Missing You Always

My gorgeous sisters from left to right, Tara, Kristen and Megan
My sweet sister Megan who is a senior this year. Yikes!
My beautiful sister Kristen who brings the humor in my life
My only brother Robert making one of the sweetest tackles ever!
My wonderful family the day before I left for Germany. Finally got the baby sister Alyssa on here!

Growing up in a big family is an adventure in and of itself, and since I'm the oldest oh the tales I can tell. My siblings have been and always will be my best friends and as we've gotten older our love for each other grows stronger every day. Since I'm halfway around the world, being away from them sometimes becomes unbearable. My sister Megan was Belle in her high school's performance of Beauty and the Beast this past school year and watching her in her element was so amazing. So of course she gives me a copy so I can watch it whenever I want and thats what I did yesterday. As I was watching her sing one of the songs I love the most, I just had one of the moments where reality kicks in that I am so far away and the tears fell like rain. It's true what they say, you never know how much you will miss something till its gone. My sisters are great about keeping me up to date with whats new in their lives, but I still can't help but feel that I wish I was hearing it there instead of here. The hardest for me is when they had a tough day and wanting to be there to hold them and say that everything will be alright.
I know when you marry into the military you're saying that you agree to go wherever they send you, but it still doesn't make it any easier. Some women handle it way better then I do I'm sure. But the one thing that keeps me going is knowing that we're a forever family. I get to not only enjoy this life with them but the next as well. I honestly can't imagine my life without them. So to my family, no matter where I go know that I take you with me in my heart and that I'm missing you always.

Madison's New Kicks

She figured out the velcro really quick! lol

So precious!

We just received a box from Nana Kelly (my mom) today and she had sent Madison her first jellies. Of course looking at them was like a blast from the past and all the good times I had in my first jellies! So I dressed her up all cute and put them on her to see the reaction. It took her a few minutes to get used to them but afterwards she was cruising! Just thought we'd share these kodak moments with you.

We're Counting the Days!

One of Laurie's shirts that she wore when she was here last. This was the first to be unpacked.
Laurie's zip-up sweatshirt. I think Madison was trying to figure it out herself and gave up. :)
Trying on her Honey's boots. She's already trying to grow up on me. AHHH!

This is mommy's headband but she loves to play with it.

We will be having the privilege very soon to have Bryan's mom Laurie come visit us for about 4 months. We are all very excited and Madison decided to take it upon herself to get things ready. In Madison's room, we have a box of Laurie's/Honey's clothes that she wanted to leave behind to wear when she returned. Madison thought she would start unpacking for her. So I had to take pictures of course because it was just too sweet. Enjoy!

We Did It!!

I took this picture and the next the day before. It was so beautiful outside I just had to do it.

Since the batteries in our camera died, Christy and some others took some pictures that day. I borrowed these from Christy so you could at least see something. This is Christy's adorable son Calin and our Madison.

Three of my favorite sisters! From left to right, Regina, Sara, (Me) and Christy.
Bryan and I with our dear friends and escorts for the day, the Robertsons.


So last Saturday the 2nd, our family went to the Frankfurt temple to be sealed for time and all eternity. Something I have been dreaming about since I was a young woman. The day couldn't have been more perfect. We asked our temple prep teacher Tyler Robertson and his wife Christy to be our escorts. They were so amazing and we couldn't have imagined our day without them. Regina and Sara, came up to be apart of the sealing and also watch baby Madison until it was her time to join us. The Bishop and his wife along with Bro. Meldrom were also there to show their support and love for our special day. So many beautiful blessings were bestowed upon our family that day, but there is one part I will never forget. When Bryan and I looked into each others eyes as the ceremony was taking place. Bryan had warned me before (jokingly) not to cry but I couldn't help it. In that moment, I saw how much he loved me and I knew that I would have him forever. My heart was overflowing with joy and the spirit was unlike any other. Then Madison was brought to us in her beautiful white gown and little white bow in her hair. She reached out for me and began to cry and wrapped her little arms around me so tight as if to say that she missed me and never wanted me to let go. Words cannot express how much love I have for her and tears were all I had as I held onto her. After all was said and done, I looked at my sweet husband and darling little girl. What a sense of accomplishment I felt. We did it! We're a forever family.