Christmas Catch Up

So we've been pretty busy here, but really at this time of year who isn't, right?! Our Christmas started early when we got to visit family in Idaho. It was a really great time. Tj's family welcomed us with open arms (and homes). We all loved spending time with aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents and even a few old friends.
Once we got home we got settled in our new home. We were anxious to get our Christmas tree and decorations up. We had a fun night decorating our tree with all our family ornaments. Unfortunately we weren't able to put up all our Christmas decorations but it was fun going through our Christmas storage box and seeing all our Christmas stuff. I think the boys' favorite Christmas decoration was the Little People Nativity Set. I think it will be sad when we have to pack it away again until next year.
Before we knew it Christmas Eve was here. I spent the morning baking my grandma's cinnamon bread and then in the afternoon we took some over to the guys Tj works with. Then it was home for naps and then Christmas dinner. Nama and Pa came over for the evenings festivities. We read the Nativity story and then opened our Christmas eve gifts. Then it was time for the boys to go to bed. Believe it or not the boys had a hard time going to sleep.
Christmas morning started about 7am. Joel was so excited that Santa brought him his train. Vance got an Elmo Live. Both toys were a hit with both boys. It was a fun morning. Joel had a blast opening the presents and Vance was absolutely tickled with the gifts that he AND Joel received. The rest of Christmas day was spent playing with toys and enjoying our time together as a family. Christmas evening we went to Nama and Pa's house for dinner. Then, believe it or not, we all went swimming- ON CHRISTMAS! I still can't get over the fact that it was about 80 degrees on Christmas. I suppose that's the appeal to most people to snowbird in FL.
We have really had a great Christmas season. We have enjoyed getting everyone's Christmas cards and photos. (Of course I'm slacker this year and haven't gotten ours sent out yet.) We have had so many experiences this season to remember the true meaning of the Christmas season. Hope you all have had a great Christmas season!

Fifty, Fifty!

Today is Dad Rosen/Pa's birthday. If you can believe it he's fifty. I have meant to do this post all day. I am really fortunate to have married into such an amazing family and I am so blessed to be able to call this man Dad. I know that this will be embarrassing to Dad because he is such a humble person. But I'm going to brag on him.

Dad is one of the most generous people I know. He does so much for so many people and most people (including those who are on the recipient end) will never know everything he's done for so many. Some of it's monetary and some of it's service. He is always thinking about other people. I can't even begin to list all the ways he's given to our family alone even just this year. But let me give just one example from this year alone. This spring the boys and I were going to go out to Arizona for my sisters graduation. However, after buying our house it wasn't going to happen. When dad found out that we were scrapping our trip he volunteered to send me and the boys out so that I could be there with my family. This meant more to me than words could describe.

Dad is one of the best fathers and grandfathers I know. Dad truly values his family. When we had Joel Dad decided it was important for our family to be together and so he and Mom moved across the country, left a stable job and joined us in Florida. He drops just about everything to see and spend time not only with the boys (Joel and Vance) but with Tj and me. Regardless of how busy life gets he will pick up the phone to listen to the jabber of the boys. He calls us to see how our day is and really goes out of his way to get together with us. The boys absolutely adore Pa. And Tj and I both love and respect Dad.

I am always amazed at how much dad cares about people. When he taught school he truly wanted his students to succeed. When the kids would make it to nationals he was sincerely proud of them and they could tell. He keeps in touch with many of his old coworkers and wants them to succeed. I love to hear the stories about the times when he used to bring homeless or random people home to shower or have dinner. You've got to admire this attribute.

Dad has an amazing sense of humor. He loves to tell funny stories about the crazy things he did growing up. He has fantastic timing and he loves to pass this sense of humor on to the younger generations. At age 2 Joel is already being introduced to the concept of a joke by Pa. Just tonight he told Nama while they were driving in the car "Nama, a mouse!" (Mind you she is terrified of mice!) So she turns around and asks, what? And he again says with a smile, "Nama, a mouse. It's a joke- ha ha ha." Dad has also introduced several of his nieces and nephews to the concept of sarcasm. But his humor is always good natured.

Dad, I hope you have had a great birthday. We love you! Thank you for all you do for us. So many of the things I love about Tj I know he's gotten from you and your example. Happy 50th!

Seven Year Itch

So I haven't posted in a little while. We're settling into our new home and FINALLY got Internet. If you want a good laugh you've got to read Tj's description here. But that's not why I'm posting today. Today is Tj and my anniversary.

We are celebrating seven (yes SEVEN!!!) years of being married. I know that's not really THAT long in the whole eternal perspective or even compared to Tj's parents who just celebrated 30 years this fall. But it's a pretty remarkable feat for us. So please forgive me while I get a little sentimental. In tribute to being married seven years here's 7 random facts or stories about the last seven years.

*I never expected to marry Tj. He was suppose to be a fun summer fling while I finished my education and attained a whole slew of goals I had set for myself. He was also so different from many of the people I had ever dated. But we spent a lot of time together that summer and by the end of the summer Tj had become one of my best friends. I know it's really corny but Tj is truly my best friend. He's still quite different from me and I still wonder sometimes how we ever managed to get together. But I can't imagine my life without him. I'm grateful that Heavenly Father surpassed my expectations and that we were both "ready" for our eternal family.

*Tj and I are about as opposite as two people can be. Where I'm a planner and an organizer Tj is really laid back. I came from a family of 9 with 6 other brothers and sisters, Tj is an only child. Tj is very logical and I'm a much more emotional personal. But in so many ways we complement each other. Sometime it's a struggle to compromise and appreciate our differences but so far we've managed to find a way.

*Originally we wanted to get married in the Las Vegas Temple. After discussing this plan with our parents though it was suggested that we chose a location where only one family had to travel. So since Tj's parents were doing our reception (see next point) we chose to get married in the Boise, ID Temple. We were really fortunate to have both sets of our parents, my grandma, all my siblings and their families, my good friend Denise, Tj's favorite mission companion and his wife- Nate and Marie, and his good friend from high school Rob along with many of Tj's extended family.

*Tj's mom planned our entire wedding reception. My parents always told us that as long as THEY didn't have to do our reception they would send us on a cruise or give us the money. So we took them up on the offer. But because Tj's an only child his parents really wanted to have a reception. So his mom asked if SHE (and of course his dad) could give us a reception. I told her that if she wanted to plan it I would be fine with it. So I gave her the colors and what I DIDN'T want (Christmas theme, huge bows everywhere, etc) and let her take it away. She did a really good job with it all.

*We have lived in two states and four cities. We've visited six states for vacation (we spend most of our vacations visiting family and friends back home). Tj's visited lots of states, countries and cities without me. He's the traveler out of us- I'm a homebody.

*We have had a regular date night since we got married. We are fortunate to have Tj's parents so close to help babysit the boys for us. It's something we look forward to. Even if it's just a movie after the kids have gone to bed or a trip to the ballet or a meal at a nice restaurant. I love our date nights.

*It may not have been love at first sight for Tj and I but we are still madly in love! There's nobody I can imagine moving across the United States, have two kids and go through everything we've experienced the last seven years with other than Tj.

Tj I love you!