Valerie Easterling (Appert)

How can I be 38 years old? The older I get, the quicker the days fly by.

I have been married to my husband Jeff, an ABQ native, for 10 years. We met at UNM while I was very slowly making my way through grad school. We lived in ABQ for a year after we were married, and then moved to Nashville, TN for three years. We now live in Littleton, CO and have been here for six years.

On December 11, 2006, we met our first daughter, Malia, in Changsha, Hunan Province, China! She was sweet, quiet, beautiful and just shy of her first birthday. We spent two weeks in China getting to know her and visiting Hong Kong, Changsha and Guangzhou. China is beautiful, both the scenery and the people. We loved every minute of our stay and hope to return for a second child in the future. Malia brings much joy to our lives and she is a bright, funny and inquisitive little sweetheart. Who cares that she thinks sleeping is a waste of a good 3:00 am play session and napping is for the birds!

I still love soccer! A very unfortunate knee injury over two years ago, and four surgeries to try and correct it, has left me unable to play and with a slight limp. For now, I try to enjoy biking, hiking, walking and learning to run again, but nothing can replace playing that game, or running! I continue to love coaching and try to work with kids at all levels and age groups. I dont, however, always enjoy the soccer moms and dads !!! I imagine I may be one someday soon ...

I am currently taking time away from the corporate world and have no idea when I might return, or in what capacity or field. For now, I enjoy sitting on the floor with Malia while playing with toys and reading books!

I hope to make it to our reunion!

Valerie