Not Afraid of Life (16 page)

I was thirty-two weeks pregnant when I posed
for this photo.

Tripp was born on December 27, 2008. Levi went
with me to Tripp’s first doctor’s appointment on December 31. A few days later
we had already broken up.

Levi and I went to a wedding bazaar to help
plan our wedding, and we jumped into a photo booth. Tripp was just a few days
old. Only days after this photo was taken our relationship was over.

I was so excited to bring Tripp home from the
hospital. My family turned part of my childhood bedroom into a nursery that I
shared with Tripp. Having a newborn was a lot of work, but there were so many
wonderful moments like this one. I am so blessed to have him in my life.

I was the only student to accept a diploma
while wearing baby puke on my dress. Piper is dressed up in my graduation gown
while I hold Tripp and McKinley looks on.

July 2009: I love the cute dimple above
Tripp’s cheek.

Summer 2009: I dressed Tripp up like the
little man he is.

My dad taught me the invaluable skill of
swaddling a baby.

Track hanging out with Tripp at my house in Anchorage.
Track is a good example of what a real man should be.

Because Tripp and Trig are so close in age, they love
playing with each other.

My mother gives Tripp a kiss in front of my
truck, which has a license plate that shows exactly where my heart is.

My cousin Kandice, my mom, me, Track’s
fiancée, Britta, and Piper went to New York City for the 100 Most Influential
People party.

On the first night of