Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate.

I was thinking about writing Clara’s birth story when I realized I should start with the boys’ stories first.  The thought of going back to each of their births excites me.  I was terrible at keeping baby books, so I hope I can do each of them justice.  They are so special and unique, and I never, not for one second, want any of my children to feel left out or less adored than another.  For whatever reason, God has trusted Michael and I with 4 amazing lives.  If I ponder that thought too long, I can easily become overwhelmed with the responsibility that goes along with that, as well as, with the gratitude that I have.  There are so many things that we take for granted just getting through each day’s busyness.  We so often overlook the amazingness of our daily lives.

Anyway, before I delve into the stories of motherhood, I thought it only right to begin with our family story.  That story did not begin when we became parents, but when God united us together as husband and wife.  So for now, I will start with the story of us!

It is so hard to believe that our story began almost 19 years ago.  One of my best friends had been dating Michael’s best friends for a couple of years.  They often spoke of “Mike”, but I was distracted with my own interests (and a guy 2 years younger than me was not part of those interests..lol!).  Finally, in April of my junior year of high school, Michael and I began dating. After several months, I remember telling my friend that I wish I had met Michael later.  I really believed I could marry him, but felt that we met way too early.  I didn’t think there was any way we could last since we started out so young.  As many high school relationships go, we would break up and get back together.  This would continue for the first couple of years.  One night during one of those break ups, I prayed:  Please God, if this is not meant to be, help me see that so that we can move on. I was so tired of the back and forth.  Well, obviously, that prayer was answered, because here we sit, 14 years of marriage and 4 kids later.  Who would of thunk it?? Marriage is not always easy, as you all know, but the one thing that saves us (in addition to God's grace) is communication.  I know that is so cliché, but it is so true.  I never hesitate to tell Michael exactly how I feel.  He is my best friend who understands my fits and truth be told, is probably much more forgiving of my fits than I am of his.  Is he perfect….uhhh, NO!  But then again, neither am I (shhh, don’t tell him I said that).  Thus far, we have survived high school, college, my dad’s death, our wedding, having children, grad school, and many basketball seasons!  We've had many great times, and some pretty rotten times, but all in all, we’ve done it together!

Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate. Mark 10:9

So, there it is.  A super brief summary of us!  It was only 6 months after we were married that we found out we were pregnant.  A little sooner than anticipated (we were both still in college), but I will pick up with that story in the next post when I tell Cole’s birth story.  My eyes are watering up just thinking about going back to that time in our lives!  God is good!