5 years...

Last week Dave and I celebrated 5 years of marriage! I can't believe it! In 5 years we have had 3 beautiful boys...one little girl in heaven, 5 moves and a master's for Dave almost complete! Its been a busy 5 years, full of wonderful memories, lots of laughter and plenty of tears...both tears of joy and sadness! I have had my best friend by my side through it all! Every year we go back and watch our wedding video and relive the day! So much fun!!! I love seeing all the friends that were part of our day...and everyone dancing at the reception is a plus! I am so grateful for this video! The boys watched it with us this year...it was so much fun..they kept asking where they were in the video....they didn't quite get it! 5 years...in the scheme of things is really not that long, its fun to know that this is just the beginning of out life together. God willing we will have MANY more memories together, have more children and lots more adventure in this wonderful world of parenthood!

November 25, 2006

Our first Easter with Jacob

Now a family of 4...finding our pumpkins

5 of us in September

Earlier this year I posted the story of how Dave and I met and our engagement story...I am reposting it HERE if you want to read it again!

Have a blessed day!

Where have I been?

So last night I was on my way to my book group when listening to the radio I instantly feel in love with a song....who could this be I thought? I shazamed it (if thats a word, I love my shazam app!) It was this song....

Where have I been you asked? Apparently this artist has been around awhile. I have heard all about Adele on the news lately with her throat surgery. My good friend Cynthia has mentioned her to me on several occasions...but it just never stuck! Last night I went and downloaded her album...and its been playing all day:)

So if you were like me and just disregarded this great music...don't anymore and listen! You won't be disappointed!

Have a wonderful Friday! And Happy listening!

Whats Happening with The Staples...

Well its been awhile since I have been on here....

Its been hard to find balance between it all... nursing, having quality time with the boys, homeschool preschool (which is SO much fun), quality time with my husband, keeping a clean house, keeping up with the laundry...and just keeping up with the things of everyday life, errands, bills, balancing the check book, etc. I know it will come...give yourself 3 months is what I keep having to remind myself. Here is a quick take at what we have been up to...

Halloween

1.) Beau is absolutely perfect! He fits in wonderfully and is loved by everyone in the house! Jacob and Baker simply adore him...a little too much sometimes:)! Seriously the amount of kisses they give this sweet baby! Beau is a BIG boy...as he was from the beginning. He is almost 2 months old (where did the time go?) and is over 15 pounds! I have him in 6 month clothes already, which I am actually grateful for...thats were all my warm baby clothes are! He is a good eater...sleeps well..and literally NEVER cries! God has blessed us with Beau! The transition of 2 to 3 has actually been easier them 1 to 2! It is SO beautiful bringing a new soul into your family...watching your family grow and watching the love between your children!

I love this smile!

2.) SO I have started weight watchers once again... It has been more difficult this time for me to log in what I eat. I was at a different place last time I began WW...Baker was 1 already so it was easier for me to focus on me..if that makes sense. But I will get there, discipline is a good thing:) It will also be nice to get back in shape before Beau is 1...right? Thats what I keep telling myself! I have been making it to the gym about 3 times a week. Dave watches the boys Tuesday mornings and my mom comes and watches the boys Thursday mornings (I love living close to family). I just have to make sure I make it one other time that week. Its been good. I'm excited about my goal.

Beau and Me

3.) We have began preschool here at the Staples. We are doing The Little Saints preschool program. It is really fun and so cute! We do it 3 times a week for about an hour. We just finished learning about safety and next week we will move on to shapes! I have noticed their behavior is better on the days that we do preschool. I spend quality time with them, we read, sing songs, do an art project, talk and laugh! After that they are okay with being by themselves for a short while and playing. They get a long better and let me get some things done. I have really enjoyed it too...it's bringing back the teacher in me!

Jacob painting

4.) Beau John Paul was baptized on October 16th. It was such a blessed day with friends and family. We are blessed to have our good friends the Schroeders be the godparents of Beau. Thank you to all that joined us on this beautiful day!

The Staples came to visit

5.) Here is a song for your listening pleasure...I couldn't decide between the acoustic or regular version...so here are them both. You can decide!

I hope that you all have a wonderful Wednesday...hopefully i will be back here soon to write more!

Photo Card

Initially Boy Baby Announcements

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Tag!

This morning I woke up tired and exhausted from last night's drama (which included several...I mean SEVERAL intense contractions that led me to believe that I would be holding my sweet baby this morning...but no such luck :(. I got on to check my morning blogs...and my dear friend Cynthia invited me to play along in a little game of answer these questions! Too much fun...how could I resist!

If you have a chance visit Cynthia's blog...which is full of beautiful, inspirational writings, good music and fun ideas!

What's your occupation right now? I am blessed to stay at home with my two beautiful boys (almost 3..come on baby Beau)! It is the hardest thing I have ever done and the thing that has led me closer to our Lady and our Lord. Through their constant grace I am able to strive to live out my vocation.

What are you listening to right now? I have been on a country kick lately...laugh if you want! But I can't get enough of Keith Urban, Bard Paisely, Blake Shelton, Carrie Underwood and much much much more! That twang puts a smile on my face!

What was the last thing you ate? Strawberry Yogurt! Something to get that baby moving this morning!

How old are you today? 29...not to far away is the big 30!

What is your favorite sport to watch on tv? I LOVE football season with my husband. It excites me to sit on the couch and watch a good old football game with my husband...and boys! They tackle when the football players tackle! It is quite enjoyable!

Favorite drink? I am on a lemonade kick! That is what the pregnant belly wants! Have you tried the premium lemonade at Wendy's? Or the lemonade at Chic-fi-la??? Oh my goodness...yes please!

Favorite new song? Like i said before my country side is coming out...Love Brad Paisely's new song..Alabama

What is the last movie you watched? The Rite...good movie but left me with weird dreams.

Favorite day of the year? I LOVE Thanksgiving! Such yummy food, a beautiful time of year and a great time to spend with family!

What was your favorite toy as a child? I would have to agree with Cynthia and say that I loved my Barbies! I loved setting up the "dream house", dressing them in all their fun outfits and have Ken and Barbie fall in love!

What is your favorite season? Fall hands-down! I almost pulled out all my fall decorations this weekend but I resisted! The crisp air, apple picking, pumpkins, leaves falling, sweaters, football...it all makes me so excited thinking about it! And this year a new baby:)

Cherries or blueberries? Cherries make my tummy happy!

When was the last time you cried? Last night. I really thought we would be gong to the hospital. I just sat in the boys room and sobbed...because I knew everything was going to change. A good change but nonetheless change. Why is change so hard?

What is on the floor of your closet? A big tub of maternity clothes...and I am excited to be done with those! I seriously wear the same 3 outfits every week!

Who is the friend you have had the longest? Adria...meet her in 6th grade when we moved to Colorado and have been best friends ever since. I am blessed to have her in my life! Love you A!

What did you do last night? We ate leftovers for dinner, gave the boys a bath, put them to bed (without any hiccups)...said good-bye to my husband who was going out to do his fantasy football draft...and then proceeded to have contractions.

How many states have you lived in? 5 states...Wisconsin, Nebraska, Colorado, Kansas and Florida.

What is your favorite kind of flower? Gerber daisy's and tulips! Love. Love. Love.

Did you have fun?? Thanks for following a long :)

Here are the people I will tag: Caitlin, Julie and Lisa

So I cannot figure out this font thing...and how to post a video from youtube...I have done it before but am giving up for today. Wierd.

Still Pregnant!

Well it is September 6th and I was due yesterday...so yes I am still very much pregnant! Hopefully he decides to come into this world soon...very soon!

Does anyone have anything up their sleeves that made their little one arrive??? I have tried many...last night I even drank a dark beer because I heard that helps start things!

I feel like things are moving along though! I have been having many contractions...just not extremely regular! I go to the doctor tomorrow and I will find out my progress...hopefully good news!

If anyone has any prayer intentions I would love to pray for you during my labor. Either leave them in the comment box, message me on facebook or send me an email! I would LOVE to pray for you...those few readers I have :)

Summer Salads

I just simply LOVE salads in the summer! They are light and refreshing! (especially when you have no air conditioning and you don't want to heat up the house!) We usually just grill chicken and throw it on top of some lettuce with lots of other yummy vegetables! I am always very content after one of these salads and not to mention the cleanup is SUPER easy!

Yesterday I was making a meal for a friend that just had a sweet baby boy and I came across this salad in my recipe box that a friend made for me when Baker was born! It was so delicious and I made it several times last summer but forgot about it until I made it for her yesterday! It is on the menu for tonight and I am SO looking forward to it! It is an expensive salad to make up front but once you have all the ingredients you will use them over and over again!

Strawberry Spinach Salad

1 lb spinach (or however much you need)

1/2 of a red onion (I usually use a little less then half of the onion)

3/4 cup sliced almonds (I eye it)

diced strawberries

dressing:

1/2 cup sugar

1/4 cup olive oil

1/4 cup apple cider vinegar

2 Tbsp sesame seeds

1 Tbsp poppy seeds

You will really have to shake or stir this dressing to dissolve the sugar and it will continue to settle on the bottom so really stir it every time you want to use it!

This salad goes REALLY well with yummy chicken parmesan! This is the recipe I use for chicken parm:

chicken breasts

1 egg

italian bread crumbs

2 jars regular spaghetti sauce

mozzarella cheese

cilantro

2 limes

1. preheat oven to 400

2. put aluminum foil on a cookie sheet

3. dip the chicken in the egg and then the bread crumbs

4. place chicken on cookie sheet

5. put chicken in oven and cook for about 25 - 30 minutes

6. put 1 jar of sauce in the bottom of a baking dish and put in a handful of chopped cilantro and squeeze 1 lime into the sauce. (gives it a fun taste)

7. Put chicken in sauce and add more sauce to cover the chicken. I always add more cilantro and squeeze another lime on top!

8. Add mozzarella cheese on top

9. cook for another 10-15 minutes until chicken is cooked all the way.

This is so yummy and the cilantro and lime give the sauce a really delicious taste!

Believe me...you.will.love.this.

Let me know what your favorite summer salads are or some favorite meals you make during the summer that don't heat up the house!

The Seasons of Life

As I sit here this morning watching the boys play outside, digging in the dirt, climbing up the slide, hiding behind the tree they call their fort, getting along for the most part:), I can't help but feel how blessed I am. I am also thinking about how much my life will change in just a little over 8 weeks (probably more...I am typically late with the babes!)

I sit here sipping my coffee with my feet up just watching my boys go on their many adventures. They don't really need me right now..they are completly fine on there own...and enjoying their freedom too! Thats how life is right now...typically pretty easy when it comes to entertaining the boys. Yes, sometimes I do feel like a WWF referee breaking up the constant fun of wrestling and tackling that has gone a little to far and isn't fun for one of them anymore. But really I can't complain. We put the boys to bed at 8 and I pretty much don't see them till the morning, there is the occasional visit in the middle of the night that is fixed with a quick kiss, a re-tuck in and a rub on the head...and maybe a prayer or too...but they go back to sleep. With a good nights sleep this means I am able to get up at 6 to pray and shower before I see the beautiful faces of my boys. (believe me when I say I am such a better mom if I have had a cup of coffee and some prayer time before we start our day!) When we go out I don't have to bring a diaper bag and remember the million things that a newborn might possibly need. I don't have to think about the type of shirt I need to wear that will work with nursing while we are out. We can go out in the mornings without wrecking anyones nap schedule. They eat the same thing at lunch and they can feed themselves! They go down for nap at the same time..on their own and sleep. We have routine. This is the season of life that we are in right now...but it will soon change.

When a new baby enters the picture EVERYTHING changes for the time being...but it is such a short time and soon things will become routine again...probably a different routine but non the less a routine. There will be many awakenings in the middle of the night. There will be the constant nursing that a little one desires. There will be the carrying of the car seat into the grocery store. Things will change...you get the picture!

But how we look forward to this change, how exciting it is to hold a sweet, tiny baby in your arms again. One thing I have learned and I will continue to learn with every new baby is that this season goes by SO FAST! They are only little for so long and then soon they will be running with the rest of the pack. That they only sleep peacefully in your arms for a short period and they only need you in the middle of the night for a brief time. I know that with Jacob I did not treasure the newborn time I had with him like I should have. I worried about things like sleep schedules, nursing...was he doing all the things he should be doing at this point in his life. What will it be like when he crawls...when he walks. I wished for the next period of his life to come and did not really enjoy the time that was present with us at that moment. But I have learned and the time I have with a newborn is treasured and looked forward to.

So yes, in 8 weeks or so I will not be sitting here watching the boys play outside, sipping my coffee with my feet up. I will most likely be sitting here nursing and enjoying the sweet baby smell as the boys play outside...But how we look forward to Beau John Paul becoming part of this family outside the womb.

Jacob

Baker

Whats Happening with The Staples...

Looking back I have not blogged very much over the summer...sometimes life just gets busy! But here I have found a few moments to sit down and update you few readers I have:)

1. We just got back from a three week trip out to Michigan. It was really very nice to spend time with Dave's family and catch up with several of our mission partners we have out there. On the way out we spent two nights at Mahoney State Park in Nebraska. Last year we camped but being 7 1/2 months pregnant I voted for the air conditioned lodge! We had a blast! We hiked, paddle boated, fed fish, played. played. played, and spend an afternoon at the water park. It was really nice to have some family time together and just relax! In Michigan, Dave's family lives in a VERY small town..its very cute and quaint. There is no cell phone service...well hardly any:) And lots of farms. "I see cows! Hold!" was all we heard Baker say. (Thats his new favorite thing to say..."hold!" he wants to hold EVERYTHING, no matter the size! Its really pretty cute:)!) The humidity was crazy..being a Colorado girl... but we managed to get through it! The boys enjoyed seeing their gramma and papa out there and had lots of quality time with them...they were spoiled! Always nice to visit! We miss them for sure!

2. WE ARE MOVING! In 10 days...and I haven't even started packing yet:)! Dave will be serving FOCUS at Colorado State University (CSU) next fall so we will be moving to Fort Collins. We are so excited! I grew up in Fort Collins and thats where my family is and several of my aunts, uncles and cousins. We will be living 1.8 miles from my parents house...some of you might think this is CRAZY;) but I am so excited to live close to them! It will especially be nice with #3 coming along here! I am so not looking forward to packing, that is why I have been putting it off! I wish I could snap my fingers and everything would hope in to boxes, just like Mary Poppins! I guess the positive is we get to clean out everything and find all those missing toys!

3. I am 32 weeks pregnant and feel that way too! I don't know if it's the heat or all the traveling that we just did but I am so tired...ALL. THE. TIME. I am not as "quick" to get up for sure and I have swollen ankles too! But enough of this complaining...we feel blessed! Beau John Paul is an active little guy in the womb so I can only imagine what he will be like when he is born. I sit and daydream about what he will look like, what is smile will be like, holding a sweet, tiny baby again, his smell and all the joy another life will bring to our family. 3 of my friends have had their babies in the past week and I am getting baby envy...I want to meet little Beau so much with all my heart...but I will just have to wait! It's not quite his birthday yet!

Not a very good picture...but here is Baker resting on my belly!

4. Baker will be 2 July 17th. I cannot believe how much this little man has grown up in the past couple months. Everyday he surprises me with something new he knows. His vocabulary and the way he communicates with us has grown leaps and bounds! He is just plain funny and makes us all laugh...including Jacob! Even though he does NOT listen, his favorite word is "NO!" and he doesn't sit in timeout unless you are restraining him...you can not help but love the kid!

5. This is my new favorite song...

What do you do with your Christmas card pictures?

So this project is way over due considering that Christmas was 5 months ago but my husband was out of town for the week...the entire RAINY week...so I was very productive and made the most of my time, when the boys were asleep of course:)! (Why am I always this productive when my husband leaves and not when he is home?) So tonight watching a little television and listening to the rain fall outside I conquered this project that has been hanging over my head for the last 5 months.

Every Christmas we get SO many wonderful Christmas cards updating us on the happenings throughout the year of all our friends and family. There is usually a beautiful picture attached which I hate to throw out, but never knew what to do with before. I hate to throw them in a drawer or a box and just let them gather dust...but lets be honest if I am going to put them in a box chances are I will not look at them again and they will just take up space. So I make a collage of all the pictures I receive and put them in a picture frame to hang in our living room. I really cannot take credit for this creative idea...my mom does it with all her Christmas card pictures (She hangs hers in the kitchen)! I love this idea for so many reasons...1. it gives me a chance to look at all of our beautiful friends and family everyday and 2. we pray for the people in our frame!

If I received a picture from you this year...it is displayed in our living room for all to see! And most people that come into this house look at the pictures for a couple of minutes!

What are some things you do with all your Christmas card pictures?

What's Happening with The Staples...

1. Yesterday I did ALL of the laundry and was able to fold it and put it away! I have not done this in MONTHS! It usually sits on the couch for days while piles of laundry waiting to go in the washer sit in the hall. It was such a great feeling! I didn't go to bed till 11:15 last night but I was determined to get it done!

**Side note: The boys somehow, without my knowledge, found my RED lipstick and put it in their hamper. When doing their laundry I dumped it all in the washer without realizing it:(. Now, all of their clothes have bright RED marks all over them! UGH a thousands times over! A few good friends of mine swear by oxiclean...so off to the store we went this morning to buy some oxiclean so I could start soaking these clothes. I have never used oxiclean before but have been inspired by these women. I'm not sure how well it will work though since the clothes have already been dried with the stains...we will see! They are soaking now...wish me luck!

2. We seem to have taken a couple steps backwards in Jacob's ability to use the potty. For the past two months he has being doing AWESOME with very few accidents but the past couple of weeks we have been having SEVERAL accidents...most of them being poop (yesterday 3):(. I have been unsure how to handle these accidents. Do I discipline him for going poop in his pants or to I treat it like I have past accidents, "Accidents happen and its okay!" We have been struggling. Today we have gone back to a jelly bean after he goes in the potty. If any moms have suggestions or have gone through this I am all ears!

3. Lent is almost over. I am embarrassed to admit that I have really struggled this lent with staying true to my lenten fasts. I wish I would have been more disciplined during this season. My prayer has been good though which I am thankful for. May these last few days before the Resurrection of out Lord be a time of prayer and grace for all of you!

4. Last night I went shopping for the boys Easter baskets! I HAD SO MUCH FUN!!! I spent way to much money on candy though...why is Easter candy SO delicious??? Probably because we don't eat it until Easter! Dave did make me take two bags back though...he thought I went a little overboard:)

5. Yesterday during lunch we has a little thunderstorm ! It was so cool! We had it all... a little hail, thunder, lighting and rain! The boys were quiet during their whole lunch as we sat there and watched mother nature at work! It was beautiful!

6. Baker has discovered the word "NO"! Seriously that is ALL he says! I try so hard not to laugh every time he says it because the way he says it is SO darn cute! The cuteness of an almost two year old is unbearable!

7. The other day I was cleaning the bathroom and went to check on the boys and saw this...

Melt my heart!

We are having a BOY!

Yesterday morning we loaded everyone into the minivan to head to the hospital to have my ultra sound! We were SUPER excited to see our little one on the screen, to find out that our baby is healthy...and to know if we are having a boy or a girl!

We got into the room and I assumed the position, the boys being good for the moment happy with their fruit snacks! The warm jelly was squirt on my belly and the technician asked if we were interested in knowing the sex...we excitedly said YES! Within SECONDS...I'm not kidding...we hear, "well your having a boy!" Wait what....I thought this was the last thing you told us...! I just laughed! Another little man in there! He was NOT being shy either...and believe me..he is truly a boy! He was moving like crazy, seriously doing flips! The technician asked if I was feeling him a lot...which I have not been. She said the reason for this was because my placenta is between me and the baby (if that makes sense) but she said with this active little one I should be feeling him soon!

He was SO cute on the screen and you could already begin to see his little personality playing out! I just CANNOT wait to meet him! September cannot get here early enough!

Several thoughts were going through my head when she told us we were having ANOTHER boy...first was how am I going to handle 3 boys? Am I ready for this? Will I be a good mother to 3 boys! Boys are active, they like to wrestle, they eat dirt, the pretend sticks are swords and guns...am I a wild at heart mom? Then I thought...Dave is going to be the one wrestling with these little men...not me! I can handle this:) I already have 2! Then I started thinking about the friendship between my boys! How this one will come into the pack...begin to follow along one day with his brothers and how great it truly will be!

I remember last summer when we were taking our annual road trip to Michigan to visit Dave's family we had stopped at a rest area and I saw this beautiful family with 3 little boys. They were probably all under the age of 4 and were running and playing with their dad while their mom was getting lunch ready! I remember thinking how beautiful this was and how I would LOVE it if our next one was a boy! I guess God heard that and decided to give us the gift of another boy!

We feel very blessed to have a healthy little boy growing safely in my womb.

During the ultrasound Jacob told the technician that our baby looked like a angel...it was so sweet!

We celebrated with blue cupcakes!

Jacob turns 3!

On March 11th Jacob turned 3 years old! It was a joy to celebrate the day with him! He was so excited for his birthday...For a month prior he would tell us, "my birthday is almost here!" He woke up to balloons, presents and our traditional birthday cinnamon rolls!

Jacob on his birthday morning!

Clothes...always exciting!

His Woody!

Blowing out his THREE candles!

After presents and cinnamon rolls I asked him what he wanted to do next..."Watch Cars!" So thats what we did...watched Cars:)

Watching Cars!

Later that day in our new birthday outfit we headed to the park with our good friend Lily! It was a beautiful day!

Jacob at the park

We then headed home for our favorite lunch of Mac and Cheese! We then took naps and rested up for our special surprise that evening! My dad came over to babysit Baker while we took Jacob to meet Namma in Denver for the big event! We took him to see the Disney show The Imagination Movers. It was basically a rock concert for kids! It was really fun and cute to see Jacob watch four grown men sing about brushing teeth, eating vegetables and getting strong! It was crazy and an absolute free for all...kids running up and down the aisles, standing on chairs, dancing till their hearts content. Jacob was most comfortable just sitting on our laps and watching!

Namma and Jacob at Imagination Movers

After about an hour of overstimulation:) we headed home to a yummy dinner of fish and chips! It was a joy to have my parents spend the evening with us and celebrate Jacob. They blessed him with a big wheel! He was super excited!

Jacob and his new big wheel!

It was a wonderful day and so fun to see my baby be so BIG! It really is crazy how fast they grow. God has truly blessed us!

A week later Jacob got a surprise in the mail from his Grandpa and Grandma Staples...a Lightening McQueen Power wheels! Seriously every kids dream:) He is a loved little boy thats for sure!

Jacob and Lightening!

Just so we have witness that Baker was part of this joyous day!

We're Expecting!

Baby Staples #3 is on his/her way! We are so excited! I am currently 15 weeks prego and due September 5th! In about 4 weeks we will find out if we are having a boy or girl...always exciting! Jacob is adorable with this pregnancy...he recognizes my belly and constantly tells me I am growing BIG! I am showing a lot early with this baby then my other two...did you find this true with your subsequent pregnancies? Jacob loves looking at the App on my phone that shows what the baby looks like at his/her current stage and has wanted us to read the book Angel in the Waters about a million times. "Thats what our baby looks like mama!" So sweet. Baker has no idea, but I am sure he will become more aware soon!

This pregnancy has been my most difficult one thus far. I had to be placed on progesterone with this little guy (more of that story to come later) so I am not sure if that made my symptoms worse. 1st-I am so tired..which is true with all pregnancies...but maybe with two active boys running around I am feeling it more. There has been little to NO housework being done around here:(. Morning sickness, or ALL DAY SICKNESS is still with me:(. Somedays are better then others and I truly feel like I am on the up swing of things...but seriously the throwing up is no fun at all! I have also had several other viral infections which has made life just a little more fun...right! Exercise...what is that?!? I have felt like doing absolutely nothing and can feel myself getting more out of shape by the minute.

But enough of the complaining! I feel truly blessed to have this little one with us and cannot wait to meet him/her! For some reason I am most excited to meet this little one. Baker will be a little over 2 when this baby makes his/her appearance and I am yearning for that little newborn baby again! God is SO GOOD!

Seriously...having kids is so much fun!!!

The Difficulty of the Perfect Picture!

I am sure other mothers have this problem...but it is SO hard for me to get a good picture of the boys! They really are cute I tell myself...why can't they both smile at the camera and at the same time? Sometimes I feel like they are plotting against me! Here are a couple of examples...

Both boys are NOT looking at the camera...Jacob's smile is adorable though!

Baker is NOT looking at the camera

Jacob is NOT looking at the camera...and possibly picking his nose!

Baker is done with getting his picture taken...so is Jacob!

Jacob looking at the camera...and Baker trying to escape the picture!

Where is Baker????

Cute one of Baker...but where is Jacob???

This is the best we got...

Our Story

Dave and I met through FOCUS 7 years ago. We were placed on the same team together at Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas. He was my team director and I was a first year missionary on a dating fast. I loved my first year as a missionary but it was very difficult at times. I knew that I loved Dave in October of that year...but had a long time until my dating fast was over. That year was amazing in what it taught me; patience, trust in God's will and the love our heavenly Father has for us. That year taught me that before I could hand my heart over to a man I needed to give it fully to our Lord. I learned so much about who I was that year and my relationship with our Lord really blossomed. In May of that year Dave asked me on our first date and on June 2nd, 2005 (after my dating fast was completely over) we went on our first date in Madison, WI during Summer training. It was everything that I imagined...the wait was worth it.

During our courtship Dave lived in Las Vegas, NM and I lived in Atchison, KS. We both still continued to serve with FOCUS. Distance dating is never fun but Dave and I were blessed to see each other once a month. As soon as our dating began I was ready for Dave to propose....seriously it could NOT come fast enough! I knew that he was the man I was going to marry! I truly thought that he was going to propose at Christmas time. I was going to Michigan to spend the holiday with his family. I was picturing a proposal at midnight Mass...how romantic! My mother assured me that I was not going to get engaged over the holiday...but I was still hoping. You can imagine my disappointment when it didn't happen. Poor Dave, can't a guy surprise a girl is probably what he was thinking :)! Life continued and I was really trying to focus on not being so anxious for engagement, just to enjoy the time we dated and to really leave it up to God...and Dave.

February came and myself and my teammates were heading to KCCSC (Kansas City Catholic Student Conference) in Topeka. That Friday night I was sitting in adoration and trying my best to hand over all my feelings of engagement to our Lord (I WANTED TO BE ENGAGED SO BAD its embarrassing!) That night my heart truly released control of the situation and I was ready to just wait, be patient and enjoy my courtship with Dave. That night I had a dream that Dave came to the conference to surprise me. He proposed and when I looked down at the ring it was the ugliest thing I had ever seen and all the diamonds were falling out. I woke up smiling because I knew this was my release of control...this was me handing the situation over to God and letting Him steer the wheel. That afternoon I called Dave and told him about my time in adoration and about my dream. I also said...and I qoute, "Honey, I'm ready to be content with our dating. If you came today to propose I would say "NO" because its just not the right time. I am ready to be patient!"

Now lets step back a few moments and look at things from Dave's point of view. Dave was in the car driving 13 hours from New Mexico to Kansas...and he was an hour away from surprising me (and proposing) at the conference when I decided to tell him about my conviction and my dream. Just a hand full of people knew about him coming to arrange a few things, other then that myself and the rest of the room was going to be completely surprised upon him entering. Can you imagine what Dave was feeling at this moment? Poor guy :(! He tells me now that he was tempted to turn around and blow the whole thing off...but continued with it anyways. That its good for a man to not be certain about a women's answer...to really be asking her and waiting for an answer.

So Dave walked into the conference and I was COMPLETELY SURPRISED! How did he pull this off...drove 13 hours, talked with me on the phone while driving, and I had no idea. It was February 11th so he told me it was a valentines surprise. We sat through dinner and a talk by Matthew Kelly, talked with friends and then we went out for drinks. Looking back I didn't know that Dave was going to propose, I thought he truly had come to surprise me for valentines day...but he was touching his pocket a lot and seemed nervous! We went out to a small restaurant and drank wine and ate cheese curds. It was wonderful to be with him. He then took me to a park...a rose garden to be exact...except it was February so everything was dead. It had a beauty about it though as we walked on the path hand in hand. He then stopped, got down on one knee and asked me to be his wife. I of course said yes and the rest is history! I was ecstatic...the ring was BEAUTIFUL! Not ugly like in the dream...and it was the right time. In my own heart I needed to be patient and was ready to do that...even if it was just for a short 8 hours!

Dave left the next morning to drive back to New Mexico...it was hard to say good-bye, just like every time its hard, but this time more so. He wasn't just my "boyfriend" anymore...he was my fiance! I was getting married to the man I loved...the moment I could not wait for was finally here!

Our engagement was 9 months and we got married November 25th, 2006! I feel so blessed to have met Dave and to be his wife. He is an amazing man, husband and father. In God's time all things are perfect...and this is perfect!

Dave and I the summer we started dating!