12 YEARS!!!

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO US!!!

For some reason, in my mind, our 12th wedding anniversary has always seemed like such a big deal to me! Why 12? Well, for lots of reasons, but not one in particular. In my mind, it seems more important than the big 10 was 2 years ago.

Today, I am just feeling very overwhelmed with gratitude. Gratitude that I have this wonderful man by my side. Let's just be honest for a second - marriage has not been the easiest thing I have ever had to deal with. It just hasn't. We have a good life, but we do not have a picture perfect life. We do not have a picture perfect marriage. We do not have a picture perfect family. There have been more ups and downs than I can adaquetely express in a blog post. Some big, some not so big. We have been through the refiner's fire time and time again, and I am certain that we still will have more to go through in the future because we are certainly not where we need to be!

12 years ago when I married my handsome man, I was floating in the clouds. I thought that nothing could bring us down. I thought that life would always be bliss and happiness. Now, if you may or may not recall....I was the ripe old age of 19! Yes, 19. I know. Crazy. Crazy to think of now! But, I knew the answer I got as I prayed my heart out, searched the scriptures for an answer, pondered and pondered...and pondered, and then recieved a priesthood blessing from my home teacher. I felt the answer through my whole body - I was supposed to marry Chris. There has been no denying that answer - it was almost tangible.

Now, all these years later, I am overcome with emotion today thinking about all that has gone on in our 12 years of marriage. There is so much to be grateful for, even the hard times. No, I do not like the hard times. But I know that I would not be the person I am today if I didn't go through things that I never ever would have thought possible.

Today, Chris was leaving to the store. He took Chloe and Parker with him so I could get a couple things done. They requested the Barney music I have programmed on my Ipod (yes, just for them - not for me!! =) to dance to while they drove. Chris joked that it was funny that he was cruising down the road in a minivan with Barney blasting! He kissed me and said while motioning to the kids, "Look where we are at 12 years later!" I replied, "Yep, I love it! I just wish today we had all of them with us!"

So today, along with being truly grateful that I have my wonderful husband, I am grateful for the little family we have created in these past 12 years. I am grateful to have my sweet children, but I also miss my Karleigh a lot today. I am grateful that my kids have such a wonderful dad! He is the best! He works hard to provide a nice, comfortable home for us and tries his best to make sure we are happy.

I love my handsome Chris. I love the family we have created. I love the time that we are able to spend together. I love that he loves me, even on my not so wonderful days! I dream about the days and years ahead of us. I dream about the things we can do together when we work side by side to accomplish something. I am grateful that I have Chris by my side. I wouldn't want it any other way.

Happy Anniversary, Chris!