Saying Farewell

I have to begin this post just thanking everyone for their love and support. We truly are blessed with amazing friends and family surrounding us. You each have done so much for us. I don't think we could ever begin to express our full appreciation for everything and everyone.

The last two weeks have been quite the ride. It started with the party at our home to see Spencer off. We had a good turn out and even more that expressed efforts of trying to come or wishing they could have come.

Then there was the shower/birthday/farewell for Spencer at his parents house. It was an incredible day full of love and laughter. We are so happy that we got to spend that time with family and really soaking up the opportunity to be surrounded by them. We know that being away from them is going to take its toll and having those memories makes it a little bit better.

Spencer and I had set aside Sunday May 16th for just him and I. We filled it with tons of fun and lots of talking. We started the day out at church and everyone prayed for his safe journey and strength to stay focused. They prayer for our relationship and our baby as well. We were given a word that God wants us to hold strong to and I couldn't agree more with the word. It was "surprise." The friend (Mike) that gave it to us stated that God was going to surprise us. God was not only going to meet our needs but that we would be surprised by the fact that God would give us more than enough. I have to say, too, that this couldn't be more accurate. God has blessed us and blessed. Though at times I don't recognize it, I know that our fountain is over-flowing with the blessing that God has given to us. Just thinking about it now... The fact that we have the money to pay for our home in Utah and enough money to pay the rent in Connecticut. The fact that we are blessed with health insurance (even if it is only one now) and we don't pay hardly anything for all the doctor visits and things. The generosity of everyone around us that have been so willing to lend a helping hand even if we weren't in "need" of it has been mind blowing. I could sit here forever but I won't.

After church we went miniature golfing and to the batting cages. Spencer kicked my butt at miniature golf but I must say I kept up in the batting cages quite well, even for being over six months pregnant!

Spencer came up with a great idea to go to Build-A-Bear and build ourselves to give to one another. I thought that was pretty creative of him considering that he doesn't come up with things for us to do, let alone something that would be so meaningful. It was so much fun and I loved that Spencer had never been before, so I had to walk him through the whole process.

We pretty much finished the night up by shopping for things that he needed. I got him some new shoes, shorts, flip flops, and socks. We drove up to where I had my bridals taken and walked around just talking. We thought about going bowling but the day had been so packed that we just headed home. I am so grateful that I got to spend that time with him. I just wish that my camera hadn't died after I had only taken one picture.

He left the next morning at 5am.

3 Years and Counting...

Happy Anniversary To Us!

As I began thinking about what I wanted this posted to look like I was continually brought back to the accomplishments we have made individually and as a team since we have been married. It is crazy to think of where we started and where we are only three short years later. I am so blessed to have a husband that blesses and encourages me through everything. Spencer has been such a light for me in not only my darkest

but also my brightest hours. He has never walked away when I needed him to stay or made me feel I am not the one. There have been no broken vows. He has never broken my heart with secrets he has kept me from and he has never

been untrue.

I love that he has not lost who he is as an individual. He holds on to what he believes. His morals and values remain intact and actually they have grown. I love that he sets goals for himself and shoots to achieve more in life. He has dreams and visions of what he wants for himself and knows that it is obtainable.

Since being married he has:

~Graduated from Weber State with a bachelors.

~He reached his five year mark as an employee of IHC.

~He was accepted into the research program at the U and completed the program this last semester.

~He was accepted into PA school and will be moving to Connecticut.

~His relationship with all of his family is stronger than ever.

~His faith in God is becoming so deep.

~His confidence in himself continues to grow and open new doors for him.

~He has been tumor free!

As much as he is the exact same person I fell in love with, he has changed so much and grown into such an incredible man.

We have had quite the journey thus far and it is crazy to think that we have seen everything we have in such a short time. I am awe-struck each time I think about the attacks we have had from the devil and how he has tried to ruin us. I am also blown away by God's grace and faithfulness.

Since being married:

~ The devil has tried numerous attempts at breaking our marriage apart without success. The devil has brought people into our lives that have said and done things to us that have truly tested our faith in Christ and our willingness to fight for one another. We have come out unscarred and stronger with each attempt.

~ Though difficult at times, we have maintained our house without the help of family. We didn't realize this accomplishment until people continually commented about our house payment. (It's a decent amount.)

~ We have been able to pay for school without the added help of loans and will be starting PA debt free minus the house.

~ We have not missed one family vacation. We have refused to let obstacles come between us and maintaining the relationships in our life that we hold dearest.

~ And lastly, We have made OUR family grow.

If three years has brought us this much, I can't believe what it has in store for us to achieve in "forever." We are two very blessed individuals surrounded by so much generosity, love, and support. We have become the team we are because of those that push us to be and do more. So here is to us but more importantly, here is to those that surround us and have taught us all the characteristics it has taken us to be who we are individually and together.

Lastly, Thanks Spencer for three awesome years full of events and memories. Let's make so many more in the years to come! I LOVE YOU!

Man, I am sure "grad" I made it...

You Did It!!!

(I mean I did it.)

So it is official, I have graduated from college! I walked on April 23rd with a bachelor of science in Criminal Justice and I minored in Psychology. This last class truly did give me a run for my money. I felt at times that I just wasn't sure if I could actually make it through this last semester but here I am and so relieved!

After graduation we had dinner at Cheesecake Factory, would you expect anything less from me. :) Then Spencer had put together a party at our house for Saturday to celebrate my graduation. I had so much love and support and I felt really special. It was so rewarding to know that my accomplishments didn't go unnoticed. (Thanks for the cookie Lisa! It means so much and was such a yummy treat to reward myself with. I am blessed to have such an awesome friend that supports me. Love you!)

I am blessed with some really amazing friends and family!!! There is no way that I could have gotten to this point without the help of my family and friends. There is no way that I could thank everyone for all they have done to help but I do want to give a couple special thanks to some...

Spencer: Thank you for being my rock and for being willing to step in and help with (or do) assignments that I was really struggling with.

Mom and Dad: Thanks for being such an example and teaching me that I really can do anything that I set my mind to. Thanks for supporting me in all of my dreams and letting me know that you are proud of me for the accomplishments that I achieve.

All of my brothers: Thanks for being proud of me and supporting me in my accomplishments. Thanks for being my best friends!!!

Uncle Gene: I can't tell you how much I wouldn't have been able to make these dreams and accomplishments real without you. Your generosity is truly a blessing and a key to my success. Thank you for your love and support throughout this journey!

Kevin and Shelly: Thank you for offering any help that I may have needed along my journey and never having expectations of what you viewed I should be doing. I am so blessed to be apart of a family that welcomes me for who I am.

Work: I have to say that I have been so blessed to have worked where I do. They all have been so good to me with my education. They have gone to bat for me in order to get tuition reimbursement and have ALWAYS worked with me on scheduling to allow me to attend my classes. Thanks for everything and please know that I feel so privileged to work with those I work with/for.

The Next John Hopps..

For those that don't know who John Hopps is, he invented the world's first pacemaker. Now Spencer may not be the next John Hopps and he not ever want to do research again but I wanted to take this time to acknowledge him anyway.

(Spenc with my grandpa, who did LOTS of research and couldn't be more proud of Spencer.)

About two and a half years ago, Spencer mentioned a research program that he was interested in and he knew that it would be very beneficial for him if he decided to do medical school. However, He knew that he grades were a little lower and he wasn't sure that he really qualified to apply for the program. It took some convincing but I talked him into applying. I told him that he had nothing to lose. If he didn't get into the program, "Oh well" but if he did then he "Just earned himself a great opportunity." I helped him put together an application letter and he sent everything in.

(Proud grandma and mom)

To his huge surprise (not mine) he was accepted and started the program in 2008. As part of the program he had to study research and then present it to the class. Starting his second year of the program he had to work with a research lab and then present the research at a "research fair" (for lack of a better term). The "fair" was open to the public and was considered the students' final "project" or "test," if you will. Spencer worked hard and even had to work the night before the fair, which meant that he would get off at 7am the day of the "fair." He may have been exhausted but he did fantastic.

(The finished product.)

However, it wasn't always an easy trip to the end of this program. There came a point that Spencer was feeling very overwhelmed and as if the program may be of no benefit to him anymore because he was no longer going to medical school. He also was frustrated because he had to maintain a status of a full time student in order to be in the program. Overall, there was a number of things that went into him being stressed out with the program and even at one point thinking it might be better for him to step down from the program but he pushed through and I am so proud of him!

Marking 6 Months...

(April 1st)

I have reached the 6 month mark in pregnancy. I have to say that I honestly have NOTHING to complain about. I have LOVED being pregnant. I have not been uncomfortable or even felt like I was missing out on things. Now, please note there is a day here and there where I am not at my best but I can't say that anything has been any worse than it was before I was pregnant. I have maintained my responsibilities at work (I am a trainer for ICR... Integrated Crisis Response. We teach the staff how to safely restrain clients when they become unruly). I have also been able to continue riding my bike to work, among other activities. I honestly feel fantastic and find it such a blessing. I know that God has made this an enjoyable experience for me and that may be for a number of reasons but I am grateful nonetheless because only he truly knows how much I have occupying my brain right now. I can't wait to have the move and things related to Spencer's school settled so that I can calm down and enjoy JUST looking forward to being a mom!