Sunday, July 31, 2011

Looking Back

Twenty nine years = Five pregnancies, five children, three weddings, three missionaries, two broken legs, four sets of stitches in foreheads, one bike accident, one ambulance ride, one appendectomy and a few other surgeries, 5 cases of chicken pox and more cases of colds, flus, vomiting, carsickness and airsickness than I can count. Thousands of family dinners, lunches packed, gallons of milk, boxes of cereal, loads of laundry, floors swept and vacuumed, children tucked in, songs sung, kisses given and bandaids applied. Lots of family vacations, a few trips to Hawaii, church history trips individually with each child, a trip to London. Children away in Mexico, Romania, Germany, Brazil, and soon Argentina plus Mark gone for 2 weeks in Argentina too. Eight moves, three states, eight years of school, four BA degrees, one masters and 1 3/5 PhD's. Nine years with Mom in school. Three beautiful, fun, charming, adorable, heart-stealing grandchildren. Running, rappelling, climbing, hiking and exploring Southern Utah, tennis, aerobics, lots of biking including a few state championships, one Lotoja championship and hundreds of other bike race. Five children with drivers licenses, numerous cars, spiraling insurance rates, six cell phones on one plan.

29 years of tears, challenges, triumphs, worries, making ends meet, prayers, blessings, celebrating and pure joy than I ever thought possible...

and I'd do it all over again as long as I could do it with my best friend!

I love you Mark, thanks for 29 wonderful years.

Karen

5 comments:

Celisa said...

You are both amazing and complement each other so well. Thanks for being such great examples for the rest of us! Happy Anniversary!!!

Amy said...

Happy Anniversary! So glad to have you as parents and I am so grateful for the example you guys set! Love you!

MZ said...

Thanks! I'd do it all again too!! You are an incredible person and I feel super blessed to be sealed to you forever!!!

Franklin Family said...

Happy Anniversary you two. May there be many more things to add to that list for many years to come!

Karen's Little Corner of the World said...

What a beautiful tribute Karen. I remember when you and Mark first met. I remember how your countenance changed almost right before our eyes during your dating time together. It was so obvious that you guys had something special. You changed from a freshman college girl to a beautiful, mature woman ready for an eternal marriage. You and Mark were a wonderful example to the rest of us in Heritage Halls.