The End of my wonderful trip to Canada!!!

Saturday we went to WEST EDMONTON MALL!!!! If you aren't sure what that is, its the biggest mall in the world. There was so much to see and we didnt even get to see all of it. Cool pirate ship IN West Ed mall.
Little lemurs and sloths IN the West Ed mall.

An ice skating rink IN the West Ed mall.

But no, we didnt go ice skating. We decided to go swimming instead!
We had a lot of fun swimming IN the mall. How cool that I could swim in Alberta in JANUARY.
We ate lunch right as we got there. Guess where we ate??

HOOTERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
They're hiring mom!! :)

They even had a Disney store too!!!

I had a great time in Canada. I plan to go back there very soon. I cried most of the way back because I miss Chris so much but I am so grateful for all he did for me for the month we were together, here in Utah and in Canada. I love all of his friends and family and look forward to seeing them all again soon. I loved it up there, I had a very nice time.

The middle of my wonderful trip to Canada!!!!

Thursday was a pretty chill day. We had lunch with Chris' brother Robin at Subway. After that, we went to Chris' dad's house and talked with him and Zenora. We decided to watch the movie Heat. His dad has a nice sound system and Blue Ray player, so that was awesome. Robin left about the end of the movie. When it got over we were all really hungry so we went to Our Flames restaurant. I got steak and a baked potato, it was really good. We got back to his dad's place and watched Public Enemies. That was a lot of fun.

Friday we went to Calgary to pick up Rowan. Rowan is one of Chris' friends who he plays online games with from Victoria BC. We met up with him and his friend Will at a breakfast place and ate there. Todd drove us, which was really nice of him. Thanks Todd!! We went to Cross Iron Mills Mall in Balzac. It was really big. The first two pics are in Bass Pro Shops in that mall.

Friday night we went to Wendy's for dinner and hung out at Chris' dad's place. I can tell Chris is really tight with his dad and his friends cause we were with them all alot.

The Beginning of my wonderful journey to Canada!!

January 4, 2010 is when it all started. I was still a little nervous to fly but more excited once we got there. Mom took us to the airport. (Thanks Mom!) We got to the airport like 3 hours early, which we will NEVER do again. There were no lines, so security was a breeze. We got to go through the new X-ray machines they had. That was pretty weird but I guess they have to be cautious with who they let on the planes now. We found our gate, then decided to get some food. I had pizza and Chris has burgers from Burger King. We played around on his laptop and iPhone for a while then decided to go check in. There were a lot of people by our gate so we had to sit on the floor, sometimes I wish I was pregnant or had a disability to get a chair every once in a while; guess my time will come eventually. Then, over the announcement they say they need six people to step off our flight cause they were overbooked. "Oh great...." says Chris. Finally six people come forward and we can board. We found out later that those six would get on a plane to Vegas that night then get on a plane the next day to Calgary. Free trip to Vegas would have been fun, but I got on that plane. It took a while for us to get in the air. They had to match our bag to our name so they couldnt put our bags on the plane till we were on the plane. I had a window seat on the way to Calgary which was amazing. Also, they had to spray some de-icer stuff on the wings of the plane to get some ice off, so that was an extra 15 minutes or so. Take off was incredible. We went SO fast! I loved it! Because we were on the plane for so long before take off about halfway through the flight I got cranky. It was late and I was annoyed and wanted to get off the plane. Luckily we had like 15 more minutes before we were getting off it, so that made me extra happy. We landed! I didnt realize I was in a different country till I was off the plane and could look outside. It was dark so I couldnt see much but I knew I wasnt in Utah anymore. We went to customs and they asked me some questions then we were on our way. We saw our bags immediately and got them. Chris' dad was waiting for us for an hour and a half. I felt really bad but he said he didnt mind. We had a good talk with him, then he dropped us off at Chris' apartment. Some of Chris' friends were there playing Call of Duty. They all made me feel really comfortable. Then we went to sleep.

The next day we went to visit his mom and brother. They were both really nice. We went to DQ with them for lunch. It was really nice. We went to his dad's too and I met his dad's wife Zenora and her son Tevin. I got a tour of the house and I just loved it. The house was over 100 years old, and I love old houses. Everyone was really nice.

Wednesday we went skiing!!! We woke up at 5am and got ready and met the rest of his friends at Todd's place. Chris Akkermans let me borrow some ski pants, and my Chris got to wear the one piece suit. :) We were sure warm. Chris and I rode with his roomate Colt and his girlfriend Kayla. I got sick on the way there, car sick I guess. Finally we got there. It was a lot of fun. We started out on this little hill that you just rode a conveyor belt up it. When we got daring enough we went to the taller bunny hill, which you ride a T bar type lift thing up to the top. Your feet stay on the ground so it wasnt too advanced. Todd stayed with us for a good hour or so, teaching us how to snowplow, carve, and not hit people on the way down. Thanks Todd!! Chris and I stayed on the bunny hill for a while and everyone else went on more challenging hills. We decided to meet up with everyone else for lunch. It wasnt cheap and the burnt my grilled cheese. :( After lunch, Chris and friends went on the more advanced hill and I stayed on the bunny hills. The first time I went up on the bunny hill when I was by myself, my ski came off and I couldnt get it back on. I had to walk to the bottom of the hill to put it back on. I did the bunny hills 5 or 6 more times before deciding it was quits. I went back in the lodge and Chris found me later. We finally met up with all of his friends and left. We ate at Old Spaghetti Factory in Banff. All in all it was a very fun day, and no one got seriously hurt. Below are some pics from the trip.

My Past 2 weeks and my next 2 weeks...

Chris FINALLY came back to Utah December 10th! His plane was late. I guess there was another smaller plane on the runway so they had to loop around the airport till that moved. I had to wait 45 minutes for him. I was nervous he wasn't going to show but I'm really glad he did. That day we went to see the movie 2012. It was long, boring, and the effects weren't as good as they could have been. That night we went to the Olive Garden with Jenny and her boyfriend Chad. It was good to see Jenny again because it had been a while since she had finals. I'm really happy she came. After dinner we went and walked around the mall. The mall was closing so we left. Chris and I went to Wal Mart. We then went back to my apartment and I had a shower and we watched TV till we fell asleep.

The next morning was my BIRTHDAY!!!! WOOT WOOT!!!!! We went down to my mom's and had a lot of fun there. Mom made Taco Soup! It was really good!!!! The next day we went to my grandpa's house to celebrate his birthday with him. He turned 80!!!! My mom does a tradition with the kids that when they turn 3, she takes them to Build a Bear so they can make their own animal. Chris got a new hoodie, which looks really nice on him.

WORK WORK WORK WORK WORK WORK WORK WORK WORK WORK!!!! Yep, thats how that week went. Last Saturday we went to see the lights at Temple Square. It was really crowded but the lights were pretty.

I can't wait to go home this week for Christmas! I am so happy that Chris is here! We've been staying with Bobbie and Ryan and it has been alot of fun. I dont know how Chris feels about it while I am gone to work, he says he gets bored alot but he brought his laptop and has a game that he has been playing, so I hope he doesnt get too bored without me there.

I'll be in Canada in 2 weeks!!!!!!!! YAY!!!!!!!! I'm nervous and excited!!! But more nervous, I've never been on a plane so I am really scared but I cant wait to meet his family and friends.

Tagged!

5 Things I dont leave the house without:
1. Cell phone
2. Keys
3. Wallet
4. Jacket
5. Shoes

5 Cartoons I watched when I was younger:
1. Barney
2. Lamb Chops
3. Care Bears
4. Spongebob Squarepants
5. Teletubbies

5 Things that terrify me:
1. Being high on ladders.
2. Dying young.
3. Getting in a car accident.
4. The dark.
5. Big barking dogs.

5 things that I dislike that everyone else seems to like:
1. Popcorn
2. Oranges/Orange Juice
3. Baths.
4. Cats.
5. Making my bed.

5 Things I want to do before I die.
1. Go out of the United States (Yep, doing that January 4th)
2. Go to Disneyland.
3. Meet a celebrity.
4. Get married in the temple.
5. Make a big difference in someone's life.

5 People I tag to post this on their blogs:
1. JENNY OSTLER
2. BOBBIE MURPHY
3. JENNIE STANWORTH
4. LEAH MILLER
5. CHRIS VANDERKOOI

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Sometimes I wonder if the reason why I don't have a really good social life like I did for the last 3 years. I wonder what has changed over this last year. Like, what has been the main reason why I am not as social as I was last year, two years ago, or even 6 months ago??

Alot has changed over my last year even. Last year I was still trying to get over the fact that Brandon broke my heart so badly last summer. I was looking for love in all the wrong places. I didn't think that anyone could or ever would love me as much as Brandon did. He was a nice guy at first. They all were. Things escalated and we got too physical WAY too fast. I felt as if I had to do those physical things with guys to be accepted. I didn't think anyone could love me for my personality, what I believed in, or what I knew. This happened for a good 6 months, not just once but many times. I had more heartbreak in that short amount of time than anyone should. There was a guy who I knew cared about me and I cared about him but he couldn't commit to being in a serious relationship with me. He came over when it was good for him. I was THAT girl. I went dancing with friends one night, met a guy, we made out, and I haven't spoken to him since. I was THAT girl. I met a guy online. We shared many likes and dislikes, went to a movie, and he was my boyfriend that night. He met my best friend and she could tell he was just using me. I was THAT girl. I was always THAT girl, you know the ones who don't do things for them or what THEY want to do but what their guy wants to do.

I see so many girls in our day who are THOSE girls and they are unhappy with where their life is going; just like I was. I didn't see the light at the end of the tunnel and wondered if I could ever be loved again. I mean, truly cared about. Not just he loves me for my butt or tummy or eyes or the way I kiss. But loves me because I am a daughter of God who wants to be married in the temple the right way with the right guy. Because he wants me for who I am on the outside and on the inside. He sees the beauty in my smile and what I want to do with my life. So many girls are being used to be accepted by guys and they think there is no way out. Well, I'm sorry there is a way out.

My way out came in the first part of June. :) I had no idea that it would be like this but I am so in love, more than I have ever been in my entire life. I think it may have all started with losing my job at Babies R Us.

For days and weeks, I sat in my room alone wondering if things were ever going to change. No job, no boyfriend, no money... I thought all was lost. I wrote a blog post in May telling everyone who cared about me that I didn't need them controlling me anymore. I did that for acceptance from ONE guy. One guy who I thought loved me for real. I knew that when i lost my job that things were going to be different and they definately were, with everyone. I never went home because I wasn't going to let my parents control what I was doing. I blew off Jenny numerous times because I knew she would tell me to stop hanging out with this guy. So I would go to him, looking for something but getting nothing. He had been divorced for 2 months so he didn't want to commit to me, he just wanted me there for the action. I was THAT girl. That was the girl who I have grown to hate. I basically told my family and friends to go to hell, and that I didn't care what they had to say, because I was "happy" with my life. Does that sound happy to you? Driving an hour to be played with? With nothing in return? Well, I wasn't. I know that now.

More than ever I wish I could take back some of the things I did and said, but I don't want to take back that experience. I wouldn't have known what a blessing my family and Jenny is. I wouldn't be writing this blog post now telling you that I know now that I AM the happiest I have ever been in my life. I have a man who loves me for who I am on the outside and the inside. I have a man who supports me and is proud of the woman I have become and am becoming. I have a man, even though he is miles and miles away, I know he loves me so much and he tells me alot. I will never go back to being THAT girl. I am now THIS girl and I'm lovin' it! :)

My Past Week.

So this last week at work we got to dress up so I dressed up every day I worked.

Monday-Jack O Lantern
Tuesday- Cowgirl w/ Freckles.

I had Wednesday off and went to Institute that night. We had a great lesson about Effective Communication.
Thursday- Twister

Friday- Baby! :D

Saturday I went Trick O Treating with Jennie and her kids. We went to a few of Jennie friends and family members that lived in Delta then we went up to mom's and trick o treated there. Kolby and Kord were there too. We had a lot of fun going to different houses and saying "Trick O Treat". One of JD's uncles gave out Capri Sun's! The kids sure loved that!

I booked my plane ticket last night so its all official and stuff!!!! I just need the day to come now!!!! HURRY UP JANUARY 4th 2010!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Fun Ruiner....

If you follow Chris and I's blog (eeandcv.blogspot.com) then you would already know the news, I got my passport last night!!!!!! I'm so excited!!!! I wish work wasn't in my way cause I would be *IN* Canada right now with my amazing boyfriend!!!!! But I am going on January 4th-January 11th, for sure!!!! I'm pretty excited cause we will be going to the Edmonton Mall and I will get to meet alot of his close friends and his family as well. His dad is really excited to meet me and I am really excited to meet them all as well. Its going to be a really different thing for me because I've never been out of the country first off, and I've never been on an airplane. So I'm freaking out about that but Chris assures me that I will be fine and that I shouldn't be nervous or scared.

I really do love Chris and all that he's done for me. He really is such an example and always knows how to make my day and make me smile. I love him more than anything in this world. He has shown me how to be loyal, kind, and honest to people around me. I've become less tempered having him around. Things have definately changed since I have met him and I know that me meeting him is all for my benefit and the best for me. He is one of my best friends and I tell him everything. He knows me better than I know myself. I am grateful and I thank God all the time for sending him here to be with me, and to stay with me. :) It gives me chills but I know that its true, and I know that the Lord will continue to bless us in all that we do if it is according to his will.

Halloween Week!!!

So next Saturday is Halloween, for the whole week at work we can dress up!!! Pretty cool, right? However I only have one costume (I left all the ones I WAS going to use at mom's), so I'm pretty stretched for time AND money but want to have a different costume the entire week. If anyone has any ideas, could they please let me know ASAP!!! I have to be able to work in it, no masks, and kid appropriate. We cant just wear jeans and call it a costume either, it has to be a legit costume. I work 4 days next week so if you could give me some ideas, that would be awesome. I cant just go to the store and buy 3 other costumes, I could buy something cheap but I dont know. THANKS EVERYONE!!!!!!

(if anyone actually reads my blog anymore....) :(