Christmas!

I am still getting used to blogging, but I wanted to do a recap of my Christmas! Christmas is a very emotional time for me, but it is also a time where I realize just how lucky I am. I was so excited to go downtown with Holly and Derek! This is a tradition that I just adore.

My sister and I started out our Christmas eve by taking care packages to the families of patients at the ICU or surgery at St. Marks. We have spent Christmas in the hospital and we know just how depressing it can be. It felt so nice to let those people who are so worried about their family members know that there are people thinking about them. We handed a treat bag an older lady who was in the waiting room and she started to cry. It touched me so much, but also made my heart break for her because I knew how bad she was hurting. I held back my tears until we walked into the actual ICU and saw the room my mom was in. That was so hard and brought back so many memories - some happy and some not so happy- but it was good for me to go back there. I still remember all of the things people did for us and all of the miracles that happened during the time my mom was so sick. I think visiting the hospital on Christmas Eve is a tradition that I would like to continue for years to come to help others and remind myself where I have been.

After going to the hospital I was happy to go hang out with my Aunt Karen and Uncle Terry and my cousins for dinner. I feel so blessed and appreciate so much my Aunt Karen, Uncle Terry and my cousins Matt, Jess and Tyson taking us in as there children and sisters. I consider them my second parents and my brothers and sister. We had so much fun just hanging out together. I slept over on Christmas Eve and was so excited to get up on Christmas morning and open stockings. Karen put together stockings for all of her kids and their significant others. I think she was up to 8 or so stockings this year!

We went down to my cousin's house for Christmas lunch. It was so scary driving down there because it was one of the worst snow storms I have seen in a while! Once we all got down there safely it was so nice to hang out with the rest of my fam!

Later in the afternoon we went and visited Derek's dad and then his mom. It was nice and calm with them. I was excited because I got to see his cute nephews and niece and see his sister's new house. I am also happy that I am getting to know his family more! We had an amazing dinner at his mom's house as we always do! We even got eclair cake , so needless to say we were happy and full!

After visiting all of the family Holly , Derek and I came back to my apartment and opened our presents for each other. It was nice to hang out with each other. I got some good stuff too! My life is complete with a Magic Bullet and Guitar Hero. Derek also got me a Dooney and Bourke purse! I love it so much, but I think I love the effort he put into getting it more! I saw this purse online and I liked the black and the brown, but both colors were back ordered. Derek searched all over online to find the purse I wanted to surprise me!

I had a great Christmas. As Derek and I talk more about wedding plans and who we want involved it feels so good to realize how many people know and love us!

Twilight and Thanksgiving.

I have never been a fan of Harry Potter or Lord of the Rings. I never had a book that I absolutely loved that I could then watch on the big screen, that is until Twilight came out! I loved this book. Maybe because I have always loved the bad boys, or because maybe it gives normal girls hope at finding our Prince Charming (or our Vampire)! I have seen this movie twice, and went again last night with my good friend Stephanie. It just puts me in a good mood!! The first time I saw it my cute fiance came with. He was such a good sport, and put up with me everytime I would get crazy when I saw Edward. He has accepted that I have room in my heart to love Derek and Edward! I am lucky to have such an amazing fiance!

Today is Thanksgiving. I have had a hard time adjusting to holidays without my mom. I feel bad because I handle the pain of missing my mom by getting emotional or grumpy. I am lucky to have a caring family to spend the holiday with, and I am so lucky to have Derek. We are going
to his mom's house for dinner, and I have heard rumors that she is making Better than Sex Cake! Yes! Yum! We are then going to my aunts house for leftovers and games! I hope today goes well and I can stop being so grumpy! On the other hand, maybe I should stay grumpy so I can fight for good deals at Target tomorrow for Black Friday!!!

Finally, a blog!

I can't believe I finally have a blog. I have loved looking at other people's blogs, so I am really excited to finally have my own! I guess this blog will be Derek's too, but to be honest he probably won't be writing on here that much! I guess I will tell the story of how Derek and I met, just so people have a background!

Derek and I met through his friend Andy. I worked with Andy at Cyprus Credit Union. Andy would say that Derek needed to be set up with a nice girl, but I didn't really pay a lot of attention when Andy would say this. One day Andy asked if I would like to go to a movie with his fiance and her friend and Derek. I was nervous, but agreed. He preceded to call Derek right then to tell him to "put some cologne on and do his hair because he was bringing a lady for him to meet!" We all went to a movie and we hit it off! Derek, being quite the gentleman, walked me to my car and asked if he could get my phone number. I responded by saying, "yeah, do you have your phone? Of course you have your phone! Everyone has their phone." Needless to say I was nervous and excited! He called me the next day and we went on our first date two days later. We have been inseparable ever since. We have been together since June 4th 2007, got engaged August 30th 2008 and will get married June 12th 2009!