Our Love Story: Matt and Tanna

So many of my blog friends are sharing their love stories so I thought that I would take part in the fun. I'd love for my kids to be able to read it and to have it as a keepsake myself. One part will be from my perspective and the other will be from Matt's perpective. Enjoy!

Our Love Story: Matt and Tanna
Part 1: Tanna's View

Being from a small town means that you know everybody and there's hardly anything to do. Within 30 miles each direction, there's more small towns with still nothing to do. About 30 miles from Scott City, where I grew up, was a town called Healy. (One of the smallest towns I've ever seen, yet holds so many memories for me.) Little did I know that the guy that I would marry, at the ripe, young age of 18, lived in this town.

My bestfriend and I knew other people from Healy and we'd venture out occasionally to visit Healy to entertain ourselves. And of course there were boys. :) My friend knew most of them and I kind of just tagged along. After awhile, I knew most of them too. Even though Matt was friends with them, I had never actually seen him with them.

One evening, we went to Healy for a basketball game and to hang out with our friends. Matt had been playing that night and even though I may have noticed him, he was too quiet to ever say anything. Before I knew it, he had added me on messenger and we became really good friends.
My friend made a name called "Mappy" for him because if you say "Matt P" really quickly, it sounds like Mappy. I, too, picked up on the nickname and honestly, our relationship consisted of flirty nicknames and talking. I was too interested in another boy and Matt was just a really good friend at the time.

At one point, just before breaking up with "other said boy" I seen Matt at a party and we talked and talked. By the summer of our freshmen year, we were official. We started dating May 30, 2003. Our friendship blossomed into something that I will never forget. Matt was my rock, my bestfriend, and my everything. Even though we were both christians, I wouldn't say that our walk was significant in our lives until later in our relationship.

After running into some trouble with schooling in the town that I grew up in, Scott City, I begged my dad to transfer me to Healy where I had found a lot of friendships in a few good people. I still say that this decision was the hardest for my dad to make but it was certainly the best. I am still so thankful towards my dad for allowing me to go. I have so many memories and friendships that I found in this small town that I absolutely loved at the time...including Matt's. My dad finally gave in and Matt soon became not only my boyfriend, but my classmate. Matt and I were 2 out of 16 students in our class so we had the same friends, same schedule, same memories.

For our first date, we did what every couple in that same small town does. We traveled to Garden City to a movie and dinner. I can't even remember which movie or what restaurant, to be honest.
Matt and I dated all through High School. We went to three proms together, we went on youth trips together, we walked to class together. We were inseperable. We we're even football homecoming king and queen our senior year. And our best high school memory would be traveling to Hawaii our senior year for our senior trip. We felt important and free and made the best memories. He was the star football player and I was the cheerleader. We'd write "love" letters, many of which I still have. It just made sense for us to be together. :) We had an occasional fight and break-up but it has truly made us who we are today.

Our first kiss was in front of my friend's house. Matt and his brother just happened to be in town and were in the area. They had to leave so he kissed me goodbye and I didn't even see it coming. I was so embarassed.

Even though I wasn't open about it, I knew I was going to marry him. I loved him. I loved how he treated me and I loved who he was. He had morals, values, and goals. He was smart, kind, and handsome. :) And my family loved him. I loved him. We grew up together over our high school years. We had talked about the future but nothing really needed to be said...because we both just knew. Matt proposed to me our senior year of high school, over Christmas break, on Thursday, December 22, 2005. We were having Christmas with his family at the time. We had just finished opening a few gifts and we're watching the movie "The Christmas Blessing", the sequel to "The Christmas Shoes". Matt was fumbling around in the background as I was trying to concentrate on the movie. They somehow convinced me to open another present randomly so we did and that's when Matt gave me a beautiful proposal and I of course said "yes", knowing that I would love to marry my high school sweetheart.

(Thanks to Matt's sister for grabbing a camera, even though I'm in my PJs. :))

Matt and I planned a small, comfortable, beach-themed wedding on July 8, 2006..two months after our high school graduation. We had the wedding in his parents backyard in Healy, Kansas. The weather was hot but perfect and our closest friends, family, and supporters we're there. Music, food, and cake was enjoyed and everyone relaxed. We left the next day for our new apartment in Topeka, Kansas where Matt would soon start school and work and I would work. We honeymooned in Branson, Missouri, which happens to still be one of our most favorite places to go.

(Notice the Longhorn cake...true fans!)

We found out that I was pregnant with a little girl late July, early August and even though we were nervous, we were so excited. I had always wanted to be a mommy and now I would be. Jaelyn Lerae was born on Tuesday, April 3rd, 2007. We fell in love hard. We struggled a bit financially and such, but we managed and Jaelyn is growing up to be quite the little girl. I became a stay-at-home mom when Jaelyn was born and ever since then, our relationships with Christ began to blossom. We were able to attend church, groups, and actually have family time. It was truly what we needed as a family and God knew that. He provided for us so that I could be a stay-at-home mom and it's what was best for our relationship with Him.

We celebrated birthdays, anniversaries, friendships, and babies. Then, early July, I found out that I was pregnant yet again with our second little girl. Finlee Allison-Grace was born Monday, March 2nd, 2009, just a month before Jaelyn's second birthday. Our world was rocked but they have become our world and we absolutely love being parents.

With our fourth wedding anniversary drawing near, I feel that Matt and I have come a long way in our relationship with each other, our relationship with Christ, and our family relationships. He has brought out the best in me and I am so thankful for the wonderful husband that he is. God has truly blessed me with a bestfriend and amazing husband, two beautiful girls, and family and friends to last a lifetime. Matt and I feel like we have conquered so much and I couldn't imagine not being with him with all that we have been through together. Life is beautiful and I can't wait to see what else it hands us. Even though it won't be easy, atleast I have Matt to do it with.

Thank you, Matt, for being such a wonderful, hard-working, funny man! I love you!

Xoxo,
Tanna

Where I'm Goin...

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.
Proverbs 3:5-6

A few Sundays ago, after a long weekend, I was driving to the store to grab a few things before the busy week ahead began. I started watching all of the passing cars zoom by me and as I was driving I began thinking about where everyone may be going in such a hurry. Out to eat? To the store? To a friend's house? 

In that moment, it seemed as if my car was driving itself and I thought about where I was headed as well. In reality, I was heading to the store. But as I began to look at the big picture, that is my life, I really began to wonder if I really am on the path that God wants me to be. I am a christian, wife, mom, daughter, friend, aunt, photographer, and blogger...but am I where God wants me to be? I believe so but I still need direction.

 As I finished my drive to the store, I prayed that God would open doors to where I need to be now and later and what I need to be doing and where I need to be headed...not only towards Heaven but to make a difference to those that need His love. I also prayed that everything be done to His will and to show His love through me.

So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all to the glory of God.

1 Corinthians 10:31

Something as simple as going to the store can surely make a difference if you're where you need to be.
When I got to the store, exhausted to begin with, I got the stuff I needed and headed to a check out lane. I had a few items and a man that stood behind me in line only had one. I told him that he could go ahead since it wouldn't take him as long as it would me. He proceeded to thank me and tell me how kind I was and that he was very thankful that I let him cut ahead of me, and he made a big deal of it. And I needed that. Of course, I was just trying to be kind but I couldn't help but smile at the man and simply tell him, "you're welcome". Because of where I was at that moment, I was able to show God's love through a simple act of kindness. And not only that, but I was able to justify my feelings of "needing to be where I need to be to do what I need to do" to show God's love. Feelings confirmed.

Sometimes we can only see the picture of life where we are right now. But God can see the whole big picture which is comforting. So my question for you is, where are you headed? Is it where God wants you to be so His plan can unfold? God knows our plans and to serve Him and give Him glory, we must follow the paths he has layed for us.

Xoxo,

Tanna

Busy, Blissful Summer

Summer is a time for picnics, BBQs, pool time, weddings, vacations and traveling, warm weather, no school, and relaxation. Summer makes me happy. Summer is blissful.

 I love summer but with summer comes no school which means a more flexible schedule. And a more flexbile schedule just provides more time and opportunities to make precious memories with my darlings and handsome hubby.

I love blogging and am glad that my busy summer schedule is finally allowing me some time to do it. Our family has been completely busy with weddings, swim lessons, traveling, and much, much more.

But no one can rock summer like these two...always melting the hearts of those around them.

I hope you all enjoy the quick post of pictures. Hopefully more blogging will fit into my summer schedule soon! And I also hope everyone is enjoying summer freedom as much as we are!

Xoxo,

Tanna

There's No Place Like "Home"

Ever since moving away when I married my amazing husband, family gatherings have always been near and dear to my heart. Matt has always known this about me. When we were first married, if he ever noticed I was getting homesick, he would pack up the car and take me home to the place where there are no worries in the world. The place where my heart and soul come to life.

My Grandma and Grandpa's house.

There are days when I wish I could just run to my Grandma's, where I know she can fix everything, even the best meal ever.

Even Finlee can agree with me when I say that my Grandma is the best cook ever.

Fun Fact: Finlee is sitting in the same high chair that all of my grandma's grandkids sat in when they were little...and now my kids get to.

I've learned so much from this woman and when I see her interact with my girls, my heart melts.

Grandma's is a place where I can go to meet up with my brothers, cousins, dad, my niece, and my other most favorite Grandma Vivian. And last weekend we traveled there to catch up with family and friends yet again. And it's weekends like those that I wish never had to end.

And what's a trip to Grandma's without a tea party, makeover, and a little fun in the water?

And to make the trip even more special, my high school english teacher just happened to be in town. She happens to be one of my biggest role models. I just love her.

And never in a million years did I think that my little girls would be playing with her little girl. And I loved every minute of it.

And of course, all good things must come to an end but not until a trip to see the spunkiest family I know.

We had a BBQ at Matt's brothers house and it was the perfect end to a perfect weekend.

Even though I love all of these pictures, this next one might be my favorite. There's just something about a father's love that gets me everytime. Not only does Matt have a great role model for a father but he too is also a great role model himself.

My family and I have been so blessed with family and friends that mean the world to us. No matter where they live, I know I will always have one of them to lean on and learn from and that is the greatest gift there is. Love from a family or friend is priceless. I am overwhelmed to tears when I think about the love that my girls have and will be shown in their little lives. So thank you my friends and family for being the people that you are. Let God's love continue to shine through you.

And talk about a girl after her own Daddy's heart...

Hope you have a great rest of the week!

Xoxo,

Tanna