Looking back at a wonderful year!

Reflecting back on 2010, it's hard to believe all that can happen in a year.  Each year seems to go by faster than the year before, and yet each one holds so many memories that it's sometimes hard to believe it was only one year.  Here are some reflections from this year.

2010 started on a sad note for us, as we learned about the news of an earthquake that shook Haiti.  Josh and I started to feel a tug on our heart to go back to Haiti.  Josh decided to go back to Haiti in April and I joined the team in June...the day they bought the plane tickets.  Our trip was the last week in July and it was extrememly memorable for us! 



My hubby doing what he does best...making people smile.

 In late January/ February, Josh and I joined a community group through our church.  It is amazing the friendships we have developed in just one year!  We have lifelong friends and we praise God for providing us with our community group.

Summer break for us was WONDERFUL! We spent long days at the pool, reading good books, taking Charlie for runs, and grilling out, and working in our garden.  Knowing now that this was our last summer with just the two of us, it was definitely fulfulling! 

In July we started to co-lead a community group at our church for Financial Peace University.  Dave Ramsey's wisdom on finances has encouraged us to change our way of living and spending money.  Within one year, Josh and I have paid off all debt (minus our home) of about $35,000.  We have now started an emergency fund of 3-6 months expenses, which we hope to have filled by this spring.  We enjoy encouraging others to find finacial peace by checking out the resources available on Dave Ramsey's website:
http://www.daveramsey.com/home/

Early September we received the best news...that we would become parents!!  Josh and I have prayed and trusted in God's plan for us. Even after hearing from doctors that we would have difficulty conceiving, God revealed His faithfulness to us by providing us with a baby girl that we have been praying for for years! Thank you God!

October of 2010 was spent doing all of our favorite autumn festivities.  We started off the month by going to our favorite "haunted" corn maze in Malta, IL.  We hosted our first Halloween pumpkin carving party, went to Goberts Farm, and went to Scarecrow fest. 

For Thanksgiving we were able to visit family in Cincinnati.  It was great to be able to spend time with my Grandma and family... our last visit before our baby girl joins us! 

My favorite month of the year was very exciting!  We found out we are having a healthy, baby girl!  My sister Katie and Josh painted and helped me decorate the baby's room.  This month we attended Christ Community's Christmas concert, CCC's Christmas Eve Service with family, The Christmas Pageant with Josh's parents, and Josh's family Christmas party.  On Christmas Eve we had our parents and Katie come over for lunch and our church service.  We surprised our parents by revealing the baby's sex one day early, by showing them her room.  They were so surprised and excited because they thought the baby was going to be a boy!  At the end of the month and into New Year's we traveled to Canton, OH to visit family for the New Years. 

This year was such an exciting year for us, and we can't wait for the joys that are to come in 2011!!