"Every Kiss Begins With Kay"...FALSE! Every nightmare begins with Kay!

DISCLAIMER: I love the ring Grant got for me and I fully intend on keeping it--even though the company it comes from is a bunch of scums!


When Grant first purchased my ring from Kay Jewelers in 2010 I had to get it re-sized. When I got it back, one of the side-diamonds had fallen out, so they had to send it out AGAIN. They should have caught that the first time when they were re-sizing it. I have the life-time guarantee warranty as long as I get the ring looked at every 6 months. When I had it looked at in December 2011, one of the main diamonds had a slight crack in it, so they had to ship it out to home office to get it repaired (which unbeknownst to me is located over-seas). They then told me that the estimated time to get the ring back would be Feb 21, 2012. I called on that day, and the very nice saleswoman at Kay told me that she called and emailed the home office, but that the estimated date was now the week of March 10th. I called again today, and the ring STILL isn't done, so now they're telling me March 25th. IT'S BEEN 3 MONTHS! The woman at Kay said that they had to ship my ring over-seas to get it reparied, so that's why it is taking so long. I don't care about the estimated date, I just want my ring back when they say it will be back. I asked the woman if they do any sort of a mail in re-bate as compensation, and she said they never do anything like that. It's not like they can give me a discount on my next purchase since Grant and I already have our rings. I'm starting to think that they have probably lost it, and just won't admit it. I looked on their website to see if they still sell this ring and they don't have it on their website, so that makes me nervous if they did lose it that I wouldn't be able to get it replaced.


The lady told me today "Well, they're telling me March 25th, so at least we have an estimated date..." I'VE HAD 3 OF THOSE AND IT'S BEEN GETTING PUSHED BACK! I actually kept my cool. I worked at customer support for about 8 months last year and I know how it feels to get yelled at, so I did not yell at the woman, but let her know I was very frustrated. 


Needless to say, if you're engaged or planning on proposing to someone, avoid Kay at all costs.


Sorry about the negative post, but I just had to vent. I didn't feel like my complaint was being taken seriously, so I figure the least I could do is not recommend my friends to their business.

The Story of Bamboo

This might seem like a weird title, but mine and Grant's life recently has been like bamboo that grows. This is something that Grant's mission president used to tell him all the time. Grant was in an area name Horizon (right outside El Paso) for about 9 months of his mission. For 7.5 of those 9 months, there was not a single baptism. Grant and all of his companions would work so hard, but feel like their work was to no avail. When he would talk to his mission president for guidance and counsel, his president would always say "Have I ever told you about how bamboo is grown?" Bamboo takes a few years to grow, and you can't see anything growing for a long time. During those first few years, the bamboo roots grow deep and strong underground. It is building a strong foundation, but to the human eye you can't see it. Then, literally within a couple of days, it grows into an enormous plant. Grant's mission president always told him that that's how it would be. During the last month and a half of Grant's mission, the area took off. Grant saw many successes and miracles in Horizon, and it became his favorite area on his mission.

With all that background, these past few months have been like bamboo for Grant and I. We've been a little lost about the future and where we should live, if Grant would find an internship, what I would do for a job, what post graduation plans are, etc. These past few days have been incredible. Grant found a wonderful internship up in Salt Lake City that starts this semester and goes through the summer. He's also figured out the rest of his schooling and will graduate next April. I'm graduating this April and have a few prospects for teaching positions next school year. Heavenly Father has blessed us so much--more than we expected or deserve. I am so grateful for the simpleness of the gospel and for the blessings Heavenly Father has given us. As Nephi explained "I have trusted in Thee and I will trust in Thee forever." 

Sometimes we feel like we're growing bamboo--we can't always see the pathway before us and we have to really exercise our faith in the Lord. But he will never lead us astray and I know he is always guiding our lives. I'm so grateful for the peace and serenity that following the gospel brings into my life.

Good Day!

TODAY WAS WONDERFUL AT SCHOOL! We made new seating charts for the kids, and enforced them, and today the students were so on task! Probably also due to the fact that parent/teacher conferences were last night, but I don't care. My classes did beautifully today! 

Another Successful Valentine's Day!

Hello Hello!

Happy Valentines day to all of you! I've been thinking a lot about mine and Grant's Valentine's history together if you will and it's been different every year.
2010
This was about 2 weeks after we went on our first date so we were just barely dating, but I was also going on dates with a few different people. The weekend of Valentine's Day I was actually on a date with another person. Good guy, but I couldn't help but think of Grant the whole time. When I came home from my date (with a different guy, mind you--and Grant knew I was on a date) I walked into my bedroom to find a vase of red roses from Grant with a very sweet note. Grant was very patient with me and let me date around, but was never hesitant to let me know he was thinking of me :) I knew at that time that I met a very special person and would be lucky to have the chance to date him.
2011
This was about 3 months after we were married. I remember Grant and I had both had a long day of classes and were pretty worn out (or at least I was). He was home before me, and I came home to find the apartment all cleaned, dinner in the oven, and a vase of red roses for me on the kitchen table. The thing about Grant is that it's not just on Valentine's Day that he does romantic things for me. He'll randomly bring me flowers and is always willing to help around the apartment and especially help cook dinner.
This Year
This year was yet again another successful Valentine's Day! Grant and I are coming up on our 15 month anniversary next week (it sounds better saying 15 months than a little over a year haha) and I can't believe how much has changed. I thought I loved Grant when we were dating, then when we were engaged, then when we got married. I thought I loved him last year. We've been through so much and even though we're still very young and new at being married, our love has grown deeper each day and we're so grateful for each other! Enough about the romance though--Grant got me a rose-gold watch and the beautifully restored edition of Pride and Prejudice (the one with Colin Firth)! I just about flipped when I opened the movie--I've been wanting that for a while. I got Grant a few gifts that went along with 10 reasons why I loved him (some of those include bacon, snickers, Rich Dad Poor Dad (the boy's a nerd), and some other pretty funny gifts). As wonderful as all of these gifts are, the greatest gift of my life has been having a wonderful husband by my side. I'm excited to spend the rest of forever with my best friend.

Christmas Festivities!

Grant and I had a wonderful Christmas this year! We were down in St. George with his family for about a week and it was a lot of fun! We went to the temple together, we played walleyball, lots of settlers, rummikub, and back-alley bridge. It was fun to be with all the Vanderhorst kiddos! It was also a great time for us to remember the Savior and remember that no matter what gifts we received, the best gift we could receive is the gift of the atonement and the opportunity we now have to return to our Father in Heaven because of the Savior. I love this time of year and how much closer I feel to my family and to the Savior.
Now, what I am about to say may shock some of you, but we ACTUALLY BROUGHT OUR CAMERA THIS TIME! Not only that, BUT WE ACTUALLY TOOK PICTURES! Unbelievable, right?! So, enjoy the pictures!

We went to temple square with Stephen and Emily before we left for St. George. Such pretty lights!

We were helping the kids make their own gingerbread Santa sleighs. Costco=genius!

The kiddos were really excited to open the gifts from grammy and gramps!

Carly's new scriptures for her mission to Cape Verde

Paula wanted to make sure Carly didn't have an excuse to not write home ;)

My new boots that I picked out and bought on Black Friday. I was excited to finally get to wear them!

Grant got a new shirt, tie, and dress pants

We didn't realize how much Mom and Dad love Tetris! So we got it for them :)

 Cartigan=DownEast Basics. And yes, I picked this out as well :)

 Grant was super excited about the tools he got for our grill!

 This boy knows me WAY too well! I love this movie!

 A WhirleyPop popper from Stephen and Emily! Thank you both so much! We've already used it a ton.

 Grant was sick of me always borrowing his IPOD to workout, so he bought me my own little IPOD shuffle! Very nice to not have to lug around a huge ipod. Sucker holds 500 songs! Perfect for working out.

Overall, it was a great Christmas. I will say, it was very hard to be away from my own family. I did shed a few tears on Christmas--I didn't realize how much I would miss my family. But, I was happy to spend time with Grant's family and get to know them even better. I have such great in-laws and really feel like I'm a part of their family now. 

Happy New Year! May 2012 bring lots of joy and happiness!

I never thought it would come

So, I was walking around BYU's campus the other day and it really hit me--this is my last semester of classes. I won't be walking to classes every day. I won't have to fight for a parking spot. I actually get to begin teaching; something I've been working so hard to get for the last 4 years.

I have been attending school for the last 17 years and I will no longer be a student in just 5 short months. As I was pondering this I thought back on my school experience (elementary school through college) and had so many sweet memories of teachers, friends, graduations, and so much more. I never thought I'd say this, but I'm so grateful for school. It's helped me become the person that I am today and helped me reach my goals of becoming a teacher. I know school is tough and hard and I've mumbled about it many many times, but I'm so grateful for this opportunity that I've had. I entered this school to learn, and BYU has helped me have the tools I need to go forth to serve. I'm excited to finally say this: I'M A COLLEGE GRADUATE!

Thanksgiving!

Just a quick post about our Thanksgiving--yes, we forgot our camera...again haha! We spent it with my family and then the next day went down to St. George to be with Grant's family for a few days while Carly went through the temple. Yes, this is a short post. But I'm a busy girl.