Morgan Kate

It occurred to me just a few days ago that not only are we entering a new year, but a new decade. I'm not sure why that had not crossed my mind before, but it hadn't. A big thanks to Melissa for helping me remember. It was then that I began thinking about the past decade and all of the things that have occurred and taken place. This past decade was huge for me. Enormous in so many ways. 


In the early part of the past decade I was finishing up college and turning twenty one. I was enjoying my new found independence and going and doing every chance I got. I received my bachelors degree and masters degree and got my first real job. I taught my very first class of fourth grade students and realized that teaching was what made me happy, most of the time anyway. I learned to pay bills, pay rent and live on my own. I also learned that maybe growing up wasn't all it was cracked up to be. Working and paying bills was tough stuff.


In the middle part of the decade I became engaged and married the absolute love of my life. We got our first doggie and went on our honeymoon. We bought our first house and purchased grown-up furniture. We learned about saving money or trying to save money. We learned about mortgages and home repairs. And we learned that when you own a house and your washing machine leaks all over the place, YOU have to clean it all up and fix the damage. We got our second doggie and bought a boat. We went on our first cruise and traveled to Ireland for ten days. We were a part of many weddings for our friends and family. We began to think about the next chapter.


In the latter part of the decade we decided to expand our family of two. We spent time trying to get pregnant. And then we experienced the miraculous birth of our first child, our baby girl, our Morgan Kate. We spent 107 days in the NICU and we learned all about prematurity, oxygen, OG tubes and eye exams. We learned about reflux and patience and prayer. We learned a lot about ourselves and each other. We experienced first words, first steps and a love like no other. We watched as other family members and friends got their new bundles of joy as well. I got a sister-in-law, a sister-in-law-to-be and a precious little nephew. We watched as my parents became grandparents. We both turned the big 3-0. In the latter part of the decade we not only had a child, but we lost a child. We saw others lose children and ones near and dear to their hearts. We experienced grief and heartache. We put our house on the market and took our house off of the market. And we realized that our ideal Friday night now includes a dinner at home and lots of playtime with MK. 


It has been a busy and full ten years. So much has happened. Each and every minute and moment has helped shape me into the person I am today. And I can't wait to see what 2011 or this next decade has in store for me or my family and friends...


Happy New Year!

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UPDATE:
A few days ago I posted about one of MK's NICU nurses. I asked you to be in thought and prayer as this nurse had been hospitalized and her baby boy had threatened to come at 24 weeks. Mandy made it to 26 weeks and 1 day and then her baby boy, Tyler, arrived. So far he is doing well and is in the absolute best care. (We happen to know from personal experience.) Please continue to be in prayer for this family and this precious baby boy! They have been on my mind so much these last few weeks and days.