Remembering 2010 and Happy 2011

Today is January 1, 2011. It's 1-1-11. Wow...it's hard to believe we have reached that date!

The past year went so fast, but it seems like the past decade has also flown by. I remember when people were wondering if the world would end in in 2000. The world is still here and it is 2011...

My youngest child, Annabelle, was born in 1999 and she only really remembers this past decade.

Anyway...enough of my rambling...

I will never forget 2010 because About.com sent me to the Winter Olympics as their sole media representative. Annabelle went with me. Going to the Olympics as a member of the media made me feel like I made the Olympics. It was an experience I will never forget.

Sadly, right in the middle of the men's long program, my husband's father, John Farris, died. While I was in Vancouver, Dan flew out to Long Beach to be with his father during his last days. It almost seemed like the two of us were in different realities during that time.

Other people we have known for many years who died in 2010 include Moishe Rosen and Annie Johnson.

I flew to Seattle before the Olympics and got to spend time with my cousin, Cherie Kadison Jay. Cherie became a grandmother a week or two after I left. Baby Lexie is the daughter of Cherie's son, Josh.

As usual, skating took up most of our time in 2010.

The things we'll remember most about skating in 2010 is that ALL THREE Schneider-Farris kids skated and competed in Midwesterns and at Junior Nationals. THAT is an achievement in itself. Annabelle also won the test-track Juvenile event at regionals.

We did some traveling too. During the summer, the kids and I went to Washington DC and Maryland to attend the Wheaton Ice Skating Academy Ice Dance Camp. We got to see the fireworks IN Washington DC ON the 4th of July!

We went to Long Beach and had a wonderful beach vacation in August. Dan had a great time visiting his family during that time. During that vacation, we got to see my dad's brother, Bobby, who we had not seen in about 15 years.

Joel and Rebekah and I also went to the Lake Placid Ice Dance Championsips where Joel and Rebekah won the intermediate free dance event.

Another highlight was getting to attend the 2010 Synchronized World Figure Skating Championships which took place right in Colorado Springs. I also went to the Professional Skaters Association (PSA) Convention which was in Colorado Springs.

Also, both Annabelle and Rebekah went to Camp Ramah Outdoor Adventure.

My mother is very ill right now. She became very ill in early September of 2010. Our family didn't think she'd make it until 2011, but at this time, she's hanging in there. I went to visit her in Illinois during late December of 2010 and spent some quality time with her and my dad.

Other news is that my sister Lynnellen is about to become the grandmother! Lynnellen's son, Cody, will be the father of twins (a boy and girl). The babies are due any day now.

The kids and I made an commitment to take part in everything Mountain Vista Homeschool Academy offered this school year. That commitment has made them very busy. Through the school, they took part in the Parade of Lights Parade, were in a recital at the Colorado Springs Conservatory, and were part of the school's drama club presentation. They learned Taekwondo, Kung Fu, fencing, and baton. Joel said learning about the Holocaust at school was difficult, but he is glad he's had that opportunity. They kids got to make some great art projects in their art class. There is so much going on with their school, that the children's lives are so very busy and full. Although they are homeschooled, they are the busiest kids in the world in my opinion!

Some other "kind of neat things" are that thanks to Facebook, I've reunited with many friends from my past in 2010 including Bernadette McEwan (who I last saw the day I graduated from Junior High), Erin Madison (who was one of my best friends the first half of 8th grade I recall), Lenny Shaw (who went to elementary school with me starting in about 3rd grade), and Barbi Smith (who everyone in the figure skating world is so glad to find!).

I've reunited with many other people. In fact, my list of Facebook friends has grown to over 1100. Many of my Facebook friends are figure skaters. Skating just connects people. I love it!

Facebook has really made life fun in my opinion. Now I don't have to wait to December to receive holiday cards telling me what is happening in people's lives. It's great!

We wish all of our friends who read this a great 2011.

Happy New Year and Happy 2011!