Always and Forever

It has been such a wonderful year for our family, as we prepared for this long-awaited day. The months leading up to our temple date definitely had a fair share of challenges. In fact, it became something we joked about - that satan really didn't want us to make it to the temple!! We had everything from a busted water pipe in the front yard, needing to replace all 4 tires on our car, having our checking account hacked and drained...pretty much any financial burden that could distract us from our goal. The weekend we went to the temple was no different! My family flew in Wednesday and Thursday of that week. On Friday, we picked the kids up from school early, came home and loaded up the cars (there were 3 cars full of people) and headed down to San Antonio. We left with plenty of time to get us there (Kyle and I needed to be there at 3:30). We decided to take the back roads (less traffic). Ironically, we hit EVERY SINGLE red light!! It was unbelievable!! Kyle and I were in the car with my sister-in-law, Janette, and we were all joking about how satan was really trying to make us late. We tried not to stress, but got to the point where we realized that there was no way we could get to the hotel in San Antonio, get the kids settled in with the Wileys (they were going to watch our kids), change into church clothes, and get to the temple in time. I called the temple and told them there was no way we would make it. Luckily, they were able to move all of us to the later endowment session. What a relief!! We made it to San Antonio and got checked in to the hotel. Our friends, the Wileys, were staying at the same hotel and were going to be watching our kids while we were at the temple that evening. We got changed and Kyle and I hopped in the car with my aunt and uncle and headed to the temple. When we were almost to the temple, there was a big orange safety cone in the middle of the road. My uncle swerved to miss it and we all joked about how that must have been satan's last attempt!! We made it there safely and with a few minutes to spare!!

Our temple experience Friday night was truly amazing. What a tremendous blessing it was for us to have so much of our family there to share in our experience. The spirit was so strong and many tears were shed that night!! It was such an emotional time for my family and really did bring us all so much closer together. It was an amazing feeling, to be sitting in the temple surrounded by my family.

When we got back to the hotel that night, it took us a while to get the kids settled down. It was 11:30pm before they were all asleep!! We had our alarm set so that we would have enough time to get the kids up, fed, dressed and to the temple for the sealing. Well, at around 4:30am, Mason woke up with really bad croup. I got up and turned the shower on and let the bathroom get steamy. Mason and I sat in the bathroom for a little bit but he wasn't sounding any better. I went back in to the room and told Kyle that I was worried that we might end up in the ER. Kyle sat in the bathroom with him while I threw some clothes on. I bundled him up and took him outside to breathe in the cool air. He finally started sounding better. I was able to get him back to sleep. Of course, by that point, Micah was awake....and he never did go back to sleep!! What a huge blessing it was that we didn't end up in the ER, especially since the sealing was in the morning!

In the morning, Kyle and I needed to be at the temple a little early, so we went with my aunt and uncle. My brothers, their wives, and my dad were going to be following about 25 minutes behind us and were bringing the kids. When we got there, we went inside and got dressed. As I was coming out of the dressing area, my aunt pulled me aside and said "well, I guess that wasn't satan's last attempt." She then told me that when everyone got ready to leave the hotel, my dad walked to his truck and discovered that one of his tires was completely flat!!! My sister in laws brought the kids to the temple, but my dad and brothers were still at the hotel, in their white shirts and ties, changing a flat tire!! I couldn't believe it!!! It all worked out, though. They made it there in time....of course, we wouldn't have started without them anyway!

The sealing was amazing!!! I can't even begin to describe how perfect it was! Two of the facing walls had mirrors on them. When I stood there beside Kyle and looked into one mirror, at the reflection in the other, it was like looking at forever. When Kyle took my hand as we knelt across from each other at the altar, it was an unforgetable moment. Kyle, who doesn't cry easily, got so choked up. It just melted my heart!! After Kyle and I were sealed together, it was time for them to bring in the kids so that they could be sealed to us. As soon as I turned and saw the kids walking in to the room, I lost all control of my emotions!! I cried and cried. It was a wonderful sight, seeing our beautiful children walk into the room, dressed all in white, looking like angels. Even now, just thinking about it gets me choked up. Colton was the last one to walk in, and when I looked in to his eyes, I saw that he was crying. Talk about break my heart!!! He was so happy and he definitely felt the spirit that day. There wasn't a dry eye in the room that day. I cried for my mom. I cried for my sister. I know they were there and it was such an overwhelming feeling of joy and happiness. I had been praying for this day for 14 years. I had daydreamed about what it would be like. It was more wonderful than anything I could have imagined!

my sweet family

all of us at the temple

I can't even begin to express just how thankful I am that my brothers, their wives, my aunt and uncle and my dad were there to share in our special day. Their love and support has meant so much to Kyle and I. It was such a bonding experience for all of us. I really do have the best family!! We had the best time with everyone while they were here.....lots of talking, laughing, crying, eating, palying cards, and just having a wonderful time! It was great to be together and I miss them all so much already!!

We finally made it!!

love, love, love my babies!!

me and my aunt

me and my big brothers - love them so much!!

The Boys

The Girls

Always and Forever!!!

Our Journey

I'm a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints......otherwise known as Mormons. My parents raised me with a strong foundation of the Gospel and as far back as I can remember, I have never questioned any of my beliefs. When I was 16, my older sister was killed in a car accident. That was the first moment in my life, when everything I had been taught was tested. When you go through a tragedy like that, you question everything. Why did it happen? Why her? We were a good, church-going family....why us? It was also that same tragedy that strengthened my beliefs. I remember going back to school afterwards and sitting in class talking to a friend of mine. She was a different religion than me and we were talking about what had happened to my sister. She made the comment that she didn't think she would ever be able to move on if she ever lost her sister. She told me that according to her religion, we would see Vanessa again, but wouldn't know or love her any differently than we would know and love our neighbor. In other words, I wouldn't know her as my sister. My parents wouldn't know her as their daughter. I remember sitting there thinking, "That just isn't good enough!" As Mormons, we believe that families are forever. And while that knowledge doesn't make it hurt any less, it sure is a comfort knowing that I will see Vanessa again and that our relationship will continue to grow.

A few months ago, Mia and I were sitting on her bed talking. Mia is my super sensitive child. She has such a kind heart and is so in tune with others feelings. She is also my deep thinker and will sit and have long conversations about Heavenly Father, my mom, my sister, etc. This particular day, we were talking about my mom and how much I missed her. Mia started to cry and was saying that she didn't want me to ever die. We started talking about how families are forever and that I knew that when it was my time to go, I would see my mom again. And I told her that when she was much much older and passed away, she would see me again! Mia looked up at me with her big brown eyes, and said "But how will I find you?" At that point, I could no longer hold back the tears. I scooped her up onto my lap and told her "you won't have to find me, because I will be waiting for you." At that moment, I was overcome with joy at the knowledge we have that no matter what happens here in this life, families can be together forever!

So, why all this talk about eternal families? Well, because this weekend I will be marrying my husband again....but this time, in the San Antonio Temple!!!!!!!!!!!!! And this time it will be for time and all eternity!!!! This is a day that I have been praying for, for 14 years. We are going to be sealed in the temple!! When I married my husband, he was not a Mormon. He converted a few years later, but has never been active in the church. This hasn't always been easy for me. In fact, at times it was really hard. I have always prayed that he would find the answers he was looking for and would have the desire to come back to church. Don't get me wrong, we have had a wonderful life. He is truly the most amazing husband and father that I know. We have been blessed with 5 precious children. Like any married couple, we have had our struggles, but all in all, life has been good to us!! But, at the same time, something was missing. It's kind of like that feeling I had when our 4th child, Mason, was little. I looked at my kids one day and I just knew that someone was missing...our family wasn't complete. That is the same type of feeling that I have been having for years. Yes, my life is great - I have a wonderful husband and 5 of the best kids in the world!! But, deep down, it always saddened me that I was not sealed to this amazing family that I have been so blessed to have.

Last October 2010, my prayers were answered. Kyle and I went back to church and the changes in our family have been incredible. I didn't think it was possible for Kyle to amaze me any more than he already did, but he does. He went through the missionary discussions again and I have loved being able to watch his testimony of the Gospel grow. What a huge blessing this has been for our family!! It has truly been one of the most incredible years for us. Words cannot even begin to explain how full of joy my heart is right now. It has been an extremely emotional couple of months for me. Every time I think about it, I cry tears of joy!! It has been a long journey getting here and I am so looking forward to not only the rest of my life with Kyle....but to spending eternity with the family I love more than anything in this world!

Koepp Kids ~ July 2011

A friend of mine is starting her own photography business and was looking for some photo subjects. So, of course, I volunteered my own kiddos! Here are just a few of the ones she took. I can't wait to see all the pictures!

I just love this one!! It is nearly impossible to get all 5 kids looking at the camera at the same time. Then, it's an even bigger bonus to get them all to smile at the same time, while still looking at the camera. This picture was a huge success!!!!

My sweet baby boy!

Life

I keep hoping life will slow down just a little bit so I can find some time to do things like update my blog, but I just don't see that happening any time soon! I can't believe it has been so long since I have updated. The last time I posted, I was getting ready to have a girls weekend away. For the record, IT WAS FABULOUS!!!!!!!!!! I am ready to go again!! So, what has the Koepp family been up to for the last 5 months? Here is the reader's digest version.

December was a busy month full of last minute shopping, getting packages shipped, school parties, and enjoying the time off from school! We had a wonderful Christmas!

The kiddos in their Christmas jammies!

On Christmas day, Colton turned 12 years old! Gosh, why does that seem like such a big number!!? It seems like just yesterday we were bringing him home from the hospital...our little 6 pound baby. Now I look at him, nearly 5 feet tall, and am so proud of the amazing young man that he is growing up to be! He is awesome and I am so blessed to be his mom!

Happy Birthday, Colton!

In January, I flew to Oregon to spend 5 days with my little brother, Robbie!! He and his wife, Ashley, had just given birth to a beautiful baby boy. I flew in the day they came home from the hospital with sweet baby Bronx. I had a wonderful time hanging out with Rob and Ashley, and LOVED all the baby snuggling that I got!!!

Baby Bronx - 4 days old

Robbie, Ashley, and baby Bronx

When I got back from Oregon, I spent a week taking care of a house full of sick kiddos. Then, I came down with the flu. I was sick as a dog for a week.....a very long week. I am so thankful for an amazing friend who pretty much made sure we had a meal every night and bags of groceries to get us through the week. Well, after recovering from the flu, I had less than a week to put my house back in order, get caught up on the laundry, and get ready for my dad to come stay with us. He was having hip replacement surgery here in Austin, and was staying with us through his recovery. Once again, I am so thankful for amazing friends that helped with my kids so that I could be at the hospital with my dad. He was with us for a month and had a remarkable recovery!

Grandpa and Mason

Here are a few snapshots of the other things that have kept us busy, and smiling, these past few months!!

Lots of dress-up!

Lots of family playtime!

Lots of school!

Lots of hide-and-seek!

Lots of Church! Colton received the Aaronic Priesthood! It was an extremely special day for both Colton and Kyle. I also received a calling at church. I am the Laurels Advisor. I teach the 16-17 year old girls and get to spend Wednesday evenings doing fun activites and service projects with them.

Kindergarten Rodeo (Is he a little stud, or what!!?)

Witte Museum with friends during Spring Break! Mason, Micah, Caden, Miss Whitney, Mia, Colton, Arden, and London

Happy Birthday, Kyle!!

I just had to include this picture because it cracks me up. We totally cleaned out our cars and did some seat rearranging. In the midst of it, I looked over and just bust up laughing at all the car seats! It amazes me that they all even fit into our car!!