The Aughts - A Decade in Review

Seen a couple people do this now - thought I'd jump on the bandwagon. :)

2000 - This year both rocked and sucked. My dad passed away shortly after the new year at the age of 69. In happier news, B and I officially became an item. I also moved out of Mom's house and shared an apartment with a friend from work.

2001 - Can't remember too much about this year. B and I spent lots of time together doing all sorts of fun stuff. Definitely was affected by the 9.11 attacks especially considering United Airlines was our parent company. Convinced B to adopt Jim's cat Ayu.

2002 - Took my first trip to Asia in February/March. B and I spent three glorious weeks in Thailand. In August that year he proposed on the shores of Lake Michigan on Northwestern's campus - one of my favorite places when I was in school there. Shortly after we moved into an apartment together in Huntley and got our second kitty - Crisco. Started taking advantage of United's free travel benefit.

2003 - What a big year for us! We got married in October on the anniversary of the day we met. We honeymooned for three weeks in the Southern Caribbean on a cruise ship. We bought our first house - a brand new townhouse in Gilberts, IL. I also took my first ever business trip that year to San Francisco. And we added the 3rd kitty to our household - Sienna.

2004 - Started my first ever blog on LJ. I finally decided to leave MyPoints and went to work for The Job From Hell. I lasted only 4 months there before I escaped to Performics. Took the train into the Loop everyday. From Gilberts. We made a very difficult decision to find Ayu a new home since she was being all but terrorized by our other two cats. Flew to London for free in first class with B over Thanksgiving weekend.

2005 - Another big year for us. M$FT started courting me and ultimately made a job offer in the spring. I accepted and we made the move in May. Started this blog and all but abandoned LJ to keep in touch with family and friends back home. Lived in a couple of apartments, made lots of trips back to Chicago and bought our next townhouse in Woodinville.

2006 - Year of weddings! We attended 4 weddings that year, the most important and memorable being my best friend Summer's wedding in MN! We also started obsessively watching Buffy and Angel with dear friends Rob, Kristi and Nik.

2007 - I turned 30 and B threw me a fabulous surprise party. I learned how to knit. We learned how to make jam and ice cream. We paid off the last of our consumer debt. We saw lots of concerts. Had a scare with a sick kitty (who was ultimately diagnosed with Kitty Chrone's disease). And most importantly, got pregnant in July with our darling little boy!!!!!! At the end of the year we took our biggest road trip yet - bought a car in IL and drove it back to WA!

2008 - What a crazy year! B's company was acquired, and then a couple months later acquired again. April was of course the most memorable month - Caiden was born and forever changed our lives in such an amazing way. Lots of family and friends came to visit. We took Caiden on his first flight to have him baptized in August at St. Peter. I enjoyed a 5 month maternity leave followed by a dismal month back at work. Halfway through, I made the decision to leave the work force and be a stay at home mom - best decision EVER! We also paid off my student loan and both of the cars. Also had one of my old dreams come true - finally got to see New Kids on the Block in concert with my cousin Amy!

2009 - We told our families we were moving back to IL this year. And then the economy crashed. And then our kitchen flooded. And then the rental market was over saturated. We decided we'd tough it out in Seattle for another year. B changed jobs in September and we made lots of trips back home in the 2nd half of the year. Took our first hot air balloon ride. Found out my best friend Summer and her hubby were expecting their first baby!! Totally got into making cupcakes. Blogged A LOT - mostly about Caiden. :)

Looking back, I'd say I did a lot of growing up this decade. I think it was probably the most significant of my life thus far. It certainly had lots of ups and downs, but overall it wasn't too bad when I look at all the highlights. I think becoming a parent definitely had the biggest impact on me. I am looking forward to this next decade being fun and exciting, but maybe a little calmer. :)