Decade in Review

After reading a friend's decade in review blog, I decided this was a great idea. Thanks for the idea Kara! The last ten years has certainly flown by!!

2000---I can remember where I was on NYE Y2K ringing in the uneventful year! We were at the playhouse at Patrick's parents house. I told my parents I was enjoying a nice quiet evening watching movies at a friends. We left the playhouse (used to be the pediatrician's office) and went to a friends house and were sitting on the couch watching the different cities ring in the new year, and my mom called. She informed me that I better be home in less than 15 minutes since I was NOT where I said I was. Anyone who knows me knows my mother knew any and everything I was thinking of doing before I ever did it, so I don't know why I thought this would be any different??? I made it home before 15 minutes were up, and instead of lecturing me when I made it home, she told me she was disappointed I had lied and I went to bed (much worse than getting yelled at---just yell at me already!!). I hate letting people down. I guess that is the first born in me....a people pleaser. Well, all in all a great year. I was a junior in high school. I don't remember anything too eventful. I think I decided I was going to Ole Miss at this point, and started filling out college applications and taking the ACT (that feels like it was eons ago).

2001-- I graduated from high school with plans to go to Ole Miss in the fall. Freshman year was awesome. I pledged Pi Phi in the fall, and made lots of great friends, and sisters all at the same time. Christmas break was a very tough and trying time, I lost a great friend who I still miss. But, all of my friends helped me through (well I guess we helped each other through).

2002-- My grandfather passed away and my parents started talking about moving to Alabama. At the time I couldn't believe they were thinking of moving, but they eventually did. I dove head first into any and everything Ole Miss. I went to my first Sorority Formal (had a blast....but not as much fun as some people ) and learned to LOVE Ole Miss baseball. Ole Miss football was an easy fit, I have always enjoyed football, but spending all weekend in the outfield at Swayze field is second to none. I remember the weekend series vs. LSU the most, because Cooper was about to fight a little kid for a foul ball!! Haha!

2003-- Eli's last year with the Rebels.....awesome season to be a Rebel. The grove at the LSU game was AWESOME--except for all the folks in yellow and purple!!! This was also the year we beat Florida and tore down the goal posts! Too bad we lost to LSU....our kicker missed his first field goal of THE YEAR, and the center stepped on Eli's foot. We went to the Cotton Bowl anyway, and won!

2004-- Met Bryan in the fall of 04 while working at Moe's. I had such a crush on him, but thought he never even noticed me. He ended up asking me to the Vanderbilt game, and the rest is history. He was a great date....and then an even better boyfriend! That Christmas Bryan gave me Bailey our Beagle that we still have.

2005--Bryan started pharmacy school in the fall and had a great year. Bryan and I got engaged on the 50 yard line at Vaught Hemingway Stadium. I of course said yes, and then cried like a baby!! This became a trend in later years....I cry too easily when I am happy! I also graduated from Ole Miss with my BS in Exercise Science.

2006--Bryan and I got married in my dream wedding on the coast. It was beautiful, and I don't thank my parents enough for that wedding! It was perfect and everything I wanted!!! So, thanks Mom if you are reading. I started working at NMRC in March and loved it. I was working as a Recreational Therapist.

2007-- Bryan and I moved in the fall to Jackson for pharmacy school and I took a job with HRC another state entity. I missed Oxford like crazy. Bryan and I didn't see much of each other because he had to study so much. P5 year was ridiculous!!! I had to learn how to keep myself busy and entertain myself (this comes in handy now that I am a stay at home mom).

2008-- Moved back to Oxford, and back to NMRC. Bryan started rotations and began thinking ahead to a future which didn't involve school and studying ALL the time.

2009--Spent NYE in Dallas ringing in the New Year by going to the Cotton Bowl to beat Texas Tech. Bryan graduated from Pharmacy School after lots of hard work. I could finally stop being the breadwinner!!! Haha! Bryan accepted a job with Fred's and worked all over filling in until his new store opened October 1, 2009. I accepted a job with Youth Villages that I loved!! I was working in Recreation again and loving it!! We started building our home, and moved in at the end of September.

2010--We spent another NYE in Dallas ringing in the New Year by watching Ole Miss beat Oklahoma State in the Cotton Bowl at the new Cowboys stadium. Awesome trip. Got home and found out later in January that we were expecting. Found out in April we were having a little boy. Met our baby boy October 1, and our lives have been forever changed!! I wouldn't have believed you last year if you had told me all this year would have in store for us.

2011-- Rang in the New Year with two dear friends, Ryan and Kara (Bryan's best friend he met in Pharmacy School and his wife that I adore!). Who knows what this year has in store for the Benton's but it is going to be hard to top last year.