Goin’ to Jackson. That lyric was playing in my head all throughout our trip to Jackson Hole this month. While the main theme of the song and its other lyrics didn’t hold much value to my life, it was that main lyric that kept repeating in my head and heart.

Brooksie and I celebrate our 10 year wedding anniversary this Thursday (August 27th)! We didn’t have two pennies to rub together when we got married so we never took an elaborate honeymoon. At the time, we had decided that one day we would take a trip to Montana & Wyoming.

Brooks had been to the western part of the states on an internship and he said that Wyoming was the prettiest state he had ever seen. Boy was that an understatement!!! Wyoming really and truly is the most beautiful place that I’ve ever seen.

Over the last 10 years, we’ve said off and on “is this the year we will go?”. And year after year, we always succumbed to “we’re too busy”. Or “we don’t have the money right now”. We were so busy with work, moving, and the last two years we went to Nicaragua on mission trips. Then, earlier this year, I looked at Brooks and said “WE ARE DOING THIS!! Of all years to go this is the best one. It’s our 10 year anniversary year and what better way than to celebrate all we’ve been through?!?!?”.

So that’s what we did. We worked our butts off this summer to save money and plan the trip of a life time. And we had just that – THE TIME OF OUR LIVES.

God never ceases to amaze me in my marriage. Our relationship has withstood so many struggles and trials. In 10 years time, we’ve overcome financial brokenness, infertility, a broken marriage, immaturity of faith, immaturity in our individual relationship with the Lord, deaths in the family, career moves, starting two businesses, being partners in those businesses (OH MY), moving, immaturity in being a godly spouse (first 4 years = UGH!!!), and many more little things. I am proud of my marriage.

I am proud of the husband and wife Brooks and I have and continue to become. None of it would have worked and we would not be the people we are today without God’s continual work in us.

“For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.” Philippians 1:6

So, this trip was that elaborate trip we’ve always dreamed of. We are outdoorsy kind of people. We love being outside, doing things, learning things, and enjoying the creation that our Creator so lovingly designed. While there we hiked, we took in the magnificent views, ate awesome food, took a lazy raft down the Snake River.

As I said in THIS post, we stood mountaintop reminiscing on the journey we had had over the last 10 years. What a view. What a beautiful celebration.

Oh, and another awesome tidbit that happened on our vacation? We picked out a boy’s name! ? More on that later… ?