It's 2011. Hallelujah! I can't remember a time when I've been so excited to begin a new year. I'm ready to dive head first into 2011. It's funny, this time last year I woke early to read my devotional and one phrase set the tone for the entire year: "Come to me with a teachable spirit, eager to be changed." Those words terrified me. I was certain that hard, uncomfortable change would fill 2010 and I couldn't have been more right. There were times during the year when I wondered if we would make it. But we did, and not only did we make it, we are stronger and better for walking through the fire.
This morning, I quietly read my devotional while Todd slept beside me. I was well aware of the words I was about to read. I've lived with those words for 365 days. But this morning I was excited to read them. I smiled when I thought about the change God has in store. This year will be filled with good change. This year I will be different. I know that God will never leave my side. Todd and I faced the threat of having our most meaningful relationships crumble, we experienced the loss of a job and watched our siblings make difficult, sometimes dangerous decisions. We cried over the loss of our best friends' miscarriage, over health issues that plagued friends who are more like family and later cried again as other best friends buried their mother. This year I'm ready for change. Today I will put on my armor and will wear it proudly. Today is a new day and this is a new year.
While there are many things I would like to forget about 2010, there are many good memories that I want to keep with me...
January -
We kicked off the year celebrating at our home. Allison and I learned to cook like The Pioneer Woman. Our guest bedroom got a much needed makeover. A blizzard hit Nashville and Todd and I got to see LeBron James and Shaquille O'Neal!
February -
Todd's parents came out for the Super Bowl. I got a little crafty. Todd became a pro at making his favorite recipe, corned-beef hash. We celebrated Matt & Suz's engagement!
March -
Todd's parents were here and we finally visited and fell in love with The Silly Goose. I quit twitter. But more importantly, Matt and Susan got married!
April -
We joined a meal group with old friends and met new friends that have been such a blessing to our lives. Josh & Christi went to Missouri with us for Easter and I was able to see Janessa, whom I've been friends with since the third grade. I received my first Gold Record and Todd and I took a dream vacation to Destin to celebrate our 5th Anniversary.
May -
Nashville was devastated by one of the worst floods in history. Todd and the boys went on a 3-city baseball trip. We perfected the watermelon margarita and went back to Missouri for a family reunion.
June -
We celebrated Christi's 28th birthday. Todd faced a brief health scare and we added some much needed color to our home.
This morning, I quietly read my devotional while Todd slept beside me. I was well aware of the words I was about to read. I've lived with those words for 365 days. But this morning I was excited to read them. I smiled when I thought about the change God has in store. This year will be filled with good change. This year I will be different. I know that God will never leave my side. Todd and I faced the threat of having our most meaningful relationships crumble, we experienced the loss of a job and watched our siblings make difficult, sometimes dangerous decisions. We cried over the loss of our best friends' miscarriage, over health issues that plagued friends who are more like family and later cried again as other best friends buried their mother. This year I'm ready for change. Today I will put on my armor and will wear it proudly. Today is a new day and this is a new year.
While there are many things I would like to forget about 2010, there are many good memories that I want to keep with me...
January -
We kicked off the year celebrating at our home. Allison and I learned to cook like The Pioneer Woman. Our guest bedroom got a much needed makeover. A blizzard hit Nashville and Todd and I got to see LeBron James and Shaquille O'Neal!
February -
Todd's parents came out for the Super Bowl. I got a little crafty. Todd became a pro at making his favorite recipe, corned-beef hash. We celebrated Matt & Suz's engagement!
March -
Todd's parents were here and we finally visited and fell in love with The Silly Goose. I quit twitter. But more importantly, Matt and Susan got married!
April -
We joined a meal group with old friends and met new friends that have been such a blessing to our lives. Josh & Christi went to Missouri with us for Easter and I was able to see Janessa, whom I've been friends with since the third grade. I received my first Gold Record and Todd and I took a dream vacation to Destin to celebrate our 5th Anniversary.
May -
Nashville was devastated by one of the worst floods in history. Todd and the boys went on a 3-city baseball trip. We perfected the watermelon margarita and went back to Missouri for a family reunion.
June -
We celebrated Christi's 28th birthday. Todd faced a brief health scare and we added some much needed color to our home.
July -
We spent an incredible vacation at the cabin over the Fourth of July weekend. My parents came in for a fun getaway. I read Bittersweet for the first time and it rocked my world. We wrapped up the month with baseball and great food with Todd's parents in St. Louis.
August -
I didn't take many photos! Todd lost his job in August, but not all was lost. I spent a fantastic weekend in Philadelphia and New York with my best friend Mary. Instead of photos, I decided to give videos a try.
September -
We made a quick trip home to Missouri for Labor Day before heading to Folly Beach for a week of relaxation!
October -
I turned the dreaded 2-8 and found out it isn't so bad. Todd's family visited and we introduced them to Fido and spent hours laughing at hilarious YouTube videos. We attended our first chili cook-off, which will now be an annual tradition. The month ended with a weekend spent on the farm that felt more like a retreat than a typical visit home.
November -
I really don't take as many photos as I should. I was hoping a new camera would fix that! Maybe that should be added to my list of resolutions this year! In November Todd started a new job that he loves. I had my first giveaway, hoping to get my friends and family who read this little blog fired up about the Bittersweet event at Tap Root II. The next week we drove nine long hours to Raleigh, North Carolina to spend Thanksgiving with my mom's side of the family. My sister and I discovered the best little cafe in Durham called Guglhuph. It quickly became a favorite and a must-see when I visit Raleigh-Durham.
December -
With Todd's new job, he now has the same vacation days for Christmas that I have. Since we had so many days off, we were able to spend a week in Missouri with family and friends. It was stressful trying to fit in everything, but we had to remind ourselves how blessed we are to have so many people to love.
I'm thankful for the many memories made in 2010, and even more excited about what's in store for 2011. Let's resolve to make this year the best yet!
Happy New Year!
Love,
Todd & Tara
