As we reflect on the last year or so, it's amazing to Josh and I how fast things have changed for both of us. I went from being lost and unsure of what I wanted for my life and Josh went from living the bachelor/single father lifestyle to finding each other in the most unexpected way. We started emailing back and forth on myspace and even had mutual friends. It later led to us meeting in person and we both instantly knew there was something more. We went on a few dates and each time, we fell more and more in love. A few months later, Josh set up a special date at the Common Ground restaurant where we shared our first date only a couple months prior. As we were waiting for our food, I remember hearing a little commotion behind me (I had my back to the everyone) and from the corner of my eye, I noticed the head chef, Craig Common, was delivering our meals along with...a jewelry box on a white plate. I slowly opened it and found the most beautiful breathtaking ring I've ever seen. Josh said "this is it...will you marry me?" And of course, I said "YES". A few months later, we discovered I was pregnant. We already knew we wanted to get married in the fall, but since I had already ordered my dress, we decided to move our wedding up a couple months to July 26th. On that huge day, we not only vowed to love and cherish each other all our lives, but we joined and bonded our families as one. I love Kayleigh as much as if she were my own daughter along with all of his family! He also loves my family the same. In August, we had our BIG ultrasound appointment and were thrilled to find out whether we were having a boy or girl...we had names picked already for either. Neither of us minded either way, but I thought for sure it was a girl and Josh had a feeling it was a boy. I remember before the ultrasound, Josh called a bunch of people and said "I'm pretty sure I'm going to get my boy, Carter Erick". My mom joined us for this big event, which meant so much to all of us since this baby was the first on my side and the first grand-baby for my mom. As soon as the tech began, my mom and Josh knew right away...it was hard to miss! The tech proclaimed "IT'S A BOY"...and Josh yelled "YEEEEESSSSS". We all cried! We soon started buying little things. The first outfit Josh and I bought for him was at a Carter's store...a brown fleece pants and jacket set with light brown bears all over the top. We also bought some white long-sleeved onsies. In January of this year...we were anxiously awaiting our bundle of joy and he was showing no signs of coming on his own. So our doctor decided on a friday the 16th since I was at 40 weeks, that he would induce the following tuesday morning. Josh and I were thrilled! We arrived at the hospital at 5:30 a.m. and we started the process of registering, getting our room, getting into the gown and all the monitors hooked up. The doctor ordered Pitocin at 7:00, so I began that right away. The doctor came in at 9:00 and broke my water. By 10:30, I was ready for an epidural since the pain was getting pretty intense and I was dilated to a 4. The epidural did absolutely NOTHING for me, the pressure was insane. Within a half hour, my God-mother said "there's only one reason the epidural wouldn't be working, I'm going to check you". She was right, I had dilated from 4 to 10 in less than an hour and was ready to push. Carter was born at 11:47 a.m. The feeling we had after seeing our son for the first time, was amazing! He was so perfect right from the start! He ate easily and adjusted like a pro! His going home outfit was the first Carter's brown fleece bear outfit.
The same month Carter was born, we found out that Josh got the job in Pensacola, Florida for Qwest. We were thrilled! From there, things moved very quickly...as everything has in our relationship. Carter was only 5 weeks old, when we packed up a Penske truck and moved our life.
And here we are...only a year after finding each other and we are so complete and so happy!
