Surprise!

Sorry our blogging has been long overdue. We currently do not have internet at home, so I only get online if I have a chance to run to the public library or bring my laptop to work and use while on break.

I'm sure most of you have heard the news by now...but I am pregnant. I am due August 26. Quite the surprise for Kevin and I. We were very nervous at first but gradually getting super excited. This of course was not exactly in our plans...but God had greater plans for us. According to the Dr. We conceived on the wedding night or a few nights following. How comical is that?! It is a miracle though. About 2 years ago I was having a lot of problems and was never ovulating. They wanted to put me on birth control to manage the symptoms, but I opted not too. They told me to just come back when it was time to want babies and we'd talk options. So we are very very thankful for this blessing.

I am going through so many changes and I feel completely clueless. It's been wonderful to get advice from Amy and also to compare these feelings with Karla.

We haven't decided yet if we want to know the sex. Part of me wants to wait and let it be a surprise..but the other part of me is so anxious.
Just keep us in your prayers and we will try to keep everyone updated
-Kristen

Musicians Needed!

Hello Everyone!!
Today I am writing to ask for your help! As our wedding day fast approaches (49 days!) ...Kevin and I have got ourselves in a sticky situation. We at this point do not have any musical talent for our ceremony. We are asking that if any of you have any suggestions or know of anyone who would be able to lend us their talent for an afternoon..we would be so very grateful!! If it helps, we will be having a yummy dinner of prime rib and potatoes, with a delicious cake baked by Kathy!! MMMM!!!! We are praying that someone will come forward and save us from cuing someone to push play on a boom box! Thanks so much for taking the time to read this and please if you know of anyone or have any suggestions, please send them our way!
Love you all!!

India 2006

When I was in college one of my instructors Peg Boyce ( who is now a great friend of mine)..mentioned that she had taken a group to India 2 years before to do dental work and to preach the word of God. It was at a time when I was really struggling with my faith and who I was as a person...and something in me was saying "You need to go...." So myself and another friend approached Peg again and said "we want to go"...after much convincing to the parents and fundraising, we were able to go to India for 2 weeks to set up a clinic and provide dental care, as well as travel to the villages where they practice Christianity in India. Only about 2% of the population of India practices Christianity and in some of the villages, non christians still persecute Christian followers. This trip was a life changing moment for me, and I am so happy that the women who were a part of this trip are still in my life and still encouraging me on my journey today. This trip really shaped me as a person. This trip showed me how passionate and hungry Iwas for God, as well as how passionate I was about getting out there and providing oral health care for those fortunate. Here are some of the pictures from that trip. Some are of our clinic and some are just of the villages and people we visited. Click to enlarge the pictures..and ENJOY!!

Job searching...ugh!!

When I decided I was moving here, I was so optimistic about finding a job. I thought in a city of millions that there would be atleast ONE dentist looking for a dental hygienist. If there is, he is not posting the job post anywhere where I can find it. Since I was 13, there hasn't been a time when I have been unemployed. It is a very scary feeling, and mix that with being in a new city with new people and my family 8 hours away..makes for some tearful moments.
I was called last week about coming in for an interview at an office and then two days later they emailed me and told me they had to cancel my interview because they had already filled the position. I was crushed..
I did however have an interview with the Children's Dental Services of MN on Friday morning. I felt that it went really well. I am very compassionate about providing healthcare to children and those less privledged than you or I may be. CDS of MN is a non-profit organization that reaches out to children and pregnant women to promote better oral health and educate. They have a headquarters in NE Minneapolis and many sattelite clinics. Those clinics are usually set up day by day at schools, and head start facilities. The position I applied for is in St. Cloud. It would be full time, with benefits, retirement, paid holidays and vacation time!! Not to mention it is working in public health which has been a passion of mine since I started dental hygiene school back in 2004. I just keep praying and I know God will provide.

Engaged

As of September 22, 2008...Kevin and I are Engaged!!!

We are planning a November 29, 2008 wedding in Brooklyn Park, MN at Waycross Evangelical Chuch. A dinner reception will be immediately following. I think we have planned to have Prime Rib, twice baked potatoes etc........ YUMMY!!!

Being from Illinois I know it is going to be difficult for a lot of family and friends to make arrangements to get to Minnesota on fairly quick notice...so my parents are also hosting another reception on January 17, 2009 in Bloomington, IL. I do believe that we are having Fazoli's cater this one. We are trying to keep both occasions pretty low key..and not pricey. Fazoli's was a lot of yummy garlicy food..for a fair price!!

My Bridesmaids are going to be my two sisters..they are going to be wearing brown dresses from Davids Bridals. The flower bouquets my friend Bridget made for us. Here are a few pictures of my bouquet, Stephanie & Kara's bouquet and the boutaneers(sp?)..Kevin will also wear one that is just white flowers. We opted to do silk flowers. Because of cost. We did all of the flowers for the wedding and church for under $55. I was a little worried about how nice they would look but I am very please with the results. I think they are going to look beautful againsts the girls' chocolate brown dresses and my dress!

Kevin and I are so excited for the future and what God has in store for us. Our journey together is so amazing. We are always laughing and saying to each other "Isn't it so crazy how we ended up together?" God works in the most mysterious of ways and couldn't be happier that he chose to unite the dental hygienist from Illinois and the Soldier from Minnesota. We will keep you posted as time passes about anymore details or journey's in our life together!!!

Moving to Minnesota...Finally!

So after almost two years of dating and living in separate states...Kevin and I have decided to give it a shot in the same state of Minnesota!

It has been something the both of us have wanted for a while now but things just weren't working out. God has presented us both with some amazing changes in our lives over the past 2 months and we couldn't be happier about the future. I am still a little nervous because I don't have a job yet but I'm sure someone is in need of a dental hygienist in the Minneapolis area... I have faith!

Tomorrow is my last day at my job. I couldn't be happier. I have put up with a lot of stuff with this job and it is just a serioius load off my shoulders to be out of there in less than 24 hours! WOOOO HOOOOOO

So thank you for everyone for their support and I look forward to being closer to all of you! I especially look forward to my girls weekend with Ashleigh! yay! haha

Love you all !

Kristen

Trip to Minnesota

This last weekend, I was invited to attend Kevin's Family Reunion in Bemidji. I will have to admit that I was really nervous about going, but I ended up having a blast. I met many amazing people, and I made some very dear friends. Not to mention the food was delicious.

It was so great to see Kevin as well. It had been 4 months since we had last saw each other. Sometimes the distance seems unbearable but I know God has a plan for us and we know the wait will be worth it!! I am so lucky to have such an amazing boyfriend that I am madly in love with ..that has an AMAZING family to boot!

Below I will post some pictures from my weekend..there aren't many but just a few of what I did take. I appreciate all of the pictures that have been passed on to me!

Me and my love

Amy and I at the boys' baseball game

Kevin after their victory!!

Becky & Baby Cara..sooo cute!