Colin, Mandy, and Eliza

This site is for us to keep you informed of what we feel like sharing.

Monday, December 31, 2007

Highlights of 2007

~Our year started with Colin's hospitalization in January. It was supposed to be a simple hospital stay where Colin got to rest and be bored for 2 weeks while getting IV antibiotics but turned into a more complicated experience when 2 days into the hospitalization Colin got a partial bowel obstruction causing him severe pain. He was evaluated for surgery but luckily his bowel resolved before he had to get the surgery. This was a hard time for both of us but we grew together and our grateful for Colin's good health since then.
~ Valentines Day 2007, Colin surprised me with a couples massage! It was the first time I had ever gotten a professional massage and it was amazingly relaxing. I told Colin we had to make this an annual Valentine's day tradition.
~I graduated from college in May 2007! Yeah! Its about time!

~Colin and I left for the Bahamas 2 days after my graduation ceremony! We went on a 5 day cruise around the Caribbean. We went snorkeling, played on beautiful white beaches with aqua water, ate lots of yummy food (steak, lobster and our favorite-frozen yogurt on ice cream cones that we ate about 3 times per day), slept, went to several cruise sponsored shows and spent 1 day in Orlando with my mom where we went to the NASA Space Center. We had such a great vacation and would love to do another cruise at some point.
~2 days after we got back from our cruise I started nursing school! Crazy life but I am so happy to have gotten into the nursing program and feel so grateful for this opportunity.

~Colin got promoted to a Supervisor at his work during the summer. He is the hardest worker I know and of course I am proud of him and his efforts.
~We took our first camping trip as a family up to Mirror Lake area. We loaded up my dad's canoe and hit the mountains. Tari, Mindy and Kacy joined us and we had a blast.
~In June we moved into Grandma T's house. We were sad to leave Parley's 2nd ward and the wonderful people we met their but it was a great opportunity to save money and help out grandma.
~We got a visit from Velma, Iggy Alvarez and family. This is a family I taught on my mission. We took them to Hogle Zoo, Temple Square. It was wonderful to see them.
~We were saddened by Grandma's passing in Sept. We were grateful for the opportunity we had to get to know her better while we lived in her home.
~During Fall break Brian and Beth took the Thomas family down to St. George for the week. Our condo was gorgeous equipped with our own hot tub on the balcony. We played tennis, swam, saw My Fair Lady & read. It was a relaxing and much needed vacation.
~Colin was offered an interview for PA school at the University of New England in Maine. Unfortunately he did not get an interview at the U of U (which he is okay with, disappointed, but okay with...apparently 24 years of being a patient isn't quite the "patient experiences" that they are looking for-edit by Colin).

~Reid left for his mission to Russia on Dec 5th.
~Colin graduated from college this December! Yeah! I thought this day would never come when we were both college grads!
~We had a wonderful Christmas and have my mom visiting with us from Florida which has been very fun. For New Year's Eve we are going to a 10 pm showing of Lend Me a Tenor to bring in the New Year!
This has been a wonderful year for Colin and I and we are so grateful for our marriage and the many adventures we have had together! We look forward to what 2008 will bring and our first trip of the year to Maine at the end of the month!

Saturday, December 22, 2007

Gifts of the Magi

My favorite Christmas story is Gifs of the Magi by O. Henri. Last year Colin and I read this story together on our 1st married christmas eve sitting in our 2 bedroom (tiny) basement apartment that had carpet in the bathroom and kitchen (not to mention the rest of the entire house). We had a christmas bush for a tree with beautiful twinkle lights sparkling that warmed our little family room. And although we were poor newly weds (and still are, might I add, poor) it was one my most cherished christmases because we had each other. It never matters how much stuff you have, how big your home is or how beautiful your tree and decorations are. Christmas is about putting the needs of the ones you love before your own, "of all who give and receive gifts, such as they are wisest...they are the magi"
I am so thankful to have such loving family and friends. I am especially grateful for my wonderful husband who, like Jim, is so selfless and has my best interest at heart at all times.
I look forward to reading this story again together this christmas eve and every year after.
Merry Christmas to all!

Wednesday, December 12, 2007

Reid, Elder Thomas, reported to the MTC on December 5th, 2006. Colin and I are very excited for him! It was great to go to the MTC to see him off. It brought back so many memories of when I reported to the MTC, Nov. 6, 2002. Mostly I remember the fear of the unknown and what was to come, the sadness of leaving my family and not even being able to comprehend that I would see them in 18 months, it felt to far away. But when I parted from my family I was blessed to meet my wonderful and sweet first companion Danielle Farar, she was what I needed to get through those 3 weeks at the MTC. I loved serving and am forever changed by that experience. And although we knew Reid was scared, nervous and unsure of what awaited him on the other side of that door that held the sign "Missionaries exit this way" he left with courage and faith. We are proud of him.