Our 6 Years together

Well, Bryan and I celebrated our Anniversary on the 15th. We have been together for 8 years and married for 6. We married two years to the day after meeting. It has been a whirlwind 6 years with lots of laughs and adventures and a few tears. But definitely the best years of my life so far. Here are a few of the highlights of our time together:

- We've lived in two states and have moved 6 times in 6 years.

- We've sent out change of address info in our Christmas card four years in a row (YIKES!).

- We've adopted two furry kitties.

- We've traveled extensively.

- We've welcomed our first child, Shawn Austin, on 7/28/07. He has been a wonderful addition!

- We've climbed 4 14ers (mountains in Colorado over 14,000 ft in elevation).

- We've been in 8 weddings (not including our own, 6 for Kristen and 2 for Bryan).

- We've worked together at 3 different jobs, and have now started our own business (Thompson Photography).

- We've each graduated twice (Undergrad and Masters programs at Harding University).

Here are some of my favorite pictures of us together:

Our first BIG date at Harding (5/2000).

Kiss at the Airport before Kristen leaves for a semester in Australia (8/9/00).

Bryan's first trip to Colorado (Christmas '00).

Bryan's first day skiing (New Years '00).

Our Engagement (3/18/01).

Pledging time at Harding (Bryan was a Beau for Shantih Women's club) (9/02).

Road trip. Not sure where we are going. (Spring Break '02).

Going to a Shantih "Wacky Tacky" function (2002).

Our Summer in Austin. (7/4/03).


At my Grandpa Freddie's Funeral (9/18/03).


Josh and Shiloh Jones' Wedding (12/20/03).


Noel and Cherie Coleman's Wedding (Bryan's sister) (4/25/04).


MBA Graduation, with MBA director Allen Figley (7/31/04).

First day in Denver, CO (8/1/04).

First road trip in CO, to Estes Park with Gordon and Kathy and my Mom (8/4/04).

Trip to Austin--in front of Univ. of Texas Bell Tower (after Longhorns won Football National Championships) (2/19/05).

Bryan's business trip to Chicago (6/05).

5 year Anniversary weekend in Breckenridge--sleigh ride in the mountains (12/18/06).

Christmas in Colorado (12/2006).

With Shawn an hour after birth (7/28/07).

Bryan's Last Day

Today is Bryan's last day at Allied Insurance. It has been a great company to work for and such a blessing to us. He (and I) have made so many amazing friends while we were employed there and we are really going to miss all of you. However, we are so excited for what God is doing and for the opportunities He is putting before us.

In case you haven't heard, Bryan has accepted a position at our church, Lakewood Church of Christ. He is going to be the Media Coordinator, which means he will be facilitating all media outlets during services, classes, special events, etc. He will also be in charge of the Church's website (http://lakewoodcc.net/). They are discussing adding other responsibilities, but this will be the majority of his position at this time. He is really excited for the opportunity to use his talents to serve God.

He will also be getting our photography business website built. The flexibility in his schedule (instead of 12 hours away from home each day) will enable us to start doing more photo shoots and growing our business faster.

The Thompsons are coming!!!

We are so excited that Bryan's parents are coming to spend a week with us at Christmas. They fly in this Sunday and will stay until next Monday (24th). We have so much we are going to do while they are here--a whole day of baking, shopping, a tour of Focus on the Family, a trip to Breckenridge, Movies, a family photo shoot and more. I will leave all of that for another post. Expect a lot of pictures to be generated in the next few weeks!

In order to get ready for their arrival, we started wrapping gifts and getting the tree ready. Here are some pictures (we had a little too much fun)! :)

Shawn sitting in a BIG bucket of bows (trying to eat a bow).

Shawn ENJOYING sitting in a bucket of bows.

Kisses from Mom.

Sitting on a GIANT wrapped box (and loving it)!!

Standing in front of our half-decorated tree.

Tim Tebow wins!!!!

YEAH!!! We are so excited for the Florida Gators quarterback, Tim Tebow, who won the Heisman on Saturday. We are excited because:

* he is the first sophomore EVER to win the award;

*he is a great role model;

* he had a great season;

* but most importantly, he is a CHRISTIAN. His family served as missionaries in the Philippines, and he loves working with his church when he is home.

Here is a link to ESPN.com to learn more about him:

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/player/profile?playerId=183484