The Grahn Christmas Newsletter part 4 of 4 - The Final Chapter

Mark and I

     This brings us to Mark and I.  Two days ago we celebrated 27 years of marriage, hard to believe.  Seems like a blink of an eye and we are at this point in our lives.  We would have never of gotten to this point if we didn't start things off making our vows in church in front of God.  We've allowed him into our hearts and our lives from day one.  Only he knows our future and the direction he'll take us.  There have been many times we've been tested and question "what's going on?"  But later see the "why" we were lead down that road.  It only makes us stronger as individuals and a couple.  Before we even met our families paths crossed in so many ways.  It was at the right time that Mark and I met that's when we realized how much our families knew each other.  Our relationship was meant to be.  No matter how hard people tried to stop it, God had much bigger plans for us and we had to place our trust in him. 

     When our twins were born that's when we realized that we weren't in control.  We planned on one but were blessed with 2.  It was at that point when we did lots of reading and learning how to allow God to plan our family too.  There are no side effects and it was one less decision for us to make.  Mark's mom often told us "God doesn't give you anything you can't handle"...there is so much wisdom in that very powerful phrase. 
     Mark has been milking cows for over 30 years now and can't see himself quitting anytime soon.  This is his life and enjoys the ups and downs that come with it.  Since we no longer sell produce he's putting more time and energy back into the herd.  This past fall we added 10 more cows with more coming after the new year.  None of us realized how much the herd suffered during the produce until we didn't have it anymore. 
     We are very thankful that the produce is behind us but also saddened that it is gone.  Very quickly we realized that there are things we want to do!  We took the kids to Devil's Lake 4 times this past year, 2 times hiking and 2 times swimming or as the kids referred to it as "thrashing around in the water".  2011 will bring a much needed vacation as it will be 4 years.  The plan is to head east...a Civil war trip.  No dates have been set yet.

     This past year was full of events for us a bridal shower, a first communion, a high school graduation, a wedding, a family reunion...we aren't done yet...a college graduation.  That doesn't include the things outside our family that we were able to go to.  We are excited to get into 2011 as of right now...looking much slower.    

Mark and his inferno, I mean cake

me and my inferno

     You may have noticed the strange birthday cakes we get.  The way we look at it is...is much easier to find a cake that doesn't work than one that does.  Since we celebrate the birthdays for the month.  They are all ice cream cakes...we go for the flavor.

      Jason and Katie announced this past fall that they were selling "the wedding tractor".  They needed the money  to help pay off debt.  This news crushed me.  I know it's just a thing but it was now part of the family and you don't know when we'll need it again.  Jason had listed it on Ebay and after some talking I started bidding and won by $70...whew, that was close.  He restored a 4020 and sold it...that was fine, the 50 was a different story.  As part of the deal, we gave Jason the Super M and he restored that and sold it. 

     This past year also had us saying good bye to a couple of long time pets.  You read about Livi's bunny and then there was Rocky our dog and Smudge one of our house cats. 

Well, this brings me to the end of our updates for 2010.  I don't need to bore you with my soap business because through all 4 parts of this newsletter it's been scrolling along the left.  :)  As we prepare for the upcoming holiday season Mark and I wish the best to you.  May your lives be full of joy and happiness.  We're excited to see where 2011 takes us and excited to share with you through this blog.  Please take this time to bookmark this site and check back often, we'd love to hear from you.