Looking Back... 14 years ago...

This picture was Chad meeting Taylor for the first time. He was in Korea for the first year and was home on a break... they haven't skipped a beat even with all his deployments. She loves her dad...



These are the two best things that came out of that 14 years..


Getting Aiden was just so emotional and wonderful... something special to be shared



This was our little guy waiting for us... he carried our photobook around..

I wanted to put a shout out to my husband "Happy Anniversary", yes he has been away for this one too! I think in our 14 years we have been apart 4 of them. I tell him that is what makes us strong. On the 17th Chad and I were married 14 years, it is amazing how time has flown by. It seems like just yesterday yet so much has happened in all that time. I remember calling home from Montana and telling my parents I was getting married. I think my mom was ready to faint. Chad and I had only been dating 8 months! I think if Taylor would come to me and tell me that I would have to fly to wherever she is and see what was going on... the things we put our parents through. I have to say that our love has just grown through the years and I am so thankful for such a great husband and father. Chads mom did a great job with him...

We have had great years together and then some tough years. Deployments 8 years in a row, the passing of my son while Chad was in Iraq - I still will never understand why God would allow something like that to happen - but I keep telling myself this: "I believe everyone serves a purpose in your life and when they leave your life it means they've served that purpose. Even if you don't know what that purpose is.." Our challenges have made us who we are today and I am so thankful for such a great guy to share things with. Here is a flash back of some of those years...

Faith Vs Fear...

I heard a great reference in a seminar I attended that so many people let "fear" guide their emotions and that we need to look to the opposite of fear which is "FAITH". I believe that is so true and keep telling myself that. This week is the last week of school for my kiddos and it comes with mixed emotions. Taylor is most likely going to be homeschooled next year and although I know it will be great for her - I still have that sick feeling in the pit of my stomach like, "What am I doing?"... But then I go to my support system (and it is big and wonderful out here) and know I am doing the right thing. I think the biggest thing I can do is to go to my BIGGEST support which is God, right? I really like some of the ladies in Taylor's class and it makes it hard saying goodbye. Okay, I guess enough on that pity party right? Just having one of those emotional days.

I have to say though, I am VERY excited to start this journey. I think the best thing is Taylor wants to be homeschooled. We have been at it part time this year and she has loved it. Aiden, well he is just happy go lucky right now. I can hardly believe that my kiddos will be going to my mother in laws for two weeks. I am going to be going crazy, but I guess I will put that time to good use. I went to some friends houses that homeschool to get ideas of what works for them in terms of their classroom setups - so I am hoping I make some headway in that department. I want to make it fun for all of us. I think to have a child have a love for learning you have to make it fun. Taylor is so into science experiments... so I think I may get out all of those things and have a timeline of doing this and that... I am so looking forward to turning tadpoles into frogs (NOT REALLY)... but hey she loves animals!

Taylor in action...

Thought I would show a few pictures of Taylor in action playing softball. She is doing pretty well and enjoys it. It is hard to believe we only have a few more weeks left of school and then that is it. Time sure has flown by this year.

Living La Vida Vegas....

Chad and I had the opportunity to go away to Vegas for a week. I spent my extra time trying to take in all the beautiful scenery and getting to know my camera better. God has created such a beautiful world, hasn't he? Having a great time!