My Heart

Most of you know that my family is very important in my life. I have 2 wonderful parents and 2 wonderful siblings. When we were younger, it wasn't picture perfect but we had some good times. As adults we have grown so much closer and as our family expanded through marriages and children it has only gotten better!

Ray and his wife Katie are two of the most amazing people I know. They recently had their second child, a little girl named Callie. Brayden is 2 years old and he is the sweetest and funniest boy ever! I call Brayden my ‘buddy’ and Callie is my ‘princess’. Ray has turned out to be not just successful in his job, but also successful with his faith, marriage and now fatherhood. I am so very proud to call him my brother and I often seek advice from him as he always seems so levelheaded and knowledgeable in every situation. He just accepted a promotion with his current employer Exxon/Mobile that will relocate them to Akron, OH for 18 months. I am so sad to see them go, but so very excited for their family as they take on the world! Knowing my brother, this is exactly what he had in mind!

Stephanie and her husband Matt have been married for almost 2 years. They had Bryce almost 7 months ago and he is the best baby ever! He is a big boy with a big heart and at only 7 months knows how to smile and melt your heart. I called him ‘Brycer rycer’. Stephanie is going on her third year as a teacher and loving it. She is such an amazing mother and she made the transition seamless. She is strong in her faith as well setting examples for others including her nieces. I am so proud of her for knowing what she wanted and going after it. Even though she doubts herself, she never let anyone tell her that she couldn't do it. I am so happy that they live less than 2 miles from us so that we can see Bryce whenever we want to!

As I look back over the last 10 years and how our family has changed so quickly, it makes me want to write about how lucky I am. I am so happy that my parents and my siblings have lived so close and we were all able to watch our lives change together. I love you all and each of you is so very important to me.