Christmas Tales and goals for the New Year

Well Christmas has come and gone and Chase and I had a wonderful year again with our families and each other. The Sunday before Christmas Chase and I went out to Clarkston to go to church and listen to the annual Christmas Cantada. It was so beautiful and spiritual. I always love going home to my home ward that I grew up in and seeing all of the people I know and talking with all of them.

Other highlights were on Christmas Eve, Chase and I went to his parents home and celebrated with them. We had a very yummy large dinner with ham and salads and Texas Roadhouse rolls (Thanks Lei). We made gingerbread houses and decorated them. Trev and Lei really wanted to do that just because they like to laugh at Chase and I trying to work together and arguing all the way while doing it. We each try to direct the other and think our own plan is the best. Trev and Lei made one together and then Zach and Bev, and Chase and I. I'm pretty sure that Trev and Lei's was the best one.
Next, we played The Beatles Rock Band. I loved it! I absolutely love the Beatles so I knew all of the songs and it was the funnest game ever.
We also opened presents from each other and we got spoiled. Chase's parents suprised us with a flat screen 32" TV. It was awesome. We had no idea. Now I will never get Chase away from the TV.

Chase and I also opened each other's presents while there. We got some fun things. I think I was more happy with what I got Chase than he was really. I suprised him with a Car CD player because the Galant he drives around doesn't have a CD player only a Tape player that doesn't play tapes just the radio. Oh well. I tried. I got some things for the house and that was nice.



On Christmas Day we slept in late and I got up and fixed pancakes and eggs (no bacon because it would make my hair stink, although I had some in the fridge) and gave Chase some nice breakfast. Then we got ready to go eat at My Grandparents house. We had ham and funeral potatoes and stuffed mushrooms and salads and homeade rolls and my grandmas best ever punch. Most of the cousins were there along with all of my brothers and sisters except Dan because he had to fly :( But Holly and the girls were there. We did get to see Dan on the 23rd though and sing some Christmas songs around the piano. We had a nice visit with everyone and opened gifts again from Grandma and Grandpa Clark. Darren and Ericka and the boys came down and it was so nice to see them because it had been a long time since we had seen them.

Later that afternoon we went to my parents house and visited and opened more gifts and was just able to be with one another. It is never boring at Mom and Dad's with all of the nieces and nephews. To see them just made my day. They were all so excited because it was Christmas and had fun new things to play with or wear. Justin even got a Ipod-lucky boy. Aparently Santa thought he was really good this year. He's even doing really awesome in school right now and middle school is tough. I can't believe my oldest Nephew is 12! Wow, I am getting old. I was his age when he was born, crazy!

Let's see. All in all it was a really nice Christmas and we are looking forward to the new year. We are hoping to have some changes in our life this year. We have some goals in mind we really want to get accomplished.

My/our goals for the New Year!:
1. Lose weight
2. Quit drinking pop. Period. I relapsed.
3. Get a 2 bedroom apartment with a yard for Tinkerbell.
4. Become more financially sound.

Our biggest and most personal goal this year together is:



I haven't posted about my new job because I didn't want to jinx it. But I do have a job-finally. I am working at TJ Maxx and I absolutely love it. It is so much fun and I love the people I work with. I am working part time right now but hope that they will eventually have me work more hours. I pretty much have done everything there. I cashier, put merchandise out, and work in the fitting rooms. I feel like I am learning quickly and the job is not too stressful for me.

Chase is still at CarQuest -3 years this past October. He still enjoys it. I have been encouraging him to maybe go to mechanic school and get ASE certified so that he can possibly do that as a career. But he still has his dream of becoming a Herpetologist. I guess we will see where the road leads us.

I've been wanting to go back to school and finish my degree lately. I hope that I can work that out soon so I can just get done and have my degree.

Have a Happy New Year. We are so thankful for our family and friends in our lives.

This is funny!

Shooting at Ft. Hood in Texas

I've just been watching Fox News and I heard that there was a shooting and 12 are dead and 31 wounded at Fort Hood. The media don't know who the shooter is (the military does but haven't released the name officially) but that he was a soldier about to be deployed and that he was upset about going. There are two other possible shooters in custody. I feel so bad for the families of those that have died or were wounded. I just wanted to post and say how I am praying for those families and I hope that you will do the same. In this world of violence and madness, it just saddens me every time something like this happens. God Bless America!

My (Not so happy) 23rd Birthday

Well Yesterday was my 23rd birthday and it started out okay until I got the mail and there was something from Chase's Employer in a big fat envelope. Chase and I opened it on his lunch break and guess what good news was in there? Oh yeah Chase has been audited and his avg. amount of hours worked is like 32.17 hours over the past 18 weeks (so not his fault, his bosses) and he has to have a avg. of 35 hours to be considered full-time. Ok so they continue to go on that our INSURANCE has been DROPPED because of this as of 9/1/09 and mind you it is 9/15/09 when we got this. Knowing me I freaked out and started bawling after Chase left (got hold it in from him because I am so strong...not) and called my mom. I don't know what we're going to do. I did eventually calm down after a while. Anyone have some legal advice? I wonder if this is legal? They didn't even warn us that he would be dropped. Piece of crap employer. Did I mention, hello...looking for new and better job!



So that night Chase's family had a party for me and it was nice. We celebrated with my side of the family last Sunday. I had funfetti cake which was yummy with a cream cheese frosting which Chase's mom made. Alas there was no pictures taken but that's okay because I always forget the camera. I got money and some gift cards to Borders and American Eagle and a cute tote bag and today I went out and got me the purse I've been wanting for like a year (totally worth the money) and at Borders I got The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown (can't wait to read) and a CD- Taylor Swift (am I too old to love her and her music?).


Isn't news like your insurance being dropped great on your birthday? I thought so. Needless to say Chase goes down to his monthly doc appt. tomorrow ($140) and we have no insurance, and we have to buy his perscriptions at retail price. Chase has been looking into which meds are the cheapest retail, but its still going to be over $200 or so. Did I say that I hate my life? Well sorry I had to rant and rave, but how else can I vent?

Open Season

Well we got up at 5:30 yesterday morning and got ready to head out ot Newton for opening day of Dove Season. Why do you have to always get up so darn early to hunt? Well I was pretty excited Monday night and couldn't sleep because it was my first time officially hunting with my own gun and not just hiking along. Well I didn't actually have my own gun, I used Chase's 12 gauge and he used his grandpas.
We went with Trevor (Chase's brother) and his friend Jordan Walquist. Leilani (my sis in law) also came but didn't actually hunt. We ended up having a lot of fun. And the biggest suprise of all was that I actually shot one! It was so exciting and fun to be out there walking around and looking to shoot dove. Chase got five and Trevor got seven.
Today I am so sore and I also fell in a hole and twisted my ankle bad and it is so swollen and I can hardly walk on it. I am such a klutz. My mom thinks I should get it x-rayed but I don't know if it is broke or just sprained. Now I haven't been able to go out today or tonight to hunt. Chase went back out again tonight and got five more. So it seems like we'll be eating dove sometime soon. I also cleaned the dove that I shot. The weird thing is that if you would have said I'd be hunting five years ago, I would have laughed. I am also planning on going spike elk hunting this October with Chase. I hope one of us gets one because we need the meat for this winter coming up.
I didn't get any pictures of us because I forgot the camera and I doubt any of my boys would have posed for a pic anyways.

Jackson Hole or Bust!!!

So we just got back from our family trip to Jackson Hole and we had so much fun! We went on a hike up to Taggart Lake and it was gorgeous! We got to play in the water of the river in the Gros Ventre Campground. We went shopping to Jackson and ate at Bubba's (mmm....ribs....craving them now!). The last day Chase and I decided to go and have a picnic up at String Lake. It was pretty busy up there but was peaceful at the same time. I took my book and read and Chase went on a walk. He kept wanting to find a bear for some reason. I think he's crazy but alas, no bear this trip.

Little Red and my Man

Well today was Chase's day off and he had a project to do. My little red needed new rotors, brake pads and axles. So Chase took on this project all on his own, with my own help here and there. So we got up and went to CarQuest to get the parts of course. We got a steal of a deal (obviously we would) because Chase gets the best discount for working there. Only now, he had to do the labor. The whole time while he was cussing and sweating over the job, he said it would have been worth the $300 labor to have a professional do it. He sure kept me laughing all day. It was so interesting watching him fix up our little red. I have memories of watching my dad out in the garage fixing our cars and him fixing up his 1967 Mustang from basically nothing to beautiful. Anyways, I had my doubts about Chase's capabilities but I shouldn't have. I was nervous the whole time that little red wouldn't get put back together again. It took us (well me watching and reading) and Chase sweating and working about 7 hours today, but we did it! I am so proud of Chase and am grateful that he can work on Cars and so we don't have to pay to have someone else fix it up. I have posted a pic of a suped up little red (ours doesn't look quite so hot) but thought you might enjoy the thoughts of driving this bad boy! I know you are so jealous.

It's Twins!!!!

Well tonight, Chase and I went to visit my brother and sister-in-law's new baby girls up at the hospital! They both weighed 7 lbs 1 ounce. Isn't that strange? They were born early this morning. I am so happy for them and Ellie was so cute walking around to both of them and saying "baby A" or "baby B". She is a happy big sister right now. I did hear her say hello to Sophie though. So she's learning to tell them apart I think. I took my camera up there meaning to take pictures, but got caught up into holding them (I held Lily) and Chase held Sophie that I just forgot. So sorry no pictures posted. I'm sure though that Dan and Holly will post plenty of pictures on their blog. Isn't birth such a miracle? I was just in awe of these two little precious bundles. So that is the latest family news and news in our life for now. Happy Birthday Sophie and Lily! Here's a pic of the Olsen Twins since I didn't take any pics.

Some Exciting Fun Swap

Hi all! I am so excited to tell you all about a swap I am hosting on www.swap-bot.com . This is such a fun website you can enter and participate in different swaps. I just participated in an apron swap and got such a cute apron from my partner. The swap that I am hosting is a fabric swap. What you do is get 1 Yard of fabric based upon what your partner would like and send it to them in the mail. Please check out my website and join if you like, it will be so much fun!


I swap with Swap-bot!

http://www.swap-bot.com/swap/show/34582

This was a cute post from Strandz that I thought would be nice to share with all those that may read my blog. I totally agree with the words of President Ukdorf.

Happy Anniversary Chase!!!!

Today is Chase and I's 2 year anniversary. Two years ago I married my best friend. Two years ago I got to be a princess for the day, it was such a perfect day. Two years ago, I got to become a Volkman and I am loving every minute of it. Happy Anniversary Honey, I love you so much!

Poetry

I have had a hard past few weeks as some of you may know. But I have been on a journey of self-discovery. I have taken up things that I used to do and love. I am hesitant that I should post this poem I have written but I feel that I want people to know my thoughts right now. I have been writing in my journal my thoughts and my feelings. I feel that this is a good outlet for me.

Journey

Everything I do is for me
but is also for those around me
Every step backward I take
helps me to learn to take two steps forward
next time.

I am strong
I am brave
I am unique
I am beautifully clumsy me.

I may not have it all together
but I learn from my mistakes
Don't look back, look forward.
I have hope for the future.
The past is in the past.

I am blessed to be here on Earth
taking my journey beside my loved ones
hand-in-hand with my sweeetheart
I stumble....you pick me up.
Reaching for me to look up
into your pale blue eyes.
Your touch and gentle smile assures
me it is okay. Take my hand
and travel this path with me.

Our Wedding Pictures

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Valentine's Gift

So on March 10 it will have been 2 years for Chaswe and myself. I already received my valentines present, our wedding pictures on a cd. I decided to post some of my favorites. My soon to be sister-in-law helped me call my photographer and get them finally. That is one thing that I really like about her. She is a go getter. She isn't afraid to call people (unlike myself) and get things done.

On Monday night we called Trevor and Leilani to go to the movies with us. I picked the movie. I really wanted to see Push and we went. I totally loved the movie! It stars Chris Evans, Dakota Fanning, and Samuel L. Jackson plays the bad guy. Chris was super cute in this movie as well. Talk about some cute guy candy there!



" A shadowy government agency known as the Division is rounding up psychics for experiments designed to boost their powers and assemble the most commanding army the world has ever seen. Unfortunately, almost no one has ever survived these trials. Nick Gant (Chris Evans), a second-generation telekinetic, or "mover," has been in hiding since the Division murdered his father more than a decade earlier. He has found sanctuary in densely populated Hong Kong.

Nick is forced out of hiding when Cassie Holmes (Dakota Fanning), a 13-year-old clairvoyant, or "watcher," seeks his help in locating a briefcase that she claims holds $6 million. To find it, they will also have to find Kira, (Camilla Belle), an escaped "pusher" who is the only person ever to live through the Division's experiments. Pushers possess the most dangerous of all psychic powers: the ability to influence others' actions by implanting thoughts in their minds. But Cassie's presence soon attracts the attention of the Division's human bloodhounds, forcing Nick and Cassie to flee for their lives.

With the help of a team of expatriates with an array of special abilities, the unlikely duo winds a path through the city's most secret corners, trying to stay one step ahead of the authorities in their search for Kira. With Cassie's visions guiding them, the pair moves closer to their goal, but finds themselves competing with a family of deadly psychics for the suitcase. Even more dangerous is Division Agent Henry Carver (Djimon Hounsou), a powerful pusher who needs both the contents of the case and Kira in order to create an unstoppable paranormal militia. Outgunned and outnumbered, Nick, Cassie, Kira and their allies must figure out a way to outsmart Carver if they are to prevent him from carrying out his sinister plan."
http://www.tribute.ca/movies/Push/18015

Overall, I would probably give the movie an B+. This movie was also really clean. I believe it was rated PG-13 because it was a little intense and a little bit scary. There was no language and no sex scenes. I think it was similar to X-Men in a way with the people having special abilities.

I love my sweetie

Here is a pic of Chase and I at my parents house on Chase's 24th birthday! I love Chase so much. Happy birthday honey! I am truly blessed to have Chase in my life. He brings me so much joy. I couldn't ask for a better man in my life. He and I just love to spend every minute we can together. He makes me laugh at myself and shows me how to not always be so serious and to just have fun.

My Love