Time to Resolve & Recollect

2010 - I can't believe we are already at 2010! I've been reading lots of posts about what has changed in people's lives in the last ten years, so here goes mine.

2000 - I was working full time hours as a PRN at a new hospital, St. Luke's South. A little hospital just starting out became my new family after the loss of my Independence Regional family (who was busted up and sent to live with some real meanies at MCI). I would have never guessed what an impact this would have on my life today.

2001 - Steve decided he wanted to try recording school, so off to Phoenix we headed. I tried to be brave & accept this as a new adventure, but cried the first half of the trip. Ended up being one of the best things we could have ever done - for our marriage especially. I rediscovered my best friend, our love of movies & ice cream and that he is a great cook! We returned home shortly after 9/11 and took everyone a little less for granted.

2002 - We decided to try another new adventure - parenthood. I announced to Steve on Father's Day that he would be celebrating it the following year. Things went well until about 25 weeks when preterm labor kicked in and I prayed for just a few more weeks. I don't think I'd ever been so scared to know too much. Of course, we made it through & I even got to be a "tugboat" bridesmaid for one of my oldest & dearest friends at 32 wks preggo.

2003 - Our true "life changing" year. Katelyn McKenzie White entered our lives on Valentine's Day. She was the best Valentine gift! Our family & friends stayed up all night awaiting her arrival. That "work family" I mentioned earlier made their presence known again & again in the love & care we received too.

2004 - Filled with more & more Katelyn. She pretty much became the world we revolved around.

2005 - Steve decided he wanted to go back to work after staying home with Katelyn for her first 2 years. I dropped to part time at SLS and picked up some weekend work at Catholic Charities doing home health visits. I always thought I knew my way around KC pretty well, but I learned some new skills. Just ask me how to get anywhere from North KC to Harrisonville, from Leavenworth to Gardner - I've probably been there & can help you out! We also found out after months of trying that we were expecting again. Katelyn was so excited to be a big sister!

2006 - After a week of jury duty by Steve, birthday celebrations for Katelyn and absolutely NO baby stuff ready, Brett Thomas White decided to make his appearance 5 wks early! He was just perfect - especially according to his very proud big sister. We spent the rest of the year learning how to revolve around 2 worlds! Steve also decided to try a new career - electrician and I quit at Catholic Charities.

2007 - Can you believe I can't even think of anything to type for this whole year except - my babies turned 1 & 4 and we did a lot of playing!

2008 - My baby went to KINDERGARTEN. Brett & I had to adjust to not having her around all day. Steve got laid off for 4 months. I went back to work full time. Just when he was getting back to work and we were going to "get a little bit ahead", I slipped on the ice/snow and broke my leg on Christmas eve. It put a lot of things in perspective and I worked to make things better in 2009.

2009 - I recovered from the broken leg. Brett broke his arm. We took the kids to Disney World (broken & all). Spent a lot of time together as a family - enjoying each other. I got a new job as a clinical instructor for Johnson County Community College - something I've always wanted to do.

Wow - my life is so completely different from 10 years ago in some ways and so the same in others. During this time I have gained some awesome new friends, met many beautiful new babies, lost a very special Grandma and a few dear friends. I can't wait to see what the next 10 years will bring.

As for this year of 2010, I am resolving to spend more one on one time with my children, more time as a family, more time getting healthy - really healthy so I can be around for a lot more decades. Happy 2010! Cheers!