(Conner, Catie, Courtney and Carlie posing for a picture in Santa's lap.)As the new year progresses, I find myself looking back on 2010 and wondering how it's possible that another twelve months have come and gone so quickly. Where did the time go?
It doesn't take long, however, before visions of the past flood my memory with Graduate School assignments and deadlines, followed by weeks of hot, sweltering summer afternoons of chasing our little ones around the baseball parks. And who in the family will ever forget those first days of Kindergarten for our twins? Ah, this still brings tears to my eyes.
(Catie enjoyed spending the day w/ me at CWEMC, and I was thrilled she came for a visit.) 
(Poor Santa!)Whew...now it's easy to see how time has marched on so quickly for our boisterous bunch. Nevertheless, there are several events from 2010 that will forever be in my heart, as these moments have changed my life and helped me become a stronger, better person.
(Our home during Christmas.)
(My first attempt at making a Paula Deen cheesecake. YUM!)Shortly after our children settled in to a new school year, my writing shifted in a direction like never before. The hopes of gaining representation for my young adult novel became ever so close, and I could finally see a light at the end of the query tunnel. So, while working on revisions with an agent in New York, a new, amazing concept entered my head, and without hesitation, I decided to go for it. Don't worry friends, you'll hear more about this incredible story in the coming weeks/months.
A few weeks later another wonderful opportunity opened up. On Nov. 16th I was hired at Clarke-Washington Electric Membership Corporation www.cwemc.com as the co-op's monthly magazine editor and also to coordinate events for Youth Tour and their 75th anniversary celebration.
(All 9 of the Armstrong grandchildren.)
(My siblings - Brandon and Tera) 
(My dad reading the story of Jesus' birth to his grandchildren. His philosophy - Each day of our lives we make deposits in the memory banks of our children!)
What about you? Is 2011 moving you in a new direction? My prayer for 2011 is that it will be a time of joy, peace and health for you and your family. Happy New Year, everyone! Love, Tory
