December 31, 1999
- I fell asleep watching The Last Emperor with Brad. We watched the ball drop in Times Square on tv later that evening, but I still felt reallllly ruuuun downnn.
- Two days later, I had my second kidney stone. A day after that, I was hospitalized for ten days with a case of bacterial pneumonia in both lungs that almost killed me (the first of two brushes with death this decade).
- I had just completed my first semester of graduate school in Austin. Brad was looking for work here but still had a job in Dallas. We had been married a little over a year.
- We had no kids. (We decided to try for a baby five and a half months later, and I found out I was pregnant with Kieran a month and a half after that.)
This Decade
- I finished my M.A. and Ph.D.
- Brad went back to school and got a second bachelor’s degree (because THAT’s always smart, heh) and teaching certification.
- We accumulated close to $150,000 in school loan debts (see bullet immediately above :))
- We became parents, four times over. I gained 50 pounds.
- I tried out “staying home” with two small children (and about lost my damn mind).
- We moved back to Dallas, considered moving to Vermont, then moved back to Austin.
- We bought two houses and sold one.
- Brad’s dad passed away.
Decade the Next
- I watch my children grow to ages 18, 15, 12, and 10 (omg, I just threw up in my mouth a little).
- I employ babysitters more frequently to preserve my sanity.
- I remain gainfully employed. In Austin.
- We buy a bigger house.
- I lose 60 pounds. :)
I have every intention of doing some kind of Day Zero thing to start the new year, but it hasn’t materialized AS OF YET. You, my imaginary friends, will be the first to hear about it, though, as I will surely need to be held publicly accountable.
And you? What’s your #1 goal for the coming decade?
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
I have been thinking that I want to have at least 4 kids when I get married. Is four of them better for them? I mean, they have more siblings to play with and to learn from? Also, you as a parent, pro’s and con’s?
My goal of the new decade is to get my butt in gear and get my education. I love my current job too much to quit and use the government loans. So I work full time and go to school full time, but it kills me, so I don’t stick with it.
We will win!
I like having four. I always thought I’d have four, but didn’t think I’d find someone who’d want that many too. As far as whether it’s better for them/me, there are always pros/cons, so I think it depends what’s important to you. I was an only child until age 10, and it meant my mom only had me to focus on. I guess that’s good in some ways, but I also know I was hyperfocused/hypervigilant on my first son when he was the only one… creates some anxiety for them, I think.
I *love* having more… It honestly gets *easier* the more you have, I think. I was thinking this yesterday. I was sweeping the stairs, and the baby was down and trying to fall asleep. His pacifier had fallen out of his mouth, and he was crying, so I asked my oldest to run in and give it back to him. I continued sweeping the stairs. :) That is SO nice, such a huge plus to having older children around when you have little ones. My youngest is SO less dependent on me for entertainment than my first was – cries less, spends almost all his time staring at his siblings…
Working full time and going to school full time? Ouch. That’s a lot. I worked half-time and went to school full-time when my first son was born. I still remember it as one of the most difficult times in my life!
.-= Alicia´s last blog …Things I Love Thursday: Upcycled Security Envelope Ring =-.
Ooooh, like this outline! May steal, if I can get my mind together long enough to remember what’s happened over the last decade! :P
Happy New Year!
I’m with RainyDay. I like the outline. Would consider stealing it but am thinking that by Monday everyone will be all “2010? New Year’s-related stuff? That’s sooooo last week.” Ha!
I can’t wait to hear about your progress.
And you’re totally not a stalker. Her bday is 5/24. The day before one of my niece’s. And we totally geeked out over THAT when it happened because my other niece (at the time) shared MY birthday (we were 15 at the time). So there’s that.
And now I’m going to bed.
Happy New Year!