Merry Christmas - and our year in review, 2010 edition

When looking back over each year, I'm always struck by how much happens that I never could've anticipated as well as those things that were expected. It's truly amazing how much difference a year can make, and as I get older, I'm a bit more nostalgic at the turn of each year remembering its events, and looking ahead with anticipation wondering just what the new year will bring.

2010 was a challenging year for us in many ways, but also one that leaves me at the end feeling very blessed and appreciative of everyone in our lives, from those we interact with daily to those that we may not see for months or even years but always seem to pick right up where we left off. In late 2009, my dad successfully battled prostate cancer, and Joel's parents relocated to Huntsville to be near us with their youngest set of grandchildren. We thought that would be the most change, but in 2010, Joel's father dealt with some serious arterial issues, including a very long arterial bypass surgery, his mother continues dealing with multiple health issues, his Aunt Sally (that we've been involved closely with her care since late 2008) passed away, his Uncle Carl passed away, we had to put down our cat of nearly 15 years, and my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer in late summer.

On a less serious note, Nate broke his nose in January (rendering my previous premonition true) and then in September stuck a game piece so far up his nose that he had to have it surgically removed!  A highlight of our year included the summer months when we hosted a new friend from France - Mariane helped us with the kids and we hopefully helped her study of the English language with many trips around the South (including FL, MS, TN and GA).  We also had more some fun times with trips to the Fair, the beach, and I got to travel to Napa Valley in July for a girlfriend's 40th birthday.

Joel continues to work for NASA, and with the new administration comes a great deal of uncertainty at this time as we wait for Congress and the President to decide the future of the space program. He's been blessed to be on some interesting projects, and fortunate enough to get to travel to Spain as a result of one of them (for which I was a willing companion!). I ended the year resigning from my role of the previous 2.5 years as Engineering Manager for Madison Utilities and look forward to the as yet unknown career challenges I'll have ahead in 2011. For the interim, I am relishing the thought of spending some much needed time with family, most especially my mother. She had a double mastectomy on October 1 and has been undergoing chemotherapy in the weeks since to treat the cancer that was found also in a couple of key lymph nodes. Despite the fatigue and hair loss, she's been a real trooper and maintains her ever-present positive spirit that is undoubtedly playing a role in the good prognosis her doctors are giving.

Maggie turned 12 and is in her second year of middle school. She is growing by leaps and bounds, and just last Sunday this was exemplified when she put on a lovely dress/jacket set I bought her at the end of summer for the fall and we realized that there was no way she'd be wearing it to church due to the now scandalous length of the hem line. Hello, eBay! She had fun this fall playing her flute in the Advanced Band at each of Huntsville Middle's championship season football games, continuing with dance, and loving the social scene of middle school, including her sweet "boyfriend" she's had since May.

Nate continues to grow before our eyes and keeps us on our toes with his "all or nothing" personality! He talks constantly and is on the move endlessly. He loves his preschool and we are so thankful for everyone in that ministry at First Baptist. He's such a sweet kid, and was so gentle with his new cousin, Baby "Woo" (Lou, short for Eloise - Josh and Meaghan's addition to our family from June) when he finally met her over Thanksgiving. It's hard to believe he's almost 4 years old now (January 12) and I'm in panic mode to hurry up and plan a fun birthday party since it always seems to sneak up on me due to its occurrence right after the holidays!