HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Don't worry, I am not trying to be politically correct -- I will be saying "Merry Christmas" all break -- but happy holidays is the title because I haven't posted pics from Halloween, Thanksgiving, and now Christmas! oops!

The pics here are not the greatest, we need some of Shaun's! But from the pieced together pics here hopefully one thing is discernible: Love. We were fortunate enough to have the Stahle's come all the way here for Thanksgiving! We had a great time with them, eating delicious home-made food, delectable desserts, and even got to watch (and play in) some good basketball games! It was fun for Tyler and I to both have someone on the sidelines cheering for us, and more importantly, family to celebrate with. Major memorable moments happened even: Jaimee faced her fear of dogs (who can deny Lydie?!) Noel & Becky watched 2 basketball games, and Tyler and I had our first real Thanksgiving together! It was fun to eat a beautiful and delicious thanksgiving meal with the Stahle's and then to come back to our apartment, re-heat the food, and have Brenda Steele over for thanksgiving dinner part 2. I felt blessed to have been surrounded by family (especially considering my teammates spent thanksgiving at HyVee...) but the best part was seeing how my family has grown. I am glad to be a Stahle! And I am even more thankful and grateful for my thoughtful, kind, handsome husband. We are so blessed to have good families and to love spending time together with them.

Speaking of which we can't wait to see everyone for Christmas!! Thank you again for helping us come home, it means more than you know. We have begun to get in to the Christmas spirit starting with our branch Christmas party and continuing with the chance to help at the Nelson Pioneer Farm Christmas Celebration. Tyler and I were the School Masters and were stationed at the lil one-room school. We talked about and read some recitations, had a spelling bee of Christmas words, and helped a few families make chain-link count downs to Christmas! It was fun to sit in the candle-lit room with frosted windows and think how school and holidays must have been in the old days. How simple, and honest it must have been....especially in contrast to the flashy present filled holidays we now experience. All in all it seemed like a very well put together program with carriage rides, lights, festive music and cold, snowy weather.

Now we've got our Christmas music going, our sparkling cider out, and... our basketball bags packed for two more games :) Nothing says Christmas to college athletes like one more tourney! Thankfully, afterwards we will have a long break and we can't wait to see the fam, the christmas lights, the snow covered mountains, and to feel the warmth of the Christmas Season among our loved ones. Thanks again everyone! Can't wait to see you :)

Playin the Game

WILLIAM PENN BASKETBALL

I will try and make up for my lack of posts by mashing all the recent pics and memories into two collages! Sorry I haven't updated this much, but things get a lil busy, believe it or not. But now that finals are done and we are nearing the Christmas break, I thought it would be  a great time to catch up and reflect on some of the experiences we have had over the last few months.

We have been playin' the game of life and mostly winning! Best news is that basketball has been good to us both here at Penn as well, which makes life even the more sweeter. The men's team is doing great with a 9-4 record (and I hear they have the conference's best looking 3-point shooter, number #15). Tyler is enjoying his role on the team and Coach Henry has pretty much told him to shoot if he even sees the rim! He is doing great and having a good time. The women's team is...well struggling right now. Overcoming a few arrests (2 of our starters and leading scorers) is taking its toll on the team and we are all ready for this upcoming break. We're hanging in there with a 7-6 record....but should be doing a lot better. Both teams hope to improve that record by two wins before we head back to UTAH for a much anticipated Christmas Break! The talk of the teams is if the Stahle's will sit by each other on the long bus ride to Kansas... :) We are excited to finally start traveling TOGETHER and getting to watch some of each other's games during conference play.

The women's team volunteered at the Senior Care Center here in Osky last saturday and all I have to say is that someday I hope I am as cool as our friend Fancy! They are some funny people and we enjoyed playing "who am I? Christmas addition" after painting nails and reading to several residents. I think everyone had a good time, if not they pretended to pretty well, which is a step forward from the somewhat negative attitude we have been having as a team. It was sad to see some of the residents so down during the Christmas season because of their families not being there, but it was nice to bring them a few smiles and it certainly brightened my day. We hope to go to the Children's Hospital in Des Moines when we get back from break.

Lastly but not near least, we are both trying to find missionary opportunities with our teammates and we have really begun to feel accepted, respected, and loved as part of the teams we are on. Either they realized that being mormon married and old isn't that weird.... or they have become comfortable with our weirdness, either way we're grateful to have more friends and "family" here in Osky.

Don't Skip the Good Stuff

I can't believe I haven't posted these pics yet! I thought for sure I had already put them up. One weekend when we both got done with practices early, Ty and I took a short little trip over to Pella, IA. This town is gorgeous; designed in the Dutch Style and with all the quaint wonderfulness of a small town, it is a great place to find yourself on a weekend. We hope to get back there again soon! (If nothing more than to walk around and eat at Applebees!)

Speechless

Sometimes I get a little carried away with words, so I am gonna let these few pictures do all the talking. Fall is a gorgeous time of year. 

The Key to a Good Time!

So... This is the picture from the inside: Notice where the keys are, the air conditioner, and... the locked door. Too bad this pic was taken after we left and forgot those very keys that are hanging on the yellow lanyard by my purse inside, on our way to the football game. Unfortunately we never made it to the game, however, we got to know our wonderful neighbor David Huckbody even better! We pushed up the window as far as it would go, lifted the AC, reached an arm through the small opening and tugged, and tugged.... and tugged.

 I have to say, we felt a lil like Neal Caffrey on White Collar; except we aren't as smooth as he is...yet! (I guess that is a good thing?) We did however go to Walmart looking for tools to help us break in. The credit card trick didn't work and don't believe all the T.V. shows people, it's highly unlikely you will pick a lock using a hair pin. But I thought it was a great adventure! Thanks Ty for leaving the keys inside ;)



But the night didnt' stop there! This is a "Fortune" we got from going out to eat that night at the Asian Buffet... I think it was fitting. We showed the fates though, we bought that dinner with a gift card we found inside our glove box in our car. Take that Fates. The best of times come from the most unusual circumstances!

Wedding Pics Arrived!

All of you know already, but we got our wedding pics finally! Angie did a great job and I love them so I am posting them on our blog and all over facebook, and anywhere I get the chance! ;) Thanks again to everyone for making it such a special and PERFECT DAY!

Late Work Past Due:

Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined.
Henry David Thoreau 

Ok, Ok... I haven't written a post for awhile. I feel like I am turning in a late assignment, with all the varied excuses: "Sorry, I've been REALLY busy," or "I would have had it done but the computer wasn't working, and we don't have internet access at our house, and.... well... I'd blame it on the dog if we had one." Truth is, I just haven't made it a priority. That's always the right excuse for when we don't do something :) 

We have been busy! Busy having fun, first and foremost! But we have also been busy running, studying, doing work study, doing observations for an education class, mid-terms, "preaching," and did I mention running? haha yeah... Monday morning my team had to wake up nice and early to run because some of the girls had a killer party over homecoming weekend in which cops were called, under-age drinking occurred, and a stomach even had to be pumped. Classy ;) It was kinda nice to hear some of the girls say "yeah, when I first found out we had to run the first person I thought of was Dani. Sorry D." They are great, I really do love my team and have grown to care even more about them, which makes it hard to see them live for the weekends and the next chance to "turn up" as they call it. I hope they'll find something more meaningful someday... I am grateful I have the life I do. And the husband I do! Speaking of "mormonism," Tyler gave away a Book of Mormon to his good buddy on the team, Michael. They have had some good conversations in which Ty has shared the gospel and Mike seems to like the chance to hear the TRUTH about Mormons and our beliefs. He said he would definitely start reading. I'm so glad Ty has a good friend on the team and someone that shares the same standards as he and that he has taken the time to share with Michael. If we are here just for him... then life is good. 

We're settling in more and loving the randomness. We have done more with the Utah couple, the Perry's, that lives next door, they're great and we are happy to have some good friends one door away. There is something comforting about knowing you have someone to turn to when ya need, someone that's from Utah and has had similar experiences, plus they know all about Osky and what there is to do... they're like our own personal tour guides ;) 

There are so many more things that have happened, so many more experiences and small-but-ever-so-important moments that are escaping me right now, but the main point is this: Life is Beautiful and Love Keeps Growing. We sure miss everyone back home, but we are grateful for the chance to let even more people and opportunities into our lives and hearts. Growth can't come without a challenge, and what Stahle/Hosking ever turned down a challenge??

Love ya'all. 

PS... White Collar begins again ONE WEEK FROM TODAY :)

OCTOBER 5 2013

Again, I am late :) But I have lived on the saying "better late than never!" and I hope that is still true this time. Just wanted to be sure and tell the world how much I love having it's best father! Padre, you have always been my greatest support... thank you for the countless hours we have spent together in gyms or at home talking about the important things. I know I give you a hard time about some of your philosophies, but really I think we view the world through the same lens. I only hope that one of these days I will be able to see things as clearly as you do! Thanks for putting up with me... for my sometimes quiet nature and my always stubborn will. I hope you had the world's BEST BIRTHDAY!!!!! Thank you for honoring your priesthood and giving our home and family the power of the priesthood.  La multi ani, tata.Te iubesc!

The Weekly Happs...

Well sports fans, this may not have been the greatest week for sports... BYU had a bye, William Penn's football team got trounced 31-13 and team Stahle had another long week of conditioning. But the great news is that we are winning the fight that matters! Life. I'd say we had another great week, with tests every other day (all of which we aced with flying colors...we think), missionary opportunities and growing into our new ward, and time together doing white trash things... I mean worthwhile things! We may or may not have gone to "Hy-Vee" to get our chinese in a large brown paper bag to sit in the middle of town square in a lil gazebo that reminds me of the show Gilmore Girls. We also enjoy sitting outside our door in our camping chairs reading, but don't worry, at this point we keep our shirts on.

But the best parts have been involving the gospel of Jesus Christ. Tyler was called to serve in the YM's Presidency and today one of the boy's family said to us "we are just so excited you got called to help our boy, they could really use some more spiritual activities and we know you will help them." I couldn't agree more! This cute fam actually invited us to dinner at their house this friday! The ward has been so welcoming and wonderful, we feel like missionaries because everyone wants to have us over for dinner (knowing we are poor married students)! We always accept with the same enthusiasm! This week we're going with the McQuivey's and President Pearce's (where they want us to have FHE with them and share about our missions, I'm first! We're excited to talk about them again). We also gave our first talks last week! Tyler did great speaking about Temptation and I spoke on Attitude... probably something I needed to check :) I helped with the Primary today and am teaching R.S. next week... I like this temporary calling as the filler-in-er, I think it should be permanent :)

The teams are doing well, we always have stories and get weird questions about mormons. I love my nicknames "The Mormon" and the "married woman." I stretch out before every activity and I am sure to tell them I have to do my "old lady stretches" first. I am officially the Designated Driver and I think they have a secret goal to get me to go to one of their parties... yeah right. :) Before one of my classes one of the girsl pointed out that I read scripture every day, kinda mocking me, asked if I drink and when I said "no" she said "do you do anything fun?!" Another teammate jumped to my defense "hey, Dani is a fun person!" haha, we then had a good time saying the "fun" activities I do like blogging, board games, and writing my own recipe books...ok too far! Although somewhat serious and mostly sarcastic the list was fun and I'm grateful for teammates who laugh it out and respect me enough to stick up for me, even if they don't understand me and the simple joys and fun activities of a sober, "boring mormon" life. They have brought me the greatest joys known.

Tyler's workouts sound like death but he always comes home more alive than dead, thankfully. He is working hard and doing great. As far as I can tell all his teammates seem to really like him, Big Ben says hi to us everytime we pass hi and I know that Ty is having a great impact on them all, especially the coaches.

Anyway, that's a portion of the Iowan life this week! We love Osky... and we love what it is bringing to our life and marriage.

 

                                                                               Thanks to our families we got 2 packages with goodies!

      We gave away a book to someone this week!
        Can't wait to hear what happens with our friend
        Maya! 

August 31st, 2013

FAMILIES ARE FOREVER

Many of you may know that yesterday was a very special day! For one thing, it was madre's bday! Unfortunately I didn't have the chance to swing by the library and use the internet there for very long in order to have this posted yesterday but I am hoping my loving and forgiving mother will be just that on her special day....sorry this is late! I just want everyone to know how grateful I am for my mom. Sitting in church today the subject of families was repeated over and over. I heard stories of the lives many members here have faced and heard how grateful they are that they can start an eternal family, even if their families weren't all that great. I realized, like I do time and time again, how blessed I am to come from a family that is as close as ours! I know this picture is old... but it is one of my favorites because to me it shows how much we love each other (and how lucky we are to have gotten the good looks of our mother!). There are few things as precious as an eternal family and the more ours grows the more I see how love grows. I love how the well known LDS hymn says:

There is no end to glory;

There is no end to love;

There is no end to being;

There is no death above.

Anyway, we are sure lucky to have what we have, and in large measure it all comes back to the parents, and especially the mother of the home. Thank you mom for keeping us together, for raising us. Thank you for always being there for me, for being my best friend and for never giving up on me. I am not a mom yet.. but I hope that one day when I am, I can pass on the many things I learned from you (including the delicious meals/treats you make! Tyler says I am doing pretty darn well ;) ).

Te iubesc mama, esti cea mai buna mama in lume. :)

Furthermore... yesterday was Tyler and I's ONE MONTH ANNIVERSARY! And what better way to spend it than to go to Nauvoo, Illinois for a temple session. Truly we are blessed! We feel so lucky to live so close to Nauvoo and to feel of the strong spirit that exists there. One month ago Tyler and I entered the Salt Lake City Temple as individuals and came out an eternal family. How happy I am to know I have this handsome man for the rest of my life and eternity! The restoration happened, the priesthood of God was restored and therefore "whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven" (Matt 18:18). 

Tyler makes marriage seem easy. More than once I have awaken to pancakes or cereal on the table for breakfast, the dishes are always done, and I frequently get foot/back massages :) but more importantly than that... every day I feel valued. He listens to my rantings on religion, psychology, and my trying to make sense of the world and as far as I can tell he doesn't think I'm too crazy ;) He is always there to listen, to give advice, or to just hang out with. I have never had so much fun just being around someone and I can't wait for every new adventure that each day brings. I don't care where I am, as long as I am with him. Thanks Tyster for being so wonderful and for honoring the priesthood, for living a life worthy of the temple and all that Heavenly Father has in store. I love you.  

Our New Crib

This is our new apartment!! Not bad for a starter place eh? We finally decided to ditch our camping chairs in the front room (although we were enjoying getting in touch with our inner redneck...) and humbled ourselves enough to ask the neighbors for their couch they had stored away at another member's house. Thank you Mr. & Mrs. Huckbody (yes, that's their real name!). We now have a very nice set up with the final touch of an room air conditioner. It feels like a home, and I feel a lot better about it than the first time I walked in to the white walls, overwhelming smell of wet dog, and draining humidity. Now, I look forward to walking in the door, and I truly do believe the feelings began to change when we dedicated our lil apartment to the Lord. There is power in prayer.

Thanks to everyone who got us here, got us moved in, got us a couch and air conditioner and have really looked out for us. We love you, and you know who you are!

Welcome to Osky!

Well, the rumors are true: Oskaloosa, Iowa and William Penn University actually exist (I know some of you were questioning...)! And I don't know if they were ready for their newest student athletes. We aren't gonna lie... the first week we had our shares of "Is this right?? Where are we?? We don't fit in here,"  moments (especially after hearing a stream of curse words and jokingly being called a "hoe" by my new teammates...all while sitting in the classroom of a non air conditioned building, where 5/6 of my classes are, here on campus) but after one week of our new lives we are ready to, as a wise man often says, "Enjoy the ride!" 

Every day is new and exciting being married and Oskaloosa, Iowa adds just the right amount of flavor to life as newlyweds. And can I just say, life as newlyweds is the greatest! We are learning more and more about each other and we love the fact that we can experience the "high school type of love" that we never got to as teenagers. Tyler is sure to carry my books and meet up with me in between classes and we actually have 2 classes together (he's not even ashamed to hold my hand on campus around his basketball buddies, what a good man)! Others' responses to the fact that we are married have been entertaining. Our "Faith and Unbelief" professor was sure to tell the WHOLE class that we are married AND the nephew/niece of Dr. Stahle (the university's Dean of Academics) saying that he isn't sure he has EVER had a married couple in one of his classes in his history of teaching. Unbelievable. Thank you Professor Moyer. As if we didn't stick out already :) Furthermore one of my new teammates said "you're married?! Do you have any kids? How old are you?!" with her jaw still lying on the floor. But perhaps my favorite (so far) has been this one: "I never want to get married. I don't even want to be in a relationship, I hate caring about other people." haha....remind me not to be your best friend. 

All I can say is the best part of life in Iowa is that we are here together, experiencing it together and making lasting memories of which to build our future upon. That is what life is about ANYWHERE. Finding those  moments of happiness in which you see a glimmer of the eternities and the future of all these days lived in faith and then sharing them with those you love. 

The Perfect Day

July. 31. 2013        Salt Lake City Temple      10 AM

As cliche as it sounds... our wedding day was the perfect day. Of course there were the expected unexpected hang-ups: hair emergencies, DVD glitches, and long lines; but put those aside and once it was put all together, nothing could have been better. From the wedding dinner to the temple ceremony and ending with the wedding reception it was a picture book fairytale.  Ya know, I once heard a quote that said something like this: "If you want a love like in the movies, you can have it. You've just got to act like it." and for those of you who know us well enough.... we are acting the part.

Our "Movie Love Story" began much earlier than the cake and the dress. It began right where it was celebrated... on the basketball court of Ty's church (a.k.a where the wedding dinner was held) and moved to the first date, where he first held my hand and where we had our wedding reception as husband and wife at the Layton Commons Park.

 And it will continue right where it should... on the bball court of William Penn University.

There is so much more to say... after all, we have known each other for five years and we have been through A LOT. Not many can make it through so many long distance bumps, but we are meant to be and love... well it can be written in texts, letters, and emails, spoken through phones and seen on skype; what matters is that it is found, expressed, and never relinquished.

So buckle up sports fans... this one has just begun! :) 

Check out our Wedding Video (Thanks BDRich Productions) 

Our Music