Atlantis, Bahamas!

There is nothing more I love than family vacations. My parents always made it a priority to go on vacations once a year. Bryan and I always say we are going to continue that tradition. In December I went to The Atlantis in the Bahamas. It was a blast. It was weird to be on a vacation during Christmas time. I actually didn't like that.

My family is huge and this vacations only a few members of the family came. I never really been on a vacations with small numbers but I must say it was so fun. I got to spend quality time with everyone. Estella, Lucas and Bianca were so fun to hang out with. I think I had the most fun with them! They were so well behaved and wanted to be play together. Ava has taken a better liking to me. It was so special to hang out with all my sisters and sisters-in-law. I don't live near them and every opportunity I get to hang out with them I cherish it. Here are some pictures of the trip. *Please don't judge how awful I look in some of them*

Pouring out my heart..

My decision to become a nurse was something I have not told many people. Since I was young I always thought I would go to Law school and work in the Air Force like the T.V. show Jag. I would watch that show almost everyday after school. I loved it. When I went to college my major was political science. Just what I needed to do for my law school route.

I distinctly remember one Sunday my friend telling me she wanted to be a nurse. I laughed in her face and said why would you do that. Nursing is so stupid! I hope I didn't hurt her feelings but that is what I truly thought. Who would ever want to be a nurse!

Then, one day I was in class and was thinking about my future and working. I wanted to chose a major what would guarantee me a job after college and pay well. I also realized that my childhood dream was just that a dream. I did not want to go to 7 years of school! After class I was like a zombie. I feel like I had no control of my body. The next thing I know I am in the nursing office and asking questions about nursing! I walked out and started to laugh. I wanted to do nursing, who knew..

I remember asking myself, Can I do this? Can I handle blood, old people, working all night long, and the hard class work? If I thought about it too long I would have changed my mind, so I really didn't think, I just did it. I changed all my classes, my major and started my nursing career road.

I was right on track. I would graduate in 4 years, like any normal college student. I was doing very well in all my classes and had the grades to get into nursing school. I had all my semesters planned out until I graduated. THEN, I got married. I was 1 year behind Bryan and he wanted to go to Medical school. We talked seriously about him deferring for a year so I could finish my RN but I didn't want to post-pone Bryan's 10 year schooling ahead. So I would find an alternate route.

I went to LPN school. Once I started school nursing came very natural to me. Things made sense. It was common sense to me. I did extremely well on all my test and finished with a 3.95 GPA. When I graduated I started applying for jobs. My boss told me he hired me because of my GPA. I had no experience but he was impressed with my hard work in school.

Right after I graduated from LPN school we found out Bryan got into medical school and we would be moving to Florida. I was so excited. His hard work and prayers paid off. That meant I would not be able to finish my RN in utah. I decided to finish online. It is not my ideal route but I am doing it. I have finished all my classes and now have my clinical skills weekend in less than 2 weeks. Then, I am done. I am finally DONE college. 5 years later.

I told Bryan when we moved to Florida I kind of feel like a loser. I went to college and only graduated with an associates degree of nothing and my LPN. Most of my friends were graduating in a bachelors of something and applying to Masters programs. It took me a long time to get over feeling like a loser. BUT I am grateful for the opportunity to go to school and have a career.

As I sit down write this I am so excited to be finishing my degree. Nursing is hard. It is hard work and stressful. But its rewarding and I feel like my hard work is finally paying off. I just need my awesome RN job now. I am so excited to be a money making machine.. so is Bryan!

Jail Bird

I have been working at the jail for almost 1 month. I never thought in a million years I would be working there. I actually don't hate it. The work is easy and not stressful at all. That is the main reason why I like it. My last job was so stressful that I cried to and from work every time. Its a relief to have a pretty stress-free job. BUT there are some negative about working in a jail. First the language is awful. Second, its like a dungeon and I am all by myself in my nursing post. Third, I work with crazy patients. I have concluded inmates are crazy. Finally, I can't bring a cellphone in. I don't talk to Bryan all day until I come home.

The overall experience is pretty good. It has really made me rely on the Lord more for comfort and safety. I pray every morning to be protected. I have learned that I am grateful for my freedom. I have also learned a lot about the world around me in such a short period. I think we have a failing jail system that needs to be fixed. I have no idea how to fix it but its definitely failing. We have so many "frequent flyers" in the jail system. We spend billions of dollars to help these people out and they come right back into jail.

I work in an ALL male section of the jail and have about 200 patients. I actually prefer working with male inmates instead of women. Women inmates just scare me. I have not heard too crazy of stories yet. Most people are in the jail for drugs, alcohol and theft.

Barefoot Contessa

Ina's new guest home. I love her style. I love this cookbook.. So Yummy!
I am OBSESSED with the Food Network. And when I say obsessed I can watch it ALL day. I, of course, don't but I could. My new favorite chef is Ina Garten. I don't know if I like her show more than I actually like her. I want to be like her. She has a beautiful home in the Hamptons and owned her own bakery and bistro called BareFoot Contessa. Those two things are my dreams.

I realized that watching the Food Network is relaxing. I can turn it on and my body instantly relaxes. When I was little I would get nightmares often and could not sleep. I would go into my basement and ALWAYS turn on the Food network and I would be able to fall asleep. I know that is weird but I have distinct memories of it.

I have also learned that I am often home alone and I think I like having someone talk to me. The food shows are always one person talking to you-the audience. It makes me feel like I have company over. I hope I don't sound like a freak right now!

I am also OBSESSED with cookbooks. Don't know what to buy me--get me a cookbook. I mean a GOOD cookbook. I like to go to the library and read cookbooks. My favorite right now is Back to Basic by Ina Garten and Cooking Light. I have learned to really study a cookbook before I buy it, to make sure I will actually cook the meals. For example, cookbooks that have a lot of fried food or fatty food I never make so I don't buy it. BUT if it has a good dessert selection I might consider it!!

Roses

I love Roses. Actually I love flowers, any kind. I am always bugging Bryan to bring me home flowers. Last weekend I had an IV therapy training class and it was from 9am to 5pm. It was not very fun at all. I got home Saturday night and there was a beautiful bouquet of red roses. Now, Bryan never buys me red roses. So I knew this was special. Thank you Bryan for my flowers. I love it when you surprise me with flowers.

Happy Anniversary!

Two years ago to the date, Bryan and I got married. It was the most special day in my life. I will never forgot the promises we made to each other and the feeling that was felt. I still dream about my wedding day. I wake up every day thinking, "How did I get this lucky!" I married the man of my dreams. He is so kind, gentle, sweet, strong, smart, and good looking. Our first anniversary we went to Park City and enjoy the weekend. This time we did something more low-key. Friday night Bryan turned our house into a spa and I had a spa night. Saturday night I took Bryan to see Darius Rucker and Brad Paisley in concert. The concert was awesome. However, I bought tickets in the lawn section and I will never do that again. We were surrounded by drunks and dirty people the whole time. Spending the extra money for a good seat is so worth it in my opinion. Today, I am making a nice dinner and we are just relaxing. I am so blessed to be married to such a wonderful man.

Its Always Sunny in Florida

WE MADE IT! Finally after a fun filled summer and hard work on Bryan's part we have offically started medical school. I say "WE" because I feel like I started it as well. I kiss Bryan good bye at 7:00am and kiss him Good night at 10:00pm. In between the time I have actively been applying to jobs. I probably have applied to over 30 jobs. I am keeping my fingers crossed.

Anyway, Last Sunday Bryan had his White Coat Ceremony, which is an initiation into the medical world. It was a wonderful time. I sat next to beaming parents who were so proud of their son or daughter. I could not have been more proud of Bryan. This has been his life long goal since he was young and he made it happen.

I was nervous and emotional when Bryan started school. Would I be able to handle him being so busy and not always with me? Since we got married we have been inseparable. I do not do well with being by myself and so I was very nervous. BUT, its been 2 weeks and I am not lonely at all. I think it has something to do with it always being Sunny in Florida. If I get bored I just go outside and lay by the pool. I truly believe if we were living anywhere else I would be miserable. I think God was looking out for me when Bryan decided to go to Florida for school.


My mother came to town to help me move in.....THANK YOU SO MUCH MOM! We got so much done and we bought a second bedroom set. I am obsessed with it. I walk by the second bedroom just to look at. I think it looks so clean, fresh and fun. It also reminds me of all the visitors I will be getting.

Life is good for the Payne Family... it would be great if I had a job! We are so excited for this new adventure in our lives.