The Parents.
We met in college and dated for a year, then were engaged about 5 months. Looking back on dating I’m almost glad I didn’t comprehend the gravity of picking someone to marry. I thought I did, I think everyone thinks that. I had a general idea of what I was looking for. But you don’t know what you don’t know. I couldn’t possibly think of every quality or personality trait or innumerable other characteristic that I would need, love, want, not mesh with, ect. Then take into account how people grow and change- if I didn’t have some of that ignorant bliss I had mixed with my youthful arrogance, faith, and luckily some common sense I might never have had the courage to get married! I guess it is one of many examples that God is aware of our lives and provides an assist without our awareness. Sometimes we ask, sometimes we don’t have to.
The point I was getting at is that Ryan and I are not perfect and we know each other isn’t perfect but so far in our marriage, both of our personalities have seemed to work together quite well and make a good mesh. We are more opposite than alike. Sometimes we joke that we really have nothing in common. Fortunately our differences compliment each other most of the time and the ones that don’t we have accepted and learned to work with…or ignore. 🙂 We don’t agree on everything and often approach things from opposite directions. But agree to have a united front-especially with our kids.
Ryan grew up in Manhattan Kansas. He lived in the same house his whole life. He is the oldest of four kids. He went to a year of college after highschool before going on a Mission for our church to Bolivia for two years. Then he finished his BA in Mechanical Engineering. He finished his Associates at BYU-I then was planning on finishing at Utah State. When we decided to get married we ended up moving back to Kansas to finish both our degrees with in state tuition. He later got his MBA from UMKC and uses both his degrees in his current job as a Technical Business developer for Navitas. It is a good mix for him. He still gets the engineering part of him used and the sales part adds the social part he likes too. Golfing for work-yes please!! He also spends lots of time coaching or parent coaching Matthew in his sports, or playing with the girls. He is a great dad. He works hard to provide and take care of his family.
I grew up in many locations. I believe I counted one time and had moved 18 times by the time I was 18. A lot of them when I was to young to remember. when I started school it averaged about every 1 1/2 years to 2 years. The states we lived in included Utah, Idaho, Colorado, California and Wyoming. I graduated high school in Wyoming. Then was planning on going down to UVSC in Provo to start my degree in Dental Hygiene but for some reason applied to BYU-I the last day of the dead line even though I swore I never wanted to go there. I don’t remember why I did it, but ended up getting accepted and going there. I did two years there in biology/pre-reqs for Dental Hygiene. I was planning on finishing at Sheridan College in Wyoming but met Ryan and finished my Dental Hygiene at JCCC. I worked full time until I had kids, then I have done part time since then.
The kiddos
Matthew is our oldest. He is a disciplined, kind hearted, talented, intelligent boy. He joined our family 11 years ago and we are blessed to have him.
Aaron is our second son. He had some heart problems that did not let him spend a lot of time with us on earth. We think about him often and are looking forward to getting to know him again someday.
Allison is or third kiddo. First daughter. She is a spunky, intelligent, confident, beautiful girl. She is a born leader. She is turning 8 this year but acts more like a 14 year old. She has a very fun personality when she lets it shine.
Emilee is our caboose. She is a joyful, bubbly, fun, thoughtful sweetheart. She always has a hug and kiss to offer when you need one. She is a master at using that bubbliness to get her way and we have to keep a close eye on her for that.