Since I didn’t blog very much in 2009, I want to take this new year’s opportunity to review the highlights of the year.

• January: Marked the first semester in four and a half years that I did not participate in registering, attending, enjoying, or suffering through a single class at Lander University or PTC. I had finished that chapter of my life. Had sinus infection mid-month.
• February: Received new laptop at work, though I would continue to use the old broken laptop until November because I would procrastinate moving all my applications over. Girl Scout cookie season. Read “Crazy Love” by Francis Chan. Cell phone speaker broke; ordered awesome old-school candy bar Nokia on eBay.
• March: It snowed. I traveled to London and Galway, Ireland with my sister on a complete whim (realizing I would not have many more opportunities for spontaneity in my increasingly grown-up life). I fell in love with Ireland. Left awesome old-school candy bar Nokia on transatlantic flight. Had sinus infection mid-month.
• April: Started house-shopping, as we were ready to leave the apartment behind. Saw Wilco in Knoxville, TN with Brian and Amy. Put offer on two houses – the second of which would become ours. Ordered second awesome old-school candy bar Nokia from eBay. Had sinus and ear infection mid-month.
• May: Turned twenty-three. Packed all my possessions to move into new home. Closed on new house. Didn’t catch swine flu.
• June: Moved into new home. Finally have a “craft room.” Enjoyed relaxing beach vacation at Hilton Head with friends. Had first series of home disasters, including regurgitating bathroom plumbing. Dropped second awesome old-school candy bar Nokia into recently repaired toilet.
• July: Had our first act of vandalism as a homeowner when some kids launched a brick through the storm door at 4 AM. Celebrated second Wedding Anniversary with Brian. Saw Pete Yorn in Atlanta with Amy and Abby. Finally bought an iPhone. Had sinus infection mid-month.
• August: MIssed the joys of going to class for the first time. Briefly considered applying for graduate school, or possibly just pottery classes. Hosted an ice cream social, which was our first big event at the new house. Still didn’t catch swine flu.
• September: Finally have annual vacation with Brian. Went on Eastern Caribbean Cruise for 7 nights, living a life of complete relaxation and luxury. Really enjoyed a few Coco Locos. Discovered the presence of Baby Dean, now four weeks and the size of a poppy seed, due June 6th. Had sinus infection mid-month.
• October: Visited the Biltmore Estate in Asheville with family. Discovered morning sickness. Had lots of big projects going on and worked a lot of overtime. Didn’t get the swine flu shot, despite doctor’s insistence. Still didn’t catch swine flu.
• November: Attended a very refreshing and inspiring church Women’s Retreat in North Carolina. Finally got over morning sickness just in time to enjoy two Thanksgiving meals in one day. Got very sick after Thanksgiving – it’s still not swine flu! Just another sinus infection, which turned into bronchitis.
• December: Had a wonderfully enjoyable Christmas holiday, which included two weeks of plant shutdown and time off of work. I am really glad to say that it was probably the most relaxing, stress-free, and Christ-centered Christmas I’ve ever enjoyed. Travelled with Brian to Washington, D.C. for an educational vacation. Watched Tim Keeler get married on December 31st, minutes before we rang in the New Year.

It’s exciting to review how much has happened for us in just one year! God has truly blessed us beyond measure, and Brian and I are very excited about what 2010 holds for us and our growing family. Since we’ve been traveling (we’ve just returned from a quick trip to Charleston with my family, to start the year off right), I haven’t had an opportunity to really consider and make resolutions for the new year… I’ll be doing some of that over the coming days and will share them all here. I don’t know who all might still keep up with this, since I’ve only written a few posts in the last year. Still, I hope that all of you (whoever “you” are) have had a wonderful 2009, and are ready for God to use you for great things in 2010.