CHANDACE

Hey Everyone! We've got a new blog! Well...we may just keep this one...I may turn it into my DIY page for decorating my house and such...BUT for all updates on me and my bunny...go to http://chandacehatch.blogspot.com/ Lots of love! MWAH

Wedding Gala

Just in case we miss anyone, I wanted to make sure you knew that you were invited. We've had some troubles with the people who are printing our invites, which is why you haven't seen them yet, but you will. But I wanted to give you all a heads up to a time and place so you can mark it on your calendars and hopefully come and celebrate with us! It's going to be quite the party and it'd be that much better if you were there! Here is an electronic version of our invite! My amazing friend Lou designed them for us! 2 more weeks!!! We're so excited!

One Month to Go!

So life is getting pretty crazy! I mean...you always hear the rumors of how busy people get once they get engaged...but I've come to realize that you never really fully understand until you're there yourself. And then...it's like...cats and dogs living together...mass hysteria.
Back in September I put an offer down on a house, that I was going to buy. It was panning out pretty well...and then...last minute...it all fell through. Unfortunately...it fell through AFTER I gave my 30 day notice at my other apartment and so I've been homeless for the past couple of weeks.

Being homeless is quite the adventure. My car has been transformed into my closet and everything else I own is currently filling up my future in-laws garage to full capacity. I've been staying here and there trying to not bother anyone too bad. But it's getting pretty old living out of a box/bag/car/garage. ALTHOUGH...I have to say...this is the second time around that I've done this...not for this long...but I've been in this position before. Last time I was freakin' out...this time...I'm fine. I feel like it's all going to pan out the way it's supposed to and I'll be fine. I'm homeless...big deal. Homeless happens. I've got great things ahead of me.
One of the greatest of all...I get to marry one of THE most amazing people on this planet! Woot Woot! Chad is my rock. He's amazing! And just when I think he's topped out...he turns around and does something even MORE amazing. I love it! The day before I moved out, it was a friday, and Chad only works 4 days a week, so he has fridays off. Well he got a key to my old apartment without telling me and while I was at work he went in and packed up my entire kitched, cleaned out all the cupboards, cleaned the stove, cleaned the oven, cleaned all of my bathrooms, AND did my laundry! Now ladies...I ask you...how many girls can say they've found a catch like that! SERIOUSLY! It's like I've struck Gold, and trust me...I'm well aware of my fortune. WOW I love him!
We went and got our engagement pictures the other day. Wanted to share some of them with you. Enjoy!

Anxiously ENGAGED

I'm ENGAGED! I was trying to come up with some witty and fun way of announcing it...but...I'm too excited to be creative! Last night I was expecting just another night out with my boy, he had had a long day and had asked we go out for a detox when he got done with his study group. He came, he picked me up and took me to Dairy Queen and bought me a Strawberry Cheesecake Blizzard, and then drove me up to our "seceret spot". You see, when we were first dating we would go out on "Detox Sessions". Where we would just vent and re-group and relax and just escape all the crap that was going on in our lives. It's just what we do. So I wasn't thinking ANYTHING of it when he drove me up there. We were having a nice little conversation about this, that and the other- Nothing really life altering- and then we started talking about our first detox session and how everything just snow balled from there. We were sitting in his car, reminicing about how great it's been getting to know one another and all the drama that encircled our courtship and then he turned to me and said "You are my favorite person ever, and I love you more than anything, and I want you to have this." He handed me the box and then said "And I want you to marry me." :D

I was completely caught off gaurd! I had NO clue! The man is AMAZING with surprises, and this one took the cake. He had a dozen roses for me and everything and it was...perfect. He's perfect. For me he is. Even with all his imperfections...which only make him more loveable. He's amazing to me! I've never in my life felt more loved and adorned and completely blessed.

He picked out the ring himself and he did a GOOD job!

I'm Getting MARRIED to the most incredible man I've ever met!!!! November 19th in the Bountiful Temple! And I couldn't be more excited about it! I choose my love and I love my choice!

Never Would Have Guessed

Remember when you were little, and you would think to yourself "One day, when I'm all growed up, I'm going to meet the man of my dreams and fall in love." Yeah...I'm no more growed up now than I was then. I've been thinking that way for the past 26 years. And now...a few weeks shy of my 27th birthday...I'm beginning to change gears from the "some day" kind of thinking to the "here and now" mind set. "Today, regardless of my maturity level, I met someone amazing...and I'm in love."

My last blog "So there's this boy" stated that the story was still pending, well that story has long since ended...rather anti-climatically- might I add- and most suredly not how I had hoped it would at the time. Providentially for me, however, God had a FAR better story waiting for me, and I couldn't be more grateful for His hand in my life.

About 3 months ago I met Chad at church. He had just been called as a Sunday School Teacher to teach on the off weeks that I wasn't teaching. (Yes...we are both the Gosple Doctrine Teachers in our singles ward.) I met him and the guy sitting next to him at the same time, and due to a series of...events...the other guy actually ended up asking me out first and I dated him for a bit. Again...God had a different plan for me and for whatever reason things just didn't pan out between me and the other guy. Shortly after things fell through with the first guy, Chad and I started hanging out a little more one on one and quilckly came to find that there was something between us that was worth looking into. Turns out...we were right. :)

Tremonton Rodeo

Camping @ Bear Lake

Getting ready to ride the Desperado at Buffalo Bills Casion in Primm Nevada

Chillin' in Vegas in front of the Bellagio!

San Diego Temple

Playing on the boat!

The whole gang in Mexico!

Formal Night on the Cruise!

We've been having a really great time getting to know one another. We've been to bear lake, and we just barely got back from a cruise to Mexico with a bunch of our friends, which was AMAZING! And we are currently planning trips to Boston to go to Trina's wedding and another friend trip to Disneyland! We both love to travel and we are having a blast doing it!

And may I just say, that if you have yet to go on a cruise...start finding a way to make it happen. That was one of the FUNNEST trips I have ever been on! ...Yes...you gain about 5lbs every 2 days...but...it's totally worth it. :)

I never would have guessed that my life would pan out this way. But I am INCREDIBLY grateful that it did.

"So...there's this boy..."

Ten years. ...Ten years of dating. Ten years of stories of "the phone call", "the door step", "the first date", "the blind date", "the last date", "the look", "the DTR", "the confession", "the denial", "the heartbreak", "the freak out", "the kiss", "the crush", and "the game". Hundreds of lessons to be learned...and after 10 years...I STILL can't wrap my head around some of them!

I have had countless conversations on the dating game with countless numbers of people, friends, family, strangers...you name it, I've talked to them about it. Through all these conversations lots of theories have been presented on how to best play your cards so you can win. You know, "Play hard to get, it's all about the chase." "If your interested let them know." "The guy has to call you." "You should ask him out." blah, blah, blah. Everyone has their own take on it. In all reality...dating has too many variables to predict a favorable outcome based on the card you choose to play. The rules of dating are very much comparable to the rules of Calvin ball...subject to change at any given moment for any given reason.

This last lesson...is a hard one for me to swallow. I don't always see the reasoning behind why it has to be so complicated...so I try and buck the system. See if I can find a new and actually effective theory.

The movie "He's Just Not That In To You"...makes a good point. The female gender likes to escalate the meaning of every little thing. Turning it into a sign or a hint which will makes sense of this mell of hess we call "dating". I know I'm guilty of it. Constantly trying to turn myself into "the exception". My recent escapade is a case in point.

"So...there's this boy...", he and I have been friends for quite sometime, and that's all we've been. We've never gone out on a "real" date and, as far as I could tell, he's never given me any indication that our friend status would change. One day one of my favorite people pointed out to me that this guy and I were just pussy footin' around the issue and that both of us seemed more interested than what we were lead to think. That all this stuff, that we were doing under the pretense of friendship for and to one another...had more to it than "just friends." Well...shoot...that got me thinking. I have a tragic tendency to throw boys into the friend corner before even giving them a chance, and I was becoming more and more aware of that...and I didn't want to do it again.

Gathering all the information and factual evidence I could from all of the time I've spent with him, I made an assumption concerning this long time friend of mine that there was potential for me to be his exception. A risky assumption. Possibly a very STUPID assumption. But I figured "What do I have to lose? I like the guy...and I don't want to spend the rest of my life wondering what might have been." So... I decided that if he wasn't going to address it...then I would. I cowboy-ed up and threw myself in front of a bus...hoping that I wouldn't get run over.

This story is still pending. There is a good chance I have already gotten run over. Kind of pathetic that I don't even know if I have been at this point or not... But...I left that night, the night I'd decided to throw all my pride and insecurities out the window and just go for it, feeling like I did the right thing. Feeling courageous, and giddy...and liberated. There was no fear, no embarrassment, no rejection. I did what I had set out to do...knowing fully well that he could reject me, and that was his call....but also knowing...that he if did decide to reject me...both he and I knew it wouldn't be because I wasn't good enough. It wasn't about me...if he chose a different path...it wasn't about me...it was just his choice.

An entire decade FULL of stories, with many more to come...I'm sure. Some relatively predictable, some completely unheard of, some boring, some AWESOME, some sad, some hilarious. ALL completely worth it. Hindsight is always 20/20 and in retrospect...there is not a thing I would change. No regrets...no...not one.

Land of the Beautiful

A while ago it was brought to my attention that I was born and raised in the Land of the Beautiful. I was talking to some guy friends of mine who have either been residents in, or visitors of the home of the Aggies, and all of them said "If you want to see beautiful girls, go to Logan, it's swarming with them." Call it Aggie pride...Call it home town smugness...but...I can't help but agree. ;)

Finding My Mojo

The other day, while I was in Logan, visiting my family, I was chatting with my dad, and I told him that I had "lost my mojo". I wasn't sure when...I wasn't sure how...but somewhere along the way...I had lost it. My dad responded "Oh, no. Kandace, you need to get that back! And fast!" In all reality, the word "mojo" refers to a magical charm bag used in hoodoo, but... for all intents and purposes in my life, the "mojo" I'm referring to is: The air of self-confidence which is emitted off of ones persona with such potency that it precedes greatness.

In noticing that I had lost my Mojo...I also came to the realization that I had actually once POSSESSED a mojo! And a good one at that! Ha!!! Who knew?!?! Not me. ...That is...until it was gone. But it made me start to think about how I got one in the first place so that I could get it back!

In retrospect I realized that at the onset of Mojo, I was focusing on being healthy, and growing spiritually. I branched out socially. I was increasing my education. I was doing things that made me happy. And by doing that I increased my own self-esteem. Which was the foundation of my Mojo. Once I attained my Mojo, I started to seriously enjoy life! I got a promotion, I received a raise, I even got a boyfriend! Everything was going my way. Yes, eventually the boyfriend was out of the picture, and the promotion and raise ended up becoming part of the monotony...but the mojo continued and I kept dating, and I kept progressing, I went through the temple, received my endowments. Things were good!

Eventually I became lax, to say the least, in my progression efforts. I was apathetic toward my physical growth. I wasn't delving into my spiritual progression with as much gusto as I had once been, and pretty soon...the self-respect started to dwindle...and I started to be disappointed in myself for allowing myself to slip back to my own personal mediocrity...in turn my self-esteem took a major hit because of this...and that's when the Mojo went kaput.

I've never really understood the power, or effectiveness of my own mojo. I didn't realize the influence it had on the outcomes of my daily circumstances. And I most certainly do not give the maintenance of said mojo the attention it deserves. But when I have my Mojo...man, AMAZING things have come about.

A good Mojo has the ability to give us the courage to step out our comfort zones, to branch out and to grow. It can help us to be outgoing to the point of changing worlds! It helps us to not only recognize and be proud of our very best selves, but also helps us to hold our head up high and remember who we are and why we're here. AND not only is it powerful...but it's also attractive and contagious. Think about it. Think about those people in your life who you just LOVE to be around...because they are comfortable and encouraging. People are drawn to a good mojo.

I'm on a quest to get my Mojo back. It may take me some time...but I'll find it again! And when I do...Watch Out World!

****This blog is dedicated to my beautiful Ugly Duckling. Just for you...

Battle of the Bulge!

I'm going to go out on a limb here and say...we've all been there. We wake up in the morning, strip down to our birthday suits in preparation to get in the shower, but before we get in, what do we do? We step on the scale. And why do we do it then? Let's be honest, we do it then because #1. It's morning, and you haven't eaten anything yet, so you don't have any food still waiting to be digested. Everyone knows you weigh the least in the morning. and #2. You're naked...no need to be adding unnecessary weight with clothes! Every ounce counts, right? Right! So we hop on...hoping, with everything inside of us, that we'll see that magic number...and let's face it...any number less than the one we saw last time is pretty magical.

On the RARE occasion that I actually DO see one of those magical little numbers...my heart leaps for joy and I become all sorts of giddy. I look up at the ceiling, a huge smiling breaking out on my face and I think "YES! Yes! Look at me go! I'm on my way! If I keep at it I'll be strutting my stuff in a bikini in NO time! Yes! Yes! YES!!!" ::insert air fist pump here:: You do a little dance, sing in the shower, grab a banana on your way out the door, and promise that bikini hiding in the far recces of your top drawer that you will be seeing it later!

2 weeks go by...you see the progression. You are now down 3 lbs from where you started. The victory dance is becoming perfected by now. You and that bikini are becoming fast friends and you couldn't be more thrilled!

Week 3...you get on the scale...and you see that first magic little number you saw three weeks ago. "WHAT the #*$& is that number doing back on my scale?!?!?!?!" The once magical number, who treated you SO well, not so long ago...is now the BANE of your existence! How you HATE that 3 digit number!!! How DARE it show it's ugly face again!!!! And the Bikini?!?! Are ya kiddin' me?!?! There it sits TAUNTING you from the next room over! "You'll never get to wear me. You'll never get to wear me." OOoooooo CURSE THAT STUPID BIKINI!!!! Your previous fist pump is now pumping to a different tune.

The funny thing is...that 3 digit number...the one that had the power to make your day that first week...has the power to send you into one of the deepest emotional funks one could imagine. Even when there is a logical explanation to the gain, i.e. Aunt Flow is visiting and she doesn't know the meaning of the word mercy. She does not carry any sympathy for you and your emotional state. And she DEFINITELY does not support you in your weight loss efforts. ...the mean old bag! Even with that unavoidable, biological barrier that happens to everyone as the reasoning behind it...the funk still comes. Because now you are back to where you started. No progress...no headway has been made. ...The battle of the bulge is winning! When/How will the vicious cycle ever end?!?!

The Genuinely Good!

So this morning I was reminded of the inherent goodness of people! And how blessed I am to have so many of those kinds of people surrounding me. SO this is my tribute to the Genuinely Good!

My Parents

My best friends in the whole world, whose genuine goodness has taught me about love and true happiness. My Dad has this uncanny ability to find the good in everyone and everything and that good out weighs anything negative. My Mom taught me the Art of Giving and I'll love her forever for that! LOVE them both!!! This was at my 26th Las Vegas Themed Birthday Party!

My Brothers & Sisters

Steph and Mandy are absolutely AMAZING! Growing into strong and genuinely good women! This was our Family Reunion in Nauvoo!

Elder Pack! Spreading the Word in Philly, PA. The guy can make anyone smile because of his genuine goodness!

Josh is more of the strong silent type...and his genuine goodness is usually pretty silent as well...but is as strong as it comes! This was right before the Yellow Card Concert!

Micah & Britt would give you the clothes off of their backs if it would help you. Their genuine goodness runs that deep. And their two boys, my adorable baby nephews, make my heart happy!

My Roommates

Tara puts everyone she loves first. ALWAYS. Sarah scatters sunshine everywhere she goes. Even on her bad days. Jessie will serve you anyway she can and never say a word about it. And you never feel anything but love from these people. Genuine goodness just oozes out of these girls!!! This was our Roommate Christmas Party!

My Ho's

Some of the best people on this planet! Melissa will do things for you before you even realize you even needed them done. Katrina has this contagious laugh that will make even the saddest of days brighter. Jess gives...simply because she can and is like a party in a can everywhere she goes! Erin is the kind of friend who you can always be yourself around. I have learned so much about genuine goodness from these girls. Lagoon Day!

The Fraidy's! John and Tina...their genuine goodness makes it so you can't help but adore these two! Melissa's 007 Birthday Party

Some of my Scout Boys! These are truly valiant men all with genuine goodness!

More of that genuine goodness! Me and some incredible people on Spring Break in California last year!

New York City over Thanksgiving! This was outside the homeless shelter we volunteered at on Thanksgiving Day. So much genuine goodness going on that day!

I know I've only scratched the surface of all the genuinely good people who I have in my life or who I have had as part of my life, but know that you people have been major examples to me. Thank you so much for your deep down, to the core, genuine goodness!

A Retraction

I want to publish a retraction to the previous blog. I'm so used to this being the "norm" in real life...but after going on the date...I realized that it had nothing to do with ME...the kid just has absolutely NO social life...and wanted to get as much social in as he could during his night out. Sad really, how true that statement is, but I had to clear up his name a little bit and wanted to make up for my lashing out irrationally. It was a good time, he's a good guy...just a tad socially inept. I'll have to learn to give the benefit of the doubt BEFORE I go dramatizing everything. One day I'll learn.

The Back Up Date

Good Garbage can boys be SLOW sometimes!!!

He asks me to be his Valentine, he gets tickets to go see Madame Butterfly, and than he asks if my roomates want to hang out afterward. ...Uh...Seriously?!? I mean...please, someone, correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought that if a guy was actually taking the initiative to ask YOU out, and take YOU to a freakin' ballet, he would want to spend the rest of the evening with YOU...not you and all your roomates.

Regardless of the fact that I'm not very interested in "he" anyway...I just find it ridiculous that he would take me out at all if he has no interest in being with me. ASK SOMEONE ELSE! I didn't ask for the "pitty" date especially from "he", I don't need a pitty date, and I most certainly do NOT need the slight of being ditched for the roomies afterward.

He continues to ask because I'm someone he doesn't have to "try" with. I'm the "effortless" date. It's just Kandace. She's charming, she's fun, she's not ugly, and she doesn't come with any of the hassel of having to treat her like a real date. Well, that's garbage buddy! Find a different back up date because this one quits!

...okay...the venting is over. That was very refreshing. I'm good now. ;)

Do you ever get the feeling...?

Do you ever get the feeling that something BIG is about to happen? Like...you've been being prepared for this very place and time for days...months...even years, and finally all that preperation is done, and the climactic rationale for all you have been unknowingly working toward is about to be revealed?

For some odd reason I've been feeling like 2009 is MY year. I'm not sure why, I'm not sure how, but it is MY year this year! I feel like God has been making some very big changes within me, and I couldn't even tell you what they are specifically, but I feel as though He has smoothed out some of the edges and has placed me on a completely different plain than I have ever been on before. It is a GOOD feeling, this feeling of progression and growth. I like it. A lot. :)

Jumping on the Bandwagon

So, I've decided it was high time that I got a blog of my own. So many of my all time favorite people seem to be active bloggers, and I have this thing about being in the know when it comes to the people I love. SO...here I am, jumping on the bandwagon. Truth be told, I'm a devote facebook-er, so I feel a tad bit out of place, I'm not going to lie. But I figure this is just one more channel for me to keep up with you and yours, and I'm all about the communication. :)