And these are a few of my favorite things

Not whiskers on kittens or brown paper packages tied up with string; but rather, these are a few of my favorite things:

-Days that Nate and I realize we have NOTHING to do...it feels like the world is ours and we set out to conquer it (p.s. I think we have only had one of these days since we have been married).

-Chatting with Nate at nighttime when we are trying to fall asleep. Sometimes it reminds me of being a kid and having a sleepover, and being so excited to talk that you just cannot sleep (p.p.s. this only happens on the weekends, because weekdays leave us exhausted).

-Laughing so hard my stomach or jaw hurts (or both!).

-Putting the Christmas tree up, because it looks so beautiful.

-Taking the Christmas tree down, because you finally get your living room back.

-Every now and then, stopping to realize that I forgot what it feels like to be sick (flu, cold, sinuses, allergies, etc.). This is a rare and wonderful experience.

-Nate playing with my hair. This is certain to make me fall asleep in 10 minutes or less (ok, less).

-Playing games with friends and/or family. Board games. Of all kinds.

-Waking up to the alarm at 6:15 AM but not feeling sleepy. This has only happened once. I am putting it on this list in hopes that it will not become a one-time event.

-Feeling legitimately proud of my husband. One of the purest feelings of joy in this world is sitting back with complete pride while watching my husband in his day-to-day life.

-The inseperable love of God. Did you know that nothing we do will change His love for us? Nothing. "Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my convenant of peace be removed." - Isaiah 54:10.

-Being happily married. No fake smiles or fake responses...legitimate happiness in marriage. It is hard work, but we happily work hard at it. And marriage is cool. Bottom line.

-Dancing/singing in the car. This can happen with or without someone else; although, it tends to be less embarrassing WITH someone else. :)

-Car photos. Enough said.

-My tv shows: The Office and 24. Awww, nothing compares to the feeling of throwing yourself into the laughter or into the drama of these amazing tv shows. I am sorry if I speak about them like they are my babies...but they are wonderful...wonderful, wonderful bliss.

Merry Christmas - Wienert Style

Nate and I just wanted to wish everyone a VERY merry Christmas! We were not able to get Christmas cards out this year (we are hoping for a Christmas card debut of 2009) because things have been so chaotic since our wedding; however, we wanted to take a moment to tell all of our loved ones that we love them!

Nate and I are looking forward to stuffing each other stockings & wrapping each other's gifts tonight and waking up bright & early to celebrate Christmas together in the morning! How exciting!

Merry Christmas, everyone!! We love you!

-Nate & Amber

Santa Baby

Is it just me or is shopping for your spouse pretty darn difficult? Not only do you share the majority of your free time with eachother, but you also share funding resources, gift hiding locations, wrapping paper, a personal computer and like-mindedness! Wheww! Keeping a secret from Nate is pretty impossible.

It is a lot of fun though! I spent most of my lunch break sorting through the "Our First Christmas," "Dear Husband," "Merry Christmas, from your wife" cards and realized that this Christmas (our first together as a married couple) will only come around ONCE! We will have many Christmases together, but this is our first, our only first, as husband & wife. I just want to absorb this moment. Each moment. And enjoy this fantastic first year we have together!

I love Sundays

There is a certain joy that comes from being married to your best friend. Days that would normally be boring suddenly become loads of fun! Grocery shopping, laundry, napping, cooking and cleaning become tasks that are completed while still laughing and goofing off. Before we were married, we would still do some of these things together; but, there is a distinct difference now. We do everything together because we have a common goal. The chores are no longer "my chores" or "his chores," (although we have gravitated toward certain household chores that best suit each other), but they are "our chores" that can be accomplished while still spending quality time together...and that brings the joy that I was referring to.

It really is a blessing to go through life together. The last 37 days have been a lot of fun, and honestly, not nearly as difficult as I had been prepared for. Nate makes it pretty darn easy to enjoy life as a married lady. :)

Parading

Nate and I took Hunter and Grace to the Tallahassee Christmas Parade tonight. It was a lot of fun to watch the kids get excited about the floats. At first, Hunter was a little unsure of exactly how much fun he was going to have; however, once candy was thrown, his mind changed! Grace enjoyed herself all night long, "oohing" and "awwing" over the cheerleaders, baton twirlers, and of course, SANTA CLAUSE himself! Santa even brought Mrs. Clause. It was a real treat.

Nate and I enjoy spending time with our nieces and nephews. It is a great way to get that practice for parenthood, but also remind us why it will be important to wait a few years. It sure is hard work. :)

Enjoy some pictures from the Christmas parade!

Thus far...

Well, this is my first time officially "blogging." I put it off for a while because I have a facebook account, but facebook does not provide much of an outlet for blogging. So here I go...on this site, you will find updates from our household to yours.

Just to get you up-to-date:
Nate and I got married on November 1, 2008. Today is our ONE MONTH mark (I fondly refer to it as our "monthiversary"). Marriage has been such a blessing, so far. I have been provided with a wonderful, caring, kind, God-loving husband who puts up with me and all my faults; which is just miraculous, if you ask me (can I get an amen?).

Nate and I live in a two bedroom, two bath townhouse that is close to both of our jobs. We also have two dogs: Kylie (an australian dingo mix) and Drake (a shih tzu).

Both of our families are blending well. This Thanksgiving, we had the opportunity to spend the day with BOTH families (Wienerts/Edwards/Fitzpatricks). It was so much fun! I also had the opportunity to spend more time with Nate's family. Nate and I are both looking forward to Christmas and spending even more time with both sides of the family. And speaking of Christmas, Nate spent his evening doing an awesome job of putting up Christmas lights outside! What a dream it is to have our own house that we can decorate for the holidays!

Marriage has been a lot of fun...I am living with my best friend and going through life with him! Everyone laughs and says, "You are in the honeymoon stage," and to a certain extent, I am (as I should be!!), but I also believe that the Lord has just blessed me with an amazing husband and a chance to be a supportive wife.