Tuesday, December 28, 2010

Our First [Married] Christmas

We had an awesome Christmas and we hope you did too. Last year we were engaged and Anthony came over early to my parents to be there to open presents so this Christmas wasn't too much different than last time. We woke up at 8 and opened presents and it was done and over in about 20 minutes with only the two of us to open presents. I always had a hard time sleeping when I was a kid the night before Christmas, and still have trouble to this day. Now though the excitment is more about Anthony and my family's reaction to the gifts I give them than about the gifts I get.

Here is us on Christmas:


Anthony with his favorite present


Me with mine


We decided to spend a little money on each other this year. Last year we were on a tight budget with the wedding and Anthony starting a new job. Since this may be the only Christmas we will ever be able to spoil each other we decided to take advantage of that. Anthony sure did spoil me. I was really suprised because I didn't think I would be getting the Kindle. Everything aside from the boots was picked out by Anthony.


I am hoping that this Christmas is the last Christmas I will spend in retail. This is my fourth year and I just don't know if I can do it again. It was really stressful especially with finals being around the same time. I didn't finish decorating. I didn't finish my wreath. In fact I still have the fall one on my door. It doesn't really matter though because the decorations aren't what Christmas is about anyways.

Now I just have to prepare for next semester!

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Somethings You Should Know About Me:

You may want to know these things before you become my [best]friend:

I love candy.
I could basically just eat candy all day and be fine.
I love me some sour candy especially. 


I am weird.
Really I am totally weird.
One time the person pictured below and I walked around Macey's pretending to speak Chinese to eachother and then we sat in the car for a half an hour afterwords doing the same thing whilst eating a whole box of german chocolate little debbies and about half a bag of frooties. (She also loves candy)


I am a picky eater.
So if I don't eat your food please don't take it personally.
I remember having to sit at the table and having to eat all my peas before I could get down. I would sit there FOREVER, until I realized I could swallow peas whole with a glass of milk and never have to taste the darn things.


I am kind of messy.
Not totally discusting messy where you would be uncomfortable in my home.
I have the mindset to make the mess and then clean it up later instead of while I go.
There is also glitter, modge podge, hot glue, etc. everywhere during whatever project I am doing.
This is when I was organizing my craftroom.



I like Harry Potter.
And I know a lot of stuff about it.
(Us at the premier of Harry Potter & The Dealth Hollows)


I love Anthony.
Our time together is very precious so I probably will pick spending time with him over you.
(Is that a little harsh?)


I say what I am thinking.
When I am upset I will tell you.
And then I will walk away and take a chill pill and be better again.

I am definitely stubborn.
I like to be right.
And I like it to be perfect.

I am a needy friend.
Since Anthony and I don't get a lot of time together I rely heavily on my friends.
I am a good friend
and if you aren't a good friend it will hurt my feelings really bad.
Because I'm sensitive.



Monday, December 20, 2010

It's Finally Starting to Look Like Christmas

I have been super busy with work and finals so I haven't had much time to devote to Christmas decorating. Which is really sad for me and happy for Anthony. Although I am working all this week (including Christmas Eve. Tear) I am making time to clean the house up for a fun Christmas Eve-Day with the hubby and family. This is what I have done so far. Which isn't a lot.


The banner I made myself my sewing paper penants together...
Framed Christmas paper totally cheap way to add something...
Put the rest of our Christmas ornaments in a glass vase...
Sequin tree from Tai Pan and wishing I bought more...
The EDENFIELD picture. Bright and colorful. Had other plans to fill the space, but it probably wont get done the way things are looking.

And now you're wondering where the heck a picture of the tree is? Oh and what about those stockings? Well I took a picture and realized that no amount of editing will make that look good. So that will be next time. My wreath...haha. Maybe I'll get it done in time to use it. Maybe not.

Anyways have you heard of the offer from CanvasPeople? Well they are giving one free 8x10" canvas! Heck ya! I am all over that. It was only $9.99 to upgrade to a 11x14" but with a $17.95 price tag I just couldn't bring myself to do it.

It took me forever to choose what picture I wanted. Because they are canvases and are wrapped around the edges you loose some of your picture so it took me FOREVER to find one that didn't cut a lot out and one that I liked. I finally picked one. Really if there is someone behind the screen or at CanvasPeople having to deal with me I am so so sorry. I am even doubting my selection now... Gah. I hate this. Seriously I am still choosing my photo right now. I settled on one thinking it was a for sure thing and it wasn't.

So just a few tips if you are ordering a small canvas:
Pick one where everything you want in the picture is right in the center. The end.

You can go HERE to get your free canvas.

I ordered an 8x10 and with shipping had to pay 14.95.

That still seems like a lot, but canvases are expensive. I think for an 8x10 it would have been $49.99!

Thursday, December 16, 2010

My Christmas List:

Holy Cow! I finally finished all my final projects for the semester and only have a final to take tomorrow. I am so happy to be done. The house is really needing some love and I haven't finished decorating. My wreath not done, and not sure if it will be. Anyways I thought I would just show some of the things I want for Christmas. Yes, Anthony knows about all of these, and I don't think I am getting any of them based on the fact that the presents under the tree don't match up and he would have had to order all of these...but maybe I'll be suprised...

Kindle: Yes Please

Toms: Silver?

 Or Glittery?
I am so excited for Christmas! This is our first married Christmas, and I can't wait to see Anthony's face when he opens his presents. I think he'll be happy.


Working in retail during the holidays is crazy and so are the customers. No offense. I am happy to have a job and I need to remind myself this everyday. The mall is so busy. I have to park a mile away. We are open earlier and later so I get even less sleep than usual. But I try to remember the meaning of Christmas and what it's about. I am going to finish decorating this week and maybe post a few pictures.

Oh! I almost forgot! I'm going to the Zoo Lights tonight with Aimee and her girls! Never been before, but excited to do something Christmas-y.

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Day 23: What I crave...

I definitely have a sweet tooth. I got this from my mom (she eats chocolate syrup by the spoonful).

Pepsi is my favorite drink. I do enjoy a good Dr. Pepper also, but Pepsi is my drink of choice. In fact I'd like one right now.


 I love Laffy Taffy. The big ones though. I get cravings for the watermelon kind (you know the ones with the seeds).


When I'm craving chocolate I want it with peanut butter. MMM.


Sour Punch Straws are my all time favorite candy.
The blue raspberry and the watermelon are the best.
Really I'd like one of these right now.


Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Getting Back on Track with Day 22

What makes me different from anyone else? This is sort of a weird question for me because I don't really feel like I know the answer. I think maybe Anthony has a better answer to this because when I don't want to people to think I'm bragging about myself. Anyways here it goes:
I am stubborn and sensitive all-in-one. I think that I am pretty good at pretending things don't hurt my feelings until I have a had enough and then I break down. I think that it comes from being the oldest and the only girl. Not sure though.

I am quite the fashionista if I do say so myself :]. This definitely drives Anthony bonkers. I make him switch from his brown to black shoes according to his shirt. He apparently doesn't look (or care) when putting on his shoes. I also keep up on the latest fashion trends. It is a little hard though because Utah fashion is a lot different and a little behind. I also keep by family, mainly my mom and my little brothers looking fresh. Dad, well he is another story (haha hope you're reading this). I trim my little bro's eyebrows for him at first it was annoying and now he asks for it when I go over. I am slowly but surely creating an army.

My fashionista also is mixed with a little perfectionist/OCD. This I also blame on being the firstborn. I like rules and things to be clear cut. Please pray for me that when I have kids I do not go crazy because they do not adhere to my fashion policies. (Dad I hope you're laughing).

I am small in size but I believe the my personality and attitude carries a much larger presence.

I am also crazy. But for sure the good kind. :]

I think I am the perfect mix of girlie and tomboy. My dad taught me how to shoot a gun when I was like 7? I caught my first fish when I was like 2? I'm pretty sure they took me camping when I was like 6mos. old. I used to be a better shot than my brothers, but its been awhile and they have a lot more practice than me. I still like to go camping, but not as much as I used too. Once we can have our own trailer I will like it more again. (See above for proof that I'm girlie). It wont end either cause I pretty much married the younger version of my dad so I have signed up for a lifetime of eating deer, elk and trout. As well as the endless need to always have the latest and greatest gun, gear, and four wheeler. It's ok cause I'm pretty sure I knew what I was getting myself into.

Well thats it for Day 22

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Taking a Break: Christmas Cards!

Anthony and I have been talking lately whether we should send out Christmas cards or not. Being newlyweds we weren't really sure how people would receive them. Anthony insisted that the pictures (if we included any) had to be Christmas-y, and I said it didn't matter. I agreed though that because it was just the two of us and they weren't Christmas-y they would just look like an engagement picture. So now we have it all planned out how were going to take our pictures. We are going to do it ourselves because we didn't want to spend the money and we wanted it to be casual and fun. I'm not going to say what we are doing cause that is a suprise!

Now on to the actual Christmas card. We weren't sure what to do. I had thought about making them, but with finals and working extra hours for the holidays I wasn't sure I would have time. My mom just sends out premade ones with the pictures inserted inside, and then there is the digital version. I was surfing the web the other day and I came upon this website: Shutterfly. I love all of their cards and they have by far the most reasonable prices and the best looking cards. I wanted something modern and fun.

These are my favorites:

I love this one with the three pictures it would be awesome for our picture idea!

Love the cute plaid!

I love design and the colors on this one!

Obviously with all the cute ideas out there especially on Shutterfly Anthony and I decided together that we would go ahead and send Christmas cards out. We don't get to see our extended family very often because they are all spread out, Christmas cards are just a nice little reminder to friends and family that you are thinking of them during the holidays and it makes you feel closer even if you're far apart.

So what are you doing for your Christmas cards this year?

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Day 21: A picture of something that makes me happy!

With Thanksgiving coming up I thought I would change this up a bit and post some pictures of things I am grateful for.

There are the obvious ones that I am grateful for everyday whether it's Thanksgiving or not.
  • I am grateful for Anthony and I's jobs. While it never seems like we have enough money I know that we are better off than most and I try to remind myself that everyday.
  • I am grateful for our two working cars. Even though the Geo isn't half as pretty or as fun to drive as the Mazda. They both work and we can afford them.
  • I am grateful for OUR tiny apartment. It is so much different when you get to call a place yours. It makes cleaning so much more rewarding even if it is just a little place.
  • I am grateful for friends and family. I see my family a lot and it makes it easier to not see Anthony when he is at work. I don't feel lonely. I am also grateful for friends who make the hard times fun!
  • And most of all my hubby. Anthony is really great. He never complains and he makes me so happy. He does anything I ask of him without hestitation. I miss him a lot, but that makes me more grateful for the time we do have together.
Now onto the little things I am grateful for that have been making my life a little easier this past month:




Footrubs:
Make working in retail bearable through the holidays.


They make not having television ok.
I still get to watch all my Brothers & Sisters, Glee, Grey's Anatomy, Modern Family and Parenthood.


I look forward to Wednesdays because of this
Since I watch it on Hulu I have to wait til the next day for it to be posted on their website.



Hot Chocolate:
Awesome. New morning drive to work ritual.



Nail Polish:
Always have to have the toes and usually the fingers painted.
Can't ever have enough colors.



This juice is awesome
You should try it.


Warm Blankets:
Anthony likes to turn the heater off while we sleep so we have a bunch of blankets on our bed right now. They make snuggling more fun.

Thats it for today!

I have lots of homework and finals are coming soon.

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Day 20: Who do I picture myself marrying?

Well it's a little late for this post so instead I will just share our story.

I met Anthony when I was 14 years old. That's six years ago in case you're wondering. He used to work at Albertson's where a couple of my good friends worked there as well. They started hanging out with him and I tagged a long a couple of times. We all started becoming really good friends and hanging out a lot. Then he got a girlfriend and stopped hanging out with all of us. It didn't last very long though and he started hanging out with all of us again. I want to express here at this present time to all of who might be reading this whether you are friends or family: Anthony and I were only friends for a really long time and thats all I thought of him. I didn't even consider dating him because I knew one of my other friends had been interested in him before and I didn't want to complicate anything...
But then we went snowboarding with a bunch of us. This other friend included. It was really awkward. I think that my friend was upset at how close Anthony and I were getting and automatically assumed that we liked eachother or whatever so she stopped hanging out with us as much. Time went on and I started seeing Anthony as more of a friend and that complicated my friendship a lot with my other friend. I certainly didn't see myself actually only dating Anthony because I was only fifteen, but I didn't feel like it was fair for this other friend to be mad at me for liking him when she had obviously moved on...at least that is what she was trying to display.
So basically all this means that Anthony and I had a pretty complicated start, but it gets better. Anthony and I started hanging out more and more and realizing how well we actually work together. I knew he was going on a mission and I tried really hard not to get myself attached. We had talked about what would happen while he was gone and what would happen when he got back and decided not to make any promises because afterall I was still young and had not really experienced too much in the dating world.
So off he went and dang it was hard. I missed him a lot, he had become my best friend over those last few months. I did date, not a lot though. I spent the first year he was gone dating there were a few potentials but really nothing I would have considered past the second date. I pretty much realized I was just comparing everyone to Anthony. The boys I was dating were all my age and Anthony was three years older. It was a lot different, Anthony was more mature and the boys my age were a lot more physical than emotional or mental. Anyways so I kinda just stopped dating. I wrote Anthony every week and he knew I was dating but we didn't talk about it.
So then he got home in March of 2009. I was freaking nervous. My best friend Shayla and I went to go pick him up and we drove around his block twice before finally stopping. He got in the car and he sorta just stared at us. I even pinched him because I couldn't believe he was actually home. It was a little awkward but we all got over it. It was just like old times making jokes and laughing.
Then it was just Anthony and I, and thats when it really got awkward. But we started off slow, we didn't rush into anything. We both wanted to make sure that we liked the person for who they were now and not what they were a few years ago. About two months went on before it actually sank in and we started officially dating. Then four months later we were engaged and eight months later we were married.

I definitely got married a lot younger than I ever thought I would (age 19) but I married someone  I knew everything about and he knew everything about me. Our first months of marriage weren't really that surprising because there wasn't anything I didn't already know about Anthony. I am proud to say that Anthony is my first and only kiss. Who can say that? Not many.

I don't think I would have ever guessed that I would marry him. He wasn't what I considered to be my "type"  but we are so good for each other. We are opposites in many ways but a like in others. Its sort of a mix that makes it all work together.

Monday, November 15, 2010

Three Days Late for Day 17 & Day 18 oh and Day 19

Day 17: Someone you wish you could switch lives with for a day.

I don't really know how to answer this question. I don't think that you could truly experience anything in just one day and how do you really know what someone else's life is like?
  • I'd like to try being a stay at home rich wife for like a month. I don't think a day would work for this one. Then all my shopping and crafting abilities could be in full force.
  • I'd like to try being a CEO or some one high up ina company. I think it would be fun to be the real boss.
  • I'd take my pick at a few or more celebrities. (Although none are really jumping out at me right now)
So there you go a totally lamo post.

Day 18: PLANS/DREAMS/GOALS:


I have plans to have a couple of these someday. We haven't really decided when and I'm ok with that. I'm not in a hurry and there is no need to put a due date on it. Anthony and I have decided that we will know when we're ready for that part in our lives. For now we are happy with the way things are 


 Before we have babies we are definitely going to have one of these. Isn't he cute? Anthony and I have made more plans for puppies than we have for babies! Ha. He has known since I met him that he wanted one of these. I just can't decide what I want. I have been researching a little and have limited it to the following:


Dalmation


Weimaraner


Siberian Husky


I have never been to Disneyland before. My parents always picked vactions like, Zions, or Bryce Canyon, or Mt. Rushmore, etc. Not saying I didn't have fun, but I feel like it is a must to go to Disneyland. Anthony and I are going for our anniversary in March. No if's and's or but's about it.


I definitely want to go to Paris and see the Eiffel Tower. This I think is sort of a dream/goal. I am not sure if I will ever make it here or not. This definitely isn't on Anthony's to do list so maybe I might have to wait til I'm older. Who knows, but I am going to try.


I have serious plans to go to New York. This one I got Anthony to agree upon.


I have plans to become a teacher. I have about two and a half years to go. I wish it could be faster because the sooner I get out of retail the better. I chose to be a teacher because 1. I love english and history and I was always really good at those subjects so teaching them seemed obvious and 2. I wanted a job where I could be a mom too.



I have plans to be a stay at home mom for a little bit too. I am not sure when this will happen whether that means a break from teaching or in between, but I'd like to take a break from work and just be a mom for a while.


This I have decided is going to be graduation present. I know it isn't the most practical of all mommy mobiles out there, but I refuse to have a mini-van and anything that looks like its pretending not to be a mommy van. I have always wanted a Toyota Tacoma. Dark blue is my favorite color but they aren't making it anymore but I would definitely be ok with the white. Don't you think I'd look good driving this thing?


I plan on owning a house. My favorite style of house is colonial. I love all the windows and the wrap-around porch. I plan on having sort of an in between house and then building or buying something similar to this. Obviously money plays a big part on this one. Anthony and I are sort of preparing now for this one. We hope that in the next two years we can buy a house while its a buyer's market.

Pheww!

Day 19: Nicknames you have and why you have them

I have never really had to many nicknames. Which is kinda funny cause when you think about it my name presents a lot of oppurtunities (Chris, Christy, Chrissy). No one has ever called me by any of those names. I have always been Christene.

My mom calls me "sister" I am the only girl in my family and this is why I think. My dad calls me it sometimes, but not really.

Anthony called me C-Dog while we were dating, now he just calls me babe.

A few friends at work call my Pupi. Its an inside joke and I don't even know how it started.

My aunt calls me pumpkin, but I think she calls everyone that. I can't remember.

Well thats pretty lame I should make up my own nickname :]





Thursday, November 11, 2010

Cheating on Day 16-Sorta

Today, is supposed to be another picture of me, but that sounds totally boring so I thought I'd put another picture up.

Anthony and I went to Color Me Mine for the first time last weekend with some friends for a birthday party. It is a little expensive, but if you go after 6 on Saturday studio fees are half price. You also have to pay for the ceramic that you are going to paint. Anthony and I decided that we should paint something we would actually use rather than some kind of figurine even though it was a little more expensive. These plates were about $10 a piece. Obviously more than you would pay for at the store, but it comes with the memory too :]. We decided to paint a plate for each other. I started out with an awesome idea, but messed up so I had to improvise. Anthony's is awesome, its the owl one. He painted something that he knew I would love. I feel bad that mine isn't centered on Anthony. I think I will go back by myself and make another to suprise him.


Well thats it for today folks!

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Day 15: Welcome Home.

Put your iPod on shuffle and list the first ten songs that play:

Cadillac Ranch by: Chris LeDoux
Long Line of Cars by: CAKE
Take Me With You by: Secondhand Serenade
A Place For My Head by: Linkin Park
Better by: Regina Spector
Fast Cars and Freedom by: Rascal Flatts
Welcome Home (Acoustic) by: Coheed and Cambria
In My Head by: Jason DeRulo
You Found Me by: The Fray
Revelry by: Kings of Leon

And there we have it. There is a lot of variety on here. The bolded songs are songs from Anthony, at least ones that I had never heard of before until we were dating. Of course I had heard and knew songs from CAKE, Linkin Park, and Coheed and Cambria, but now I actually know them. Not just their popular stuff. He also has introduced me to a lot of acoustic stuff which I really like. I especially like the intro to the song featured above "Welcome Home" you may recognize it from the move 9? A Tim Burton movie. Anyways I will leave you with a video of the song live. It is a little long, but just listen to intro. Its amazing.

Disclaimer: I listened to the whole song and I'm pretty sure its edited, but there might be something I didn't hear. So please do not be upset if there is anything offensive. I mostly wanted to point their talent mainly in the intro.


Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Two Posts in One Day?! I must be bored!

Tuesdays are my favorite and least favorite day all in one.

Reason being: I get to spend the earlier half of the day with my hubby. Usually includes sleeping in, going to lunch and lounging around the house. It's awesome. Then 2:30 rolls around and he has to leave and I am stuck at home left doing whatever I want until I have to go to school at 7:00 and come home at 9:00 and then wait some more for him to come home.

So like my title says I am bored, but I shouldn't be. I have a whole list of things I need to do.


See here they are: As of right now we can cross off CARDS and I am pretty sure we can cross off HOTEL. I assigned that one to the hubby, and I am pretty sure we made a decision.

But as for everything else.... that's another story.

So basically I haven't been doing anything remotely productive. I did send out an email, and put something in the mail. But I've sorta just been catching up on Grey's Anatomy.

Oh and eating these:


These things are too expensive, but they are so good. I couldn't pass the Hickory Farms stand up. The whole bag is almost gone. I really need to be eating something more substantial because I have school in about 45 minutes and I wont be home til late soooo...

Thanks for listening to my ramblings today.

Skipping Day 13 onto Day 14

Since I have already introduced you to most of my family already here are some other photos I haven't shown before.

So here our my parents. I think I look like the both of them, but the only thing I got from my dad according to my mom is my freckles, long toes and bad teeth. Haha! Oh and my sense of humor.


 Here our my brothers and I. Matthew and Garrett. We our all cookie cutters of each other. When Garrett and I were growing up people thought we were twins.



And here is the rest of my extended family. I come from a really small family.
Starting from the left: Grandma Bev and Grandpa Dan, Alisha, Aunt Wendy, Matthew, Anthony, Me, Aunt Vicki, Garrett, Mom, Dad, Uncle Chris, Grandpa Jerry, Aunt Jan and Uncle Brent.


Well I hope these posts aren't getting redundant. Need something a little more entertaining.

Day 15 is tomorrow