Best of 2010

Looking back on the year, Casey and I agree that 2010 has been one of the best years of our lives.

It started off kind of rough and scary. I was pregnant and very, very sick, trying my best to make it through each day at work. Casey was still despairing over finding a full time job with a regular pay check. In February Casey finally found a wonderful job that began as a temporary position. A few months after, he was given a raise as his employers recognized his hard work and valuable contributions to the company. We moved into a cheaper apartment and began saving for the hefty medical bills that we felt sure would come along with my complications.

As we got further into the pregnancy, things became more medically challenging, but I was so lucky to have my best friend beside me. Through all the scary times and long days of not feeling well, Casey was right there helping me through it. One of my favorite memories is when I had been placed on partial bed rest and after a week became so bored that I begged Casey to take me to the zoo. I don't know why I wanted the zoo... I just needed to go somewhere and be outside and do something. He humored me and we went on a Saturday, rented a wheel chair, and Casey pushed me all over the zoo. I'd been to the zoo before, but I'd never noticed how many hills there are until poor Casey had to huff and puff and strain pushing me up all of them. Although I felt a little guilty making him work so hard,it was wonderful to be out of the house! When we got home, I was exhausted and went straight to bed. Casey must have been tired too from all the work I made him do, but instead of sleeping he cleaned the house and made another dinner that I probably threw up anyway.

When I became sick with my kidney infection and the pneumonia that followed I was amazed at the kindness and support that we had all around us. Family came through helping us get ready for the baby. We had so many visitors in the hospital from family, friends, and ward members. When I went into the ICU I had asked the hospital staff not to allow visitors, I just felt so scared and discouraged, but Aunt Bev made her way through anyway. I'm glad she did. Visits from family were so uplifting and made me feel like things were going to be alright. And they were!

My mom came from Seattle and stayed with me in the hospital while Casey continued to work. Thanks to her being around to help out, the doctors let me go home for the last few days before Emmett was born. I probably owe my mother my sanity! And what did we end up with? The most perfect, smiley little baby boy in the world.

All of that hard stuff happened before June 8th, and after June everything began to put itself together again. My health returned fairly quickly and in spite of having to return to work, the rest of the year has been absolutely blissful. We feel so blessed and happy with the direction our lives have taken and our wonderful little family of three. We are so grateful for the love we have in our lives, for friends, family, coworkers. For the gospel and the peace and blessings it brings. We can't wait to see what 2011 will bring. We anticipate it will be another fantastic year to remember. If we have learned anything from 2010 it's that sunshine hides behind rain clouds. We wish you all the best year possible! HAPPY NEW YEAR!

And now a photo recap, progressing through the beginning of 2010 to the end...

Pregnant me. Very, very, pregnant.

Admiring the baby elephant on our trip to the zoo. I took pictures while Casey caught his breath.

Not feeling so hot at 33 1/2 weeks pregnant.


I think you could call this the low point...


And then the great reward for all our hard work and worry arrived in a perfect bundle of happiness!

It's amazing how teeny he was.


Perfect from the very first moment we saw him.


























...And our lives will never be the same. Who could have imagined that one little boy could bring so much joy into the world? Thanks again for all those of you who helped us get him here through your prayers and support!