Cha cha cha changes

Hello there friends! The past two weeks have been crazy, to say the least.  I started a new job two weeks ago as a Behavior Interventionist and Jason started another semester of school.  After the first day of work, I knew that I was not going to be happy with the position that I held.  I tried really hard to have a positive attitude about the job, but by Friday of that first week, I knew that I had to start searching for a new job.  I know what you're thinking, how could you quit a job after only one week?  Well, it was either I find a new job that I could be somewhat happy in or I stay at my current job and remain in misery day in and day out with a plastered fake smile on my face.  I just knew there was another job out there for me and I couldn't shake the feeling that I needed to look for it.

Fast-forward to this past Tuesday: I'm searching on Craigslist and found a property manager job.  I skipped over it and kept looking for something in the education department, but it's Rexburg, ID...there is nothing out here!  So, I decided to just apply for the property manager job and see what happened. That night I got a call from the current manager to set up an interview for the next day.  On Wednesday I went in for the interview, rocked it, and felt like I definitely wanted that job.  Yesterday, I got the offer from the company and by last night I had all the paperwork signed and the keys to our new apartment!  Today I quit my other job and I start this new one on Monday!

Crazy right?  And completely unexpected...me, property manager?  What?  However, Jason and I feel so good about this decision and after we saw the apartment we were going to move into, there was no way we could say no!  So here is the offer we got from this job:  Free rent, utilities, and a salary on top of it with ways to get bonuses as well!  Since I have to live on site for the apartment complex I am managing, this means Jason and I get to live in a two story town home for free!  This place is awesome!  It has the biggest kitchen I have ever seen in an apartment, a pantry (for those who have seen our current apartment, this is a huge deal), two rooms just for storage, two bedrooms, a walk in closet that is big enough to be a room for a small child, all utilities included, a specialized parking spot and access to all the facilities the complex offers including the weight room, theater room, game room, etc.

Needless to say, Jason and I feel so very blessed that we were able to find this new job.  The Lord truly works in mysterious ways and I think that I needed to hate the job I currently had in order to apply for the job I got. Ultimately, we have yet again, been looked out for and we couldn't be happier.  So now it's time to move...I hate moving.  No, I loathe moving.  We have thirty days to get out of our current apartment, so I think that we will take our time moving things over little by little so that the process isn't so miserable :)

Jason's first day skiing!

Over Christmas break, after our San Francisco adventures, Jason and I met up with my family in Park Cit, UT for some skiing and cuddling up by a fire. Every year, my family goes skiing at the famous Deer Valley Resort.  This place is amazing and my absolute favorite place to ski...Jason and I have never gone here together before, however, because he snowboards.  Being a skiers-only resort, Jason had to learn how to ski in order to come with us!  He was such a trooper though and was so willing to jump on some skis and learn.  My dad is an awesome teacher when it comes to skiing, so I knew that Jason was going to learn in no time!

I had no idea how fast he'd learn though!  I can honestly say, I have never seen such a natural in my life.  Jason took one ride down the bunny slope and looked like someone who's been skiing for years!  After a few more runs down harder slopes, he was a pro and was keeping up with the rest of the family, all of whom have been skiing for years!  He was amazing...and I'm not just saying that because he's my husband, he really was!  My dad kept looking at me and saying, "I cannot believe this guy.  I have never seen someone who's picked this up this fast!  Amazing!"  I was dying.  It wasn't long after this point that he was following my brother through winding trees and jumping over small bumps.  My husband, the fearless.

 Skiing out of it like a pro!

My little brother jamming down the slope... he's really good.  He beats me down a hill every time without even trying...little punk.

Daddy skiing away...

 Mom and Dad getting ready for the day!

You might be wondering, "Where are you in all these pictures Maddie?"  Well, I will tell you.  I am not one who is very fond of the snow.  On the slopes, I tend to be so bundled up that you can hardly see any of my face at all.  Like in the picture below...all you see is my chin and mouth...yup not the most attractive thing I've ever seen. Therefore, I prefer to stay behind the lens on these little trips :)

This was such a fun trip!  I am so proud of Jason and his mad skills!  For his first day of skiing, he is pretty dang amazing! I think that maybe, I might have converted Jason over to skiing from now on...just maybe.

Endeavors

New Years Resolutions.  Every year, I like the rest of the world, tend to make new years resolutions.  The problem with my resolutions though, is that I forget them within a month and then never think about them again until the following year.  This year, Jason and I are planning on actually keeping our resolutions.  We both have lots of things we want to accomplish this year and are bound and determined to complete them. 

Maddie's Resolutions:

1. Blog.  I have never been much of a writer. I have tried and tried again to find important things to say, but some how I always convince myself that no one really cares.  I hope to shake that feeling and pretend like people think this blog is fun to read!  Who knows, maybe someone will.  I want this blog to be a part of my life. A place where I can write my thoughts and share our adventures.

2. Eat clean.  For those who know me, I have had health issue after health issue for several years now. This being said, I am done taking it lying down.  I've been reading a ton lately about genetically modified foods (GMO), processed foods, fertilizers and cancer causing agents and what I have found is that we're all screwed.  I truly believe that what we eat plays a huge role in our overall health.  I have never been one to eat terrible foods all of the time, but I have also never been a big health nut either.  It's time I became one.

3. Tone up. No I don't mean lose weight, I mean tone up the nasty.  I want to go to the gym way more than I have been. I hope to become a gym junky, but I have a feeling that's not going to happen. So instead, I'll settle for going a couple times a week.

4. Master project. Yes, I do have a master project in the works... it's a surprise for Jason and it's going to take a year to complete, but I am utterly giddy about it.  I wish I could tell you, I really do, but I can't, it's a secret.

5. Become a better wife, a better teacher and a better friend.  I have the greatest husband in the world, but I don't feel like I show my true gratitude towards him enough.  I want him to know how great he is everyday and for him to know how lucky I think I am for having such an amazing man in my life.   Side note, I also just got a new job as a behavior interventionist.  I work with the sweetest little boy in the first grade.  I want to find a way to help this boy achieve his potential. 

6. Read my scriptures more and watch T.V less.  No explanation necessary...

7. Budget better.  This past year we haven't really had any kind of budgeting system.  This has certainly caused unneeded stress.  We have big plans for our money this year and need to start buckling down and saving!  So in turn, I have a plan on how to budget better.  I don't really feel like explaining it right now, but rest assured there will be a tutorial on it later.

Jason's Resolutions:

1. Credit card paid off.
2. Buy a house or duplex to rent out.
3. Get into the stock market.
4. Expand Keoni.
5. Bulk up.

Jason literally gave me about five minutes of his time to come up with these, so sorry, but there is no explanation to go along with them!  School has officially started again and now I am living with a busy, busy man...poor guy.

So, here's to our many endeavors in 2014... let you be great, but I have a feeling that you're going to be stressful and if you are, then let you be quick.