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!

Bloom Where You Are Planted

My fabulous childhood friend recently posted a quote that I really appreciated. I am reposting it on here so that I have it for future and also for anyone that may need it. Thanks, Heidi!

"...whatever circumstances you live in, whatever your background or challenges might be, the gospel light has the power and purpose to bring blessings into your life and in the lives of those placed in your path. The gospel of Jesus Christ has been restored to bring blessings to our Heavenly Father's children. You are planted in your country, your community, your family to facilitate these blessings. I urge you to bloom where you are planted. - Elder Dieter F. Utchdorf

Moving is not an easy thing, but I am 100% certain that there is a reason behind everything! Even when we don't know why we should or shouldn't do something or why something is going the way it is, Heavenly Father knows the big picture and he will never leave us. He guides us everyday, but it is up to us to listen and follow what His will is for us. And for me, that isn't always the easiest thing to swallow - His will. I often think it should be a different way or a way that I always invisioned it to be. But time and time again, I have been humbled at the way I have been led to do or go certain places, not knowing why at the time, and when I humbly listen, the blessings flow. I hope I will become more willing to do His will - even when I don't "get it." I am grateful that even through my stubborness, He still loves me enough to guide me and make my life a good life. He knows me and I am His child. This I know without a shadow of a doubt.

Fort Williams Park

Monday night for Family Home Evening, we went up to Fort Williams Park. It is right next to the Portland Lighthouse. It is an old military bunker type area (I am not sure how to describe it) and there are lots of different bunkers and buildings built into the side of the coast. We were planning on flying our kite, but we didn't make it in time before the rain came.

If you look close enough, you can see a little lighthouse out in the water. This spot is just beautiful and the sound of the waves crashing on the rocks if really neat.

The ocean is behind them although it is blending in with the rainy sky so you can't see it.

Our funny man, Zach was giving us all quite the laugh! He loves to be goofy!

Smiling Hill Farm

I have been trying to get the kids out a lot this summer and explore different fun things around our new home. We went with some friends to Smiling Hill Farm to see the animals and play on the toys. After being about an hour late since I got lost (Chris needed the GPS that day), we finally made it and had a good time. The kids finished off the fun day with an ice cream cone from the dairy. It is a darling little place! As you can tell from the picture above, they had a great time! See that little red mosquito bite on Parker's face? He has about 3 of them just on his face and plenty more on his legs and arms!

Sidewalk chalk...

I just wanna remember how cute Chloe's (and Parker's) drawings are right now. That is the reason for this post...

Helmet Heads

In Maine, children under 16 are required to wear helmets when on a bike. I often take the kids out in the bike trailer and Zach rides along with us on his bike. Chloe is also learning to ride her bike, so she needed a new helmet. We decided it was probably a smart idea to have both kids wearing their helmet even in the bike trailer. So...here is Chloe and Parker's cuteness modeling their new helmets!

(that is Parker's new funny face - the "oh no" face!)

Bear Brook State Park

At the end of July, we took a quick overnight camping trip to Bear Brook State Park in New Hampshire. Chris's sister, Brittany and her cute family came with us, which made it even better! We love to camp and would have loved to stay longer, but just didn't have the time on this trip. On Saturday after packing up camp, we went on a hike and ate a picnic lunch at a beautiful little spot next to a river. It was cool, calm and relaxing. All the kids did great and even slept good. We are excited for our next camping trip in a few weeks!