Wednesday, December 24, 2008

Happy Christmas


i am sure almost everyone can relate to this saying..
"it's december already?!"
or
"where has this year gone?!"
i have had such a wonderful year. heavenly father has truly blessed me and my family.
let's recap:
january - i started dating jay, the girls were thrilled. we had known jay for some
time now and for him to be regular around our little family was great.
february - my relationship with jay was steadily moving along. i attended church with jay for the first time. it was also the first time i remember feeling the spirit so strongly..of course
i didn't really understand what i was feeling to tell the truth. i just knew i wanted more! i
found where the church that was within my boundaries and the girls and i went the next
sunday. not too long after, i called the missionaries and scheduled a time
for them to come to visit with me.
march - the discussions with the missionaries were life changing! i had learned so much and was always ready for more. in a couple of weeks i had set my baptism date for
march 22, 2008. that was going to be a day i won't soon forget. i had so many people
around me that loved me and were supportive of my decision.
april - jay took the girls and i home (albuquerque, nm) to meet the family. they are
all loving, caring, giving, funny, sweet, kind-hearted people and
i am blessed to be a part of their family. the girls jumped
right in on all the fun that all the other kids were having. grandma and
grandpa have a very kid friendly house and yard with plenty to keep them
busy for days. needless to say, none of us wanted to leave!
may - summer break was here! but for me, that is not always fun time. the girls left
to spend the summer with their dad in san antonio, tx. this was the first time
they were going to fly - all alone! my nerves were shot by time they landed.
but they all had a good time and were looking forward to spending time with their dad.
june - june 1st, jay proposed! we went from boyfriend/girlfriend to being engaged
to be wed. ahhh! i was so excited! we set the big day - august 23, 2008.
we knew we didn't have much time so we started planning. i still couldn't
believe i was planning my wedding! to jay!!!
july - what i was thinking, i don't know, but i had told jay that i would hike havasupai
with him and a group of friends. i wasn't sorry i said yes until about half
way out of the canyon. it looked like i was never going to make it out! but for
the view of those beautiful waterfalls and the amazing color of
the water, i would do it again!
august - the girls are back! they made it back safe and sound. and the next day
we were off to colorado. jay's family was having a reunion and
we weren't going to miss it. the family had two cabins to hold 14 adults
and 16 kids! it was fun to be around everyone again. and the days
were winding down till the big day! and it was finally here!
i felt like a princess! and jay was my handsome prince!
the day came and went. and we were off for our 7 day caribbean cruise.
september - we are sill house hunting (since july!) the whole process is getting
depressing. the girls are all loving school. alexis is in 3rd grade and is
just zooming past the other kids in reading. caprice is in 2nd grade and is
opening up more and more. ariana started kindergarten this year! and is just
loving it. and i am loving the fact the i don't have to pay
full time day care anymore. yeah for me!
october - still no house! enough said!
november - yeah! our offer on a house has been accepted! it is still in our ward
so we don't have to leave all the good friends we have made.
we went to nm to spend thanksgiving with all of jay's family...our family!
december - still no keys for the house! i am beginning to think that we are going to
live with my brother forever! i really didn't want to adopt a 25 yr old boy! lol
the girls are back to tx for christmas so jay and i are going to
nm to be with our albuquerque family.
i am truly thankful for all our heavenly father has given me and my family.
i wish you a very happy christmas and a blessed new year!

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Thank You

on monday night, while i was helping diana de-bone a few turkeys for enrichment
and jay was out christmas shopping with the girls,
a wonderful package arrived on our doorstep


the card read:

rasband family-
merry christmas!
we are so glad to have your family in our ward!!
from-
???


so to whomever left this package...thank you!!!