~Thanksgiving '09~

Hey All!!!
Hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving! Sorry we've been MIA this past month. A lot has been going on. Have lots to catch up on...... I've actually started about 3 blogs the past few weeks, but never had time to finish them. So hopefully with pictures downloaded, and a slight (and I mean very slight) break in my schedule...... we'll get some more posts up this week to replace the last 3 or 4 weeks of missing blogs.
Before I post about the past events, family trips, and new updates...... I wanted to first share about our Thanksgiving 2009.
I've always been a firm believer in "everything happens for a reason." I found it ironic that Thanksgiving came right at the perfect time in my life. I know..... Thanksgiving falls at the same time every year...... but at this exact point in my life..... it was wonderful to have a hit of reality with the holiday season. You may have noticed in previous post how everything was kind of negative. I "never had time to do this....." or "our lives are so busy!" I've always thought I was an optimistic person, but when it comes down to it, I sometimes tend to focus on the negative things. To name a few: what if I don't get into nursing school my first time applying? There is NO WAY for me to please everyone in making wedding plans.... and I hate upsetting people. Working two jobs and going to school full time is stressful! Money, family, friends..... there are always going to pros and cons to every aspect of life...... And I need to start focusing on the positive things in life.
Opposite side of the spectrum: I'm GOING to school..... I have the opportunity to succeed in something. I'm getting married to the most amazing man! I at least have a job and an income. I have a family that loves me and supports me. I'm grateful to be alive and healthy. I'm grateful for the gospel and the blessings it's brought to my own personal life. I'm grateful for my new family (Erik's family) and look forward to spending time and holidays with them. I have so much to be grateful for and it has taken me some extreme measures (personal battles, parents advice, and a season of giving thanks) to recognize these things. All in all, Thanksgiving was not only a time to spend with family and to give thanks..... it was also an answer to my prayers and put me in my place. Good work holiday season!!!!!

With that...... we had a very very very fun Thanksgiving day! My mom's brother (my uncle) Kendall came down with his family for the very first time! It was fun having them here for the week. They have the cutest family.

Football is a must on Thanksgiving. We all got up and met a group of friends at the park to participate in the "Turkey bowl." It's a family/church tradition my family loves doing every year. I'll admit...... this is more for Erik's like, than for mine. He showed up bright and early with his gloves and game face ready to go! I showed up late..... took some pictures, participated in a few plays.... and left early.

My beautiful mother cooking!!! She hates me taking pictures of her..... and even more when I post them. I just had to..... I'm so grateful for my mom! She is the strongest, kindest, most caring....... words cannot describe how wonderful she is. She's my idol!!

Boys played xbox..... Erik was in heaven having a few guys around for a change.

And the girls cooked..... typical.

My dad and uncle carving the turkey......

It was my cute cousin James' 17th birthday. He kept saying "thanks for spending so much time cooking dinner for my birthday." He makes me laugh.

Brother came home! I enjoy Kade being home. He cracks me up..... and yes his hair is in a ponytail. He also enjoys being home and being around all his sisters! (for those that don't know..... there is 5 girls and 1 boy in my family)

We played cards...

And then....... karaoke time!!!!! My dad's friend Barry joined us for Thanksgiving and brought over his karaoke machine. It was a definite hit in this house! Highly recommended. He was an awesome singer....

My aunt Kim and cousin Elizabeth taking on "the monkey's"

My handsome dad taking the stage...... he actually is a really good singer!

A group of us singing "Summer nights" from grease.....

The sister's singing dancing queen (we really aren't good!)..... We needed you Crysti!!!

The boys trying to outshine us.......

After 4 or 5 hours of karaoke, we headed to the movies (another family tradition) to watch "old dogs".....

Another amazing day to add to the books! We hope everyone else had an awesome thanksgiving as well! Love you!

Erik- "I have a lot of thing that I am thankful for this year. A loving family, great friends and a brand new beautiful fiance! I am also grateful for my health and how fortunate i am to have two jobs and a roof over my head. I would like to take this opportunity to thank those who got me here and helped me become the man I am today. I love you all"

Quick Updates!

I apologize if this post is boring, and for the lack of pictures. I knew starting a blog right now would not be the best idea, considering we have zero time to update. But regardless, here we are.... and we promised family we would post at least one blog a week. So here is my poor attempt in fulfilling my promise..... maybe after reading this post you will forgive me and understand how crazy busy our lives are right now.
Here we go.... (I have to be to work in 25 minutes!!)

We are both taking on full loads at school. We are both taking on some intense classes the closer we are getting to our majors. As I mentioned in an earlier post, I'm started to apply to nursing school, and grades are crucial. Erik switched majors, and has to keep up with these smarty-pants engineers that have been doing this stuff for years. Needless to say..... school is still top priority for both of us. We spend many hours in the library and in labs with professors seeking extra help outside of class.

If that's not intense enough...... we are both working two jobs. I have been a server and Chili's, and I just picked up another job at Hollister (clothing store). I work just a few hours a week there in between classes and whenever I can..... they are really good about giving me the hours I want, which is nice. Erik still works as a student engineer at the tech, but while taking a full load of classes, he is only permitted to work 20 hours max. He just got a job working as a server at Chili's with me.... yay!!!! We love the tips, and we'll love working together. Both working two jobs and going to school full time may sound crazy.... but you have to do what you have to do, right?! We have both agreed if we start to fall behind in school or something gets in the way of other priorities we will quit one job or the other.

Other things going on....... we are buying a car!!!! We've been looking for a few months, and thank you to Erik's dad for selling his truck for him..... we are ready for our first big purchase. It's stressful buying a car! We both were so excited to start looking, but when it has came down to it... not fun! what's the most pratical at this point in time? We've been back in forth with price ranges, with the kind of cars we like, with the year of a car, the gas milages..... etc. Not to mention the car salesmen! that's enough to stress out first time car buyers. Never know how truthful they actually are, and how bad you are getting ripped off. Needless to say, think we finally found a car! I love it.... Erik just needs to test drive it still. Hope we have a new car this week!

We have a new addition to our family. It's never easy moving back home after living on your own for years..... but my sister Rachelle and I both did. And heaven bless Erik's sweet soul!!! He moved into my parents house over a year ago. It's not easy, and it definately adds some stress to the relationship. But..... we are greatful for my parents and everything to do!!! They are very welcoming and open to anyone in their home. And I have to admit.... I enjoy it! There is always someone there and something going on. This past week, Robin moved in! She is my little sisters friend, but we've all always thought of her as our own sister. She makes AMAZING cookies, and let's face it..... she's not the brightest star in the sky! This was a conversation we had the other night:
me- "Robin, what are you eating?!"
Robin- "A popcorn ball."
me- "gross.... why are you eating a popcorn ball?"
Robin- "I don't know..... because I don't like popcorn."
me- "wait what?! you know a popcorn ball is still popcorn."
Robin- "yeah I know..... I just like them better"
Haha..... her and my sister Kelsy make me laugh none stop. I could just sit downstairs and make fun of them all day...... they make me even feel smart :)

Oh yeah..... we are engaged..... as you know...... which means......... wedding planning!!!!
Oh my gosh!!!! Wedding planning is also very stressful. Coming from two different family...... two different religions....... two (or more) different states. It gets stressful. We are handeling it the best we can...... talking with our families. I had my first wedding breakdown a week or so ago, and I have a feeling it won't be the last! No, there is no set date or set place yet. However, I did buy my first bridal magazines :). We have photographers (thanks jeff and laura) and a time to take engagement pictures. I have a time planned to go dress shopping. We've picked our wedding colors..... and yeah that's about it. Put the stress aside..... we are getting excited and Erik is amazing!!!

We have a lot going on in our lives! Times are stressful and crazy..... but we still make time for each other and make sure we relax and have some fun times along the way. Hope all is well with everyone else!!! Until next time....