~Finding Our Way Home ~

Funny how when you marry someone, you think how incredibly alike you are, how compatible you two are together, how easy life will be because you are both on the same exact wave length.

This could not have been any further from the truth with Jason and I.

Of course, that wasn't what I thought in the beginning.

We both had the Air Force embedded in our lives, we both had loving parents with family as their focus, we both had the desire to have children and raise a fantastic family together. And that was about it. Yep - love, that is all we had to go on.

I was a young Mormon girl, without a hometown to my name. Dad had been stationed everywhere it seemed by the time I met Jason. I loved to sing, dance, play piano, and listen to Depeche Mode. I never drank, smoked, or even thought of doing any kind of drug. Sundays were church and family days only. Going to college was without question, and getting married and having a family was my number one goal in life. Never made a solid career choice, never needed to - was always going to be a stay at home mom. Changed my major in college a thousand times: Radio and Television Broadcasting, Elementary Education, Management and Business, Accounting, Med School, Law School, even seriously thought about going on a Mission.....you name it, I thought about it. Didn't matter - getting a job was only a back up plan.

The man I fell in love with could not have been more different. Lutheran by birth, born in Glen Dale, WV and raised and graduated High School in Wheeling, WV - only 10 mins apart . Played every sport under the sun - baseball, football, wrestling, basketball, cross country - you name it, he was good at it without really trying. He hunted from tree stands on their land in his own backyard, rode his bike for miles to fish, sighted in his guns on their shooting range, and rode dirt bikes and four wheelers. By the time I met him he had given college a shot, and decided the Air Force was for him. Thank goodness, because this is how we met.

He can't sing a lick, and dancing - don't even ask - we met at a dance club in England. I danced with his friends while he watched and had a beer.

It was difficult for him to sit still in church, but for me he tried.

How did I fall in love with him? Well, he wouldn't stop talking about how much he loved his family and missed West Virginia. Hook line and sinker. Almost 19 years and three children later, I count my blessings we are so very different. They all love music, play multiple instruments, love to camp, fish , and do anything outdoors. I never been to so many games, tournaments, and practices in my life. Learning new "rules of the game" every time we attend - especially football - this one still has me confused. One out of three goes to church with me - that I'm thankful for. They turned out pretty well rounded if I say so myself. And they clean up well.

So, here's to marrying someone who's not anything like you.

Believe me, it only adds more incredible facets to your amazing family!

Lauren and her volleyball team 2012