It's the most wonderful time of the year...

Merry Christmas!
I don't know if it's just me but ever since I've started working as a nurse Christmas has never felt like Christmas. Part of it is that I have worked the whole holiday or at least part of it. But it seems like there's a lot of build up to it and then it's over and I sit here and think, really, is Christmas already over?! I love this time of year! This is my second year celebrating Christmas in Utah, but it was the very first one that I've spent it away from my entire family. 2,500 miles away. Hopefully this will not always be the case.
But I'm so glad that I get to celebrate this holiday season and really remember the reason why we celebrate it in the first place. I love Christmas and I love that we get the month of December to remember Christ and all that He has done for us.
Merry Christmas and I'm looking forward to a very happy New Year in 2014!

Cancelled

Well apparently I'm officially off orientation. I got cancelled tonight from my shift. Here starts the fun of not working. Hopefully I'll still work some though. I can't not get a paycheck. I don't have a ton of PTO at all yet and I like my paychecks, they allow me to be able to do fun stuff. We'll see how it goes.

The missionary

I have been writing this missionary for about 8 months now. I was sent his email by Shara and was told to write him and we've been writing every week since. Now that I've moved out here I was worried it might be a little strange, hoping it would be awhile before I bumped into him. Well that didn't exactly happen. We were on our way back from dropping off Shara's oldest at a friends house when a car comes speeding up behind us. It turned out to be the missionaries and Shara followed them until they pulled over. I was sitting in the back seat of the truck and was trying to stay out of the conversation and not be noticed. I didn't want anything to be weird or awkward. Well then Shara had to point out that I was in the back seat. Eric got a nervous look on his face and the topic of conversation changed quickly. So now I can say that I've seen him in person. Still can't say that I've talked to him.
Thanks a lot Shara.

Happy last month of the year

Well I have now moved twice in two weeks.
I moved all my stuff from the apartment I was renting down in Pleasant Grove up to Shara's place in Herriman. I figured I probably couldn't afford that place and anything would be better than living in the silence that I had been living in. I had had no tv or internet and it was killing me. I need noise of some sort. Plus, I kinda felt uneasy about that living situation and moving somewhere where I was comfortable made more sense. I think I'm going to be happier about the move to Herriman.
Happy December!!

Turkey Day

This year Turkey day was spent with Char and Sam and Steven's family. It was an interesting experience. Who knew it would be so much fun though. Charlie, Sam and I kinda watched the Thanksgiving Day parade, until we realized that none of the performances were being shown then we lost interest in it. We had the usual foods, turkey, cranberries, bread, green bean casserole, pies, salad, sweet potatoes, etc. Then we had some unusual foods- like kale chips and raw veggies with hummus. It was good but it was kinda unusual. I'm glad that I was able to hang out with Charlie and Sam more though. I've missed them these past several years.

Football surprise

Jennifer surprised me with BYU football tickets on the day that we got into Utah. It might not have been the best planned thing but it was fun while it lasted. The boys won which was good. But it rained/snowed almost the entire game. We did not come prepared for that. By halftime Jennifer and I were soaked. Through and through. Jeans, sweatshirts, everything. It was not fun. I don't recommend it to anyone really. But our team got the W, so I guess that counts for something. :)

More Josh

On our way west, Jennifer and I decided that stopping for some concerts was a good thing to do. 2 concerts, both Josh Groban concerts, both in Texas. One in Houston and the other in Dallas. It's helping break up the very long drive through Texas, but I don't think it'll break it up enough. It's a huge state.
The Houston concert was good, we sat up in the lower bowl. Had good seats for buying them the day of the concert. Ended up making it for the opener again, and still wasn't all that impressed. She just isn't my cup of tea. And on top of all that- she comes out in the middle of Josh's concert and sings my favorite song of his with him and doesn't do it justice at all. Argh.
Dallas was even better. How? Well we didn't go to the opener. We had both had enough. Especially with seeing her the night before down in Houston. But, when we got to the arena we had to pick up our seats from will call. We had previously looked up our seats to see where exactly we were sitting so I had a pretty good idea as to where to go once we got there. I opened up the envelop and started looking at the tickets and noticed that these weren't our seats. I showed Jennifer and we were both confused. We found an employee who took us to our seats that were listed on the tickets. Yeah, they ended up being floor seats, second row. We still have no idea how this happened. But we certainly weren't going to complain. It was a really good concert and we were glad that we ended up going to both of them. He never came out to sign anything though. We think he was too busy partying with his band afterwards. But who knows. We couldn't complain too long because our seats had been upgraded to floor seats. We'll take it.
Thanks to Josh and his amazing band for putting on some of the best shows we've seen!!
(We learned from Kansas City to not even try for pizza, so instead we went to In-N-Out.)

Moving out

The past several days we've spent moving things out of the Cary apartment and into Jennifer's new apartment in Durham. My stuff is already packed and loaded and gone in a pods container. It's heading west.
Packing and more packing. Followed by cleaning and more cleaning and then a little bit more cleaning. Eating pizza on our living room floor. Hoping that everything that needed to go west went west and everything of Jennifer's stayed in North Carolina.

Last shift

Last night was my last shift on 7 Children's. It hit me harder than I thought it would. I think I will seriously miss this place. It's been my home, my constant for the last 2+ years. The nurses that have help mold me to want I am both personally and as a nurse will never be forgotten. They each have taught me something, some more than others but they all have help shape me. Some of them have truly become friends. I will miss them.
I'll miss walking into a children's hospital. I'm sure I'll miss some of the surgeries that we got so frequently. Some, that other places probably have no clue how to take care of, but me I know their care like the back of my hand.
I'll miss working with my sister. She has taught me the most. She's been my strength when I've needed it, she's been my listening ear, she's been my vent buddy, she's been one of my biggest cheerleaders, she's been my confidant, she's been my charge nurse, my co-worker, my best friend. She's probably the hardest to leave in North Carolina. Hopefully she knows how much I appreciate everything she has done for me to help get me to where I am today. I'll miss her more than I'll probably ever tell her.

Happy Halloween

It's Halloween on 7 Children's!
One of the best things about working on a children's floor is that you get to dress up in a halloween costume. Well we used to be able to. This year was much tamed down but we were still able to dress up a little.
Laura, Susan and I all dressed up as cats. Had the costume policy not changed we were going to dress up as minions from Despicable Me. It was going to be epic. But, we wore our kitty ears and tail throughout the entire shift and just had fun with it. I'll certainly miss these girls.

2 weeks

Today I put in my 2 weeks notice at UNC. It was bittersweet, I'm not gong to lie. It's been a great learning experience and I've met some of the most amazing people while working here. I think the hardest part is going to be the patient's that I loved taking care of. Anyway November 4th will be my last shift.

Birthday Trip

It's always fun to take a trip for your birthday. Especially if there's a concert involved and that concert is Josh Groban.
For my 26th birthday this year, Jennifer and I traveled to Kansas City, MO for a couple of days. It was a bit of a whirlwind trip but it really didn't seem like it.
We flew in on Tuesday and just hung out for the rest of the evening. Jennifer had worked night shifts going into this trip and I had worked a series of days. Wednesday night was the concert- it's always a good one. He's one performer that I really don't mind traveling to see. It was great to hear some of his older music and to hear live some of his new songs. I wasn't a fan of the opener, but she was ok. Jennifer and I did our usual of standing out by the buses after the concert in hopes that he would come sign our tickets. He did. He stopped for a little while and made sure the majority of the people got things signed. There ended up being a ton of people out there so I'm sure he wasn't able to get to everybody. But the most important thing was- that he wished me a happy birthday! I was so excited!! Josh Groban wished me a happy birthday. He made my year!
Then it was off to find hotel pizza. Let me tell you- it has been a struggle for us to do so after concerts. Needless to say we ended up ordering from a chain restaurant instead of a local place. To all pizza places- you need to stay open later than 10p, ijs.
Then on my actual birthday we hit up the headquarters of Hallmark where we walked around and saw all the many collections of Hallmark ornaments that have been made over the years. We also found a machine that made a little bow that you put on a present. We had a lot of fun just walking around.
We also ventured over the state line and went into Kansas a little while we were at it.
We had some of the most amazing bbq while in Kansas City and we even made time to drive by the Kansas City temple.
All in all, it was a very successful birthday trip! Happy 26th to me!!

Sometimes

There were times when I thought we could be more. There are times that I'm glad we are not. Sometimes I care too much and there are times that I worry more than I should. I wish there was a way that I could make decisions for other people. Knowing that in that one instance I know better than they. I wish I could make you see what I see. Tell you what I know. Let you have even just a fraction of the happiness that I know. 

But I can't. That's part of life. Letting people make their own decisions. We are placed on this earth to learn, grow, use our agency and hopefully make it back to our Father in Heaven. Just like I want to be able to make my own choices, I have to let you. I can only hope and pray that you choose the right one. Life is certainly not easy but with the right people in our lives it can be made easier. 

School Supplies

I was walking through Target today not there for anything in particular. I walked back to the seasonal area that they change out every few months. School supplies have taken the place of summer fun items. For teachers I'm sure it makes them think that they aren't ready for school to begin again. But for me, It got me thinking and remembering back to my school days. Not high school or even college, but back to elementary school. When I was given a full sized piece of paper with all the supplies that I would need on it. Crayons, #2 pencils, protactors, ruler with both inches and centimeteres, highlighters, and so forth.
How fun those times were for me. I loved school. I loved learning. The thought of a new year of school was fun to me.
I don't think that I'm far enough out to really miss the college years nor do I miss the drama of high school. But part of me every fall misses the elementary school aged me. I know it's not fall yet, we still have 2 more months of this heat, but it's coming. Everytime I think of fall and the start of school I think of this quote from one of my favorite movies- You've Got Mail, "Don't you love New York in the fall? It makes me want to buy school supplies. I would send you a bouquet of newly sharpened pencils if I know your name and address. On the other hand, this not knowing has its charm."




In other news- Happy Day- the Royal baby is here!!

Disappointed

So I was waiting until my paycheck dropped to sign up for the 1/2 marathon that I have been talking about for so long. Well apparently it was something that I shouldn't have waited to do- it's sold out. Completely full. How sad. Ugh. I knew I should have just sucked it up and signed up long ago.

Anyway, I worked an overtime shift this week, so come Tuesday when I was only done with half my shifts I didn't feel like running.
I ran Tuesday and Thursday's run together this morning.

Distance ran- 2.5 miles
Time- 30 minutes
Time of day- early morning before heading to bed for a night shift

It was a really good run. Maybe it had to do with running off the steam from the race being closed. :(

Start of week 2

So it's the start of week 2. I've decided that running after a 12-hour shift isn't so fun. But I did it nonetheless. 

Distance ran- 1 mile

Time- 11:30 minutes

Time of day- early-ish morning after a night shift (go me!)

Week 1 complete

Week 1 Day 4
Made it all the way through week 1... so, so many more to do.

Distance ran: 2.5 miles (the long run)
Time: 30 minutes
Time of day: morning

Feel pretty good about it. Doing pretty well. Trying to come up with a training schedule that fits into a rotating day night shift schedule isn't easy. But thanks to my awesome trainer and friend- we're making it work!!

Day 3

Day 3's run went so well!! I was very proud. Maybe it had to do with the music I was listening to- *NSYNC!! Very good running music if I do say so myself . :)

Distance ran- 1 mile

Time- 11:30 minutes

Speed- 5.2

Time of day- early morning, staying up all night for a night shift

Day 2

Week 1 Day 2:

Distance Ran- 1.5 miles
Time- 18 minutes
Time of day- early morning after a 12 hour night shift (oy)

Run wasn't too too bad- especially for a run right after work. Got a terrible, I mean terrible side stitch about 1/4 mile into the run. Oh it hurt. Probably got it because my legs were tired after working and that I hadn't eaten much before running (by much I mean nothing). Oops. Running on Wednesday. Half way done with week 1. :)

Running again

Wow. It's been while since I've run. But today that changed. Just like the title of this blog things happen one step at a time.
Now today's run was only 1 mile. But it's still 1 mile. 1 mile that's getting me closer to running my first 1/2 marathon on February 23.
I'm giving myself almost a full 8 months to get ready for this run.
So I'm giving you all that read this a warning- many of the posts for the next 8 months will be all about running. Hopefully they will be posts about how good the runs have been going and not the other possibility. But I know that all runs aren't going to be the best.
Here's to me running a half! I never thought that would ever come out of my mouth.

Week 1 Day 1:
Time- 11:30mins
Distance- 1 mile
Time of day- early morning

Happy 4th

While most people were out celebrating the wonderful country that we have and the sweet freedoms that we have as well, I was at work. We were fortunate enough to be able to stop for just a little while and watch some fireworks out of an empty patient room's window. It became a moment of reflection for me. That was until work got super busy.

Outerbanks

This weekend Jennifer and I took off to the outerbanks. It was beautiful and a very nice change of pace. We were able to sightsee the many attractions out there. The only thing that would have made it better would have been if we could have gone to the beach. Instead we were trying to dodge the thunderstorms that seemed to always be rolling in. It was a great weekend none-the-less.

Straight No Chaser

Jennifer and I went out to the outerbanks to see a male accapella group in concert. They are Straight No Chaser. They were definitely worth the drive out there.

Here are just a few clips of some of the songs they performed.

An "aunt" again

Susannah Leigh was born today. So cute!! She weighed in at 8 pounds 4 oz, 21 inches long. She and her big brother make me one happy "aunt".

I Am A Child Of God

Went to a family ward today to see the friend of ours that got baptized yesterday, confirmed.
It amazes me how it takes a youth speaker to remind me of things that I should know and remember with no problem.
The theme of Sacrament Meeting today was I am a child of God.
In one of the verses of the song it says that He has given me an earthly home, with parents kind and dear.

I lived with Him long before I came to this earth. He knows me better than I know myself. Therefore, He knows what I need before I know and He knows what is best for me. There have been thousands of years of people on this earth, but He saved me to come at this time. The earthly home that I came to was the one that I supposed to be at. My parents, my siblings, the place, everything. It happened because it was the right thing.
He has a great plan for my life. I know it. I just have to be patient and trusting in His timing and in His ways.

As a small child I often sang the lyrics- I am a child of God, and He has sent me here.
As I grew up, I attended Young Women's where I repeated weekly- We are daughters of our Heavenly Father who loves us, and we love Him.
Now in Relief Society there's a motto that reminds us that We are beloved spirit daughters of God and our lives have meaning, purpose and direction.

Party day

Today was a day very full of parties and events!
The day started at 8am when Jennifer and I headed out to the Winston-Salem area for Emmett's 2nd birthday party. The party was Car themed and it was perfectly planned out. There were wheels pasta, dipsticks, motor oil to drink, stoplight brownies, and a "mamer" cake. He is still as cute as can be. He got tons of toys. He also got to play in the park during the party with other small kids. They were all so cute.

The party then went south. Sanford, NC to be exact. This was for a wedding open house for one of my freshman roommates at BYU-Idaho. It was so good to catch up with her and it seemed like no time had passed since the last time we talked to each other. She was beautiful and Matt, her husband, was so chill to talk to to. You could tell that they were perfect for each other.

Then to top of the night we made our way back to Chapel Hill. This was to see one of our friends and co-workers get baptized into the church. It was so great to be there. To remember the day that I was baptized and to see her make those same commitments. Couldn't think of a better way to end the night.

I'm a runner

Today I completed my very first 5k. Yes I know it's only a 5k but I did it. I feel like I can now say I'm a runner. A goal is to do longer races. Goal: Disney's Princess 1/2 marathon 2014. We'll see. But this one was so much fun.

God Gave Me You...

Today my big brother got married. It turned out absolutely beautiful even after the monsoon that went through the area. Tornado warnings couldn't keep this party from going forward. We got our hair and make-up done at a salon before hand and we were able to just hang out and we tried to keep the stress level to a minimum. The barn where the wedding took place ended up with no power, but we had plently of candles. The DJ brought his own generator so we still had music. The ceremony took place on the dance floor. We had awesome food and a wonderful time on the dance floor. Oh, I also caught the bouquet. Guess I'm next?!

If you can dream it...

No trip to Florida would be complete without a stop by the happiest place on earth. Jennifer had part of a 3-day ticket she had to use up and I got a park-hopper ticket from an employee for free. So we made the most of it. For the first time ever we left before the parks closed for the night. So unlike us. But we still ended up having so much fun.

New hair

Today I did something that I've wanted to do for a very long time. I dyed my hair. I went blonde. I think I like it. I'll keep it for the summer.

Gotta get this out

I don't like being lied to- whether it's to soften the blow or just to be lied to.
I won't apologize for my actions, behaviors or words when I've done no wrong.
I meant every word that I said.

I won't apologize for having 3 college degrees from very prestigious universities.
I won't apologize for having a career.
I won't apologize for knowing what I want in my life at the age of 25.
I won't do it.

I can't help that you don't feel the same way.
Maybe you're just intimated.
I have no clue.

But please know this now- I won't put up with your crap. Your lies. Or anything else any longer.

I will bend over backwards for those that I call my friends.
I will try to please everyone.
Most often I put everyone else before me.
That's just who I am.

iPhone

I have had the same phone for about 6 years.

I thought while in Florida it was time to upgrade finally...

Here is my pretty new addition in my life.

It's so pretty!

V-day

Dear whoever needs this for future reference:

Valentine's Day seems to be the most made up holiday on our calender. If we are ever dating, engaged or married and Valentine's Day rolls around please do not waste any money on giant greeting cards, boxes of chocolate or huge, ugly stuffed animals in the color scheme of red and pink. Some flowers and dinner would be great. That's all.

Thanks!

Love, someone that doesn't enjoy the hoopla of Valentine's Day.

Where is the pavilion?

Everybody has rough days. Some rough nights. Last night that was for me.
Knowing not what to do- I turned to a General Conference talk I remembered from October.

I don't know why it always seems like those that don't do things the right way always get what they want when they want it. But I do try to tell myself that things happen in the Lord's time.
I felt last night that God was far from me and hadn't heard my prayers that I'd been saying for months.
Last night I had feelings of giving up. Not knowing how to go on. Not in a depressed weird way or anything. Just giving up.
There are people that I have grown up with that now are no longer active in the gospel, they do their own thing- drink, party, but have marriages, children and/or a steady companion. Why do they have all that when they aren't putting important things first?
Where is the pavilion? Last night I needed a reminder that He knows me and that He hears my prayers.
The uttering of the words "Thy will be done" were difficult to say. I know that it would be best if I did but last night that didn't make it any easier to say.

TMI?... Maybe...

So one of my weird quirks is that I don't like getting in or out of the shower.
I literally have to talk myself into getting in the shower.
This happened tonight.
I'm not sure exactly what it is about the process.
I don't know if it's the whole naked thing or what.
Being cold outside only makes the process longer and the talking myself into it a more time consuming process.
However, once I'm in the shower I'm good.
Then the process starts all over again when I have to get out.
I am so weird.
I can only imagine what some things are going to be like once I'm married. (If you catch my drift.) :)

Snow

Ok... So now I actually believe that it can snow in North Carolina. Even if it is just a light coating on the ground. You would have thought the world was ending with how quickly things were shutting down. Schools were cancelled or on delay. But don't worry- we medical people were required to be at work on time.

Florida time

There was so much that we got done while down in Florida. It almost seemed like we needed a vacation to recover from the vacation.

We drove down to Florida on the 26th- got there on the 27th after a quick nap was taken in a Florida rest area. 

Attained my goal of running 3 miles before the end of the year. 

Attended a birthday party for a friend. 

Had Christmas, a couple days late.

Went to Disney World on New Year's Eve. It was crazy and super packed. 20 hours of Disney fun. 

Went bridesmaid dress shopping and picked out the dresses we wanted. 

Had dinner with brother and sister-in-law.

Saw Grandma down in Miami. 

Drove by the Ft. Lauderdale temple site. 

Visited a friend. 

Set up new tv's and a new computer for the parentals. 

Drove back to North Carolina. 

Birthday Party:

Disney fun: