back!

aaaand three months later, I will blog again!

It has been a roller coaster of a season, full of transition. I have had trouble keeping up, I admit. It's so funny how just when I thought "things are great, and under control" they go crazy again. Sometimes I just wish things were easy, but really, it keeps me in my place and resting only in Christ.

Some of my favorite pics from these last months:

My dear friend Crystal got married last weekend. What a BEAUTIFUL bride!

So yes, I got to see my family for Thanksgiving! (What a privilege as a new nurse! But I will make up for it working both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day!) This is my favorite pic from the day...

And then on Sunday we took a family picture!!

I had Bonnie take some pictures of Andrew and me back when I was thinking I would make wedding invitations using a photo. What ensued was pretty much an engagement photo shoot because Bonnie has skillz.

A few weeks ago I got to go home and have the most wonderful bridal shower thrown by some amazing ladies that I've had the blessing of knowing for years and years. I felt so loved!

And Andrew got to come to Denver with me!

back in AZ

my 3rd day in Arizona and I've had Mojo every one so far!! Mom had some tonight! I was so happy to be able to take her there:)

Mom and I left on Friday, arrived on Saturday. Six wonderful friends came to help us move all my stuff into my wonderful new home. Sunday I finished unpacking, and today wanted to go hiking but decided to listen to my body and rest. I feel re-energized now and ready to figure out the job schedule tomorrow!

My brain has definitely not caught up with my body yet. Someday soon I will realize that I live in Arizona again! I will realize how much I miss my Colorado friends and family, and how crazy cool it is to be here!! I am very much looking forward to spending the rest of our engagement in the same city! I am also eager to get involved in church, as I bounced all over the place during the months I just spent in Colorado and didn't get involved anywhere... yes, I have missed it. Also,

My new house is

less than 4 miles from Mojo

less than 3 miles from Fresh 'n' Easy grocery store

less than 2 miles from Trader Joe's

less than 1 mile from Chipotle

less than 1 mile from my fiance!

Finally, I am completely serious when I say that... I thank God regularly for leading me to Arizona. And I thank him just about as often that he did so in the time of modern air conditioning!!

I'm trying to soak this up

This is just such a weird and different season....

I am so in love with Andrew.

I am moving back to Tempe, Arizona in just over a week, less than 2 miles away from him!

I haven't even started thinking about the move yet, because I have too much planning to do for a wedding in January before that.

But I have an amazing place to live all lined up!! woohooo

I have thought a little bit about being ready to start my new job in Arizona. (How amazing this job search was-- 3 nursing job offers in 3 days! WOAH God is so good! I will be working in another nursing home, but with more of a variety of tasks and responsibilities.) But I am really going to miss my schedule at this one!!

I feel like I'm just floating through the days... if ever I stop to feel something it's just pure happiness. I'm just so at peace with the way things are working out, and seem to have come full circle... things that were difficult about the past couple years have all worked out so nicely. I'm so glad I've been able to be home in Colorado during my first few months as a nurse. And I'm so glad I'm moving to Arizona again. (And I'm so glad I'm doing so in a day and age with air conditioning.)

Oh, I have no idea why I have been blessed so!! James 1:17 comes to mind..... oh, Praise God, from whom all blessings flow!

yes

Yes. I am engaged.

I am overwhelmed with gratitude to God.

time to update ze blog

more photos from Ohio!

Mom and Caleb

Rachel and Joy

Uncle Tim

Good times with family this whole weekend! Why do I have only 4 pictures to show from visiting 3 states? It's a tragedy.

July 4th Weekend

I got to spend July 4th weekend in San Diego, CA! I went with friends from church in AZ to a conference and learned about God. I also got to go to the beach with Bonnie's family, visit a La Jolla cove and see seals and eat gelatto with friends, and play some Texas Hold 'Em. Then after the conference I got to catch a ride to Phoenix and see Andrew for a day!! yipeeeee

promises

Saw this rainbow driving home from work awhile ago. This picture does a poor job showing you just how cool it was. It was a full double rainbow! One side of the sky was darkdark gray, the other side sunshine.

Usually when I see rainbows they remind me that God keeps his promises. This time, I was astounded by the fact that God MAKES promises to us. Isn't it cool and utterly amazing that he speaks to his people? May I ever be in awe of this.

woah

This is what the computer says I will look like in 46 years.
Thank you, Denver Museum of Nature and Science.

FL, VA, OH, oh my!

Three weekends ago I went to Florida, flew with my grandpa to Virginia the next day, saw my Aunt and Uncle for one evening, and then flew to Ohio the next day for a great aunt and uncle 50th Anniversary Celebration. Lots of relatives were there! On Tuesday, my dad's three brothers and their families, my grandpa and grandma, and the 50-years-married guests of honor all went to the Creation Museum in Kentucky.

We learned that the earth is only thousands of years old and saw dinosaurs:)

Sometimes I just want to kick myself for not using my camera.

it's (past) time for an update

Catching up for the busy month of June!

I spent another weekend in Phoenix early in June. Fun times with my boyfriend and friends from my church! I'm so grateful for my job that gives me the schedule and financial means to travel so much! And to Southwest Airlines that gives me the freedom to fly! :)

parkypark

Today before church Bethany, Megan and I ate Silver Mine at City Park. They even took a picture with me:)

Oak Creek with Bonnie

I have this super cool friend in Phoenix whose name is Bonnie.

When I was visiting Phoenix last weekend she took me to a beautiful trail called Oak Creek Canyon.

For once in my life, I remembered to use my camera.

I like spending time with this girl.

Spring

Purple flowers coming up surrounded by dead leaves and melting snow. Spring is here!!

talent show

Being a good sister, I only took pictures of my sister playing her flute:) Actually, I took video, Dad took pictures, so the one photo I have is blurry.


She did a great job, and I also saw a funny skit about bubble gum and lots of cool jump roping acts.

ketchup art

After some scrapbooking and some time in Urgent Care making sure that Kimmie's elbow wasn't broken after she fell down the snowy steps, Alyssa, Kimmie and I went to Chic-fil-A. Kimmie was so proud of her ketchup art I took a picture. And now it's on my blog for the whole WORLD to see. Wow-wie!

another March snow

Another Colorado Spring snowstorm. This one brought a snow day from school!!


I was trying to capture how fast the snow was coming down, but this doesn't quite do it. But seriously, it had just started snowing not a half hour before, and that's quite a bit of snow stuck on the grass.


Quite pretty actually.

celebration feasting togetherness

Dedicated to those who weren't here last night (hi, Mom!) Here is the summary of Dad's early birthday celebration!

Dad was outside planting grass seed.

Rachel took a nap because she hadn't slept well the night before.

Ben grilled burgers.

Paul helped me prepare burger ingredients.

Grilled California Avocado BLT Burgers with Chipotle onions, and blueberries, and Paul's potato salad! mmmm

rhubarb crisp and ice cream for dessert!

eating dessert and talking to Mom on the phone:)

Happy birthday, Dad!!!

Walk?

"You said you were taking me on a walk. What are you doing?"
I was trying to capture Charlie jumping three feet in the air. Didn't work. But I think he's cute.

Current Reading

If I could just focus, I might actually finish a book. Here's what I'm reading and writing at the moment:
-Medical/Surgical Nursing, to review everything about diabetes, and taking notes
-Resident Monitoring and Assessment for Longterm Care Nurses, a new book to help me at my job
-Pre-calculus In A Nutshell, to review because I'm a nerd, and a notebook to work problems
-National Geographic, because it has cool pictures
-my journal
-Boundaries. I resisted reading it for awhile but maybe that's just because it would show me areas I need to change. I took the recommendation and it's good so far.
-verse memory journal
-Debating Calvinism. A written debate from both sides of the issue. I'm having a hard time getting far because both extremes frustrate me so.
-prayer journal
-Secure in the Everlasting Arms. Elisabeth Elliot is such a good influence on me. The theme of her reminders that are most beneficial to me could perhaps be summed up in Psalm 16:5-
"Lord, you have assigned me my portion and my cup; you have made my lot secure." I read one of her two-page perspective-realligning chapters every couple days.
-Neither Poverty Nor Riches: A Biblical Theology of Possessions. The best book on material possessions I've read because rather than pushing an agenda, it spells out what the Bible says. I am then left to apply it as God leads.
-yet another journal.
-the Bible. In Deuteronomy and Luke. Love reading it through.

Bono's

Trying to take my camera with me more often. Trying to take pictures of cool things. (Even if I'm not great at capturing them on film.) Like snow outside Bono's BBQ!!

answered prayer

My job is now full-time. How cool!!

Reading through my journal last night and saw how I prayed Ephesians 4:28 for myself: "He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need."

God provided. I am thankful.

Larimer Square

Going to the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory to pick up chocolate for the boyfriend:)

at long last!

I have a nursing job!!!

Just when I had all but given up hope!

It feel right into my lap. I was calling nursing homes in town seeing who had openings they would consider filling with new grads, and one told me to come on in for an interview a couple hours later. That was a Thursday, and the following Monday the Director of Nursing called with a job offer. It's like God said, "Okay, NOW!"

It is a part time position, which will mean an average of 30 hours a week. But that is quite enough to start with, and with the pay, it's better than working 100 hours a week at Chipotle. It will likely turn into full time after awhile if I desire and am doing well.

Right now I am in orientation, working the 2 long-term care units with other nurses until I am ready to be on my own. It seems overwhelming right now. Most of my clinicals were in hospitals which usually have 3-5 patients to one nurse, and my final internship in Labor & Delivery had 1 or on occasion 2 patients to one nurse. On these floors I will have 18-30 patients in a given day. They are not as sick and require fewer treatments, yes, but that is a lot to keep up with. I'm also trying to get to know all the new people I'll be working with and understand how things work in general. As an RN and BSN I am entering with more of a leadership role, and I hardly feel ready for that.

But I rest firmly in the belief that this is what God has for me right now. So I'm trying to do my best and trust him every day in it! It is a blessing to be doing something in nursing!!!

I had my last day at Chipotle yesterday, and will enjoy working only 3 12-hour days this week. I will be trying to begin my volunteer experiences this week. I started planning a few weeks ago to volunteer at the local hospital in the surgery waiting room and in my high school Spanish teacher's classroom. My schedule now will make that even easier.

boyfriend visit:)

Andrew left this morning from his 8-day visit to Colorado. It was his first time in the state! We did lots of fun things like go snowshoeing, outdoor ice skating, visit the zoo, tour the mint, and see Garden of the Gods. We played some games and watched some movies. And I got to hang out with Andrew more than ever before!! It was so awesome there are no words. Forgive me for my inadequate description of the amazingness, but the truth is, he left this morning and I am sad.

But, for the first time ever, Andrew and Sarah took a picture together:)

We went snowshoeing to Brainard Lake. It was fun.

We all had lunch and cheesecake on Sunday. Mom, Dad, Sarah, Andrew, Paul, Becca, Ben, Rachel, and Charlie. What a good-looking bunch!

Andrew took me on a fancy date to the Melting Pot. They had complimentary valet service which we both thought was way over the top. We were seated in a little private section with a fire place. And the waiter set our chocolate fondue on fire for effect. Wow.

2009 is over!!

2009 was a crAzy year!!
Here are some top memories from 2009:

memories of place:
--living on my own (without a roommate) for the first time ever!
--living with the greatest couple ever in Chandler, AZ
--moving back in with my family and happily sinking into home
--visiting my beloved CO 4 times as an AZ resident
--visiting AZ twice as a CO resident

specific memories with friends:
--standing up with Kimmie as she became a Mrs.
--standing up with Bethany as she became a Mrs.
--camping with Christy in her sister's living room
--discovering Tempe Town Lake with Crystal and Melissa
--playing doggie midwife with Jessica to Rosie's first litter of puppies
--having the best birthday with friends and birthday surprise from Christian and Jim
--spontaneous hang-out with Amanda that was way more fun than what we each had planned
--last-minute light railing to Lux Coffee with Jessica M. and reading together
--having dinner and praying at the Myers with Ephrem, Walter, and Scotty
--going to the Outer Banks with Linnea
--playing tennis with Bonnie, when it was at least 95 degrees at 10pm... and then watching Kung Fu Panda
--going on a date with Andrew that I wasn't sure yet was a date, and eating ice cream on my now-favorite park bench

other things:
--becoming involved in the life of a God-loving church in Gilbert, AZ
--starting to run--running and then having Mojo with friends, and surviving my first 5K, with Bonnie, Namoi, and Jim
--starting to date someone who is a fantastic combination of God-fearing, brilliant, and fun
--being astounded by God's faithfulness at every turn
--looking back at the end of the year and realizing I love God more now than when it started. Praise Him!