Career Path- its long

Almost four years ago, I was in a very stressful, non healthy job situation. I started searching for a new job. I decided to start with searching on the provident living website as it was the same place I found my previous two jobs. I found one working for a FM Group in the chcurch. I had no idea at the time which department it was. I applied for the job and went for an interview. I then found out it was working for Physical Facilities Department of the church. The interview went well however the starting wage was low. I express my interest in the job but said that I had to make at least what I was currently making. I left kind of sad, because I really did not think it would be possible. A couple days later I receive a call saying that I had got the job and the paid graded that I needed. I was shocked!!! I started two week later working for the Mesa AZ FM Group as the Office Assistant. I loved my job and enjoyed what I was doing. It was a challenge and something that I had never done before. But a year into it I felt the need to go back to school. So I enrolled at University of Phoenix in their MBA program. So for the next year and half I worked full time and went to school online. It was a very hard year and half however I learned so much and not just educationally. Shortly before finishing my degree I realized that I enjoyed working for the church however I would be crazy to have my MBA and work as an Office Assistant. I had a talk with my Regional Manager and explained my situation and my interested of promoting with in. I didn't think it would happen anytime soon. I was required to take a Talent Plus test. Less then two weeks later I was promoted to the Gilbert AZ FM Group as their Assistant Facilities Manager. I have really enjoyed working at the Gilbert FM Group. I learned a great deal. I knew that in time I would be promoted as an FM, however I did not know when and where. Last month we had a meeting to realign some of the FM Groups. At that meeting my Regional manager then informed me in front on everyone else there. That the FM Manager in Tempe would be retiring by year end and he would like me to take his place. Also to start as soon as possible. That being said, my new title is Tempe AZ FM Group, Physical Facilities Manager. The past couple of weeks have been very overwhelming but a great learning experience. I know that this is where I need to be and at the right time. I had never thought I would be where I am right now. However, I also know that my life has been lead for this point in time. So, folks that is the big news!!! Wish me luck, because I am going to need a lot of it.

New Years

This year for new years once again I spent it with my family in Tucson. We had a great time and created many memories. We even got my 94 year old grandma to stay up and bring in the new year with us. Thanks for being such a great sport grandma. We once again tried to launch the hot air balloon, but it caught on fire and went up in a blaze of glory! Sarah and grandma put a lot of time and effort into getting all fixed up. I guess we will just have to build a new one for next year!

December 2009

So much happened in the month of December. I am not sure where to start! I guess we will start with my aunt and uncle coming home from their mission. They came and surprised my grandmother. I was a very sweet reunion. They spent a couple of days with my family and we had a great time with them.

The following weekend it was Christmas!!! In my family we have the tradition of the bell. "Santa" hides the bell on Christmas eve. And in order to open our gifts we have to find the bell. This in years pass has taken anywhere from 5 mins to 2 hours!!! If we want a clue we have to tell "Santa" that he is the best Santa ever. Which he is. It amazes me that even though we are all grown up this little game of finding the bell is still a VERY BIG DEAL! I do have to say that Santa did a great job this year. The picture tells all.
The bell and all its glory!

This year for Christmas my parents put a 50 dollar price limit. That work out to be about 10 dollars per person. I have to admit that Bryce's gift top them all. He gave us all rocket engines. He then helped up build our own rockets. They next day we launched them. We had so much fun. Bryce thanks for a great Christmas gift. To my other sibling, your gifts were awesome as well:)
That concludes 2009 and all its adventures! I am sure that 2010 will bring many more.

Santa is REAL

Many years ago my family had just moved into our first home in Tucson. My cousin was living with us at the time. Shortly there after dad lost his job. This all happen right before the Holidays. We were all young, but I think we realize that it would be a very small Christmas. My parents had asked us what we wanted for Christmas that year. It was a very simple list:
Dad- electric drill
Mom-a dress that fit
Katie-doll
Sarah-doll
Patrick- the biggest gift

One night we decorating a our little tree when we heard sleigh bells. We opened the front door and there was Santa coming out of his bright red Dodge truck. He had boxes of food and gifts for all. We talk to Santa for a moment and then he said that he had to go. Mom and Dad walked Santa out and ask who he was. All he said was " Merry Christmas" and then left in his red dodge truck. And what did we get from Santa? Everything on our list. A power drill for dad, a dress that fit for mom, Katie and Sarah both got dolls and Patrick a fisher price basketball hoop, the biggest gift of them all. To this day we as a family do not know who Santa was. In eyes of the Corning household, Santa lives! He just comes in bright red dodge trucks!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL AND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT

Thanksgiving

Every family has traditions around the holidays. Like others I am very grateful for this time of year. For the many blessing that I have and for the time of reflection that it brings. This year, was a little different for the Corning household. We were able to spend the holidays with some of Trent's sibling. Here are some pictures of some of the things that happened over this Thanksgiving holiday.

We deep fried a turkey this year. Thanks to Alton Brown we learned to the safe way to do one:)

Trent's sister Melissa made these awesome cookie turkeys for everyone they were a hit!

We took a drive in the Packard at sunset. Thanks dad for working so hard to get the old cars out. I know that it is not an easy task. But always well worth it.

For all you old cars lovers, here is a better pictures of the 1929 Packard.

My personal favorite, 1956 T-bird. I can count on one hand the numbers of times that I have driven it THREE!

Three generations, grandma Lyman, my mom and me.

Amy, Bryce and I. We missed you Sarah and Patrick.

Last but not least, I put my Christmas Tree up at my home in Phoenix.
I hope that everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving. Come back soon, as there will be story about how Santa really does live!!!

Winter Quarters, Nauvoo and more....

I have been home from my trip two week now, so I figure it is about time that I blog about it. It was one of the best trips ever!!!!! I had a wonderful time! I visited family and friends, went to some of the most beautiful places that I have ever seen. Even had some pioneer moments along with getting pulled over and only getting a warning! That will be a post in its self. It all started off by flying into Omaha and visiting Winter Quarters visitor center. We even go to pull a hand cart!

We also visited some family at the cemetery. One being my sister May, she will always have a special place in my heart.
We then travel to Nauvoo, along the way we stop a Mt Pisgah, it was a place where the saints stopped for a period of time.

We had a great time in Nauvoo, it a beautiful place to see. Even though the weather was a little cold the scenery was amazing with all the leaves changing color. It gave you a sense of what it may have been like while the saints lived there.

I loved everything about Nauvoo, but one of the best parts was going into the different prophets homes, you could feel of their love and their spirit.

We were able to do a session at the Nauvoo Temple. It was beautiful. I could see why the temple was so important to those Saints at that time.
We then traveled to Carthage Jail.From the moment that you step foot of the the grounds, there is a very peaceful and humbling feeling there. I will never for get that feeling. After the tour we found out that our guide was the great great granddaughter of John Taylor. It was wonderful to hear of her feelings for that special place.

Then travel to Independence Missouri. Also the way Olivia felt that we needed to have pioneer moments. Let me explain what pioneer moments were. Us driving down the freeway at 70 miles per hour, with all 4 windows down and it being 35 degrees outside. Need I say more?! I was so cold and yet she was warm because she had her bonnet on, I personally think it was because she was wearing thermals!!!!

We then went to Liberty Jail. Liberty Jail has been reconstructed, but is a place where the Prophet Joseph Smith faced a great hardship. To give you a since of how cold it was they told us that after the jail was closed they used it as a place to store ice, because it would remain frozen until July.

We then went to Adam-Ondi-Ahman, what an amazing place. It is a humbling experience to think of what told place in this area as well as what will take place.


We ended the trip by going to the Winter Quarter temple. I will always have a special place in my heart for Winter Quarters and Nebraska, for they will always be home to me. We also spent some time with my grandma Corning. She is a beautiful and amazing women. I feel very blessed to be her granddaughter.



Until next time friends and family
Cheerio!

Less then 24 hours and counting

We are at less then 24 hours before I leave on vacation!!! Can you tell that I'm pretty excited! The last vacation that I went on was three years ago on a Hawaiian Cruise. Since then its been short weekend trips and family vacations.( Don't get me wrong I do love them.) For the next seven days I get to doing the following things:

Visit the Navuoo Temple

Visit Winter Quarters Temple
You cant go to Lincoln, NE and not have ice cream from the UNL dairy store!

Next post, the adventures from my trip. Cross your fingers that I don't freeze!!!

Cheerio