DJ and I both grew up in the same town. One of those small, country towns; that isn't even that small, or that country. But we all claim it to be. DJ was one of my brother's many friends, with a big truck, that was at our house on a regular basis. We knew each other for quite a few years before we started dating. We dated for less than a year before we were engaged. A year later, on December 13, 2008 we were married. It was, without a doubt, my dream wedding day. It was perfect. In every way. We spent our honeymoon on Sanibel Island, before returning home to work and school.
We were busy, so busy. Both working full time, and going to school. In April, we added Molly to our family. When we weren't working, studying, training our crazy dog, working on our house, or trying to catch a few hours of sleep, we were outside. At the beach, sand dunes, snowboarding, bon fires, camping... We had our '5 Year Plan' set. I was going to get my degree in Psychology/Special Education, work long enough to pay off my loans, and save to stay home when we had kids. DJ was working like crazy, and chipping away at classes towards his degree. Six months after we were married, we realized that our '5 Year Plan' was not what God had planned for us. I was pregnant. We were surprised to say the least. But really, we were more excited than anything.
The night we found out we were expecting, I explained how important it was for me to be home with Karson. DJ agreed. I wouldn't be going back to school in the fall, and I would be leaving my job when the baby arrived. We readjusted our finances, sold the snowmobile, canceled our dish, and anything else we could. Every penny was accounted for. In October, we realized again, after all of our planning, that God was in control.
October was filled with a month full of scares, ER visits, 5 ultrasounds, and work restrictions. When I was 16 weeks, my friend, Alycia had brought me to an emergency ultrasound. With all the doctor visits that week, DJ couldn't get any more time off. She texted DJ the whole time we were there, telling him exactly what the ultrasound technician was saying. We found out that day, that I was carrying a sweet baby boy. The next week I went back to work part time. I drove a half hour one way, to work for 3 hours. Once we realized I was spending more in gas to get to work, than I was actually making at work, I put in my week notice.
Once again, we had to readjust our plans. We figured it out, and made it work. We spend that winter getting ready for our sweet boy. I spent my time either on the couch, or throwing up in the sink. I was not a happy pregnant person. I never understood how someone wouldn't like being pregnant. I understand now. Completely!
On February 28th, the last thing DJ said to me before I fell asleep was, 'well at least now we are guaranteed a March baby.' The next morning, my water broke, three weeks early. DJ rushed home from work to find me cleaning the house. He begged and begged for me to get in the car, but I was dead set on my baby coming home to a clean house. So clean I did. We got to the hospital around 9am, and while I had a miserable pregnancy, I had a perfect delivery. Thank you epidurals! I slept, talked with family and friends, and watched Jake pick Vienna. At 10:00 they told me I was 10 centimeters. By 10:26, my sweet Karson was snuggled in my arms.
...two years later, we are still adjusting our plan. I am still at home with Karson, and DJ is still going to work and school. We sold our country house, and now live in the subdivision I grew up in. Right around the corner from my parents. I love that Karson will be able to ride his bike to Nana and Grandpa's house. I love that we are close to so many friends, who once again, are more family than they will ever know. The 1 constant in our lives, Molly is still as crazy as ever, and Karson keeps us on our toes always!
In latest news...Karson is now a big brother. Little Ellary was born on April 9, 2012.
