What a funny little life. 5 years later...

Time seems to pass at a much faster rate these days than when I was younger. While living in Albuquerque  seems like quite a while ago, and living in Minot seems like a lifetime ago, I feel like it is impossible that 5 years have passed since Cameron and I were getting married in the Los Angeles Temple. Life certainly has been different than I ever could have imagined, and I am loving every unexpected twist and turn of it. 

Cameron & I met his last semester fall of 2005 in Provo, thanks to my new roommate at the time, Megan. It was an interesting semester getting to know him and his friends, they were definitely different than what I was used to in Utah (to say the least). Never in my life have I taken so many trips to Walmart- and looked forward to it! I blame Cameron, Dave, & Ryan 100% for my obsession/addiction to hot chocolate, since an evening was NEVER complete without a trip to Dennys for unlimited hot chocolate!

Cameron was in the ROTC program, just graduating and jumping straight into the Air Force when we started dating. Both of my parents had grown up in the military, but life was nothing like that for us. I was practically born and raised in the same house my entire life. The idea of possibly being a military wife freaked me out a little, but seemed even more exciting than scary, so... I went for it (thanks to dave & ryan making some very convincing arguments on Cameron's behalf... haha)! 

We were married November 18th (obviously) 2006, in the Los Angeles Temple. Cameron was stationed in Minot ND already, so after two great receptions and a Thanksgiving with the new In-laws, off to the North we went. 

Minot was... well, there are a whole two years worth of a blog book to explain Minot, but it was the worst and best place we have lived so far! We found two awesome pups to join our "family", ate breakfast food for 2 meals a day since that was all I could cook, I graduated college with a BS in Exercise Science from Minot State University, Cameron was promoted to a 1st LT, moved 3 times (on base, off base, back on base), discovered Cameron was a closet red-neck while I was busy with the MSU dance team,  survived our 1st & 2nd wedding anniversaries, and learned A LOT about communication as newly weds ;) 

Albuquerque was where we celebrated our 3rd & 4th wedding anniversaries (neither one together), became a bit out doorsy, really learned how much we loved just being together- on walks, watching gilmore girls, at the gym, walking through costco, or making plans for home improvement projects.... bought our first house (so we only moved twice- on base, then off), and got our first deployment orders.

 Cameron traveled so much for work, and while I used to pout about it, I am extremely grateful he had that job because it prepared me for this year with him gone. I used to dread the day he would tell me he was being sent off for a year, but after having a month or so at a time of barely seeing him, I realized I am a lot stronger than I had given myself credit for. I can keep busy and distract myself with the best of em ;) The best part of Albuquerque was having Porter. He has been such a perfect addition to our family and really stepped up and has taken care of me while Cameron has been gone. Sounds silly, because I"m the mom, but its true. He does so much in making this experience easier for me.

So 5 years later... what a funny little life we have. Surviving our year separated, traveling the world (I can say world now instead of just country! Europe was amazing), losing weight and becoming healthier than we ever have been,  Porter & I living back in Bakersfield with my parents, not just in bakersfield, but back in the same house I mentioned I was born and raised in!  Preparing for Cameron to re-join us in a few months, moving to Fairbanks AK, shopping for "cute" realtree camo clothes for me to wear hunting, planning the installation process of electric fences around our yard so our dogs don't become bear food, discussing what gun I will "enjoy" shooting the most up there, keeping up with a full blown toddler, looking into private pilots licences, trying to be a better organized "home-maker", still learning to cook (something besides breakfast foods), and absolutely LOVING life! 

Here's to another 5, 10, 15.... (well you get the picture) years, and to a million more adventures together! Happy Anniversary Honey! I love you!!