I think that this picture pretty much sums up my 2010. When I look back to 2010 I will remember it as a year of amazing change, growth, hurt, disappointment, love and grace.
Here's the annual month to month re-cap.
January - Was determined to start the year off better than 2009 ended. It didn't take much. It was a great month of getting to celebrate so many friends that were expanding their families either through marriage or snugly little babies.
Jan/Feb The mee-maws got together a little later than normal for Christmas and I finally got what I always wanted for Christmas. A HIPPOPOTAMUS!!
February - March was pretty calm and rather uneventful.
April started off first of 16 weddings this year. We were able to celebrate with Abby and Kevin on their BIG day! I also was able to present my capstone for my graduate school and PASSED!
Another HUGE moment happened in April when Brandon started his first of 32 weeks in the Fire Academy. He started with the EMT portion and came home wiped out every day. We spent most of our night studying and writing papers between the two of us. We were such a fun couple! :)
May - We continued the wedding celebration with Stephanie and Ricky. I got to make the groom's soccer cake and it was SO much fun to do.
The BEST and BIGGEST news was my GRADUATION from GRAD school. Praise the Lord it was all finally over.
June - was filled with even MORE weddings as we celebrated Keith and Kaitlyn and Maggie and Brian.
It was during this time that school was letting out for the summer (thank you JESUS) and I knew I had to use the summer to get control of my life. For years I have bounced back and forth with my weight. Lose a little...gain a LOT. My husband had begun Crossfit in December as a way to train for the academy. With him officially in the academy we had the funds for me to be able to start Crossfit. For more of the back story you can read my other blog at www.journeythroughcrossfit.blogspot.com.
To say that it has changed my life is an huge understatement. It was the beginning of the best decision I have ever made...to care enough about myself to save myself.
July - Hey guess what...we went to another wedding. This time they were crazy enough to invite our crew to the Ritz at Lack Oconee. Carrie Underwood's wedding was the weekend before we were there. She was afraid of being upstaged by us. (Just kidding)
The theme of the weekend quickly became "We will never have the chance to be here again.." and many memories were made. The ones we remember or can tell without incriminating ourselves. By the end of the night the Bakers were wed and no one went to jail.
August - School once again started and I continued my journey through crossfit. We started a Paleo Challenge at the gym. Veggies, Meat, nuts and seeds, some fruit, water for 12 weeks.
September - I was able to hit some of my major fitness goals such as finally getting a pull up using the bands. I also began training for my first 5k which was the weekend after my 30th birthday. During September Brandon endured more training with the fire portion of the Fire Academy and was literally wiped out every afternoon when came home.
The challenge was well underway but I was struggling. Ben, the lead trainer at the gym, suggested that I enter into a contract with him for 30 days to show me just how much my body could change if I stuck with the program. Starting September 17th I started the contract and stuck to it religiously for 30 days.
OCTOBER - is always a BIG month for me because well...it's my birthday! We celebrated yet another wedding with Tony and Emily and wished Tyne and Tim well from afar.
Turning 30 was not as bad as I imagined thanks to the fact that I was feeling stronger and healthier than I had ever felt. The week after my birthday I ran my first 5k and finished in 48 minutes. It was amazing to have over 20 something people run the race with me. Betsy even had t-shirts made because t-shirts make everything better.
The night of the 5K we celebrated with friends from every area of our lives. It was our Christy's Birthday 5k/Brandon's graduation from the fire academy party. It was incredible to be reminded of all the amazing people who love and support the two of us.
The challenge finally ended and I came up with 3rd place.
Sadly the day that Brandon graduated from the Fire Academy his granddaddy passed away. Mr. Jerry was a phenomenal man of God who loved his family very much. I never felt like an -in law to him. It was only fitting that we were able to celebrate Brandon, something he loved to do, in the midst of such tragedy.
My husband went through with the graduation that night and it was incredible seeing him become a fire fighter. He worked hard for 32 weeks and saw his dream become a reality. I am so proud of him and his dedication to his new job.
November - We were able to travel to Alabama for my friend Marie's wedding. It was fun to see Marie marry Erik and get to see my Judson friends.
I also went to my first family wedding without Brandon because of his work schedule. This is going to take some getting use to.
has been filled adjusting to Brandon's new schedule and continuing through the journey of becoming healthier. We took family pictures towards the end of Nov and it was fun to see the changes that I have made. I look forward to many more to become. It is a journey. A lifestyle. This time it has to be different.
So...there is our year. As we look to 2011 I pray that it is a year of miracles and many more blessings. I pray that we all laugh more than we cry and that we love more than we can ever imagine.
