Test Blog. Get out.

Seriously

2011-07-29T19:17:00.005-06:00

This blog isn't updated anymore.

quit looking at this blog. Just stop it.

Test Blog.

2011-07-29T19:11:00.002-06:00

This blog is now a test blog for the new official blog. So this will be used as a test blog. Which means, prolly not at all. So go to the other blog.

2009-03-16T15:57:00.002-06:00

Yes, sadly our beloved car was broken into. It was back in January I believe. They broke in for a jacket on the seat and took Navarre's book of CD's. Ironically the jacket was going to DI. Nothing else was taken even though there were more CD's in the car and stuff in the glove box. We're just happy it was a back window that was broken, they didn't take more than they did, and that the car is even still with us. We taped up the window thoroughly and have been rather reluctant to fix it yet because it's good anti-theft to see that it is broken. Quite a shock for us, but if it had to happen, it was under the best possible circumstances.

2009-03-16T15:38:00.005-06:00

Ok does this guy look scary or what? If he wasn't so darn cute when he smiles I think he'd look like an assassin. Or a bouncer. So anyways our lives just change so fast that anything we put on here becomes obsolete very quickly. One thing is for sure I think - I'm going to graduate school. There is a nice school in Draper and Dallas called Argosy. You only go to class once every three weeks for a whole Saturday and it'll only take me two years to get a master's degree in marriage and family therapy. For now I only have a year and a half more at BYU. a little longer than I expected, but I need to get my GPA up before I can make it into Argosy. Navarre is still at UVU getting a spanish degree, but the plans are now changing to be a mechanic. Fixing cars in bad times and souping them up in good times. Double major? He's definitely smart enough. We have new friends in Pleasant Grove - one of my old friends from high school who got married. The mechanic idea came from him and we might trade in our car for a different one. Hopefully we'll get to spend a lot of time with them this summer.

changing direction

2008-07-10T12:14:00.002-06:00

Its Catherine again. I decided just to start a new post for this one after dealing with the video in the last - I didn't want to lose it after it finally came through. Navarre has decided to change his major a couple times from film editing to psychiatry and now he is bent on being a helicopter pilot. He was looking into schools in California and they all suggested going to UVSC out in Utah 15 minutes from BYU where I am. I think we can definitely deal with that :) So he stopped taking summer classes at BYU and is now enrolled at UVSC now called UVU after recently converting from a state college to a university. He's really excited to get started. He wants to start taking classes out here and then when I graduate in a couple of years we might move to the west coast so he can join the coast guard. I would definitely not be opposed to that.

So I have officially quit my job at the bakery. They weren't giving me enough hours to live on and I was getting tired of riding the bus for an hour just to get out there every day. It made for a lot of early bedtimes. I've been looking into a few different things and I'm hoping to have a job by next week because my last day is on Thursday - yikes. I've always wanted to get paid to cross-stitch and there is a company online that people can send their projects to if they can't do it or just want someone else to. I'm gradually making my way through their application process so I could do that on the side for a little extra money for something I love. My other endeavors include bookstores, floral shops and sheet music places. I decided not to do another bakery because they are all kind of scary down here in Provo. I will be sad to leave Flour Girls and Dough Boys because they really have been good to me, but it's time to go...

Sorry no pictures this time, just lots of information. I was really sad I could not join you all on your little girl trip, but I was thrilled to receive the chocolates in the mail. Thanks for thinking of me mom :) For anyone who doesn't know, Megan and I share the same birthday which is great. I'm finally not a teenager anymore yay!!!

One last tidbit is that Navarre and I have finally received callings in our new ward. They want us to be CTR primary teachers. We were all unclear on how old that age group is, but we're so excited. Navarre is an excellent teacher and I have always secretly harbored a desire to work with kids so it's going to be great. After seeing all the grandchildren all over all the other blogs, I wish I had some of the same kind of news, but unfortunately that will have to wait a while. No worries, grandma Tess, you definitely have more grandkids on the way!

updated

2008-07-10T11:15:00.006-06:00

Ok so I've been totally a slacker when it comes to reading all the blogs, but I finally sat down last night and this morning and read them all! Now I'm all achey inside because I miss everyone :( Anyway, there have been a few developments at the new Valdivieso house that you should probably know about. First I will start with the trip back in June. My grandparents were on their way up to their cabin at Strawberry River (somewhere below Strawberry Reservoir) and we planned to go with them for the weekend.....until we discovered it was checkout weekend at Liberty Square. I was still dying to go and I already had work off so I very sadly went without Navarre. It is incredibly beautiful up there and it's one of my favorite places to go. We left on Thursday and came back Saturday. By Friday afternoon I was already itching for Navarre and by Saturday morning I couldn't sit still for missing him. It was our first night apart since the wedding and our first whole day apart with no contact since January. No cell service up there. :(

So this is the cabin - my mom's siblings joke that my grandpa is an 80 percenter. He will work on something until it's just past the standard of workable. Then he leaves the rest of the finishing for later. As you can see - about 20 percent of the cabin is missing on the right side. The roof is supposed to come as far down as the left side. The cabin is big enough for five other people to stay in besides my grandparents. He is definitely a 100 percenter grandpa :) He has a shed around the back and another shed on my right.

This is the gorgeous meadow that you see from the front porch. My grandpa Marlin takes good care of it by pumping water to it from the river and mowing the whole thing with an edger! I couldn't believe it when I saw it. He's even recovering from a broken hip that he got in December. I must say that his stamina is incredible.

So this is the river that the cabin is mere yards away from. Since it was sort of Spring, the water is that great muddy color and ready to burst its banks. Its usually incredibly clear. I still think its pretty though. And yes that is a bridge in the end. My grandpa made that out of tree that had fallen. He added the railings so certain grandchildren would have less of a chance to fall in. The water is freezing, but somehow that never stops us from getting wet :)

Weddingday Bliss!

2008-06-21T14:48:00.007-06:00

Well, I've FINALLY gotten around to putting pictures up here on the blog! We're still waiting for a lot more pictures that haven't been given to us yet, but these are pretty good!!

The day was beautiful, a little windy, but wonderful! The sun was shining, the temple gorgeous, and the flowers were in bloom!We were glad to finally be married, and ready to start the new life together!!

Our parents and siblings approved....And graciously smiled for the camera!!
The best man and Bridesmaid.You want to do WHAT!?!?
Ok, Fine. : )

The Ladies showed off their shoes, and the men bore their legs!!
The men leg thing seems to be a Valdivieso tradition....weird family...
But everyone had a good time!

After the wedding was a luncheon, but we were already tired!
A few hours of rest later, and we were ready for the reception!!

Catherine gave some advice

And we all had delicious Lemon Raspberry cake! Thank you Jessica Wingate!!
Catherine proceeded to stuff the cake up my nose......but for some reason, it doesn't taste as good that way!

At the exit, we were attacked by silly stringers!! Catherine wasn't too excited about getting silly string on her nice dress!!

It was a great day, and we are so happy now with our whole lives ahead of us!!
We look forward to an eternity together, and with all our family!!

BYU Football.

2008-06-17T23:37:00.002-06:00

So yeah, I'm basically pretty stoked for this year to start. They have had a pretty good last two years, and we hope they do even better this year. Last year's theme was "reloaded," and this year's theme is rumored to be "Quest for Perfection." Hope it works!!

Kung Fu Panda!!

2008-06-08T10:30:00.007-06:00

Well, we're still waiting for our pictures from the wedding, so until then, you'll just have to wait too!! In the meantime, we've decided to put our own movie reviews on the blog. we are avid movie-goers, and decided it would be a good idea.

Last night, we went and saw Kung Fu Panda.Navarre's Review 8/10 stars.
Thumbs Up!! This movie was very good, and exceeded my expectations. It was clean, and fun, and very funny! The voice actors have done a great job, and Jack Black pulled off the character very well, without being too annoying. The story is the cliche of being accepted and believing in yourself, but it is refreshing to see it in a kung fu style. The animations are top notch, and this is one to definitely take the kids to see.
If you liked finding Nemo, Shrek, or anything animated by Pixar or DreamWorks, you will definitely want to add this to your collection!

Catherine's Review 9/10 stars
Thumbs Up!! The movie was very good and exceeded our expectations. It wasn't too over the top or crude like some Jack Black movies, it was very funny, engaging, and it had just the right mixture of comedy and action to appeal to an audience of all ages. We get the feeling that our kids will yell "Kung Fu Panda! Kung Fu Panda!" when we ask what movie they want to watch. In the future, of course. As a cautionary note for those with young children, the bad tiger was very scary and formidible even as a cartoon badguy. However, he is not lastingly scary thanks to the antics of Po the Panda, and is made comical when defeated by the Panda Hero/Dragon Warrior!!

Pictures!!

2008-04-12T12:04:00.002-06:00

Ivan Ho, a young man in our ward, took the engagement photos. They were exceptional. We took them in front of the Provo, UT temple.

This is the one that made the cut:
We also went last Saturday to take our couple and bridal shots. IT TOOK 3 FREAKIN HOURS!!! But it was worth it. We got about 800 pictures out of it. Catherine's cousins Pedro and Lisa took the pictures. We don't actually have them yet, but here are some I snapped with my phone:
As a P.S. we want everyone to understand something important about us as a couple. That is: we are NOT a traditional couple, nor will we ever be, nor do we intend to be!! We are living life as we see fit according to gospel principles, and kicking as many dumb traditions as possible!! For example, yes, I saw the bride, in her dress, weeks before the wedding. I AM currently wearing my wedding ring. (If she can, why can't I?) She's had 4 bridal showers, and I don't intend to have a single bachelor party. I hope everyone is cool with that, because we are! : )

How we came to be!

2008-04-12T11:29:00.003-06:00

I met Catherine back in June when I first moved to Provo after my mission. Funny thing, I was actually chasing a different gal at the time, so I was "illegally" in her FHE group. I remember seeing Catherine, and thinking she seemed like a nice girl. Catherine and I often wonder aloud to each other how it is that we didn't come together sooner. After giving it some thought, the answer seems pretty obvious, we just weren't ready for each other.
After a long and frustrating summer and fall semesters, it finally happened. The Lord decided we were ready to finally meet. And in an unconventional way, nonetheless, as the Lord is prone to do. When we first started dating, we decided that we had moved too fast, and decided to separate for a time. that lasted about 2 days when we finally decided that we were being silly, and came together again.

After 2 more weeks of exclusiveness, we decided it was time to visit her family.
I don't think her mother thought much of me. I don't think any of us fully realized the seriousness of our relationship then.Catherine's brother Andrew made gourmet french toast, and we shot the breeze a bit. I met Catherine's father, ate some of his delectable chocolates, and we left.

On the drive home, we got to talking. We had often spoken of being married, and what life would be like with each other if we ever did in fact get married. I had already prayed about it, and I suppose she had also, because her next question was both expected and not. She asked when I was planning on proposing. I said that when we went to California to visit my parents, I would propose then. She seemed satisfied with that answer.
For about five minutes.
"If we're going to get engaged anyways, why not now?" A good question. Well, what place sells rings at 12 o'clock at night? The one and only Great and Spacious building itself....Wal*Mart!! So I took her to the luxurious Wal*Mart where she picked out a nice $10.00 ring to hold her over until we could get her a nice ring in Cali. And so, we were engaged. And quite happily I might add.

We decided on August, right between semesters when it would seem we'd have more time to actually GET married. We went back to her house the next day so I could ask her dad. That was an interesting experience. Her father has a great sense of humor, I have a feeling he and my dad will get along well. He took me into a room, sat me down, and we had a nice talk. To make a short story shorter, he gave us his blessing to be married, and we left rather happy. I called and spoke with my parents and they were thrilled.

Then, we decided to be married in April. April 19 to be exact. At noon. In the Mount Timpanogos temple. We're very happy. I was going to make this much longer, but I think this'll do.

So yeah. : )

A Blog!!

2008-04-12T11:14:00.002-06:00

Well, we both love Clarissa and Damon's blog (http://damonandclarissa.blogspot.com), so we've decided to start our own!!