan moved across the street from us. Two big trips with Lee's family....to Greece and Rome in May, then Christmas in California...visiting Dennis & Jan, Yosemite, Big Trees, and Disneyland.
-2004: We were the chaperons Becky's senior trip to Arkansas and Missouri.
-2005: I had my first baby! We got to see Luke & Lindsy get married in Idaho.
-2006: My friends threw a surprise party for my 30th birthday party. We got to go to Seattle and Canada (first time for both of us). The Dunn sisters went on our first annual Sisters' Weekend. I had Addie! Less than 2 weeks later, both my boys and girls Cross Country teams won the State Meet...the only year to do so, also the only year I didn't attend State. We went to Vail for Christmas.
-2007: Lindsy had Josiah, our first nephew!! Lee and I went to New York for our anniversary. The girls got to go to their first annual Nana Camp.
-2008: Annalee placed her faith in Jesus! We traveled with Lee's family and a few friends from church to Israel. I had Brady! Mary Kathryn and Tim got married.
-2009: We got to take the girls to Sea World and Disneyland. Wally & Micah got married. God blessed us with a 4th baby (gender to be determined by sonogram in 4 days). Becky & Keith got engaged.
We have truly enjoyed sharing our lives with all of you. We look forward to what God has in store for us, as well as you, in the next 10 years. HAPPY NEW YEAR!!
