New Years!

So I've put myself on a type of diet/excersize regimen, and have been on it about... 5 days. Basically I watch my fat and sugar intake, drink water everytime I want juice, and do some home workouts. The only parts of my body that are my "trouble" areas are my butt and my belly. Ideally it'd be nice to do a total body work out... but baby steps. I started with 20 reps for each and have added 10 each day. I'm at 70! Goodness I never thought I could do that much! Plus I've never stuck with a regimen before! So yay me! Just trying to get a head start on the New Year ;) It's going good. I haven't seen much change, but I feel it when I walk up the steps to my apartment each day! Hahaha.

Chance is doing well. We're both a little worried/stressed about the business and the upcoming split. The accounting is going to be all me, bank statements, billing and invoicing, pay roll, sales taxes, payroll taxes! Ahhhh goodness. I've been helping with billing etc, but all the other things I've no clue! Laurie is more than happy to help me, and she's going to be there every step of the way until we get our feet on the ground, but goodness. We'll be ok though. The only thing that's stressing us (mainly me), is school is starting next semester, I'll be hopefully working 20 hrs a week plus accounting, plus full-time school, and Chance full-time work with part-time school, plus our wonderful callings with the youth, and a regular attendance of the Temple each week. Ok, I'm changing the subject. My brain is cramping up just thinking about it.

Last night we went to Kayla and Russel Sprague's reception! Ohhh it was so fun and beautiful! The whole thing was classy and neat and just awesome! Kayla was beautiful! She looks sooo young! Goodness, I'm not sure how old she is, but she'll look young forever. I got to catch up with a few friends I haven't seen in a while, like Aubry McCain. It was fun to gossip (only of the good kind) about our friends from school and to learn of their accomplishments and plans. On the way home, Chance and I were talking about old friends, and we realized his first high school reunion is next year! Crazy. He's an old man! Haha, and yesterday I realized that my 21st birthday is next year too! I remember thinking 21 is soooo... mature and grown-up! When my birthday comes around I'll tell you if I've felt mature and grown-up yet!

Anyways, it's New Years! And we're sitting at home! I have My Fair Lady on in the background as I'm typing so I feel my thoughts are a bit scattered, and Chance is playing Skyrim in the other room. Since my movie's almost over, it's almost time for Monopoly!!!

Happy New Year!

The Paynes

Sunshine

Things That Shine

Yesterday we went to the mall to exchange some pants for a bigger size (cuz my momma still thinks I'm a size 7 in Juniors, flattering). When we finished I remembered that I've been wanting to find a red lipstick that would look good on me, so we went to the Macy's make-up department. I had seriously bought like 5 shades previously and gave them all away cuz they looked so awful! Anyways I had this lady help me and she had me try some one, and ohhh goodness. I had never seen myself look so bombshell pretty! Not to brag, but I felt real good about it. So we got some. Chance said he liked it, and it seemed like I felt a little more confident with it on. He's kinda sweet like that. So this morning I woke up and decided I wanted to wear my red lipstick today. Usually I stick to pretty conservative colors, so it was a little different at first and I was almost self-conscieous about it. Around afternoon I went out to run errands and I had to run by Walmart. As I was walking in I heard a girl say "Look at all that make-up she's wearing!", and I was the only person who'd walked in so I'm pretty certain she was talking about me. I felt sooo aweful I wanted to just get my stuff and leave! I walked with my head down for the rest of my time there, when I remembered a lyric from one of Taylor Swift's songs called "Ours".

" People throw rocks at things that shine".

And I thought how appropriate that is in this situation! I felt way better, and told myself that she threw rocks at me because I shine.

So that's my thought for today. If people throw rocks at you, its because you shine.

Jenae

Christmas!

Busy. It was weird for me to have Christmas Day be on a Sunday. I mean, last time that happened was 7 years ago, and I wasn't a member of the church so... I didn't really care to keep the Sabbath Day holy. I think just the fact that today didn't feel like "Christmas" and it was on a Sunday, which honestly it should feel the most Christmas-y ever, says a little something about my view on Christmas. I get stuck in the concept that things should be celebrated right when they happened, and that a couple should only have one "true" 'first Christmas' ornament, and I realize that I've completely missed the whole point! I missed the beauty of celebrating Christ's birth on Christmas because I was too busy thinking in the back of my mind that December 25th wasn't specifically His birthday; that it doesn't matter which 'first christmas' ornament is the "real" one because all that matters is that two people loved us dearly enough to get us one each! Bah I'm such a lamo!

I was fighting against myself the whole time. I was consistently trying to be aware of keeping Christ in Christmas, but in the end I let myself lose the point. Lesson learned.

My amazingly wonderful visiting teaching companion, Janessa Fronce, gave me this cuuute Christmas book, called Christmas Love. Its about a little boy's first "Winter Play" at school, and there was a song called Christmas Love, and the front row of kids each held a letter of the title, and as each letter was sung about that kid would hold it up. It got to the little girl holding the "m" in Christmas, but it was upside down! Everyone stared as they realized what that simple mixup spelled. C-H-R-I-S-T-W-A-S L-O-V-E. That's what Christmas is about.

So a play-by-play. I woke up first (shocker ;), threw some cinnemon rolls in the oven, took a shower, got ready and put on my awesomely sexy and modest Christmas dress , took cinnemon rolls out, ate some, went to church. The program was lovely! We had opening, intermediate and closing hymn, which I really appreciated, and the choir had a beautiful performance! They sang 4 songs with narrations in between where the story of Christ's birth was read, and the following song would have something to do with the previous narration. I was really impressed with our choir, especially our very own Mormon Tabernacle soloist! She used to be, until they came to our lovely ward! Kathy Visher is a very talented woman, and she definitely build the kingdom with her talents. When listening I could totally pick out her voice. It was that one singular soprano note that was perfectly on pitch (cuz sometimes that doesn't happen in a ward choir). She's like the cute little cherry on the ice cream sunday that is our choir.

After being "nourished" as our bishop loves to say, we went home to our humble apartment and opened the presents to each other. Chance did so good! I made sure to hint for the last few months, so it was team effort ;) But he did get me a few things I didn't even know I wanted! Like Jenga and Monopoly. I have been saying we needed games, and that's what I got! He also go me some beautiful sapphire and topaz earrings (for an awesome price during cyber Monday, he was very proud), Taylor Swift's new CD! And dark red microfiber sheets that matches our new bed spread. I'm sitting in them right now, and they're really soft! And he got them for 50% off! Which makes them all that much better! I got him a gift card for 4 or 5 car washes since he loves his car, his first red tool box, haha and his fave present Skyrim. Whiiiiiich he had been hinting forever that he wanted it! So obviously. I can't remeber the other things.

Next we went his parents, and guess who was on the phone! It was Seth! Elder Payne is so proudly serving his mission in Sao Paulo, Brazil. I'm not sure which area, but I know he's as far east as it gets, being on an island a few miles from inland! Called Isla Bella? And it's so pretty! He was able to skype, so we got to see him as well as the view out the window, and it trully looks like a paradise. He's doing really good. He had a hard to focusing on us cuz his companions were kinda "causing a ruckus" as he said, and he was getting his english mixed up. Like we'd ask something, and he'd have to remember what a word was either in the question or his response. I think he's been out 4 months now. He said the people there are really "tranquil", and don't mind listening to them, but don't think much of the church. It's the youth that are really teachable. He said they soak it all up. I really believe there's something special about the youth of this world. I see it in my Young Women, and seriously I was just in their place 2 years ago, and things have gotten way harder! Just in the past 2 years! Anyway, he also explained what a "gringle-berry" is! Haha so hilarious! A Brazilian elder asked Seth what a "dingle-berry" is (which is kinda funny cuz I asked Chance the same thing a few days ago!), and Seth explained, then I think they got a new Elder in and he was a total gringo, so it was the perfect oppurtunity to combine the two! I thought that was awesome!

So that ended, we went to my parents, opened presents, took family pictures, then went back to the Payne's for some food and a nap until dinner at my grandma's. Finally, we arrived home. We watched A Charlie Brown Christmas and... oooo played Jenga! Hahaha and I won! I'm getting better at winning games against Chance! Which reminds me, there's not many things I'm better at than Chance, so the few things there are I like to talk alot about. Like, ice skating.

Friday we went ice skating downtown with the Bianchini's, one of the few young couples in our ward, and it was sooo fun! At first we were all pretty bad, plus the ice was smooth. Anyways, Chance had never been before, so we spent most of the time holding hands, with him using my arm a support. It was cute. Gotta go! I'll continue later!

The Paynes

Another Update!

Haha UPDATE!

So I'm way not the best at keeping a blog! Just keep swimming, just keep swimming, swimming, what do we do? Swim, swim. Or at least that's what I tell my students at Tricks Swim! Yes, new job. I only had the salon one for... officially 2 weeks before she decided that,' I was too young'. Eh, whatevs. I totally LOVE my new job! Tricks is such a fun place to work! Everyday there is seriously something hilarious that a kid does or says! And they're so willing and excited to learn! It's a huge pay-cut, but I'd rather be happy than rich.

Chance is still running the business. Times are a little tough, but we'll get through. That's what tithing's all about. Paying tithing doesn't mean you'll still be able to afford a nice things, just that the Lord will keep you safe and fed. That's what I had to learn. It's kinda funny, because when I was making nice money, we counted our pennies and hardly splurged. So since my huge pay-cut, it's really not that different! Just... a little more serious that we watch our pennies : ) Which has made Christmas a little hard, but we've budgeted out what little we can afford and have stuck to it. Sometimes we're not sure how the money gets in our accounts, but it gets there! Last month we actually had to pay half our rent out of savings : / which made me feel sick. I only like putting money into savings, not take it out.

Anywho... on a lighter note! We are happy. We found a Christmas tree for $10 at Wise Buys! Whoot! It's honestly not the most amazing tree, but then it's not a Charlie Brown tree either. It's got some bald spots... and is a little brown (which might be from our lack of watering it...), but its ours. It's our first Christmas tree, and we love it. Most the ornaments are Chance's since his parents gave him one every year. Except last year, they gave me one too. So iceskating Frosty is hanging proudly right in front. Yesterday we opened one present from under the tree, since it was the one year anniversary of Chance proposing. I had him open the black socks I got him... and he had me open the beautiful blue topaz earrings he got me! I felt soooo lame! But he loved it, because that's how he is. He just loved the fact that I thought about how he needed long black socks, so I got them. I loved how he knew I'd love the bright blue topaz!

Today we went out to dinner, which it's been a looooooooong time. And afterward walked around some stores. We went to REI and looked at their rock climbing gear. We're actually kinda considering investing in it. It'd add up to almost $400 for both of us, but it's a super amazing fun way to get in shape, like you don't even realize it's happening. And those are the best kinds of workouts. But then... we're not sure if we're gonna have time, or even want to go when school starts in January! Ugh life is going to get so busy I just know it. With both of us in YW & YM, then work, school, institute class, trying to make it to the Temple once a week, and homework! Oh I'm making myself nervous just thinking about it! SOOO... I won't!

I can't believe Christmas is only a few weeks away! Oooo I'm so excited! One awesome bonus to working in a child-centered business, is that you're off when schools are closed because most people aren't here or don't want to go to swim class. So I get two weeks off! But that's also two weeks without a paycheck... But that's ok! Because it's two weeks off!

In case I don't write again before Christmas,

Merry Christmas!

It's Been A While

So update. I got a job as a salon receptionist as Salon Jolie! It is also where my awesome friend Brittany works (who gave me the tip). Yay! I am WAY excited. Chance was right. If it's part of Heavenly Father's plan it will happen. No matter how "unqualified" one might feel. I put in my notice a few weeks ago at the hospital and I still a have a few more weeks left there. I'm getting sooo antsy! The day I put it in I did NOT want to stay at work. But ya know, responsibility happens. My official start date is September 12th.

In other news, Chance took me to the chiropractor yesterday. Oh my goodness I felt so free afterwards! Ever since 7th grade I've never been able to do those butterfly stretches where you sit on the ground and put your feet together and push your knees down. It always hurt my hips and there's never been much flexibility there. Anyway after being restricted in a particular movement for a while you kinda forget what its like to be able to move it, and that's what yesterday was like! It was totally awesome. So now I go twice a week for a few weeks.

At the same appointment, Dr. Jenkins, whom Chance has known for a while told him about someone in his business networking group is looking specifically for a bilingual printer, which could be a new possibility for the business. Who knows.

Chance just left for work and I'm sitting around waiting to go to that place of toil and anguish that forces me into staying because it gives me a paycheck. But no more shall it have power over me! Well. After September 12th anyway.

And yesterday we took Payne family pics before Seth leaves on Wednesday! Oh my goodness its coming so FAST! So that was a little adventure.

During this same trip Chance and I had a little tiff, which tiffed itself all the way from the Old Sugar Mill near Antioch to home (which is a lot longer than a normal tiff, being it was like an hour drive). In the end it's usually someone not looking at someone else's perspective, and not understanding what the other is feeling, or not wanting to compromise. Fights are almost always about one person looking at the other's problems instead of their own. Marriage isn't easy. But I'd have to say, so far, it's totally worth it. ; )

Learning Life

So through this whole anecdote I'm about to unfold before you, I have come to learn a few things. 1) My husband is incredibly patient and loving. 2) He's pretty wise. 3) When Heavenly Father is trying to teach you something, do NOT fight Him, because in the end kicking and screaming, you will learn it. So you can do it the easy way, or the hard way. I chose the hard way.

Before we left for our week vacation I was at wits end with my job. Getting beat up, harassed and yelled at by people you're only trying to help was getting to me. As we were getting ready to leave I was thinking", Ok this vacation will be exactly the break I need. I'll go back to work ready and refreshed." No. No that's not what happened (me and my naiveté right?). My first day back I had a break down. The next day: break down. I had one pretty much everyday that first week back! I decided I couldn't do it, that I hated my job and I wanted a new one that was easier and more convenient, and where I wasn't going to be stressed or abused (yeah like that exists). I came up with all these reasons as to why I needed another job. I began to search desperately to no avail, even in my prayers I got nothing. Then one day, Chance said I need to be more positive, and maybe Heavenly Father is trying to teach me something. He said that all jobs are going to be hard, and my reasons for looking for another were insane. I was of course a little butt-hurt, but I knew he was right.

I changed my attitude, and I don't despise work now... but it's still pretty tough. My new and more righteous reason for looking for a new job is for better hours so I can spend more time with my husband. He works days, I work nights, we make it work... but still. I'm content with work and I understand that honestly, no matter where I go it's going to be hard. Chance was right. I'm looking for another job, and there's some hope for where my sister works, but still waiting to hear back. Now I can hear Father a little better, and am more open to His council, and am doing my best at following His guidance. I know that He will help my find a new job. I believe He taught me what I needed to learn (kicking and screaming), and He understands and supports my reasons. On Sunday a speaker recapped on what faith is. "Faith is hoping for things unseen". I have Faith that Father will support me in my righteous endeavors. I don't know if the job I'm vying for will work out, but I Know that it's because Heavenly Father has something better planned.

I want to thank Chance for being so patient with me, for always listening to me talk things through, for giving me the council I needed, and for not being afraid to tell me what I needed to hear.

Side Note: Yesterday we had the missionaries for dinner (yum!), and one elder is struggling with issues against a particular group of elders in his mission, and this week he has three exchanges with all of them! He was totally not looking forward to it. I told him that Heavenly Father is going to keep doing that to him until he learns to like those Elders. He hung his head and said yeah... I know.... but I could tell he didnt want to accept it. No one wants to hear it, but it is sooooo true!

Chance's New Calling!

Chance got a calling! He's the First Counsellor in the Young Men's Presidency! Yay! Now we're both with the youth! This is how we stay young.

Hartle Family Reunion

Last week was our family reunion (Chance's mom's side), and goodness what an adventure! We left friday night after I got off work (so really late, like 11:30) and set out for the 12 hr drive to Utah. The whole ride was a blur I can't remember anything. It was my turn to drive near the end because there was only 3 of us, me, Chance, and his dad, but Chance took the bullet for me (great guy, I know ;). We arrived at Aunt Carrie's in Bountiful where we cleaned up and met with Laurie and the boys, then headed out for Bear Lake on the Utah-Idaho border.

There was a campsite reserved, but the only ones camping were the kids, Chance and I, and Donna Mae and co. Everyone else had campers, and Laurie, Mark and Ivan's fam rented a cabin a few miles away. I hadn't been camping in soooo long! Not since I worked at Camp Winthers, and that was awesome! So I was stoked to be camping again and to stay outside in the beautiful weather. Saturday was a beautiful sunny day with a nice breeze (it was like that most the time there); evening rolled and around, and with it rain and wind. All we had was this little two-person tent and luckily we had trees to soften the gusts from the lake, but the rain was too much for the little tent to handle. It leaked. There was even a lovely steady drip above Chance's head. So we set out against the storm and gathered some tarps and rope, and devised a makeshift cover for the tent. It worked well, except it was really stuffy inside. The next morning we took everything down and let our things dry out, and pondered what we were going to do that night. Chance was cool with whatever, and I didn't want to give up on camping (I was very determined), so we were able to borrow another tent (this time a four-person sleeper), and set it up. The boys (Cody, Brock and Seth) had set up camp on the beach and I thought that was an awesome idea, so that's where we went. Bad idea. That night there were no trees to protect us from the 30-40 mph wind unblocked from 20 miles of lake, and the 10 times worse downpour. The wind was so hard it flattened our tent, and we had to lay on our backs and use our legs to hold it up, to prevent water from pooling on the outside and steadily leak in. Cody and the other's had to do the same thing. Overall. Bad shape. We called Mark and he said that 15 min away the rain and wind had slowed, so wait a while and it'll stop. We waited. 45 min. With our legs up in the air, holding the tent up. Finally, I looked at Chance (who was being an awesome trooper this whole time), and said I give up. We abandoned ship. We called Laurie to let her know we were on our way to the cabin. I packed our stuff into bags while Chance ran them to the car. I grabbed the last handful, jumped out of the tent and off we went. Twenty feet away, behind the trees, the wind was waaaay softer. If we had just stayed back where we were before, everything would've been ok! Off to the cabin and warmth, and safety we went.

The next few nights were perfect on the beach! Sigh.

We had tons of fun, and Gaylene had something awesome planned for each day. We had a sandcastle competition, went to Minnetonka caves (forgot Mark...) , had a talent show (and had a special guest: the ugliest man in the world!), and played Minute-To-Win-It (Aspen knows how to shake what her mamma gave her ;). It was total fun the whole way.

Then it came time for us to go down south for the rest of the week. Laurie let Chance and I take her car ahead so we could go through the Manti temple, while her and the boys stayed with Donna Mae and her kids.

I had never been through the Manti temple before, and Chance had once before his mission and was excited to go again. It was soooo amazingly beautiful. It has that timeless, beautiful-ness of the pioneers. They really knew how to do things. We learned that the two spiral staircases are the two biggest free-standing spiral staircases in the world. They tried to replicate them when they rebuilt the Navuoo temple, but couldn't make it out of wood, like Manti, and had to use metal. It is a lost art. We were also able to see the sealing rooms, including the one Chance's parents were sealed in, and got to do some ourselves. The workers were sooo helpful and full of interesting and amazing facts. All you have to do is ask. The Manti temple had such a special feeling there, everywhere we looked we were reminded of the sacrifice of the early saints, who some didn't even have a house of their own, and built such a beautiful Temple for the Lord. It makes one think if we would be willing to do for the Lord.

After that we continued south towards Gma/Gpa Payne's where we stayed the rest of the week. Chance took me on the ATV and did some really crazy stunts on it (crazy to me, not to him) and showed off his awesome ATV skills for a while (I will admit, though scared, it was way fun). Later we went to the Hartle's and Gpa Hartle let me ride his ol' horse Duke. The last time I was on a horse, I was... 10... and it was on a trail. I'd neeevvvveeerrrr been on one "free-style" before! I was excited, and nervous, but from what I remembered of Black Beauty is horses can sense your feelings. So I calmed. Chance thought either this would cure of my desire to own a horse some day or make it worse... well... it made it worse ;) Gpa Hartle gave me a few pointers and had me get on. I LOVED it! I had sooo much fun! More than I've ever had in my whole life! It was so awesome! It felt so natural. After I got used to Duke, Gpa gave me a few pointers and told me how to get him into a trot (I cant remember what he called it...), and I did... kinda... It helped that Duke was a good old horse, and that he's really gentle and really well trained.

Friday morning came it was time to go home. The Hartles gave Chance and I a good supply of meat (thank you!), and sent us on our way. We had family prayer, and started that even longer journey home. (And finished listening to the last book of Harry Potter, oh my gosh it was EPIC!)

It was so awesome to spend the week with my new family and get to know them better. A few hours at the wedding a few months ago was hardly enough! I'm glad I met everyone and their families. The Hartles are indeed a truly unique and AMAZING bunch ; ) I loved spending all that time with Chance. We haven't had much because of our work schedules, and a vacation was greatly appreciated.

The First

So, I really should be doing other things right now... like searching for my sleeping bag... and packing, and cleaning... but I had the sudden urge to start a blog. So, like usual, I gave in and did.

We leave tonight around 11pm for Bear Lake on the UT-ID border for the family reunion! I'm way stoked and can NOT wait! But between that happy moment of jumping in the car and commencing our trip, I have work... 8 hrs.... Then we'll leave. I can't wait to see people again! We didn't get much time at the wedding since it was, ya know, a wedding. So this week will be fun to actually spend time. Since I honestly can't think of anything else to say, and my list of reasons to procrastinate searching for my sleeping bag are dwindling, it's time. Time to get up and look. :l

PS Idk when I'll get on next. We're gonna be gone for a week.