A Look Back at 2010

A new year ahead...

I'm excited to finally be in 2011.  It means we are getting so close to my troop's return!  In July, I felt that January would never come, but here it is!

2010 was a good year for me: 

• Gracie turned 4 - adios to 3, which is 100 times worse than 2 in my opinion
• Autumn was born in April, and she has been such an easy and joyful baby
• Joel left in July... but he left at a very high-point in our marriage which gives me so much hope for what God has in store for us
• My best friend from Seattle spent a week with me and the girls - I'm so blessed to have a friend who really knows my heart
• My sister and her family visited in August and our families had so much fun together
• Grace started pre-school... she has learned so much and I'm amazed by how her mind has opened up to new discoveries
• A great friend from Chicago came and visited for a few days - I was reminded that true friendships can stand the test of time
• I've read through most of the New Testament and God has opened my heart and mind to truly seek His heart and His Truth
• We had a very fun time in California over Christmas, visiting my sister and her family...  oh, and we survived the airport on Christmas day
• I've been in and out of dozens of doctor's appointments... so thankful for the great doctors we have and for all the things we overcame health wise this year
• I've heard from more friends from my past over these last few months... they've written me the most amazing letters and emails - Thank you for coming out of the woodwork and encouraging me

Honestly, I'm glad to say goodbye to 2010.  I'm ready for this new chapter.  I'm ready for our family to be back together and I'm ready to see what God has in store for us in 2011.  I'm invigorated to invest time and love into relationships this year and to enjoy each day as it comes and not be so concerned about the future.

May God richly bless you this coming year!  I hope that 2011 brings opportunities of growth for you!

MilSpouse Friday Fill-In

Hop on over to Wife of a Sailor and see what other military spouses are saying.

1.What is ONE thing you’d like civilians to understand about being a military family?
Much like cops, firefighters and health care workers - holidays, weekends and special occasions aren't an automatic day off.  So many people (even after 10 years of this) don't understand Joel's schedule.  People must assume that the military shuts down so people can have Christmas, birthdays and weekends at home with their families.

2.What is your favorite mistake?
I got into a too serious relationship too fast early-on in college.  For a time, I thought he was "the one" and my heart was broken when I realized he was not.  I learned so much from that relationship - who I was, who I wanted to be and what characteristics I wanted in a husband.  Although I didn't realize it at the time, it was a great experience for me and I appreciate my husband so much more because of it.

3.What indulgence could you give up for a year?
I love lip gloss.  It's an addiction of mine, to be honest.  I could easily go without purchasing another lip gloss for a year and still have more than 3/4 of my "supply" left.

4.If you could be a winged animal, what would you be?
A penguin.  They're adorable and come with a cute little outfit.  I could swim and eat seafood all day.  Well, at least at the zoo.  March of the Penguins taught me a side of penguin life that doesn't look like so much fun.

5.What is one question you’d like to see asked in a future MFF?
What is the oldest thing you own?

MilSpouse Friday Fill-In

Thanks again to Wife of a Sailor for the questions!  I have to say, that these were really hard for me to answer.

1.Besides the horizontal mambo, what do you miss most when your spouse is deployed?

HA!  Very funny.
I really miss the companionship.  Joel's my best friend, so he's the first one I go to when I'm happy, sad, frustrated, in need of a vent session and a hug.  I miss him being here to offer an ear to me.  Right before bed is kind of my time to decompress - talk about the day, get things off my chest.  So, I've been finding myself calling my mom or sister in the evening and just letting them know what I did that day.

2.What do you miss least?
Honestly, I don't miss his little messes.  Joel leaves his things scattered throughout the house.  If I ask him to pick them up, I feel like I'm nagging.  So I just kinda suck it up and deal with the little piles.  Right now, the only messes are mine!

3.You only get three crayons to finish your picture… which three do you choose and why?
Gosh, I wish I knew what we were coloring!  I'd say red, brown and green.  I've been doing a lot of coloring lately, thanks to little Miss Grace, and I find I reach for those colors most often.

4.If you could have your own fragrance, what would it be called?
Beloved.  It's from Song of Solomon 2:16 - "My beloved is mine, and I am his."  If I were to get a tattoo, it would be beloved in Hebrew.

5.If the shoes make the man (or woman), what do your shoes say about you right now?
That I'm fairly practical, always in a hurry, but still need to be cute.  Thus my flip flops with sparkles or a turquoise stone and lots and lots of ballet flats.  Rarely do I wear shoes with ties, because who has time to bend down to tie your shoes when you have kids to get ready and out the door?