The search is over.

As of yesterday, we are no longer searching for a place to call home. We sadly haven't secured a manager position yet, but have a couple hopefuls for starting in July. We debated moving to IF to live in my parents' basement, but we didn't want to commute. Then... epiphany. My grandma Pierson lives here in Rexburg, right up on the hill. It's literally like a minute from campus. She lives alone with many empty bedrooms. We made our decision. Over the crosswalks and through the campus to grandmother's house we go. We won't have rent, internet, utilities, nothing. I feel somewhat horrible though. I hate being a burden, but she said that she would probably bother us more than we would her. haha yeah right. Like that could ever happen. My grandmother is a saint. Anyway, we are pretty excited and should be moving in starting this weekend, but mostly next weekend.

Although our housing issues are solved, finals are this coming week. There is always so much to do, and i always feel as though i will never get them done. I always do, but yet the stress is still present. Why do we stress? It only makes matters worse. I have decided that stress is simply a tool of Satan. It just has to be. If it makes me feel rotten it can't come from Heavenly Father! Anyway, so there are many papers to write, tests to take, and songs to write and record. whew. This little blogging break can't last much longer!

After finals are over and we have our house all moved, we are hoping to head up to Enumclaw. This has been somewhat difficult though. There have been a few rides that we have found on bulletin board, but they are all charging about the same amount as it would cost for us to just go alone. So that's probably a no go. We may just end up driving on our own. We'll see!

BIG NEWS as well. Erin and Jake are going to be coming to live here in Rexburg for a few months. Words can't even describe how excited we are! It will be so fun to have them near us and hang out with them all of the time. They are coming from Hawaii to help with some basketball camps and jamborees with Tracy Peterson. We're so excited!

Just one more thing... Chase has got this super cheesy Mexican song stuck in my head and i can't stop singing it! "asi si siente Mexico!" Here have a listen. <-- Click on that ;) (I've never done one of those. It's kind of exciting.) Just wait for the chorus. It's worth it.

I hope finals are going well for all of you that have them.. just listen to the Mexico song. It will make it better. I hope everyone else is doing well too... you may also listen to the Mexico song.

Ali

bored.

I've been home sick today and just been messing around with my camera and editing pictures. He's pretty hot huh? :)

Sorry it's so small. I haven't gotten Photoshop yet, so it's just edited on Picnik. It compresses it.

twitterpated.

Chase and I are in a Family Foundations class this semester. This class is centered around the Family Proclamation, with each paragraph being a different unit in the class. We also have to memorize each paragraph as we go. For this class we have to do a capstone project in which we get to choose what to do. Chase is doing a slideshow of family pictures and what not. Kind of telling the story of his family and the way they taught him. I on the other hand decided to write a song. I have no idea why i did this. I am absolutely terrified and have no idea how to even begin. I've decided that if i tried to perform it in front of the class I would most likely start crying haha. No, but i would probably not be able to play the guitar. So, I've decided to video it, and show the class. Here's the thing though, I can't quite decide what to write it on, or how to really write it. I'm thinking about writing a song about Adam and Eve from Eve's perspective, and how they were the first eternal family. How they prepared the way for us all to have knowledge, agency, and sacred covenants. Anyway, we'll see how this turns out. I think i just decided to do this to prove to myself that i could, but as of right now I don't even feel like i can! I've never shared a song that i've written with anyone, mostly because i thought that they were too lame haha. So, we'll see how this all turns out.

Chase just informed me that no one wants to read my blog, they just want pictures. So, I'll post some possibly tonight. Plus, I did get my camera on Saturday! I took pictures all weekend, but none of them very good. I'm so excited for next semester. I'll be taking four art classes, including photography, New Testament, and an environmental stewardship class (required). I'm literally giddy about starting these classes.

No news on a place to live yet. Hopefully we'll get something this week. Wish us luck. Chase's dad asked how we were last night, and we informed him that we were WONDERFUL! He was pretty surprised considering we have no place to live haha, but he just says that's because we're still twitterpated. I'm pretty sure that's true, and I'm not sure we'll ever not be twitterpated. I'm grateful for that.

Love you all. Ali

update.

So, as you all know, our house is to be demolished. After a meeting with our owner today, we were informed that there are no positions to manage with them. As this is disappointing, we are still waiting to hear back from Alexander Apartments (that girls' house i talked about before). We should hear back from them today or tomorrow. It's all so stressful. I have faith and know that it will all work out, but it's just scary to not know where you're going to live in a few weeks. It's so little time to plan. AND I AM A PLANNER. I've been feeling particularly OCD lately. I really do think i am slightly OCD.. everything at work must be in it's proper place on my desk, my planner must be with me at all times, i must have everything figured out and written down, etc. If these things aren't done i will think about them until they are done. My mind can't focus on anything else. I've tried to fight it, but some things must be embraced i suppose. Well anyway, it's probably all of this stress and hubbub lately that hasn't gotten me all Mr. Monkish. I think Chase has probably had enough of it. I'm kind of on edge. Did i mention i have a ten page research paper due on Friday? A paper of which i have about two pages done. I think i need something chocolatey. Sigh.
Well, as soon as this week is over, my paper is done, my camera is here, my test is taken, we have a place to live, etc. a more happy post will come. As for now, these are the updates. Although, I did get a 94% on my test last night, so that is good. I love you all. Pray for this week to end soonish.

The new addition. Well.. It cost as much as a child.

As an answer to Karly's question.... Canon Rebel T2i

Bought fresh today! Thanks to my father for his exceptional eBay skills. Also I love Chase. What's new? I'm so stoked for it to arrive! Bring on the pictures. Love!

the long awaited news X 2

Lately, we have received two pieces of long awaited information:

1. I did not make it into the nursing program. But this is a good thing. I have been struggling with wanting to change my major for a long time now, and now i have the opportunity and i feel so liberated by it. I want to enjoy my time in college and have fun with it as a mom! I am officially a integrated studio art major with an emphasis on photography. I was able to use all of my classes i have taken by creating a minor involving two cluster of psychology, human development, biology, etc. Awesome right?! Chase and i will both graduate in 5 semesters (Fall of 2012). Besides receiving a comfort from the Holy Ghost, Chase will work with high school kids everyday... HELLO SENIOR PICTURES. So, hopefully I'll be able to run my own business and be successful.

2. Our house is going to be torn down. Our tenants, along with us, have to be out by April 15. Although we are sad that our wonderful, full of personality house, as well as the heart of Rexburg is going to be completely demolished, we know it's all going to be alright. Our owner told us that we may be able to be put into another manager position, but she won't know until next week. We'd rather be safe than sorry, so we went into the housing and student living office and found out what other places are looking for managers. We actually already interviewed for one, and we are very excited about it. We would manage 23 girls in one house that is split up into 4 apartments. We would get the whole house next door! (Including a large deck, backyard, front yard, garage, and garden! Hello barbecues!) It would be 450 a month, but then you get paid 8.50 for maintenance and office work, plus 25 for every contract sold. We'd be there in the summer, so there would be lots of lawn mowing, weeding, etc. to reduce our rent. Plus, 450 is like the cheapest you can find in Rexburg, let alone for a whole home. We're really hoping things work out for that, but we're planning on interviewing at a few more places. The fact that we've already been managers puts us ahead of all of the rest of the applicants, so i don't see how we could not get an offer!

Anywho, I just wanted to let you all know what's happening with our situation and hope you all are doing well!

Anyone have a washer and dryer for sale?! (for cheap!)

Love ya!