A Decade (Part 3: 2007-2009)

As far as my life goes thus far, 2007 has been the hardest part of it all. It started off okay, in January I turned 21 and celebrated with friends.In February things started to fall apart. Seth and I called off our engagement, we were fighting all the time and both of us had pretty much given up on the other. At the time we were living together in Campbellsville, both still attending CU, his name was on the lease so I had to find another place to live and fast. I moved in with some friends that April, we had fun but I couldn't help thinking something was missing. Seth and I were still seeing each other, taking part in the occasional "overnight visit". *Cue pregnancy test* In June I found out I was pregnant. Seth and his family were not particularly happy with the news, which only hurt me more. Eventually, August rolled around and the friends I had moved in with decided to move out, my parents and I decided it would be best for me (and baby) to move back to Frankfort. I moved back August 1st. Seth stayed in Campbellsville.

On August 6, 2007, very late in the evening, my phone rang, it was a friend from Campbellsville. Pam and Christie had been in a car accident, Pam had been killed. I lost it. I remember thinking how could something so horrible happen to someone so wonderful. Now I realize that I was right about how wonderful she was, God knew it too. That is exactly why he brought her home to him so early in life. I miss her dearly. Selfishly, I wish she was still here but I know that she is in a much better place and I will see her again someday.

The next couple months went by in a blur. My pregnancy went by slowly, Seth came home to visit most weekends, we were still not "together" but trying to work on things. On November 25, 2007 I went into premature labor due to an e-coli infection. Colton Lee Darnell was born that day, 17 weeks early. He stayed in the hospital, in critical condition, for the remainder of 2007. It was the worst time of my life. Seth and I leaned on each other, he moved back to Frankfort and we discovered that the three of us; me, him and Colton, belonged together.

2007 was the year of pain.

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The only goal I had for 2008 was to make it better than the year before. With a lot of help from God, I succeeded. In May, Colton finally got to come home from the NICU.I finally got to be a hands-on, 100% of the time Mommy. That little boy holds the key to my heart. Late that summer, Seth proposed (for the second time) and I said YES!On November 15, 2008 I married my best friend. It was amazing.2008 was the year of magic.

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Now, here we are at 2009. It is amazing how much things can change in ten years. This year we bought a house and completely renovated it.and our miracle baby boy turned TWO!Looking back over the last decade, one thing is for sure, I have been blessed beyond belief. 2009 has been the year of joy.

Wishing everyone a Happy New Year. May all the days of 2010 find you living, laughing and loving. See you all next year!

A Decade (Part 2: 2004-2006)

2004 was a really big year, it was the year I graduated from high school and turned 18. Seth and I did everything together, prom, graduation, it was magical. The end of senior year was amazing to say the least, I quit my job at McDonald's for a more "dignified" position at a local cardiologist's office and spent most of my time enjoying my last days in Frankfort before college.
It was also the year that the Flyer Dance Team won first place at a National Dance Competition.

and the year that I got engaged to Seth (for the first time... stay tuned for more info on that in 2007.)2004 was the year of goodbyes.

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By 2005, I was a college freshman at Campbellsville University with Seth by my side. Going into college I had every intention of majoring in broadcast journalism. However, before classes even started I decided to change it to Elementary Education (my true calling). I gained the freshman 15 plus a few. Seth played football again and I got back into cheerleading.
I roomed with several different girls those first few semesters, ultimately ending up living with one of my best friends from back home, Tiffany.
Our up and down friendship paid off, she is still one of the first people I turn to whenever I need a friend.

2005 was the year of new beginnings.

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The single most important event of 2006 was the moment I met Christie and Pam. Due to one of mine and Tiffany's "down" times, I decided to move in with a whole new group of girls at CU. I moved into the downstairs floor of their townhouse.These girls were unlike anyone I had ever met before. I had always believed in God but they showed me by example what it was like to be a true follower of Jesus Christ. They are two of the most amazing people I have and will ever meet in my entire life. We were together non-stop during that year, girls nights, rook tournaments, intense corn hole games, we did everything together. I love them both and wish with all my heart that it was even possible for all three of us to be together again, in this life anyway.2006 was the year of Pam and Christie.

A Decade (Part 1: 2000-2003)

In the year 2000, as a 13 going on 14 year old, I totally gave in to the Y2K hype. My horse, Nugget (R.I.P.) was very sick so I spent New Years Eve 1999 with her in her stall at the horse farm. I kept thinking that if this was the "end of the world" my last moments alive were going to be spent shoveling sick horse poo, let me just say this, it was not pretty. It wasn't the 'end of the world' of course, so that is how I entered this decade.

In the summer of 2000 I met my best friend, partner in crime and future maid of honor, Christina. *FYI the middle person in the below picture is no longer our friend, its entirely possible she might attempt to sue me for placing her face on my blog so I have no choice but to "blemish fix" it. =)We were two crazy teenagers, entering our first year at Franklin County High School, she had just transferred to FC as a sophomore and I was an entering Freshman. That summer, before we started school, she moved in my neighborhood directly across the street. It was the beginning of a life-long friendship. We are both married now with our own separate lives, we don't see each other as often as I would like, but I still consider her one of my very best friends. 2000 was the year of Christina.

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In 2001 I turned 15. My life was all about boys and cheerleading.I spent most of my time doing the latter. I got a job at McDonald's to save up for my first car, it was hell and probably part of the reason that I had to have my gallbladder removed that October. I met a guy, who would later be the first to break my heart. 2001 was the year of the cheerleader.

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I went into the year 2002 looking forward to two things only, turning 16 and getting my driver's license. I studied the driver's manual non-stop for months and in July I took my test and passed with flying colors. I had saved up for a down-payment the year before, turning that money over to my parents when it was time for them to make the big purchase. I fell in love with a 1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse while car shopping one day and a couple of weeks later my mother surprised my by checking me out of school and walking out with me to that exact car. . That was also the year I decided to quit the cheerleading squad and try-out for the dance team, I loved both sports (and yes I consider them sports) so I figured two years of each would work out great. I made the team!!! 2002 was the year of the eclipse.

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Remember that first heartbreak I spoke of, well 2003 was the year it happened. After dating around for several months post break up, 2003 also turned into the year I started "going out with" my future husband. Funny how things work out, ain't it? He and I had met in our kindergarten class years earlier but never really noticed one another until that summer. The months after were full of typical high school senior stuff...

like being prisoners of love.
We were full of school spirit,

he played football (#67)while I cheered him on with my friends (usually with his jersey # plastered on my cheek).We attended dancesand UK games (Go Cats!).That was a great year. 2003 was the year of my Seth.

Dancing Fools

Literally.

My little sister got this game for Christmas.She brought it to our house on Christmas morning. After a big breakfast of biscuits, gravy, eggs, sausage and bacon, she convinced us all to play her game.

The result was HILARIOUS. I genuinely wish I had video, the pictures just don't do it justice. However, I suppose they will have to do. Enjoy!

Girls Just Wanna Have Fun (my father)

You Can't Touch This (my sister, Samantha and Cousin Zach)
Hot n' Cold (my sister and me)
Cotton Eye Joe (Aunt Melinda and Cousin Miranda)

Wannabe (my mother and Miranda)
We certainly were a bunch of dancing fools. Fun times!

Toy Land

Christmas was lovely... very busy, but lovely. To recap:

Santa came.
We opened lots of presents.
We drove... and drove some more, visiting with oodles of family and friends.(and yes, that is Pops aka my dad dancing to 'Girls Just Wanna Have Fun' on the Wii, more on that tomorrow)

When we were finished visiting, we headed home to toy land to play.and play.and play some more.

like I said, Lovely.

Now, we are gearing up for New Years and then our big road trip up North.

Three Christmases

Christmas 2007 we held tightly to our FAITH.
Christmas 2008 we had nothing but HOPE.
This year, Christmas 2009, we are overflowing with LOVE & JOY.
Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and the happiest of New Years.

The Darnells