Bye, Bye 00's

(Quiz: Where's Ben?)

A Concise History of the 2000's Decade
*I rang in Y2K at Calvary Temple Church in Fort Wayne, Indiana playing loud worship songs for screaming Youth Group kids, Sarah was there too (er...in the Youth Group) * I graduated from Taylor University and skipped the ceremony to be at my best friend's wedding! * Headed west with some buddies, tried to swim across the Colorado River at the bottom of the Grand Canyon, almost died, had to be rescued * Moved to Fort Wayne to be involved at Soul Trip * Got a random job at the airport * For three years flew all over the world, sometimes for 24 hrs (England, Australia, Europe, Brazil w/ future boss, etc..) * Met a girl (Sarah) * Dated that girl * Ben got married to Becky in the desert * Got engaged * Bought a house * Got married * Honeymoon at Las Bugambilias in Oaxaca * Quit airport * Got random job at environmental consulting firm * Got a dog (June) * Steve got married to Shea * Went to New York to see Andrew * Stood in line at Beard Papa's for cream puffs * It was worth it * Got another dog (Pete) * Grandpa Fritz died * Caleb's Born to Jeff and Steph *Went to Japan * Sarah pregnant * Eden's born to Jeff and Steph * Grace is born to Jacob and Abigail * Went to game five of the AL Championship with Jeff * $150 blew across a parking lot and landed at my feet * Sort of looked for the owner * Not found * Money bought our tickets * Tigers bomb in the World Series * Greyson's born to Steve and Shea* Son (Cash) is born * Went to Tahoe * Steve flips jet-ski spilling gasoline all over the pristine lake * Polar bear swimming * Jackson is born to Ben and Becky * Next summer at Lexington * Start new chruch with friends * Sarah pregnant again* Jacob is born to Steve and Shea * Sophia is born is born to Jeff and Steph *Daughter (Story) is born .... a lot happened in the 2000's and the story continues in the 2010's
(much was left out: create your own concise history)

Best of 2009:
Music:
- Girls Album
- Wilco The Album
- Morrissey Years of Refusal
- The XX
- David Bazan Curse Your Branches

Books:
- Olive Kitteredge - Elizabeth Strout
- Downtown Owl - Chuck Klosterman
- American Salvage - Bonnie Jo Campbell
- Let the Great World Spin - Collum McCann

Random memories/thoughts:

1. Dave Ford taught me how to drive with your knees on the way home from a softball tournament in Lansing once.
2. When given the chance Gaines boys will always order cookie dough or brownie batter, and always order a large orange juice when at a restaurant for breakfast.
3. Few things consistently make me cry except these 1) Sports movies 2) Unexpected sports victories, and 3) Chesley Sullenberger

HAVE A GREAT NEW YEAR!!!!!