WAHOOO WE MADE IT TO 5!!!

I can't believe it has been 5 years since we were married already. The past 5 years have had its ups and down just like normal, but I don't think we would trade it for anything. The last few days I have been thinking about all that we have done in the last few years and can't help but be overly excited to see what we will do in the years to come . Since I know that my kids will be reading all these little excerpts one day I am writing a little more then usual just in case they have a few struggles like mine that maybe they will be able to benefit from!
So far we have:
1. Made it through the 1st year. Sadly it was rough, but with time it all worked itself out thankfully. After we were married it was a rough adjustment, mostly for me! Granted it didn't help much having the old hormones all out of whack, but it was hard feeling like much of my freedom was taken. Not that Doug ever would or has kept me from doing something that I wanted to do. I just had a hard time knowing that I have to be home at a certain time, and I now have to make dinner, and share my space, and pay lots more bills etc. but it truly was worth the struggles.
We never really have been the arguing type of people, but we have had a few mixed in there, and I have learned that it is okay, but never drive off and leave. You can leave the room, but don't leave that just makes the other person worry and doesn't resolve the problem. Change definitely isn't an easy thing to adjust to, but sometimes it is just what we need to help ourselves grow.
2. Every year except for 1 we have had some sort of medical issue come up. Gallbladder, Appendectomy, Karston, and now Jayden!
3. We have done a bit of traveling: Florida, California, New York, Western Caribbean cruise which was also where I had my first blessing over a toilet, due to being pregnant with Mr. Karston.
4. We did the world's longest zip line over an ocean which was so fun and SOOO Beautiful, and was something technically I wasn't supposed to do due to the fact that I was pregnant, but hey Karston you survived!
5. We have been camping lots and have enjoyed four wheeling, snowmobiling, hiking.
6. We welcomed our little man Karston Douglas in April of 2009, which was such a happy time. He as I have mentioned before is our pride and joy. We can't remember what we did without him.
7. We are preparing to welcome our 2nd little pride and joy Jayden Kevin sometime soon! We can't wait to meet him and get to know his sweet little personality as well. I love being able to feel every little move he makes although it is weird I must say to see a little outline of a foot/arm or leg when he pushes up against me REALLY hard. But at least while he is in there I know he is safe and that makes me so happy!
8. We have lived in an apartment, and then fixed up a cute little farm house which we have loved even though it is kind of small. It makes us feel safe, close, and has provided a place for many memories made. It is amazing how much better you get to know someone when your fixing up a house.
9. I have learned more farm lingo then I ever thought I would. Most people say that I have turned into an actual farmer's wife, which really I don't see. But hey I do love being able to go ride in the tractor and talk. We truly have our best conversations in the tractor. Kind of nice getting away from all the stuff and just ride back and forth in a tractor for awhile. Well that is unless you have a baby pressing down on your bladder then its not all that enjoyable!
10. We have made it through school! It isn't easy, but having the assurance you have knowledge to do SOMETHING is a great blessing, and relief in and of itself.
11. Most importantly we have done all this and more together. Granted we aren't together every second of the day we would probably kill each other if that was the case, but we make it work. We are happy and when it comes down to it that is all that really matters.

So for my kids... Enjoy life, enjoy the joys that come with each new stage. All will help make you whoever you want to be. When the time comes to find a special someone that you will spend time and ALL eternity with make sure they want to lift you up. Make sure that they respect you, and your feelings, and most importantly make sure that they have a testimony. The gospel is so important especially when it comes to raising a family. The world isn't as scary when we are trying to do the right things, and follow what we are supposed to.

Thank you Doug for EVERYTHING you have done for me the past few years. You are a great man, and I couldn't ask for better. You always support me no matter what, you are an amazing dad, and a great example to our kids and me! Here is to many many more years!!!

Oh Mother's Day! How Grateful I am for you!!!

I know this isn't the greatest picture, but hey I was a brand new, very tired still recovering momma so it depicts what happens when you become a mom well!
I couldn't help but feel overwhelmed with gratitude yesterday as I was able to celebrate Mother's Day! Being a mom has ALWAYS been my dream especially being able to stay home and watch my little people grow and see all their amazingness every single day! Lucky for me I am able to do this due to my hardworking hubby who sacrifices so very much so that I can fulfill this part of my life!
My day started with a lot of hustle! We woke up at 8:25 and our church starts at 9:00. I quickly jumped in the tub with Mr. Karston who needless to say wasn't to happy due to the rough night we had, but still gave me kisses, and loves. I am so proud of myself we were only about 5 minutes late which wasn't to shabby considering our time frame.
After church I came home to find a clean house and a very sweet note from all my boys attached with a gift card to my ultimate favorite day spa in the world Sage Day Spa! I can't wait to schedule my massage!
Doug then made me a very yummy spaghetti dinner with homemade garlic bread and then cleaned up afterwards.
While Doug cleaned he let me go and take a much needed nap. Karston came in and snuggled up by me, kissed me night night, and fell right to sleep. Well as always this momma started to cry.
I know I know weird huh, but I just couldn't help but feel so very blessed at that exact moment.

Being a mom has its ups and downs, but it truly is the most amazing gift that my Heavenly Father could ever give me. I often watch him sleep and the cute little expressions on his face and it just amazes me how such a sweet little thing can make your life fill so fulfilled. I thought of the mother's who instead of being able to snuggle their babies have to visit a hospital bed side, or a grave and my heart aches for them, and it makes me more and more grateful for every second, every minute, every hour, and every day that I have to hold, snuggle, and kiss my little Karston.

Being a mom I get to:

Wipe snotty noses, change poopy diapers, deal with diaper rashes,

learn how to deal with temper tantrums, and the best way to get through to this particular child. I get to stress over his future, and hope and pray that I will teach him the things he needs to know so that he will be able to cope with whatever life hits him with. I get to comfort him when he sad and has a broken heart. I get to kiss owies better, and wipe tears from his eyes. I get to tell him I love him like a million and one times a day and sometimes he tells me a million and one times a day that he loves me! I get to play ball, and wrestle with him on the floor although this task has been a little bit more difficult these days. I get to read him stories over and over and over again. I get to hear his sweet giggles as I tickle his little legs, and neck. I get to watch him sleep so soundly with all his most prized toys: Grammie Lamby, dog, elephant, rararilla (gorilla), his ish (fish), and of course Mickey Mouse. I get to see his little face light up with joy when he accomplishes a new task such as: Rolling over, crawling, walking, jumping, running, feeding himself, dressing himself, learning a new color, singing his ABC's, finding his letters, learning his 123's etc. and this is still the beginning. I can't list everything because I would be here ALL day every day for the next million years, but you get the picture!

He brings more light into my life then anything else ever could and soon my light will be doubled, which is hard to comprehend how that does happen.

I don't go someplace and bring home a hefty pay check, but I do get paid every single day by being reminded how very blessed I am and how very important a mother's role and example is in the eyes of her children. I wouldn't trade this job for anything mostly because I don't think I could get any richer then I am right now! I love you Karston, I love you Doug, and I love you Jayden! We can't wait for your grand arrival!!!