In Between.

Heres to catch up in between christmas and now. For New Years we were able to go down to Southern Cali to Stevens house and spend it with all of his family. We absolutely LOVED it! As the days went by, we didn't want to leave! It was beautiful weather, and so much fun spending time with all of our adorable nieces and nephews. I got quite a few videos on my phone, they were so entertaining and we love them all to pieces! We just wish we could see them more often :/
Heres a little snip of the fun we had with these kiddos!

We visited with Grandpa Don, who unfortunately has Alzheimers :/...but hes still just as hilarious as ever and loves every woman that comes to visit him.

We <3 you Grandpa Don!
I love my in-laws, and am so lucky to have them apart of my life now! It's always a party with the Crosbys!
Lil' Noah James is getting so big!
The twins have always loved Steven and he happens to be the jungle gym whenever they are around ;)
I can't wait until these kids get older, I've got so many fun videos to show their girlfriends and boyfriends ;) heheh.
So for New Years Eve, we were going to have a party with some games watching the infamous ball drop on tv...but due to other events that occurred earlier in the week, everyone was exhausted and wanted a low key night home. So Dan, Sonia, Steven and I went to see the new Sherlock Holmes movie and kissed each other at midnight :)
Since we've been back from our mini vaca...It was back to the daily grind. work school work work work. haha Well things have changed up a bit! Steven is now doing ROTC through the U...Guess we are gonna be a Ute fan! don't worry we dont hate on BYU ;) He also got an awesome scholarship through ROTC and is going to be contracting officially any day now! Which is a HUGE relief and weight off our shoulders! Also Steven just got a part-time job at Whole Foods! and one of the best things is we get a 20% discount there! hello new grocery store! haha. He's working in the bakery and he just informed me he baked so many blueberry muffins today...yumm! As for his schooling, hes still at SLCC, just finishing up this last semester and hopefully transferring to the U next semester. He just barely changed his major to Spanish...why you may ask? well one both of our families speak spanish and it would be very beneficial, and two he's actually looking to go into the FBI for his career! We are very excited and understand at the same time it is a very rigorous and hard process, but we know it will be great if things fall into place.
As far as my schedule? For awhile now I've been basically working 3 jobs..shhya..killer! So as you may or may not know, I've been working part time at Macy's at the Clinique counter. Also I assist at Taylor D' Shaw salon part time. Just recently, December, I started booth renting at the salon doing hair part time as well! So pretty much its 3 part time jobs. working about 50-60 hrs a week. I thought I could be superwoman and handle it...but it wore on me real quick! I just wasnt happy. I absolutely LOVE my salon and the people I work with! So that was out of the question to leave this place. So alot of my stress I realize was from Macy's. I love my co-workers and the education i received working at clinique, but retail is all about numbers, numbers, numbers! and since i was there at odd hrs, it wasn't making any money..so this is actually my last week. Its bittersweet. But I will admit I am SO happy and thrilled. I've basically been living at the salon lately...and it really doesnt bother me as much as I thought. yes i have days where I know I can be doing things at home, but I am determined to build my clientele and the only way to do that is to put in what I want to receive. So If your in Utah, and you need your hair done...Let me know! I'm always up for anything :)
So there ya have it. things are moving...slowly but surely!now that I'll have more time, I hope to be able to update this thing more. Also I'm determined to get my butt into shape! I'm gonna be ready for bikini season!...err...tankini season? haha
well thats all for tonight folks.
Stay classy!
much love<3

Lovers Day

Well for this Valentines day, the Crosbys were working hard all day long. I worked at the salon, and didnt leave until 7:30...and Steven started his first day at Whole Foods,..well orientation. (yes he got a job! will explain in another post) Nowadays Valentines day makes you feel like you have to go buy expensive gifts and treats and all that jazz...well this year, we made a pact, that since my birthday is 3 wks from valentines, that we wouldnt go all out like we have previously. Also with funds being tight we didnt really have an option. hah. But I am perfectly fine with that! I dont think you need to go out to super expensive restaurants, buy diamonds (although that would be nice) or nice things like that every year on Valentines Day. I'm the simple cheesy cute kinda girl that loves the little things that are homemade and fun. That being said. In the morning Steven got up early, as usual to get ready for school, and I was awakened by the smell of breakfast. Although I was confused as to why he hadnt waken me up because I knew he had to leave...he comes upstairs and has such a disappointed look on his face and I asked him what was wrong. He says well..I was trying to make you breakfast..heart-shaped pancakes..but we didnt have a heart cookie cutter (which we do, he just didnt find this out until i told him ;) ) So his clever thinking, he made a heart out of foil and put the pancake batter in the middle..making his own cookie cutter...well....apparently the foil wouldnt come off the pancake when it was cooked hahah..therefore no breakfast for me.

It was the thought that counts though right?! haha
When I got home Steven had already made reservations at a restaurant downtown. Its a cute little Greek restaurant called Aristos. We had been here once before for New Years with his parents and sister. I forgot how delicious this place was! The hummus is to die for!

I told Steven I wouldnt mind coming here just for the appetizer :)

After our bellies were full of delicious greek food (which I have to say am surprised that I actually love this kind of food ) . We head home for Stevens next surprise... BTW I wasnt allowed to go in the front room/kitchen when I got home from work. So I was really curious what this man had planned! Well my darling husband moved our kitchen table (which is a beast to move!) into the living room and set the TV on top, and put up our 2 man tent in the dining area facing the tv. It was set up with our new sleeping bags (thanks mom and dad!) and tons of blankets and pillows. He then proceeds to tell me that we were going to have S'mores for dessert...I was so confused. how was that gonna work? haha he whips out a bag of double stuffed oreos! He said, "well its crunchy like the graham cracker, has the chocolate, and the middle is like the marshmallow!" (Mind you he had a huge grin on his face like a 5 yr old) I couldn't help but laugh and appreciate all the thought that he put into coming up with this. haha. I have such a creative husband.
So here we are after dinner,
We were getting everything set up to watch a movie that went along with our s'mores and camp-out..which was an old love comedy movie called Say Anything. In the meantime our furry little child decided he needed to join in the festivities..so he thought he was going to..
haha I cant resist this face!
So I run and change into some pjs and come back down to find this...
hahaha..my night was over. lol jk. but Benji is such a baby and looovess Steven.

I felt obligated to do at least SOMETHING for Steven, since he's always doing things for me...So I got on my creative side as well and made this candy message for him which he absolutely loved!
(downside to this...we have all this candy in our house now! ughh)

All in all it was a great Valentines Day and I couldnt think of anyone better to spend it with than my wonderful, thoughtful, creative, and loving husband :)

Christmas Cheer

Over this past Christmas I met this woman who was new to our ward during a rehearsal for our Christmas program. She briefly explained her story of being a mother to a beautiful daughter and handsome son of which their father had passed away a year ago leaving her with nothing. I only got her name and that she lived close by. A few weeks go by with her constantly on my mind, and I hadn't seen her since that night. We talked to our bishop since we knew she literally had nothing, furniture or anything, and we wanted to go visit her to see what we could do to help and what she needed. After much consideration and thought, Steven and I decided to go visit her and bring her our little futon we have sitting in the other room. That futon has come handy numerous times with friends and family staying over, but we decided that in this case of someone having nothing, we would feel guilty of keeping this luxury and having it just sit there in the other room as months go by with no one visiting, also eventually it will have to go if it is to be filled with a child if we get to that point soon ;)

After visiting this woman and meeting her teenage daughter and 10 month old son, we wanted to still help. That night I sat at home thinking how I could possibly do so? I'm not loaded with money, we're still in school and beginning our careers trying to figure things out. I decided well, maybe friends have some extra items on hand they could also do without. I knew it was a long shot and wasnt expecting the outcome that we got. I posted on my Facebook status asking for help with anything from anyone. I had friends quickly respond that were from both in and out of the state with ideas or saying they had friends who might be able to help. The word got out and within a few days I had numerous emails from people I have never met but were friends of my friends saying they wanted to help and had extra things they wanted to donate. There were families that were going through hard times themselves that wanted to help with the few extra items they had. I couldnt believe it, and to this day I still cant. My garage was full by Christmas Eve. My younger brother who lives in Provo was staying with us for the holiday so the night before Christmas we sat in our living room digging through garbage bags and bins full of clothes,toys, and blankets people had donated and sorted through them. There were about 7 huge boxes of diapers and wipes about a dozen or more huge cans of formula, 3 big cases of toilet paper from costco a brand new carseat! a jumper and so much more! We had so much that we were able to give some things to other families in the area! We finally packed up the car and delivered a christmas surprise that brought tears of happiness to these families. Words cannot express how thankful I am for those who have helped and participated in getting the word out for help. I am so grateful for this wonderful opportunity to serve another family in need. Since then I have felt so foolish catching myself saying,"I want this" or " I wish I had this". I have so much to appreciate. Here are some pictures to show you how much "Christmas cheer" we were able to spread :)

It didnt even fit all in my car! We had to take 2 cars!

(slowly but surely I will get caught up on this blog :) )
Have a great night!

Those things people do at the beginning of the year and forget 1/4 of the way into the year..

It's so true. Those New Years resolutions that people make at the end of each year are always done so faithfully the first few months of each new year, and then it dies come April or so. haha. Well, despite this given fact, Steven and I decided to make our goals for the year 2012 and are hoping to complete them by the end of the year. I am going to post them, so I feel some what obligated to update on how each goal is going. I made my goals more realistic and specific so I don't barely get by on completing my goals like this year, one of mine was to lose weight, I did, but I didn't set a specific goal. So Lets start with my goals..

1. 1.Fit into my senior prom dress

a. Set exercise schedule

b. Plan and eat healthier meals

2. Build my clientele

a. Pass out business cards

b. Advertise on facebook/twitter

3. Read the Book of Mormon

a. Set a reading schedule

b. Put reminders in my phone

4. No soda for the WHOLE year

a. Drink more water

5. 365 things I’m grateful for in 2012

a. Keep journal/blog about something I’m grateful for each day.

b. Make a small book/scrapbook to look back at years later.

Steven's Goals

1. Study Spanish

a. Spend 1 hr 4 days a week.

2. Reach 200 lbs

a. Lift weights twice a week

b. Drink protein shake twice a day

3. Study the Gospel

a. Read Book of Mormon 1 hr everyday

b. Study priesthood ½ hr every day

4. Learn to play the piano

a. Practice 2 hrs every week

5. Get into drawing

a. Buy materials & book

b. Spend 2 hrs a week 1 day out of the week

I'm really curious to see how Steven will do on his goals this year. He has some difficult ones I feel, but he says they are realistic to him, So I'll keep you posted! We then proceeded to make our own goals as a family. That I will leave out of this post, but will talk about them once they have been reached :) because they will happen! What are your goals for the new year?!

One Full Heart = One Long Post

November came and went like that! I still can't believe that 2011 is coming to an end! 2012 seemed so far away and now its just around the corner. I have so much to be thankful for. One being my amazing husband. He does so much for me and loves me with every bit of his heart. The other day he told me "You know, even though we've been married for a little while now I can't help but saying I am so happy to be married to you and to have you forever. through all the garbage we may go through, I'm so glad you are right by my side to get me through it, I love you so much babes". How can your heart not melt from hearing those words? He's more than I could ever need. If "the world went stupid" (as steven would say) all I would want is my him right by my side.
This past month as people were posting what they were thankful for each day of November, I thought about the many things I am grateful for. I have 2 jobs that I am so grateful for despite the fact the I struggle with them both in different ways. Macy's not enough hours, or the wrong hours when I'm supposed to be at the salon so I have to forfeit those days. Not really doing makeup like I thought I would at a makeup counter, I've learned its all about the sales & numbers. (which is totally not me!) But I am so blessed to have gotten the job when I did when we first moved to SLC. At the Salon, I LOVE it. Everyone I work with is so nice and amazing at what they do. I assist on Wed. , Fri, & every other Sat. I work for the most talented and knowledgeable stylists who are so willing to teach me their tricks and tips so I can succeed as they have. This month I also started Booth Renting here at this salon part time, Tues., Thurs, & the Sat I'm not assisting. Its a HUGE risk I had to take, but if it wasn't now, when would I do it? December is usually a busy month because of the holidays everyone wants to get their hair done. Well..here I am writing this post at my station at the salon, waiting for some clients to sit in my chair. I can only pray and constantly advertise my services. So I am torn. I know booth rent is the best way to go, Its just these first few months while I'm building my clientele that will be hard. But I am motivated. :) Since I'm busy between both these jobs, I feel like I never see my husband. THats how its supposed to be right? I hate it. He was gone for 4 months. We havent had a vacation with just us two in I dont know how long. He went straight to school when he got home and our date nights have diminished slowly. Partly because dates cost money, and we dont really have that. especially in the month of December. I guess there are free dates, I just put off searching for ideas. my bad. Since we dont have much time together besides the few hours in the evening when I get home from work we soak up as much time as we can get together. and I am thankful that my husband wants to hang out with me even if im dead tired and just want to snuggle on the couch. (lets face it, I have a cuddly husband as you may have seen on facebook with our dog lol) I'm grateful for his love and support in everything I do. He wants me to reach my dreams and motivates me every single day.
I'm so thankful for the cute little townhouse we live in, no matter how ghetto people think the neighborhood is. I'm thankful for everything I have in my home, my washer and dryer, kitchen full of food, tv, internet, running water, my bed and everything I possibly have. Especially POWER! With the huge wind storm last week, a massive tree fell over onto a truck and took down a power line with it. We had no power all day and night. It was freezing! but needless to say a huge wakeup call! We were definitely not prepared. we dont own one single flashlight, hardly any food storage, somethings in our pantry could probably pass, but still. I've got lots to do to be prepared! I'm just glad no one got hurt. I love my life, my husband, my dog, my career, my religion, my families, the trials I go through and the things I learn each day I awake.

The Newest Crosby Family Member

Why yes, we have a new addition to the family; Meet Benji!

I had my morning off before work that evening and Steven and I had some errands to run. We had been talking about getting a dog for months now and we decided since we had some extra time to kill we would just go take a look at the Humane Society. We've done tons of research online on craigslist trying to find the perfect fit for us and found a few, but they were all such expensive puppies so we decided to look at ALL options before we hand out the chunk of cash for a new friend.

For those of you who may not know, I am a HUGE animal lover. Especially of dogs. I've grown up with them all my life and spent all summer with 2 dogs while Steven was gone. As shown in my previous post with Benz my best friend in Cali. Well that being said, we walk into the Humane Society and go through the doors to the cages full of smaller dogs. As we were walking in Steven said "Babes, I dont think I can do this..I'm gonna want to take them all home they are all screaming pick me!" hahah We both were crushed at how many dogs were there, and wanted to take them all. Well Ok, maybe not all, some were not the cutest dogs Ive ever seen. I spotted Benji and knew I wanted to take him for a walk and see if he would warm up to us as quickly as I fell in love with him the minute I laid eyes on him. We continued through to see some of the bigger dogs to see if there was a medium sized dog out there that would fit for us as I would hate to have a big dog in this house with not enough room for him to run and play. Although I saw the cutest Labradors and German short haired pointer!..someday. We go back and get a leash to take Benji outside. He wasn't super hyper in his cage which I loved, and when we took him out, he was indeed excited to be outside ( I dont blame him after sitting in a cage all day!) But he knew how to sit, he was super soft and loving and chill..aside from being so thrilled to wander around on the grass. I wanted him. His papers say he's good with dogs, cats, and children. perfect! Oh before I go any further his name was originally Dakota. But, I didnt feel it fit him very well, so we changed it to Benji and he's responding to it really well!
We had to run home and get some dog food and bowls before we brought him home to nothing. He was very dirty and his rear needed a little cleaning. They checked him out while we were gone and updated him on his booster shots and cleaned him up. Well When we got back to pick him up, they said "oh we had to shave him because he was pretty matted from not being groomed properly" I thought, oh maybe just a little shave and he still had some fur, NOPE! He is completely shaven to the skin. haha

He got Pigified as Steven would put it. Sadly he is 12-15 lbs overweight! Which is alot for the type of dog and size hes supposed to be. Hes a Standard Schnauzer mix.(we think with poodle because his fur is so white {whats left of it that is}). He is such a chub! Hes got a butt and some hips! I couldnt help but laugh when I first saw him, as does everybody else that meets him. haha I couldnt stand it, I felt bad for the poor guy, So I went and got him a little sweater to cover most of his bareness. And to keep him a little warm since its pretty chilly out. Well here is our sweet chub chub Benji after we got his last shot and microchip! I sure can't wait until his fur grows back like his head. Its so soft and pretty!

A Blessed Sunday.

This past Sunday (10/23/11) was a wonderful day. One I feel we havent had in awhile due to work and military responsibilities. We had a missionary homecoming talk in our ward and had a wonderful sacrament meeting. The Bishop informed us he finally got our records transferred from our previous ward, so we met with him after the first hour. He wanted to get to know us a little bit so we told him where we are from what our life consists of at the moment and what are future hopeful plans are. He then proceeded to extend a calling to me. Primary! I dont know what I will be doing in the primary yet, but I'm thrilled to be around little kiddos every Sunday :) I was a little shocked that Steven and I weren't given the calling like usual. But I guess we are growing up now and will have separate callings in the ward. haha. Bishop told us he had something else in mind for him. We also were able to finally get our temple recommend interviews to be renewed.FINALLY. Well I had to work last minute to help out so we were scheduled to meet with the Stake President or one of his Counselors right after I got off work. I was so excited to finally get these things renewed so we can go to the temple together again. Its been too long and Ive been dying to go! Well Stevens interview took forever. My husbands a talker! But then it came time for me, and it was real short and sweet. Steven was brought back in, and he was then extended a calling! We were not expecting this at all, but he is the new Elders Quorum President. We dont even hardly know anyone in the ward hah. But we feel so blessed to be apart of this wonderful loving and welcoming ward. We know the lord has prepared both Steven and I for this great journey ahead of us as we strive to serve in our new callings. We are so thrilled and couldn't be more excited! Also side note, our Stake President (who is an amazing man!) is part samoan and part tongan...no wonder Steven and him talked for so long! haha.