Decade Comes to A Close

It's amazing to think that this decade is almost over, especially the year 2009. Since I turned 20 in the year 2000, you could say that my entire adult life has been formed during this decade.

2000 - turned 20 leaving my teen years officially behind

2001 - turned 21, graduated from Harding University, moved to the Seattle area to start my first full time job as a computer programmer at ATS

2002 - began the first long-term romantic relationship of my life

2003 - married my best friend Barry Love, traveled to Hawaii twice

2004 - spent a summer traveling back and forth to San Diego to be with Barry; Barry finished his contract with the Navy in the fall

2005 - just working and traveling

2006 - moved to Hobbs, NM working from home; Barry started his new job at the Nuclear Enrichment Facility

2007 - quit my job as a computer programmer; we bought our first house; spent 2 months living in and traveling through Europe with Barry; got my first real pet, a dog named Henrey

2008 - gave birth to twins Ryan and Alyna

2009 has definitely been the defining year of my life so far. I love my new job as a stay at home mom even with all its stress and troubles. The joy my babies have brought into the house more than makes up for the sleepless nights and hair pulling days.

It's amazing to look back at how small they were at the beginning of the year. We seem to have hit all their major infant milestones in 2009, and it is such a blessing from God to watch them grow.




They learned to roll over at the beginning of the year. This led to much more interaction between them including wrestling.




They learned to sit up just shortly after their 6 month birthday. This is also at the time of their first road trip. We drove about 10 hours to Colorado to spend a week at Nana and Papa's house. At 8 months old they took their first bath in the big bath tub. Ryan was belly crawling and pulling up at 7 months old.


Alyna started crawling and pulling up at about 9 months old. Their interaction definitely changed when she could follow Ryan everywhere he went. We drove to Austin, TX in July to see Aunts and Uncles and play with cousins and new dogs. They love dogs.


They celebrated their first birthday in September, and their first Christmas where they were active participants. At 15 months old they are each other's best friends. They teach each other fun games and how to get into trouble.

God definitely blessed our family in 2009. I already know he has even more blessings in store for us in 2010, and look forward to all the changes it will bring.

May God comfort you as this year ends, and rain down blessings in your life during the next.