The award for "Most Memorable Event of 2010"...

...goes to the birth of Ryan! (Was there any question?) This is also the event I'm most grateful for. (Was there any doubt?) There was never a baby more loved than this one. You can't help but smile when you see his fat cheeks, pinch his chubby legs, or kiss his round belly. He's the easiest baby I've had yet, and a pure delight to have in our family. Every second of every day I'm grateful that he is mine. And now, at 7 months old I'm wishing time would stop. All the signs that he's growing up (crawling, teething, weaning, eating solids) sadden me. I should be happy about them, but I just want him to stay a baby forever. Ryan's existence has also taught me what it really means to be tired. I thought I was tired when Alexis was born--I had no idea. I thought I was tired when Tyler was a baby--I was very wrong. And if it's possible to be more tired than I am now, I don't care to find out. His sleep has been so beyond horrible the past two months (there's reasons but it's a long story) that I've learned just how little sleep I can function on--it's pretty remarkable actually. Despite that, he still is absolutely perfect! That may not make sense to you, but that's just how awesome he is. Even if I were never able to sleep again, I would still keep him. (But let's hope it doesn't come to that!)

Runner-up for the Most Memorable Event of 2010:
Being unemployed for 6 months.
Half the year.
Beginning of May through the end of October.
Basically, a long time!
This is also the event I'm second most grateful for. (Surprised?) I've tried to sit down and write about this at least 5 or 6 times, but I just can't do it justice so I quit. And I still can't give it an adequate description. It was awesome and not awesome all at the same time (but more awesome than not). It was a blessing in disguise. It was exactly what we needed. It was good for our family and our faith. It allowed us to see just how loved we are. It taught us to accept service. It strengthened our marriage. Alexis, Tyler and Ryan all got to know their dad even better. Jeremy had the best summer ever, a time we jokingly refer to as "The Summer of Jeremy". I was able to relax and enjoy Ryan as a baby because I had help. We learned to better distinguish between needs and wants. We had confirmed to us that paying a full tithe is more important than anything else we could do with our money. We had more time to give to others. We saw that prayers are answered. We understood better that our lives are not in our hands. We learned lessons on patience. And we developed empathy for those in a similar situation (which, unfortunately, we know many).

Overall it was a good experience for us, which is kind of odd, but not every day was easy. I know our experience isn't what every one's is like, and my attitude about it may not be what most people's is, but I can provide a listening ear if you find yourself in the same situation. Also, Jeremy's opinion varies a little from mine because he was the one that was putting all the work into looking for a new job. I know at times it felt overwhelming, frustrating, and pointless. But we kept confident and optimistic (most of the time) because we knew there was something out there for him--and he did find something great. It's not his dream job, but he enjoys it, it pays the bills, and the schedule is a trillion times better than his old job. In fact, even on the worst day of unemployment he NEVER once wished he had his old job back. (And neither did I--we were burnt out there!)
Honorable Mentions of 2010:
Tyler played itty bitty basketball
I helped out a lot in Alexis' kindergarten class
Family vacation to Phoenix (and missed our return flight)
Alexis played soccer
Last Rhino trip (to Hole in the Rock with Jeremy's parents and brother) before the baby
Jeremy and Tyler participated in their first father/son camp out
Alexis "graduated" kindergarten
Jeremy and I celebrated our 8th wedding anniversary
Jeremy and the kids went on lots of camping or Rhino trips
Ryan and I stayed home and napped!
Weekend trip to a cabin with friends
Alexis turned 6 (and celebrated with a friends party)
Jeremy built us new bedroom furniture
Family reunion with Jeremy's family
Jeremy hiked King's Peak (quite the accomplishment!)
Ryan gained a lot of weight
Tyler learned to ride a 2-wheeler
Alexis started 1st grade
Tyler started a weekly playgroup/preschool with friends and neighbors
Tyler turned 4 (and had his first party with friends)
Alexis lost her first (and second!) tooth
Ryan learned to crawl
We bought a new car, and the old one reached 200,000 miles!
Quick trip to Las Vegas for a baby blessing
My little sister got married
and we welcomed a total of 4 new nieces and nephews!

2010 was quite the year, and while I loved it, I really hope 2011 is a lot less eventful!