I realize that we’re already three (maybe 4 when this posts) days into the new year, but I’d feel remiss not to at least pay homage to the 365 days that made up the whirlwind that was 2010. Like most writers are wont to do around January 1st, I’m going to do my best to mix it up a little bit around here in the days to come, and to commit to more writing simply because it’s what I love to do. To begin…ten things I loved about 2010 (in chronological order):

1. On Jan. 1st, 2010, I received an email that would eventually change my worldview, again. It was an invitation to India, and 23 days later, I was on an airplane. Along with 10 others, I spent 12 days traveling to Vijayawada, Hyderabad and Mumbai, witnessed God changing lives right in front of me, and experienced the power of worship in beautiful new ways. I’ll never forget it.

2. Upon my return from India, Jason and I spent a weekend away at Family Life’s Weekend to Remember. We stayed at one of our favorite hotels, spent the weekend focused on our marriage and the things that God is doing in our lives as a couple, and  renewed our commitments to each other as husband and wife. I was so grateful for this focused time away, and it was a great opportunity for us to love better than we have before. I really do love being a wife, and I’m really blessed by Jason.

3. In March, we celebrated 3 years of being married. It seems like time is flying by, as we now round the corner on #4. We have been so blessed, in good times and in hard ones, and we’ve learned a lot about God, ourselves, and each other.

4. April provided an opportunity for me to study to become a doula/birth assistant in Ann Arbor, and to continue a journey that began during our time in Africa. I loved soaking up all of the information I learned through DONA’s training, and I’ve loved the process ever since.

5. In May, I witnessed my first birth–the precious babe of a dear, dear friend. It was so humbling to watch another human being take her first breath, and to be included in this miraculous process was an incredible gift. I was fortunate enough to count two more births in the summer months, and babies two and three were also amazing and life changing, each in their own ways.

6. I turned 28. Yep, 28. A year so full of wonder that I could hardly have anticipated then–and I still have 5 months to go!

7. We found out we’re going to be parents. To a little baby:) I found out on August 29th, and waited to tell Jason until the following day. Then, we kept it to ourselves for a while to soak it in before sharing the news with family a few weeks later. Keeping the secret was blissful and torturous at the same time. It was wonderful to have the tiny little miracle all to ourselves, but it’s been such great fun to share in the joy with others since.

8. We traveled to D.C. A last minute getaway over Labor Day weekend, J and I escaped to the capitol city for some much needed R & R. We walked a gagillion miles, admired art, took funny photos, ate our fill of great food, wandered shops and learned what I was going to feel like in my first trimester. Looking back, I’m so grateful that this trip timed itself as it did. Loved every minute!

9. We saw Baby K for the first time. And the second. At nine weeks we got to take a little peek, and at the time, our first born was the size of a peanut in its shell. He or she appropriately adopted the moniker “peanut,” and we’ve been smitten ever since. At 19 weeks, we saw the kiddo in full force. Hands and feet, fingers and toes, chambers of a beating heart, brain, kidneys, umbilical cord and looooong legs (nope, definitely not mine:). My favorite parts to ogle now are the teeny tiny nose we have on film and the little chin that goes with it. I am so in love I can hardly stand it. 16.5ish weeks until we snuggle the little babe!

10. New Year’s Eve. Period. One of my VERY favorite days of 2010. I’ll detail more of this later, but it was completely red letter and sooooo necessary. How could we go wrong in downtown Chicago with a great hotel and view, yummy dinner, tickets to WICKED, shopping at Macy’s and a balloon drop at midnight? What a way to ring in a new year!

All in all, it’s far easier to remember the good in the year than anything that might have been less than great. This list could surely go on, but to me, it’s at least a great snapshot. And I didn’t want to forget. Nope, not at all.

Here’s to another year with more joyful memories in the making. Oh, what a delight it will be to watch it all unfold!

refreshed,

mm