Working with the Youth and Our First Anniversary

Dave and I recently got new callings in our ward. Dave is the 1st counselor in the Young Men's presidency (working with the teachers) and I am the 2nd counselor in the Young Women's presidency (working with the beehives). When we first got the callings, I was pretty shocked. I have to admit that I began the calling with some doubts as to how I could really help these girls. However, I have to say that this calling is BY FAR the best calling I have had in my life so far (ok... being a missionary was probably first.... but you get what I mean!) It is a lot of work (lots of phone calls, rides, activities to plan, meetings to attend) but really a blast so far (now don't quote me on that this summer when I am sweating my brains out in a tent!)

Partly due to these new callings, and partly due to the very cold snowy weather that has set in, Dave and I caved in and bought a new car (ok, it's not new... but new to us!) At first I thought it would be a pretty big process since Dave wanted a "boy" car and I typically do not like cars that are geared towards men. However we went car shopping with my parents and my Dad pointed out a very well taken care of 2001 Ford Explorer. We both thought it was a good buy for the price and that night we went home with the first car we've bought together. We are actually going to pay for it through payments, only to establish credit. We have very good credit, but only through credit cards (neither of us have student loans) and we wanted to establish greater credit just in case we ever want to make a big purchase someday.

Our very first anniversary was on Sunday. Since it landed on a Sunday we did most of our celebrating on Saturday (although we did go over to my parent's place on Sunday and they had a cake for us). We went out to one of my favorite restaurants in the world! Snuffy's! It's only in the Twin Cities and there are only 4 of them. They are really old Malt Shops. Just with your typical burgers and fries and old style shakes. Boy is it good. I didn't realize we lived so close to one now, so Dave and I went and he had his first Snuffy's experience (It was always a really big deal to go when I was younger, and a special treat) We also saw a movie that my co-worker reccommended, Precious. Honestly, I can appreciate why she reccommended it, but I did not like it... Definately not a "feel-good" movie. Then Dave and I exchanged Anniversary/Christmas gifts.... I know I know, its not Christmas yet. However, Dave and I are very practical people, and it's just silly to spend money on two different gifts 5 days apart, so I think this will be our tradition the rest of our lives... combining Christmas and Anniversary gifts. I got a cookbook that I wanted from Dave and also new garment! Woohoo! Oh and since my computer crashed and had to get a new hard drive, I needed the new Windows 7 to install on my computer, so he got me that as well. I got Dave a radar detector. I swear, he was like a kid in the candy shop! He has never had one (since they are illegal in Virginia) but in Minnesota they are legal, and since Dave has been so good about his driving for the past year, I caved and got him one. He LOVED it.... When Dave REALLY loves something he goes into what I call "little kid" mode... he acts like a little kid, he gets this little grin and looks like he did in his childhood pictures... Anyway, he immediately opened it and asked for permission to go "try it out" I laughed and out the door he went.... I waited for him for a while, but little did I know he was joy riding around the city with his new toy.... Ahhhh boys.... So I went to sleep :) hehehehe I am just glad he liked it so much. A new toy to go with his new car. Don't worry about him starting to speed or start driving recklessly.... If he starts that again, the toy is gone... Those are the rules :)

So that is just a little update about us... sorry I have not had a chance to write... But like I said, it has just been very busy lately! We are excited for Christmas and hope you all have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!