2001
We started dating in January. Jamey was a senior, and I was a junior in high school. We were just two love-sick teenagers who couldn't imagine what the future had in store for us.
2002Jamey went off to college. I was devastated when he moved to Utah, and in my overly dramatic teenage mind, my life was ending. He flew home to take me to my senior prom, then moved home two weeks later. In August, we both went to UNC.
2003We helped his parents move to Washington. We visited most of the temples along our path to Washington. We visited his brother in Utah and road tripped to Canada. Jamey baptized and confirmed me a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in October.
2004
That summer we road-tripped to Texas to visit Jamey's brother and his family. I fell in love with my future-nephew Blake. In November, we decided to get MARRIED! We went to Utah for Thanksgiving and secretly picked out my wedding dress.
2005Jamey proposed in march. In June we were married for time and all eternity in the Salt Lake Temple. I remember it like it was yesterday. We drove over night from Colorado to Utah. The next morning, we got up super-early, so I could get my hair done. Then, we made the trip from Logan to Salt Lake. Little did we know, they were doing traffic on I-15. I cried the entire way. I was so sad that no one in my family was able to come to our sealing, but I was so happy to know that we'd be together for time and all eternity. It was such a strange mix of emotions. We parked in the parking garage and ran to the temple. We got there a little late, but they kept insisting it wasn't a problem and trying to calm me down. We were getting checked in, and we realized that Jamey had left the marriage license in the car! He ran to get it and couldn't find the car. I was freaking out because it was taking so long. I joked that he'd gotten cold feet and left. He finally came back and we got the show on the road. While I was in the bride's room getting ready, I started to feel the sadness again as I looked around and saw all the other bride's with their mom's. My mother-in-law was there to assist me, and I was so grateful to her. I don't remember much of what was said during the ceremony, but I do remember the calming feelings I had as I looked at Jamey across from me. I felt the spirit whisper to me and was confident that I was doing the right thing. As we walked out of the temple, there was a crowd of people waiting to exit. It was raining! All the other couples were waiting for the rain to clear up. I remember seeing the rain and smiling. My mom told me growing up that when it rains it means the people we love in Heaven are watching over us. I was instantly comforted. I remember being so grateful that Jamey has been so devout in his convictions and wouldn't settle for anything less that a temple marriage. We stayed in Salt Lake City that night and woke up in the morning to make the journey back to Colorado for our reception and ring ceremony.
In August, Jamey went to Utah to work at Zion National Park. I was in school, so I stayed home. It wasn't the ideal way to start off our marriage, but it seemed to be a foreshadow of what was the come. This picture is at the top of Angel's Landing trail .
2006
I graduated from UNC! We started managing an apartment complex, and Jamey began working for the Forest Service.
2007We road-tripped to Utah to meet Jamey's family for General Conference in April. In June, we road-tripped with my family to Florida for a week vacation. In July, we road-tripped to Utah for our niece's birthday. In August, we found out we were expecting our little Peanut.
2008In April, we welcomed Addy to our family. It was the most scary and amazing day of our lives. Our world was turned upside down by this little one. I didn't fully comprehend what love was until I held her in my arms for the first time. In May, Jamey moved to Washington to start a new career with the National Park Service. Addy and I followed suit in June. In October, we moved back to Colorado.
2009Jamey enrolled in the National Park Service Seasonal Law Enforcement Training Program in Rangely, Colorado. In May, he moved to Arizona to work at Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. We couldn't find housing for me and Addy, so we stayed in Colorado. It was a rough year for us. We lived apart for more than 6 months.
2010Jamey became a Nationally Registered EMT. In May, we all moved to Arizona. Jamey started his second year as a Park Ranger in the Dangling Rope District of Glen Canyon, and I started as a dispatcher. Addy went to a babysitter for the first time. She LOVED it!
2011This year has been good to us so far. Jamey moved to Tucson for a few months to work at Saguaro National Park. He is back and working at Glen Canyon again. We are enjoying the few days a week we get to spend together. Our lives and jobs are crazy busy, and I'm looking forward to the fall when we have more time together and can travel. (this is the only picture we have with all three of us in it from this year).
