New Job, New Career

Looks like we'll be staying in bama a little longer! Eric just landed a job with an IT company here in Mobile, AL. called STI. This will be an entirely new field for Eric to work in, but something he has been wanting to jump into for a long time. As some of you know, Eric was laid off from Best Buy do to downsizing of management about 2 months ago. We knew it was probably a blessing in disguise when it first happened, but it doesn't relieve the stress of going from a 2 income household to a 1 income household. Luckily Eric received a nice severance package. A girl in our ward works for a head hunters group that helps line up jobs for people. Eric was able to link up with her and together they were able to get hime this job. 7am-4pm, monday-friday, weekends and holidays off, I'm not sure if Eric will know what to do with himself. He also will get a company car, which happens to be a 2012 Toyota Tacoma, so Eric is pretty thrilled about that. We feel so blessed that he has a chance to start a new career in his chosen field. Thanks to all our friends and families for the prayers. We are blessed.

Because of Him

Easter is a really special Holiday for Eric and I. Not just for the obvious reasons, the Resurrection and Atonement of our Savior Jesus Christ, but as fate may have it, it is when Eric and I began to fall in love. In April 2009, wow that sounds like a long time ago, I was finishing up Junior year of college, and decided I would travel home to Alabama for the Summer semester. Years past were not good to me, and I vowed never to stay in Rexburg another summer just because I had feelings for a boy. Eric was in a steady relationship over the last couple semesters, though it was an unhealthy and unstable relationship, he was committed. We were friends, as always, but a day or two before Easter I packed up my car and my friends, Sydney and Steffaney, and we were headed down south to the land of the pines. Eric called me the night before I left and asked me to come by his apartment the morning I was supposed to leave for just a minute. The next morning about 6 am I knocked on his door. He opened the door holding a beautiful white Easter basket filled with goodies. I thanked him, we said our goodbyes, hugged, he gave me a huge map of the country, and told me to drive safe. That was it. I hopped in the car and we drove, and drove, and drove. Somewhere in Nebraska I got tired of driving and Sydney took over the wheel. I jumped in the back seat and laid down. I can't fall asleep in cars, yeah its weird, call me paranoid, but I laid there staring at this giant eater basket trying to figure out why Eric would give me this. I began thumbing through the goodies; candy, a Nik Day CD for the road, a book...a BooK? The title of the book was Beloved Emma, The Illustrated Life Story of Emma Smith. If you know me then you know one thing, I love to buy books, but I hate to read. My attention span is short and before you know I am dead asleep with a book in my hand. Well, I picked up the book. As I opened it and thumbed through the pages, a hand written letter fell from the pages. I opened it and read this beautiful heart felt letter written by Eric, apologizing for the last couple semesters, and for how our friendship had been altered do to his relationship. He shared his heart and soul on those pages, and thanked me for never leaving and giving up on our friendship. I immediately knew then that Eric and I had a connection that couldn't be broken. The summer went on and Eric's relationship ended, and we reconnected again. By the following Easter Eric and I were dating, and this time I wrote him the letter. I told Eric how he had changed my life, made me happy, and how in love with him I was. Over the years Eric and I would continue the demonstrate our love every Easter with hand written letters and flowers. I think Eric even orchestrated a plan with my roommates and snuck into my bedroom while I was gone and left a beautiful jewelry box and my favorite flowers, gardenias. To us Easter is much more sentimental to us then Valentines day, and now almost 3 years into our marriage, and sealed for time and all eternity to my best friend since Freshman year of college, I couldn't imagine life any other way.

Because of him, my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, who made all things possible through the Atonement, through his suffering in the garden of Gethsemene, and on the cross. Because of him I know I will be with my husband forever, I will be with my family forever, and through him and by him I can be forgiven of all my sins and shortcomings. I can be comforted, loved, carried along the way when needed, and helped by my older brother to make it home to my Father in home who loves me. He heard and answered my prayers, even though I was just a young college girl, praying for love, praying for a friend. Because of him, I have it all. And this morning as I was sitting in my sunroom, reading old hand written Easter letters that Eric and I have written to each other over the years, I felt an overwhelming love from my Heavenly Father and Savior Jesus Christ. I am so grateful for my knowledge and testimony of the gospel, and for the sacrifice made for me and all mankind. And though I have trials and tribulations, though I may cry at times, and be imperfect, because of him, I am whole. I am loved, I am saved.  To all my friends and family who may read this, Happy Easter, and try to remember the real reason for the season, and the One who gave all. Happy Easter

To be 26...

Yes, I made it to 26! I'm feeling, well, OLD. Though I look back on the 26 years that got me to where I am now, and I have so much to be grateful for. I may be approaching 30 faster than I'd like, but I know I have so many amazing things to look forward to in the years to come.

I spent a wonderful Birthday with my husband, family, and friends. The Sunday before my Birthday, my bestie, Brittany, cooked dinner for me. It's always nice to have some girl time. This year my Birthday landed on a Wednesday, so I took a few days off work, as my present to myself. Eric took a couple days off as well so we could enjoy the week. I woke up that morning to breakfast in bed by mine truly, Eric truly is the most thoughtful man any woman could wish for as a husband. Then I opened some Birthday Presents! Eric gave me a Silhouette Cameo, with some extra's. I've wanting one for sometime now. Then he took me to Michael's, and I bought lots of paper and vinyl to practice with. He and I enjoyed lunch together, and then went to visit my dad. Dad is still recovering from some surgery complications and is currently at a rehab facility in Daphne. Eric and I ran into my SIL and nephew visiting too. Eric took me shopping in the afternoon for pillows for our new couch, and wanted to buy me a reading chair, but I drew a line. He was spoiling me too much, hahaha. That afternoon Eric and I went to pick up my Birthday cake he special ordered and designed. I felt like I was 6 again because he wouldn't let me see my cake until my party that night.

For dinner, all my family, minus dad, :( met us at Laps Seafood House on the causeway (right on the Bay...sooooooo pretty) for dinner. We ate delicious seafood, fried green tomatoes (my favorite),  and cut the cake. I got spoiled with gifts and money. I such an amazing family and rang in my 26th year of birth in style! So blessed!! I look forward to all the many adventures this next year will bring!

And the very Best gift of all....

My niece and nephew, Brooklyn and Rhett singing Happy Birthday!!! Miss these guys so much!

Christmas Time Is Here

We enjoyed another magical Christmas this year. We stayed close to home this year for Christmas. Eric spoiled me rotten as usual, and I had fun spoiling him to. We went and got our tree for a local tree farm down the road from our home. It is probably my favorite tree thus far. It is huge and fat, full of pine needles, and smells amazing. Eric and I had fun decorating it. We went for a more rustic Christmas tree this year. Burlap and white lights. Every Christmas Eric and I exchange ornaments. Something meaningful that represents an event that occurred over the last year. This year the ornament was a turtle dove, signifying peace and joy. We have had such a remarkable 2013; Full of accomplishments and memories. We enjoyed celebrating with the family Christmas day, eating Christmas dinner, and enjoying the company of loved ones. Dad spent Christmas in the hospital sedated and on the ventilator following complications from a surgery. We missed him dearly, and pray for him daily. He is now out of ICU and making progress to a full recovery.

Eric Christmas morning

Me Christmas Morning

My niece Allie at Nanny's house

Thomas and Allie

Thomas, he always lets me take pictures of him...such a good sport.

Mom and ED

My brother Eric and Rebecca with Thomas..Allie MIA

Allie has more fun playing with my phone than her toys.

The newest addition to the family. Aiden Lawrence Winberg!

Uncle Eric is gonna be such a good daddy one day.

The proud new parents made it home from the hospital Christmas day!!

Thanksgiving Dinner

This year for Thanksgiving Both Eric and I had to work. So we celebrated Thanksgiving this year the day before Thanksgiving. Eric and I invited my dad over to our place to share Thanksgiving with. We did it right and had all the Thanksgiving goodies: ham, turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy, stuffing, rolls, green bean casserole, and dad brought the sweet potato casserole. And Thanksgiving would not be Thanksgiving without pumpkin pie for dessert. Yumm!!! I didn't take many pictures this year, but when I find them I'll attach them. :)

Halloween

Well, it's been far too long since I updated this blog. Mostly I've been putting it off and finding excuse after excuse, but it is time to fill the world in to what the Hale family has been up to the last few months. Starting with Halloween, Eric and I were invited to several Halloween parties this year, but due to our work schedules we weren't able to make it to any parties. However we did make it to the ward Halloween party. I've been waiting for the opportunity to dress up like a character from one of my favorite TV shows. This year I dressed up as "A" from the ABC Family show Pretty Little Liars. I'm kinda obsessed with the show really. I have the theme song to the show as my ring tone, the same text tone as "A" (yes I'm really this obsessed), and our fish is named Fitz (you kinda have to watch the show to understand). I probably spent way too much money on the red coat for my costume, but it has actually been a nice addition to add my to my other obsession, jackets, hahahah. Eric went as a pirate this year. He has had the costume sitting in his closet since college and has never worn it. So he finally put it to good use this year and dressed up. He even let me put some makeup (eyeliner) on him, Johnny Depp style to had some drama to the costume. We had a blast with the youth at the party, and enjoyed dinner and the trunk or treat.