"Health is the greatest gift, contentment the greatest wealth, faithfulness the best relationship."

Tuesday, August 28, 2012

House update

Last night for family night, Josh and I and my sister Cumorah visited the house. Im sooo excited because there were some new additions...




They planted some small bushes around the front and sides of the house with dark colored bark, the sprinklers are all put in and the yard is now leveled out, AND...we have a tree! I don't know why I am so excited about it but I am. Its a new tall and skinny tree, but it just means its looking more and more like a home, not just a house. Plus I love natural landscape. Yay for plants!

Next to come will be grass. Hopefully they have it in by moving day this weekend. Can't wait to see! 

Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Changes

I always remember hearing the quote, the only thing constant in life is change. Well here's to that quote. I am sure you can all relate. There have been two big changes in our lives this summer. One includes me getting a new job! I loved my old job so much, but didn't feel like I could stay there for a really long time. I loved my co-workers, the kids, the school, the hours, the weekends and holidays off, I could go on! It was a wonderful job. However,  we wanted to be able to get different and cheaper benefits, and I wanted to get some more nursing experience in somewhere more highly clinical, like a hospital. Since nursing jobs have been on somewhat on a freeze I decided something would happen when it was supposed to.

My wonderful friend Angie, who used to work with me at Primary's as a tech in the operating rooms, let me know that her work was hiring at the U of U hospital. I felt inspired to inquire, after all, it was the beginning of April, and my job would be over the first of June, at least for the Summer anyway if I wanted to keep working there. So, I inquired and she sent my name to her manager. I was called the next morning. Um...thats kinda fast but I didn't hesitate for a second. The manager wanted me to come up that day but due to my work schedule I told her I could come in that Friday. The first interview went...well different than any other interviews I have had. I met with the Nurse Manager for the unit, which I didn't know at the time! Thank goodness or I would have been more nervous. She was incredibly nice, and honest. Basically telling me that this was a very hard job and asking if I thought I could handle it. My response..."I am not sure?"haha...Usually I try to come off strong in interviews and portray all my good attributes. But I was just totally honest which is how we always should be, right? She told me that it would be a big change. I knew as I always have that if I work really hard and give it my all, I can learn the things I am supposed to and succeed. And this is what I told her.





Well...I officially started on June 11, 2012. They offered me the position and I was so ecstatic. I knew that this was for me and out of quite a few interviewees, first and second ones, I was chosen. I feel so incredibly lucky and blessed. I have always felt like this was coming and it all came in perfect timing. As the Lord has very well taught me. This is my second career job but in a lot of ways seems like the first. The hospital takes things and people very serious and of course is very professional, as my other job was, but now I have a little more responsibility for people, for their lives, yikes! :)

The Neuro Acute Care Unit is on the 3rd floor at the U of U... Neuro = science of the nervous system =  mainly spinal cord and nerves up to brain. Nerves, affecting and intervating the ENTIRE function of the body. There are patients who have had strokes, aneurysms, spinal cord damage/surgery, brain/spinal cord tumors, cancer, tracheotomies, all sorts of diseases etc etc etc. Whew. To put it in short, I have learned a whole lot in the last 2 1/2 months. Josh and I basically knew this Summer would be full of work and changes. Even though we have stayed home we feel very blessed! I am now working on my own and no longer in training. I am very happy about that. It is just hard following someone around and feeling like you are sort of cramping their style. (Nurses are all so different!!!) I feel more confident and hope I can continue to learn and get better as a nurse for myself and for my patients. Once again, I LOVE MY PROFESSION! Even though its very challenging sometimes.

We've been extreeeeemely excited about about this next BIG change....

We bought a home!


Here are some pics of it...











We never thought we'd buy out West although we talked about it a couple of times. But Josh's work did a huge project on some homes out there and we ended up looking at them a few times and really liked them. We also just had a good feeling which is one of the most important things I think for a home. Josh did the electrical for the home and so we're pretty confident about it :)





It was just finished being built a few months ago, so the grass is not in yet. I got some pics of the yard prior to them doing all the piping etc for the landscaping... Can't wait to see it with grass...!


"SOLD"
Its a beautiful home and neighborhood and we are so excited to move. We are excited but sad to leave our beloved basement (not so beloved anymore), but grateful we have had the chance to meet all of our wonderful friends and neighbors here in the Murray area. We will miss all of them. We will be moving the first part of September. 


Wednesday, August 15, 2012

4th of July and JP's bday

Since I am super behind, I decided to do a catch up on the blog this morning. There have been so many fun things that have been happening recently. Mostly told by pictures today...


We got up early and went to the Murray Parade this year on the 4th! Love the community spirit of this city and neighborhood :)


Sandy's bday is also on the 4th! We went to Black Bear (hence the pic) Diner to celebrate, delicious if you haven't been...and HUGE servings


This little cutie is growing up so fast! We also got to go to the parade on the 24th...


My little bud...


NEXT we celebrated Joshua's bday on August 1st and dined out at IGGY's, yum!


My fun in-laws...This was a momentous occasion as it always is, but even more this year because our NEW nephew was born on this same day! He's so perfect! So Urban stayed with grandma and got to join us, but we missed Kaylene and Landon :( Now there are two special birthday boys! Welcome little OWEN!! 


This man LOVES his tools


Hope you had a spectacular bday babe!

Hope to be posting again soon, I already have the title "Changes" picked out!