Happy Anniversary Sweetheart!

Kevin and I made it through our first year as a married couple...well, we will on Sunday that is....and just barely...

Photo taken at Saint George Temple Grounds May 2011

It has been one of the hardest, most difficult years of my life and at the same time one of the best... I married a wonderful man who loves and supports me, a man who loves his children, a man who honors his Priesthood, and in turn honors me. 

On our elopement day... May 20, 2011

We felt so impressed that we should get married and so we did. At first, all things were going as planned and I moved to Hurricane, Utah and set up house. Then later last summer in the process of moving my kids to Hurricane we found it not to their liking and our plans for a happy family life with seven kiddaboos in the house obliterated with their move back to Bakersfield. It was never in my plans to be without my children... This new life, mothering from afar, has been frustrating, heartbreaking, and often depressing for me. Some days I struggle to keep my composure and function like I should, other days I am okay... It has been an adjustment for Nicholle, Emma, and Micah as well... The most important thing is that they are healthy and happy, and that we get to see each other as often as possible... During this difficult time Kevin has always had my back. He is supportive of my many trips to Bakersfield and doesn't complain that I hoard as much money as I can to make these trips possible. I know it is hard on him while I am away and he never complains... (At least not to me...).

Going to a show - May 2011

After my kids moved back to Bakersfield, and Kevin's kids had moved up to Northern Utah we found ourselves following them north. Kevin took a supervisory QA position at CSB Nutrition and I looked for work for several months...until I found my current job at Visi as a distributor support representative. We lived with my Mom and Dwight until early March when Kevin's kids came to live with us full time. We then moved to a little basement apartment in Eagle Mountain. So, over the past year we have moved three separate times... We have had months where we have had all seven children in our home, months where we have not had any of them, and currently all four of Kevin's. Kevin is a great father! He is always trying to connect with his kids and enjoy the little moments he has with them. This is something I really admire about my husband. He has this innate ability to live in the moment. 

The whole gang - May 2011

Life as a step mother is hard! I often joke with Lizzy, when I am frustrated with one of the boys, that I shouldn't be allowed to be a step-mother and that she should turn me in the the fairy-god mothers association... (She hasn't so far...) Kevin and his kids are amazing. They put up with my moodiness, and my missing my kids... Maybe someday I will not feel so inadequate helping Kevin raise his four awesome little monkeys... 

Eli turned 4 February 26th!

Working two jobs, I am not home very much. Thus, Kevin puts up with my demands for an organized house. He makes dinner most nights and changes the laundry... He is even getting good at keeping the household chores done in my absence and I couldn't ask for anything more! I really do appreciate all that he does to make my life better.

Fox Hollow Elementary -  Funky Hat Day - Spring 2012

So, even though this past year has gone in a direction I never intended, I am glad I found this wonderful man and that we have each other. Maybe, now that the first year is over, things will get easier... I love you Kevin...Happy Anniversary Handsome!

Easter 2012