Christmas Week

We had such a marvelous week last week.

It's the one time every year that all of the  siblings, their spouses and kids are all together.

We had so much fun spending time together.

We carried on a Grandma Chidester tradition and had a day baking sugar cookies together.

It's always fun seeing George with the kids because he loves them so much!

It's also fun to see the little cousins play and kiss one another.

Christmas morning was also fun.

The 3 of us opened our presents and then we headed to church.

I got to sing in the program and Will was so upset because he couldn't sit with me on the stand. 

He's definitely becoming a momma's boy more and more every day. haha

Christmas afternoon we got to talk on the phone with Brad's family and brother in Guatemala.

We miss them all so much!

We then headed to my parents' house and had a delicious Christmas dinner.

(Jerry and Mindee already left when we took this pic. :( 

I love my family so much and I wish we could all be together more often.

We had such a great week amidst the stomach flu that everyone somehow managed to get.

I'm so grateful for all the great gifts we received and for the biggest Christmas present I'll ever get; OUR HOUSE!

Brad moved the couches today so I am currently sitting on the floor.

Love it.

Can't wait to be officially moved in in a couple of days!

Have a HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!

Antsy in My Pantsy

You know that feeling you get when you're about to go on a date with the guy you have a huge crush on?

Or that feeling you had when you got your first kiss?

I have that feeling RIGHT NOW!

Today, yes TODAY we are going to close on our home!

I have butterflies in my stomach so badly right now.

This is a HUGE step in our lives.

We couldn't be more excited!

More later!

David Archuleta Concert

Last Monday my mom's restaurant was asked to cater for David Archuleta at Abravanel Hall.

David and his family are regulars at the restaurant and like to eat there whenever they are in town.

My mom was so thrilled when David gave her 3 free tickets to his concert that night.

Marcie was busy so I was able to go with my Mom and sister Mindy.

It was so so so much fun!

The music was amazing and David sang it all so beautifully!

We had amazing seats too!

I loved relaxing and hanging out with Mindy and my mom. 

Marcie we missed you!

David also announced he was going to serve a mission.

I couldn't help but tear up because I thought about how incredible of a missionary he would be.

He is such a great person with such a good heart. 

I'm so thankful for his kindness towards my mom and my family.

It was a fun night and it was a great way to start off last week!

More about Christmas later!

That's all for now!

Christmas Card

Merry Christmas Everyone!!!

Love,

Us!

We Had A Good Day

Yesterday was a busy day but we had fun.

I woke up and started packing some of our belongings.

Will thought he'd help and ran out to the family room and grabbed some of my workout DVDs and spoons.

Thanks for the help and hint! haha

I also received a package from NYC from a company called Skinceuticals.

I can't tell you how excited I am about this!

They contacted me a couple of weeks ago and they wanted me to review their products on my YouTube channel.

I'm a sucker for skin care products so it felt like Christmas getting all of these products for free.

I can't wait to see how they work!

We also had our family pictures taken.

Will would NOT smile for the life of him.

It was freezing outside so we moved into the studio.

He wasn't very excited about sitting down in one position for very long either.

The photographer was so great though. It was fun to work with him.

It will be interesting to see how they turned out! haha

After our pictures were done we headed to one of my favorite antique shops downtown.

We walked around and got ideas for how to decorate our home.

We were starving so we headed to Cafe Rio. 

Yum yum as always :)

It was freezing by that point so we headed home.

We sat in traffic for over an hour.

I hate traffic but I didn't mind it too bad because Will was passed out and so cute.

We came home and our good friend Colby stopped by for a while.

We called my sister Semenisheva in St. Petersburg and chatted for some good time.

I love being around these people.

They understand us and they love us.

I'm so grateful for them in my life!

We have put up our tree but haven't had time to decorate it.

It looks so sad! haha

My sister Mindot is coming to town TOMORROW!!!

I think I'm going to die from excitement because I love being with my family so much.

Hope you all have a great weekend!

I Can't Wait For Christmas!

 This time of year is so much fun.

It's cold outside and there are always yummy treats to eat.

I'm especially happy because it's the one time each year that my family gets to be ALL together.

I can't wait to see my siblings in-law and niece and nephew.

I had to add this photo of George because he was gone on deployment in the last pic.

Can you believe Christmas is only a week and a half away?

We are moving so soon!

I should probably go and pack some things while Willy naps. 

That's all for now!

Quote Of The Day

I found this quote in the Ensign from this month.

I hope it comforts you just like it comforted me.

Enjoy :)

“To those within the sound of my voice who are struggling with challenges and difficulties 

large and small, prayer is the provider of spiritual strength; it is the passport to peace. 

Prayer is the means by which we approach our Father in Heaven, who loves us. Speak to 

Him in prayer and then listen for the answer. Miracles are wrought through prayer.”

-President Thomas S. Monson

I Miss This...

It's 10:20 at night.

Will is passed out, I have a cold, and Brad isn't feeling well either.

I should definitely be in bed.

Instead I'm missing Ukraine.

I'm missing the babushki, speaking Russian 24/7, the juice, and super kontiki.

Most of all I miss the people I met while I was there.

When it's cold outside I always tell Brad, "Remember when it was colder than this and we would have to tract all day?"

I miss serving with Sem.

She is my sister that lives all the way in St. Petersburg. 

I think she understood me better than anyone on my mission.

I wonder what Karina is up to these days.

She's the one second from the left. 

She wanted to be baptized but her parents wouldn't let her. 

She's probably 16 or 17 now.

Oh the Gushins.

I saw these two be baptized by their son Sergei on the left.

The father is now Branch President and they've been sealed in the Kiev temple.

We still skype sometimes but I want to go to their house and eat some yummy sweet and sour chicken!

Oh Sister Margarita.

We loved FHEs at her house.

Misha had a baptismal date and backed out.

He wanted so badly to go on a mission. He's the dark haired boy.

Stanaslov on the right was so close to baptism too.

I wish I could call him up and see how he's doing!

I miss this girl the most.

She backed out of her baptism a few days before.

She found us and wanted to be taught everything about the gospel.

I remember sitting in the kitchen with her and talking about life for hours on end.

She always felt like a sister.

I miss her so much!

Then there is this beautiful woman.

Sister Tumy and I were the first sisters to teach her and she was baptized shortly after I got transferred.

She was amazing and gorgeous inside and out!

Then there are these beautiful girls.

I hate to say I have forgotten their names.

The one on the bottom left loved missionaries so much and would always bring her sisters to church with her.

This picture always makes me laugh because right after it we enjoyed a lengthy and heated bible bashing session.

Mama Bigun.

She was the first person I understood in Russian.

She checked up on me my whole mission.

She really was my mom away from home.

She always welcomed me with open arms and was always a shoulder to cry on when I needed it.

Love her so so much!

I even miss those nights when we had no appointments and it was FREEZING outside and all we had to do was tract. So many good memories with so many ornery people. haha

I also laugh at this picture because my future husband took it.

I would pay so much money to go back to my mission and watch us knowing what I know now.

How cool is it to meet your spouse in Ukraine ON your mission?

Sorry for all the random pics and memories.

This is more for me than anyone else.

I remember someone telling me that once I got home to America after living in Ukraine for 18 months that it would all feel like a dream.

I can't even tell you how true it is.

I miss it so much but there isn't a day that I don't think about someone over there.

I am so so so grateful for the opportunity I had to live there.

It changed my life forever.

If you're reading this and thinking about going on a mission...GO RIGHT NOW!

haha

No but seriously....

That's all for now!

The Croup

The past couple of days have looked like the picture above.

Willy always wanting to cuddle.

He woke up this morning with a barking cough and I had a feeling it was time to go to the doctor.

Although he was exhausted and could hardly breath he still managed to smile a little bit for the picture.

It turns out our little guy has the croup.

No fun but now we have the steroids for it.

The doctor said he'll be better with rest in the next few days.

I don't think you can ever really understand love until you have a child.

It hurts so bad to see them in pain and you would do anything to make them feel better again.

Right now Will is passed out and will hopefully sleep for a long time.

I hope he feels better soon!

After the doctor we came home and I found this lovely quote on Pinterest.

Love it and love my little man :)

So True!

I have found this to be true time and time again!

Today

Today:

1. Will woke up not feeling well. He would NOT let me put him down for anything.

I can't complain too much though; I love my cuddly, chubby guy.

2. Hit 800 subscribers on my YouTube Channel. So crazy! I never thought it would be possible to even have 100 subscribers. I feel so lucky to be able to talk to so many women from all over the world!

3. I did a kickboxing video while Will took a nap. It was alright but I still think Zumba is a better workout.

4. I went to my parents' house and watched Brad and my Dad move HUGE furniture. I'm so glad I'm not a boy and I never have to carry heavy things like that.

5. I found some old CDs at my parents' house. It was so nostalgic listening to them on the way home. Some of the songs included: She Will Be Loved, Unwritten, and old Surfjan Stevens stuff.

6. Had a prayer answered today while I was reading in the Book of Mormon. Love when that happens.

7. Ate yummy cashew chicken from Simply Thai for dinner. I don't think I could ever get sick of it!

8. Talked to one of my Young Women on FB chat. I am going to miss those girls so much. I've added a lot of them on FB so I can stalk them after we move. I can't wait to see them grow up. Love them!

9. I wrapped a couple of Christmas presents. It honestly hasn't hit me that Christmas is coming so soon. Maybe putting a tree up would help get me in the spirit.

10. I got to cuddle with my hubby today after Willy went to sleep. Love little moments like that.

That's all for now!

It's Monday!

Happy Monday!

I hope you all had a good weekend.

It's been a wonderful day.

Will slept in until 10:30 this morning so I could get a lot done.

I know I've said this time and time again but I love him so much.

I know every mom feels this way about their children but I truly feel like he is a light in everyone's life.

He is not afraid of strangers and he always wants to make friends.

He has such a good heart too.

Everywhere we go people come up to us and tell me how "big" and "beautiful" his eyes are.

He has eight teeth now and sleeps all night most nights.

He says, "Granpa, puppy, dada, and Granma..." 

I love whenever he wakes up from naps because his hair always stands straight up!

I am so thankful for this little family I have.

I feel so lucky so be Will's mom and Brad's wife.

That's all for now!