I am copying my friend Wade on this post. Sorry, Wade! But I have been thinking a few days about what a good New Year post would be, and I thought sharing some of my favorite moments of the year would probably be the most positive and furthermore, most interesting.
I have had my ups and downs this year, but overall it has been a great year and for that I am grateful!
Ok, these are random and in no particular order.
1. New Year’s Eve 2010
A year ago this time, we had a celebration to ring in 2011. We had a wonderful and much awaited night. I was very eager to be done with 2010, because, well honestly, it was the hardest year of my life. My husband lost his job as a youth pastor, which encompassed a lot more betrayal than just losing a salary, and I was engaged in a residency program that was way over my head. To want a year of your life to go ahead and pass, is pretty sad, and not the usual me, but I was so glad to see it pass.
So the celebration was spectacular, and I didn’t get a single call from anyone anywhere to take down the white grape juice photos from my Facebook (appearance of evil, ya know). So it was a good start to a revolutionary 2011.
2. Starting a Church Plant in Kingsport
Although 2010 was full of hardships that I really didn’t understand at the time, things started to make a little bit of since in 2011. My husband and I and a few of our friends started a house church at the beginning of last year. To be honest, I think if we hadn’t been force out of the Southern Baptist arena, this church never would have come to be.
Our church has had it’s up and downs this year, but I cannot express how much this group has meant to me this year. We celebrate in all of the good our group has been able to accomplish this year and the investment in people’s lives that we have had. It has been the best experience of my life to actually join in with God in His mission to love and redeem people. I am so excited for all that is to come in 2012!
This year, we have all grown in faith, but the most exciting for me is to see my sister and nephew grow. If all our church accomplishes is these two relationships growing in Christ, even then, all of the pain and struggles of 2010 that got us to this point were worth it!
3. Graduating My Pharmacy Residency Program
Ok, Wade, maybe I will quit copying your post from here on. This is me and my amazing co-resident, Ashley. We were so glad to be finished! This really won’t hit home with you unless you have been a resident, but basically, the smile in this picture was for no more staying up until 4:00 a.m. working on data collection and being at work at 6 :00 a.m. the next morning, no more working 80 hours a week, no more feeling like a complete idiot all of those 80 hours and then worrying about it during the short hours you are at home, no more stomach ulcers, etc. Also, it means…paycheck!
Residency is a great thing that did a lot of great things for me, but let’s face it, residency was not for me. My personality did not mesh, and I did not do well under the pressure. Overall I am very grateful for the experience, but glad it is over!
4. Started my Big Girl Job
This summer I started working at an independent pharmacy in Kingsport. If you had asked me before what my big girl job would be, it wouldn’t have been anything close to an independent pharmacist. But I was wrong for that, because I absolutely love it! I love the interaction with my patients, I love spending holidays with my family, and I love my coworkers.
I have heard it said that any respectable pharmacist would never work retail, and I even believed that to some degree, but that person was wrong, and so was I. I have found this year that I am not only to be an expert in medications, but also the first person that the general public comes to with any medical issue. I play the role not only of pharmacist, but also medical advisor, insurance and financial expert, and even veterinarian! And I love it!
5. Beach Trip With Friends
We had a great time this summer in Myrtle Beach, SC with our group of friends from the church. I hope this started a tradition!
6. Anniversary in Asheville, NC
Brandon and I celebrated our 6 year wedding anniversary this summer. For the first time ever, we were able to get away for the whole weekend! We ventured about an hour away to Asheville, NC. Turns out our anniversary weekend happened to be the same weekend as Asheville’s Belle Chere festival. This was a new experience for me, and ever since I have had a “hippie” attitude!
7. Becoming Domesticated
I have enjoyed becoming domesticated this year. This is a new occurence (see above bullet on residency). I am not there yet, but I have made vast improvements!
8. Panama City Beach in October
Brandon and I were able to take a week in October to go to the beach. We had never been in the Fall, and it was a very peaceful, relaxing week.
9. Halloween Party
For the first time in my life, we hosted a Halloween party. We had so much fun decorating for it and getting all dressed up. There had been times in my life where I did not get to participate in Halloween because it was the “Devil’s night”, so I kind of let those suppressed childhood years bust out for this party! Even the hounds were involved!
10. Becoming Obsessed with the Hounds in Motion
This Fall I became obsessed with trying to capture my basset hounds in motion. It doesn’t happen often, but when it does, there is really nothing better in life than flying ears and jowls. For this reason, I asked for a DSLR camera for Christmas, and got one! So, there are many more of these photos to come!