Highlight of Significant Events.

2006 I met Mike in Syracuse while on co-op, he sang with No ExCuse and played bass with Crash Martinez. We were both attending Hope Church.
2007 I graduated RWC and married Mike. Our first 1 bedroom apartment together in Rochester.
2008 Derek was born, I became severely sleep deprived, Mike got a CPAP around this time or I never would have survived.
2009 We moved in with Beth so Derek could have his own room. Graduated RIT. Not sure how we made ends meet that year but somehow God provided.
2010 We moved to New Haven and started my first job as a Planner in the CT efficiency programs. Pregnancy and birth of Elinor. Joined Westminster OPC.
2011 I struggled with PPD during recovery from childbirth. Around this time Mike started umpiring again, went back to school. Met our deaf friend Mars.
2012 I lost the job at UI and started a contract position with NU also in the efficiency program. Moved to apartment in Newington. Stepdaughter Katie moved in. Started playing the baritone in bands again. Started going to CCPC. Derek did T Ball and was homeschooled. Started going to CCPC.
2013 I started a new job as an Energy Engineer developing energy projects. Moved to house in Newington. Learned to play trombone around this time and in doing so met my friend Jackie. Kids continued homeschooling with Classical Conversations.
2014 Fiona was born. Met my friend Ashleigh. Attended our first Yankees game and then went to the Bronx Zoo. Kids took swimming lessons in Newington. Continued playing trombone.
2015 Participated in Building Committee. Finished making my xylophone. Bought our first house in Farmington.
2016 We continued homeschooling. Lots of traveling. Lydia got married! Upstairs bathroom demo and rebuild. Back deck demo and rebuild. Derek flew in a plane for the first time. GrandMommy passed. Robin got married! Stayed with Edith for Christmas.
2017 Fiona weaned when kids spent a week with grandparents. York Elder Camping (we hotelled). Eclipse trip to SC at the Russells’. All kids started going to Christian school. Elinor started playing French Horn. Fiona started reading. Derek joined Cub Scouts and started drum lessons.
2018 I left job as energy engineer at ESC for job with JLL. Traveled a lot to NJ for work. Becky got married! The kids and I got to be in the wedding. JLL lasted 4 months, rest of the year spent job searching and driving kids around. God provided.
2019 I started new job in Energy Management for Pratt & Whitney. Derek achieved Arrow of Light. My brother Rick became a dad! I flew to CA to visit Lydia and her new baby. Visited Becky in PA. Started seeing a therapist for the first time. Made it through a whole year in the new job. Fiona started Kindergarten. Worked on renovating downstairs bathroom. Spent Thanksgiving in Syracuse. Whirlwind Christmas trip to MD, Rochester and Syracuse. My brother Ralph had his 5th kid! And Ray got engaged!

Welcome to 2020

I have not written in over a year. It has been quite the year, and like so many I am glad that one is put away for good.
I cannot voice the trials I am going through (and I really want to put them behind me) but what I do know is that God is with me, that hope is not lost, that He has a bigger plan for me. I am impatient to understand what he is doing and what direction I am supposed to be going, and he repeatedly has told me “Wait, I am not done with you yet.” Meanwhile I need to see the ways He is blessing and taking care of my life, not lose sight of the good and right when the dark times seem to blind my vision.
In 2019 I started a new job, I flew out to California to meet my sister’s new baby, the kids took swimming lessons, Fiona started kindergarten, my stepdaughter moved out on her own, we acquired Dexter, a Kankakee bull snake. I am taking a hiatus from my musical involvements and focusing on spending more time with the kids and establishing myself in the new job (which has been an adventure for sure), and we are throwing our spare time into home improvement. I am lastly thankful for my husband’s hard work, endurance, support and strength as he has been keeping the household running while working hard at school and has only one semester left to get his bachelors degree.