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Friday, April 15, 2011

5 things.. already?

How is it Friday already?
Lately time has been passing me by... The days seem like weeks, but the weeks seem like days.
I've literally been trying to write this post for 4 hours now trying to think of 5 things that made me happy this week... ummmm sad? yes.

Here are the things I've come up with.

co-ed... softball
YAY! co-ed softball started this week. Our team is fun and we are actually really good!
So excited for the season

Offer made
We made an offer on a house this week. Its a short sale so it could take some time, but we are hoping it goes through. We love it!

Application sent in
I have officially applied to two jobs for the summer! keep your fingers crossed for me

Happiness
I finished M. Russell Ballard's book "Our Search for Happiness". Absolutely an awesome book. READ it.

BLOGGING
Erica and I started our own friend blog... were funny!

Friday, April 8, 2011

5 things!

Its Friday again... Where does the time go?
I feel like it was just yesterday that I was doing this....
This week was rather uneventful and to be honest, it was actually kind of hard coming up with 5 things.
But that is the reason I do this, even if no one else reads it, it helps me remember that I am very blessed and that good things happen to me everyday. Even if sometimes I have to really try hard to think of them.
Welp, here they are...

Delicious Skirt
I bought this skirt this week, at first I was having buyer's remorse cause it was kind of expensive, but now I am so happy I got it. It's one of those pieces that you can totally dress up or dress down. And its going to be perfect for spring and summer
Thank you Downeast


 
















Sperry Wannabe's
So, for a long time I've been wanting a pair of "boat" shoes, but was not willing to spend and arm and a leg to get a pair. So this week, although I didnt actually buy these I finally found an inexpensive pair that are so cute. Where are they available, you ask? Oh only where I work...the JCP
love them!





















Jazz Baby
This week, we went to the BYU's Jazz band Synthesis... its sad but I have to admit, this was the first Jazz concert I have ever been to, and it was GREAT!


SOBE it.
Instead of my usual Dr. Pepper, I decided to try someting new, cranberry grapefruit sobe, and let me tell you. It might be my new favorite drink
                                                                                                                                                        
my new fav.


This Girl.
Erica is my friend. She makes me laugh. I love her.
And we worked together 3 out of 5 days this week. It was joyous!
(she made me put her as one of my 5 things). haha!!





Sunday, April 3, 2011

How about 6 things Sunday?...

I know, I know.. I already missed last weeks 5 things Friday, and its alreay Sunday.. So how bout 6 things Sunday?. better late than never, right? Dont judge.

Caleb's visit. Will's return.
This past week Chris' hometown friends made the long journey across the United States to pay us a nice visit. It was a blast having them here and it was a good time.

Chris, Will, and Caleb
VEGAS
Oh sin city... what else can I say? We enjoyed some good weather, some good buffets, and some good vacation. Minus getting chris's camera stolen, I would say the trip was a sucess.
Erica and me
kisses

the group watching the water show
coke bear

Mongolian BBQ
One the way home from our vegas trip.. we decided to stop at the outlet mall in St. George, where we decided to eat our life away at Mongolian BBQ. MMMM delicious!!!

over stuffed?
Caleb enjoying
A surgery well went
This is my wonderful, strong, amazing, little sister Chelsy, who I love so very much.  This week my precious little sister had a pace maker put in.  The surgery went well, and my sister is recovering. She is so amazing inside and out and she is such a strong person and sets such a wonderful example for our entire family. She faces all of her trials with a smile on her face and such positive attitude.
shes wonderful
sissys

hiking
shes beautiful

A week of almost no work
Oh yes... anytime I dont have to work is a great time!! I am patiently awaiting the day when I can be a stay at home mom. But untill that time, I will do what I must.

General Conference weekend
Hearing from our Prophet President Thomas S. Monson and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, as well as other General Authorities was amazing and I'm feeling very much spiritually enriched.

Saturday, March 19, 2011

oh, its so nice to see you!

2 things... My older sister Brittanie, her husband Branden, and their precious puppy Macey finally came up to visit, and my little sister Chelsy is home from her mission!!
OH, IT"S SO NICE TO SEE YOU!
ps. I started this at the very beggining of March. Go me!
 Macey helping me with the dishes
 Branden and Chris playing video games... usual.

Me and Brittles




waiting patiently for chels to get here!!
 


me and moms
 


we surprised chelsy... she didnt know we were coming out!
 


the ride home from the airport


the fam at the airport

all the sibs
 

Friday, March 18, 2011

5 things Friday!

Okay, so I'll be the first, and I'm sure Chris would be the second,  to admit that I'm not always a joy to be around... I know I can be moody, angry, and very emotional at times.  So when I saw this "five things Friday" post on my sister-in-law's blog, I knew it was specifically meant for me, and I had to steal the idea.  Here's there gist, every Friday I will post "5 things Friday" highlighting 5 things from the week that made me happy. In doing this, I think that I will be reminded that I need to be more positive, happy, and thankful for the good things in my life. So here's to you 5 things, here's to you!


Wedding Dress shopping with Rika 
I was so happy when she asked me to go with her.
It honestly made me want to get married again... obviously to the same man.
And she found this amazing dress, that is absolutely perfect for her. (alterations will be done haha)
   


Seeing my cousin Holly!
It had been almost 2 years since seeing her. Wayyyy too long! and it was a blast catching up. LOVE her

This pic is obviously not from lunch, but from about 2 years ago, when I last saw her.


Dance Central. Enough Said!
Dance Central
I have been wanting this game for quite sometime, but have had a hard time convincing Chris that he wanted it too.
thank you Dan for doing it for me.
*side note* Should I be offended that I couldn't talk Chris into it, but his friend could?
oh well I got what I wanted!


Tax return and Thursday off with Christopher.
Its been awhile since Chris and I have been able to spend an entire day together without working. It was fun just to hang out with him and enjoy each others company.
We also finally got our taxes taken care of, and I'm happy to say that we are getting quite a bit back.
so excited!!


JCW's 
Jcws
Chris and I decided to try out this place. 
It was actually pretty good.
Pleasantly surprised!





Friday, February 4, 2011

as of late...

Its been awhile since I've gotten on here and posted... and honestly I have no excuse, its not really a lack of time, more a lack of substance. To be completely honest nothing really exciting has been happening in our lives these past couple of weeks.  Chris has been busy with work, basketball, and video games. (aka the usual.) As for me, I've been up to this andi that, mostly work and crafting.
After 7 months of living in our apartment, I've finally gotten around to making a few decorations to make our house more like our home.  Here are my creations as of late...
 
 I have cube shelves in my kitchen and they havent had anything on them for the last 7 months...
 now this mini burlap wreath and heart grace its presence.
 This did not turn out like I wanted at all... I tried to use crackle paint, I dont think I did it right.
I may try again.
 I cant decide whether or not I should leave this the way it is... or add some cuteness to it.
 So I didnt make this, but my sister in law did... shes awesome!
I LOVE this!!!
 Im thinking this might be a little tacky... still deciding what if i should keep it there
 Who doesnt want bath blocks in their bathroom??..

Overall Im pretty pleased with my creations... its been a nice way to keep me busy and give me something to do while chris plays his video games. haha I sure do love him.

My sister and hubby possibly may be coming up tonight, which means hopefully more creations to come.
Let's keep our fingers crossed :)

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

a NEW day

This weekend = FAIL!


"Let Down" #1 : This is my sister Brittanie and her husband Branden.



As cute as these two little love birds are, they sure now how to break a girl's heart, particularly mine.  The plan: Brittanie and Branden arrive Friday night,  Saturday and Sunday - days full of good times and good memory making. What really happened: Branden gets the flu, they don't come... FAIL!


"Let Down" #2 : J-E-T-S! JETS! JETS! JETS!

Jets lose to the Steelers (booooo!!!!) in the AFC East Championship 24 - 19.
I still love you Mark Sanchez.... FAIL!


"Let Down" #3 : "Testimonies of Christ through music" fireside
Once I heard the stake was putting on this fireside, I was so pumped and excited to attend.  Turns out the Jets game was on at the same time. We didnt CTR... FAIL!


"Let Down" #4 : NERTS LOSER!
Every Sunday night Chris, myself, and our good friends the Peedletons aka the Pendletons and the Breadys get together for game night.  The name of the game - NERTS.  This particular evening I did not bring my A game. I ended up dead last... FAIL! 


Although this weekend did not turn out quite like I expected... And these are relatively small and insignificant disappointments..  I will not let this ruin my week to come. Today is a NEW day, a NEW week, a NEW opportunity! Isn't it great how life is like that? One moment your basking in failure and disappointment, to the next moment where you are starting completely over. Life is what you make of it, I've learned that the hard way.  
So to all of you, who have experienced disappointment (everyone), keep your head up! It gets better. And remember it could always be worse.

Friday, January 14, 2011

so long, farewell 2010

Where did you go 2010? I know everyone says it, but as I'm getting older, I find it to be very true.... The older you get, the faster the years seem to go. And I sure felt it this year. The days felt like weeks, and the weeks felt like days.  2010 was full of first's, some last's, and some of the happiest moments of my life!


highlights and recap of 2010
*first's*
adventures in a hot air balloon
This year I had the most amazing surprise from chris! I have always wanted to
ride in a hot air balloon.  It was for sure on of the most exciting "first's" that I experienced this year.
Its also involved with one of the happiest moments :)
It was huge
So pumped!
The valley
going through the temple

My big sister Brittanie and i after my first session at the temple
traveling out of the country
This year I  was able to travel out of the country for the first time. It was so exciting and wonderful to finally get that stamp in my passport


Fun times on the beach

It was an awesome resort
:)

pet a dolphin
Okay, so to pet a dolphin isn't exactly on my bucket list. But swimming with one is for sure. But this was actually way cool and one step closer to checking that item off my list.

running a half marathon
Running this half marathon was one of the biggest accomplishments of my life thus far. My good friend
Cossette talked me into running this and I'm so glad she did
although my face doesnt show it... I was struggling beyond messure right here. haha

success

car accident

Thankfully I dont have a picture of my car, but this year I was in my very first, and hopefully last, car accident.  It was really scary and im just thankful that even though my car was totalled, neither I, nor the other driver were injured...

*last's*
sleeping alone

short shorts and tank-tops
Dont get me wrong... I never really dressed skankalicious or anything... but on a hot summer day i loved throwing on the tank and shorts! those days are gone. and im okay with that :)

being a hamilton
This is my amazing family... the Hamilton's.
Although i spent 23 wonderful years being a Hamilton, im excited to call myself a mantell.

*happiest moments of my life*
engaged
I have the best engagement story... its too long to type it all up..
basically I have the most amazing husband in the entire world!
thats all you need to know :)
with the ring

chris on one knee


married
I married my best friend on June 18, 2010
Best day ever!


honeymoon
We went to the Dominican Republic for our honeymoon and it was absolutely amazing!!!

the cute honeymoon shirts we got from the resort


we went to ocean world while we were there, it was basically a small version of sea world.  but you were so close to the animals it was amazing!


I don't know why I'm standing like a goober!


the beach we were on

Well it's that time of year again. The time where you reflect on the past year and think of ways to possibly make the coming year a little better... aka resolutions... As awesome as my 2010 was, I know that there are plenty of areas in my life that I can improve on!!
In previous years, I have taken days, even weeks, making this ginormous list of resolutions and things I would like achieve this year.  Ultimately setting myself up for failure every year.  So my resolution solution for this year was to set only reasonable and achievable goals, and cut down the number of goals I make.  These are the five that I have to decided to really set my sites on.
  • get fit and fab
every year I make this goal, with various degrees of success.  This year I'm determined to get to the weight I want, and also maintain that weight.  Also, I really want to reinvent my wardrobe completely!
  • chef much?
okay, so I don't cook.... hardly ever... one of my goals this year is to develop this talent. My goal is to be able cook dinner 5 nights a week.
  • books books books
read more! I want to finish at least one new book a month.
  • be a better better half
this is my husband

the handsome devil!
he is my world! i love him more than words can say. but sometimes, more often than i should, i find myself to be in some sort of funk. Which usually means i take it out him. This year my goal is to be me again. find away to be happy, no matter what life may throw at me. in turn i think ill be able to better love my husband and be a better wife
  • 100% for 365
this past year our stake presidency implemented a program called 100% for 100 days... my goal is to take this principal and imply it all year long! this is what it entails: 
Daily:
Individual and family prayer
Individual and family scripture study
Acts of love and compassion to spouse
Weekly:
Date with spouse
Family home evening
Sabbath observance at ward of record
Magnify your calling
Monthly:
Fast and pay tithes and offerings
Temple attendance
Home and visiting teaching



i am so thankful for all that 2010 has brought! All the experiences and blessings i received, and all the trials i endured.  i am so looking forward to 2011 and everything it brings my way.
bring it on 2011