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The First 10 Years
September 1 marks a very special milestone: 10 years of marriage for Justin and me. I've been thinking a lot about the past 10 years--all of the good and all of the challenging. We've had a wonderful 10 years together and I don't think I'd change a thing. I'm so blessed to have Justin in my life and for the special family we've created together. I have nothing but hope, joy, and excitement in thinking ahead to the next 10 years and beyond. Here are some milestones throughout the past 10 years:
We were married on a beautiful day in Red Lodge, MT in front of our closest friends and family. It was lovely. 
We came back from our honeymoon the day before 9/11, loaded up a U-Haul, and moved to a tiny apartment in beautiful Pasadena, CA.
Going to graduate school together was one of the best things we've ever done. Our experience at Fuller was amazing. We loved the community, the multiculturalism, our professors, and classes. These years and everything we learned were life and faith-changing. 
We visited Yosemite National Park in 2003 after I graduated. California was a really fun place to be newlyweds. We loved the culture and enjoyed taking visitors to the ocean, Disney Land, the Rose Parade, and Huntington Gardens.
After Justin graduated in 2004, we loaded another U-Haul and moved to Colorado. We visited Aspen shortly after we moved. Justin began graduate school at CU and I began working by day and counseling by night.
On top of Mt. Bierstadt -- our first 14er -- 14,060 ft elev. We love Colorado.
The day that changed everything: February 23, 2007. We became parents and entered into a whole new world. I don't think we really remember life without our kids because it feels like they've always been a part of us. Jacoby Brandt took over our hearts the moment he arrived at 6:18 pm that evening. Justin received an invitation to do his PhD on a full-ride scholarship to DU just a few days after we brought Jacoby home, and I received a promotion up to the President's office. It's amazing how the pieces fall into place sometimes.
The biggest challenges we've faced in our marriage have come as parents. A combination of maxed out parents, the demanding nature of raising kids ages 0 - 5, and unique medical circumstances doesn't leave a lot of time or energy for fostering a marriage. It's so easy to lose touch with each other when you're simply trying to make it through the day. I think we've learned over the past year that despite any trouble that comes our way, we're better together than we ever would be if we were apart.
Yet another day that changed our history: March 4, 2009. Morgan Ethan arrived almost 3 weeks early and madder than all get out, which promptly landed him in the NICU for about a week. And his short fuse continues to be part of his personality today, even though his preschool teachers don't believe me (boy, does he have them fooled!).
The relationship between Jacoby and Morgan truly is special, and we're blessed by how much they love each other. They really were made for us and we were made for them. Family is a remarkable thing.
We love raising our boys in Colorado. There's much opportunity here and we couldn't be more thankful for the medical community, the outdoors, and the beauty of our surroundings. 
And here we are: Justin, Erin, Jacoby, and Morgan. I couldn't have wished for a better life when we started this journey on September 1, 2001.
We were married on a beautiful day in Red Lodge, MT in front of our closest friends and family. It was lovely. 
We came back from our honeymoon the day before 9/11, loaded up a U-Haul, and moved to a tiny apartment in beautiful Pasadena, CA.
Going to graduate school together was one of the best things we've ever done. Our experience at Fuller was amazing. We loved the community, the multiculturalism, our professors, and classes. These years and everything we learned were life and faith-changing. 
We visited Yosemite National Park in 2003 after I graduated. California was a really fun place to be newlyweds. We loved the culture and enjoyed taking visitors to the ocean, Disney Land, the Rose Parade, and Huntington Gardens.
After Justin graduated in 2004, we loaded another U-Haul and moved to Colorado. We visited Aspen shortly after we moved. Justin began graduate school at CU and I began working by day and counseling by night.
On top of Mt. Bierstadt -- our first 14er -- 14,060 ft elev. We love Colorado.
The day that changed everything: February 23, 2007. We became parents and entered into a whole new world. I don't think we really remember life without our kids because it feels like they've always been a part of us. Jacoby Brandt took over our hearts the moment he arrived at 6:18 pm that evening. Justin received an invitation to do his PhD on a full-ride scholarship to DU just a few days after we brought Jacoby home, and I received a promotion up to the President's office. It's amazing how the pieces fall into place sometimes.
The biggest challenges we've faced in our marriage have come as parents. A combination of maxed out parents, the demanding nature of raising kids ages 0 - 5, and unique medical circumstances doesn't leave a lot of time or energy for fostering a marriage. It's so easy to lose touch with each other when you're simply trying to make it through the day. I think we've learned over the past year that despite any trouble that comes our way, we're better together than we ever would be if we were apart.
Yet another day that changed our history: March 4, 2009. Morgan Ethan arrived almost 3 weeks early and madder than all get out, which promptly landed him in the NICU for about a week. And his short fuse continues to be part of his personality today, even though his preschool teachers don't believe me (boy, does he have them fooled!).
The relationship between Jacoby and Morgan truly is special, and we're blessed by how much they love each other. They really were made for us and we were made for them. Family is a remarkable thing.
We love raising our boys in Colorado. There's much opportunity here and we couldn't be more thankful for the medical community, the outdoors, and the beauty of our surroundings. 
And here we are: Justin, Erin, Jacoby, and Morgan. I couldn't have wished for a better life when we started this journey on September 1, 2001. 
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