Christmas 2009

I was reading through my posts and I noticed I never posted anything about Christmas!!!!

So here's a small summary!

On Christmas Eve, I went over to Ryan's house and had dinner with his family. Almost everyone was there! :) Carla, Meagan, Jared, Eric, Angie and their two little girls :) We had some delicious sandwiches! They were kind of like philly cheese steak style! We also had nachos and other snacks! After dinner we played some games, sang some carols and exchanged gifts. It was really fun! Since I wasn't in the secret santa exchange...I didn't expect to get anything, but i did! lol Carla gave me this really cute picture holder and a ornament in the shape of an "S" I loved it! :) And Lisa gave me a set of lotions [Mango Scent]. After we were done with the gift opening, Some of us decided to play hand and foot. It was overall a great gathering! After Ryan's family left, we went over to my house to open gifts at midnight with my family. We've always opened gifts at midnight...lol its a tradition! So we opened our gifts! Ry gave me a gorgeous [PinK] Guess purse and a much needed printer! I was soo happy! My mom and sister gave me a lot of clothes! I got my mom a purse that she had been wanting for the longest time! And my sister, gift cards and a mini water cooler lol. My Ry got...Vans, a hoodie, and a comforter set lol [he needed it].

The next morning, we went over to Ry's house to open gifts with his family. His grandparents came over and it was really fun :) We had enchiladas for lunch, which are my FAVORITE! After lunch we started opening gifts, there were a lot of gifts! Ryan and his Mom had been putting together a DVD for his grandparents with a slide show of their lives together..it was very touching :) Ry's grandma cried because she was so happy. It was a really neat experience! Ill post some pictures soon! The rest of the day was just relaxing, we played games, watched Elf..and just relaxed :) Overall Great Christmas!

-Steph

2010

I just realized I haven't written anything this year!!!! I've been keeping up with my personal journal, but not on here! Anyways, lets get started!

Family:
They are doing pretty good, well no...I lie. lol They actually aren't doing so well...
My mom and sister are inactive, and my 16 yr old sister is pregnant and due in May. It's been a bit of a roller coaster for us :( I'm not very good at sharing my feelings. I'm not good at ALL! And I know that's bad... but its just really really difficult to just talk about it. When we first found out that she was pregnant was back in January...I came home from school and I had picked up the mail on the way in. When I got to the kitchen, I saw a letter for my sister that came from a clinic,and i got worried and opened it...and that's how we found out. Not a very good way to find out at all..but I guess there wouldn't be a good way to find out. My mom started crying and started blaming herself...etc. I didn't know what to say. I was literally speechless! And I knew that if I were to have said something, it would be something mean, so I kept my mouth shut. I will just support her and try to be there when she needs me :) So anyway, things were a bit crazy, but right now they are going okay... They still don't go to church, but I continue going! It's a little sad to sit by myself, but as long as I am nourishing my spirit, everything will be fine! So, that's that.

School and Work:
Both are going pretty good. My history class is SUPER boring!!! But I've gotten good grades on the quizzes, so I'm not too worried! The writing assignments are a bit intense :( So I am not looking forward to them.. Work is busy...I'm working 5 days a week now...30 hours. I love the paycheck :) I've been saving my money, and im proud of myself!

Ryan:
He is doing fantastic! We celebrated our 1 year anniversary on February 5th! It's amazing how fast time flies! I still remember his black emo hair lol! Goood times! We're doing great, people ask us about marriage ALL the time! It gets annoying at times and it makes it a bit awkward, because as a girl... I never know what to say when they ask "When?". Little do they know...that we're on the SAME boat! lol i have NO idea when Ry is going to "pop the question"! It's a little frustrating at times and I get in a strange mood every time we go to weddings! I start saying things I don't mean...like "I'm tired of YSA activities..." lol and a bunch of other ridiculous nonsense. Ryan can tell RIGHT away...and he calms me down. But I think I have the right to feel a little frustrated, I'm a GIRL! We dream about our wedding day since we're 5! So, I try to understand why I feel the way I do, and just move on. Patience is a virtue. On some days I realize how young I am and I begin to think that it would be crazy if I got married! But then I look back on my life and think of ALL the events that presented themselves at an early part of my life. I grew up a little too fast. I just...I don't know. My brain is in a knot...literally lol. :) We've had our ups and downs, at some point I didn't feel as appreciated as I thought I should be...and I told him about it and we came up with ways that he can be a little more appreciative. So far, he's doing alright. I just wish things were like they were a year ago...when he couldn't go a day without seeing me, and he would show up at random times and throw stuff at my bedroom window just to give me a gatorade..lol Or even when he brought me some Sunflowers, out of the blue! But I guess that was the first stage...the "honeymoon" stage. We're obviously in a different stage of our relationship, and that's fine. I feel more connected with him. We're more in tune. I know when he's having a bad day, I know when he's mad, sad, frustrated, happy, excited...etc. And it goes both ways, He reads me like a book! At times its a little uncomfy for him to show affection in public..because we had different parents. My parents were very loving...but it didn't last too long, they got a divorce by the time I was 8. His parents don't show too much PDA..but they have such a sweet relationship that is going to last for eternity. So, I want to have a hybrid of the both...I LOVE to show him that I love him! I like to randomly hug him, kiss him, hold his hand, rub his cheek, etc.. But for him it's a little different. He isn't that creative with showing his love, but then again, he's a guy. Guys tend to be like that. But enough about that!
We've done some fun stuff this year! We went to a play, Visited Cafe Rio, Went to a HP dance, Ry had a bday party, Went to Victoria Gardens, went to Phoenix Restaurant, and a lot of other fun stuff! I think for now, I'll enjoy every minute with my Sweetheart! He makes me really really happy! I adore his family! Michelle is really kind and funny! We always pick on Ryan when we're together..lol! Lisa is sooo friendly and helpful! She always helps me with my chocolate dipping :) Mike is quiet, but once you get him to talk...he's funny, intelligent and very sweet! And Holly, I only got to meet her a few times, but she's hilarious and very friendly! :)

Me:
I'm doing okay. There are quite a few things on my mind...The other night I had a break down. It was terrible! My dad was killed in Mexico about 2 and a half years ago. He was shot in the back of his left ear and on his back. When my mom told me that he passed away, she just said he was in an "accident"...a couple of days later I googled his name and I found the newspaper article that explained how he was killed. And ever since then, I've had nightmares, and just horrible thoughts about him :( I didn't get to attend his funeral so I don't feel like I ever got closure.
After finding out that he was shot, I began to have this huge fear of guns. I start to freak out when I see one...and I don't know how to get over that fear! I probably need a psychologist. My bed is right next to my window and the other day I started picturing someone shooting at my window, so I got scared and slept on the floor. I don't think that's normal...I started crying and I felt so lonely! I prayed, called Ryan and we did a prayer together. He helped me calm down and I was finally able to sleep. It's really hard for me to talk/write about all this. I never really talked to anyone about my dad. I just locked myself in my room and cried for days! I think I need a blessing, that will help.

Well, its getting late and I'm really tired, Good night!

-Steph

December 09

SO now! DECEMBER! yay! I'm catching up!!! December has being going Great! i LOVE december!!! I listen to Christmas music ALL day long! i love it! On Friday the 4th, Ry took me to dinner at Chilli's to celebrate our 10 amazing months together :) It was a great dinner. Sometimes at dinner, we dont talk much, I just enjoy looking at him and watching his gestures. i looove to observe him. I learn so many things about him when I just sit quietly and watch him. *sigh* its so sweet to be in love. :) After dinner we went over to his house to play hand and foot! I won!!! yay!


This past weekend, we went to the Covina Christmas Parade. It was so much fun! I've lived here all my life and never really attended the parade as a spectator. lol, I always volunteered for the city...so it was a nice experience :) Ry's mom made some delicious sandwiches and we drank hot chocolate. Sean and Nicole came too! it was fun :) After the parade, Ry and I went Ice Skating for a YSA activity. It was nice to skate for FREE. hehe. On Sunday, We went to Break the fast and then over to Ry's house to play some hand and foot!

On December 8th, we celebrated Michelle's bday with some yummy enchiladas and a delicious chocolate cake :) I think she liked her gift from us! hehe

On Monday, we had our speech final. I did pretty good.. i got a B :) Ry...uhm...he's not a good test taker. lol he got a 56 i think...lol. but lucky for him, he has a guaranteed A because his team in the class won the class challenges. SO! he has an A in the class :) im happy for him! Yesterday we had our marriage and Family final, it was pretty easy :) so im confident i did well. I'm soooo glad this semester is over! although, im going to miss seeing my Ry every day! but! its ok :) A little time apart is healthy. hehe Today was a good day! We had pupusas for dinner! yumm. Well, im off to bed! night!

-Steph

November Madness Rolled into Busy December

Hello Hello!
It's been a while since I last posted something! I've been kinda busy with school and work. :) BUT! I'm gunna update this right now! :) Soooo Let's see, My 20th Birthday was on Oct. 10th. It was fun and relaxing :) Ryan came over and we had dinner with my family [Enchiladas]. Ry gave me the BEST gift ever! the complete FRIENDS series!!!! I was SOO happy! lol.

On October 15th, we went to Knotts SCARY farm! IT was soo much fun! It was Ry's first time! My friends and I have been going for...7 years so its a tradition! :)

On the 24th, We decided to go to a Pumpkin PAtch! it was so much fun! After we carved a pumpkin named Boogaboo. he was cute! I had fun carving him :)

For Halloween, Ryan and I decided to relax. We went to dinner, drove around the neighborhood, and then went back to his house and just watched a movie outside.
On November 5th, it was our 9 month-a-versary. Ry had a meeting at church, so he surprised me with flowers :) so sweet, I know. hehe. My sister's bday was on the 10th, so we went out to eat with my family. We went to Chipotle ofcourse. lol.

On Nov 11th, I decided to call Kroq because they were giving away Weezer tickets. Ry had been trying all week to get them, but couldn't get through. SOOO I called and WON! woohoo! so we have a free Weezer concert on January 11, 2010. im SO excited! Oh! on Veteran's Day...we drove alll the way to the jay leno show studio and when we got there they said the system messed up and overbooked by 100+ people! so we just hung out lol :) I no longer watch Jay Leno...hehe that'll teach him a lesson!

On November 13th, we went to Dinner with Meagan and her friends to celebrate her bday. It was fun to see Meagan and Jared :) After her dinner, we came back home and went over to my best friend's surprise bday party. It was nice seeing my high school friends all over again :)

Later on in the month, November 20th, Ry had the brilliant idea of going to his high school's football game. it was so much fun! he wore his letterman jacket and was loving it lol :) he's so adorable! i looove to see him in his letterman jacket! After the game, we went over to the church building and had a bonfire with the YSA from his ward. it was sooo much fun! we played hide and go seek! :)

He looks SO cute!!!

Thanksgiving 09 was so BUSY! Ry went to a Turkey Bowl in the morning, while I cooked a pasta salad for later that night. At around 12:30, we went over to the Covina Thanksgiving feast. it was SO much fun! its so nice to serve! we were in charge of turkey..so we served plenty of turkey :) The people in charge of the event told us that they served 29 turkeys! it was Madness. At around 3:30, we started heading over to Ry's [Ferrante] grandparent's house. We had dinner with them around 4:30 and enjoyed some quality time :) It was really really nice and relaxing. I love being around his family. They're all sooo sweet and kind. After dinner, we watched tv and just hung out with Michelle.

At around 6:45, started heading to my mom's friend's house, Sandra. She is a good friend of my mom's, we've known her for a while and she invited us over for dinner, since she knows our family isn't too big. We usually just stay home for thanksgiving and eat dinner, but this year it was fun to be around more people :) Ry had a lot of fun! he played in a mini pool tournament that they had going on and he did really well! After that, we played Jenga and just hung out! Overall, it was an Amazing thanksgiving! I'm soo thankful to have such a wonderful man in my life. he makes everything so much sweeter, makes my world turn much smoothly and just makes my heart so much bigger :) i absolutely loove him with alll my heart!

The day after thanksgiving, we went on a double date with some friends. They invited us to a FREE dinner and movie! it was AMAZING! the theater is brand new and they were doing a mock trial! it was sO fancy! i felt like a celebrity. :)

The next day, we went to Reed and Solange's wedding. It was a nice intimate reception. AFter that we went to watch the Blindside. Great movie! we loved it! :)

SOOOOOOOOOOOO that was our November! :)

Love,

Steph

Ikea Hot Dogs

Hello :)

Soooo Today,

I had a pretty good day! I went to work, went to school, and then I went to Ikea with Ry and had some hot dogs :) yum

the end...haha

October Fun :)

Hello :)

Ive been horrible at updating this! There has been so much goin on!!! For starters, we went to Utah for Confrence weekend!!! It was so much fun! We stayed with Holly and Dave! [Thank you so much!!] they were wonderful! We left on Thursday at 4AM, and we arrived in Utah around 3PM that day. Utah is the complete opposite of Cali! I loved it =] I wouldn't mind transfering to BYU and living in Provo. It is sooo nice and so clean! On Thursday we went to the mall, and drove aound being tourists! On Friday we woke up and went over to BYU so that Ryan can give me a tour! i LOVED it! We went to the BYU store and i bought a nice hoodie! Right after BYU, we went over to Jdawgs!! The BEST hot dog stand EVER! yumm!!! I want them to cater my wedding!!!! lol Oh! on Thursday night we went to Brick Oven and had some BBQ chicken pizza! omg...delicious!!! it was amazing!!! It seems like we did a lot of eating in Utah...lol anyways, it was worth it! Another place that we HAD to go to was Cafe Rio. Ryan always talks about this place! He always says that its better than Chipotle, which I don't agree with! The food at Cafe Rio was good, but I haven't craved it....so that means I didn't like it THAT much. lol =] Sorry Ry... oh and! its a bit expensive! Chipotle still owns my heart! Sidenote: The people that work at Chipotle know us! lol they know our order!!!!! isnt that sad? lol they hook it UP when we come in :) i love it! We actually went today...lol Anyways, back to Utah! hmm on Friday we went to volunteer at the MTC! i LOVED it! i wish we could have done it again, but they're not open for volunteers on the weekend. I definately want to go back again! Later on that same day, we went to Cafe Rio with Andrew Wiggins [Ry's mission friend] he's sooo nice! I really liked him! After dinner, we went to Ryan's mission reunion! yay! it was so much fun to see his mission friends =] After the reunion, we went to a BYU game! I had fun! Everyone was so friendly and kind! AND there was no cussing! lol strange huh? nothing like a dodger game! lol so yeah. fun day! After the game we met up with Ry's friends and we went to Sammie's, a place that makes shakes out of pieces of pies. I didnt try it...im not a huge fan of sweets. So that was Friday! On Saturday... We stayed at Holly's and watched confrence. We went to get Jdawgs in between sessions! lol =] yumm! And later that day we went to the church store and bought some scriptures. That night, we went to dinner with Holly at a Buffet called...hmm chuck-a-rama [i think]. it was delicious! but! it gave Ryan gas....so it was an interesting drive home! lol We stopped by Macey's and bought some waffle making stuff so we can have a waffle dinner with Ryan's friends! Soooo on Sunday, we went to Salt Lake City and walked around Temple Square! i LOVED it! =] I really enjoyed it a lot! We watched conference inside the Tabernacle. It was neat :) I loved SLC! Ryan gave me a wonderful tour of the major buildings! I enjoyed every minute of it! After Salt Lake, we went back to Holly's and relaxed a bit and worked on our homework [yes we had homework! ew]. Later that day, we had dinner at Holly's. We had yummy lasagna and Tyler and his gf Becca came over :) We met her for the first time. She's really sweet. After dinner, we went to Margo's house [Ryan's friend] and Ry made them M&M waffles. it was sooo nice to meet his friends. Catherine is really sweet! i really like her! After the waffle party, Ry gave me a tour of Provo at night! we went to the temple and just talked outside. It was great :) i LOVED it!!! The next day, we came home! On our way home we stopped by St George to have lunch with Nate at Cafe Rio! It was fun to catch up with Nate. Ryan and him really hit it off lol ;). So...that was pretty much it! we stopped by AMPM on our way home! yay! and i worked on Ryan's paper in the car. Surprisingly...i didnt get sick. lol he got a great grade ;) I didn't get such a great grade....but thats ok. :) Well, That was about it! i am very gratefull that I was able to spend time with my boo! it was so great to see him ALL day! I cant get tired of him! its impossible! I love you babe! thanks for an amazing vacation!

Goodnight!!!

-Steph

I've made a decision...

:I'll be transfering back to my Spanish Ward! :)

Happy Sunday :)

So this morning I decided to go to my Spanish Ward. I woke up and got ready....and I thought my mom and sister would be joining me, but! when I went downstairs they were gone! So...I called them [no answer] and waited for a while. So I went by myself. Church was really nice :) An friend of mine that isn't very active came to church so I was really really happy to see him! The 2nd counselor came to me and told me that the bishop wanted to speak to me, so I went to talk to the bishop and we talked for a while. It felt so nice to talk to him! I've known him since I was in primary so I feel really comfortable speaking to him :) We talked about everything... He asked about my mom and my sister and why they haven't been attending. And I spilled my heart out. It's so difficult to be the only active member in my family! It is soooo difficult, but I've tried to be strong and so far....I think im doing ok :) What kind of worries me is that...my mom and my sister are my only family members that are LDS. So if I were to get married, they would be the only 2 family members of mine attending. And...if my mom continues to be inactive, she wont be able to attend :( And it makes me so sad to think that I'll be alone in the Temple.. And today the Bishop pointed that out and told me "Stephanie, Remember that salvation is individual...and if your mom is not at your wedding, that won't make a difference in your salvation." and he's completely correct. I may not have the ideal LDS family, but I'm trying my best to break the pattern and have my own LDS family who attends church regularly and lives the norms of the church :) I know that all of these trials aren't easy for me, but the only thing I can do is learn from them and be a better person. I'm thankful for the many blessings in my life. The bishop also asked me about Ryan. I told him "he's amazing and I truly love him" and he said "Well Steph, I hope this is a great example of what blessings can come when you live the gospel... In your case, Ryan is a blessing in your life" and its true :) I love my GIANT blessing!

So.. Thats my Sunday so far. A little emotional...but overall great :)


Love,
Steph