The Year 2010

At the beginning of 2010, Jack was a tiny little blob in a photo on Marie's shirt.

 I was 12 weeks pregnant with him.

Now he's 6 months old and holds my heart in the palm of his tiny, squishy hand.
 

The world is a sweeter place with him here.

He's just about 20lbs, can sit up when he wants, is constantly grabbing at things, is always happy, and wants momma's milk only. And he's a snuggler. In a word: perfect.

 At the beginning of 2010, Marie was 18 months old.


She was still very shy with strangers, but was not at all afraid of using her voice in many forms (babbling, screaming) around her parents.

Now she is 2.5 years old... what?!?!?

I refuse to believe it.

She's an athlete through and through. She loves to sing and dance and be in pictures. She adores her baby brother. She's finally putting together sentences. Every day she blows me away with her smarts! She's the most beautiful baby girl on the planet and I love her, love her, love her!

At the beginning of 2010, Derek was working at the Counseling Center and at Riverfront. He worked a lot. But he always found time for his girls.


He wasn't very happy. He felt like he was stuck... going nowhere fast.

Now Derek is working at The Crossing Educational Center, RETA, and running a Micro Soccer Academy. He works a lot. He still always finds time to spend time with his girls and little man.


But now he's happy. He led our family to Indiana by completely trusting God. He loves his jobs; he loves being in full time ministry; he loves knowing we are exactly where God wants us.

At the beginning of 2010, I was 3 months pregnant with my 2nd baby.

(This is at 18 weeks)

I was always exhausted and felt fat from day 1. But of course it resulted in another beautiful blessing so it was more than worth it.
I loved our "corner of 5th and Emmett" house; I loved my jobs as wife, mom, and jewelry designer; I loved spending time with my friends and the wonderful ladies at Oasis. I dreaded the move.

Now I am not pregnant, just fat.


I still adore my "jobs." I love living in Elkhart, but have learned through the whole experience that it really doesn't matter where we live, as long as we're together. I'm happiest when the 4 of us are all together.
I'm so proud of my amazing husband and my beautiful babies. I'm so thankful for our wonderful church. Life isn't easy entering 2011 but I wouldn't change a thing because I know we're where God wants us and doing what He wants us to do.

Happy New Year! Here's to 2011!