With the dawn of 2006 just around the corner, it is the time of year to take a look back at all that has happened over the past 365 1/2 days. Many things have changed, some good and some bad...but in the end, time goes on, and another year passed. Starting at the beginning...

#1) matt moved to columbia. ending our 7 hour long distance relationship, creating a new 2 hour long distance relationship, and allowing me to discover the beauty and wonder that is central missouri.

#2) Pope John Paul II passed away. the first non-italian pope since the 16th century; credited as a major force behind the fall of communism; spoke nine languages fluently; is already under beatification process in Rome. big deal for us catholics.

#3) shannon got married. to some, this is just another wedding. but to my family, this was the event of all events. with three wedding dates that didn't work out, a husband stationed in iraq, and only three weeks to plan, this was a wedding to remember. congrats to shannon and abe.

#4) elizabeth was born. my first neice, the first grandchild on both sides of her family, and a very loved baby was added to our geneology. welcome to the world, elizabeth rose.

#5) i turned 23. that wasn't very exciting...especially since i fell asleep at 10:30 that night. but it happened, and i'm another year older.

#6) hurricane katrina. unbelievable, even though the media coverage has drastically died down. the most tragic part of the entire disaster is the people who lost everything, which was close to nothing. keep helping in any way you can.

#7) those damn gas prices. the most expensive gas i've ever seen plagued the country. almost $3 in stl, and much more in other places. driving was fun before it cost $50 to fill your tank.

#8) my grandpa turned 75. what an old guy. still kicking though, even has a few girlfriends. happy birthday, grandpa.

#9) iraq. hits close to home, with abe being stationed there. by december, 67% of registered iraqis voted. even if religious freedom isn't possible, a stable democracy is never a bad thing.

#10) tom and kris get married (this hasn't actually happened yet, but will on the 31st). sort of like the brady bunch, except seven kids, and no dog. best wishes to the entire family.

and that concludes...i'm sure a lot of other things happened in 2005, but this is just the highlights. happy 2006 to everyone, best wishes, god bless, peace...see you next year!