This time of year 4 years ago Ryan and I were newlyweds considering moving 2000 miles from friends, family, and a familiar life to attend college at Evangel. We had close friends telling us it would be a great opportunity, youth pastors encouraging the move, and even family thinking it would be a great experience. I was dead set against moving. When Ryan first said he wanted to move to Missouri I looked at him and said "How am I supposed to have babies in Missouri?". He laughed and said the same way we would in California. Little did I know we would be packing suitcases to fly to MO day the after Thanksgiving to visit the school, check out the area, and look for a place to live. We had an enjoyable visit and like the school and area.
I was scared to death!
I did not want to admit that I liked it because I was afraid that it would encourage the move. At the time we figured we would work through the winter, spring, and summer and leave for MO in August. Boy was I wrong. 1 short month later we were loading our U-Haul and saying goodbye to family and friends. My best friend drove with me in my car and Ryan and his dad were the drivers of the U-Haul. I fought back tears all the way to Utah. We arrived to a small little duplex in what I percieved as a scary part of town 3 days later. Kristina stayed a week to help me unpack and adjust to the move. I called home every night and missed my friends a ton. We went home for Spring Break and then for the whole summer of 2006.
Fall of 2006 we announced we were adding to our family. The morning (ALL DAY) sickness was horrible and I had early morning classes. I had to find a doctor in the midst of not knowing anyone. Luckily the school nurse directed to me a doctor that she had previously worked with. Family came to celebrate Christmas that year in Mo. We had a great time. In March, we flew to Ca. for Spring Break and a Baby Shower. We were having a boy! We were so excited. 2 1/2 weeks early on June 22nd labor started. I was so scared. We didn't have any family here and we were having a baby. My wonderful girls from the youth group kept me company all night and through the next day until Levi entered the world. He was/is amazing!
Shortly after Levi was born we moved to a bigger/nicer/newer duplex and I got a full time job. I decided to change majors and join Degree Completion. When Levi was just 4 months old we announced we would be adding to our family again. Family had mixed feelings but we were so excited. We went to Ca. for Christmas and had a great time. Everyone doted on Levi and he was spoiled!
June came and we celebrated Levi's 1st birthday. I was 8 1/2 months pregnant and it was HOT! I couldn't believe my baby was 1 and I was going to be giving birth again soon. July came and 3 days after my due date we welcomed Luke into the world. It was an incredibly fast and easy delivery (thank you epidural). Levi was a big brother and I had a newborn again. Thanks to great friends and family the first week of having 2 babies went great.
I started school again (after a year break) in September and decided that doing daycare in our home was the best for our family. I am able to stay home with my boys and also make an income for our family. I've really enjoyed it.
Fall and winter came and went. We visited Ryans family in Colorado for Christmas. Santa visited us on Christmas Eve and delivered the boys a present and they were able to sit on his lap. It was a great Christmas with my 2 boys and family surrounding us.
As summer approached I started planning the party for Levi's 2nd Birthday and Luke's 1st. My dad and his g.f. joined us for the occasion and it was a great time celebrating the births of my boys. We enoyed the rest of summer with trips to the park, pool, zoo, Silver Dollar City, and Branson to visit friends.
This week school started again and I can see the light at the end of the (first) tunnel. This school year signifies my last school year working on my bachelors. May 7th is graduation day and I cannot believe that after 4 years and 2 babies I will walk the line. I start my practicum on Friday the 3rd and am so excited for the experience to work with women in addiction recovery. It is going to be an amazing experience.
It is incredible to look back on the past 4 years and see how far we have come. We went from newlyweds in a new state far from family and friends to parents in a state that is now our home. We have made a home for ourselves in Missouri and love it!
I was scared to death!
I did not want to admit that I liked it because I was afraid that it would encourage the move. At the time we figured we would work through the winter, spring, and summer and leave for MO in August. Boy was I wrong. 1 short month later we were loading our U-Haul and saying goodbye to family and friends. My best friend drove with me in my car and Ryan and his dad were the drivers of the U-Haul. I fought back tears all the way to Utah. We arrived to a small little duplex in what I percieved as a scary part of town 3 days later. Kristina stayed a week to help me unpack and adjust to the move. I called home every night and missed my friends a ton. We went home for Spring Break and then for the whole summer of 2006.
Fall of 2006 we announced we were adding to our family. The morning (ALL DAY) sickness was horrible and I had early morning classes. I had to find a doctor in the midst of not knowing anyone. Luckily the school nurse directed to me a doctor that she had previously worked with. Family came to celebrate Christmas that year in Mo. We had a great time. In March, we flew to Ca. for Spring Break and a Baby Shower. We were having a boy! We were so excited. 2 1/2 weeks early on June 22nd labor started. I was so scared. We didn't have any family here and we were having a baby. My wonderful girls from the youth group kept me company all night and through the next day until Levi entered the world. He was/is amazing!
Shortly after Levi was born we moved to a bigger/nicer/newer duplex and I got a full time job. I decided to change majors and join Degree Completion. When Levi was just 4 months old we announced we would be adding to our family again. Family had mixed feelings but we were so excited. We went to Ca. for Christmas and had a great time. Everyone doted on Levi and he was spoiled!
June came and we celebrated Levi's 1st birthday. I was 8 1/2 months pregnant and it was HOT! I couldn't believe my baby was 1 and I was going to be giving birth again soon. July came and 3 days after my due date we welcomed Luke into the world. It was an incredibly fast and easy delivery (thank you epidural). Levi was a big brother and I had a newborn again. Thanks to great friends and family the first week of having 2 babies went great.
I started school again (after a year break) in September and decided that doing daycare in our home was the best for our family. I am able to stay home with my boys and also make an income for our family. I've really enjoyed it.
Fall and winter came and went. We visited Ryans family in Colorado for Christmas. Santa visited us on Christmas Eve and delivered the boys a present and they were able to sit on his lap. It was a great Christmas with my 2 boys and family surrounding us.
As summer approached I started planning the party for Levi's 2nd Birthday and Luke's 1st. My dad and his g.f. joined us for the occasion and it was a great time celebrating the births of my boys. We enoyed the rest of summer with trips to the park, pool, zoo, Silver Dollar City, and Branson to visit friends.
This week school started again and I can see the light at the end of the (first) tunnel. This school year signifies my last school year working on my bachelors. May 7th is graduation day and I cannot believe that after 4 years and 2 babies I will walk the line. I start my practicum on Friday the 3rd and am so excited for the experience to work with women in addiction recovery. It is going to be an amazing experience.
It is incredible to look back on the past 4 years and see how far we have come. We went from newlyweds in a new state far from family and friends to parents in a state that is now our home. We have made a home for ourselves in Missouri and love it!
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