2000:
Ten years ago Justin and I were newly weds. The first among our close friends to get married. I was half way through my junior year at WKU. Justin was a chemist at a plating factory. We moved across town when our lease ended to a larger place with a more sane landlord.
Thanksgiving '00 at my parents
2001:
The next year brought my graduation, my first move from my home town, and a teaching job for me & grad school for Justin. It was a whirlwind. To add to that, Justin and I decided to have a baby.
Graduation--May '01
2002:
We bought our first house, a cute little cape cod, halfway between UC and my school. It brought with it a lot of renovations--a remodeled bathroom, new doors, updated electrical, removed wall paper, removed carpet, and lots of paint, just to name a few of our projects.
Our first house '02
Our bathroom during demolition!
2003:
This was a bit of a calmer year. I was busy with my teaching responsibilities and Justin with his graduate studies and research. We worked on projects around the house.
Justin at the bench at UC -- '03
2004:
One of my dear students passed away suddenly. It was a difficult time. Also, after years of hoping for a baby, Justin and I decided to adopt from Guatemala.
One of our pictures from our adoption packet--Fall '04
2005:
In a great surprise we found out that I was pregnant, the agency called off our adoption with our news. Kate was born that September. We were enthralled, even if exhausted, with parenthood.
Katherine--September 26, 2005
2006:
We decided for me to stay home with Kate at the end of my contract year in May. We left our home in Cincinnati. It was hard to leave behind our dear friends and the home where we had planned to raise our family, but we relocated to Alabama for Justin to take a temp to hire position with GE plastics.
Kate in our house outside of Cincinnati '06
2007:
We found out that Justin's position would be ending, as GE was selling off the division he worked for. The next week we found out that Gabby was on the way. God provided us a position in Kansas. We moved in stages, first to our parents' houses for a month and then to Kansas. During that time my grandmother passed away. Gabriella was born that October.
Gabriella October 18, 2007
2008:
A fairly quiet year. We settled in as a family of four here in Kansas. Took a short vacation with friends at a lent out cabin in Missouri. The girls and I spent nearly a month in Bowling Green between a friend's wedding and my family's reunion at Thanksgiving.
The girls--July 2008
2009:
Another baby! Nate was born seven weeks ago, in November.
Nathaniel--November 13, 2009
I can't believe how much has happened in that time: six moves, three babies, a career begun and ended, not to mention all that Justin has done. I look at the decade ahead and expect it to be full of fewer of the big milestones. More of the quiet life, but I know that only God knows what He has in store for us.
* * * * *
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." -Jeremiah 29:11
4 comments:
Wow, what a decade! Your faith is amazing, Kristy. I wish I had more.
Wow, what a decade! Your faith is amazing, Kristy. I wish I had more.
Wow. You're right. That IS a lot to have happened in ten years.
Devon, I see your faith as astounding. I think of you and your little guy often. I see your strength, grace, and tenacity, in the face of all your family has gone through as inspiring. Many people turn their backs on God in situations where their children are ill, but you have embraced Him.
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