So… it’s 1.1.11, which is fun in and of itself! but we have also enjoyed two days of SNOW and non-work this week, which is awesome! So far: 2011 rocks.

We spent the first snow day sleeping in and playing in the snow with Frank and Cara and two new apartment friends, Drew and Lauren. Then we ate, then we napped–serious nappage… like, college style. It was amazing and much needed. Then watched movies and caught up on good books and quality time. Evan’s friend Ryan got stranded and spent the night with us, which was like a huge slumber party. Very fun. And of course, we watched the national championship with all of the above at Drew and Lauren’s. I will not talk about that here, except to mention that Alabama has 13. Moving on.

Today we slept even later (11am, I love you), walked to North River Tavern–which we were delighted to discover has huge wings and overall amazing food. Totally going back. We left so full of food and fellowship (and interaction with civilization after 24 hours of cabin fever) we felt almost tipsy and braved the elements again for the trek home. We have LOVED netflix all afternoon and after pizza for dinner, will probably watch a movie and go to bed early. My goodness, 2011 is off to an excellent start!

So…!! We’re headed to Ireland, Scotland, and England in May! It’s official. We bought our tickets yesterday: May 18-30. My cousin Alice will be studying abroad in Limerick, Ireland starting… well, any day now! and so her parents, my parents, Stahler, me and Grant will be joining her for a few days before Grant and I strike out on our own. We’ve found a couple day-trips in Scotland and hope to see Glasgow, Loch Ness, Glencoe, Inverness, Stirling, and the Highlands. Grant wants to see St. Andrews Old Course and if we can make it to Edinboro even better! In England we hope to see friends in London and Oxford and take a day trip to Windsor, Bath, and Stonehenge. We’re pretty excited! We got a bunch of travel books for Christmas, so we spend nights pouring over the pictures and maps figuring out what we want to do–pretty crazy nights, huh? We enjoy it. Anyway, I’ll keep you posted as we plan the trip!

Happy New Year!

I don’t know why this year feels any different from any previous year, but it does–somehow new and fresh and with more hope or promise than usual. Perhaps I’m just paying attention, or I’m just hyper-aware of the passing of time… who knows. But 2011 is going to be exceptionally great. I just know it.

A quick recap of 2010

January
Alabama won the National Championship. RTR.

February
We had a very nice Valentine’s Day and enjoyed some snow! Our friends the Taylors welcomed twins on 2/2/2010!! And Mary Catherine and Syman welcomed Laney, as well! All 3 precious and perfect.

March
Stahler turned 20 and we made several trips down to t-town to hangout and play.

April
Easter came early and we celebrated on Mama’s birthday 4/4/10 and we unexpectedly resigned our lease to remain in Atlanta for another year–a hard but good decision. Spend some quality time with Drew and Allison before their move.

May
My quarter-life crisis passed wonderfully at the lake with friends! Perfection. We spent our 2nd anniversary with Zach and Steph in Clarkesville. Awesome. I got a new job and things started looking up. We began to think about buying a house and planning our trip to Italy with the Nalleys. Took a quick family beach trip with the Heaths.

June
Family beach trip with the Duggars to Hilton Head. My parents celebrated 33 years of marriage! Grant’s boss got transferred back to Chicago–we miss them dearly!–and Grant took on much more responsibility at work. We started going to Grace Midtown and love it.

July
We spent the fourth of July at the lake with fam and bemoaned our day-jobs, and wished longingly for college days when we had entire months to spend lounging pool-side, lake-side, or beach-side.

August
We both had crazy-busy months at work and Frank and Cara got married and moved into our apt complex!! What fun!

September
We enjoyed 10 wonderful days in Italy–Rome, Florence, Cinque Terre, and Venice. Unforgettably romantic and perfectly memorable. Couldn’t have enjoyed it more. What an experience. We met and welcomed Evan into our home–quite an adventure, too. Maggie got accepted into her study abroad at UGA!! And Kimsey’s welcomed twins Miller and Charlie into the world–too cute. [This is the year of twins. We know 6 friends who’ve had twins this year!]

October
The Bossman at work treated NGM to free tickets to Catalyst. We got to hear 10 of the most influential speakers in the Church in America. Absolutely incredible. I think that Francis Chan’s, Beth Moore’s, and Craig Groschelle’s talks literally changed things forever and will be referenced in the future as a turning point in 2010. Amazing. Alice got accepted to her study abroad in Limerick, Ireland and we began to plan a trip in May 2011!

November
Grant had a birthday around which the entire family rallied and bought him his first shotgun–awesome–and we spent Thanksgiving with Evan in Augusta. Much family time. Much fun.

December
Grant and I are unbelievably thankful as we look back over the past year. What an amazing journey it has been. We spent Christmas with Evan in Huntsville, where we got to see Mary Catherine and Syman before heading off to the lake. We got sick [yuck!], went to the doctor, but it didn’t dampen our spirits as we played games and hungout at the lake with MA and fam. We ended up staying in Hsv for New Years and are still here watching football, eating pizza and wings, and slowly recouping.

What a year it has been and what a promising year we have before us! Looking forward to many new beginnings, new trips, new adventures, and seeing new pieces of the globe. I pray that God’s glory is revealed more and more and more! 2011, here we come!