We Have a Date!

So March 28th is the date Shon and I have set to go through the Manti Temple. We are working on invitations now...so if I don't have your address, send it my way...they are bound to be the cutest ever!

Draper Temple

Shon and I had the opportunity to go to the Draper Temple last night. It was so beautiful and peaceful. Shon and I were so excited to see it inside!

Salt Lake Temple

Shon and I had to make a trip to Salt Lake for some business. We both noticed when we were done, the Temple was only about 5 minutes from where we were at. So, we decided to stroll through Temple Square.

What a peaceful place! We both had a terrible day (so far), and all it took was a little walk around Temple Square to feel the spirit and talk about our plans to FINALLY go to the Temple.

I am so grateful for Temple Square and just Temples in general. I am grateful we can go there to get peace of mind and answers to things that might be bothering us at the time.

Holy Cow!

What an up and down week this has been! Seriously! At one point we seriously thought Shon was out of a job, then the next minute we are being told they are trying to promote him! Phew!

We all know, and it isn't a secret that out economy is less....well, it sucks. So we weren't totally surprised when Shon had a huge meeting at work, and pretty much everyone had to be there for this mandatory TWO hour meeting about the company. Well I have been around the block a few times with large companies and this was NOT a good sign!

We heard all sorts a rumors. The worst of course was layoffs.

Well all they really are doing or not doing per say is:
No longer contributing to 401K (temporarily)
Bonuses will suck--big deal!
And all the big wigs get a pay cut--I am sure you all know, but of course Shon isn't a "big wig".

So yea! And a huge deep breathe!

A Year's Worth of Reflection...

2008 is soon coming to a close and I can't help but think of all the wonderful and challenging things we have done this year.
Shon and I are happier than ever. We have achieved so much, but yet we have so much more to look for.

Shon:
*was given his Priesthood in August which has been a true blessing in our home and within our family. It has been an amazing year for Shon with his accomplishments in the Church and I couldn't be more proud of him.

*is ONE year closer to being the big 3-0!

*finally got himself a bif ol' diesel truck like he has been wanting.

*Has his first calling in YEARS (yes, years!) in the Primary.

Cristina:

*Was baptized into the Church in February, one day after our 5 year wedding anniversary.

*is also in the Primary with Shon-my first calling.

*FINALLY visited family in Arkansas in August!

I know it may not seem like much, but we really have been busy this year with work and church. Shon and I also both started new jobs this year. We are both happy with our jobs and love the people we work with.

We are excited for the New Year to come. We have so much to look forward to. We are preparing to go to the Temple in a couple of months and Ashton will be able to be baptized in April (by Shon). We are also preparing to do some Temple work and prepare some family names to be done also.

We are also grateful for the wonderful friends we have met this year. We couldn't have asked for better friends. We have come in contact with some old friends from high school and beyond as well as some new friends from work.

Our family has truly been blessed this year and we are so excited to the future to come. Sure Shon and I have had our challenges this year, but it has only made our testimony stronger and our marriage even more stronger.

We love our family and friends! Life is great!

Mary Did You Know?

I have a new found respect for the song "Mary Did You Know"? I mean have you ever really listened to the lyrics? I love it! Here they are. Next time you hear the song...preferably by Donny Osmond (I am sure you can't guess why :-) ) really listen to it...it's a good one!

Mary, did you know
That your baby boy will one day walk on water?
Did you know
That your baby boy will save our sons and daughters?
Did you know
That your baby boy has come to make you new?
This child that you've delivered
Will soon deliver youMary, did you know
That your baby boy will give sight to a blind man?
Did you know
That your baby boy will calm a storm with His hand?
Did you know
That your baby boy has walked where angels trod?
And when you kiss your little boy
You've kissed the face of God
Mary, did you know?
The blind will see
The deaf will hear
And the dead will live again
The lame will leap
The dumb will speak
The praises of the Lamb
Mary, did you know
That your baby boy is Lord of all creation?
Did you know
That your baby boy will one day rules the nations?
Did you know
That your baby boy is heaven's perfect Lamb?
This sleeping child you're holding
Is the Great I Am

I love your Blog Award....

Thank you Jen for the I love your Blog Award...now we HAVE to do this survey.
I really do love your Blog Jen, so thanks for loving ours!

I have been awarded the "I Love Your Blog" Award. With the award comes a tag, so I have to answer each question with one word only.
1. Where is your phone? in my purse next to me
2. Where is your significant other? Working
3. Your hair color? red
4. Your Mother? Celeste
5. Your Father? Roger
6. Your favorite thing? cleanliness
7. Your dream last night? non-existent
8. Your dream/goal? money!
9. The room you're in? Bedroom aka Office
10. Your hobby? cooking
11. Your fear? Failure
12. Where do you want to be in 6 years? settled works for me
13. Where were you last night? bishop's office
14. What you're not? creative
15. One of your wish-list items? Ireland
16. Where you grew up? Arizona
17. The last thing you ate? Carrots
18. What are you wearing? Clothes
19. Your TV? works
20. Your pet? fuzzy
21. Your computer? used
22. Your mood? Anxious
23. Missing someone? nope
24. Your car? galant
25. Something you're not wearing? belt
26. Favorite store? lane bryant
27. Your Summer? uneventful
28. Love someone? Indefinitely
29. Your favorite color? pink
30. When was the last time you laughed? Today
31. Last time you cried? couple months ago

I now award five people the "I Love Your Blog" Award:

Brad and Shay Miller
Stephanie Nielson and Fam
Shay and Billy Shumaker
Kim Clement
Sara Gray--as I remember her! :-)

Twilight...again...

Yes yes yes, I saw Twilight again Saturday night with some friends. I have to say the second time around was MUCH better. Not so much shock of what is going on and no little kids in the theatre screaming and shouting during the movie.
My SECOND time around rating: ok--up from "ehhhh"

Everything really will change, but love remains the same...

Oddly enough I felt seriously inclined to blog about this RIGHT when it came to me.

So much is changing in everyone's lives--money, work, family, just everything.
As the holidays approach, I remember Shon and I telling ourselves this was the holiday season we are going to make it a point to enjoy it this time around. We always find ourselves wrapped up in what we are going to get Ashton next, how are we going to pay for that person's gift, what are we going to get eachother, etc.
Forget the gifts, forget about money, forget about how much money you spend on someone's gift. It doesn't matter.
Instead, reflect on the more positive things...
Here is my (condensed) list:
I am thankful I have a job
...My husband has a job
...I may not be able to pay my bills on time every month, but atleast I can try
...we have cars that can get us from point a to point b
...my family has a roof over it's head
...we have food in the fridge (not much, but we do)
...I have a husband that loves me for who I am
...I have a family that cares
...everything is changing in our lives...but our love remains the same.

There are things in our lives we need to recognize that we have, because someone next door may not have it.

I hope you are all thankful this holiday season.

Love,
Cristina

Twilight....

Yes, yes, yes...Cristina being the wierdo she is went to Twilight at midnight last night!
Review: Ehhh.....