My Years Reflection 2011

It's my 30th birthday year.  As part of my celebrations, I thought I would take my birthday month to reflect on my life.  To help, I am using some of my scrapbooked pages to illustrate my life.  For each year, I've chosen a few pages to highlight that year.  I hope you enjoy my look back as much as I do.

2011: No pics of pretty scrapbook pages yet.  I am a little behind on my scrapping...  But 2011 was a year of big changes for me.

• New Town -- In June I moved three states and 10 hours away to Omaha, NE.  It was something that I had been working toward for almost a year.  Even though the population is triple of my hometown, in many ways it feels the same.  Not quite the big city, but definitely with more to offer.
• New Situation -- A huge change in my family structure.  Not exactly what I wanted, but in the end I had to compromise. 
• New Job -- Moved in June and by September I was starting my new job.  To compare, I was looking for work back in Indiana for a year without success.  The economy is doing much better out here.  Very thankful for that.  A job means I can really start making a dent into my debt and start planning for the future.  Plus, I love the people and organization I work for.  It's mission is to help kids and families; what could be better?
• Contentment -- After the funk of 2010, I've started to feel like I'm getting back to normal.  My moods are more consistent.  I'm getting more into crafting and reading.  I really got moving on my blog.  I found someone who I "fit" with.  Things are really looking up!

And now on to my 30s.  I feel like good things are going to happen this decade. 

My Years Reflection 2010

It's my 30th birthday year.  As part of my celebrations, I thought I would take my birthday month to reflect on my life.  To help, I am using some of my scrapbooked pages to illustrate my life.  For each year, I've chosen a few pages to highlight that year.  I hope you enjoy my look back as much as I do.

2010:  A bittersweet year for my teaching family.  We found out right before Christmas 2009 that the school was in danger of closing.  By April, we knew it was a goner.  And we closed in May.  Everyone felt the loss deeply.  But life does that sometimes.  We just need to pick ourselves back up and continue.

Page 1:  Spriits were low in January when the music teacher suggested we in the trailer park (the six modular classrooms out back) through a passing period rave party.  We set up speakers in the walkway and cranked up the dance music every passing period.  By the afternoon, we had main building teachers coming to check out the party and even join in with the dancing.  It really lifted everyone's spirits for a day.  And yes, that is me dancing on my classroom stairs (top right).

Page 2: Because of cuts and staff departures, the musical was canceled.  The Parent Teacher Organization roped (okay I volunteered) me into helped to create a musical theater, auction, spring concert, appreciation dinner for the Keystone family.  We themed it around the Wizard of Oz.  Four of my juniors played the central characters.  We also had appearances by the Wicked Witch, the Wicked Witch in training, the Wizard of Oz, Glinda the Good Witch, the Good Witches in training, the Wizard's faithful secretary, and the entire elemetnary, middle school, choirs, and bands.  Whew!  It was quite a preparation, but I think we had a great night.  And we made enough money to cover some of our costs until May. 

Page 3:  With the early closing of the school, graduation was up in the air for awhile.  Thankfully, parents, teachers, and students pulled together to get our kids graduated with a proper ceremony and reception.

Page 4:  In May, I had my first experience at the Indianapolis 500.  I can't beleive I hadn't gone before considering I lived only 2 hours away.  The day was a lot of fun, but incredibly hot.  I think once was enough for a lifetime.

Vacation Here We Come

We're off to the see the wizard....  Oh wait, not the wizard.  But we're definitely off to see some sights.  This morning we're pushing off on our epic family Spring Break road trip.  Today we're driving back to Indiana to pick up the boys and then it's off to Ohio and Pennyslvania.  This will be the boys' first official road trip.  So excited to start our adventure. 

For the blog, I am taking my laptop and will be periodically checking.  I've also got a few more posts scheduled.  Plus, I will be posting the names of the contest winers once they are contacted. 

See ya!

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling

Title: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

Author: J.K. Rowling

Publisher: Scholastic

Genre: Young Adult Fantasy

Pages: 435

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: HP

How I Got It: Own it!

This one is a reread for me.  It's been awhile since I read the series.  I remember reading the first couple of books out loud to the boys when they were infants.  SO that's what eight years ago?  I read the last few books as they came out, but overall it's been awhile.

Instead of doing a traditional review, I thought I would just give you some of my reread thoughts.  Things I noticed, things I loved, quotes I like, etc.  And then I will have a mini review of movie vs. book.

Book fun:

• Favorite scene: For this book there were a few great scenes.  1) The Knight Bus.  Although I loved what they did in the movie, I did enjoy this little episode in the book.  2) Harry's argument with Snape about James.  We see the tension build between these two characters.  And even though Harry doesn't know the whole story, I love how he stands up for his father.  3) Hermione standing up to Malfoy.  Gold!
• Favorite character: I could decided between Professor Trelawney, Crookshanks, or Lupin.  All had great qualities.
• Favorite expressions: "Mischeif managed" -- words to wipe the Marauder's Map. "Flibbertigibbet" -- password for the dormitory.  "Collywobbles" -- what thinking about the dementors gives to Ernie, driver of The Knight Bus
• I forgot that we get to meet Cedric Diggory and Cho Chang in this book.  Obviously they become more important next book.
• Professor Lupin teaches the students about grindylows and kapps which reside in the lake.  They also play a part in the next book.  He also teaches them about Red Caps.  Those guys show up in all kinds of fantasy books.  Love it!

Favorite quotes:

only one from this book

• "You think the dead we lvoed ever truly leave us?  You think that we don't recall them more clearly than ever in times of great trouble?  Your father is alive in you, Harry, and shows himself most plainly when you have need of him."  -- Dumbledore Pg. 427

Movie fun:

My favorite scenes:

• Loved The Knight Bus scene.  It plays so beautifully and gives some comedic releif to the much darker turn later on.
• Time-turner scene.  I loved to see the replay of events from a slightly different perspective

Things I wished to see, but didn't:

• More Crookshanks.  Love that cat.
• The fight with Malfoy by the Shrieking Shack.  In the book, it was a mud fight.  They changed it to a snowball fight. I would have like to see it as a mid fight.
• More Professor Trelawney.  Emma Thompson is just too wonderful.  I wanted more and more of her.

Harry Potter:

1. The Sorcerer's Stone
2. The Chamber of Secrets
3. The Prisoner of Azkaban
4. The Goblet of Fire
5. The Order of the Phoenix
6. The Half Blood Prince
7. The Deathly Hallows

My Years Reflection 2009

It's my 30th birthday year.  As part of my celebrations, I thought I would take my birthday month to reflect on my life.  To help, I am using some of my scrapbooked pages to illustrate my life.  For each year, I've chosen a few pages to highlight that year.  I hope you enjoy my look back as much as I do.

2009:  A big year with lots of adventures...  I just had to add an extra picture.

Page 1:  The boys had their first friends birthday party.  We celebrated at Chuckie Cheese and I decided we were never doing it there again!  Way to crazy.  But they had great fun.

Page 2:  For the Spring Musical, we performed Annie.  Not my favorite musical, but we had fun anyway.  I really got a chance to be backstage again.  Plus, I love the picture above with all my (my sposor class) sophomores in costume.  Tori, Jacob, Dakota, Chelsea, Anna, and Abby did such a great job!

Page 3:  Somehow I let my friend Catharine talk me into French and Indian War era reenacting.  Okay, she didn't really twist my arm, I fairly willingly joined.  This was our first event: Feast of the Strawberry Moon in Grand Haven, MI.  And I loved it!  I would continue to reenact for until moving to Nebraska in summer of 2011.  Unfortunately Nebraska didn't figure in the Seven Years War, so I'm officially done with that activity.

Page 4:  We also visited the family up in Naperville during the summer.  The boys had great fun hanging out with their "Uncle" Ian.  Alex especially loved the train themed restaurant. 

Page 5: Old friends and new celebrated Sarah and Adam's wedding August.  The big event of the night...  reconnecting with J. 

My Years Reflection 2008

It's my 30th birthday year.  As part of my celebrations, I thought I would take my birthday month to reflect on my life.  To help, I am using some of my scrapbooked pages to illustrate my life.  For each year, I've chosen a few pages to highlight that year.  I hope you enjoy my look back as much as I do.

2008: Another year of trying to establish routines.  But we had some great memories in there!

Page 1:  The boys and their class finished Pre-K.  They had an amazing teacher who prepared them for the Kindergarten.  The other picture is a bit weird, I grant you.  My first group of seniors decided to "take" my boys with them to Florida for the senior trip.  They made cardboard cutout bodies and print photos of the heads.  Then, they procedured to take the twins everywhere.  Here's photo proof.  They gifted me the cutouts during senior wills.  I still have them, although they are creased and a bit worn from their adventures.

Page 2: My first graduating seniors, I will never forget them.  We had a trying, but eventually a great year.

Page 3: On to my second year teaching and the boys' Kindergarten year. 

Page 4:  The boys were so adorable at the Christmas program.  Nick spent most of the time with hands in his pockets.  And Alex fidgeted through the whole song.  Too cute!

Quote Wednesday -- Neruda

"I love you as certain dark things are to be loved, in secret, between the shadow and the soul." -- Pablo Neruda (Sonet XVII)

  I'm going to say it...  Neruda's poetry is sexy.  I get little shivers down my spine when I read it.  He grasps language like no other.  He envokes all the senses through the written word.  I love it.  And the only way to truly read it is aloud.  It's like Shakespeare, the writing sounds so much better aloud.  

Top Ten Tuesday - I'd Play Hooky With...

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created here at The Broke and the Bookish. This meme was created because we are particularly fond of lists here at The Broke and the Bookish. We’d love to share our lists with other bookish folks and would LOVE to see your top ten lists!Each week we will post a new Top Ten list complete with one of our bloggers’ answers. Everyone is welcome to join.  If you can’t come up with ten, don’t worry about it—post as many as you can!

What books would I play hooky with?  Which books have so struck my fancy that I would cut myself from all other people and responsibilities to curl up in a chair with a cup of tea and read?  Well, turns out there's not many.  I love reading.  If I could I would read for days on end.  But I also don't usually get so sucked into a book that I can't take care of other responsibilities.  These are the few that came to mind...

1. The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien -- This epic sucks me in everytime I read it.  In fact, I think I might be due for a reread this summer (or at least The Hobbit in preparation for the movie this Christmas)

2. The Hunger Gamesby SuzanneCollins -- I'll admit that I almost forgot everything else while reading the trilogy. In fact, I had a feeling this would happen so I wanted until acquiring all three books and then read the bulk of the trilogy over a weekend. 

3. The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis -- Another epic spanning multiple books that I just can't put down.

4. The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams -- I much prefer reading all five books of the trilogy together as one giant book.  I love Arthur Dent!  And the guide interludes are too funny!

5. Percy Jackson and the Olympians series by Rick Riordan -- Once we started, the boys and I blew through these books very quickly.  I imagine I could knock out at least three of the books in one day of reading.

6. Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling -- Obviously!

7. Jane Austen books -- I never want to leave Austen's world.  I just want to slip into Regency England and get to know all of her characters up close and personal.

My Years Reflection 2007

It's my 30th birthday year.  As part of my celebrations, I thought I would take my birthday month to reflect on my life.  To help, I am using some of my scrapbooked pages to illustrate my life.  For each year, I've chosen a few pages to highlight that year.  I hope you enjoy my look back as much as I do.

2007: I reached a major milestone this year and moved to the next stage.

Page 1:  Proof I graduated college with two bachelor's degrees: women's studies and social studies education.

Page 2: In July, I interviewed and received a position as the high school social studies at Keystone Schools.  I was so excited!  Bonus: the boys started Pre-K at the other end of the school. 

Doctor Who: The Forgotten

Title: Doctor Who: The Forgotten

Author: Tony Lee, Pia Guerra, Nick Roche

Publisher: IDW 2009

Genre: Graphic Novel; Scifi

Pages: 144

Rating:  5/ 5 stars

Reading Challenges: Graphic Novel; Read Your Name -- F; Support Your Local Library

How I Got It: Library loan

Stranded in a strange Museum that's dedicated to him, and with no TARDIS in sight, The Doctor and Martha must make sense of their surroundings, hindered by one small fact - The Doctor has lost his memories of every one of his previous incarnations! With items relevant to each Doctor in their possession, The Doctor must try to use them to regain his memories before it's too late, starting with his earliest incarnation's memories, involving Susan, Barbara, and Ian... but quickly moving on to Zoe and Jamie, and more! This all-new series written by Tony Lee (Starship Troopers) features artist Pia Guerra in her first monthly comic since Y The Last Man.

Loving this miniseries...  All the old Doctors make an appearance.  I also love the allusions to storylines from Tennant's Doctor.  We get a great mix of nostalgia and looking to the future.  I read this over lunch very quickly.  I only wish there was more.

The Mammoth Book of Regency Romance

Title: The Mammoth Book of Regency Romance

Edited By: Trisha Telep

Publisher: Running Press 2010

Genre: Regency Romance

Pages: 512

Rating:  4/ 5 stars

Reading Challenges: Romance; Mount TBR

How I Got It: I own it!

From some of the biggest names in Regency historical romance, over twenty witty, romantic, and sensual short stories. The collection will include stories from Mary Balogh, Julia Templeton, Sara Bennett, Jo Beverley, and Amanda Grange.

Overall, this collection was good, but not great.  After finishing this book, I realized that I have some definite likes and dislikes about Regency era romances.  Likes: strong characters, good storylines (no tired cliches), interesting circumstances or events.  Dislikes: long drawn out sex scenes, damsels in distress, constant miscommunications.  Unforunately, many of the stories in this collection fell into my dislike category.  I am giving this four stars because of the 9 stories I really enjoyed.  Here are the highlights:

1. Elizabeth Boyle's "Cynders and Ashe" -- Classic Cinderella story redone for the Regency Era.  I loved the female lead and how she played off of the others.  Great little story.
2. Patricia Rice's "Lady Invisible" -- A widower with small daughter looking for a wife.  Verity was just adorable and I was really rooting for all parties involved.
3. Caroline Linden's "Like None Other" -- Next door neighbors fall in love.  I really enjoyed the characters and the set of a moonlit garden.  To die for!
4. Shirley Kennedy's "The Catch of the Season" -- A classic arrange marriage but then she meets a man who sweeps her off her feet.  Somehow Kennedy makes this cliched story feel new and fresh. 

Henry V by Shakespeare

Title: Henry V

Author: Shakespeare

Pages: 150

Rating:   5 / 5 stars

Reading Challenges: Shakespeare; My Years -- 1998 (Readings); Dewey 800s (Readings)

Before delving into this month's Shakespeare play (I haven't read this one), I thought it would be a good idea to get a sense of history context.  The kings and queens of England are really not my forte when it comes to history.  I picked up Readings of William Shakespeare's The Histories published by Greenhaven Press (1998).  It contained some basic summaries of the history plays.  But the part that I really liked was the critical essays.  One gave a great historical account of the War of the Roses.  One focuses on how Shakespearean England saw the war and monarchs.  And one dealt with perspective in Henry V.  Overall these helped give me something of a road map when reading the play itself.

I really liked this one.  Maybe it's because the play is historical.  But I think maybe because Henry V is such a great character.  We don't get many characters in this play, but that's okay.  The focus is on Henry V.  I really got into the multiple facets of his personalities.  It made him a real person and not a caricature.  On a completely different note, I found the language more readable than Macbeth.  J suggested that this is more straight-forward without as many metaphors as Macbeth.  possibly...  At any rate I read this one much faster and without constantly looking at the footnotes.

Music Monday -- 1993

As part of my ongoing celebration for my 30th birthday, I am highlighting some popular songs from throughout my years.  Songs were picked based off of a list of Grammy award winners and Billboard Top 100.  Then, I chose my favorites to highlight.  

Year: 1993

Book: Unknown

Music Selections:

1. Mariah Carey "Dream Lover" -- Yes it's cheesy pop but it was 1993 and I was 11 years old.  Give me some slack.
2. DC Talk "Lean on Me" -- I remember going on a few youth group trips and we sang along to this song on repeat.  I just love this version even now.
3. Smashing Pumpkins "Today" -- My introduction into alternative music.  I really liked this song, but didn't own any Pumpkins albums until late middle school.
4. Tom Petty "Mary Jane's Last Dance" -- Both of my parents were big Tom Petty fans.  I remember that when this song came out, we played it over and over in our house.  And the music video with Kim Basinger is just beautiful.
5. Bryan Adams "All for Love" -- Had to include it.  It was the hit of the year.

My Years Reflection 2006

It's my 30th birthday year.  As part of my celebrations, I thought I would take my birthday month to reflect on my life.  To help, I am using some of my scrapbooked pages to illustrate my life.  For each year, I've chosen a few pages to highlight that year.  I hope you enjoy my look back as much as I do.

2006:  This year was all about exploration.  The boys started really exploring the world around them.  They also exhibited a lot more distinct personalities.

Page 1:  Every September-October a farm close to our house would hold a big Harvest festival with petting zoo, hay mazes, hayrides, food, and farm equipment demos.  The boys loved going every year.  In 2006, the highlight was definitely the petting zoo. 

Page 2:  Look how much everyone is growing!

Page 3:  I just love how I dressed the boys alike for Christmas even though no one can tell them apart.  A part of me things I did this on purpose just to mess with people.

The Sunday Salon #6

Obviously this post is a little late...  This weekend ended up being crazy busy and I just didn't get to sit down and write this before now.  So, one day late, but still relevant.

Listening To: Rediscovering Panic at the Disco's second album Pretty. Odd.  The cd's been sitting in the basement for 6 months, I grabbed a handful going out to the car the other day and fell in love again.  I just really like that album.

Book finished: Rise Again by Ben Tripp; The Mammoth Book of Regency Romance; Henry V by Shakespeare; Timeless by Gail Carriger; Eat, Slay, Love by Jesse Petersen

Reading: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling and Doctor Who: The Forgotten

Making Lists: Vacation Packing list.  I am that dorky that I always list everything we want to take/pack and then pack accordingly.  It helps me stay organized.  We're leaving on this Friday and I am about 50% packed.  I think that's a good percentage for the time.

Around the house: The reason that I didn't post a Sunday Salon last week was because J and I were in San Jose for an interview and possible relocation.  This week J took the job and started making preparations for moving at the end of April.  Yep, I said end of April.  So much to do, so little time.  We started packing this weekend and now the house looks like a disaster zone.  There's crap everywhere.  But on a bright spot, I did feel 5 garbage bags for Goodwill!

From the kitchen: I redid the meal plan to use all of the freezer meals before the big move.  If we cook from the freezer everyday, we use everything but four pork chops.  I also reorganized the freezer and passed off some chicken nuggets and mini pancakes to some friends with little kids.  Now we need to organize and then start packing the kitchen.

On the Web: J and I are huge fans of Community and Doctor Who.  So when they introduced Inspector Spacetime, we almost died laughing.  A few entrepreneurs on Etsy have made Inspector Spacetime t-shirts.  I am really tempted to buy one... Intarsia Design

Crafting: Absolutely none.  Though my Stampin' Up order came in and I am itching to use my new stamps.  The pile is probably one of the next things to be packed.

Work Observations: For whatever reason, it's been really slow lately.  It has given me some time to clean out computer files and prep the receptionist handbook for my departure.  I really hope my boss can find someone before I leave. 

Watching: Catching up on all of our currently running tv shows.  Psych, Modern Family, Community, 30 Rock, Castle, Dirk Gently (must see! from the BBC!)

Wondering: How many books I currently own?  There are boxes and boxes in the garage.  I am not looking forward to moving those, but I don't want to get rid of them before they're read.

From Nature: It's been absolutely beautiful lately with temps in the 70s and sun. 

Shopping Scores: Went to Old Navy, spent more than I was going to, but found a great summer dress and a few cute shirts, plus shorts for the boys.

Project: Relocation house hunting.  I hate house hunting and really hate it when I am physically distant.  We've found some possibles, but have to wait until J flies out there to see the insides and get specifics.  With the cost of real estate and tiny lots, it looks like we'll be moving into an apartment complex or condo.  On the bright side, that means we get access to a pool and fitness center.  Yeah for me! 

This past two weeks have been crazy busy with all the changes.  I did manage to fit in a spa day (J's bday gift) with a pedicure, facial, and massage.  Very nice!

On the reading front, I have way too many books to read this week before leaving for vacation.  I have some library books to care of and giveaway books to read.   Speaking of giveaways, there may be more books added to the birthday giveaway.  Or a separate giveaway later this month as I pack and purge.  Stay tuned!

My Years Reflection 2005

It's my 30th birthday year.  As part of my celebrations, I thought I would take my birthday month to reflect on my life.  To help, I am using some of my scrapbooked pages to illustrate my life.  For each year, I've chosen a few pages to highlight that year.  I hope you enjoy my look back as much as I do.

2005:  This year was all about college.  Knocking out those classes so I could (eventually graduate).

Page 1:  Two of my brothers, Cole and Dustyn, graduated from high school!  Woot!  Very excited for both of them.

Page 2: Adorable pics of the boys.  But my real reason for this page was to show off my awesome geekiness.  Yup, those are my college report cards.  I am such a geek that I have kept all of these little pieces of paper that were mailed to my house and I even scrapbooked them!

My Years Reflection 2004

It's my 30th birthday year.  As part of my celebrations, I thought I would take my birthday month to reflect on my life.  To help, I am using some of my scrapbooked pages to illustrate my life.  For each year, I've chosen a few pages to highlight that year.  I hope you enjoy my look back as much as I do.

2004:  Life was all about getting a routine this year.  I was in college, the boys were growing, and we were forging our own path.

Page 1:  So grown-up in their 1-year-old photos.  We had a great little party for them where they played with the cake and icing, but didn't really eat it.  To this day, Alex doesn't eat cake, but Nick will definitely indulge.

Page 2: By summer, we were ready to start exploring the world.  These pics are from our first trips to the zoo.  They absolutely loved it.  Look at those smiles!

Page 3:  More zoo trips (we eventually bought an anual family pass, much cheaper!).  This time Annika and family were down from Chicago.  I absolutely adore the pic of Annika holding Alex's hand.

Page 4:  The boys first real Christmas.  They loved shredding the wrapping paper. 

My Years Reflection 2003

It's my 30th birthday year.  As part of my celebrations, I thought I would take my birthday month to reflect on my life.  To help, I am using some of my scrapbooked pages to illustrate my life.  For each year, I've chosen a few pages to highlight that year.  I hope you enjoy my look back as much as I do.

2003:  Even bigger changes this year!  Well, okay two big changes...

Page 1:  The only picture of me pregnant (actually there are a few others, but I was only 3-4 months so not obvious).  The only sonogram pictures I recieved.  Baby A turned out to be Alex and Baby B was Nick.

Page 2:  Initial pictures of the boys.  They were so tiny (5.6 and 5.0).  To be honest, they kind of looked like aliens with their crazy long fingers and toes and teeny tiny bodies.  I especially love the shot of Nick screaming...  he would get all red and open his mouth really wide, but didn't really let out much sound.

Page 3:  At three months old, we traveled to Naperville, IL, to visit with my dad.  While there, Alex rolled over for the first time, they boy started laughing, and we found out that Annika was going to have a new sibling (turned out to be a boy, Ian).  Annika was so helpful, entertaining the boys and even holding their little hands during car rides. 

Page 4:  Six months old and major changes.  The boys and I moved into our own apartment and I started back at college (albeit the local college IPFW). 

A New Adventure on the Horizon...

Big changes are coming! 

Seemingly out of the blue, J was offered a position with a company all the way across the country in San Jose, CA.  Last weekend we flew out for his indepth interviews and my house hunting.  I also got to spend some time driving around and hitting the Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum.  On Saturday we drove to Sonoma Valley to enjoy some great wine.  We flew back home on Sunday and then waited.

Today, he recieved the official offer and took the job.  So now the complicated prt of packing and moving begins.  I have to quit my job.  He has to official quit his current job.  We have to determine the logistics of moving.  We have to make some decisions about housing (have a few options we like).  I have to tell everyone about the move.  And we have to the hands-on packing (I feel like I'll be doing a huge amount of this). 

But we get to move to California!  Goodbye bitter winds and snow, hello palm trees, moderate temps, and sunny days.  Now I really need a pair of prescriptions sunglasses or laser eye surgery.  I'm sure I'll have more updates soon.  Wish us luck! 

My Years Reflection 2002

It's my 30th birthday year.  As part of my celebrations, I thought I would take my birthday month to reflect on my life.  To help, I am using some of my scrapbooked pages to illustrate my life.  For each year, I've chosen a few pages to highlight that year.  I hope you enjoy my look back as much as I do.

2002: Big changes abound...

Page 1:  My mom got married.  It was a small ceremony attended by close family and friends.  And then she held a smallish reception with cake and snacks.  I loved that myself my two new stepbrothers were the sole attendants and well wore blue-gray clothing. 

Page 2:  Annika was growing up.  Six months already.  She lived (and still lives) in Chicago, but we had a great time playing at a summer visit. 

Page 3: On Christmas Day, my Great Grandma Helen celebrated her 95th birthday.   We held a huge party at her retirement home.  I just loved her cakes: one showing a pic of her now and one showing a pic of her as a little girl.  (Btw...  You can't tell because there are no pictures, but I was 6 months pregnant at the party)

Page 4:  Christmas with family.  Some great pics of Annika, Cole, and Mallory.