Top 10 of 2010

We had a crazy year in 2010. It was a year of celebrations, fun times, trials, heartaches, simplicity, and milestones. We learned a lot this year and we are thankful for it. I looked over the past year of our photos and chose our top 10 events/milestones from 2010. It was hard to choose, but I think we narrowed it down fairly well. Here we go!

Number 10: A Visit to Petway

Petway was where my father was raised. We all spent summers there with my Nanny and we all have a lot of memories there. We have been saying for years that we wanted to all go down there as adults and see it again.

This trip we learned about it, we saw the places that dad told us stories about growing up, we shed a few tears, and grew closer to our roots. It was a beautiful trip for our family and we will never forget it.

Number 9: We Grew A Garden

There is something so simple, yet so rewarding about growing your own food. This summer was a blast eating fresh fruits and veggies from our garden.

This was something we wanted to do last summer, but we missed our time to plant. Our garden was beautiful and all of our food was delicious. We loved cooking with it and sharing it with everyone.

Number 8: CMA Fest

Every year we say we want to go to CMA fest, but it always seems to pass us by. This year, we finally accomplished a few visits. We had a blast! We heard some amazing artists and made some awesome memories.

Number 7: Surprise Birthdays

This year I got my husband and our friend Cody on their birthdays.

Lindsey and I worked very hard to make their birthdays really special with nights full of surprises.

We won't forget those moments.

Number 6: Bedroom Redo

Since we moved into our home almost 2 years ago, we have not been happy with our master bedroom. We built this house with the excitement of the large size of our bedroom. We just knew that it was going to be a place for us to enjoy together. We never felt right about our room and it was a place to just sleep. We thought maybe we would enjoy it more if we spent a

ton of money on a fancy bedroom suite or new paint or a new bedspread. We searched forever on how to make it better. And when I say forever, it really felt like forever! We finally had an a-ha moment.

We purchased a couple of bottles of black spray paint, some icky 1.00 frames and an ugly 2.00 gold mirror at yard sales and went to town. We spray painted the frames, added card stock for a pop of color, spray painted the gold mirror to black, and spray painted the handles on our dresser drawers. We moved around the furniture, added a few accessories that

were already around our house, our friends Lindsey painted our favorite quote on the wall and

viola! We had a new relaxing bedroom. Total price? 3.00!

I know..it's pretty amazing! 3.00 versus the 3,000 we could have spent buying all new stuff. This has been a year of not focusing

on crap like that. We want simple, true things.

We are so happy with it! We never want to leave our room now!

Number 5: A Quick Gatlinburg Getaway

We decided last minute to get away to Gatlinburg. We took the dogs with us and reserved a chalet literally at the top of the mountains.

We did absolutely nothing the entire time. We had no schedule. We relaxed, shopped, ate, and loved having the focus on each other for several days.

Number 4: A Simple Anniversary

Our anniversary this year wasn't spent going to some fancy pantsy place. We wanted it to be simple and strictly about us. John made it so romantic with special things like letters, flowers, and dinner reservations at our favorite place. He even organized the restaurant to throw in a few surprises for us. It was a very sweet, simple, and rememberable day for us.

Number 3:God Gave Us A Boat

My husband has wanted a boat for, well, forever. We patiently waited for the perfect match to come along. It was difficult for us to find one to suite both of our needs for a boat. I know we, especially John will never forget the phone call we got telling us the boat that matched what we were looking for showed up for sale at our boat dealer.

We took it out first thing the next day and I believe my husband had temporarily died and went to heaven. We have already made so many memories on the boat together and with family and friends. We are counting down the days until summer!

Number 2: God Made Me A Teacher

After a long year of searching and prayers for exactly what God wanted me to do to fulfill His plan for my life He finally gave me the job of my dreams.

I am in a school where children need lots of love. I work for people who are incredible leaders and share in positive influences on children's lives. I love going to work every day.

I love that who I work with are like family. I love the fact and am honored that God chose me for such a wonderful position. I love that God shines through me to these students and teaches me daily.

Number 1: We Have Each Other

We became husband and wife June 2008. Ever since then, we have learned more than I thought we ever could about each other. This year we have learned to pray more together, we have learned that God can get us through anything as long as we lean on Him and each other. This year has been amazing. I have fallen in love with him even more. I have soaked up and enjoyed each moment with my husband and I am very thankful that God has given me him.

So there you have it! Our top 10 of 2010! We can not wait to see all that God has in His plan for us this coming year!

From us to you, Happy New Year!!!