2011 Rewind

JANUARY

Spent time in Sacramento, CA with Jim and Shayla's family for Isabella's blessing and Joshua's baptism

Visited with Justin and Corinne who I hadn't seen in YEARS!

Started planning for our wedding, which at the time, was to be in April

FEBRUARY

Turned 28 (yikes)

Took engagement pictures in 17 degree weather

Changed wedding date to March

Struggled a lot with stomach issues and consequently lost almost 20 pounds!

MARCH

Caught the flu OF DEATH and lost an additional 10 pounds

Wedding dress didn't fit as well in certain areas due to weight loss

Went and received my endowments

Sister recieved her endowments

MARRIED on the 12th at the Gila Valley Temple

Moved Miles into my 450 square foot apt

APRIL

Miles turned 23

MAY

Miles got a job at the Morenci Mine

Quit Super 8 job

JUNE

Both stayed busy working

JULY 

Work

Swimming almost everyday!

AUGUST

I quit work

Miles stopped all his medication (yeah!)

SEPTEMBER

Miles lost job at mine

Started working for construction Co.

Dasha cut her hair SHORT 

OCTOBER

Painted apt

"Adopted" a kitty

Miles gained a belly 

NOVEMBER

Miles lost construction job (ran out of work)

I found work but didn't start till January

Celebrated Thanksgiving in Mesa

Jake visited from Portland

Found out Dasha's thyroid is not working right

DECEMBER

Both still out of work

New niece is born

Miles sees temple lights for the first time

Niece passes away/funeral

Miles sells his truck so we can pay bills

First Christmas together

Mile's dad's liver is in great shape (transplant a year ago)

Celebrate New Year's Eve with fireworks, hot chocolate, and sitting around the fire pit

2011 was a great and happy year but was one of EXTREME hardships as well.  I do not think I have been tested as much as I have during this last year.  While I hated life a lot of the time, I wouldn't change it.  We have both grown so much.  Not only individually but more importantly together as a couple.  We are so much closer and stronger today because of the trials we have been given.  God doesn't give us anything we can't handle.  So I say, "Bring it on, 2012!"

FAVORITE PICTURE FROM 2011

Temple Lights 2011

The week of Christmas, we decided to take a quick trip to Mesa.  While we were there, we met up with the always awesome, Gina and Travis Stevens.  They met us at our hotel and we walked over to Pete's Fish and Chips (Miles had never been) and then walked around the temple lights since Miles had never been to that either!  It was crazy crowded but the lights were gorgeous, as usual! Unfortunately we didn't get any pics with Gina and Travis, but Travis did snap these two for us!!! Afterwards, we went back to our hotel and introduced them to "Man v. Food" and watched a few episodes.  It was a great time and we loved being with our good friends!


On a quick side-note.  The next day Miles woke up SO SICK!  We were suppose to go home that day and ended up having to stay one more day. Also, our niece passed away suddenly that morning after a brief illness.  I was worried about how ill he was and with the added stress of the passing of our niece, I aksed Travis to come over and give Miles a blessing.  In turn, Miles was also able to give Travis one.  What a testimony builder.  Both blessings were powerful and the Spirit was very strong.  It re-affirmed the power of the priesthood to me.  I am so grateful for a husband and friend, who when in need, are able to provide some comfort and relief. 

Our Little Christmas 2011 "Photo-session"

All I Want for Christmas Is You!!!

This was our first Christmas married.  It was wonderful!! We loved being able to spend it with both of our families.  Christmas Eve was spent with my family.  We saw a live nativity, sang some Christmas hymns, and then had an amazing dinner with my family! Afterwards we watched, "A Muppet Christmas Carol," and Miles and I received a plate and cup to put our cookies for Santa on, since Miles has never done this!!

Christmas morning, we opened our gifts to one another.  I made Miles a coupon book called, "Dasha Can't Say No Book" with various things that I'm notorious for not liking to do, bought him a few seasons of "The Office", bunch of candy, and a robe that he's been wanting FOREVER!!!  We quickly got ready and went to church with Mile's family. Afterwards, we gave Miles mom her gift which was a calendar that has all the family's various pictures in it.  She loved it! I was SO WORRIED she wouldn't like it!! We ate lunch, helped Jayden and Samantha ride their new bikes and put on gobs of hair and face makeup with them, watched "Four Christmases" and then went over to Jenene and Walt's for even more food!  The missionaries came over and we all got into a heated game of Triominoes.  Happy to say I won:)  Afterwards we opened our gifts from them and watched a few episodes of "The IT Crowd."  We were pretty beat so we came home, watched "A Christmas Story," and called it a night! I loved Christmas this year.  I used to dread it and the loneliness that came with missing loved ones and a lot of "once was...," now that I am married its so much better having Miles by my side and making new memories instead of reliving old ones that are painful:)

I also want to remember our first Christmas in our tiny, 400 ft apartment.  This Christmas was rough.  With both of us out of work, we couldn't afford to live much less decorate for the holiday or even buy one another gifts.  We did the best we could with what we had and I can say it was a success!!! Our families really stepped up and helped us feel loved.   We felt the Christmas spirit and once we took the decorations down, mentioned how empty our apartment feels now.

My favorite spot in the whole house.  I loved playing piano with just these lights on.  And I adore my willow nativity, even though I broke Mary's arm....I don't want to talk about it but lets just say I shed a few tears!

LOVE these Christmas trees.  And the fact that I did not have to worry about the cat getting to these decorations (top of a tall bookshelf)!

Sorry its so dark!  Miles found this tree for two bucks at the Cowboy Christmas and the singing snowmen I've had for years!!!

LOVE my free Christmas printable and my santa salt and pepper shakers!

I love the simplicity of the green wreath. And the fact I got it for a buck at the thrift store!

My favorite wreath ever!

Our lame wall and cheap stockings. Since we are beyond broke this holiday season we had to get our stockings at walmart. They're allright but definitely not what I wanted!!!

More free Christmas printables! And since we love "Elf" it seemed appropriate!!!

More of my old Christmas decorations

Our poor tree.  I took this picture right before I took all the Christmas decorations down.  Its a mess and looks nothing like it did the first night be put it up. Our cat LOVES the cranberry garland.  In fact, Miles saved her life one night when she choked on one.  Each night she knocked over more ornaments and chewed off more cranberries.  Countless times she woke us up in the night and we'd spray her with water.  Regardless, we loved our little tree! I got it at a yardsale for three dollars and the stand we got from a thrift store for five bucks.  We painted and sanded it and it made the perfect tree stand!!