Third time's a Charm???

It's been a couple months since my last update and things have been pretty status quo around here.  I'm still working nights at the hospital; we've ended that whole one car thing by buying a pickup truck off craigslist (I feel pretty badass driving it, no lie); We've done quite a bit of demo on our basement in order to prep for an overhaul (and we're both picking up some overtime to cover it!); we hosted my parents for a fun few days (hoping they come back soon!); and I've been dreaming and planning my garden (I've got seedlings to prove it!); and we're lucky enough to be hosting a truly enriching community group from our local church each Thursday night in our living room. This has been our life the past few weeks - nothin' fancy and we're both lovin it.

However, a couple weeks ago I decided to mix it up and say, "hey. I think I'm gunna go to grad school". So, well, I start in 11 days!

 I decided to apply for a spot in University of Bridgeport's Human Nutrition program and apparently the summer term starts April 15 (since when is that summer?). It's all online and it focuses on the physiology of nutrition and its impact on chronic diseases and the human body! So here I am, excited to dig into Biochemsitry and dreaming of all the places a degree like this could take me. No, I don't have a great idea of where I'll be when I graduate and I can't think of a "perfect job" that will utilize my RN skills and a masters in Nutrition, but hey - it should be an iteresting ride!  I imagine it'll provide answers as to why carrots and cinnamon are really that good for you (in a deep physiological, anatomical way), and I'm curiously excited!  Luckily a thesis is not required, however anyone who wants to do my APA format for me, I'd love the help!

I am slightly concerned, however, that this degree should come with a warning label "WILL NEVER EAT AN OREO AGAIN" due to fear of highly processed chemical shenanigans.  Ugh, but I like oreos. And my husband likes hot dogs. I don't really wanna be THAT girl that can't enjoy her food because of fear of cancer or dying young, but I also want to enjoy food in a way that God intended it to be enjoyed way back in the day of the garden.  I definitely appreciate that food is as much cultural and social and FUN, as it is nourishing and restorative. Anyway, so don't judge me if I become a full fledge nutritionist in two years and you see me scarfing down at the Cheesecake Factory. We'll see.... we'll see =)

Oh and PS. Ashamed to say, this really is my third attempt at grad school (pathetic, yes). First time was in STL at Washington University and I got one semester into a public health (ish) program and then decided to pack my bags and head to Denver for fun, so that was the end of that one. And last year, I thought I'd try my hand at the whole delivering babies things via a midwife degree, but I was denied from the University! Well darn. ah well..... stuff happens and here I am again! So... hopefully third time really is a charm!

8 days of Christmas

New years morning seems like an appropriate time to reflect on this past year and share the recent memories of Christmas. Well, I'm not too sentimental, nor did I take many pictures but here's my best colllege try:

2012 was a pretty darn FULL year! Getting married, buying a house, new job - it's been a beautiful whirlwind and I can't express how grateful I am for such sweet blessings!

 Over the past two weeks, I was reminded of how sweetly rich I am in family and friends. My family has more than doubled since I said "I do" and it continues to grow. How neat to watch different families celebrate traditions, raise their kiddos and interact with each other in a way that honors the Lord.  It's been wonderful!

We started our Christmas road trip in Minnesota for a couple days visiting Nathaniel's brother and his family, grandparents, and some extended more family. I experienced snowmobiling and lefse for the first time, as well as spent time with my newest nephew and his big sister =)  Unfortunately, I have no pics to document the start to our trip!

Next, we hit up Wisconsin to visit Nathaniel's mom, more grandparents and more extended family! It was FREEZING (apparently I forgot how cold the midwest was), but Nathaniel and I had a blast celebrating Christmas eve and Christmas morning "small town" style - complete with traditional Methodist church, oyster stew, introduction after introduction at a white elephant gift exchange, and touring beautiful Wisconsin farm land.



Nathaniel opening up the first white elephant gift

It's a genuine homemade "redneck doorbell"! =) Unfortunately, It was stolen from us during the gift exchange

Mom-in-law and Grandpa-in-law!

awesome John Deere Collector ornaments - only in the midwest =)

a full house!

After Wisconsin, we trekked down to Iowa City to spend a couple days with my parents, and immediate family. It was a fun, relaxing time with games, good food, laughs, and joys watching my three sweet nieces play together and open presents. Biggest present award goes to my brother Darren who got the girls a jump castle which we inflated in our basement! Way cool. He won the coolest uncle award this year.  I love my family and wish we were all closer!

apparently a fun fact filled book.

watching the fun...

catapulting beanbags

favorite pic...



He fit in quite well

 

2012 had some rockin' adventures and here's hoping to 2013 has just as many! YAHOO!

Nights....

Many of you know, I started a new job about 3 weeks ago on the pediatric floor at the hospital that I've been working with previously. It been quite an adjustment being on my feet for about 12 hours, taking the bus home from work (my loving husband usually can take me to work), remembering IV fluid calculations and waking up my dormant nursing assessment skills. The biggest change has been relearning how to work nights shifts and still managing to lead a somewhat "normal" social/functional schedule on my days off. Even though it's a BEAUTIFUL thing to work 3 12s in a row and then have 5 or 6 days off, I feel very much like a sloth during half of those days off and my body doesn't know if it's time for morning coffee or an evening glass of red wine.

 I find myself thinking, should I nap now? Or save my slumber for tonight with my husband? Do I dare caffinate myself in the morning when I have to work that night? Can I go for a run, or will that wake me up too much?  What day is it? Is that a sunrise or a sunset?  I don't know.  I'm sure i'll get more used to working night shifts, but I don't know if it'll ever get "easier".  And I've decided that that's ok. For now. =)

Mad props to my hubby for putting up with delerious, tearful, cranky me when it's 7pm and I want to go to bed.

Here's a glimpse of my patient load thus far: 18yo suicidal ingestion, 10 day old w fevers, 7mo seizures, 16yo head lesion, 2yo appendectomy, 5 yo flu. - 'tis the season for flu! And I've had patients from Mexico, Russia, Nepal, Honduras - not quite my international delight like at my previous clinic, but it'll somewhat satisfies my craving for diversity.

At times, while all the kiddos are tucked in and medicated for the night - I've got an opportunity to get to know some coworkers, and chit chat over our caffeine of choice. Then we get an admission and chit chat's over...

It's a good time, and I'm so grateful I'm physically able to work and that God has blessed me with an employer who gives me a paycheck!  As newlyweds, we're trying to whittle down debt and be wise stewards with what we've been given - it's hard, but worth it!


And ps.  I've definitely fallen asleep on the bus heading home. yup.

making memories....

Sitting in our grandma lounging recliner, recapping this weekend with Nathaniel and uploading some pics: it was a great weekend! Jordan came in to visit and we shared some good drinks, good laughs, and some good shopping, all while making great memories.   We tried a few new recipes, made a mess of the house and it was worth it.

Here's a few fun pics of the happenings (and the food!)  and please pardon the weird image layout and white frame... I'll figure out the blogging thing eventually.

frosting for the carrot zucchini bars... YUM

a break from black friday shopping

fuel



Thankful

yes we look like we drink a lot. I do have a yummy recipe for spiked egg nog and apple cider sangria, however I promise we're not alcoholics....

what a cutie

fun lil' appetizers




favorite way to wake up

making christmas ornaments



a BEAUTIFUL sunset!

a welcoming front door wreath

love our home.



Christmas tree shopping



sisters.... don't ask.



Love this guy.

before and after

 

BEFORE

nasty white walls, crappy baseboards, BORING.....

 

 

 

Don't mind the clutter....

 

During

 

just kidding.   Kinda.

 

AFTER

stunning blue and white walls divided by a cherry stained chair rail and lovely baseboards provided by Nathaniel Johnson himself.... 

 

It's got kinda a Hawaiin feel to it almost... Looking a big ol' Hibiscus or something for above the towel rack.

                                     In person, the blue is quite a bit brighter. In fact, it glows. 

 

 

R & R

So what'd I do in my two weeks off? Here's a smattering of what i've done with my time off of work (in no particular order of excitement):

~Attempted to organize the storage room, but ended up just sorting into piles which are still sitting there
~Painted the bathroom BRIGHT blue! (pics to come... Nathaniel's putting finishing touches on it)
~Started making/ordering some Christmas presents!
~Pet the cat
~ Read an entire book (rare for me! usually i only make it 2/3 of the way)
~ Hiked Red Rocks
~ Took my bread-winning husband to work almost everyday (and then went back to bed for an hour or so)
~ A few coffee dates with friends
~ Washed windows
~ Had a productive Ikea trip (and put together some new buys

Wow, looking back - I probably could have done a bit more and incorporated a few fancy dinner parties, maybe a trip to Rome and a ski trip or two.  OH well, it's OK. I got fancy with home organization and cought up on some sleep. And I'm ok with that. =)

I'll start planning now a more intruguing va-cay for next time (whenever that may be....)

God bless a lil' R & R

A farewell

So, the time has come. We're selling the jeep.

It's a gas hog. It's got an engine tap. It doesn't hold much cargo  (plywood or people). It makes me give the bank money every month. sigh.

but i love it.  I'll miss it.  Heck, I rode away in it after we said "I do".   There've been a few off- roading memories that will definitely live on - there's nothing like taking the soft top off, rolling down the windows and cruising the Colorado mountainss - whether it be in solitude, with my girls, or with my love. 

Peace out my yellow friend. Maybe one day, I'll have another like you!

~Katelyn

tell me it's just a car, right?