Measuring 525,600 Minutes

Five hundred twenty-five thousand six hundred minutes,
Five hundred twenty-five thousand moments so dear.
Five hundred twenty-five thousand six hundred minutes
How do you measure, measure a year?

In daylights, in sunsets, in midnights
In cups of coffee
In inches, in miles, in laughter, in strife.

In five hundred twenty-five thousand
Six hundred minutes
How do you measure
A year in the life?

How about love?
(From the musical Rent)

525,600 minutes. It doesn't sound like a lot of time, really. And, in actuality, one year is not that much time in the grand scheme of a life. Yet so much can change in one year.

Change. You know, when we were young, my parents would label a year according to, "The year of ______." There was "The year of house projects" or "The year of the graduations." I remember there was one particular year they titled, "The year of change." But when you think about it, couldn't all years be given that title? One of the crazy, wonderful, frustrating, joyous things about this life is its fluidity. Things never stay the same (thank God).

This year has certainly been one of changes- all wonderful. I have seen many Facebook updates stating something to the affect of "Thank God 2010 is over!" Due to the fact that change is never easy, and the fact that I in particular am slow to accept change, I was tempted to feel the same towards 2010. However, as I began going over pictures from the past 525, 600 minutes, I realize there is so much to celebrate.

So here is a look back on the more memorable moments of my past year:

Snow 2010
I thought this was so amazing! Snow like this in Texas will probably never happen again in my lifetime. Although, I wouldn't mind if it did.

And yes, we happen to have one of the cutest dogs in the world. But we're biased. :)

End of school year '09-'10
The end of another school year this past spring was really a reminder in how much I love what I do. Teaching is a wonderful thing, particularly when you work with such great people. That year was particularly memorable because my kids were wonderful, I worked with an awesome team of teachers, and I had the opportunity to refine lessons I already had- therefore getting to really focus on my kids. Here are a couple of my favorite features from my classroom this past year.

Home Projects- Summer
How true is it that, as a homeowner, your house is never, ever finished? This is not something Teen Magazine, Hollywood movies, or any of my Barnes and Noble purchases prepared me for. Just something you learn as soon as you join the club. However, despite the effort it takes, working on the house was fun, especially because of who I got to work with!

By the way, the Lantana expanded practically over night. Thank goodness, I'm not sure I got my mom's green thumb.

Bahamas Trip
This past summer marked the second Thompson/Martin trip. Kyle and I absolutely love taking vacations with these two wonderful people. We are certain there are more in the future.

The above picture is particularly special. Not only was it taken on our last night in the Bahamas, but it was also taken on our fourth anniversary. Just before this picture, the four of us ate at the hibachi grill on the resort. We sat with other couples, as you often have to at hibachi restaurants, many of whom were newly weds. I remember thinking as we ate, "I can't believe we are not one of the newlyweds!" Four years have gone by very quickly. Now, I would say I have the best husband in the world, but any woman who loves her husband will say the same thing. What I can say is that he is the best husband for me, and that he is the most kind hearted, dedicated, sweet man with the best laugh that I have ever met. Marriage is something that requires constant work. (Which, by the way, is something magazines, Hollywood, novels, and-even better- friends and family- warn you about. You're just inclined to somewhat ignore them.) But I simply cannot think of a more wonderful person to experience this journey with.

Rangers Post Season
Now I will admit, I have never been a baseball fan. It has always seemed a slow sport to me. However, I am married to one of the biggest Rangers fans in history. So, what does a good wife do? Buy her husband tickets to one game of the best Rangers post season to date, that's what!

I don't believe I'm exaggerating when I say that the only other time I have seen that man's smile that big was on our wedding day. :)

Ella Raeann
One of my favorite parts of this year has been all the babies born or on the way. After knowing nine, yes NINE, women pregnant at once, I can officially say I am in the baby stage of life. It seems all our friends are expanding their families. One special one in particular requires mentioning. Barb and I have known each other now for five years (wow!). We have seen one another through many different things, but this takes the cake. Watching her become a momma has been eye-opening, fun, joyous, and simply too cool! She will tell you that Ella is the most beautiful baby girl in the world. But she is the mom, and, therefore, a touch biased. So I am here to say that, though I have not met all the baby girls born in the history of the world, I am certain that God put forth a little more effort in this precious baby. And she is, most definitely, a doll.

Yes, ladies and gentlemen, not only did she look beautiful pregnant, but she is now back to her normal size. Lucky....

Graduations
My baby sister is now a Texas Ex! I'm so very proud of her. She is as smart as she is beautiful. That entire day we were all grins, thinking about all her accomplishments. Not only has she achieved so much, but she is now moving on to continue her degree in Speech Pathology. Emily has a passion for helping others, and a drive like none other. She has and will continue to do so much for others and it's simply too cool watching her do it.

My dear friend, Kelley Allen, also graduated with her doctorate here at the end of the year. So proud of her!

Friend Christmas Party
I love that we have the chance to get together with those we love at Christmas time. I will have to raid my family members' cameras for family Christmas pictures, but here are a few pictures of our circle of friends getting together for Christmas. It seems that each year brings in a new kiddo!

The Sessums, it seems, tend to have models for kids. Just saying. :)

Some good looking people in that bunch, huh? :)

So, to sum it up, more than a few memorable minutes out of those 525,600. And it's pretty incredible that each and every one of those minutes- the good ones, the difficult ones, the touching ones, the humorous ones- all contain so much love. Thank you, Heavenly Father, for being the One who gave and demonstrated that love.

On to the next season!
Sarah


P.S.
For those of you still reading (if anyone is), one more memorable part of 2010:

Yes, that is what you think it is. :)

Happy New Years to all!