Summary of our Year(s)

For the Christmas card(HAH, it's January 5 and they are STILL waiting for stamps) crowd, and for those who are getting to know us here in Kentucky, I thought I'd give you a little background on the three of us...sort of nerdy Christmas newsletter-style.  I'll start in 2006.  Maybe it won't be much background after all...maybe just a little something to break the ice?  Oh well...

2006
Mace's last semester of undergrad(he credits his internship with Clayton County DFACS for his disenchantment with Human Relations, aka, Psychology/Counseling/Sociology), Brei's wisdom teeth gone(hello, dry sockets!), The Christian Minstrels(think, The Sing-Off),Wedding dress number 2, nannying, Mace's graduation(college), Abby's graduation(highschool), Dad's retirement(from teaching in GA, not teaching in general), 12-week internship crammed into 5 & 1/2, July 12thdreambeachwedding, honeymoon in The Poconos(MUCH hotter than you would expect the mountains to be in July....yes, I know, July...but still), ACC Security, barista(Mace) in the Sweet Auburn Curb Market, senioritis, marital bliss, Brei's puppy (kept him 6 weeks), CarMax, first holidays married.

2007
Bought and built (to suit) our first house in January, graduated in May, moved in weekend after graduation, more nannying, counselor for a week at Woodland(good thing I didn't plan on being a career camp counselor), and got a "PREGNANT" on July 11 - Happy 1st Anniversary!  Nausea 24/7 for 20-ish weeks, manager at McKinney's at ACC, trip to Jordan while 25 weeks preggers (being with fam made the stupid long flight totally worth it), bickering, Mace still loving CarMax and on the fast track to management.  Exciting times...last holidays sans-kids!

2008
Pre-term labor, marital distance, making new friends, early "maternity leave," nesting (a LOT of nesting), March19-Ace was born!  Post-partum craziness, selfishness, CarMax sales spiral downward, beach, hypothyroidism(oh, THAT'S why I was going bald), jealousy, bitterness, insults, divorce threats, breakthroughs, appreciating the little things, backtracking and starting small, Titus' wedding!  decide to move to Kentucky (planning to pursue grad school - Mace), treasuring our moments, re-learning to enjoy each other's company, put house on the (dead) market, Ace's first holidays...so precious!

2009
House won't sell, ear infection, exhaust all other options, ear infection, car sales go in the toilet, Ace turns 1! ear infection, OCD and panic attacks sky rocket, Abby's wedding! ear infection, debt is beyond overwhelming, begin treatment for OCD and panic attacks (amaaaazing psychiatrist!),ear infection, bankruptcy becomes our only option, ear infection, moved to Kentucky, ear infection, begin to get settled, find Southland(thrilled!!), unity, peace in our marriage, ear infection, enjoying time together, ear infection, taking it all in, loving our boy, choosing to love each other and to love Christ every day, making new friends (finally!), a LOT of traveling for the holidays, some sickness but NO ear infections!  Christmas in Ohio with SNOW!  Contemplating what the future will bring...

Right now, Mace is a floating assistant store manager for two tire stores around Lexington and we are anxious to see what's next!  We are immensely grateful for the "fresh start" we've been given, and the chance to get back on our feet.  Shame on us if we go a day without thanking and praising God for our wonderful support system that has given us a place to LIVE!  We are all three desperate for more time with each other and time to dig in and serve at church!  We miss our friends and family greatly and value each of you in our lives.  Thank you for the role you have had in where and who we are today!  Looking so forward to see what we're "really" here in Kentucky for!