New Blog!

Check out my new blog!! I created a blog for Martin and I! That's where I'll be blogging from now on. http://martin-clarissa.blogspot.com/

FINALLY!!

Our plans have finally worked out and we have a place to call home after we get married!!! This has been weeks and weeks in coming and I have begun to be majorly stressed out because we are getting married in 10 days and still had no place to live! Today we were headed up to Logan to look at a couple of places and Martin suggested I call the place we really want to be and ask one more time if we could move in before the middle of June. So I did, and GUESS WHAT!!! They had a townhouse that is available NOW that they had offered to someone else and they had turned it down, so it's ours!!!! I was like jumping up and down in the car! haha So, we are moving all our stuff up to Logan on Monday and we will have a place to live when we get home from our Honeymoon! I am so excited and relieved, I just can't even believe it!! I know that I am being watched over and am so grateful for that!!

Easter

I just have to write quick about Easter. It was a little different easter for us, since we barely got home from California in time for it, but it was still great. I got to teach my Sunbeam class the easter lesson and that was a neat experience. They were all so quiet and attentive during my lesson. I could feel that they reallly wanted to hear the Easter story and learn about Jesus. I love them. I only get to spend a few more weeks with them, and I know I am going to miss them. I have truly loved that calling, but I'm sure it won't be too long before Martin and I are teaching the primary children again. After church we went up to Grandma Green's like we always do. We had our egg throwing tradition, and it was a lot of fun. We missed Kellee and Brady as they were with Brady's family, but I know that next year may be a little different for me as well. I love Easter and love the time it gives us to celebrate the life of the Savior and the new life that he brought and that spring brings! I just can't wait for the snow and rain to be gone! Bring on the sun!

!! CALIFORNIA !!

For spring break my family and I took a road trip to California and spent a week there. It was a much needed vacation for me and we had a blast! Friday we drove to Las Vegas and spent the night there. We took our van and my car because we can't all squish into the van, so it was a little nerve racking for me to drive that far, but it was fun! Then Saturday we went to the Bellagio in the morning to see the beautiful gardens they have there. Then we continued on our way to California! We stayed with my aunt and uncle and cousins that live in California Saturday night and Sunday and then we drove to Anaheim. We went to Disneyland Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday! We love Splash Mountain, Indiana Jones, Space Mountain, Buzz Lightyear's Astro Blasters (I beat Martin 1 out of the 5 times we went on it!! haha), Pirates of the Carribbean, The Tower of Terror, Soarin over California, and our new favorite ride Toy Story Carnival Games. That is a new ride kind of like the Astro Blaster, but you play carnival games like on a video game, it's really fun! (Martin won me by far every time on that one though!) It was so fun and the weather was the best part! 70's and 80's all week, it felt SO great! So nice to get away from the rain and snow! We had a blast but our legs and feet were so sore by the end of the three days. My favorite thing is the firework show at the end of the night! It is just amazing and just gives you goosebumps! I LOVE Disneyland! It truly is the happiest place on earth!!

Then Thursday we made our way down to San Diego and went to the beach! It was kind of cold weather, but we didn't care! We got our feet wet and found sea shells and just enjoyed the beauty of the ocean! Avenlea was the best at finding shells, she even found a real sand dollar that was perfect. I love the ocean!

Then Friday we went the San Diego Zoo. I've never been there and that zoo is amazing! It was so fun to see all the animals. It is so interesting to see and learn about all these different animals, some that you've never heard of before. I loved the Pandas, the giraffes, the birds, the gorillas, and the koalas were my favorite. They were so cute! Some were really friendly and walked about and some were just so cute and sat there and didn't want to look at us. haha, it was fun.

Then Saturday we made our trek home. It was a long day driving the whole way from San Diego, California to Kaysville, Utah. But we made it, but of course we couldn't leave without going to our favorite place to eat, "In N' Out!" The best hamburgers and french fries in the whole world! We had a great vacation! I needed a vacation and it was so great to be able to spend time with my family. I'm also so glad that Martin was able to come with us. We had a great time and it was so fun spending the whole week with him! The wonderful joys of my life! ~ Family, Love, Sun, Fresh Cut French Fries, Warmth, Water, Fireworks, Magic, Excitment, Fun! ~ I'm so grateful for all of my blessings, my amazing family, my loving fiance', and the wonderful life I get to live!

LDS Business College

School's out for the summer!! School's out forever!! So I finished my time at LDS Business College! I would be attending graduation on Thursday, but I'm in California with my family, so I will just be getting my degree and certificate by mail. I have finished my general Associates Degree and I am also recieving a certificate in Medical Office Assisting. I have completed all my classes, I just need to complete my internship and then I will be completely finished! I really have enjoyed my time at LDS Business College. My testimony has been strengthened so much and I have learned to much about other cultures and have been strengthened in my business experience. It has been a great means to accomplish what I wanted to accomplish accademically, but the main thing I have loved are the religion classes I've had the opportunity to take. I have learned so much about the scriptures and about the gospel. Through my marriage class I have been strengthened and I know the knowledge I've gained will better my future marriage. It feels so good to accomplish something you've worked very hard for and I'm so happy to be done! I hope to go back to school to obtain my Bachelors Degree, but we will see what the future brings!

New Music!

YAY!! I just pre-ordered the new CD's from Keith Urban and Rascal Flatts!!! I am SOO excited!! April 7th baby! haha, I'm happy!

My '8' List

'8' Favorite TV Shows
1. AMERICAN IDOL!! I can't miss it!
2. Biggest Loser - We have to switch the channel back and forth since it's on the same as American Idol. haha
3. Americas Funniest Home Videos - Sunday tradition
4. Home Improvement
5. Growing Pains - good thing I have all the seasons on DVD since it's not on TV anymore!
6. Full House - same
7. Boy Meets World - same
8. Whatever good movie is on

'8' Things I did yesterday
1. Slept In
2. Threw Up - ewww... sorry, I think I had a wierd reaction to the gross, odd tasting salad dressing I was served at Costa Vida Friday night.
3. Called-In to Work
4. Felt Better - luckily it only ruined half of my Saturday
5. Went on a bikeride with my siblings - I love bike riding and yesterday was just beautiful! Plus the Legacy Trail is the PERFECT place to ride your bike
6. Completed our Wedding Video
7. Cleaned out my closet
8. Hung out with Martin

'8' things I am looking forward to
1. May 8!!! I can't wait to get married to the love of my life!
2. California!! I NEED a vacation and I miss Disneyland!
3. School's out and Graduation! - This is my final semester! I just have to endure to the end!
4. Summer!!
5. Moving back to Logan
6. Bridal Showers - should be so much fun!
7. Engagement Pictures - we're getting them on Wednesday! I am SOOOO excited!
8. Internship - I'm excited to actually be out in the workplace!

'8' Favorite Restaurants
1. Olive Garden
2. Charlie Chows
3. Iggy's - I finally talked Martin into taking me there. I LOVE it!
4. Wingers
5. Maddox
6. Costa Vida - except for Friday night...bad experience
7. Biaggi's
8. Anywhere - Martin and I love eating out! We can never decide because we love lots of places and also love trying new things!

'8' things on my wish list
1. Lose 15 pounds
2. Get a really good job
3. Get Martin through school
4. Be a mom
5. Go to Europe
6. Learn how to water ski and snow ski - I just can't do it!
7. Have a beautiful sunny day on May 8!
8. Live in a state of "neverending happiness"

AHHHH!

Only 4 more weeks of school!! And since I only go to school on Tuesdays and Thursdays, that's only 8 more classes!!! I can't even believe how fast time is flying by. Then the wedding will be 4 more weeks after that!! I can't even wait, but there is still so much to do! Can't we just go to the temple and get married? haha, no I really am loving planning a wedding, it's just a ton of work! I've also got to start my internship for school, or else I won't be able to get my degree. That's mainly what is stressing me out. 120 hours really isn't that much, but I'm just stressed out about setting it all up and finding the time and the energy to do it. I know it will all work out, I just need to get it figured out ASAP! Everything is great, sometimes I just have to stop and breath and remind myself that everything is going to get done and that I CAN do it!

Crazy Day at Kohl's

I've been writing alot, but interesting stuff has been happening. That's what life's about right! haha Anyway, today was an interesting day. Today at Kohl's I was working at the register and I was helping this lady and all the sudden the power just totally goes out. I guess the wind was blowing way, way, way hard outside and so it knocked down a power line and the power was out all the way down Main Street in Layton. It was crazy! That's never happened before so we didn't really know what to do. Luckily there are emergency lights in the isleways so we could still see a little, but it was pretty dark. Then all the customers started freaking out that they weren't going to be able to buy their stuff, so we put everything on hold for all the customers and then we had to close the store. I thought they were going to let us go home, but we stayed and worked. They gave us all a flashlight and we stayed and worked to clean-up the store. It was pretty crazy! Anyway, that's my story for the day. Not too exciting, but interesting just the same!

I Love My Dad

What an inspiring day at school I had today. I surely do love my Doctrines of the Gospel class and the spiritual insight and inspiration it brings to me every single day! Our lesson today was particularly wonderful. It was on death. You may be wondering what could be so amazing about that, but it was wonderful. This girl in my class did the devotional and she relaid some experiences she's had in her life. Her dad died when she was in high school and some of the experiences she's had are just amazing. The spirit was so strong and our entire class sat perfectly still a whole 10 minutes after class just soaking up the spirit that was in the room. It was amazing. It made me miss MY dad. He's in Turkey right now. He's been there for a week and he'll be there for 2 1/2 more weeks. My dad truly is my hero and I miss him a lot when he's gone.

I love my dad because..

He's the most selfless person I know.

He always shares his things with us.

He does so much for our family.

He serves our country every day.

He always knows what I need to hear and just how I need to hear it.

He's always willing to listen.

He honors his priesthood.

He lets me make my own decisions.

He always tells me he loves me.

He always tells me he's proud of me.

He always supports me in everthing I do.

He is always working to improve himself.

He has such a strong testimony and knows so much about the gospel.

He loves my mom and shows it in all he does.

He's always there.

He is an example to everyone.

He is a great example of what a father should be.

Thanks dad! I love you!

Our Cultural Evening

Martin and I had a really fun time tonight! For my music and culture class that I'm taking I have to attend a bunch of concerts. One of the concerts I chose to go to was tonight and Martin was so nice to come with me :) (going to the symphony isn't exactly his idea of the perfect way to spend your Friday night - ha ha) We went to dinner at our new favorite restaurant, Charlie Chow's. It is the BEST! Mongolian Barbecue with so many choices you can't even decide! Then we went over to Abravanell Hall, but neither of us have ever been there by ourselves and we didn't know where to park. We finally found somewhere to park and then walked into the building...but...there was NO ONE inside the building. We were like, "Where are we and where are all the people!" We continued wandering around the building for like 15 minutes until we ran into a janitor and asked him where to go. He told us that we were in the Salt Palace, as he was trying not to laugh, and told us that we needed to exit that building and go to the next building. Ya, we felt pretty dumb, but we were laughing so hard it didn't even matter. So we walked over there and ended up walking into the concert 20 minutes late. But...the concert was so awesome! This guy played the piano and he was amazing! He would go the entire length of the keyboard, playing every single note, in like 3 seconds! It was unbelievable how fast his fingers could move! Anyway, it was fun and we had a great time getting all dressed up and going to a symphony in Salt Lake!

Look Through My Eyes

I can't sleep, so I decided to blog about what I'm thinking about. That's it, I'm officially addicted to blogging! :) Anyway, tonight Martin and I went with his family to watch his younger sister, Jessica, perform with the Davis High Colorguard. That was a wonderful experience in and of itself. I just love watching the guards and it brings back so many wonderful, wonderful memories for me. It truly is one of the most beautiful forms of dance and it just warms my heart. I must have danced in heaven, because it just brings joy to my soul. Anyway, their show this year is to the song "Look Through My Eyes" from Brother Bear. I absolutely love this song! I listened to this song probably every day during the summer while Martin was gone. I would play it in my car and sing at the top of my lungs while I cried through the whole thing. It meant so much to me. The message of it is just so amazing. It reminds me to look at my life through Heavenly Father's eyes and it helps me to understand and see things with the right perspective. Well, I haven't listened to that song since Martin came home, and tonight hearing it again, it just spoke to me again, but in a completely different light. I need to learn to look at myself, other people, and my life through Heavenly Father's eyes because it is amazing what he must see in all of us! He sees everything and he knows everything and he knows what is best for ME! He sees all our strengths and that is what he focuses on! How amazing is that! It is truly amazing. I just love this song!

Look Through My Eyes

There are things in life you're learning, who in time you'll see.

Cause out there somewhere, it's all waiting, if you keep believing!
Don't run, don't hide, it will be alright,

You'll see, trust me, I'll be there, watching over you!

Just take a look through my eyes,

there's a better place somewhere out there,

Just take a look through my eyes,

Everything changes, you'll be amazed what you'll find,

There's a better place if you look through my eyes.

There will be times on this journey, when all you'll see is darkness.

But out there somewhere, daylight finds you, if you keep believing!

So don't run, don't hide, it will be alright.

You'll see, trust me, I'll be there, watching over you!

All the things that you can change,

There's a meaning in everything,

And you will find all you need,

There's so much to understand!

Just take a look through my eyes,

there's a better place somewhere out there.
Just take a look through my eyes,

everything changes, you'll be amazed what you'll find,
There's a better place if you look through my eyes.

Anyway, I just love this song. I know this is kind of a repeat of my last post, but this has just hit me hard this week. I am so grateful for my life and the opportunties I have been blessed with. Thank YOU!

What a GREAT week!!

I have just had such a great week that I wanted to write about it! I can't really describe it, it's just been GREAT! The best thing that happened this week is that Martin recieved an email from a lady he taught while on his mission. She got baptized on Monday!! We were both SO excited! Martin just fell in love with their cute little family, and through reading his letters, I fell in love with them too. I hope that we can go to Texas one day so that I can meet them. Our gospel is so amazing and I am so grateful for it! I am so grateful for the knowledge I have and the blessings I have recieved because of it. I am so grateful that I have a testimony and that I know that my Heavenly Father loves me, strengthens me, and is guiding my life. He truly has guided me to where I needed to be over this past year and I will be forever grateful. He truly knows the plan of my life and I hope I can always have the faith I need to be able to let him guide me. I hope that I can have the courage to always do what is right and also the courage and the desire to share the gospel with others. I am so excited for the events that are coming up in my life and for the added spirit that will come into my life! I can't wait to be able to go to the temple and partake of the goodness found there! We went to the Draper Temple Open House a few weeks ago and it was just absolutely amazing! It's so beautiful, it truly reminds you of heaven. Anyway, I just am so grateful for the gospel!!!

 Valentines and Birthday!

I've always loved having my Birthday on Valentines Day and this year wasn't any different. I love being able to spend time with Martin and family. Friday night I had the most delicious lobster, shrimp, and steak dinner at Martin's house with his whole family. The food was wonderful and I always love when the whole family is together. I love Martin's family and love the time we spend with them. Then we went to a dance and it was so fun dancing with Martin again (it's been a while!). It was also fun getting all dressed up and ready to go. Martin came and picked me up because I told him that there isn't too much longer until he won't be doing that anymore. Then Saturday Martin and I went shopping in the morning and had a fun time together. Martin always makes me so happy and know just what to do to make me smile. I absolutely love him for that am so grateful to have him in my life.We then met my family at Olive Garden for lunch. It wouldn't be my birthday if we didn't go there, I LOVE it! We then went home and opened presents and had ice cream cake (my favorite!)

I got a kitchenaid (I can't wait till I can use it!), a heated blanket, and a marble rooster. Martin decided that from now on we will call February 14th "Birthentine"! He's so funny.

Then Martin and I had to go to Weber State to work our booth at the Weber basketball game. Even though we were working that didn't stop us from having a great time together. After burning our final batch of popcorn, we closed up a little early and laughed about how crazy the night had been. We are having so much fun selling cotton candy and are so excited about the opportunities that are coming! I love Valentines Day and am excited to now be 20! I am so grateful for the wonderful people I get to call family and for the time I was able to share with them this past weekend!

Life as of Now

Life is crazy right now and I hardly have time to breath! I want to document all the fun things that are going on in my life, but with no time to sit and write in my journal, I decided this might be a fun way to document the events of my life and the feelings I am having so that one day I will have it available when I want to write it down. I guess I will start by writing the brief overview of my life. I am currently attending LDS Business College and I love it there. This is my final semester and I can't wait to be done!! I've loved the classes I've taken and the things I've learned. I've especially loved my religious classes. They lift up my days and help me to think of things in a new light. I work at Kohl's Department Store and have for 2 and a half years. Although I am very grateful to have a job, I am looking forward to being able to move on to bigger and better things!! I am planning a May wedding and can not even wait until I can be married to my best friend of 7 years, Martin Ford!

I love him very much and we are just trying to make it through this very stressful time of life. He has begun his own business, The Cotton Candy Guy, and we are very proud of the progress we are making. We currently do concessions at the Weber State basketball games and events and are busily planning the events of the summer as we are hoping to be very busy and make lots of money!! Life is good and I am so grateful for the people that I love and the opportunities I have had. The Lord has definately guided my life over the past year and I am so so grateful for that knowledge I have. I am trying to stay positive about the present and am looking forward to the future. Life has so much in store for me and Martin and I am so excited!