Popular Post BlsdMama Posted June 22, 2022 Popular Post Share Posted June 22, 2022 (edited) Celebrate with us!! DH & I have survived 26 years married! Lots of people do it but we have ran through an obstacle course of life. Baby #1 1996 Married June 22, 1996 Baby #2 1999 Joined Army 2000 Four years in the desert at NTC Baby #3 2/14/01 and Hannah died 2/26/01 Begins homeschooling & reads TWTM. Joins forum around October 2001 if memory serves? Baby #4 12/23/2001 Baby #5 January 2004 Out of Army & back to Iowa Baby #6 December 2004 Miscarriage 2005 Baby #7 2006 Miscarriage 2007 Baby #8 2008 Baby #9 Dec 2009 Baby diagnosed with fatal methylmalonic acidemia January 2010 Move to Oregon (job transfer) Feb 2010 Oops - OHSU figures out it's a missed diagnosis. Baby is healthy. Help create the *best* co-op with some great families Baby #10 - June 2011 Baby #11 - March 2013 Transfer back to Iowa Buy house DD #1 graduates (homeschooled K-12) Baby #12 August 2014 Life threatening miscarriage Dec 2015 and another late miscarriage / D & C July 2016 Trips, two falls - September & October 2016 Motor Neuron Disease diagnosis around February 2017 DD gets married, graduates from college, has our first grandchild (big year) Mayo DS #2 graduates (homeschooled K-12) Major fall & facial injury Sept 2020 Wheelchair full time 2021 DD #3 graduates (homeschooled K-12) 2022 DS #4 graduates (homeschooled K-12) It has been an incredible journey. Two cross country moves (and back again), a 4 year military stint during 9/11, 16 pregnancies, four miscarriages, one death, 11 healthy children, four grandkids, ALS diagnosis, and we are still working at it. It's not always easy - past or present. We've grown and changed since those 19yo & 23yo kids said their vows. Those changes haven't always worked together and it's been incredibly challenging to struggle through diagnosis & disability while raising young kids & homeschooling. Life has not been a crystal stair - it's had tacks, boards torn up, and places bare. (Langston Hughes) But we still show up. We still work at it. And today we celebrate 26 years. We really grew up together in so many ways. The 1st pic is us now. The 2nd is us then. The 3rd is us on a trip back to Oregon in 2019. The last is our family now (June 2021) - we've gained two great son-in-laws and four grandbabies. (Grandbaby #4, Lucy, is in the picture, just hidden in DD's tummy, lol.) Edited June 22, 2022 by BlsdMama 92 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ann.without.an.e Posted June 22, 2022 Share Posted June 22, 2022 Happy Anniversary ❤️ I love this post so much I wish there was a double love button. also the Langston Hughes quote is great. I’ll save that one ❤️ 8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fairfarmhand Posted June 22, 2022 Share Posted June 22, 2022 That is so great for you all! And y'all were such BABIES in that wedding picture. But all young couples look like babies to me now. I look at my own wedding pics from 1997 and think, I was an infant and had no business getting married. 🙂 3 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheReader Posted June 22, 2022 Share Posted June 22, 2022 Many congratulations! Quite the ride you've had, and you're quite right to celebrate such a huge accomplishment! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mommyoffive Posted June 22, 2022 Share Posted June 22, 2022 Amazing!! What a journey you guys have been through in 26 years. Congrats! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carrie12345 Posted June 22, 2022 Share Posted June 22, 2022 Not that the superficial matters, but how you can list all that and then post a picture where you look like you might be 24 is way beyond my ability to comprehend! Congratulations on 26 very full years! 5 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ali in OR Posted June 22, 2022 Share Posted June 22, 2022 Congratulations! We share today as our anniversary too--31 for us. Love the pics. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catwoman Posted June 22, 2022 Share Posted June 22, 2022 CONGRATULATIONS!!!!! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Katy Posted June 22, 2022 Share Posted June 22, 2022 Congratulations! Now tell us how you look prettier now than you did 26 years ago. 6 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YaelAldrich Posted June 22, 2022 Share Posted June 22, 2022 Mazel tov and happy anniversary! We celebrated 25 years last year and goodness knows how we made it but we did! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ktgrok Posted June 22, 2022 Share Posted June 22, 2022 oh my - you look EXACTLY the same in the wedding photo and now! How is that possible? I'm not sure I even look RELATED to the person in my wedding photo, lol. Seriously, wow. What a testimony to love! 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kassia Posted June 22, 2022 Share Posted June 22, 2022 Aw, I LOVE this! Happy Anniversary and thank you for sharing your journey. ❤️ 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freesia Posted June 22, 2022 Share Posted June 22, 2022 Congratulations! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TravelingChris Posted June 22, 2022 Share Posted June 22, 2022 Congratulations!!!!!! You look so wonderful. You don't look like you have aged at all!!!! 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wintermom Posted June 22, 2022 Share Posted June 22, 2022 Happy Anniversary!! Lovely photos. Thanks for sharing your journey. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wintermom Posted June 22, 2022 Share Posted June 22, 2022 1 minute ago, TravelingChris said: Congratulations!!!!!! You look so wonderful. You don't look like you have aged at all!!!! I was going to say that, too. You look amazing! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corbster98 Posted June 22, 2022 Share Posted June 22, 2022 I thought the same thing. You have barely aged and look beautiful! Congrats on your anniversary! I agree with you completely when you stated "but we still show up". So true to making any marriage work especially when the challenges arise.... and they always do. Your marriage is a beautiful testament to devotion and love. Even though you have had your fair share of struggles, you have so many blessings and a beautiful love story. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Denise in IN Posted June 22, 2022 Share Posted June 22, 2022 Congratulations! You have persevered through so much, and you have a beautiful family. Much to celebrate! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soror Posted June 22, 2022 Share Posted June 22, 2022 Happy Anniversary! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaybee Posted June 22, 2022 Share Posted June 22, 2022 3 hours ago, Katy said: Congratulations! Now tell us how you look prettier now than you did 26 years ago. I love seeing "then and now" photos, and find that I tend to prefer the "now" photos over the "thens." Great looking couple, and congratulations over being there for each other through it all! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fraidycat Posted June 22, 2022 Share Posted June 22, 2022 Happy Anniversary!! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fraidycat Posted June 22, 2022 Share Posted June 22, 2022 4 hours ago, fairfarmhand said: That is so great for you all! And y'all were such BABIES in that wedding picture. But all young couples look like babies to me now. I look at my own wedding pics from 1997 and think, I was an infant and had no business getting married. 🙂 Except that @BlsdMamalooks exactly the same in the then and now photos! 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theelfqueen Posted June 22, 2022 Share Posted June 22, 2022 Congratulations! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stephanier.1765 Posted June 22, 2022 Share Posted June 22, 2022 You two created such a beautiful life together. Happy anniversary! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kareni Posted June 22, 2022 Share Posted June 22, 2022 Have a wonderful anniversary!!! Regards, Kareni 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MercyA Posted June 22, 2022 Share Posted June 22, 2022 Oh, wow! Congrats!!! What a beautiful couple you are. ❤️ 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TexasProud Posted June 22, 2022 Share Posted June 22, 2022 Great pics. Congratulations! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fairfarmhand Posted June 22, 2022 Share Posted June 22, 2022 1 hour ago, fraidycat said: Except that @BlsdMamalooks exactly the same in the then and now photos! Yes, I was thinking about her dh. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
regentrude Posted June 22, 2022 Share Posted June 22, 2022 Congrats! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
porque? Posted June 22, 2022 Share Posted June 22, 2022 Many congratulations and lovely pictures!! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AmandaVT Posted June 22, 2022 Share Posted June 22, 2022 Congratulations!! You guys look amazing!! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WildflowerMom Posted June 22, 2022 Share Posted June 22, 2022 Congratulations on the anniversary! Congratulations on aging in reverse!🎉🎉🎉🥳🥳🥳🎊🎊🎊🎉🎊🥳 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ausmumof3 Posted June 22, 2022 Share Posted June 22, 2022 Congratulations! What an absolutely beautiful family you all are. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lady Marmalade Posted June 22, 2022 Share Posted June 22, 2022 Congratulations and what amazing photos! Thank you so much for sharing them with us. Did you always want to have a large family or did it just kind of happen that way? Such a legacy, I'm honored to "know" you. 🙂 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mominco Posted June 23, 2022 Share Posted June 23, 2022 Happy Anniversary! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ottakee Posted June 23, 2022 Share Posted June 23, 2022 Congratulations 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zoo Keeper Posted June 23, 2022 Share Posted June 23, 2022 Many congratulations! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Melissa in Australia Posted June 23, 2022 Share Posted June 23, 2022 congratulations 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted June 23, 2022 Share Posted June 23, 2022 Congratulations! I agree with the others: you age in reverse, Miss Lovely. And from your posts here, I know your loveliness comes from the inside out. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elizabeth86 Posted June 23, 2022 Share Posted June 23, 2022 20 hours ago, Carrie12345 said: Not that the superficial matters, but how you can list all that and then post a picture where you look like you might be 24 is way beyond my ability to comprehend! Congratulations on 26 very full years! That's what I'm thinking! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mom_to3 Posted June 24, 2022 Share Posted June 24, 2022 Congratulations! You have created a wonderful family!! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lisa Posted June 24, 2022 Share Posted June 24, 2022 Happy Anniversary!❤️❤️ 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlsdMama Posted June 24, 2022 Author Share Posted June 24, 2022 On 6/22/2022 at 9:27 AM, fairfarmhand said: That is so great for you all! And y'all were such BABIES in that wedding picture. But all young couples look like babies to me now. I look at my own wedding pics from 1997 and think, I was an infant and had no business getting married. 🙂 Right? I met him when I was 16. We were both dating other people and were friends. Started dating the winter/spring of my senior year. So - didn't know him for 16 years, have known him 30 - 2/3 of my life. How weird is that mathematically? On 6/22/2022 at 9:34 AM, Carrie12345 said: Not that the superficial matters, but how you can list all that and then post a picture where you look like you might be 24 is way beyond my ability to comprehend! Congratulations on 26 very full years! LOL - the lighting was good in that most recent one or you'd have seen the smile lines around my eyes and my silver looks like highlights. 🤣 On 6/22/2022 at 9:36 AM, Ali in OR said: Congratulations! We share today as our anniversary too--31 for us. Love the pics. Congratulations!! 🥰 31 is an incredible accomplishment. <2 On 6/22/2022 at 5:55 PM, Lady Marmalade said: Congratulations and what amazing photos! Thank you so much for sharing them with us. Did you always want to have a large family or did it just kind of happen that way? Such a legacy, I'm honored to "know" you. 🙂 My mom and dad were each one of eleven and I thought that was neat, but I was never a "think towards the future" girl. When we got married, we already had our oldest and DH was fine stopping there. It took me two years to convince him two could be fun. They were a very responsible and planned three years apart. 😉 He went to basic training & AIT, I became a believer, he came home to someone very different. It was good in so many ways - I was a really wild teen previously and was not using any type of compass to steer my life. My feelings at any given moment were the steering wheel. SMH. After Basic & AIT, he was willing to have another and that was Hannah (26 weeker, necrotizing entercolitis, died at 12 days) in SoCal - a long way from me being able to be comforted by my family. We grew a lot closer in those four years. I held a personal conviction about using hormonal birth control that he didn't share but did support if that makes sense? It was very complex to navigate because we were not on the same page in so many ways but we championed each other? After our two late losses, he had to make a personal decision regarding his responsibility for my health. The December loss after William was really ugly and life threatening and he had a vas. I'm not sure I agreed but I supported him if that makes any sense? SO, no,, we never planned a large family and sometimes I'm still surprised by it. I watch my oldest DD in the midst of pregnancies, little ones, and no sleep and I'm still shocked I did it, lol. It didn't feel hard in the middle of it! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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