Nothing new in our lives

I have not blogged in over a month and started thinking what came I write about. Nothing came to mind. Our lives have been boring lately. I got to work, and Bryan goes to school. We come home eat dinner and pass out. I feel like I live at work. This week I start working nights and I am excited/nervous. I make more money so that is sweet. On a positive note I am going to Disney world in 2 weeks with my family and so excited!!

So what's been going on our lives???... Absolutely nothing! The high light of my weeks are working out and going to the beach. I started running with a friend and I really like it. We run 2.3 miles and sometimes go to the gym afterwards. With work being stressful running has been very relaxing for me. Never thought I would say that!!

Spontaneous Adventure

After Christmas and the beginning of January I worked 3 weekends in a row. Bryan and I felt like we were living different lives and didn't see each other very much. Wednesday night Bryan jokingly said let's go to Disney this weekend. You finally don't have work and my school schedule is going to get more intense so now or never. I was like yes let's do it! Bryan was shocked I said yes. We did not talk about it again. On Friday morning I asked Bryan are we going to Disney or not. He said yes. So while he was at school, I cleaned the house, did laundry, ran errands, booked a hotel, took out cash for the weekend, fill the car up and planned our day at Disney. When we left our house Friday night I was exhausted from getting everything ready but so excited for our trip. We are NOT spontaneous people. We NEVER just up and leave on a weekend trip. This was big for us. We drove up Friday night and slept in a cheap hotel. Saturday we went to Hollywood Studios in the morning and Epcot at night. We were planning on doing Magic Kingdom late at night but we got exhausted and decided to drive home and do Magic Kingdom next time. We love Disney World and loved spending the day together. Our lives are only going to get more hectic and this was a nice last minute get-a-away!

First ride of the day? Yes, that's The Toy Story Ride.

I wanted a picture of Minnie Lane. The day was cold like in the 50s so I was wearing many layers. It looks like I have a huge upper body!

After Hollywood Studios we went to Epcot. This is in the French country. It really does look like France!

It was so cold that I bought socks and wore them with my Sperry's and capris.

I took out cash we could only spend during the weekend. We both got to choose one treat. Of course I choose a carmel apple and Bryan choose a funnel cake with ice cream.

I finished the last bites of the Funnel cake.

Christmas 2011

This Christmas was unique. Bryan finished up classes and flew home to California while I stayed in Florida for another week to work. I arrived in California on the 22nd of December. After 6 fun filled and relaxing days Bryan and I flew home on the 28th so I could get back to work. It was weird only have 1 week off for the holiday but it also made every day special. I knew I only had 6 days and wanted to spend as much time as possible with Bryan's family.

Christmas eve the girls went to get manicure/ pedicures. It was the most relaxing one I ever had. I was exhausted from work and loved every minute of the spa treatment. That night Megan made delicious Mexican food. When we first got married and Bryan told me they have mexican food on Christmas Eve I thought that was the weirdest thing ever but its delicious. I think it is a tradition we are going to start in our family. Now I need to learn how to cook Mexican food or fly Megan and Andrew's family out ever year!

Christmas morning right before we opened presents.

Dallin was the cutest elf! He is so big and fun to play with. Bryan loved having him around.

Christmas morning we woke up early, opened presents, talked to Eric and went to church. Bryan and his mom got me the IPad and I teared up with excitement.. no lie. I cried. I was so surprised. Minutes before Bryan's dad opened an IPad and I was so jealous more like mad. But then I opened one too!

At church we sang Christmas songs the whole sacrament and it was one of the most spiritual experiences I ever had. I don't think I made it through one song without crying. After church I called my family to see how their Christmas was, played with my new presents, and enjoyed being with family.
Christmas morning before Church.
Monday we went to Down town Disney to the ESPN zone and watch the Lakers v Kings game. It was a blast and love the Disney atmosphere!

Tuesday we went to SPRINKLES CUPCAKES. My favorite place in California, after Disney of course!! Tuesday was a bitter sweet day cause I knew we were leaving in the morning and did not want to go. Bryan and I alway have a blast when we go to California and love hanging out with his family!

Thanksgiving

We kicked off our holiday celebrations in 2011 with flying out to Utah to spend time with my family. My parents flew out as well. We stayed at Dallin and Shannon's home and had a great time hanging with the family. It made me really miss having family around. I was most excited to finally meet my nephew Hudson!

Us on Thanksgiving day.
The boys cutting the turkey. Dallin and Shannon hosted Thanksgiving dinner at their house but I think I did their job. I made the turkey, cranberry sauce and dessert!

Friday after Thanksgiving the girls went and did some shopping. That night we went on the Polar Express. We took the train to the North Pole and Santa came and visited all the kids. My nieces and nephews wore their PJs, like in the movie and loved the train ride.
Oliver is the cutest kid ever! Ava and Ashton are best friends.
I could not get enough of Noah. He loves to cuddle and is always smiling. I think Bryan was most excited to see Ashton again and to finally meet Oliver.

Saturday Bryan and I hung out with Natalia and got see to Carrie and Eric Moyle. Saturday night we went to Temple Square to see the lights. It was packed and freezing. We did not stay long but the lights were beautiful. Being in Utah surrounded by so many temples make me want to live there.

It was FREEZING!!


Sunday we just relaxed with the family, visited Bryan's cousin Brent, his wife Luci and their kids. That night we took the red eye home to be back to the real world. I started work at the hospital the next day and Bryan had finals. It was so nice to get away and enjoy the holiday with family. It was a great way to kick off the holidays.

All Grown Up

With my new full time job I get benefits and make enough money to live on our own. My dad called me yesterday asking me when I could get off his health insurance and when I could get off his payroll. It was a turning moment in my life. I felt so grown up. I can fully support my family. BUT its SCARY. If I don't work I can't pay my bills. I know everyone in the world pays their way but this is the first time in my life I can ACTUALLY pay my way. It liberating!

Its also a great motivator. I never had much motivation to work.. most of my family and friends already know that! But now its up to me to pay for our lives. That is a daunting thought but the best motivation I ever had to actually work. I started calculating how much I could make with over time and working holidays that I was like yes sign me up for more work! Who thought I would ever say that??

So the older I get the more grown up I am feeling. I love the freedom that comes from making my own money and being able to actually go out to dinner and enjoy it. Not think about how much does a diet coke cost.

Growing up does have its down falls. For example Bryan is in California hanging with the family while I am still in Florida working until the 22nd and then I can leave for California. I also have to return home the 28th to get back to work. I know this is what normal people do but I only know the student life. I am transitioning into the working world and its so weird! But I cannot complain, I am so grateful to have a job!

Christmas Decorating

Today we put up our Christmas decorations and nothing is more magical than a house decorated for Christmas. I love it. It makes me happy. It brings back so many memories and family traditions. I cannot wait until we have a home of our own and can put up Christmas lights outside. The only thing missing now is our tree- which we will pick up after Thanksgiving!

Bryan and I make it a family affair. We both decorate the house while watching a Christmas movie and eating Christmas cookies. It really puts us in the Christmas Spirit and gets me excited for the next month.

This Christmas might be a little different this year because I have to stay in Florida to work while Bryan get to be with his family in California. Now I will get to have the Christmas week off but not the whole month like a student. It is making me treasure every moment we get to do family things and holiday celebrations together.

Working Woman

I GOT A JOB!!!!! Most of you know that already but I want to journal the story of my first RN job!

I graduated Nursing school in July and took the state boards in August. I have never been so nervous in my life to take a test. It was much easier than I thought it was going to be. Once I got my official RN license I started drafting my resume. After about 2 weeks of drafting, much peer review, and attending a resume class I finished it. It was now time to apply to jobs. I started applying to every RN job within 30 minutes of my house. I applied to over 300 jobs and in 10 different hospitals. After about 3 weeks I started getting discourage and scarred. I would call the nursing recruiters at different hospitals and they all said call back in January or some would not even speak to me! SO I applied to nanny jobs... I will be honest i had no intentions of ever being a nanny but just applying to the jobs made me feel better. I thought about applying to some retail positions until I get my RN job. I would spent 5-6 hours a day finding and applying to jobs. I was determined to get hired.

The next week I get a call from a home health agency wanting to hire me. I will be honest I have no idea how they even got my resume. I was so EXCITED. I always said I would never work in home health, but someone wanted to hire me. It gave me a lot of confidence. SO in the beginning of October I started working for a home health Agency as an IV nurse.

Even though I was working I kept applying to hospital jobs. I enjoyed the home health job way more than expected but my dream has always been to work in a hospital. One day I called Palmetto General Hospital's recruiter and we had a great conversation. I asked him if there was anything I could do to help get my foot in the door and find a job. He took time to talk to me. He said call back in a week and I did. I called back and he asked me about working on the telemetry unit. I said I would love that. A couple of days later I get a call from the Director or Nursing for the telemetry unit asking to come in for a interview. Later that week I go in for the interview. I was so nervous. Bryan and I practice all morning my interviewing skills.

The interview was on a thursday. I had to work all day and rush down to Miami afterwards. I left work late and was so nervous I was going to be late for the interview. I really think God got me to my interview on time. I thought I answered every question great. Then, they started asking me medication questions and I got nervous. I answered them to my best ability but left the interview thinking well I didn't get that job. On my way home I called Bryan to see if I answered the questions right. I DID. That experience taught me to trust myself more. I always tell myself oh I am a new graduate I don't know much. But the truth is I do know a lot. The very next day I get a phone call form the recruiter saying they loved you and want to hire you!! I almost cried. I had to get some things in order but I got my dream job!!

2 weeks later I signed the contract. Its a full time job with benefits for a 2 year contract. I got a great sign on bonus and so excited to finally put all my schooling to work!! I feel so blessed and truly believe Heavenly Father helped me get this job.