One year ago today...

...I waited anxiously while George went to the embassy again, in hopes of finally hearing "approved!"

He was approved, and we waited for two more weeks to have visa in hand and man on the way.

This time last year, I could feel change coming, but had no idea what it would like. I didn't really think too much about 2010, just that it wouldn't be as sad and hard as 2009. I was right about that at least. There was still a lot of hard, but different hard. I'm not sure if transition is ever easy. It has been surprising just how long it takes to settle in, for the constant changes to slow a little; for us be a little more in control of the chaos instead of the chaos controlling us.

I have had far fewer sleepless nights; I've mostly cried because I'm just so darn happy or empathetic to someone else's struggle or pain...not because I am the sad one. I laughed and smiled a lot more this year. I let things roll of my back and tried to just enjoy the moments. I wake up every morning to the man of my dreams with a smile on my face and thanksgiving to God that we made it! Okay, I do that nearly every morning....but the mornings after that man snored all night and kept me up?.....it takes a few minutes to get to that happy place!

2010 has been great! Lots of ups, some downs, but all around wonderful! I had no idea this time last year how great things would be. God gave us better than we could have imagined!

As for 2011? This time around, we do have hopes and plans and dreams....