2010

This year, our first full year as a married couple, was wonderful (and just plain FULL)!

We:

Bought our first home, a 3 bedroom, 2 bath house in the country with a couple of acres of land. We invested lots of time and energy in fixing up the house. Our projects included: changing out locks, sanding floors, adding laminate flooring, lots of painting and caulking, repairing a roof leak (probably our biggest challenge), conquering floors bowed with age, replacing bathroom counter tops and sinks, adding trim (including crown molding in every room), and more.
Traveled together on several business trips for Jake’s job, visiting places like Cincinnati, OH; Lima, OH; Knoxville, TN; and St. Louis, MO.
Made friends with a couple our age (surprisingly, a huge achievement and a major answer to prayer)! Steve was a co-worker of Jake’s. We got to know him and his wife, Lindsey, through lunch dates. We were fast friends and our occasional lunch dates quickly became weekly lunch dates with hangout time afterward (for Lindsey and I, that is…the husbands both had to go straight back to work).
Searched for a church and finally found one that was right for us.
Enjoyed several visits with Jake’s parents and sister, at their home and ours.

Jake:

Was commissioned as an officer in the Navy Reserve, a goal he had been working toward actively for many years (since high school). While Jake accomplished a lot this year, this is probably the achievement that means the most to him.
Made progress on a number of projects at work. He never stops learning and doing!
Traveled to Belgium on a week-long business trip. (This was his first time overseas.) He brought me back TONS of chocolate and some Coke Light (Belgium’s version of Diet Coke). He obviously knows the way to my heart!
Got the ball rolling on prosthetics partnerships he hopes will be used to help further God’s kingdom and aid people in need of quality, low-cost prosthetics.

Jennifer:

Completed two education classes at a local college while working part-time as a library associate.
Attended graduation ceremonies.
Began working as a freelance writer and editor, resigning from my position at the library.
Took delight in making our house a home by painting rooms and adding furniture, fabrics, paintings, candles, decorations, organizational tools, and more.
Adjusted to a new climate, complete with occasional snow!