Thanks 2010

I guess it's time to officially say goodbye to 2010, no?  It's been a crazy year.  Very crazy.  I think it's probably been one of the roughest years I've had in a while.  But at the same time, I've also learned more in this year than I can remember learning in a long time too.  I think for as much as we lost in 2010, we've gained a lot too.  And while it's hard to be thankful in the midst of some of the awful things that came our way this year, I think those things have brought me close to people in ways that I am more thankful than ever for.  I think T's grandma really put it best in her letter this Christmas ....  the lord gave, and the lord has taken away.  So, it true type-A fashion, here's a farewell 2010 list.


Dear 2010 thank you for.....

• Bringing our family together in the midst of a tragedy
• showing us that life is short, and we should make the most of it
• helping us find ways to honor lives lost too early
• bringing us fabulous new extended family with Marissa & her girls.
• allowing us to help them through their loss as well
• all of the beautiful butterflies
• Ethan August, the newest addition to our family
• Taygen Timothy, the newest addition to Marissa's family  

As a random side note - our families had such similar losses and gains this year.  Also, Taygen carries his Grandpa's name.  Ethan's middle name is also a Hoefs family name.

• fantastic co-workers who are more like family than anything
• the best job on the planet
• the sweetest dog ever
• the opportunity to get home to VA
• my patience to lose the weight and the persistence to do so
• learning (and believing!) that yes, I can
• for the ability to have run the 1/2 marathon with T
• for Tristan and his willingness to put up with me!
• for a fantastic summer of bootcamp, sunshine, and time off from work!
• for a christmas so full of family we could barely all fit in the living room
• for a mantel so full of stockings that you can't read names anymore
• for friends, both near and far
• for moments and memories that we'll hold on to forever.

I can't say I'm not ready for 2010 to be over, b/c I am.  But, looking back, I truly am thankful for all that this past year taught me.  I'm such a different person than I was a year ago - and without everything that happened this year, that wouldn't be the case.  I truly hope that 2011 brings all of us joy beyond measure.


Happy New Year!