Thursday, December 23, 2010

Matt & Amanda's first Christmas Letter

Merry Christmas from the Rigby's!
To all our dear friends and family, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

2010 was a very exciting year for our new little family!  The year began for Matt with a trip to Washington to spend Christmas with his family in Washington.  Little did he know that his life was about change!  While escaping family activities he logged on to his social network LDS Mingle only to find..... well me!  It was love at first email!  We began with hours of instant messages and talks on the phone.  It might has seemed crazy to some, but it was perfect for us.  We both new that this was going to change our lives and it was exciting.  It took several weeks before we could meet in person, but that day finally came.  February 2, 2010 was a big day! Our first meeting included plans to visit my grandpa and go to lunch.  And what a morning that was....Matt proposed that very day!!  Ring in hand, he asked me to marry me! I said YES!

The next few months were a blur of travel, wedding planning, meeting each others family and all the while Matt plugging away at his Masters Degree at UCCS.  By mid March rumor had begun that my dad (Stan Nau) would be retiring from BP and that my parents would be moving to Utah.  And true to the nature of the Nau family my mother (Janice) broke her wrist.  So a mad dash began to prep their house to sell, wrap up wedding plans and keep the secret that dad was retiring.  With lots of help from friends we were able to pack the house and get in on the market.  Only 12 days on the market and the house sold! But wait....all the Rigby's and some Nau's were all arriving in just a few weeks! Thank goodness for a gracious hotel willing to put all of us up.

The Rigby family was also a buzz during this time, shortly after our engagement Matt's mom Pam made a visit to Houston.  It was her birthday week and we were glad to have her.  We had a great time wedding planning and shopping.  After a short time Steven, Matt's youngest brother announced that he too would be married this year.  WHOA! So an excited Rigby family looked forward to 2 weddings within weeks of each other. 

It seemed that May was here before we knew it! Family arrived and the day was finally here! Matt and I were married May 28, 2010 surrounded by family and our dearest friends.  It was a beautiful day and our lives changed forever!  With only a few days to spare Matt and I packed my car (with best friend Beth's help!) loaded the dog and off we went.  It was a fun road trip to Colorado.  Once in our new home the unpacking and job hunting for me began.  I don't look forward to moving any time soon!  July came with anticipation of another Rigby wedding and family get together. We flew to Washington and attended Steven and Ramie's wedding. It was beautiful. 

As August approached I had gotten a job at the Broadmoor Spa.  It was truly a blessing and we are thrilled for the work.  There was a bit of a hassle with the state over licensing but was resolved.  We were so excited to find out August 5 that we were pregnant.  However, we miscarried in September at about 10 weeks along.  While so sad and the first trauma of our young marriage we turned to our faith, family and each other.  We trust the Lord and know that the blessing of children will come.   

September brought a new semester of school for Matt and work was very busy for me.  The fall leaves changed and a cool freshness settled over the beautiful Colorado Springs valley.  We looked forward to Thanksgiving and the holiday season.  At the first of November a surprise addition nuzzled my legs while on a routine trip to PetCo.  His name is Bubba, he is handsome and very fluffy!  Bubba is a Blue Merle Sheltie and a wonderful new addition to our family.  Sugar Bear is surviving the new brother and maybe even likes him! She was an only puppy for 6 years!

November brought the race to finals for Matt and a trip to Utah to visit my family.  As a turn of luck the Rigby's were also in Utah.  The Rigby's are setting a record for marriages as Jeff (Matt's twin brother) is now also engaged.  So the Rigby's were meeting Erin's parents and doing wedding Planning.  It was a great holiday and we all had a great time together. 

December has been exciting with finals over, and Matt having done great this semester.  He spent a week in Virgina Beach at the USA Track and Field convention.  From that opportunity Matt will now be traveling to Jamaica in February to work with the Jamaican federation.  He also had an exciting meeting with the Chamber of Commerce and great things are coming from his hard work. 

We will be taking a belayed honeymoon in January to the Bahamas.  We are so excited and will have lots to tell when we get back.  We look forward to lots of new adventures in 2011. 

As the new year is around the corner our thoughts are filled with all the blessing we enjoy everyday.  We are so grateful for the Gospel of Jesus Christ that provides light and life to our lives.  At this Christmas season we have one wish for all of you, that with small steps and a steadfastness in Christ may each of you come to know your Savior.  Let him lift your burdens,  let him rejoice in your success and most of all let him whisper of peace and love to your heart.  He is our Lord and Savior and we know with assurance of his goodness and Divinity.  May your new year be filled with joy and happiness.  

Love always,
Matt, Amanda, SugarBear, Bubba and Daisy 

2 comments:

  1. Hey Amanda! So fun to see your blog--your mom forwarded the address on to me. Congrats on your marriage. It sounds like you have had an eventful year. Best of luck with 2011!

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  2. Amanda!! Glad to see you guys enjoying each other's company and have a love for animals! I hope the honeymoon is fantastic, and that 2011 gives you many opportunities of happiness and love.

    Best wishes - Melissa in Houston :)

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