2011: A New Year

Well, hello fellow blog world!!!!

Yes, I know. It's been months MONTHS! since I've last posted. And I have MISSED YOU!!!!!!

So, at the start of this new year, I'm going to try again, really hard, to mend our relationship. I will be around more often. And I will make up for lost time.

I want to blog. I love to blog. I WILL blog.

Since I've last posted, life has been a roller coaster of emotions. We have experienced:

-In August, we lost the life of one we loved so close, Tom's father and a dear friend to many, Steve. He was one of the most fun-loving, caring, smart, selfless and energetic person I have known and we miss him so, so much. I am so proud to have his as my father-in-law. His memories have been blessing us a lot over these past few months. Thank you to everyone for your continued love and support. Steve, forever you are in our hearts! I can't wait to tell my kids someday of how wonderful their Grandpa Hainje was.

-Two weeks later, a new job! I still work part-time at Novus but have moved onto a new job, what I went to school for, and am now a Graphic Designer at Amy Zaroff Events + Design. I spend my days designing invitations, cards, stationery, programs, anything for events and anything paper, you name it! The job came unexpectately so it was a true blessing - thank you, Vanessa! This job has been a great experience.

-Steve's friends dedicated a tree and brick in his name at the Maple Grove Arboretum. I will have to take pictures for a later post. Beautiful location and beautiful tree! And, just like Steve, they picked one of the tallest trees in the bunch - a beautiful, tall pine. They had a wonderful dedication ceremony for him; Steve was loved by so many.

-A few weeks after that, just when we renewed our lease at Mallard Ridge thinking we will be there for another year, we switched gears and got a new place to call home in Orono, MN!!! We are so happy to be renters of a beautiful townhome and LOVE LOVE LOVE living here. It was the changed we needed. Thanks, Johnsons!

-Later in the year, Tom lost his grandmother, Steve's mom.

-Around Thanksgiving, we found out that Tom's brother, Dan, is deploying to Iraq in February 2011 - more than a year earlier than we originally thought. We were blessed to have Dan home over Christmas though and hopefully will get another trip in to visit him before he deploys. We love Dan and love having him home! Prayers are already starting for when he is overseas. We will be thinking of him lots and lots and lots.

-Babysitting Tom's family dog, Gabby, a lot over the past few months. Enough where I say we have temporarily adopted a dog. Gabby once was Tom's brother's dog, then his parents, and now I say ours a little bit, too. :) She is the cutest, most well-behaved Chihuahua and totally brightens Tom and my life. I never thought I would like a Chihuahua but she totally stole my heart.

-Christmas - Brenda sick. Not much to report! Although, we did still make the norm 48-hour triangle trip from to Canby, MN to Dell Rapids, SD then back home to the cities.

-New Years - Tom sick. Not much to report! We were in the whole weekend.

Our friends have had babies, people are getting engaged, new jobs, new homes, it's just been a crazy year!!!!

But now, 2010 is behind us and 2011 has just begun. I can't wait to bring you along this journey of the new year! Great things will happen this year, I just know.

So, cheers to a wonderful year to come!

Now, back to my photo archives to bring you some pictures to view over the past few months (unfortunately, there aren't many but another goal of 2011)- a blog wouldn't be a blog w/o pictures! :)

Until next time,
Brenda