Friday, December 13, 2013

A Quiet/Busy Book Idea and Snuggles.

I am making Madeline a Quiet/Busy Book for Christmas. I found a lot of cute ideas and templates online at this website: http://quietbookblog.blogspot.com/p/template-directory.html . It turns out that my mother already got her one for Christmas though which was a little disappointing because I thought I was being so creative and crafty. However, there are many different kinds of quiet books and I think one that I make will be completely different than the one my mom got. The first page I make is going to be an iSpy Bag page. If I don't finish the whole book this page alone would be a good gift and Madeline will love it (provided I find the right trinkets to put inside like a horse, a baby, a car...things she likes). 

Today I got a letter in the mail from my good friend Racheal. She is one of my best friends although now I like to say my husband is my best friend and all my other former best friends are now "good friends." Anyways, we used to write letters and notes back and forth to each other growing up and a little in college before we got married so getting a letter in the mail was fun. She also sent me a Christmas card. Now that we qualify as "adults" by the law and basic writs of passage, she lives all the way across the country doing grown up things like work, and saving for a house, and vacations with her husband. It's weird to think that 5 years ago I was 18 and I was starting my crazy college life, and now I am married and have one baby and another on the way with plans to purchase our first home within the year. INSANE. But exciting. :)

We are into this show called "Leverage." I love the two love stories that have developed and the characters are well-written and developed. Sometimes they get a little too much into vengeance mode which turns me off, but then they turn it around and these characters are really learning compassion which is nice to see. The main characters are a grifter (a thief who uses acting skills), a thief, a muscle-man, a hacker, and the man with the plan. 
 My life basically consists of planning right now. I have a lot going on in the near future and I need to plan. Although I need to plan, here are some pictures of the present.

Maddy thought it would be fun trying on my heels. She actually walks better in them than me!




Snuggles with Sampson.

Apparently Maddy does not like crust. 

Papa is home from school! Time to snuggle him! 

Saturday, December 7, 2013

Christmastime and Our Countdowns

It's been five months since I wrote last--I have been writing in my personal journal rather than this public blog, but I thought I would share the excitement and news of my life.

I'm really happy it's December and that it is starting to look like Christmas everywhere we go. I just love this time of year when we get to cuddle under some covers and sip hot cocoa. I also LOVE seeing all the Christmas lights everyone puts up. We put up our tree on Thursday and Madeline couldn't wait to put the ornaments on.
She was adorable. Last Christmas Madeline was too young to really participate in the festivities, but now that she is almost two she loves the lights and reindeer (mostly because they look like horses) and the music. I hope she remembers December as a great month when she gets older.

I was putting together our Christmas wreath and I had these fake red berries and one fell off and Sampson rubbed his nose on it and it stuck to his nose. It was darling.
This year we are going to my parents for Christmas and it is our last Christmas going home for a while. We will be alone on the East Coast next year, but we are excited to start our own traditions especially since we will have two children by then. Speaking of two children I guess I should mention to those of you who don't know, I am pregnant. I find out the second week in January what it will be. My sisters both think it is another girl which I think would be fabulous because I always loved having sisters my age growing up to really experience life with, but my husband wants it to be a boy. Of course. I would be happy with either. We are excited to welcome another spirit into our home in May.

I have a huge countdown for a lot of things that are going to happen in the next 8 months.

1. My 3rd anniversary is in two weeks exactly.
2. Christmas is in 18 days.
3. Student teaching is in 30 days.
4. Marcus' birthday is in 35 days.
5. Madeline's birthday: 85 days.
6. My graduation is in 125 days.
7. New baby: 174 days.
8. Marcus' graduation is in 224 days.
9. Then we move to SC.

I have a feeling that this year is going to fly by. I also feel like I will be finally doing what I've always wanted to do my whole life; stay-at-home-mom. I know some people think being a stay-at-home-mom is easy, but children have a lot of energy and they are very curious about the world around them. I believe they need constant care, love, and support from someone at home. This does not mean to offend the working women. My mom was a career woman while I was growing up. I think she was made to do what she does, but I really think I would have benefited a lot from having her home with me all the time. All I know is that the Lord leads some people to do one thing and others to do another and I am not here to judge anyone. I am just excited not to have to worry about school or work for the next few years so I can just focus on my family and making our house a home with fun traditions. Do you have any fun Christmas traditions?

Sunday, July 14, 2013

New Rental and Vacation Plans

Dear friends,

We are settling into our new rental nicely. I love how close it is to the park! It is great especially to walk our dog in. He loves going on walks and often marks his territory. I find it funny because sometimes he lifts his leg and nothing comes out. 

I am trying to keep our house organized during our move, and it is a lot of work, but I am excited to get rid of things that we do not need. I will be getting rid of a lot of clothes and hopefully other junk. I love my clothes but I don't wear everything. Ooo. Idea: I am going to put away my winter clothes in a bin until the winter because then my closet won't be crazy full. I feel good about that idea. AND in case you forgot, this will be our last winter in Rexburg so we can get rid of all the winter clothes we have after!

Our sunny California vacation is in less than 2 weeks which also means my last semester of classes ends in less than 2 weeks. Party! We will be spending Pioneer day in Utah which should be fun because it is a huge state holiday there. We should find some fun things to do. We plan on meeting up with Caroline and Anna for some hanging out. When we get to California we will be staying at my parents' until Aug 2 where we will be going on a cruise with my in-laws! I am excited because it is really the only chance we will have to go on a cruise until probably the children are older and grown. If we are making enough money by the time we are done having new babies maybe we can go on a family cruise. I know we would have a lot of fun. Mom and Dad took me and my siblings on a cruise when I was 13 and it was such a memorable vacation. I look back fondly on that time. Anyhoo, after we get back from the cruise we will spend a couple of more days with my fam and then head back to Rex. We then will spend a month of doing nothing at home. (I will be completing my independent study children's lit course). 

I feel fat which is weird because I have been working out lately. I think I am bloated and it must have something to do with all this stress! Oi, age you are not doing good things to me! Hopefully I will start shredding the pounds this week of my workouts. 

I hired someone to clean our other  apartment once everything is cleaned out. It is great not having to think about when I will find the time to clean. Hallelujah! I just need to keep our new place clean in the midst of it all... Plus my brothers-in-law are moving in for the 7 week break. I am exited because our house will be full and it will be fun and happy. I hope they aren't playing video games all the time. In fact, I am hoping to find George a job! Brian already has one. Jobs are hard to find here, and maybe he will have to expand his search to IF. 

I just want to jabber about everything. Tomorrow is Monday and I will probably just be moving stuff over. Here is a list for my own reference:
  • clothing bin and basket
  • the rest of the kitchen supplies
Okay, thanks for reading!

Love,
Christiana 

Saturday, July 6, 2013

I will be their happy, mad, funny, hug-me-til-I-stop-crying, encouraging, always-there, always-listening, always-loving mom!

This week has been amazing. First, I only had school on Tuesday and Wednesday. Second, it was Independence Day which is one of my favorite holidays. Third, my in-laws came to visit.

1. I have been keeping a great countdown of the ending of this semester [my last]. There are officially only 17 days left and that is including the weekends! I feel so blessed to have made it this far, though student teaching scares the heck out of me. Can I really do what I have been studying for? It will take so much of my time (50 hours each week.) It is basically an unpaid internship and I even have to pay tuition for it. When I graduate I know I will have something to be proud of. It took so much time, money, effort, and endurance! Not to mention lost family time. After this, provided God and my will are aligned, I will not have to be away from my children again! I will be at the crossroads of their lives. I will be their happy, mad, funny, hug-me-til-I-stop-crying, encouraging, always-there, always-listening, always-loving mom. I will get to witness them growing up instead of relying on others to tell me. I know some moms have to be away, but that is not part of my plan or my happy. I feel that for me joy will only be able to be felt if I am in the home and making memories.

2. For the Fourth we went to the local parade in the morning and it was awesome watching Madeline laugh at the horses and clap to he music. I must say that my girl is getting some pretty good moves. She loves grooving but she only knows one move: bouncing up and down and waving her hands. She is my cutie pie. After the parade Marcus and I waited for our home to be filled with other Thackeray members. They came up for Anna's open house. We all went down to IF for the huge fireworks display, which was postponed an hour because two adults went for a swim in the snake river and one of them went missing. Whatever the circumstances, it was sad. Search and Rescue continued their search for hours and through the fireworks. They found the man at 1am, dead. It is unfortunate and sad. Rivers are not safe and especially not at night. Prayers of comfort go out to his family and friends. The fireworks display was amazing as usual. There were huge fireworks some of which sparkled like glitter nail polish in the sun. Those were my favorite.

3. It was nice having family over for a few days. I really do love my in-laws. I wish I could be with them and my family at the same time. I don't think that will ever happen unless Marcus and I plan something where both families can be present and it will probably be far in the future. One day.

4. Anna's open house was really nice. There was good food and company. It was easy going and the decorations were pretty; green and orange table clothes with flickering candles and round tables everywhere. We took pictures of ourselves in a the photobooth. Maddy had fun carrying around bache balls and rolling them down the grassy hill in the yard.

Saturday, June 29, 2013

Follow the Link to Keep Hearing From Me

Blogger is turning into bloglovin' and so here is the link to where my blog will now be:
Follow my blog with Bloglovin

Lately

A few things:

1. We had our first ever official yard sale today. It was fun! Our whole complex participated and there was a great turn out from the community. We sold our Wii which my mother got us when we first got married. We loved it, but we just don't use it enough to keep it. We don't have time! Most of our time is spent doing homework, sleeping, and taking care of Madeline. We thought we should sell it while it still was worth a good bill. We got $100 for the whole package deal--I wish we had gotten a little more, but I think it was still a good sale.


2. After we were done with our yard sale I dropped Maddy and Marcus off at home and went Yard Sale hopping. I found three pieces of furniture at three different yard sales! We got an entry table for $20, a futon for $15, and a pink princess toddler bed for $25! I think we spent our money well. The futon will go in our guest bedroom/office where Brian and George will be staying over the 7 week break. One of them will sleep on the futon and the other will probably sleep on an air mattress unless they want to sleep on the couch. I was really excited for the futon because it was such a good deal and we can now have guests sleep in a more proper sleeping arrangement.




3. The toddler bed I just mentioned was a huge hit with Madeline. She climbed right in when we brought it into her room. And then when it was time for her nap we said "bed" as we usually do and handed her her bottle of milk and she walked into her room and went straight to the toddler bed passing the crib. I was so pleased! Now we just need to get rid of the crib!

4. Sampson peed inside for the first time. He knew he was in trouble. We got some carpet cleaner to remove the odor, and hopefully there will not be another incident. He is funny when he knows he did something bad because he will get these really sad eyes and then look down at the ground. We still have to discipline him though. He is getting the hang of us being his parents. He finds Maddy super annoying at times though. He sometimes hides from her because all she wants to do is give him hugs and kisses, but occasionally she will pull his tail and ears.

5. I have a new show that I watch. It is a mix between X-files and Alias. It is called Fringe. Marcus is getting annoyed by it, but I can't stop watching. I just want Peter to be everything. It's confusing. The show has the same kind of weird science that Alias has toward the later seasons and the same exact feel as X-files. (Racheal, you would like it).

6. I finally got visit taught! It's been about a year... One of the ladies, Stephanie, had twins last month, and she brought one of them with her. I couldn't tell what Maddy thought of her, but it was like she knew that there was a very special person there. She was very interested. I told her to be soft and she poked the baby with one finger. She then started to try and climb into the baby's car seat (her mother was holding her so don't worry). I don't know why she did that because she has never done it before. But she is such a cutie. I love being her mom.

7. There is only 24 days left until the end of my last semester!

Friday, June 14, 2013

Impressions.

I have been going through a little bit of an identity crisis since I got married two and a half years ago. I was feeling like "who am I?" and "what happened to the old me?" I want to share a few things I learned at the temple this morning.

At the beginning of the semester I received a blessing from my husband in which Heavenly Father told me to make time for myself at the temple. It has been difficult to find that time, but since my practicum class ended I now have a little more free time and have committed myself to attend once a week on Fridays.

When I walked into the temple it was the first time going alone since I was single. I handed my recommend to the man at the front desk, and it felt strange not having my companion with me. I walked into the ladies dressing room and they directed me to the area designated for the special ordinances I was partaking in. It had been more than two years since I had done initiatories and I was excited to be reminded of my blessings as a woman. While one of the workers was saying a blessing, I received many impressions. One was: there are so many terrible things in my generation such as open adultery, abuse, and the breaking of other commandments, but I have been promised that those things will not effect me. I will be able to be strong and do the things I was set on Earth to accomplish. I am grateful for this blessing. Another impression was: I have a protection from terrible things on my persons. I can do many things others cannot because of this blessing and gift. I want everyone to have this protection because then the world would be perfect, and nothing bad would happen to anyone ever again. I need to spread the gospel, and be more active in my duty as a saint. The most important and striking impression that I got was: I am a  daughter of God, and he has a Great Plan and part of that plan was for me to get married and become an eternal companion. That means that I am part of a partnership, and that I shouldn't be the same person I was when I was single. I am more than I was when I was single because God gave me a husband to be my companion and to help me and make me something I wasn't before...complete. I am his companion as well and I complete him. Together we make a whole and can enter into exaltation jointly. What a blessing it is to know these things without a doubt, and with conviction. I am here. I have a purpose. I will do the things the Lord has commanded.

To those of you reading this not of my faith, I invite you to learn more about my faith and testimony. Feel free to ask me any questions. Also, I invite you to find out these things for yourself so that you can receive your own knowledge. God loves us all, and he wants all of us to receive the blessings I have mentioned above.

Thanks for checking in!

Quotes of the day:
“It isn't as bad as you sometimes think it is. It all works out. Don't worry. I say that to myself every morning. It all works out in the end. Put your trust in God, and move forward with faith and confidence in the future. The Lord will not forsake us. He will not forsake us. If we will put our trust in Him, if we will pray to Him, if we will live worthy of His blessings, He will hear our prayers.” Gordon B. Hinckley

"Mediocrity will never do. You are capable of something better." Gordon B. Hinckley

Sunday, June 9, 2013

12:01 and News Lately

Dear World,

As it is 12:01AM, it has officially been one month since I wrote last. I apologize for the missed weeks, but I promise it was for good reason.

1. My sister-in-law, Anna, got married May 25th in Portland, OR. I used to want to get married in the Portland temple, but LA was really my home. In any case, the wedding was beautiful--the sealing. Marcus and I sat directly behind Anna and her fiance while the sealer was talking to them so it was like he was talking to us. It really reminded us of the day we got married..the day we began our eternal family 2 and a half years ago. Wow. He said fabulous things like "sometimes when we kneel at the alter one spouse ends up reaching further than the other. It is important to know that in life this will be true, too." I feel like this sometimes. Marcus will be reaching further to lift me up, and other times I will be reaching further to lift him up. It is amazing to have an eternal companion that cares always and that sees my flaws and loves me anyway. We are a team and we work together to make our lives better and happier. I imagine that this is what joy feels like; never having doubt that the other will leave and to be truly happy--so happy that it fills my stomach, veins, chest, and even nose with a contagious energy that just wants to burst out my ears. 

2. Marcus and I just watched House at the End of the Street with Jennifer Lawrence. It definitely has a twist ending. *spoiler alert* Ryan, played by Max Theriot (sp?) the son in the movie The Pacifier, turns out to be the evil one. His sister is not even alive. He was abused as a child and freaked out and killed his parents and then had to kidnap girls that could play the role of his sister so that he could play his role as Ryan. This was because his parents made him act the role of his sister after she died from falling off a swingset. They were druggies and terrible parents. Simply put, he could not be Ryan unless there was someone else to be his sister. Anyhoo, Elissa (Jennifer Lawrence) moved in next door and had a little vibe with Ryan, but she finds out that he is a creepo a little too late and so she ends up shooting him with the cops gun, who had been previously murdered by Ryan. It's complicated. Ryan ends up killing about ten people and who knows how many girls he had play his sister's role? All in all, I liked the movie, but probably will never watch it again. I just really like Jennifer Lawrence. 

3. I took the PRAXIS again last Saturday. I am sure I did good enough to pass, but I really need to brush up on my literacy skills. I passed the other two PRAXIS tests I had to take, but unfortunately I took one of the wrong ones. Sad day. In any case, that testing is over as is my Senior Practicum aka Kindergarten Practicum aka ED427. Hallelujah. It was quite stressful having to go to the kindergarten every other day. I LOVED thee children though. I miss them! They're in Kindergarten, right? Well, the other day I heard a girl tell a boy that she didn't like him but that her friend did. It was silly. And so the chasing begins. Young love. 

4. We got a dog. His name is Sampson and he is an 18 month old up to date on shots and neutered Pug Australian Shepherd mix. We love him! He does not have a squished in face like a pug and I have only heard him bark once...at a horse...and he growled once when he saw himself in the mirror. Madeline loves him and they will have fun growing up together. Sampson knows one command for sure; "sit." I think we need to train him to do other things, but he is already housebroken which is awesome!

5. We are moving into our new home on Saturday. It is a bigger place than we have now and we will have our dog with us, he is at a boarding house for now, and a park right across the street. On the downside: I will miss our ward so much! AND the rent at the new place is higher, but it is bigger so...you get what you get. On the upside: There will be so much space! We can have a dog! It is across the street from Porter Park! All good things there!

6. I have made a goal for myself--I don't know if I should call it that since I have a habit of not finishing goals--to go to the temple weekly by myself. Since my Practicum has finished my MWF are suddenly free. At the beginning of the semester the Lord said to me in a blessing from my husband that I needed to attend the temple more often and I would find great peace there. So, I plan on going on Friday mornings around 9. Madeline will stay with the fabulous lady who inspired me to go. When I told Marcus of my plans he was happy but also disappointed that he wouldn't be able to come with me. My plan is to do initiatories because I love hearing about my divine gifts as a daughter of God. Plus, I think it will way help with my self esteem because I have been feeling blue from time-to-time. I have gifts that are hard for people to recognize; not like singing, dancing, drawing, remembering life events (even small ridiuclous things) or being really crafty. I have always been mediocre at those types of things. I want to be great, but it's just not in me. My gifts are more like for remembering people's names, and wanting to make new friends and make people happy. Those are good gifts, but I want more. I pray for more. That sounds selfish, but I want to be someone that people can appreciate. 

Quotes of the day: "Simply do what you can do, in the best way you know, and the Lord will accept of your effort." AND "You rock a sobbing child without wondering if today’s world is passing you by, because you know you hold tomorrow tightly in your arms." 

Thanks for checking in! Feel free to leave a comment :)

Friday, May 10, 2013

Prince Charming goes to I.F. with a Kindergarten Class and Gets a Massage

1. Yesterday I was thinking about the guys I used to date before I married Marcus. It seemed to me like a couple of them wanted me to make the big sweeping move of offering a first kiss, or asking him to commit to just me. I, like mostly every girl, wanted to be swept off my feet and fought for, darn it! I grew up watching the Disney Princesses and their Prince Charmings where the princes would slay beasts and dragons and thorn bushes and evil step families. I wanted that same sort of prized feeling; I wanted to be the prize. One guy suddenly stopped talking to me, and it really confused me so he was left in the dust. Another guy seriously wanted me to kiss him first, and I could just tell because while we were sitting there looking at the stars and at each other he would not kiss me. He would just complain about whatever was happening in his life at that time and then stare into my eyes and not kiss me. Goodness. Anyways, Marcus strutted in my life with confidence and no experience, but he manned up and took the plunge. Now we are happily married.
These are most of the Disney Princes
2. We are probably moving to IF in December because that is where I am student teaching and since I am in the winter I do not want to drive that far in terrible weather conditions. Marcus will be commuting in the Spring so that we don't have to move three times in one year (from here to IF, back to here, then to SC.) We would rather just stay here, but I can't handle the driving thing. When we move, we are going to get a dog! In order to get a dog that fits us, I did a personality test and we should get some sort of terrier, or a pug, and I want a pug mix--maybe a pug/beagle mix. So cute. Pugs are friendly and hilarious, and beagles are more attractive. This is sort of the dog that we are looking for:
His name is Hershey and he is at a shelter in AZ. 

3. My kindergarten class was so surprised when they found out that I was a mother today. It was hilarious because I guess when they compared me to the other teacher I am much younger and I look younger than their parents (maybe). Naturally they wouldn't picture me with a family of my own.

4. Tomorrow I am getting a massage for Mother's day. My husband loves me and knows what I like! I am exited because my back has been really acting up!

Friday, May 3, 2013

Fist List: Real Estate, Educational System, Stolen Permit?, CHOCOLATE, and my childhood friends!

Today's five:

1. People. I talked to a real estate agent yesterday, which was awesome, and I got clarification on a few things about the market in SC and what to expect when buying. Needless to say, I am excited!

2. I am in my senior practicum which is a Kindergarten classroom experience--pretty much my practice run before I actually student teach. My thoughts, now that I am in the actual classroom, I can see that the educational system is such an injustice to several children; not all but several. This is not to say that the teachers do not care or that they are bad, but the government has so much control over what is to be taught to the children... this is what it looks like:


I want to be able to change that. I also think it is a strong possibility that I will home school my children. 

3. Someone stole our parking permit for our complex..this is a strange item to steal because it is connected to our license plate and there is plenty of parking... 

4. I think I found my sweet tooth because I can not get enough chocolate. I promise that I am not pregnant. 

5. I miss Caroline, Racheal, Lauren, Leah, and Melanie (of course). Not to mention Meeshell who is on her mission in the West Indies. She will be back soon--August/September. Sometimes I wish we could all live on the same block and have parties all the time, and our husbands could hang out and talk about manly things like sports and politics..and how awesome their wives are ;)

Love,
Christiana

PS- I totally printed my blog as a book. I will tell you how it looks when it arrives! It's nice to have a hard copy. 

Saturday, April 27, 2013

Fist List: Homework, Naps, Marriage, 1 Million Dollars, Magazines, and Backaches

I am going to try to be better at recording my life at least once a week. I used to be the best journaler and would write every day...then I got into college, got married, and had a baby and am now juggling all three simultaneously.This picture comes to mind...only I would have a more frantic face and I am allergic to cats so in the future it will just be a dog or two: 


On a completely random note I just saw a picture with a caption that read "I love my computer because my friends live in it." It made me laugh quietly to myself. 

One of my best friends keeps her blogs using a "5 things list." I have decided to follow suit and make my own fist list of things I am thinking about/things that are going on/our future plans. This will help me stay focused and my entries easier to follow and shorter at times. 

1. Marcus and I spent this Saturday doing homework. We did take some time to go grocery shopping and get a bite to eat at the Great Harvest Bread Co. here in town. They make homemade bread daily (obviously) and the shop always smells so delicious. When we walked in a couple of girls gawked at how adorable Madeline is. I have to agree. She is. 

2. I miss taking naps. So much. I have always been fond of naptime. In preschool I remember going to sleep on those thin sleep mats and waking up to a tower of blocks falling three inches from my face. In high school I never had the chance to nap because my schedule was so hectic and I really wish we hadn't had to commute so far every day. In my freshman and sophomore years of college I napped every day usually around 1 or 4pm. I miss those days. Sometimes my husband lets me take a short nap when he has free time...that will not happen this semester. 

3. A marriage lasts because both partners are willing to give/sacrifice. Part of this process is through intimacy. Sometimes I wish there were more time in the day.

4. If I won $1,000,000 where would the funds go? 
  • I would bulldoze my parents' house and give them $200,000 to build a new one. 
  • We would pay off our student debts (It is around $50,000 combined). 
  • We would pay off my in-laws' mortgage which would allow them to save money for future expenses. 
  • A lot would go in savings.
  • We would purchase a home in South Carolina.
  • We would buy nice gifts for our siblings because we love them.
5. I have a dream to create a magazine-worthy living area and kitchen in my future home. I want to put some sweat equity into our homes and create something inviting, charming, and comfortable. I want it to represent mine and Marcus' tastes, but we have such different ideas of what looks good. He is more rustic (picture seclusion in a log cabin) and I am more modern/shabby chic (which does not mean rustic). We bud heads, but he mostly lets me get my way since the woman, generally, is the nest-maker (especially in our case). We do agree on some things; we both like a wrap-around porch idea and a big yard with enough space for two dogs and ten children.

6. I am having back problems! I have had Scoliosis for a while now, but more recently I have developed Kyphosis (which is the excessive outward curvature of the spine). It has gotten worse this last year and has been putting extra stress on the muscles around the curved areas. It has been difficult to carry Madeline (now at least 20 pounds), and anything excessively heavy. I went to the doctor and he took xrays. We are waiting for the radiologist to tell the measurements of the angles to determine what sort of treatment I need--physical therapy, back brace, surgery, or a combination. 

Peace and Blessings.

Funny Quote: All my life I thought air was free...until I bought a bag of chips.
Good QuoteA successful marriage requires falling in love many times, always with the same person.

Wednesday, April 24, 2013

Juggling.

I'm sitting here watching Maddy try to reach for things in the television; she is trying to reach her fingers into the screen. It is hilarious. She especially likes the little fish that swim by (we are watching Bubble Guppies; I kind of hate it). Watching Madeline grow each day is a beautiful thing. Lately I have had so many comments of "she is getting so big!" You know what? She is. She is walking, mimics pretty much everything I do, holds conversations for sentences at a time (although it is just babble of course), and tries to use forks and spoons. She is also a pro at using a straw.

Going to school full time and being a mother is hard work. It is the hardest thing I have had to do in my life! I feel exhausted physically, emotionally, and cognitively. I feel like I am just surviving life right now. Yet, I know I am so blessed. I have an amazing family. My husband makes sure I am provided for. My daughter is healthy and growing. I get to attend a school with low tuition costs and where the Spirit is felt so strongly and is invited into each class. I can afford things I don't need but really really want. I am educated; I will have a degree in less than a year! My husband has a full time job and he can stay home and go to school still. I know I am blessed. If you don't know, please remember that you are a son or daughter of God who loves you very much! He is all-knowing and all-powerful. He will make things--good things--happen in your life. So, while my life is difficult to juggle right now, I know it will all work out.

Recent Things:

1. Last week we were on vacation at my parents' house. We went to the Santa Barbara Zoo, which Madeline loved.
2. I have been looking at homes to buy. It is more difficult than I thought.
3. Madeline loves animals.
4. My last semester started on Monday. It is Marcus' third-to last.
5. My car gets about 25-30 MPG on the highway! It is a 7-seater, so that is amazing!

Thanks for caring about us enough to read!

Saturday, April 6, 2013

Impressions of the Spirit Session 1 of the 183 General Conference

God loves us. Regardless of our downfalls. He loves us. He always will. Even when I don't know what I am supposed to bear testimony on, I know God loves us. The Spirit that I have felt while watching Conference has been one of peace and excitement. It's okay that there are a lot of miserable things happening in the World because God will not let us down. He will never forsake us, even when we believe He has. Jesus Christ has made sure that we will return to our heavenly home to reside with God once more. We are free agents to make sure this happens, but it is in our power that it happens.

I was thinking that when we feel that we do not have a cheer-leading team here on Earth for the good things we do at least we have one in heaven. When we choose to compliment, to not gossip, to have patience with others, to endure the what-seems-like-endless misery, there is a team in heaven that is happy and proud of us; God is saying "that's my girl" or "that's my boy!" "Well, done though good and faithful servant." We can count on that.

So, don't worry. God loves us. He will make sure we are taken care of. Surely the person who created the heavens and the earth--the whole universe--will make sure we are okay. Don't for one second doubt that he is incapable of knowing how to help. He is omnipotent and omniscient. Trust in the Lord. Have faith in his power which is endless. 

Wednesday, March 27, 2013

She's Got Style

To be fashionable is difficult. I want to have a style that means Christiana. There are some super cute girls out there that have their style. You've seen them; bows in hair, boots up to the knee.

My tentative plan to get style:
1. let my hair grow out.
2. get high lights, or dye my hair dark...nah. I love being blonde.
3. slowly buy a new wardrobe. 
Out with the old, and in with the new.
4. accessorize with things that Maddy will not break.
(belts, strong necklaces? cute stud earrings, nail polish.)
5. get new eyeliner.

Some looks that I like:
summer dress, vintage dress, retro dress, sunday dress, party dresses, spring dresses, womens dresses, easter dresses, party dresses, womens dress,  casual dress, flare dress
Black and White Polka Dot Cap Sleeved Pencil Skirt Dress with Ruffle at WaistGarden IsleConductorBookshop Bouquet CardiganFerry Much So Cardigan
The Lake at Dawn CardiganEvery Single Detail CardiganDay after Day Dress in HeartsFirebloom Cardigan
Okay, much love.

XOXO

Sunday, March 24, 2013

Weird Dreams, and Future Plans!

My dreams are weirder than normal lately. The last dream I had was about me and my best friend Racheal. I had apparently set her up on some kind of blind date. So she was not married to her now husband. We were sitting at a table in a dimly lit restaurant across from one another. My daughter was sitting next to me eating some noodles or something. After a few minutes the guy I set Racheal up with walked in. He was tall, had a nice tan, dark black hair, brown eyes, and a thin physique. He sat next to Racheal and asked how Maddy was doing. I said "She is doing great. She is not walking yet, but yesterday she took two steps on her own! It was quite a feat!" Then my dream ended.

I wish I could be more witty and punny like I am in my dreams. haha. I think I am going to start keeping track of the weird dreams I have. Like, the other day I had a dream about me having twins. It was crazy and kinda freaked me out. I don't know why...I can't remember all of the details. And last Monday I had a dream that I was on my period and it leaked through my jeans MAJOR in public. I'm telling you it was EVERYWHERE. I tried to get to the bathroom to clean it up but I could never get to the door. When I woke up I had started my cycle. Gosh. Those are the ones I can remember lately. I'm sure I'll have another one tonight.

I finally got new garments after two and a half years! It feels great! Plus they have these new tops that I love so much. They fit me like a glove. They come in "tall" which I am grateful for because I have never had such a perfect fit. I have super narrow shoulders and a tall back--either they are falling off my shoulders if I get a medium, or they are too short if I get a small! So, this is awesome! I feel more comfortable and to top it off I also got a new bra.

Madeline is making headway on her walking. She did walk two steps on her own which may be why it was in my dream. She is totally capable of walking, but she is lacking confidence to do it without my help. Consequently, she and I have been practicing in the hallways at church and in home. As a mother, it is nice that she needs me, and trusts me. Something in me needs to be loved for no matter what. Madeline loves me and forgives me so quickly when I make a mistake. I wish I were more like that; more forgiving. She kisses me and cuddles me and makes me feel like everything will be alright. I am excited to graduate and just focus on being "mom." There have been so many times where I have had to ignore her to get my homework done. I love her. I miss her. I want to be the best mom in the world. It's so difficult to do that when I am doing homework or in class. I just need to get through this year and I will be done. Then I can stay home with her and the other kidlets that we will have. Next semester is my last semester at BYU-Idaho. I will be student teaching next Winter and that is off-campus. It feels good to be this close. I can see it in the distance. I just need to make it. This time next year I will be two weeks from graduating and walking across the stage to shake hands with President Clark and hopefully an apostle (maybe even the prophet? I have high-apple-pie-in-the-sky hopes).

Here is the biggest news: Marcus and I are going on a 3-day cruise to Mexico this August! Maddy will stay with my parents. I am so excited! Marcus' parents will be joining us. They have never been on a cruise before in their life. We are happy to share this experience with them. I am mostly excited to be going at all! I didn't think it would be possible, but we have been saving, so yay! Saving works! I am so grateful for my husband's job. Without it, I think I would be getting cabin fever and nothing exciting would ever happen to me. Because of these new plans, I am working hard on losing 20 pounds before August. Even just ten would be awesome. I have a new inhaylor, and I have the Zumba DVD's. I can do this. I can do this! I will cut out sweets except once a week, too.

Sunday, March 17, 2013

The Title is Everything

Hey all,

So recently my husband received a text from his sister claiming dibs on some baby names. She then told us to claim the names we wanted or we would be forever feuding if we stole a name off of each other's lists. As of now, we are the only ones married and in the process of procreating. In any case, we told her it was much more complicated to pick out names than she thought. First, you have to like a name. Then you have to submit it to your spouse's approval. Then, if it passes that stage, you wait 'til the day when your little gift arrives only to be disappointed that the name you picked does not match the face. So you move on to another name that made the pre-approved list until you either A) select one among the many or B) run out of names and sit in the hospital for two days researching names and matching them to the baby's face. It's quite a process, but in the end you end up with a cute little baby with a name that fits.

We do happen to have a "maybe" name list that I am in-love with, and I hope that the names of my children end up being some of these:
Girls
1. Alaina Nichole
2. Gemma Nylene (pronounced gem-a)
(These two middle names are total maybes.)
Boys
1. Duncan Edwards Thackeray
2. Liam Reed
3. Skyler James

Maybe we'll have six children, maybe we'll have more, and maybe we'll have less. Whatever the good Lord gives us. I hope these names get used!

Sunday, March 10, 2013

Love Story Contest

In February I entered into a Love Story Contest wherein I had to get the most "likes" to win. I was so close! Six away from winning a free couples photo shoot and prints. Anyways, here is the story I wrote:

Picture a very tall, dark blond, handsome, young man with perfect teeth, broad shoulders, and green eyes. Picture a tall, dark blond, "gorgeous hot babe" (in his words) with "a slender figure, voluptuous hips, and a sexy swagger." The man is Marcus, and the woman is me, Christiana. 
We met when my friend Sabrina introduced him into my Iteam for Get Connected (a new student orientation for the college). I was his new student leader. He was cute from the start, but there were a few other cute guys in the group too. We soon made it into each other's social circles when we found out we were in the same ward fr church.

One night my friend and I went over to Marcus' apartment to flirt with the guys and to play some games. Only Marcus and one other roommate were home, so we all played cards together. Then my friend and his roommate had to go, so Marcus and I were left in the living room to talk about whatever. We started talking about our dream home. It was weird, but I started picturing the home that he and I were talking about as "his and mine; ours together." That is when I knew I had to date him. From that moment on, I made it a point to be around all the time, in a not-so-clingy-I'm-free-and-independent-but super-interested-so-ask-me-out-now kind of way. His roommates were my friends, too, so they let me know where to be, and they arranged several "chance" meetings between Marcus and I. Eventually he caught on. 

The day my sugar pie and I became boyfriend-girlfriend I got home to my apartment and told all of my roommates the that following week my boyfriend and I would hold hands, and the week after that we would kiss, and the week after that we would get engaged. 


Three weeks later we had "the talk." You know, the "you're my soul mate, love for eternity, lovey-dovey, kiss-kiss" talk. He had gotten the impression to ask my hand in marriage. At this time we were at the crossroads for lunch with our friends. He came strutting in wearing his Sunday best in a red tie and khakis. He had this light in his eyes, and this extra kick in his step. I could tell he was happy, but not why. After all our friends left Marcus told me he had some exciting news. He was so happy and so nervous that it took him about a minute to say "I asked God if I should marry you, and the answer was yes!" I had already gotten the impression I was going to marry him about a week earlier, so it wasn't a surprise to me to hear this. I smiled and continued eating, not realizing that I was supposed to be in shock. He looked at me like "aren't you excited? Are we getting married?" I saw the concern on his face and took his hand and said, "we're getting married! I'm so excited and happy!" That was what he had been waiting for. The real proposal came about a month later in July. We were married December 21, 2010 in Los Angeles, CA. We now have a beautiful and sassy almost-one-year-old daughter, Madeline whom we adore!

Saturday, March 9, 2013

2 years, 2 months, 2 weeks, and 2 days!

Today is a special day--special because Marcus and I have been husband and wife for 2 years, 2 months, 2 weeks, and 2 days! Awesome, eh?

As this is a special occasion, I have decided to compile a list of why I love my husband, my sweetheart, my honey love, my sugar pie. I love him!

1. He runs late-night errands for me which includes getting Cheese Nips.
2. He bites his tongue when he is focused.
3. He sings songs while he studies.
4. He listens to classical music like Two Cellos while studying.
5. He turns church music on for Sundays.
6. He stepped outside of his comfort zone to get me a car.
7. He grew sideburns because I think they are sexy.
8. He plays basketball.
9. He cares about his health.
10. He studies so much to get amazing grades (straight A's as a mechanical engineering major!)
11.  He rubs my feet.
12. He makes delicious food.
13. The way he looks at our daughter... :)
14. He helps me with my homework.
15. He lets me drive.
16. He makes me laugh.
17. He gets my jokes.
18. He kisses my neck.
19. He dips me sometimes when he kisses me.
20. He takes me on dates.
21. He gets me flowers.
22. He says he loves me.
23. He lets me get my hair done.
24. He encourages me to make friends.
25. He loves playing games with me.
26. He collects pencils that are presumably lost from others across campus.
27. He pays 100% of his tithing.
28. He studies his scriptures.
29. He prays.
30. He gives me blessings, and Maddy, too.
31. He honors his responsibilities as a husband and father.
32. He dances with me in our home.
33. He always tries to do the right thing.
34. He has sacrificed a lot to become a young father and husband.
35. He thinks my ideas are good.
36. He encourages me to do difficult things like finish my degree.
37. He has a good relationship with his parents.
38. He does the laundry when I ask him to.
39. He lets me control the remote most of the time.  
40. He eats my food...no matter how gross it is. :)

I love my husband, and I hope every girl gets to be as lucky as me one day.

Thursday, March 7, 2013

One.

There was a fairly recent discovery of a creature near Japan; the Frilled Shark. It is "prehistoric." A girl in my class was talking about it for her "practice" lesson for elementary students...all I could think about while she was talking about it was "that looks like a [insert word here]." Do you agree? What do you think it looks like?

Look at all the rows of teeth! 

It's just from that view though. Other views are:

The gross gills.
It's a disgusting mixture of eel and shark... *shudder* 
That is not the only thing going on in my life. I gotta say Maddy's first birthday was a smash! Here are some pictures:

Gift from mom and dad.

That cake was delicious!


Presents!


Blowing out the candle. She actually did it! 


She LOVES tissue paper...and toilet paper for that matter. 


I just think she looks so pretty in this picture. 

Me and my bebe. 

Maddy has an early love for books!



One of my favorites!

That's one of Madeline's boyfriends, David. He is so shy, but so cute. His mom is Becca. We are good ol' friends.

Proof that Marcus was there too. 
Her party was a success. Marcus and I made cupcakes, cucumber sandwiches (which were a HUGE hit for whatever reason), muddy buddies, and chips. Lemonade, too. It was a lovely afternoon. Becca said that it reminded her of springtime which made me happy because I am craving Spring. I hate Winters here in Rexburg. They are always so darn cold. I miss the sun, flowers, birds, playing at the park...etc.