2010: Recap of the year...

So, I didn't realize it'd been OVER a year since I'd last posted on here. What a shame. Here goes...

JANUARY:
1. 7th- I celebrated 4 years with the love of my life, Matt.
2. 7th- The day that my step cousin, Felicity, was murdered by her mother's boyfriend.
3. 17th- My 2nd nephew, David Noah Gould, was born.
4. 15th- This was the last day at my job at Reeves-Sain.
5. I started my internship at UT Extension in Wilson County soon after my last day at my job.
6. The week after I started the internship, I began having issues with my period that I didn't realize were real issues until MUCH later.

February:
1. 7th- I turned 23 years old. Blah. Lol...
2. 7th- Bella, our puppy, turned 1 year old!!! :)
3. This month is pretty much a blur to me...
4. I do know there HAD to be some packing of our things during this month.
5. We went to see John Mayer in concert for my birthday! It was wonderful.
6. My father in law had 2 strokes around Valentine's Day. It's been an awful experience and hard for him to recoup, even after all these months. He's slowly but surely getting back to himself, but finding a job has been his worst enemy.

March:
1. We signed a lease to move into our new place at Saddlebrook Apartments!!!!! :)
2. 12th- My mother in law's birthday!
3. 12th- This day was also the day we got to move into our new apartment!
4. 12th- This day was, however, also the day I lost my wedding rings. :(( They were only taken off for me to take a shower at the new place after moving all day. And they were sat at the very back of the counter... so they wouldn't fall off. We still, to this day, do NOT know where they went. :((
5. The rest of this month is also a blur to me...
6. My mom had surgery on her right foot to correct the tendonitis that formed in it.

April:
1. I ended up going to the gynecologist to find out WHY I had been having periods for 4 weeks, with only 1 week breaks in between, for 3 months. I was VERY scared & went through a ton of tests. Everything seemed to be fine, as far as my body went. And birth control was a last resort.... Unfortunately, it only ended up being the 2nd remedy tried. I'm still on it to this day. I'd rather NOT be...
2. I also found out that, APPARENTLY, I was the worst intern at my internship. Although, I wasn't told of this until 8 days before the internship ended & left with NO time to better myself with them.
3. Very trying times this month, as I was tested, beaten, burned and thrown to the lion's. Needless to say, I became pretty depressed.

May:
1. 8th- Only the best day in my life, besides my wedding day. I *FINALLY* graduated from MTSU, after 5 years worth of a roller coaster ride. I couldn't have been happier that day to graduate. It was finally over & I could breathe again.
2. 1st-2nd: The history-making Floods came through Tennessee. Nashville was destroyed as we got rain and more rain. The interstates had to be shut down. There was even a building that floated down one interstate, being one very shocking thing to watch. Many people were out of their homes, losing everything they had. Many people raised money & donated what they could to help.
3. However, the job market absolutely SUCKED and from this point forward, I remain jobless & searching

June:
1. 7th- Mine & Matt's ONE YEAR WEDDING ANNIVERSARY! It flew by SO quickly! But, it was the best year ever. I love him as much as I did the day I married him & more. We had a pretty relaxed evening & just enjoyed each other's company.
2. 12th- I celebrated a new friend's birthday with her! Linda!!

July:
1. WEDDING PLANNING AWRY! Jaime got married the 24th. It was SO hot! 105 degrees, we were pools of sweat.... but she got hitched!
2. More job hunting... and more rejection...
3. Dad came home for good from being in North Carolina for 2 years for his job...

August:
This month is not ringing any bells for me. I still had no job... and all I did was lay around & feel worthless. This is all I can remember.
I do know, that we did grill out a lot at my dad's & we went out to eat with them many times since dad had been back.

September:
1. Labor Day sure was fun!!! Matt & I got to spend it with our wonderful family at his parent's house. It was so nice to be able to just relax & get to know his family. It's hard to get us all together in one place! We had fun watching the kiddo's play.
2. 20th- My mom had surgery on her other foot for the same thing she got done to her right foot. I stayed with her for a full month to take care of her. It was the best time I'd had & I loved spending time with her. Over the years, it's been hard for me to get home to see her & the rest of the family. We got really close once again & I cherished every moment I spent with her. Especially after finding out a girl my age I know lost her mother to breast cancer. I bawled my eyes out for the rest of the night, because I have no clue how I'd be able to even get through something like that & losing my mom so young. I even went in her room & hugged my mom and told her how much I loved her. You never know when the last time you'll see someone is. Life really is short & you have to let those you love know that you love them every day.
3. Surgery sucks. I hope I never have to go through that. I felt bad for mom not being able to do much, but she VERY much enjoyed me waiting on her lol.
4. I got to eat with my Grandparents & my mom on many of the Tuesday's they go to Brass Lantern! I enjoy time with my wonderful family!

October:
1. 23rd- Mom & I went to a bonfire at Cindy & Terry's house for Halloween! It was so much fun... but VERY cold!!
2. Matt & I carved an awesome pumpkin... very last minute. lol It was the Headless Horseman. We had fun doing it, though.

November:
1. 3rd- Donna & I took Austin to the Discovery center. He came to spend the whole week in Tennessee with them, so we tried to entertain him.... lol
2. Thanksgiving was spent at Matt's grandma's house with all of his family, and at my grandma's house with all of my family. It was a very family-filled holiday & we stuffed ourselves full!!!
3. 19th- Matt & I headed to Memphis to go to my cousin Josh's wedding on the 20th. It was a very fun weekend & we were very glad to get our first getaway of the year.... even if it was still in Tennessee. It was filled with hanging out with family & having fun. I'm glad we got to go... I hope we can get down there again soon!
4. 26th- I started my seasonal job at Early's Honey Stand in Spring Hill. It was very overwhelming at first.

December:
1. 12th- My cousin came to stay with us because we'd gotten tons of snow & was afraid to drive home from school. We had SO much fun playing in the snow that night & got some fun pictures! We'd also bought a 3 foot white Christmas tree to decorate while we were out earlier & put that up.
2. My job at Early's was up & down... it could be very stressful, but it could also be very fun. I LOVED everyone I worked with & it was one of the best jobs I've ever had. I especially enjoyed getting to know my friend, Kalie, much better! We get along great!
3. 24th- Last day at my job.... very sad day. However, I did get to go home to my mom's for Christmas Eve with them & have our gift opening that night! :) So much fun & I got everything I asked for!! We had TONS of fun.
4. 25th- Breakfast at Grandma's EARLY!!!! Still yummy as ever & Pop even cut our biscuits for us! :) Lunch at Matt's grandma's in Lebanon... fun times!
5. Later Christmas night, after a long nap, Matt & I went to see his brother, sis in law, & our nephews at his parent's while they were in town. We had fun playing with Austin & baby David. When leaving, we had trouble driving on the ice and were rescued by Matt's dad & left 2 hrs after that to go home.

This year has had few ups, and many downs. I have become much stronger in my faith & allowing GOD to get us through what we can not get ourselves through. HE's the only way we have survived this year. There's no other way to explain it. I really did not know how we were going to make it some months... but miraculously, we did. I could not be more grateful for a Saving Grace. I've relied on the LORD more this year, than I think I ever have in my life... and it's opened my eyes to giving myself up to him. I've always had problems doing so, but this year, I've had NO problems with it. I've prayed more than I even know... and I had a lot of trouble doing this... but now it's daily, if not several times a day. I know HE will get me through anything, and I also know that HE wouldn't put us through trials and tribulations if we were not meant to be.

Matt was given a promotion at work so that we could get through this, I fully believe. There's a reason I haven't been able to find a job since January, I know it. And I think it was in order for me to GROW in my belief & letting me know that I can't control everything. We've also lost many friends this year... and we don't know why. I know it's also something that happens for a reason, but it can be very sad & depressing to go through. I've never felt this way before.... not having a friend to go to. Sure, we have a few friends.... but a lot of times, they were unreachable for us. Our family has also been our saving grace... without them, we really don't know where we'd be. They're strong for us & we're strong for them. We're all able to lean on each other & that's what family is about. Being there for one another. Jaime lost a baby a couple months ago & it crushed us...

There have been so many of our friends going through tough times & very tough losses. It's been a rough year all around. We pray for them every day. We hope to get the same in return. We are here for all of you, please know that & if you need to talk... we ARE here. Promise. No matter what time.

LIVE. LAUGH. LOVE.
This has been my motto & not a day goes by without me trying to fulfill every single one of them each & every day. It surrounds me in our apartment to remind me to do each one. I'm full of life, I love to laugh, and yearn to love. I have so much of each and willing to share with anyone willing to give me the chance. Matt is my rock. I've said that from the beginning. I don't know where I'd be or WHO I'd be if I had never met him. He truly is my life partner... my one & only... he's the truest love.. and my best friend.

I can only hope that 2011 is a better year than 2010 has been made out to be. I'm not doing this to count my woes. I'm doing this so that I can count my blessings... and maybe you, too. I know that if we are all there for each other, praying for each other, we can conquer any bad thing that comes our way. We just have to believe and have faith in Christ.