me and my blue-eyed boy: lately

L A T E L Y

This last month has been CRAZY to say the least. But, it also has been one of the best months of my life... and here is why.

1. I graduated nursing school.

Nursing school was by far the hardest thing I've ever done in my life, up to this point. It pushed me further than I ever thought I could go, and opened my eyes in so many ways. I am so proud to say I graduated from the University of Utah's nursing program, which just got ranked to be #2 in the nation. Go Utes! I already miss these people, but I sure am not missing the homework...barf.

2. I turned 24

...and I'm still trying to figure out where my 23rd year went. Bry got me enough flowers for every room of the house, and spoiled me silly. I thank my lucky stars for that boy.

3. We celebrated our two year anniversary in Deer Valley.

Sorry for the sap, but I can't even stand how in love I am with my blue-eyed boy. These last two years have been the best of my life, and I look forward to many more. Let me just tell you something I love so much about him right now... Every time I get home from work, I open the door, and Bry is standing there with his arms outstretched to pick me up and give me a big hug and kiss. Every single time. He is the only person in the world who can give me butterflies at any given moment. I just love him.
(video of our year coming soon)

4. I quit my job at Make-A-Wish Foundation

This was one of the hardest goodbyes I've had to do. It was my dream job. The kids that would walk through those doors were experiencing something unimaginable... full of pain, anxiety, uncertainty, love, hope, and courage. I had this incredible opportunity to step into their life for just a small moment, and create something full of magic, hope, strength, and joy. As I met with these kids, most dealing with a type of life-threatening cancer, I realized how intricate and fragile life really is. Sometimes I left that building almost breathless, witnessing the amount of courage those families had to give every day, and realizing just how simple and "safe" my life really is. I learned how faith always triumphs over fear, and how unconditional love makes hardships seem utterly small. Every week as I had the chance to listen to these children make their wishes, I had time to reflect on what it would be that I would wish for. I can honestly say that I am living out my wish and dream- I have the chance to be a nurse and to watch over and care for other human lives... lives that are precious beyond measure. I hope to bring to the children at Primary Children's Hospital the same light and hope those wish kids brought to me. My life was changed in a marvelous way, thanks to Make-A-Wish.

I can't wait to start granting wishes with my husband as a volunteer!

already miss these peeps ^

5. I studied my heart out for the NCLEX

The NCLEX, or state boards for nurses, is probably the worst thing to ever make an appearance on planet Earth. That test gave me anxiety like nothing else... I would literally wake up some nights with panic attacks. Basically, I locked myself in my house, studied 6-8 hours a day for a month straight, and would wake up with nausea every morning knowing the test was one day closer. It was AWFUL. During this time, however, so many people stepped up to the plate. I felt people's prayers, a random neighbor (or should I say "angel") brought me a huge bag of food one day just because, Bry would come home from work with pina colada and banana slurpees for me, he'd go on walks with me and quiz me on things I needed to know, plan fun date nights for me like s'mores and dinner up the canyon to take my mind off studying, and I had some other distractions to give me well-needed breaks. Just know that if you're in the hospital, you can bet that the nurse taking care of you went through a whole heck of a lot to wear that uniform.

^^i answered the door, and i was handed a huge bag full of food with some of my favorite things: a fresh salad, casserole, three tubs of ice cream, popsicles....
seriously who does that? my angel neighbor.

^this was the Sunday before my test. I was so nauseous, we left halfway through church just to go on a walk so I could calm down.

6. I got to do a photoshoot for my brother and sister-in law's family

...and it was easy as pie since they are all so photogenic. sheesh. here are some goodies.

^good thing I have the best sidekick who always helps me with my photoshoots,
makes the kids laugh, and who also loves to take pictures.

7. I passed that dang NCLEX

Here's the story in a nutshell.
I hiked to the top of Grandeur Peak.
I was planning on opening my results after the hike... nope.
I was about to DIE on the way up. SO nauseous and sick to my stomach.
I decided to just find out at the top because I couldn't take it any longer.
My hands were shaking.
I logged into my account.
All I saw were two words: "GRADE: PASS."
I screamed and hopped around for a good ten minutes.
HOLY CRAP I'M A NURSE!!!

^love this girl and glad I could share that memory with her.

Best feeling ever.

8. I did a century ride... and loved all 100 miles of it.

For those of you who have wanted to do a bike race, Little Red is your race. It's an all women's race, and just a party the entire time. You can choose different distances from 36 miles up to 100 miles. You stop for lunch halfway through your race, there are plenty of stops along the way, and it's mostly flat. I hope to do it again and again. I got in a bike wreck around mile 20 and feel lucky to have come out of it with no broken bones/broken bike. I was so glad I could finish the race, and do it with some of the girls I love most. Plus, I now have some sweet battle wounds, (and maybe scars) to show. :)

^^the 50-miler babes!

9. world cup/REAL SL fever

So...we basically just watch soccer in all our spare time, and I'm not mad about it. GO USA! But we also got to cheer on our REAL SL team last week, and thanks to my brother in-law, had some fun seats.

10. Started work as a nurse at Primary Children's.
I don't have a picture of this one, but a hashtag will do...

#somebodypinchme

I am L O V I N G it.

11. Spent flag-day weekend at one of my favorite cabins
Some much needed family time.