A Merry Christmas and a T.V.

Merry Late Christmas!!!

This has been one of the most wonderful Christmas' that I've had in a long time. I know that Christmas was a couple days ago but I've been enjoying my spoils... and so has Sam... and so has Lilly. Someone had come and dropped off a huge box of presents and a big basket of food at the door of the Kelly home. It made this Christmas that much more enjoyable! It was so thoughtful and generous. To make these past couple weeks better, I had my birthday on the 14th. Josh and Tess made some delicious roast and Sheri made a spumoni cake which was so moist and yummy! Then Sam wanted to take me to the movies, but I wasn't really in the mood for a movie. But we wanted to do something. So I thought I'd be spontaneous and go to Wal-Mart and do some random activity together. I was surprised because Sam wasn't wanting to be spontaneous. But I figured it was my day so we went to Wal-Mart and came up with a game. We had to do something in the store that started with each letter of the alphabet. Needless to say, Sam wasn't too thrilled. Again, I figured it was my day. So, I thought it was pretty fun, but it would have better as a double date. Yes, Sam I admitted it! In retrospect, I should have done something different. Because it was my special day. I was still grateful to Sam for spending that time with me.

Anyway, we ended up doing a kind of make up date a week later. We went to Red Robin and ate. I had the crispy chicken sandwich and, surprisingly, was able to eat the whole thing! Oh and the fries too! Sam had some appetizers combo because he wasn't very hungry. Before we left for the date, he said he had a surprise for me. He then gave me a shopping spree of $20 in cash! Seriously, it was a great gift! He had been saving it up the past couple months from change he'd get. I loved it! He then said that I could spend it tonight. Which meant shopping! Something that he doesn't like to do. So that right there was an even greater gift. Plus, we went out to eat which we hadn't done in a looonnnggg time. It was so amazing! Although, I think both Sam and I are glad that I don't take him shopping with me. Lol :~) I love you Sam! We were planning on going to see a movie but by the end of the night, Sam was bushed. I thought it was funny because it was switched around, I wanted to see the movie and he didn't. But that's all fine and dandy. (Oh I ended up getting some Crunch N' Munch popcorn, Nail polish, and an iTunes gift card. I had a hard time deciding on what to get...which is why I take so long shopping. HA!)

As for Christmas, both Sam and I had been working on each others presents. I made him a couple sets of coupon books. And I must say that I am pretty proud of them! But that's another post. Sam would not give me any hints as to what he was getting me. I will be honest... it made me nervous! He wanted the anticipation to grow as it got closer to Christmas. And he succeeded!
On Christmas Eve, Sam actually had to work. He had gotten home and told me to go downstairs so he could wrap my present. Well, Lilly needed a bath and be put down for bed. So while I got her ready, he would wrap it. Well, Lilly's bath was a little shorter then planned and I didn't realize that Sam and Josh were bringing in my present. Yes it had to take two people!!! I quickly looked away and went back into the bathroom.

"Hey Courtney!" Sam's voice came through the door. "You're suppose to stay in there!"
"I'm sorry!" I replied. "Don't worry I didn't see anything!"
"Good." Sam said.

I really didn't see anything, but the fact that it had to take two people to bring it in, made me more anxious and worried! As much as he wanted me to stay in the bathroom until he got the present wrapped, I couldn't...Lilly wouldn't let me. So I told Sam that and he came and escorted me down to the basement, you know, to make sure I didn't see anything. I could hear them wrapping up the present. I got Lilly to bed and just hung out downstairs until Sam gave me permission to come up.

While we made our way up, he kept telling me that I CAN NOT, under any circumstances, touch it until Christmas. I go to the Christmas tree and see this huge box by the entertainment center. It was wrapped in a blue bed sheet. I thought, Oh my gosh! At that point, so many thoughts were going through my head. We had a budget! I specifically asked him not to get anything huge. Where are we gonna store that? We already have a T.V. Is it a piece of furniture? Why'd he wrap it in a bed sheet? So help me...if he got me something that he says is for me but really something that he would use more, I'm gonna kill him!

He apologized for the wrapping job, but apparently it was difficult to wrap. He also assured me that he didn't do any kind of credit card stuff or payment plan. So that...kinda...helped. But it wasn't adding up for me. I did not know what was hidden under that sheet... and I was scared! Lol I kept teasing him, pretending I was gonna go touch it but I didn't. That night, I had a hard time falling asleep. Not because of the thrill and excitement of Christmas but because I was wondering what was in that huge box. I finally got to sleep.

We awoke, correction, I woke up and surprised Sam with one of my coupon books. Then we waited until Lilly got up and went upstairs. All the presents under the tree made me grateful that we had so much, especially after not having a lot lately. Then the time came when I got to open the big box. Actually, Sam unveiled it, he wanted Josh to take a picture of my reaction. I sat on the couch and he pulled the bed sheet off of it. Lo, and behold, it was a box with a T.V. picture! I thought, Really?! Then I saw the top of it was taped with some red and white tape. So I got excited when I realized that it wasn't a T.V. He tricked me! He was so excited for me to look into the box.

I ripped that tape off and pulled back the cardboard flaps. Inside was a bunch of wadded up pieces of wrapping paper and newspaper. He told me that there were 7 presents in there. A couple were small. So I got the first two and they were Gardetto's snacks. The third was Advent Children DVD. The fourth was a video game called Peggle. The fifth was a stack of yellow stickies (He said he was suppose to write notes on there for me). The sixth was an iTunes gift card. And the seventh was a small ring box. Sam told me to open it...it was empty. He got down on his knee and said, "Courtney Hudgins, will you marry me again?" He pulled out a sterling silver ring band. I, of course, said yes. He slipped it on my finger and we embraced and kissed. I love the ring! The reason he got it for me is because since I have gained weight, *cough* I know, my original wedding ring cannot fit my finger. I have been on the look for one for almost a year and I've felt bad not wearing one. So, that was an amazing gift for me! And it fit perfectly!

The rest of the morning/early afternoon, we opened presents together as a family, Sherie, Denny, Josh, Tess, Ryley, Sam, Lilly and I. Lilly and Ryley had a blast with the wrapping and the boxes. And played with their new toys...every now and again. :~) Family really is the most important thing in the world. I am sad, however, that I was not able to see my side of the family this season. Living with my in-laws have been an amazing opportunity to get to know them and come closer as a family. I also know that the reason our little family is together and that we are making it is because of Heavenly Father.


As for pictures, I have a couple up but hopefully I'll be posting more soon.

~Namaste~ (Trying to find my true valediction)