Christmas/New Year

So for Christmas this year we went to Arizona. My Parents rented a cabin up in Pine. It was really fun because they also brought 2 of these...

Can you say FUN!?

Jared and I went on many a ride on the muddy/snowy trails. We are simple people. We would stop to throw rocks in a frozen pond, trail blaze in the slushy snow and almost get stuck, throw snowballs, salt the driveway (my favorite part- for some reason I really love salting... just a weird quirk) and go WAY to fast in a rather deep puddle of water and got soaked (just to have to drive on the highway at 70 mph and have all the water freeze on us!)  So fun!

We enjoyed the games and fun we had at the cabin, but mostly having (almost) everyone there.  (We missed you Jake)

When we got home we did our traditional Christmas/pre-Christmas stuff.  The best part about Christmas was watching the boys (aka my nephews) open their presents.  Actually the best part was P finding out the reindeers carrots and Santas cookies were gone. His reaction.  Precious.

Sadly we had to leave the next day. But I welcomed sleeping in our own bed. So nice.

We will be back soon though. We have another flight to Az for some of Jared's interviews in less than a week. Awesome. Can't wait.

For New Years James and Sydney came over. We played phase 10. And got so into it that we didn't realize midnight had passed us by. Oh well.. Soon after we went to bed because Jared had to be up at 5 to round. Poor thing. And then teach the lesson in church. Sometimes... I don't know how he does it.

Hope your 2012 is Great!

Pinning Ceremony

We had a pinning ceremony for just those in my nursing class.  I could have gone to the BIG graduation but since I don't know anyone at the main university I choose to just go to the pinning ceremony.

My thanks goes out to my husband who has been with me through all the ups and downs. (And he can tell you there were a lot.) Low points of tears and high points of celebration.  Thanks to him for his love, support, respect, patience, and long suffering.  I couldn't have done it without him. I love you Jared!

Also thanks goes out to my whole family for there love and support. (and paying my way!)

I'm looking for a job, but being done with school just doesn't seem real. 

I'm sure it will someday.

Me and my mother!

My nursing girls!

 James and Sydney (aka lovebirds)

Six and a Half Years Ago...

Six and a half years ago I was a spry young 18 year old just starting out college at Glendale Community College.  I was young, but I knew what I wanted. I wanted to be a nurse.

I then transferred to BYU.  I always wanted to go there, and while GCC had a nursing program I decided that 4 years for an ADN (associates in nursing) didn't make much sense so from there I aspired to get my BSN.

One year later I was in Kentucky.  (Don't know that ANYONE could have seen that in my future.)  I had to do many more pre-requisites that did not transfer or that Louisville wanted from me that the other two did not.
BUT, my first semester at UofL did not last long.  I had to drop out because of a needy husband. (Love you Jared- looking back I wouldn't have our life together any other way)

So then I started again, did summer classes and got in to UofL's nursing program.  The program was two and a half years long.
Finally after many tear, trials, and feats I just took my last final.  I have officially passed nursing school and will be graduating with my BSN!

Whats next?????

Other than my NCLEX, I don't know. I've been looking for jobs, but the market in Louisville is VERY saturated with nurses so jobs are hard to come by. I'll keep trying, but I think I will just take the next week off. No school. No Homework. No stress (well.... other than my mom coming to visit and I need to clean the house etc...)

I will not be "walking" with everyone, but instead going to the "pinning" ceremony with only those in my nursing class. (so much faster and less boring)

Something else somewhat related but not...
My graduation picture.

It's not the best pic.and it doesn't look weird until you put it next to everyone elses.... the sleeve was supposed to be off the shoulder, but that doesn't work for me obliviously. I don't think they have ever had a Mormon graduate from there. There have been multiple times professors have requested we wear something not up to standard. Usually I would just explain and they would make an exception, but since the sleeve can be pulled up it was good enough, just different. The photographer did not understand and kept trying to pull the sleeves down. I finally very sternly said, that is too low. I don't want it off the shoulder.

So happy to be done. It has been a long hard road, but I wouldn't have it any other way.

Soon it will be Jenny A. RN BSN. 

Now that its Christmas Time... Here's some Fall Stuff

My favorite time of year to decorate is fall. Love the colors. It's low stress. (unlike Christmas. BTW-for me Thanksgiving is bundled with Christmas)

At a fabulous Friday we created these cute fall blocks (on the other side it spells Noel with Christmas paper).  I also made the table runner. It had been a while since I broke out the sowing machine, and I've been meaning to make one for each season/special holiday for over a year. FINALLY I got this fall one done. I love it.

Here is a shot of our bat and bones for Halloween. The bats were so fun! and easy. 

On another note, when I run I take my phone and every once and a while I take a picture of (what I think) is fun or cool or pretty or whatever.

In this picture I love contrast of the dark clouds and red trees

And Charlie having a great time running by the corn field. 

Forever Young

Nothing new about how I like to run.

Well the other week I went out to run and I found it hard to start. My joints were creaky and my muscles stiff. I still forced myself to run, but it reminded me of my parents trying to get every male child they had out of bed on time for church. STRUGGLING.

Later that night I told Jared what happened. (Being he is a Dr. and may have a diagnosis to this strange problem)

He listened warmly and intently and then came up with a solution.   His delicate response was "you're getting old".

Ouch.

So instead of letting reality crush my dreams of being forever young, Jared took on the task.

(Personally, I just think he is a jealous old man who will forever be 7 years older than me.)  In the mean time I think I will start taking those vitamins and using those creams...

Root Beer Float!

This past Sunday we had my brother and his wife come over for dinner and a game.  We decided on a lively game of Apples to Apples.
It was great and we were laughing trying to figure out what each person was going to pick or figuring out what each person had put down. It was fun.

But then it turned SUPER FUN. It was 8:30 at night and we wanted a quick game so we could go to bed soon. (what old people we are!) So we played a variation to the game called 2 for 1 Apples.

This is best described by the instructions:
     "The judge turns over two green apple cards to start the round. Each player selects the red apple card from his or her hand that is best described by both green apple cards. After the judge selects a red apple card, both of the green apple cards are awarded to the winner."

We thought this would suit all our needs - quick, fun, and new.

It quickly became a fun, new way to play the game.

The best of night was when Jared flipped his two green cards:
Puffy and Spiritual

(I mean REALLY? - can you think of anything PUFFY and SPIRITUAL???)

But I had the PERFECT card.

When we had all played cards Jared started to read off his options.
     (keep in mind - Jared is a VERY logical and straight forward person)

The two options deemed worthy to debate were Danny Devito and Root beer Floats.

Danny Devito was puffy.  Root beer floats are puffy.  But what of spiritual?

Jared: "Root beer floats are sometimes served at priesthood meetings making it puffy and spiritual"

I WIN!!!! With the definition of a Root beer float being puffy and spiritual!

WHO KNEW! Root beer floats - spiritual.

I could go with root beer floats being handed out at church. It just makes sense logical.

Good stuff

The good stuff would be that Jared has two interviews for fellowship so far (across the country from each other). Its crazy to think that in a year and a half we will be moving to one of these places (hopefully!)

I have been Jared's personal travel guide scheduling all his flights and car rentals.  While doing this I kept coming across this word I didn't know... 

Redress #

Hmmmm... and it is always right next to the section where you put your name.

So I clicked on the little "?"

This is what it said...

Redress #

The Redress # is a unique number issued by the DHS (Department of Homeland Security) that is used to facilitate passenger clearance for persons who have the same name as someone on the TSA (Transportation Security Administration) watch list.

Now wouldn't that really really stink.  Just to get to the point of getting a Redress # would be painful, and then to have a number. 

Glad my name is simple. (And not on the watch list!)