A memoriable Christmas

Amanda has asked that I write something in regards to the holidays..... So, Christmas came and went and it was the first of many for Amanda and myself. The Christmas spirit was here for sure. It was nice to have Amanda over for dinner. Christmas has always been a special time of year for the both of us, and it was such a blessing to be able to spend it together. Even though we're not married yet, it was still nice to be able to spend our very first Chirstmas together. Everyone knows that Christmas isn't about all the gifts you get or don't get, it's about giving and caring and remembering our Savior and all that he has done for us. But, I'm still going to brag a bit about the wonderful things that Amanda got me. She gave me this kinda dogtag thingy on a chain that says, "10-01-07" on one tag and on the other it reads, "A prayer answered." This gift really meant a lot to me. October 1st was the first day met each other and from there the rest is history. I recieved some other memorable gifts from her, but that's the gift that really got to me. I love her so much. A lot of gifts were exchanged on Christmas and it was a good day for all of us. My family loved having Amanda around. My mom really can't stop telling me how much she loves having another girl around. Amanda truly fits well into the family and it already feels like she belongs. I truly love this time of year. You have the wonderful Christmas season and the start of a new year. This year is ending and it's the beginning of many years spent with my soulmate, and as of Decmber 24th... Amanda and I have been engaged for a month! Well, both Amanda and I wish to all that everyone has a very Merry Christmas and a Happy News Years. And expect a miracle.... they really do come. That's how we came together!

Love you guys,

Nick and Amanda

men never fully explain things ;)

:) The christmas party was very nice. They had the entire gym set up as a town, and everyone had to pay "taxes" to get in (it was a non perishable food item for donation) and when you paid your taxes they gave you a pouch with coins so that you could go around to the different "shops" and "buy" your food, or make things like Christmas ornaments. Towards the end, they had the ward choir do a few special numbers, and everyone joined in for a few songs, and they had some people act out the nativity scene, Nick and his brothers were shepherds. I think this play is going to have a large part in our lives, as it is, already we've taken part in it twice in less than a month. The first time was right after he proposed to me, but he forgot to mention that part ;) (love ya, Nick) :-P

Next week I will be finishing up my associates in Psychology. YEY for no more school! So we'll have a lot more time for planning. As it is, I think we're doing fairly well, I've got both of my dresses (one for the reception/ring ceremony and one for the temple), and we've already gotten our wedding rings as well. Oh!! hehe and the decoration that he mentioned that we got, are some cloth napkins that we are going to use UNDER our centerpieces ;) hehe. Nick is wonderful, and he's doing a lot to help out with getting all the plans together, and putting in his ideas, and helping with getting everything together. I'm very lucky to have him. Invitations are the next thing on our "to do" list. With my degree in Graphic Design we decided to design and print them ourselves. We hope to have them sent out in the beginning of January. so stay tuned!

Christmas Party

So, this weekend we went a Christmas party. It was actually very well done. And we both had a blast. It's crazy how fast this month has gone by. We're actually in the single digits for the countdown to Christmas. Before you know it the month will be over and it'll be another month closer to March. If only it came faster, all good things come to thoes that wait.

On another note, the planning for our wedding is going along just smoothly. We actually have the temple reserved and things really are going great. ANNNND.... we bought our first item for the recption! It's only the center piece thingy lol. But, still it's a start. We're both just so excited with everything. Our new saying to each other is simpally wishpering in each other's ear that we're getting married. Seriously, this is the happiest we're both ever been in our whole life. And we wouldn't change it for the world.

WE'RE GETTING MARRIED!!!!!

So, here's the story so far that is still being written as the days go by...

We have two main characters.... Nick Petrie and Amanda Kirkland.

We met each other randomly at a pumpkin carving activty, and by all means, we didn't plan on it this way. But, but some means of a miracle... we met each other at just the perfect timing for both of us. We met each other on October 1st. We knew the day that we met that there was something special about the other person, but niether one of us wanted to admit that we liked each other more than a friend. I went around telling people that I met this girl who was really attractive and someone who I just clicked with. And, she did about the same. So, one day, we thought we'd get together and went bowling with my family. It just happened like that and my dad offered to pay. And, no offense, he's a very big cheapstake and doesn't really like spending money, but he offered to pay for us. That night, we decided to date. As the days went by, we knew within a week, that we'd be spending the rest of our lives together. Some may think that's crazy to come to that conclussion when only dating for a week.... but we tend to disagree. The way we look at it, once you know, what else matters?

As time went on, I found a really nice ring and we worked it out to be able to go to Vermont to see the Christmas lighting at the Joesph Smith Memorial. Some of us had to sacrifice time throughout the week and work horrible hours and days.... but it was all worth it and we had a very enjoyable time, one that we will always rememer. We took a long walk into the snowy woods that day in Vermont and on our way back to the car, I found this one and only place in the whole woods that didn't have snow at all and the ground was dry. So, I thought that it would be a great place to get down on one knee and ask this beautiful young lady to marry me. She didn't even look at the ring at first, she literally just put her hands on her mouth and started to cry and then just hugged me forever while I was still on my knees. I don't think we'll ever forget that moment. That was the day after thanksgiving. And since then, we've managed to find ways to see each other on average 3-4 times a week. Even with living 45 minutes aways from each other. Everything is literally coming together very smoothly for our wedding. It's crazy for us to not have anything go wrong. For both of us, this is also the longest we've both been happy in a long time.

So, let us be the first to say.... WE'RE GETTING MARRIED!!!!!!!