It's been FOUR years....

Since Dan and I said our "I do's"!!! Wow!! Time flies when you are enjoying life...even with the downs that we've experienced and are experiencing in our time together. Amazing the beautiful ways in which God works. 10 years ago, I would have never guessed that I'd be in Tulsa, married to a wonderful man, and be a stay at home mom to our two most beautiful children! Had you asked me what my plan was, I would have said "be married by 24, have kids, and have a great career as an engineer" funny how God has other plans for us, huh?? I was more focused on the things that I wanted, mainly success...rather than the things that are most important. I did not have a real close relationship with the Lord, and was not really happy. I've come a long way since meeting Dan and have done a whole lot of growing up spiritually. I met Christ and have grown in my relationship with Him. I continue to do that daily, and know I will be doing just that for the rest of my life. God is good. It's so much fun and amazing to think back to how Dan and I met; as well as all the things that we have gone through which clearly show God's presence and constant involvement in our lives, even when we thought maybe He just was not listening or watching over us. I know most of you know our story, but here it is just to jog memories...

I moved to Tulsa, Labor Day Weekend 2000, and started working right away. I remember I flew in on Saturday, and started working on Tuesday (Monday was a holiday, Labor Day). I found myself, on my own, right out of college and in a town I had never in my life visited. It was a brave move, and for weekends on end I would sit in my apartment and wonder what in the world I was doing here all alone...I didn't know. Here is how things have unraveled, all in God's hands.

Dan and I sat in cubicles across from each other at work, but we didn't meet right away. Dan was on a business trip the week that I started, so we met when he came back. Right away I thought he was good looking and funny, but that was it. In February, Dan invited me to a Jenny Laboe (sp?) concert, at the ID (it's something else now) on Brookside, for Valentine's and I accepted. But I accepted only under the condition that we would go as nothing more than friends--funny to me know that I think about it. We started hanging out more and more, and the more time I spent with this man, the more I realized that I was falling for him. I remember I would go to the Varsity with him to watch the Blues, Cardinals and the Rams play JUST so that I could spend time with him. All of you who know me, know how much of a hockey, baseball and football fan I am right?? God was all over this, can you see?

From there it only took about 2 1/2 years for Dan to realize that I was the one and to finally get down on one knee! Without sharing too much detail, not everyone was happy with the idea of us being married, but you know what? God was there and still is, working in the hearts of those who differ in opinion one way or another--we see Him working to this day. So, almost 3 years after we started dating Dan and I were married in a beautiful ceremony at The Kirk. Such sweet memories!! The reception was so much fun, we danced and danced and danced the night away.

We were pregnant before our first anniversary, and spent 7 weeks in the hospital waiting for Kateli to be born. You guessed it, God was all over that situation as well. He gave me the time that I needed to get to know Him better and to realize his Sovereignty and His love for me, for Dan and for our growing family. God saw us through this, surrounding us with His love shown to us through the wonderful people he put in our lives. He gave us a healthy, beautiful baby girl.

We found out we were expecting again, on New Years 2007! What a great way to start a New Year!! Joshua was born in August, 3 weeks early and through a successful VBAC. You guessed it...God's was here and all over this too from the beginning. We were able to get in with a great doctor who would allow for the VBAC. Although Joshua was born early, it was a blessing in disguise. I didn't even think "VBAC (or anything associated with VBAC)" during labor, and I was able to deliver our baby without any fear of the risks. What an awesome God!

We continue to see God working. From Kateli's early diagnosis of Leukemia to how well she is doing with treatment. The only way we are making it through all of this and staying strong is because we have God on our side and we trust in Him, in His love and in His care.

Lots to go through in four years, right?? All good things...