11 Year Photo Shoot

Last year I wanted to take some pictures for our ten year anniversary but... I was great with child. I went to find a dress to snap a few pictures of Jakob and I in and decided to try and see if my dress still fit.

 

I was nervous, four babies and nine months post-partem but it zipped! My boobs have sagged and my ribs have spread but it zipped!!!! 

Jakob tried on his wedding suit and he looked dashing. It was a bit snug in places and he couldn't bend down at all but dang! 

Mom was kind enough to snap a couple of pictures for us and I love them!

Happy Anniversary lover!

11 Years

 

E L E V E N years. Eleven years with my best friend, my dance partner, my better half. I love the way he makes me laugh, how he lets me sleep in after a long night with babies, and how he sings to me when we dance. I love being the mother to his children and watching him being a father. I love making our house a home together, laying on the couch holding hands while I read and he watches a movie, and sharing sodas. I love missing him when we're apart. He makes me better. I like me better when I'm with you! Cheers to eleven years lover. 🖤

10 Years

10 years and what a ride it's been. Ten years with my best friend, my safe place, my love. Ten years of laughter, adventure and growing. Ten years of making plans, changing them and embracing what comes and loving it! Ten years that has brought is (almost) four children and more joy than our hearts can handle. People talk about how marriage is hard, how it stretches you and how there have been hard times when you felt like you weren't going to make it. I can honestly say that I have never felt that way with Jakob. I am also not saying that we have not had trials, that we haven't had to sacrifice, because we have. Through those times we have always ran towards each other, counting on the other for support, love and understanding. Sometimes it's my turn and other times it's his turn. This man is my everything, he understands me completely and I am so beyond grateful for him. Cheers to ten years and all of the adventures ahead of us. I love you Mr. Tobler. With you, I am home.

Nine Years

This year for our ninth anniversary Jakob had a cubs meeting he couldn't push back and I decided to take the kids swimming. It wasn't glamorous, but that is really the summation of our nine years together. Things don't always go as planned, but we know what is important. This year has just been so real and I am so thankful for it. Life is crazy and wild and distracting but through all of it Jakob and I did it together. I feel we balance each other perfectly, as though we have found a rhythm that works where one gives and one takes and then we switch without thought. Where we trust and support and have our own adventures together. And while most of those adventures do not happen in Holland or Australia but usually DO involve three kids and look more like a trip to the sun flower field or lunch at Costco we are so happy and so grateful for this life we have together. When I was 17 and I was imagining my life in the future THIS is what I saw. I saw children playing and laughing, I saw a husband mowing the lawn and I saw myself folding loads and loads of laundry. From the outside looking in it isn't glamorous but, for me at least, it is hands down my greatest treasure. This man, my rock, my safe place and this life that we have together. What a wonderful nine years it has been and I look forward to cherishing every blissful, wild, crazy and sometimes crummy moment ahead. I'm so lucky I'm in love with my best friend.

8 Years

8 Years

6 Moves

3 Babies

2 Degrees

1 House

All adds up to a wonderful adventure!

I am so fiercely in love with this man. He's my happy place, my calm, my rock, and my joy. We have fun laughing and teasing. He gets me in a way no one else does and it is just perfect, simple. We challenge each other, push each other and at times we disagree and I wouldn't have it any other way. I am so grateful that Heavenly Father knows me and that he sent Jakob to rescue me. Happy Anniversary my love. You will forever be my favorite!

(I thought this picture was fitting since the way we celebrated was by traveling home from Canada with our little family.)

7 Years

SEVEN years ago our happily ever after began. In those 7 years we have moved 5 times, Jakob has gotten two degrees, and we have had two incredible children. I feel as though our story had a magical start and is only getting better as time goes by. We have sooo many exciting adventures a head of us and I am beyond excited that we get to do them together! I love growing with this man by my side and he makes me a better woman, wife and mother. Thank you for being my best friend and my love. Happy 7th Anniversary.

Six Years

Six years ago I married my best friend. I have thought a lot about Jakob and I and our story, how many things had to take place for us to be together. My father had to move from Holland to Canada. My Mom had to move to Calgary to meet my Dad. They both had to accept the gospel and raise me in the church. Jakob wouldn't have served a mission if it weren't for his parents and his older brothers and because of their examples and their expectations of him, he decided to serve, and he worked hard. He met me while serving an honorable mission. The Lord told us we should get married and when he asked I said Yes even though we had not dated, hung out, or shared a kiss. What an incredible journey which brought us together. My life has been so blessed because of this man. He truly is my best friend, the one I want to talk to at the end of the day, have adventures with, hug, hold, laugh with and love. He is the most incredible husband and father and I thank the Lord every day for this man and the journey we took to find one another. We have two of the most beautiful children and I couldn't imagine raising them with any one else. These six years have been the most incredible of my life and I can not wait to experience what is coming for us together. Happy Anniversary Jakob. I love you!

It Still Fits!!

 After five years and two babies my dress still fits!! My ribs have spread but it was comforting still being able to fit into my dress. 

 It's amazing how you forget what it looks like. It's still as beautiful as I remember it.

I have left it in the care of Mom Tobler. She is kind enough to make E's baptism dress out of it. It was a great walk down memory lane.

Five Years

Once upon a time, five years ago I was sealed to my best friend for time and all eternity. I wish I could have seen us now on that day. I was so happy on our wedding day and I couldn't imagine it getting any better, our love getting any stronger our being able to find more joy than we had on that day. I am happy to say I was so very wrong. It's a hard thing to comprehend love growing fuller, stronger and purer. We have had fights, we have had hardships and we have come through hand in hand and grown together. We have brought two beautiful children into this world and there has been no trial or triumph as great as this. I could not imagine a better man to be the father of my children. He is so kind, understanding, patient and he loves unconditionally. He is my rock, my support and he knows me, walls down, makeup free, crazy OCD me and he loves me despite all of my quirks and imperfections. Together we are perfect I could not ask for anything more. Happy anniversary my love. It has been a beautiful five years and I can't wait to see what the years ahead hold!

Perfection

Four years ago I married my best friend. Over this past year Jakob and I have become closer and stronger than ever and I am so blessed to call him mine. This past week in sharing time the lesson was on the blessings of being sealed in the temple. I am so thankful for those blessings and the joy of eternal families. I am even more grateful that I get to spend eternity with Jakob. He is my rock, my guardian, my provider, and my sweetheart. I couldn't have asked for a better husband or father for our children. It has been an amazing four years and I look forward to the many years a head of us. This is perfection and though it isn't always easy, I still get excited to see him every day and I know that this is what it's all about. Happy Anniversary my Love! .xo.

How We Roll!

Last weekend Jakob and I went out to celebrate our anniversary. How many people do you know go to a double header roller derby for their anniversary? It was fun! Jakob asked me if I wanted to become a roller girl, personally I think I'd get slaughtered. We were a little unsure of the rules so as we watched I was Googling on my smart phone. What would we do without technology? We left Ethnie with a baby sitter! I'll admit I was nervous but Sydney was amazing and I'm sure we'll have many more date nights in our future!

As for an update how things are going at home. Mama van den Berge is still here. We are getting a lot done and I'm very thankful for the extra hands to help with Ethnie. I'm not sure what I'm going to do once she leaves! I've gotten used to having another adult in the house to talk too. I have to buckle down and take some pictures though. It's a little strange to take pictures of us scrubbing floors, organizing the garage or shopping at Costco. I think it's time for something fun? Any suggestions? Hope everyone is having a wonderful summer!!!

So This is What Makes Life Divine

Three years ago today I was sealed to my best friend for time and all eternity. I have thought a lot about how romantic the reality of eternity is, not only do I get to enjoy life with him now but forever. We knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that we were doing the right thing, in the right place. I look back fondly on that day and remember how spiritual and perfect it was. I am so grateful to be married to such a hardworking, loving, and generous man. I never hear him complain or grumble when I ask him to do something. He is always so excited to see his daughter and he is such an amazing father. Watching him love her has only made my love for him grow far beyond what I thought was possible. I have been so blessed and I am so thankful for all of the adventures we have had throughout the years. Happy Anniversary my love! xoxo

< 3

It has been two years since Jakob and I were sealed in the Salt Lake Temple. We have had many adventures, joys, and some bumps along the way and I wouldn't trade one second of it for the world. I am so thankful for Jakob and all that he does for me and to provide for our little home. He sacrifices so much and he never complains. He is strong, brave and my best friend. I am lucky I'm in love with my best friend. Here is to a wonderful year to come full of it's own set of adventures. Happy anniversary babe.

The First of Many

I simply cannot believe that Jakob and I have been married for an entire year already. To me it seems like the wedding was an eternity ago however it doesn't seem as though it's been a year since we were sealed in Salt Lake. This however is coming from a girl who still believes that it should be January. Time is simply flying. Our first year of marriage has been wonderful. We have had our ups, downs and learned a lot along our way. I am so grateful to have such a wonderful husband that loves and cares about me. He is so devoted to everything that he does. He is a hard worker, funny and charming. I love him dearly and am so thankful to be called his wife. I truly am blessed to have such a wonderful man as my eternal companion. I am looking forward to all of the adventures that eternity holds for us but for now I will go on cherishing each day that we are given to grow with one another. Happy Anniversary Jakob I love you.