10 years?!?!

10 years ago this very weekend I became a resident of the fine state of Kansas. I know... I know... Those of you that knew me then are thinking, "Could it really have been 10 YEARS ago?!?!?" , but, alas, it was. On April 4, 1999, Gretchen, Scott, and I pulled in to town and lodged at the Amerisuites as it was a Sunday and I would not be able to get in to my apartment until Monday. Also, the truck with all my belongings would not be there until Wednesday, so it was good to have a bed. I took that first Monday off to do things like sign apartment contracts (have it on video, by the way, if you want to watch it just ask), get my car registered, get a license, etc. And even though I told the people at work this, they neglected to tell me that those offices were not open on Monday. So, with a beautiful, sunny day all to ourselves with nothing to do, we headed to Kauffman Stadium to take in the Royals home opener. (Something that I would make a tradition for many years to come.) I knew nobody down here when I moved and spent many weeknights and weekends alone until I finally made some acquaintances - some of which would change my life forever. (Hint. Hint.) I discovered my church the weekend I was down apartment hunting - before I even moved here. The offertory was a Billy Joel song, I mean, come on! And I am pleased to say I and have been in attendance almost every weekend since.

Christopher asked me yesterday how long I thought I would stay here when I moved. I honestly can't remember. I do know that when I started working at Black & Veatch in Michigan I came to Kansas City for some training. In the evenings when my friend, Boyd, and I were out exploring Overland Park I thought it was a really nice place and I would like to live here. DONE. I even went so far as to pick out Shawnee Mission South as the school at which I would someday teach Spanish. DONE. I also told him that I would have my children at Menorah Medical Center because "who wouldn't want to have their children at a hospital with a giant Menorah out front." DONE. I also picked out the neighborhood that I would someday live in. Now that hasn't happened yet, but my time here is not over yet... Just for fun, let's just take a look at some of the things that have changed since 1999. (Yes, you can sing that if you want.)

1999: Honda Civic 2009: Honda Odyssey
1999: One-bedroom apartment 2009: Four-bedroom house

1999: Gas was $0.89 2009: Bought it for $1.82 yesterday (Difference would have been more impressive last summer...)

1999: Attended LOTS of Royals games 2009: Have tickets for 8 games so far

1999: Mike Sweeney, Jeremy Giambi, Jermaine Dye were Royals (but I rooted for the Tigers just to get Christopher's goat) 2009: Don't get me started. If they trade Mark Teahen, I will REALLY be done with them. I mean it this time.

1999: Spent lots of nights at Blades games 2009: No more hockey in KC

1999: 90210 and ER 2009: The Office and ER (until 3 days ago, that is)

1999: Chinese Palace and learning Chinese 2009: Chipotle. mmmmm....

1999: Driving music - Billy, ABBA, anything good for singing LOUDLY 2009: Nothing I get to pick myself, I can assure you of that.

1999: Cammie 2009: Camille (even though I left her in Ann Arbor with two smelly male roommates, she never gave up on me. And still the same great friend even with the big name change.)
1999: Just me 2009: Me, Christopher, Noah, Benjamin, Abby, Sydney, Satchel, Zeke, and Cal

Let's see... Am I forgetting anything? Oh, yes... My family THEN: My family NOW: Have I been blessed, or what? Can't wait to see what the next 10 years brings.