Happy Anniversary!

It is hard to believe, but 12 years ago today, Jon and I were married in the Boise Temple! Wow - 12 years! That sounds like such a long time, but in so many ways it doesn't seem like that long ago!

We have certainly packed a lot into those 12 years. We were reviewing some of the "data" over dinner this evening . . . we've had 5 beautiful children, lived in 9 different places (in 3 states), had 10 jobs and 22 church callings (not including home and visiting teaching) between us. We've each finished a bachelor's degree and a graduate program (TESL certificate for me, MPA for Jon). It has been a busy 12 years.

The last year, in particular, seems to have brought a lot of changes and excitement. In fact, it was a year ago, when we were celebrating our anniversary with dinner at the Atwood Steakhouse in Colorado, that I mentioned to Jon that I had seen a posting for what sounded like a very interesting job in a place called Grand Island, Nebraska. I had done a little bit of research about the community and shared what I had learned with Jon. The next day we spent time online together looking up all kinds of information and later that night, after extensive discussions about pros and cons and goals/plans/dreams for the future, Jon completed an application just to see what would happen. It all seemed so innocent at the time . . . (and really, right from the very beginning, it seemed inevitable).

And sure enough, here we are a year later . . . who could have imagined? In fact, who could have imagined on our cold, but beautifully sunny wedding day 12 years ago, that we would be where we are now doing what we are doing. In many ways, the course of our life together has been full of surprises . . . but one thing that wouldn't have surprised me then (and doesn't surprise me now) is that I love Jon more than ever and I am so glad that we decided to share our lives! I am honored and grateful to be his wife and look forward to the adventures that we will continue to face together.