Dear Jeff.....

My last post was all about our great get a way for our 11 year anniversary, but I wanted to just reflect on the past 11 years and the ups and downs of married life.


Our meeting was not extravagant but a little odd being at a family reunion. There was something about you that was different and I liked it. Did I think things would go anywhere for us, honestly no. You were not a member of the church and I knew I wanted a temple marriage. As we dated and things became more serious I got a little more nervous because I knew I was falling for you and before I knew it you had brought up marriage. I knew I had to bring up the temple but was more scared than I realized but as you know it all worked out. You moved to Tucson from Seattle in August of 1999 (I believe you told a friend there that you thought you had found the one). I don't know that I knew that when you moved down here. You proposed the weekend before Thanksgiving of 1999, got baptized December of 1999, we were married March 25, 2000, and finally sealed December 29, 2000. What an exciting year that was for us.

Just a year and 12 days later, April 6, 2001, Caelin joined us and life was a little tougher or so it seemed at the time. We loved having a baby around but it definitely changed things for us. That didn't stop us though it was only 21 months later, January 17, 2003, Jace joined our little family. I remember when Jace was probably a year and Caelin close to 3 I struggled with my role and how I felt with you like I wasn't needed or wanted and I remember wanting to just give up, but we got through that. We had many moves the first 5 years of marriage and in one of those move we had a miscarriage that was really hard on me, and you helped me through that. I felt like I was done after that no more kids for me, but you had other things in mind, and if I remember right it took some convincing on your part.

The day Jace started Kindergarten July 14, 2008 Jett joined our family. You really wanted this and I wasn't quite sure I wanted another pregnancy or more kids I guess you could say I was comfortable the way things were. When he came into our family it changed things once again. Jace was no longer the baby and I think he struggled with that, but Jett was our little comedian and he kept us laughing day after day. I remember telling you that if we had one we were having another one shortly after. Calissa came December 4, 2009, and made our family complete. The love you have for each of your kids and the way there faces light up when you walk in the door or you play catch with them makes me love you more. I would never go back and change the way we have done things in our life if I could. I love being a mom despite the day to day challenges at times and I love even more being your wife, the one you come home to every night, when business doesn't get in the way.

With your demanding job and four kids it seems as though there is never enough time for "my time" with you. At the end of the day when the house is finally quiet I too am exhausted. It has taken its toll on us for sure and once again I have thought about giving up but one thing that has never changed is how much I love you. I honestly can't imagine my life without you in it and I am so grateful to you for that.

Its hard to imagine but I love you more today than I did 11 years ago when I married you! Life is not always easy for us but I know you are always there for me. We have had hard times, trying times, fun times, and everything in between and through all these times I have grown to love you more and appreciate you more everyday. I looked forward to the many years as well as the eternities we have to be together.

All my love;

Casey