Happy Birthday to the Mister

This is my tribute to Justin, he is 25 today. Here's to the old and the new.

I have always admired the love Justin has for all of his nephews and niece. He has never been able to turn them down especially when there's mud involved.

Justin is able to make any situation fun!

This is Justin on his mission in the Philippines. I believe Justin was called to serve here because the Lord needed some one as compassionate as Justin to do the work in this area where there was so much poverty.

My Mister is better than your mister. This person continuously amazes me with his keen spirit and his passion. What is all so great about him is that he has a very carefree attitude towards life but he has his priorities set which are ultimately his beleif in the Gospel of Jesus Christ, his wife (teehee) and always striving to do good, stay fit and finish school. I have always known that my husband was meant to do great things and whatever he chose to do he would be good at. Justin will only involve himself in something that he can put his whole heart into. A job should be more than just a job to him and I admire his compassion. He is someone you can always trust in, he does not judge. To him, everyone is on equal ground. (He would make a pretty crappy politician.) And to add a little bit more cheese, never did I think that I would end up with someone as great as him. I owe him for my happiness. I've never been more complete. So now that I'm done being so vile...Justin loves the Zoo! So that's what we are doing today in celebration.

Avani Layne: A Creative Collection

I recently purchased these CUTE rings from my friend Danielle Bracken. She has
an Etsy store where she sells them and other pieces of jewelry. For those of you who aren't familiar
with Etsy, here is a word of advice "Hide your money or Etsy will get you". It's that awesome.
I love anything homemade and I love knowing where it has come from and
I especially enjoy supporting people in their crafty hobbies. Alot of times
I will use Etsy for craft inspiration when I'm feeling dull and lonely. It is candy
for the eyes, or uh..eye-candy :)

Below are some pictures I took today after I received my package in the mail
with the rings I desperately needed! They make great gifts (however you won't be receiving my rings) and Dani's rings are affordable! So here is my attempt at advertising.
Avani Layne : A Creative Collection

My Husband, The Shoe Collecter.

Marriage brings on many pet-peeves, that otherwise if single, would go unnoticed. Such as my husband's love for leaving as many shoes as he can in front of our door. Even though this small peeve doesn't make me fuming mad, I still have a little fun with Justin's flaws. I decided to que him in a little by leaving this for him to wake up to. He thought it was cute of course, and he still piles his shoes in front of the door.

Randomness from the South

We Built a Jar Of Charleston to take Home with us

The Donnelly Photoshoot

At the End of February I did a photoshoot, and learned quite a bit. It has made me eager for more, the more photos I take the better my skills get!







If you would like to see more visit my photography blog!

New camera, a pretty Justin and our messy rooms!

I was playing around with my new camera. Justin was my test subject. He sure looks pretty for camera! He's a good sport. I'm glad he supports my photography endeavors!

These are our two very messy rooms. We haven't fully settled in yet and we
don't have any furniture of our own. We may be moving again soon so what's
the point?! I really look forward to decorating and making our space beautiful
when we do get our apartment!

Back in the day...

Circa 2004: Did alot of 4-wheeling, bonfires, staying out too late. I heart Utah.
I was a clown....what happened? not near as fun as I used to be.
Honestly, I only hung out with maybe half of these girls. 

Senior Year. Man I hated that school. (East Rowan)
I always tried really hard to jump into the photo's that Mr. Bowman at Cedar High would take and pin up on the school bulletin board....It was the end of the school year and I finally managed to ruin one of them!  Even better that I'm with my best pal, Stacy Bulloch.

Everytime was a blast, and perhaps maybe the only good thing that came from moving to N.C. my senior year.

If I wasn't so tired, I'd post more.....not tonight.

What the heck are Justin and Val up to now UPDATE!

This is a long needed update! So everyone has been wondering if we are ever returning to Utah. Although we miss it so much, we pray and think alot about it and we still feel that we are supposed to be here in Charleston. We see ourselves struggling alot financially in Utah. We struggle here as well but for once we are actually paying our bills on time! Currently we are living at our good friend's The Hutto's! They are a wonderful couple we met at church and they have given us low rent to live in their 2 bedrooms with a Jackn'Jill bathroom. They have been so good to us and we appreciate them for accommodating us!
As for work, Justin is still at HealthSouth and his employers and co-workers and patients absolutly love him. Justin's long time dream is to some day open up a free clinic for the uninsured...I keep encouraging him in his schooling, he will accomplish so much in his lifetime, he really wants to be a doctor and impact the lives of others, although he is kind of wishy washy about it. His mind changes daily about his career from physical therapy to being a nurse practitioner to being an oncologist! One thing is for certain though, Justin is not happy unless he is helping someone in someway...whatever he decides to do he will be good at!
I am still working in the ever-so-dreaded restaurant business. I look forward to the day when I can stand on my own two feet and be in charge of my income and not depend on how many dollars my customers throw down on the table. There is a glimmer of hope though. I just recently took a job as an assistant to a Professional photographer named Tripp Smith. His architectural and interior design photos are beautiful and well composed. I am excited to learn from him and become a better photographer. He is giving me a chance on Tuesday to prove myself as his assistant at a shoot and if he is impressed then I will get to work with him more often. So I guess I shouldn't be bragging yet that I am his assistant, just excited is all, hopefully all goes well! Currently I am looking into the Art Institute. I want to apply so badly but I don't think we can afford that kind of schooling, it's top notch on photography!

Anywho not much else is new. I miss all of my scrapbooking supplies! I have started scrapping our wedding pictures but am limited to glue and paper, so that's at a stand still. Oh yeah, I injured my neck this past week. The cause: Stretching! Yep, Stretching! for two days I couldn't look up, down or side to side. I went to the chiropractor, one who I'm not sure if I can trust or not.(it's not like cedar city where everybody knows everybody) He scared me by telling me that I am missing a curve in my neck and one of my vertebrae (C2) is not centered with the rest like it should. (what can I say? the docter dropped me on my head at birth, j.k.) Anyways, I got a neckbrace pillow to help me sleep on my back at night and am tempted to ship our mattress out that is in storage.(we have been sleeping on futon's and air mattresses).

That all I've got so until next time...

new but old

New Blography post...click HERE!!!

ENTER THIS CONTEST PRONTO!!!!

So first I went to a blog, then stalked another blog and another blog and eventually found www.makingitlovely.com which is an awesome blog by the way, this woman has a lotta cool design ideas and she had a link to OHBrooke! www.ohbrooke.net which was another creative blog....I wish I could be trendy design savvy like brooke, but I'm not. So she (brooke) is doing a blog makeover giveaway, I immediately thought 'heck yeah sign me up!' My blog is 2 fries short of a happy meal and in need of some T.L.C. I know a few people who could use some help too, you know who you are! So go to her link and leave her a comment under 'Design for your blog giveaway'. Hopefully I will win...I'm sick of having a template that everyone else has from the same website....no offense to www.thecutestblogontheblock.com (you make fabulous templates!)

Merry Christmas

One thing has to change next year! When someone decided that you should have a limit as to how many times you can steal a gift during dirty santa, it was for a very good reason! My brothers and uncles went around in circles with the tools for a good 40 minutes....we played 2 rounds so that each person would end up with 2 gifts, this game lasted well over 2 hours....which was ridicules! I was ready for it to be over. My uncle finally came to his senses and picked a gift that his wife wanted and ended the madness. I ended up with a sushi making kit (which justin will love) and a HUGE box of chocolates and a little tabletop fountain.

Lots of good food and good times with family. I'm so glad Christmas isn't for another year, sad, I know. Hopefully next year Justin and I will actually be able to afford Christmas, however there is nothing wrong with being frugal and making gifts. Next year it's Christmas with the Hunter Clan!


P.S. Go see "Yes Man"!!! There wasn't a single second in that movie that wasn't funny! It's PG-13 minus one disturbing part involving an old lady....ugghh it gives me the creeps just thinking about it!


Hope you all enjoyed your day!

It's not the same this year...

I miss snow. Having 75 Degree weather on Christmas is not normal.
I miss my other family (Justin's) who fight but are actually quite functional!
I miss the Christmas lights that line Cedar Citie's main street.
I miss Christmas Eve mass.
Most of all I miss Justin. He is working doubles on Christmas, so I decided to celebrate with my side of the family this year instead of sitting at home alone....they are already driving me nuts. I hope Justin will enjoy spreading cheer at the hospital tomorrow! I should be making the best of this great opportunity to spend time with family but it's just not the same without my Justin.

I hate hate hate the restaurant business.
Saturday I had an impossible table. I was rushed since I was double sat, if you don't know what that's like imagine expecting only one baby and then finding out its twins at the due date and having 2 other small children to deal with at the same time. I was doing exceptionally well! Towards the end of their meal they ask for a manager and complain that I was the worst server they had ever had! Are you serious? I was totally oblivious to the fact that they might ever be upset. Apparently they were upset from the very beginning, from the drinks to the salads all the way to the very expensive steaks and exspensive bar drinks...they even said that I SLAMMED their check on the table and had a bad attitude. My coworkers couldnt beleive it "What? Val acting unpleasant?, that's rare". So I sucked it up...well okay not really, I bawled I was so upset by this table treating me like dirt. In the end they got their entire meal for free (it was a 60 dollar bill) and my manager sent me home. In it for a free meal? I think so!

Also if your gonna leave less than a 15 percent tip you shouldn't be eating out PERIOD!!!!!!! If it wasn't for servers your food would be more expensive. Plus when I get cheapos I feel like I am dust under the rug to them!

new blog new blog new blog

I made a photoblog!!!!!!!!!!
www.valenhunterphotography.blogspot.com

check it out!

Field Trip To Woods Bay State Park

YOU CAN CLICK THE PHOTOS TO VIEW BIGGER AND BETTER!

I know, still no pictures. My computer has the influenza that plaques many of us in these cold months only he's inanimate...anywho, my comp is getting debugged next week so I will finally be able to upload some pictures. I will also be getting all of my wedding photos this week....FINALLY!
My friend Ashley is getting married and she asked me to be a bridesmaid...so I will be doing that next week and spending thanksgiving for the first time in 3 years with my fam! Also...I have 2 people that want me to do photos! A lady that justin works with wants christmas photos of her and her dogs, and I also have kids portraits coming up. I'm looking forward to this practice, I really need it because I want to be the best I can be and I love love love photography! I find myself picking apart every photo I see lately I can finally distinguish between great and not so great photography, I know what it takes to produce a good photo.

Mr. Justin is working at Healthsouth Hospital as a Restorative Nurses Aid...pretty much a glorified CNA, but better pay. He likes riding his bike everywhere and buying new things to add to it. Other than that not much is new.

aaahhggg, here we go again....

I'm so frustrated by how far Heavenly Father's children have strayed away. If they would just bend their knees and forget their own matters this economy would not be struggling, Disasters would not be so consistant. This is what it takes for Heavenly Father to remind us why we are really here. While God is giving his children opportunities, they are kicking him to the curb and taking all of the credit. I'm glad heavenly father is doing something about it. Yes, it is a scary time, but I think if we do the things that we keep hearing, time and time again from the Prophet and Apostles, we'll be fine.

When it rains (which is very often). It pours! Yep, Mr. Young at Heart, Justin is outside playing in it!

Justin showing me how big the turtle was that he saw

Justin and I went Kayaking last thursday in alligator waters. They don't harm you if you don't harm them!

I have never been one to stick to a TV show for an entire season. But, for once in my life I have time to watch not only one but eight different TV shows. Thanks to the Biggest Loser I learned that you can lose weight and watch T.V. at the same time. Commercial breaks are usually three minutes long so if you do jumping jacks on those breaks you will lose 300 calories in during one episode. This way I don't feel guilty for watching so much TV.

Here are some pictures of Justin and I and what things we have been into lately.
okay........my sd card reader is broken ...no pictures! sorry

We are in Charleston now. It's pretty fabulous...no, I dont have anymore pictures for you. I have filled up all of my memory cards and I dont delete my photos so until I buy a new one you prob wont see any so I will leave you with my favorite bridal photo (My friend Shad Munford took all of the wedding photos and bridal+engagements- he's awesome). I still haven't gotten any wedding day photos back yet, I'm working on it.
Justin and I went to the beach for the second time this week, Justin is a little beach happy. After swimming like fish for an hour we had dinner on a deck overlooking the ocean and listened to live Reggae music, it was pretty sweet! No one had visited us yet: ( Family and friends are about a 4 hour drive away. They better take advantage of it now while we are so close!