When we were married, Ross and I owned a sofa and a love seat that my parents had purchased the year I was born, a couple end tables (Again, which my parents had so graciously given us.) A mattress and box spring Ross found at a garage sale, a book case and dresser, that we had found together at another garage sale, and the wonderful wedding presents which so greatly added to our survival. I remember working as a telemarketer at first, and going to DI every day while I wasn't working to search for a table. One day I found one I fell in love with. We snatched it up. So we had a dinner table, and no chairs. a few months later, some kind neighbors loaned us two chairs to use until we were able to afford our own. They were always so kind to us.
With Ikea not too far away, Ross' scholarships providing extra grant money, and incredible KSL finds in the "free section" we were able to turn our house into a home.We finally got our own chairs and coffee table. I even found a free piano on KSL, which I had so desperately been wanting.
Right before we were married, Ross got a TV from one of his cousins that no longer needed it. Nine months later, Ross' grand parents lovingly loaned us a bed frame, head and foot board, and another dresser. They also gave us a dresser that they no longer needed. It was a wonderful blessing and gift of generosity. I remember being absolutely thrilled to have our bed off of the floor. Yesterday I took that bed set apart. Tomorrow it will be moving in with the rest of Grandma and Grandpa's things.
Moving, though difficult and challenging at times with two kids to care for, dinner to get on the table, and a house to clean, has allowed me to recognize and express gratitude for exactly how much we have been watched over and cared for. As our home is getting closer to the necessities, I have especially been humbled, and our family has drawn closer together.
Last night Ross and I played our game of Skip-Bo (I call it "our game" because I'm 100% certain we'll be 98 and still playing "our game" of Skip-Bo every night.), then got in bed with our mattress on the floor-just like the good old days, at 8:00 to watch cartoons. Dark Wing Duck to be precise. I love having our bed on the floor. It reminds me so much of when we were first married. We ended up talking about when we first met and all of the fun things we've done since then. It's been almost 7 years exactly since we were introduced at a church dance. The whole story of us is here.
We had so much fun last night laughing and talking about what each of us were thinking and feeling at certain points in our past. From the night we met, our friendship before Ross served his mission, and after he returned. I even had this poor kid meet me at a high school dance competition where we talked a lot, I searched his wallet, and learned his first name was really Andrew.We played guitar together where I pretended I knew what I was doing. While every time I'd seen him since the day we met, it was as if a spotlight was on him and an angel chorus was singing, apparently before his mission, I was an ok looking, fun, weird gal. (True story.) However, after Ross returned home and we had our ice ckating date, I had magically transformed into a good looking smart (I believe we decided upon the term "nerd") girl. And I guess he liked that. Talk about the Ugly Duckling... That conversation in particular drew out a lot of giggles.
We never dated, just had some really good times together. After he visited me for a few days in Idaho, things seemed SO complicated. I feel silly thinking back to late nights spent crying in despair for all of the reasons we thought we couldn't be together. Our first date after we were married was to Nicklecade. (Yup, before it was ever Nickle City.)
Last night was the perfect night, watching cartoons and laughing about all of our good times, favorite road trips, and how ridiculously silly we were. I love that the simplicity of our home and life right now brought us back to almost how we were like 3 1/2 years ago and sometimes what
I remember our first married Christmas. We had been married a short 2 1/2 MONTHS. I remember all of those giddy excited feelings. We are just as excited and giddy if not more so this year. We're so excited to see and spend time with our families and friends who ARE a part of our family. This Christmas is really about family for us this year. We couldn't be more excited and grateful that we're able to spend so much time in Oregon before our next adventure.
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