After school and Anniversary Plans

Hey Friends! We are sorry for the unusually long length of time that we haven't written in this here, our blog. We have been busy, well, I have been busy. I work and Marcus does the house work. This Fall semester better go by quick because It's already taking forever! We want to be done with school so badly!

Our plans for after school:

1. (I am graduating first) Stay home and relax a little bit for the last semester Marcus is at school
2. Head out to grad school in Washington/Oregon where Marcus will get his Masters
3. Live with Mom and Dad Thackeray
4. Work for a daycare/tutor center
5. Marcus will get a career going while we are still living with the 'rents in the basement
6. Save up enough money for a down payment on a house
7. Buy our first home!

Yes, there will be a couple of children in the midst of all these plans, but who's to say what Heavenly Father's plans are?

We are happy and excited for our future. The present is just as lovely though. We mostly do nothing these days because we are poor poor poor married college students. Since Brian, Marcus' brother, has been staying with us, they play video games like all day while I am at work. When I get home we sometimes watch movies, or play more video games. I do not participate usually; only when I am in a Donkey Kong kind of mood. I feel sick most of the time. Let's call it fatigue, for now.

For those of you who didn't know, MARCUS IS THE BEST COOK! So for now, while I am the one bringing home the bacon, he is the one making the bacon (except that we don't usually buy bacon because it is dang expensive.)

This is the Bellagio Hotel. We would LOVE to stay at this five diamond hotel!

Random: Carrots lightly cooked and added to Mac and Cheese is so delicious!

For our first anniversary we are planning on stopping through Las Vegas and staying at a resort hotel for uber cheap. I looked prices up on Hotwire.com and you can get a 4 star hotel for $36/night! Amazing? YES. So, we will do that. Plus there are a lot of free things to do there like the circus at Circus Circus or the Conservatory in the Bellagio. We also thought it would be cool to go to the Pawn shop from a show on History Channel called Pawn Stars. We used to watch that show before we started to have to pay for cable. We will only be there for one night though because we will be journeying our way back to my parent's house in California. We are celebrating Christmas with them this year. We thought it was especially important since our David will only be able to join through the heavens.

We hope you are all doing well and having fun!
XOXO

"How are you doing today?" "Blessed."

Okay people, I am going to write a poem right now without planning it out. What I write is what is coming out of my mind. (You have been warned.)

The sky is blue
but my stomach is empty
and there is no food
at least sitting here
no matter or worries, I will be fine
school is over and I have "me" time.
My job starts tomorrow
I hope it goes well
I wonder when I will get my first pay check.

Did you like it?

So, I am excited for this semester to be over. I passed all my classes and got average grades--which I am okay with, but I wish I could just get straight A's for once. I got two A's and the rest B+'s. Do you know how frustrating a B+ is? It means you were this close. -sigh-

After the Fall semester I will be done with Foundation classes, which are just general ed courses that people need to get their Associates degree. I am going to work my butt off so I can get my Bachelor's. I need one in my back pocket. School is hard, but it might end up being worth it once I finally get to take classes that I am actually interested in; classes that actually have to do with my major! I am only taking one class this Fall, though, because it is my off-semester.

Marcus got straight A's. I am so proud of him. He is a brilliant and gifted man and he works really hard to get his grades. Plus, he really wants to get an academic scholarship which will pay for his tuition, but he will only get it if his Cumulative GPA is a certain number--I think like a 3.8 or something like that. We are hoping he gets it for the Fall. The past three semesters he has gotten 4.0's, but his very first semester, before his mission, he totally bombed so that will always count against him... he  replaced grades for four of the classes but not the fifth because the school only lets you replace four. So, he has a permanent D on his transcript. But after he has all these A's the D will hardly be noticed.

We are excited to be going on a small vacation in August to go back to Washington to visit with Marcus' family. I hope we get to go to the beach. I miss the beach. That's what happens when you were born and raised in California. We are also happy to not have to worry about anything during that week. It will be nice just to be with the family. It is nice to have parents because they will always take care of you. Kinda like our Heavenly Parents. Even though we can not see them or communicate with them the way we do with our Earthly parents, they still love as and still always provide for us. Exhibit A: my Kmart job experience--definitely a blessing from above. They love us and the proof is in the good people we meet and the little blessings granted to us--the sun, gravity, flowers, babies, animals, modern-day revelation, scriptures, families, smiles, laughs, delicious food...

We are blessed.

XOXO

Puppy
I was inspired by my friend, Racheal's, post about puppies and which dog fits her. There were so many dogs to look at and choose from! The dog that best suits Marcus and me and our future family (because the dog we would get now or soon would need to be child friendly) is an Anatolian Shepherd. Super super cute! The description says he is not very playful, but then again, all puppies are playful! And he will just love the children and until I have children, he will love being my companion.

Except we plan on having children before a dog so that the dog knows his place.

He almost looks like a golden retriever but he is different. He is perfect, if not him then we would go with a Beagle, which are also adorable but small. Marcus seems to not like small dogs, but I know once we had one he would fall in love. I mean look how adorable this one is! He is ready to play and ready to take action. Perfect for boy children, which I plan on having a lot of!

My math final was not as difficult as I thought it was going to be, but I still think I could have done better.
It was comprehensive for the whole semester and I could not remember one little bit of information, so on that part I probably only got partial credit. But I did a course evaluation and earned 5 extra credit points. Hopefully that will make up for that question. Cross your fingers!

On another note, I completely forgot about an exit interview I was supposed to have today for one of my classes. The good thing is that my teacher is an awesome 80-year-old man who is so kind and he is just teaching because he loves it and he loves his students! I asked him if I could use him as a reference on a job application and he said "no problem!" Another funny thing that happened with him was at the beginning of the semester he said he would be sitting most of the time because he ages faster when he stands! He is full of humor and fun.

More to come later.

PS- Marcus and I have been married for seven months even today! Only five more months to go til it's been a year!

Temple Inspiration and Interview Tips

Guess what! I got the job at Kmart!

They called me the afternoon the same day of my interview to tell me. Their exact words: "we are very interested in hiring you if you are still interested in the job." Woo! That was probably one of the easiest times I've had getting a job. I totally wasn't expecting it!

Here's how it began:

Marcus and I went to the temple on Tuesday night. We missed the last endowment session so we went and did sealings  instead. After, the sealer encouraged us all to get ice cream. Marcus had a coupon for a free frosty at Wendy's so that's where we went. The thing about Wendy's is it is across from Walmart in Rexburg and you pass a lot of other stores to get there, Kmart included. After we got the frosty I was inspired to go to Kmart. I just wanted to look around and see what exactly Kmart was like.

If he could have, Marcus would have stayed in the boy toy section forever! He is a man, but there's still a little boy in there. My husband is adorable.

So we spent half an hour walking around when the PA maid an announcement,

"the store will be closing in 15 minutes, please make final purchases in the front of the store." 

We started making our way to the front when we passed a girl that worked there. I felt inspired, once again, to ask if they were hiring. She explained to me that a few girls were quitting and that they would be hiring this week. She told me to fill out an online application and then to call the next morning to set up an interview time. So I filled out an app that night and called the next morning.

Erik, the hiring manager, set up an interview for the next day.

I arrived fifteen minutes early and was very happy to be there. I started a good conversation with the girl at the front desk, Karli. She was a happy and laid back girl. She told me all about the drama in her other work location. I was glad that she compared it to working at Kmart, because she really likes working at this store better.

Great

I went in for my interview and nailed it! I could tell it was a great interview when one of the interviewers loved my comment about how one of my pet peeves is when hangers are facing the wrong direction. She loved it!

Later in the afternoon Erik called me back and asked if I would join the team, and I of course said "yes." I will be filling out paperwork today and start next week!

One of the biggest most obvious temple blessings yet!

So, I can testify that if you attend the temple Heavenly Father will bless you in whatever way you are looking for...or even whatever way you're not looking for!

Also, knowing how to interview is a plus.

Tips For Interviewing (Trust me, I've had several interviews in my lifetime.)

1. Be your best self
2. Make sure they know that you are full of integrity
3. Make sure to represent what is good for the company by explaining that you work hard and learn quickly
4. Try to keep eye contact
5. Hold yourself with confidence--don't keep your arms folded, have your wrists show in some way because it represents openness, and employers like that.
6. Smile a lot, but not in a freaky way
7. Answer their questions honestly
8. Make sure you have a few questions for them about there store atmosphere and the work environment
9. Try to get the feel of the store from the employees point of view too, to make sure you even want to work there
10. Try your very best not to be shy. If someone else is interviewing at the same time and they are showing a lot more personality, they are more likely to be hired because people want to work with other friendly people; shyness is almost the opposite of friendly.

Marcus and I are happy for the semester to finally be ending! We made it through our first school semester as a married couple! You can make your congratulations in comment form below! :)

We love you all!

Flour chips

For dinner tonight:

We made chips out of flour, oil, and water and then we poured a can of chili over it followed by salsa and diced red onions. So delicious! Once one of us has a job in Rexburg we will be able to afford more varieties of food and perhaps I'll actually home-make more things. I want to be one of those wives that make the house smell like delicious food every single day! Food is comforting and so tasty! 

Church was great today. The high counsel member gave a great talk about how when we look at our children and later our grandchildren and they ask us "why do you love me?" we will be able to get a little glimpse of the great love that our Heavenly Father has for us. That great love comes from a father that wants his children to succeed. He is wonderful, and He loves us. He sent His son, which proves it. 

This is exciting news! I finally finished the journal I have been working on for a whole year! It has never taken me that long to finish a journal before, but this year has been very eventful--good times and bad (Mel got married, I got married, my friends Racheal and Caroline got married, my brother passed away, and school started). I didn't write everything down, but I got the important stuff. I will be starting a new one tomorrow. The funny thing about me and journals actually has to do with the pens I am writing with. I need to have a good connection with the pen in order to love what I am writing. Oh yeah! If the paper is a weird texture I don't really like it either...unless my pen is just that great. I need to go pen shopping. I haven't had a really great journal pen in a while...could be one of the reasons it has taken me so long to finish that journal.

So, that is all for now. 

End of the Semester

July 2011

This week we have been moving into our new house! It has been exciting! It is not OUR house, we are just renting it, BUT we are going to make it our own. We are sending paint samples to the owner to see if they will let us paint the walls and the kitchen cabinets. We want to replace the knobs/hardware, too. It will be nice. Right now it is a little....vintage...to put it nicely. We are excited to move into a bigger place though. Pictures to come!  

This last Monday was our very first 4th of July that we celebrated together. (Technically we celebrated last year, but we were on the road coming home from Colorado.)We went to Idaho Falls and watched the fireworks there, which happens to be the biggest firework show west of the Mississippi! We really enjoyed it. We made new friends and watched in awe how amazing and symbolic the fireworks were. They represent our country and our freedom, which we are very grateful for! 

 This is when we were finished with the parade in Rexburg and then we went to Idaho Falls.

 This is Marcus' forehead. I thought it was hilarious because it sort of looks like he is bald!

 This is Us before the fireworks went off. We were there for so long waiting and waiting. Marcus got goofy.

 These are our new friends Tami and Ryan.

 This is Marina and Dan. We have gotten to know them well this semester but they are moving to a different city. *tear*

 This is Megan and Mackay. They look so adorable together but I do not think they were married. They had no rings. But some people don't have rings.

 This is an aerial shot of the two of us. We look a little exhausted. It was the PERFECT naptime.

 This is Marcus' hand reaching for the sky. I thought it looked divine! Plus you can see he is married.

 These are some of the fireworks.

I feel like I have been taking tests nonstop for three weeks. Luckily there is only two more weeks left of school! Marcus has only been in there every other week. 

School is exhausting....and we are no where near done. Especially Marcus because he wants to go to grad school, and I want him to. It will open his horizons to more and better jobs. (He is a mechanical Engineering Major.) I, on the other hand, just want to settle down and be a mommy! 

Only time will tell.

Last Week's adventure

Much has happened since my last entry.

November 5, 2010
This day will be a day of celebration for years to come because it is the day I received my endowment. I loved to receive that special gift, but I still do not know what everything meant. I know that it was all good though...it was--what I expected and not what I expected at the same time. It makes sense after studying the priesthood. I can't wait to go back so I can learn more because I feel as though I am still a lost little sheep; I don't know what so many of the symbols and such mean. This is where I will take my studies. I will read The Pearl of Great Price, and study study study what's inside. I don't know what I will learn, but I will certainly learn, and I know the Spirit of the Lord will be with me because He wants me to seek after anything that is virtuous, lovely, or of good report; all of which that book, the temple, and the priesthood are.

My favorite part going through the temple was the washing and anointing--the initiatory. I loved the blessings and promises that were made to me as an heiress and a priestess. I want to go back as soon as I can to the temple so that I can hear those wonderful words and have them restored to my memory. I learned many new things in that short time of the initiatory, and I am grateful I was worthy to learn them. May I always be worthy, and may my children be worthy as well because many great things have been promised...and still all that we are asked to do is remain faithful and to choose the right.

My second favorite part of that day was when I walked into the Celestial room. My parents, grandparents, two of my aunts, and an uncle were there to greet me. I imagine that that is exactly how it will be when I return to the heavens, and furthermore, when I have proved myself worthy to enter and remain in Heavenly Father's presence after the Judgment. Marcus will be with me then; not like when I walked into the Celestial room. Marcus was in Rexburg, and I was in Los Angeles. But thank goodness for the restored sealing power because I can now be with Marcus forever when we prove ourselves worthy, which we will do.

November 6, 2010
Racheal and Jacob were married this day. I am so happy that I was able to be in the sealing room for the ceremony. I think it was a wise choice to receive my own endowments earlier. I paid close attention to what happened during the sealing because I will soon be married to Marcus Edwards Thackeray--the man of my dreams. It will be the very BEST day of my life. Anyways, their ceremony was good. I am proud of Racheal, and I hope she understands what covenants she has made. I know she is faithful and she will do what is right and if she does not know, she will ask for help.

I was really grateful Alden was able to be at the ceremony too. It was both of our opportunity to be a part of the sealing, even just as witnesses.

It was really great to be able to see all my friends again; Meeshell, Sabrina, Sari, Caroline, Stephanie, Alden, Lee, and a few others. I was attacked, when I came out of the temple, by a mob of smiles and hugs. It was such an exciting feeling! I can't wait for that feeling when we all return to our Father. Everyone looked the same, talked the same, walked the same, but it was different without Marcus. He wasn't able to come down which was a great disappointment to me, but it wasn't possible for him. And now I only have to wait TEN days to see him! Hallelujah! He will be here for SEVEN days! ONE WEEK! I love him so so much, and I can't wait to see him so I can talk to him face to face, and one on one, and hold his hand, stroke his hair, kiss his cheeks and lips, hug him, squeeze him, watch movies with him--EVERYTHING with him. -sigh-

November 10, 2010
Marcus.
Edwards.
Thackeray.
I miss you.

Love,
Christiana