Our 1st Christmas

Dave with his first gift

Me with my new pj's and My Princess Stocking. Yes it has diamonds, and velvet, and gold, and all! I love it!

So Dave and I had the greatest Christmas we could have ever asked for this year. We feel so blessed with everything our families got for us. It was touching and sweet and we are so thankful to have such amazing families.

For Christmas Eve we did what we will do every year. (I did it last year with Davey because we were engaged, but this year we got to sleep in the same bed!) We went to his parents house and ate dinner, played Bingo, played games, opened the name exchanged gifts, Lou read the Christmas story out of the Bible, Bonnie told us all about the tree, and we just hung out and spent time with family, and then settled in to spend the night. It was so much fun.

I made cookies this year and took them over because of course the kids have to have cookies for Santa. That was something that we did at my house every Christmas Eve, so I just have to bring my tradition home to Dave's house with me. So we spent about 1-2 hours decorating the gingerbread and the sugar cookies with the kids. We had sprinkles, red, green, and white, frosting, frosting to write with, and just about everything any child could imagine of wanting. It was so much fun!! Each child then got to pick 1 cookie for Santa which we put on a plate with a glass of milk and sure enough in the morning Santa had come and taken a bite of each cookie and drank ALL the milk. :)

I woke up at about 4 when everyone else was asleep and I went downstairs and and just sat in front of the tree and looked at it's beauty and all the beautifully wrapped presents. It was so much fun. I sat there for an hour before I went back to bed. I just thought of the true meaning of Christmas and how grateful I am for what my Savior has done for me. That tree was beautiful. I loved all of it.

The next morning we all woke at around 8:30 and started opening presents. I can't tell you the massive amounts of presents you can have when you have 8 children, their spouses, their children, stockings, and all of it. That room was PACKED!!

Dave has the most amazing nephew named Lincoln though, and he truly taught me the true meaning of Christmas this year. He 1st told his Mom that if Dad and Lilli (his little sister) had been to naughty this year that he would give them all of his gifts from Santa. He then had 2 requests for Christmas. A SUPER Green Bouncy Ball and a Wall-E book. He opened those and was so thrilled that Santa had brought them that he didn't even want to open anymore gifts. I can't believe what an amazing mother Bonnie is and an incredible father Kimball is. Their children were happy with just a few gifts, and so grateful and so loving, and needed nothing else. It really touched me because all of us just opened our gifts and moved on to the next, but Linc was literally thrilled and so excited over 2 gifts and so thankful. It was just a very touching experience to me.

After we were done at Dave's parents house we headed to Papa Kirk's and Momma Cay's for Abelskivers (Danish Pancake). Dave and I got there and we were the first. I was shocked. Then everyone started showing up and we all had breakfast. I even got to see my childhood best friend who now lives in Italy. I haven't seen her for 3 years and it was so wonderful to see her!
Christmas at my parents was a completely different but amazing experience. It was so touching and so emotional. My parents are amazing and went all out this year. They know (obviously) what Dave and I have been going through and gave us a gift that we needed more than anything else in this world. I had Photo Calendars made for my mom and dad and we wrote them a card which made them cry, and it was just an amazing experience. We were truly touched to say the least. We truly have 2 of the greatest families in the world.

After my parents house, we went and saw Dave's grandfather in the rest home and then back to Dave's parents for Christmas dinner. (We had still yet to have our Christmas together). We had dinner and then at about 9:30pm we headed home to have our 1st Christmas together.

We were so excited when we got home. We ran in like little kids and grabbed our stockings and looked through them. We then moved on to the presents. Dave got me the most thoughtful gifts. Things I have wanted for years that he has just heard me talk about. I was so extremely surprised because I never expected it at all. He knows exactly what I love and did such an amazing job. I'm so blessed to have such an incredible husband. I got him mostly clothes because he needed long sleeved shirts. I got him a couple thoughtful gifts, but not nearly as sweet as his. I love that boy! We had such an amazing Christmas.

We then settled on the couch to watch "A Christmas Story" because I have never seen it and so we were going to watch it for my first time, and yes I thought it was absolutely hilarious. We had so much fun!

I truly had the greatest Christmas I have ever had in my life. I can't express the joy I have from my husband, his family, and my family. We are just so blessed. I'm so grateful for the love that people have for us. This was the best Christmas we have ever had!! I don't know if anything will ever beat this year.

Our 1st Christmas together and a kiss to end our perfect day.

New Strasburg Christmas Tradition

So because Dave and I have had so many Christmas miracles to count this year, we came up with a family tradition that will mean more to our little family than any other person will ever understand. Every Christmas Eve with our little family we are going to start watching "A Charlie Brown Christmas". It teaches the true meaning of Christmas and it's get the point across of what Christmas is all about, but most of all it is Dave's favorite show in this entire world. So that is our new Family Tradition. Plus, now we have our Charlie Brown Christmas Tree to put out with it every year and I can tell you that, that tree will have more meaning to us in our marriage then any other tree we will ever have! I love that I have a family to make traditions with this year!

Humbled and Touched

Today I had one of the many incredible experiences I seem to be having lately thanks to all the prayers being said on mine and Dave's behalf. Last night I had a rough night. I didn't sleep a wink. I was kind of cranky this morning and not feeling too good. Dave had a meeting with the Bishop at 10 and so I woke him up and got him on his way. A little after he had left I heard someone shoveling my walk. My sweet sweet neighbor had shoveled my entire driveway and walk. I just started crying (I seem to be quite emotional these days). Well then a miracle happened about an hour later. Let's begin with yesterday.

I went to put gas in my car yesterday and my card wouldn't go through. I called my bank to see why and found that I only had $13 in my bank account. I was devastated. My anxiety shot through the roof and I just started to cry. Dave assured me we were going to be just fine, but I just didn't see how. We didn't have very many groceries, I had prescriptions that needed to be filled, and I have an upcoming Doctor's appointment to pay for, our student loan money has not come in and thanks to all of my lovely health problems Dave and I have just been struggling money wise. It's been tough since I lost my job due to my health as well.

This morning I got down on my knees and said my prayers before I went and got Dave up, just asking my Father in Heaven for some help. Through tears in my eyes I woke up my husband with a hug and kiss and sent him to the Bishops office. About an hour later he walked in with 2 HUGE gift baskets full of food. He told me that when he got home they were sitting on our porch.

I literally lost it. I just started bawling. I couldn't believe how my Heavenly Father was blessing me when I was being so stressed and doubtful earlier. It was full of not only food that Dave can eat, but all the soft foods you could imagine for me. Someone from our ward anonymously brought us massive amounts of food that we so desperately needed. In fact it was so much it filled our entire fridge, freezer, and pantry. I can't explain to you the gratitude I had in my heart. Something that we were in such desperate need of and couldn't afford and here it was for us. My prayers were truly answered.

On top of that the Bishop said so many wonderful things to Dave and truly helped him out. Dave has needed someone through all of this just as much if not more than I have and I was so grateful for the inspiration that the Bishop had to call him in and talk to him and let him know that there are people out there that care and want to help us.

I truly have never been so humbled in all my life. My Heavenly Father knew that Dave and I couldn't make it on our own at this moment and so he sent angels to save us. I am so grateful for answered prayers. I am so thankful to inspired people. I am so thankful to be a part of a ward that knows of our situation, is aware that we are struggling, and have been in the situation that they can help. We are truly so blessed. I have never had such a confirmation that my Father in Heaven and Savior love me so much as I did today. They are aware of me. They know of my struggles. They know of our hardships. They know each one of us personally and if we will ask he will help us. He does answer prayers and he does love us so much individually.

And then on top of all of that my Dad said he would co-sign a loan with Dave and I so we could get money because no one else we asked would, so because of the great love that my Dad has for us and his extreme generosity we will be able to have a little bit extra money to live on.

I don't know who you are that did what you did for my husband and I today, but you will never understand what it means to us. You will never know the appreciation that we have in our hearts for you, and you will never understand the love that we felt from a complete stranger. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you, for listening to the spirit, following the prompting, and helping us out when we so desperately needed it. I can't explain how truly thankful we are for your wonderful service and love.

Our Christmas Tree

So my relief society president is the most inspired woman I have ever met. She and my Bishop's wife have done more for me these last few weeks then anyone deserves in their lives, but what she did last night tops them all.

Let's start from the beginning. Dave's most favorite thing in this world is Charlie Brown Christmas. We didn't have money for a Christmas tree this year, so I just put presents in the front room. Dave listens to the music, watches the movie, has a pair of boxers, a shirt, a book, and on and on and on of Charlie Brown. We also decided we were just going to exchange stockings this year and I found him a Charlie Brown stocking.

Wendy (my Relief Society President) shows up at my house last night for a visit which I was in such a great need of. She has no idea how much it meant to me. I have been stuck in my house sick for the last 6 months, so any visits are the greatest things in the world! On top of that she asked me if I had a Christmas tree. With tears in my eyes I said no because we just can't afford one this year. She then pulls out a present for me......

I open it and what is it?! A Charlie Brown Christmas Tree and the Charlie Brown Christmas movie. I can't explain to you the expression on Dave's face, and what it meant to both of us. We have talked about getting one for so long but just haven't been able to afford one, so finally after such an inspiring moment, Dave and I have our very first Christmas Tree. Not only that, but it is the best Christmas Tree we could have ever received. I don't think we will ever need another Christmas Tree again.

That little tree and that red ornament means more to Dave and I then Wendy will ever understand and I am so thankful to my Heavenly Father for sending me little angels here on earth that truly fulfill their callings. I love you Wendy. I couldn't ask for a better mom away from my mom.

Laurie (the new Bishop's wife) and Wendy are the 2 most amazing ladies I have ever met. They love me and treat me like I am their own daughter. They take such good care of me and love me so much and I feel their love, kindness, support, and friendship, and they will never understand what that means to me! Thank you, Thank you, Thank you, for all you do and for giving Dave and I the best Christmas present we could ever receive.

Max Hall Hates Me

Doing Better

So I thought I would post a little update and let you all know how I am doing. I ate yesterday which was amazing. I ate some vegetable lasagna and it tasted delish! I can't describe how amazing it is to be able to eat and how I have taken it for granted my entire life.

I am still a little sore. It hurts to lay flat and so I have been sleeping propped up on the couch. Dave is King of the bed right now and I think he loves it. I know he loves sleeping with me, but he also loves sleeping in the middle of the bed. :)

I have been crocheting a few things while I have been home. I've been working on my blanket that I think will take me another 10 years to finish. It's a king size quilt and it's beautiful and candy apple red and the softest thing you have ever felt, but I will finish it one day. :) Dave loves it though. He cuddles up to the part of it that is done and it is so warm! I also made my niece's Christmas gifts. I made some scarfs for my niece's for Christmas. I decided since money is a little tight right now with all the medical bills and me not being able to work, I am going to make my Christmas presents this year. I have finished Maddie's and Jennifer-Kate's. I also have Lilly who is Bonnie's little girl. I have her name for Christmas in Dave's family and thanks to my sweet friend Lacey Wing I have her Christmas present. My mom helped me out with my other niece's because we just don't have the money to do for everyone this year. One day things will be easier, but right now we are newlyweds and we are penny pincher's which is absolutely just fine. I wouldn't trade my life for anything in this world.

This Christmas is going to be amazing. My mom is going to let me borrow an abelskiver pan so I can make some for Dave, and we are going to spend time with our families and we are going to have a great Christmas Holiday. I'm going to be well and so our prayers are being answered. As long as I stay out of the hospital and continue to improve then I will be happy with whatever comes our way. I could go without getting 1 gift this Christmas season and be perfectly happy because I have my sweetheart who is my everything and I have my health. Those are the only 2 things that I need in this life. This will be the greatest Christmas ever. I love you Dave!

Utah Fan

My new shirt, and I don't think that anything else needs to be said about it. :) Go Utes!