New blog from me!! 10 years--looking back!

Hello everyone! I hope this blog finds you all well.

I don't know about the rest of you, but I am ready for a new year, a new decade, a new beginning even. So much has happened over the last 10 years. As we're closing in on 2010, I look back and reflect over the course of events(well some of them) in my life.

10 years ago, I was 19 years old. Stephen and I were just mere acquaintances at work. Look at us now, married 9 years with 4 beautiful and amazing children.
We've been through a lot together, lots of ups and downs. Sometimes we focus a lot more on the "downs", not nearly enough on the "ups". 9 years of marriage, this day and age, its an amazing feat. Thank you, Stephen, for prying me away from that idiot I was dating at the time lol, and for all that you've given me. I love you.

Our oldest daughter, Kaylee was a surprise. A glorious surprise. She is a very wonderful child. The day that Kaylee came into this world, my life changed forever, for the better. There is nothing as wonderful as the gift of being a mother. Kaylee is 8 1/2 now, and I'm watching her grow into a tween, and eventually a beautiful young woman. I am scared shitless, I won't lie lol. She tests my patience every day, she is a very strong willed child, but I wouldn't trade her for the world.

My son, my pride and joy, Dylan. When Dylan was born, we thought we were done having kids. We had 1 girl, and 1 boy. Dylan has always been such a neat kid. He is very unique, funny...I see a lot of his dad and my brothers in him. He most definitely has the "Grafe" personality...you know, how we have the ability to turn any moment, even inappropriate ones, into a joke. This boy makes me laugh harder than any other. He will make a fine husband someday, its just too bad no woman will ever be good enough for him. *snickers*

Reese is my little drama queen. She is very much a mommy's girl, always has been my little sidekick in action. The past year I feel she's been a little shell shocked finding out that she's actually one of the kids lol. She is a very smart, fun loving child, and also very beautiful. I love her to death, however, I would like to keep her under the age of 5 if possible. She's growing up way too fast. We were done having kids for real this time, so I tried savoring each and every moment of mommyhood after Reese was born.

Then came Brooke. :) I'll never forget the day I found out I was pregnant with her. I'll never forget feeling like I should have liquored Stephen up before telling him. lol She's really been a blast. Brooke is in her 2's now, and enterting "that" phase. She's becoming too independent, and I don't like it. I want to hold onto her and never let her go. She used to be so attached to me, and now I'm being brushed aside for big sister Kaylee, who is apparently a lot cooler than I.

My children are my life, and my whole world. I honestly don't remember the days before kids, and I thank the Lord everyday for them.

In the last 10 years I have lived in many different places. I've had a couple places in Dalton, GA, we moved back to Massillon for a couple years, then to Old Fort, TN...only to find ourselves back in Dalton again, where our lives began together. Despite missing our friends and family back home like crazy, we really enjoy life here.

I have changed a lot over the last 10 years. I am still going through personal changes. Some things I thought that were set in stone, I come to find out they are not. Some things I'm not sure I want to face, some things I am ready to grab by the horns and kick some ass or something--figuratively speaking lol. Each time over the last decade that I made "plans"...NOTHING happened how I thought it would, but looking back I have no regrets.

All in all, I am ready to start this new decade and make it a great one.
Here's to 2010, I look forward to what the future brings...I mean if its good crap :D. Only 267 days until I turn 30. Holy......crap. :-O!!!!