Santa Cruz beach.... part 1

Isn't it always nice when someone you really like wants to do stuff to make you happy. Ben is taking me to the beach tomorrow, cause he knows that it will make me happy. We are going to go out tomorrow with his sisters Alisa and Marianne, and Marianne's family, stopping on the way through to visit his brother Joe's house and then cruise on out to the beach.

We are hoping to walk along the beach, maybe build some sandcastles with the boys, check out the boardwalk, and maybe even go on some rides. This is sort of a preparatory time, getting used to being at the beach for Christmas time. I am so excited, even though swimming is not on the agenda... The smell of the salty air, the atmosphere of the beach, Ben.... ah Heaven.

Anyways time to sign out.

Candice xx

Ceres here we are!

After 12 hours on the road, Ben and I made it to his home. It was actually the shortest road trip I have even taken. I really think it was the company, best I have ever had. Carla I promise he only beat you by a tiny, tiny bit. I have never sung as loud and proud with anyone, but you!! The weather is really nice here compared to Utah and I am so thankful for a little bit of a reprieve.

The family that I have met so far are really nice. There was nothing to be nervous about. Yet in saying that, here I am waking up at 6:30am cause I am still nervous. Ahh the joys of life.

Being Thanksgiving it does give me moments to pause. I am really thankful for my wonderful family who support me in all that I do. You are all the best. I am thankful to my Heavenly Father for helping me find peace and happiness in this crazy world. He also opens so many doors for me to get to be places in life that I want, and that will bring me happiness. Thankful for a wonderful man that treats me so amazingly well. Friends who are there just to call and make sure that life is good.

Love to you all xx

What to Wear??

You know men really don't know how much effort we put into things. So I am in fact going to California. I have since run to the store for snacks for a 13 hour road trip, present for the family for letting me crash the party, and new tee shirts to look great. Did I also mention that I died hair on Saturday night too? No, well I did.

I am now in the midst of trying to decide what to pack. If Ben would call me back then I could figure out how formal their family is on these days. Don't want to be under or over dressed. Well the suitcase calls me.

Wish me luck!

While I am just being a happy little blogger.... California for Thanksgiving or not? What do you think? Will Ben be able to get the day off work? All these very important question will be answered tomorrow and I will know what I am going to be doing =)

Grr the Visa Process sucks!!

Tonight I was sitting there crying and trying to figure out if I was going to have to decide on going home for Christmas or staying here for the foreseeable future. I do not like this process that I am going through. 2 hours later and I had answered all the same questions in 15 different varieties and assured the American Government that I have not been involved in, assisted in, associated with, or plan to support; terrorism, racism, genocide, drug dealing, or prostitution - I think I may be ok. I mean I just want to stay here for a little while to teach children. Should it really be this hard for people wanting to stay here legally?

I could really go around the block and get a greencard for $25, but when you do it legally they harass you. I have permission from Immigration to stay and teach in the US, but if I want to be able to go anywhere out of the country I need a visa in my passport. I can only get this out of the country though. Which means I have to leave, and run the risk of them saying they are not going to give me my visa. Grrr!!

Anyway I have an appointment booked for when I am in Australia. So please feel free to keep me in your prayers. I mean I would like to come back and stay for now in the US. I do have a little motivation for wanting to be here right now.

Ladies and Gentlemen... I am back!

Dearest Family and Friends,

I know it has been several months since I have written a big email. Don’t worry I am not going to make the epistle 10 pages long or anything. But I will give you a little update on what has been going on.

As most of you know I am back at Santaquin Elementary teaching year 5. I love it. I love the students that I have and the teachers I work with. We got a new principal this year, so there were a few teething problems, but besides that life is great. My class is a little different that what I had last year, so I am enjoying the challenges that it is bringing.

I have been really busy with life outside of school too. I have moved to South Provo and started attending a family ward out here with my friends. I love the change of scenery. It is also nice to have a different calling. I am teaching Sunday School to the 15-18 year olds every second week. It means I can relax for one week and then work hard the next. It is fun getting to know them and enjoying what they have to say.

This has been a little less stressful than previous callings. I do love having something to do. I have also been really lucky to have some friends come and visit me. Over Conference weekend I saw Bec my cousin and her mum Laurel. We went to a lovely dinner at Olive Garden with Jasmine too. Bianca Lekias also ended up spending a fair while with me on her big trip. We got up to some fun things. We organized for Bianca to go shooting with some of out friends. As you can see it was lots of fun. There were some gun totting crazies there, but they were the ones w

ho bought the guns to play with,

After this fun time we got all dolled up for an 80’s night on the town. Before we went to the party we had to go watch Ben play football, so we rocked up all done up, with Suzanne, at the football field. Needless to say its been awhile since we have had that much attention… I mean really we looked fabulous. I don’t know what they were staring at. It was a great night of dancing and karaoke. I know this will be hard to believe but I was the quiet one that night. Except for one song!

I have really enjoyed living close to Suzanne and we have been doing some fun things. She has been organizing fun games night, and yes the girls are still the Trivial Pursuit Champs! It is so nice having friends that close. My new room mates are also awesome. One works full time in PR and the other is a law student.

There has been some other good things going on. We had a fun Halloween experience. A bunch of us dressed up like Alice in Wonderland characters. I was the white rabbit, but I refused to wear a bunny suit. That was a great night. Jasmine came down with us and Phoenix danced the night away until midnight. She was the hit of the show. The hay ride at the end was a little much, she was tired and said she just wanted to go to bed. That was the time we decided to call it a night. Well sort of. We had to do an IHOP run and Walmart run too.

That was also the night I officially started dating Ben. A lot of you know about him. But I will give you a quick run down. Ben and I were in the same ward for 2 years. Over the spring and summer I was the Relief Society President and he was the Elders Quorum President. This meant that we had to talk to each other. As this happened we realized that we had a lot in common. So we have been seeing a whole bunch of each other over the last few months and decided that we do like each other, so we are dating. He is a great guy and has survived meeting Jasmine twice. So that makes anyone a real man in my opinion. Not only has he survived that, but these last few days Nathan and Lisa have been here with the kids. Ben survived this with flying colours too.

It has been great having Nathan and Lisa here. I have loved seeing them and the kids. We have done some shopping, eaten out, and went up to Logan to chill with Jasmine and her family on Sunday. It was so nice to have a big family group, laughing and joking and just enjoying it all. I am so excited to come home at Christmas time and see everyone.

That is another one of the big parts of my exciting news. I have got permission to stay again here and keep working. I am still trying to work out some of the Logistics. How to be able to travel home and be allowed back in, but it will all come through.

I hope all is well for you all. I look forward to hearing what you are all up to; work, babies, family, school, and anything else.

Love to you all,

Love Candice xox