Best of 2010

Here's my list of favorites from the past year:

1. Best Novel - Water for Elephants by Sarah Gruen was my favorite read from the last year. I loved traveling back to the Great Depression era circus train, meeting all of the strange characters and falling in love with that sweet elephant, Rosie. I also liked the Notebook-esque use of the old man telling the story of his youth and wondering who his wife turned out to be. I am sooo excited to see the Reese Witherspoon/Robert Pattinson movie which just happens to come out right before my birthday - happy birthday to me!

2. Best Non-fiction book - The Land Between, Finding God in Difficult Transitions by Jeff Manion - I downloaded this book on the Kindle because it said it was free, but it wasn't. Fortunately, this book knew that I needed it. It is written with compassion by a pastor who knows what it means to struggle through the trials and circumstances of life. It is also a study of Moses and the Israelite's time in the desert, but Manion seamlessly melds new Biblical insights with practical application and encouragement for life today. I have not finished reading it because it's become a sort of devotional for me. I find myself craving his words of assurance and encouragement on a regular basis. I may just start over when I'm finished.

3. Best Children's Book Series - Knuffle Bunny by Mo Willems - I'm pretty sure the man is a genius of some sort. I love how his pictures meld New York streets with cartoon drawings and the way his writing captures the passion of a child and hilarity of parenting. My daughter loves these books so much that get them from the library over and over again. The final installment, Knuffle Bunny Free, was just released, but don't read it until you've read Knuffle Bunny and Knuffle Bunny, Too. My family's favorite part is in the first book when the little girl goes "boneless" in her daddy's arms. Don't tell Hope, but she's getting the whole series and her very own Knuffle Bunny for her birthday. I can't wait!!!

4. Best Movie - Inception - This is the only movie this year that I walked out of in awe. In awe of the movie experience I just had, in awe of the special effects and powerful story, and most of all, in awe of the amazing mind of Chris Nolan. In an industry made up of story lines recycled into oblivion, he came up with something completely new and mind blowing. I'm pulling for it to win best picture at the academy awards this year. If you haven't seen it, do, but be sure it's on the biggest screen you can find with a high quality sound system so that you can have the full Inception experience.

5. Best Family Experience - our first real family vacation in Tennessee - whether trying not to lose any children while tubing down the river, exhausting my kids on what was supposed to be a 3 mile round trip hike to a waterfall (turned out it was 6 miles in 90 degree heat and we didn't quite make it), going out for Mexican food or just hanging around what the kids now call "our cabin," it was awesome to get away from everyday life to focus on fun and family. The only problem now is that our kids want to go back next year.

6. Best Personal Experience - Italy! - It was truly the trip of a lifetime. From the cafes on every corner that invite you to come in and sit as long as you want, to the beautiful, passionate language and gorgeous people and paintings and buildings, not to mention getting to talk about the love that God has for his people with people that have never heard it before, it was more than I ever imagined it would be.

7. Best Daughter - Hope Elizabeth - She continues to leave me in wonder as she wants to be like me, but is so much her own person. Her first day of kindergarten she sat in her desk and never even looked up at me to wave good-bye. She was ready to strike out on her own, much more so than Mommy, who left with tears in her eyes. She is the delight of my heart, a gift that I never expected.

8. Best 3rd Son - Joshua Brody - my little turkey pot pie, as I affectionately call him, continues to crack me up with timely one liners and hilarious retorts. He is as sweet as can be and tough as nails, too. I feel for him being sandwiched between two older brothers and a little sister who acts like a little mommy, but am proud of him for finding his own path, too.

9. Best 2nd Son - Gabe - He is still crazy as he's been since he was a toddler and perceptive. His way with words is a blessing and a curse as he tells great stories, cheers up family members when they are down and offers stunning insight into all sorts of things, while also having the power to crush or manipulate a sibling at will.

10. Best Oldest Son - Lukas Joel - named after his dad, he continues to clash with him the most, but only because he's so desperate to become a man himself. Battling dyslexia, Lukas has become a middle schooler who works hard in all of his classes, brings home good grades and is a voracious reader, much to my amazement. He is learning an instrument, making new friends and doing a pretty good job of managing what I tend to think are the worst years of a person's life.

11. Best Husband - Joel - Juggling a full-time job, full-time school and a full-time family, Joel continues to impress his teachers, minister to students and still make time to talk to his wife at the end of a long day. I'm still mystified by the fact that he loves me while knowing the depth of my flaws. I continue to grow in respect for the man that God is making him to be and look forward to finishing this journey with Joel at my side.

12. Best Dog Ever - Gabby - Last but not least is my puppy who came straight from the hand of God to me. We have the most co-dependent relationship I've ever heard of between an owner and pet, but it makes me deliriously happy and she seems quite pleased, herself (as long as I'm around). She is my running partner, protector, snuggler, play friend and companion and I've decided she has to live forever as no other dog could possibly be as awesome as Gabby.

There were so many great things about 2010, but these are the top. 2011 is already underway and is off to a good start. As Joel will not be done with grad school until May of 2012, I'm trying not to view this year as the year between, but to look for all the hope and possibilities that God has for us.

May you be blessed in the new year.