Our First Christmas

It is the day after Christmas and the Newlyweds have survived it. This was me and Jake's very first Christmas together, ever. Despite the fact that we have been together as a couple for five years this was the first time that we have spent the holiday in the same place at the same time. Those first couple of Christmases I would be here in Utah with my family and he would be with his, only to briefly cross paths during the crazy schedules that ensue at this time of year. Other times he was on a mission some 1,000 miles away, only able to exchange letters or a tape.

On Christmas Eve, Jake and I were able to accompany his parents as volunteers at Maglbey's for their, what I believe to be annual, Christmas dinner for the needy. What we did was basically become the waiters for a short time. It was so awesome to be able to provide service for those that are less fortunate, especially for this time of year when it is most needed. I was personally able to help several families and genuinely desperate people get a pipping hot turkey dinner with the trimmings. To be honest I was a little jealous that they were able to eat such a wonderful while I was only able to look at it while smelling the delicious aromas. Yet, in the end it was all worth it. The look of gratitude on their faces was better than any stuffing or potatoes I could ever have eaten. I only hope that they were able to have a warm holiday. I hope that Jake and I can make that a tradition in the coming years. It was hard work, but worth every second.

We woke to find the world covered in a thick blanket of frosty snow, underneath our tree was piled high with gifts from family. It was a glorious sight to behold. I was always told that a couple's first Christmas was supposed to be the one where you are grateful just to be together as a couple, basking in the warm glow of love, charity, and all those other warm fuzzies. It is true that we were basking as such, but it was also wonderful to be able to provide a few presents for each other and from those that love us most.

After the gift giving it was time to bundle up and head over to his parents for a Christmas brunch of biscuits and tomato gravy. The house was merry, the food was perfect, and the company was too. Jessie, Jake's sister, and family were also able to join us making it all the better (It made me yearn for my own family as we would all sit and have a hot breakfast of pancakes or french toast. Hopefully we will be able to do that again in the future). Once we were stuffed like a bunch of turkeys we had a fabulous lazy afternoon before we headed to an Uncle's house for more mouth watering food and jolly company. Thankfully we made it safely there with only minor difficulties regarding a temperamental windshield wiper. It was a great fun to be able to meet and get to know more of Jake's family since I have had little opportunity to do so in the small time I have had here in Utah.

Once safely home for the night Jake and I staked claim to the couch to finish out our night with a holiday favorite of mine A Christmas Story. I just love how it shows that despite the antics and general dysfunction of most families they are still able to make the holidays great with laughter and good humor.

I am so grateful for this time of year when people are more open and soft hearted towards one another and let the true meaning of Christmas still ring and not be caught up in all of the commercial noise that blares in our ears and sparkles in our eyes. I am thankful for loving families that have such a warm glow about them beckoning us to enter their warm homes and embraces. There are not enough words in my vocabulary to express the deep appreciation I have for my parents that have always loved me and tried to ingrain the love they have for me and for those that they come in contact with. My heart overfloweth with the deep gratitude I have for my new family as they continue to welcome me into their inner-circle and accept my sometimes odd sense of humor and awkward tendencies. I adore my husband who puts up with everything that I do. Who loves me for me and wants nothing else.

I truly pray that everyone was able to have a fabulous Christmas and was able to remember the true meaning and share it with others. I love you all and wish you a safe, happy, and prosperous New Year.

Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree

I have put up and decorated my very first Christmas tree. It was a wonderful thing. My sister donated to the Newly Wed fund and let Jake and I borrow her little three foot tree. At first I was all bah-hum-bug about the whole thing because it was never going to be as big or pretty as my Mom's tree is every year. I looked forward to decorating that 9-foot tree every Thanksgiving, once all the food I had eaten had subsided slightly and I could fit under the stairs again. But this year I have my own tree, sort of, with my very own decorations.
I have to admit that the whole picking out of decorations was a real chore for me. The problem was that I couldn't decide what color scheme I wanted to go for and once I decided I couldn't find enough of that color. It was a real ordeal. Not just that I think that the cinnamon/pine smell was getting to my brain as well, only further driving the frenzy. Thankfully I can say that I made it out of the store without busting the bank.
Decorating my tree with the most exhilarating experience. Once I was home I could help but break out the lights, bulbs, and Christmas cheer. My whole attitude changed as I pranced around trying to make sure that the tree was lighted just so, with the different sizes and color bulbs placed on just the right branch, and lastly making the ribbon hang just right. It was wonderful. Once finished I couldn't help but sit back with the lights off and admire my handwork.
What makes this whole adventure perfect is the reaction of Jake when he first walked through the door, "Honey, that looks wonderful!" I am beaming at this point launching into my entire thought process while picking out and decorating our tree.

I love decorating Christmas trees. There is always an unexplainable joy that comes from it.

Thanksgiving Recap and More

I have been a complete and total bum lately when it comes to getting things done, like blogging. It isn't like I don't have things to talk about, quite the contrary. There are times when I am in the shower after a good day at the gym mulling over the things that have happened and think to myself, "That would be great to blog about." However, by the time I get out, dried off and dressed in winter appropriate clothes the thought has totally left my mind or I have lost that initial drive and end up doing a Sudoku puzzle or flipping through the endless brain drain known as the TV.
BUT!! I am going to change my slothful ways and do a quick recap on the last few weeks. This was the first time in my entire life that I didn't have Thanksgiving with my parents, while this is a sad notion I had wonderful supplements. Jake and I were able to spend Thanksgiving Day with my brother and wife's family, along with my sister's family. It was a great. After feasting the younger generation went down stairs to play Rock Band with my three nieces acting as our groupies/back-up singers and dancers. It was a real blast.
The next day I woke up at an unholy hour to help my sister with Black Friday shopping. For those of you that have not experienced it the best way that I can explain it is to picture a stream or pond full of fish. Now these fish are not your typical fish, these are ravenous piranhas. At first they are docile and unremarkable, but once there the clock strikes 5 am blood is shed. What a frenzy stores become over stuff. I was almost trampled twice, squished between carts three times, and generally bullied just so they could get to the next toy. It is an experience that I never want to have again.
After being mauled and forced to wait in the biggest log jam known to man for 2 1/2 hours I made it home in time to shower and sleep for an hour before Jake and I went up to Logan for another Thanksgiving. Thankfully I slept while he drove. Together with the Jake's family we had a fabulous dinner and spent a little time before we had to make the trek back down, so Jake could be to work at 6.
During this whole thing I have a friend staying with us and he provides Jake the immense opportunity and privilege to be his escort through the temple this coming weekend. You would think that would be all, but it is not. Jake is also informed that his best friend Geoff, ever since best friends counted i.e. high school, asked him to be the one to ordain him to the office of Preist. I am just brimming with joy and gratitude that I have married man that so many others look up to and admire and are willing to give him an opportunity to exercise his priesthood in so many different ways. Needless to say Jake and I are flying to California for the weekend in order to be there for my friend Sean and so I can see my parents as well (what a bonus!).

Both Jake and I are so happy to be living the Gospel and being able to see it influence our lives and those around us for the better. What blessing it is that the season of Thanksgiving and Gratitude is spread over two months. It gives us ample time (even though we have 12 months, 52 weeks, 365 days anyway) have it be at the front of our thoughts. Know that I love you all, even though I may not say it all the time.