On my way to 30!!

Well it's official- I am headed to age 30. I am no longer in my early 20s as I liked to say, I am now a whopping 26 years old. It's amazing how birthdays just aren't the same after you hit like 22- it is just another day that comes and goes with a few phone calls and maybe a couple gifts. My day was nothing different than that.

The kids and I skipped out on our usual Wednesday event of going to the library and stayed home to just hang out. We did a few cleaning chores and they helped me with my attempt to clean out the soon to be baby room. I had a good meeting with a couple friends in the afternoon and then AWANA's to end the day. So all in all, very uneventful and just seemed like another day!

But my sweet and wonderful husband really made my day so much better when I got home from AWANA's. There was this beautiful vase of gorgeous flowers on my kitchen counter. He was there waiting for me to give me a sweet hug and kisses!! My kiddos thought he was being funny! He even opted out of working in the garage that night so we could watch a movie together. It was very sweet!

Seeing that my husband has NEVER bought me flowers- even when we were dating, this was a huge deal to me. It just amazes me that no matter how much I screw up, he still loves me unconditionally. He is a great and loving husband and I wouldn't trade him for anything!!

Alaskans for 4 years

I can't believe that our 2-year trial of living in Alaska has turned into this four year time period of making a home and a life for ourselves.

Here are a few highlights from these last 4 years:

*Driving from Arizona to Spokane, WA in 'old purple'

*Little Silas cruisin' in the middle seat and doing awesome in his carseat

*Riding on a ferry from Bellingham, WA to Whittier, AK

*Living with Grandparents (rent free!!)

*Buying our fixer-upper house

*Time with Grandpa Slim & Grandma Cary

*Remodeling our house

*Welcoming baby #2- sweet little Brooklyn

*Finding a great church family

*Getting a puppy- Kodi girl

*Creating everlasting friendships

*Great and fun fishing seasons

*Paying off our home (IT IS OURS!)

*Making it through 5 years of marriage (it's 6 now)

*Learning that we would be a family of 5!

*Being Happy!

Thinking back and pondering the past 4 years just reminds me of all the great blessings that we have received while living here. We do not deserve any of what we have been given, but the grace of God has allowed us to enjoy all the blessings! Although we hated leaving our families and homes in Arizona, moving to Alaska was the greatest thing that we could have done for our family. We just wish it was a quicker trip to visit everyone. In the past, I swore that I would never live here but now- I don't think I will ever leave! Thanks to all who have shared these 4 years with us and for those who had to let us go but continue to support us from a distance. We love and miss you!

Won't be the same

Being avid Deadliest Catch fans and living in Alaska where fishing is a BIG deal, we are definately bummed about this news:

Captain Phil Harris of the F/V Cornelia Marie dies after suffering a massive stroke.

Here is the article:
Deadliest Catch : Discovery Channel

Posted using ShareThis

I know that Phil was one of the most colorful captains on the show, but he provided much entertainment for Sam and I. We will miss Captain Phil and the show will definately not be the same, especially on the Cornelia Marie.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family!

6 Great Years!!

Sam and I will celebrate our 6th wedding anniversary tomorrow, February 7th!! It will be 10 years of us being together on the 21st. Is that not crazy!?! It has been filled with fun, laughter, embarassment, tears, and most of all memories.

Dating in high school was a lot of fun, but I am glad that we grew up and moved on to make a life for ourselves! It makes me so sad when I see friends of ours whos marriages haven't made it and those whos lives are in ruins. Especially since we have really flourished!

I am so grateful that the Lord put Sam in my life and helped him to not give up on me! We have had bad times, but we got through with flying colors and of course we have had AWESOME times!

We have been so blessed in what God has provided for us. Not only our two (almost three) beautiful kiddos and the great spirits that they are, but a great home, a fishing boat (that is very important), a great job for Sam, our great supportive families, a great church and church family, awesome friends and most of all a great relationship with the Lord.

Looking back over these past 10 years, I am just amazed at the growth that both of us have had individually and together. I just hope that these next many years will be filled with even more good times, lessons learned and great blessings.

I love you babe in ways that words cannot express!! Happy Anniversary!