What a Merry Christmas!

Matt and I got to go home for Christmas to spend the holiday with both of our families :D Of course the weather did not want us to get home... Matt and I left Thursday night before Christmas after the West side of the state got freezing rain... Not the best idea ever, but we both wanted to go home for Christmas so bad! The trip from Rapid to my parents house normally takes like 6.5-7 hours. This time the trip took us around 10 hours! Gross! My husband is amazing and got us there safe and sound! I tried my hardest to stay up with him during the adventure home... I ended up sleeping like an hour of the drive. We made it to my parents' house around 8 AM. Then I was so excited to be home with the whole family there that I didn't want to sleep! I slept for like an hour and then we played cards and games... so much fun! I LOVE MY FAMILY!!!! I'm so blessed to have wonderful parents, two awesome brothers, and two amazing "sisters". We had such a great time... especially playing guesstures ;)

Christmas day was spent with Matt's family in Webster. I believe there was like 20 people there... We all had a great time! There was amazing food, many presents, and cards/dice games :D We had such a great time... many laughs were shared! I learned a new dice game and I taught Matt's family a new dice game :D I love my husband's family too :D I am one lucky girl!

We did get some very nice gifts from our families, but nothing compares to the wonderful gift of coming home and spending time with our families :D

It is funny because before we left Rapid on Thursday, I was crying because I thought we wouldn't make it home for Christmas... Then I cried happy tears as we pulled up to my mom and dad's... I truly loved every minute of being home :D Thank you to everyone for making Christmas so amazing this year!

I hope everyone else had a wonderful Christmas too.... I want to thank everyone who had to work over Christmas :D Thank you for all you do!

God bless!

Thank you for making my day :D

Isn't it funny how little things can just make your day! This morning I received a text message from one of my besties that I have not talked to in a long time... It made my day! She just knows when I need a little love sent my way... Thanks so much! I know you know who you are and I truly appreciate it! LOVE YOU!

Christmas bliss....

Matt and I get to go home for Christmas :D I am so EXCITED! We will be spending Christmas Eve with my whole family and Christmas day with Matt's family :D

After moving away from my family and friends, I never realized how hard it would be to spend holidays apart. Last year was the first Christmas that I did not spend with my family and it was so sad. I will admit it, I cried many tears during that time. I never realized how blessed I had been before to be able to spend the holidays with my family and how truly important that was to me... I did actually work Christmas Eve and Christmas day at the hospital, which helped keep my mind off things... I think it also made things worse though because I love going to church around Christmas time and I could not go because of work.

I think what also made the holidays so hard last year was knowing that neither of my brothers went home for Christmas either. My parents spent their first Christmas alone, without any of us kids there.... I'm sure they were very sad about it, even though they did not let us know they were. My parents are the type who don't really show their emotion to people...

Matt and I did have a nice first Christmas together as a married couple, along with our "boys". He sure tried to make me happy on Christmas because he knew how sad I was to not be with my family.... I love him and I am so thankful to have him in my life.

I'm just truly happy to be going home for Christmas.... words just can't express my joy. Now, I just hope the weather agrees with our plans...

Torn...

Rapid City or Sioux Falls that is the question....

Matt and I have been so torn about where we should plant ourselves before we take our family to the next level. Yes, I do mean babies... Not yet though- give us a year or two. We often debate about the pros and cons about living in Rapid or in Sioux Falls. Gosh, why is this so hard?!

Rapid City Pros-
-BEAUTIFUL!!!! It is absolutely beautiful out in the Black Hills... Once a person gets a taste of the beautiful country out here, it is hard to leave it.
-Weather. The winters are a lot less harsh out this way. The snow actually melts before spring! Plus, it is not as humid as it is on the East side.
-Rapid City Regional Hospital. As much as I complain about my job, I actually do love where I work and what I do. The people that I work with are so awesome! They have all taught me so much and I continue to learn more and more each day I work.
-New friends. We have made some great friends out this way and if we move I have a feeling we wouldn't see them hardly ever.
-Location for a family. We feel as though Rapid City would be a better location to raise children.
-No bugs! Ok, we have bugs... just not as many as the East side of the state.
-More to do. We feel as though there is more to do and see out here! We like to be outdoors- camping/hiking... So much fun here!

Rapid City Cons-
-Distance. Our parents are 7 hours away and our siblings are 5 hours away. My best friends are on the east side of the state. Traveling sucks. We travel across the state just to only spend like two days there...
-No family support. Yes, I do have a couple of cousins out in RC, but not my immediate family. When Matt and I have children, we are going to be on our own... I am terrified to have children with no one to really turn to and be here for support. (I know my hubby would be amazing about it though.) I would love it if our kids could grow up close to their cousins like I did. I think it would be so fun to raise kids alongside of my brothers/Matt's brother and close cousins.

Sioux Falls Pros-
-Family. My brothers and Matt's brother all live in Sioux Falls. Plus, our parents are only 3 hours away from Sioux Falls (not 7).
-Friends. Some of my best friends live in SF or near SF.
-Career opportunities. When I am ready for something new, SF offers more nursing opportunities because of the two major hospitals.

Sioux Falls Cons-
-New jobs. Matt and I would both have to find new jobs. Job hunting sucks.
-Moving. We would have to move all of our stuff across the state again. Gross.
-Environment. We just don't love the city of Sioux Falls like we love living in Rapid.

These are just some of the things I have been thinking about lately. Who knows what we will end up doing... Just wish us luck!

Updates

Well, I know it has been forever since I have wrote in my blog... So here are my life updates:

1- My big brother, Adam, just got married to the love of his life, Cassidy. Their wedding day was October 9 and the wedding was absolutely amazing! Thank you to the happy couple for letting me be a part of your special day! I am so happy to have Cassidy officially join our family! I love you both!!! Enjoy some pictures of their special day!

The beautiful couple - Adam & Cassidy

I looked pretty darn good in cinnamon :D
Amy and I - We are practically sisters!

This picture pretty much sums up the night ;)

2- Matt and I have started looking at houses... I'm super nervous but excited at the same time!!! I will admit- I have been watching a lot of shows about buying new homes... Oh boy!

3- We go home for my brother's wedding and everyone tries to convince us to move to Sioux Falls... I thought this living away from my family thing would get easier... I think it just gets harder. We love it here in Rapid City, but we just wish our family was closer. That is a different issue though... Perhaps another blog.... LOL!

4- Matt and I ordered a new bed and a bed set :D Super excited! We ordered it a long time ago but it is supposed to be here on Monday! It is going to be beautiful!!!!!!!!!!!! Pictures to come!

5- More and more people that I work with are leaving :( I feel like soon I will be one of the "experienced" ones and that makes me nervous. I will miss everyone that is leaving/has left. They have all been a huge part of my nursing career. Thanks to all of you for showing me the ropes! Good luck to Robin, Donna, Kim, and Crystal!

6- Just yesterday I had my first patient death. My patient was on comfort cares, but it was still very hard. Man, I can't even explain my emotions from yesterday's experience. All I can say is I did have to step into the bathroom and cry a little to get through it. I'm sure that gets easier, but the first death was difficult. God bless this patient and the patient's family. Rest in peace.

7- I just finished an amazing book by Jodi Picoult - Handle with Care. AMAZING book! Loved it! This book was a great read and really makes a person think....

8- I turned 24 in September. My hubby got me a beautiful ring to wear as my wedding band at work. I love him!

Well, I think that is enough updates for now... I will try to write more often and stop being such a slacker :D

Love always!

Friends for life

I miss my friends. I miss them so much.

I truly don't think my friends could ever understand how important they are to me.

This past weekend, I had the pleasure of having two of my best friends here. Jen and Lauren came to Rapid and we had so much fun! They both came on Thursday, so we had a nice long weekend. Lauren unfortunately had to leave on Saturday :(

Fun filled weekend with the girls included:

1- Enrique and arm pumping - I LIKE IT!

2- Deadwood fun- teaching the ladies how to use the slot machines

3- Laughing, laughing, and more laughing

4- Movie night with popcorn :D

5- Blackhills bagels X 2- yum! "Bagel on the floor!"

6- Drinking wine while playing Ticket to Ride

7- Talking and catching up...

8- Sitting by the pool/soaking up the sun

9- Wearing firefighter hats :D Gotta love the Firehouse.... "I'm not putting them back."

10- Being terrified in a tent

11- Experiencing Alaina + beer

12- Laughing, laughing, and more laughing to where someone ended up in tears....

I love you both very much and I thank you for coming to stay with me! Thanks for all the great memories :D

1 year down!

Our wedding day - 6/6/09

Matt and I celebrated our 1st wedding anniversary :D I can't believe we have been married for a year already... We have had a great year! Being married is everything I would have hoped for and more. I love Matt and I love being his wife!

We have been through a lot in the past year, both good and bad. About a week before Matt and I got married, I accepted a job at RCRH. This meant that we would be moving across the state to start our life together. Matt had to finish out June working in Sioux Falls which he disliked.... So we had the difficult time of me working in Brookings and Matt working in Sioux Falls until we moved. Yep, I put a few miles on during that time. We were married but still didn't really feel like we were.

We ended up moving to Rapid July 4th weekend with the help of Matt's parents and a Uhaul. Moving is always a crazy/stressful time but we did it! We moved into a small one bedroom apartment. Matt had some difficulty finding a job which was tough on the financial situation... but we made it work. Matt started working in September at a job he truly enjoys and continues to work at to this day...

Before we were married, Matt and I had a long distance relationship for the most part. We started dating in high school but we went to different colleges. So when we finally had the wonderful opportunity to move in together, we sure had to get used to each others little "flaws". Every married couple has to do this, and we are still learning little things about each other that we love and don't love.... he he he.... I will leave it at that.

Matt and been amazing during this past year with providing me support during my first year as a nurse. He knew that it would probably be rough for me, and he was right. I love my job but it is very challenging at times. There were many times where I came home crying from my previous shift. Matt knows how to comfort me when I need it and I love him for that! He takes good care of me!

We also decided to add to our little family... Not with babies yet, but with two kitties. Mario and Luigi are our babies for now. We love them!!!

Of course we get asked all the time when we will actually have kids. Well, the answer is in a year or two. I wanted to wait at least 1 year or 2 and until we have a house. So once we have a house, that will be a hint that we are getting closer to having children. I know I am not ready yet though. Matt would like to have kids now, it is actually me that is holding back. We are excited to someday have some babies... no worries.

Overall, it has been one amazing year with my hubby. I'm so blessed to have such a great man as my husband. Matt and I are still very happy and we look forward to celebrating many more years together as husband and wife. Thanks to all of our family and friends for supporting us in our marriage. We are truly grateful for all of your love and support.

As for my hubby- thank you for all of your love and for putting up with me! I LOVE YOU!

WeightWatchers Update

Well, it has been two weeks and so far WeightWatchers is working! I have lost 5 pounds in two weeks... If I keep this up, I will reach my goal weight in about 6 more weeks! I want to lose about 17 more pounds... and of course I want to tone up too! Working out has been going okay... I wish I had a workout buddy here. Sometimes I need that extra motivation! I loved the days where I would workout with Jen, Emily, or Mannie... oh, those were the days! Matt and I are going to start going on walks together. Problem with that is that I speed walk a lot faster than Matt does.... I get that from my mom! Hopefully he will be able to keep up!

I have decided that for every five pounds I lose, I get to buy a new workout outfit! I bought one outfit now and I love it! It makes me a little bit more excited to go to the gym. I know it sounds silly, but it is true... Wearing the same old outfits gets old.

I have a couple of trips home coming up so this will be the big test of my will power when it comes to keeping my points in line.... I'm so glad that I have a blackberry now so I can keep track of what I eat. I wonder how much good old Texas Roadhouse adds up to be... Oh boy!

Well, time for the gym! Wish me luck!

Taking the plunge...

Well, I finally did it. I have officially signed up for weight watchers! Yep, it was about time. I just really hope it helps in this lovely process of losing some weight! I need to lose some weight for many reasons... First of all- for my health of course. I am a nurse and I know I should be in much better health and that I should be eating better than I do! Second reason- I hate the way I look. I can't stand myself anymore... This not only affects me, but also my hubby because I never wear "cute clothes" like dresses or nice-fitting shirts anymore because I hate the way I look in them. My poor hubby sees me in sweats for the most part.... Another reason, I am in my big brother's wedding in October! Yipes! I want to look nice for the wedding!




A picture of me when I was much smaller..... (2007)

A picture from my own wedding (2009)

Weight has always been an issue for me. In high school I was one chubby girl (175 lbs) until the summer between my sophomore and junior year when I lost 30 lbs! So I know that if I put my heart and mind into it, I can lose some weight.... Now that I am a little older, I know it will be harder but it needs to be done! So please help me by sending me out a little love and encouragement, because God knows I will need it!

Another wonderful trip home!

I went home last weekend for my friend's wedding. My good friend from high school, Kyli Zenk, was married on April 10 to the love of her life, JD Deranleau. The wedding was absolutely beautiful and the reception/dance was so much fun! It is always so great to hang out with my friends!!!!

Just like my good friend Lauren said to me- it is so great how we can always just pick up where things left off and it is never awkward. We all just joke around and have a great time. My face hurt so much that night just from laughing so hard! So great! One word - mittens. LOL!!!!

I also got to go home home and visit my parents for a night. It is always so great just to go home and visit with my parents. Of course when I first got home both of my parents were not home.... my mom was working late and my dad was out in the field. As I was waiting for them to get home, I just found myself reminiscing of the good old times. I went up to my old room and looked at all of my old plaques and awards from high school. Oh man. I also found myself just staring out of my parent's bedroom at the view of Pickerel Lake. I am so glad that I grew up where I did, and I really do miss home and the lake. I'm hoping that I will have the opportunity to go home this summer sometime to enjoy the lake :D

My parents did have a nice supper together and it really felt like they miss me being around. I was surprised when my mom asked me to come and have lunch with her at work the next day. It was nice :D I'm grateful for everything they have done for me in life and I hope they know that!

I also got to spend a day in Fargo with my wonderful cousin Mary! We had such a great time together, we always do! I had not seen Mary since my wedding so we had a lot to catch up on! After we got back from a fun day of shopping, I got to see Mary's little boy Mason! He has grown so much since the last time I saw him. He is walking so well.... He walks so well that he kept running away from me because he didn't know me :( By the time I left for the wedding the next day, Mason did play with me a little.

As always, I had a great time at home and I am grateful for everyone for being so amazing! Thanks for all of the amazing memories! I love you all!

Just remember- we gladly welcome guests!!!! ;)

Happy Easter!

Praise to the good Lord above! I love Easter and everything that it means. I wish everyone a blessed day and I hope you all remember the wonderful reason why we celebrate this holiday...

Well, good news is I didn't have to work today even though it was actually my weekend to work... Bad news is that Matt did have to work. Yep, that means I am alone on Easter. This is the time where I really, really get homesick. I would give anything to be celebrating this holiday with my loving family. Sad. I will be honest, I shed a few tears today. I will be alright though, I have my loving kitties to play with :) It is always amazing how animals seem to know when a person is down... They are so loving towards me today. Love them.

Even though I am alone on Easter, I hope my family have a wonderful holiday together. I just hope they know how much I miss them all. On a happier note, the Easter bunny did come to my house thanks to my amazing cousin, AMY! She sent Matt and I the greatest gift box of goodies! LOVE HER!!!! So basically I am sitting here in our apartment and eating too much candy... lol.

Update- Matt and I are now in our new two bedroom apartment. We are loving the extra space! Now we have an extra bedroom for when visitors come and visit- hint, hint.... We are still unpacking everything so our apartment is a disaster zone. Hopefully that will be fixed soon!

Happy Easter everyone! God bless and love!

SUPER EXCITED

I'm so excited to announce that Matt and I will be moving into a two bedroom apartment! We are so excited to have a little more room and we both really like the layout of the new place :D We get to move in at the end of this month... which will be crazy busy! I have decided that I am going to decorate a little bit differently in the new place. Yes- my mind is just buzzing with ideas! LOVE IT! I love my hubby for letting me go crazy with it too! He loves me!

I'm also super excited about our new sofa that just came yesterday :D It is beautiful! When the furniture movers dropped it off though- two of the new couch's legs were cracked so I have to go pick up some new ones today.... The couch came with two beautiful couch pillows that just make it perfect! So exciting!

My amazing hubby also surprised me with the beautiful book shelf that I had my eye on... Matt spent an afternoon putting it together for me too! With all the amazing new stuff we have, the place is really coming together! SUPER EXCITED!!!!

So now that Matt and I have a two bedroom, we are hoping more people will come and visit! PLEASE! He he he he.... We are hoping some people will come visit during the summer months when there is more to do out here. We would love to go and do some exploring if anyone else wants to join us :D Just let me know if you are ever thinking about coming to visit us because I would plan my schedule around you! Yes, YOU! Think about it...

Loves!

I want to soak up the sun...

I'm ready for summer.

I am ready for the sunshine, the hot weather, and all the outdoor fun! Matt and I live in an apartment complex that has a pool, which is what I am mostly excited for. Last summer, Matt and I enjoyed hanging out by the pool as much as we could. It is nice on my days off to have somewhere where I can soak up the sun while I read a good book. LOVE IT!

I also really miss my long walks on the bike trial... oh what fun! Matt and I also enjoy taking a leisurely walk outside or going hiking. We didn't do much hiking last summer, but this summer we are really going to hit up the trails!!!!! I'm pretty pumped about that too!

Since I grew up on a farm, I think there is a part of me that just loves and yearns to spend time outside. One of my favorite things to do is just sit outside with a good book and hear the sounds of nature around me. I know it sounds lame, but I truly do enjoy it!

I truly do miss good old Pickerel Lake, the lake that parents live by... I miss the good times of boat rides, the sound of the waves, and the awesome memories of hanging out at the lake with my friends and family. In high school, Jen and I would always try to get together and hang out at the lake. We had such a great time eating Cheetos while we soaked up the sun and talked about life. Oh how I miss those days... I'm sure she does too! Sorry- took a trip down memory lane for a bit.

Oh summer- can't you come any sooner?

What a beautiful day :D

It is absolutely beautiful outside today! It is like 55 degrees out with the sun shining and hardly any wind! LOVE IT! I know 55 degrees may not sound like much to most, but it sounds wonderful when a person lives in SD and it is this time of the year! Matt and I have the windows open so we can have the fresh air breeze through our apartment. After I get done typing this blog, I actually plan on taking a blanket outside and just hang out with a good book. Sounds wonderful to me! Perhaps I will color, that's right- I like to color.

My poor kitties really want to go outside too because of the nice weather. They both sit by the screen door, wanting to be outside. I let them outside every once in awhile, but I have to stick right by them or they tend to run off. Luigi is especially great at running off! Luckily, they haven't tried to climb up any trees yet. *Knock on wood x 2!

Matt and I are thinking about taking the boys for a car adventure today too. I have to see how they do in the car because I might take them home with me to get them declawed. Do you know how much it costs to get a cat declawed in Rapid City?!? Our vet charges $240 to get 1 cat declawed! YIKES! I have been checking around at other vets in other cities to try to find a lower price. Matt's mom recommended Clear Lake, SD. She called them up- they charge $57 + the cost of pain meds. SOLD. If I am going home anyway... I might as well try to get the monsters declawed for cheaper!

Well, enough with wasting this beautiful day sitting at my computer....

Enjoy the sunshine!!!!

What a wonderful trip home!

I know it has been almost a week since Matt and I got back from our little trip to Sioux Falls, but I thought I would write about how amazing the trip was! I just want to start off by saying I have the most amazing family and friends EVER! I love you all!!!!!!!!!!

While we were back in SF, we spent the weekend with my oldest brother and his fiance, my cousin, and my mom. Talk about a fun time! Some of the super fun things we did included:

• bowling
• eating BWWs (my mom did the blazin' challenge)
• played in the snow
• got pedicures (the girls only)
• made yummy meals
• played cards (of course!)
• played the Wii
• talked about the upcoming wedding
• laughed so hard our faces hurt :D

A picture of my oldest brother, Adam and his soon to be wife, Cassidy! LOVE THEM!


A picture of my cousin Amy and our "two mommies". Yes- they are twins! My mom (Lori) is in the black standing next to me and Amy's mom (Lisa) is standing next to her.



Matt and I also got to spend some quality time with his family. We got to stay with Matt's older brother, Joe, and his girlfriend Jodi for a few nights. Matt's parents came down as well because Matt's grandpa had surgery on Monday while we were there. Don't worry- he is doing well :) While we were all staying at Joe and Jodi's house, we got to play this super fun dinner murder mystery game. We all got dressed up as our character and we read off scripts but also got to put in our own words... So fun! Then at the end we had to guess who the killer was. The killer ended up being Matt's dad, Brian! So funny! We had so many laughs!!!! It was great getting to hang out with both families while we were in SF.

I also got to spend some time, but definitely not enough time, with my great friends. One day I went up to Brookings to my old stomping grounds... I got to see Emily, Lauren, Darin, Derek, Nick, and Molly while I was there. We had such a great time hanging out at the Student Union and catching up on old times. Even if I didn't really have a voice.... I wish I would have been able to meet back up with Em like we had tried to plan, but it just didn't happen :( Sorry Em! I truly enjoyed just being with everyone there... Man, how I miss you all!

To Emily- thanks so much for the shout out on your blog! I didn't get to read it until I got home though! It meant so much to me! You are awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!! THANKS!

Of course Jen and I got together while I was in town... She actually came back from Hawaii on the Saturday I was there so she had lots of stories for me! We always have a killer good time just kickin' back at a coffee shop. I wish we could do it more often! Matt, Jen, and I went to the movie Valentine's Day while we were in town. It was okay.... the popcorn made it worth it ;)

Mannie and Carl also drove down to see me while I was in town! I haven't seen those two in forever.... Mannie, Carl, Jen, and I had a great supper at Texas Roadhouse. Yum! Mannie and Jen totally womped on Carl and I in Sequence like 8 times... but it is okay because Carl is happy with getting close to winning. LOL! I am still very competitive and everyone likes to give me crap for it! Bring it!

Matt and I loved being home and we truly wish we could make it back more often, but unfortunately we can't! I can't believe how much money we spent while we were there! Ouch! In the end, it was totally worth it! But we probably won't be coming home for awhile! Sorry all! Thanks for all of the laughs and memories!

XOXO

Something to ponder...

While I have been staying home from work, I have been doing a lot of "research". By "research" I mean house/apartment hunting! I have found my dream apartment here in Rapid City. I want to live there so so so so bad! Harmony Heights looks like a wonderful place to live! These apartments have a beautiful layout, an amazing pool, a tempting hot tub, a great looking fitness room, a social room, and they allow pets! Oh man, can you say YES! But of course the cost is much higher than we pay now... :(

Matt and I currently live in a one bedroom apartment and we both agree that we need more room! So the next place we live has to be a two bedroom or more... Plus, we have the "boys" so we need somewhere that allows pets. Which makes things difficult! Not everyone loves animals like we do! The apartments that we are looking at require a $500 deposit for cats. $500!!!!!! Yikes! Plus, $25 per month/per cat! Darn it!

So Matt and I have been debating if it is really worth moving into these amazing apartments... we would have to make some adjustments! Then there comes the other thought I have been pondering- moving to AZ! I know you all think I am crazy, but I am seriously thinking about it! As a nurse down in AZ, I would be making probably $5.00 more/hour! Plus, Matt would probably be able to find a job that pays better than how much he gets paid now. Matt would also probably be able to find something that relates a little more to his major. The place where my wonderful cousin, Amy, lives is amazing! She pays about $100-$150 more per month than it would cost if Matt and I lived in my "dream" apartment mentioned above. Really makes a person think! Plus, my cousin said that the hospital she works at is hiring right now...

I know this is crazy, but I can't help but think about it! But then I think about how homesick I get now and how much worse it would be if I lived that far away from my family and friends! Except for the fact I would have Amy there!!!!!!! LOVE HER! She thinks it would definitely be worth it! He he he... Of course she does! I for sure want to work at RCRH at least one year though. I am learning so much where I work and I love the people I work with! They are all so kind to me! I wouldn't mind sticking with the job I have now...

Oh decisions!

Strep throat = missing work.

Well, I am sitting at home today again and missing work. Sucky! I HATE using PPL for sick days... what a waste. I started feeling a little sick on Friday and I went to the Dr. because I felt like I had Strep throat. Ding ding- I was correct! I was put on an antibiotic and told I couldn't work on Saturday. During the night on Friday and early Saturday morning I had the worst body aches I can ever remember having! Ouch! I was also running a fever... Good thing I had orders not to work on Saturday! But throughout Saturday, I was running a fever and having body aches still. I ended up having to call in to work again due to still running a fever. So I am at home again- bored out of my mind. I am feeling better today, but I did wake up with horrible body aches and a temp again this am. I'm hoping for a good night sleep tonight!

Last night when I started running a temp again, I sent a text to my cousin, Amy, who is a nurse and told her what was up with me. Amy wrote me this as a text message "Take meds for 4th time today, take nyquil and go to sleep stat. T.O. Dr. Feelbetter/A(her last name)RN." If you know anything about taking telephone orders from a Dr.-this is absolutely hilarious! It truly made my day! I love her :D (I get to see her in 4 days! Very excite!)

It sucks being home sick because I don't feel like doing anything. It would be worth using PPL if I was actually being productive around here. Luckily I got some laundry done on Friday when I wasn't feeling too bad yet. Now my house is a mess and I have no energy or ambition to clean it. Nice huh?!? I have tomorrow off too, so I am hoping I feel up to cleaning and getting stuff packed up because Matt and I leave for Sioux Falls on Wednesday morning! Well, back to what I have been doing best the past couple of days- watching Lifetime movies and snuggling with my kitties while sitting in my recliner.... Perhaps I will put the superbowl on for tonight. Even though I don't really care about who wins it this year....

Let the countdown begin....

I get to go home! Well, I get to go to Sioux Falls in five days... Matt and I are going to leave for Sioux Falls Wednesday morning and stay until Tuesday! It is going to be such a nice little vacation and we can't wait! We are going to spend some quality time with Matt's family when we first get into town. Matt and I are going to stay with Matt's brother, Joe. I'm looking forward to getting to know Joe's girlfriend and their family a little better. We plan on probably going out and playing some darts and pool or maybe just stay in and play some card games. Either way, I am up for it!

Thursday I get the opportunity to have lunch with two wonderful ladies that I used to work with in college. I worked at the Student Affairs office throughout my whole college career. I'm so excited to go back to Brookings and have lunch with Joella and Patty at one of my favorite restaurants in town, Cubby's. Yum :) Both of these women are so amazing! Joella was always there to watch out for me during my college years... She was always so caring and understanding of the stress that comes with school. She was also there for me during my 2nd year of school when my family had three deaths in the family. And of course she was there for me during my health issues.... She is just like a mother to me... Love her! And Patty is amazing too of course! She started at the Student Affairs office a few years after I did but we just "clicked". She is such a happy go lucky kind of girl and is so easy to talk to. I felt like I could share anything with her and she would always try to give me her advice. I miss all of those conversations.... Love her! Both of these ladies even came to my wedding even though they didn't know anyone else there.... That meant so much to me! In other words, they both mean a lot to me and I can't wait to have lunch with them!

After my exciting lunch date, I get to meet up with one of my bestest friends, Emily! Emily and I go way back... She has always been there for me and she just seems to understand me, which I know is a difficult job! We always have great conversations full of laughter and sometimes even tears! I cannot wait to catch up with her!

My fave cousin, Amy then flies in on Thursday night! I get the pleasure of picking her up at the airport! Perhaps I should make some fun signs?!?!? Yeah, I think she would appreciate that! We are all going to stay at Adam and Cassidy's place for the weekend! FUN TIMES AHEAD! My mom and hopefully my auntie Jeannie are coming down too! We are going to sit around and play games and drink margaritas! Sounds like a fun time to me! I love my family so much! Hopefully I will get to see my other brother and his wife too while I am in town.

Then my hubby's grandpa is going to be having surgery on Monday so we will be hanging out at the hospital and spending some time with Matt's family. Please say a little prayer for Matt's grandpa if you can! We just pray that everything turns out great and that he has a speedy recovery!

These are the things that are in the works so far, but sometime throughout all of this madness I hope to get together with my other bestest friends! You all know who you are!!!! I want to see all of you while I am home because I miss you all dearly!!!!!!!! LOVE YOU!

Get ready Sioux Falls- because here we come! :D

I am a rockstar!

Good news- I passed my tele class!!!!!!!! I can officially read the rhythm of your heart... I hope it is sinus rhythm! What does this all mean exactly? Well, it basically means that I will now be sent up to work more on the 10th floor with more critical patients. Scary. I have already blogged about my fear about working up there so I won't go there again. I'm scheduled to work tomorrow day shift so I guess I will see where they put me! Not going to lie though- I am looking forward to the weekend!

PS- my husband is amazing! He took me out for Red Lobster tonight for passing my test :D YUM! Plus, he let me go to a couple of stores until I found the new Lady A album out! LOVE THEM and I am so excited to enjoy their new CD!

Updates...

So... it has been awhile since I have wrote in my blog. Fail. Here is an update of my life....

This month has been pretty busy for me with work and with the tele course I am taking. Yep, I am back in the studying mode. I have never been that interested in the heart and with reading tele but yet I am taking this course. (By force really...) My job is requiring me to take this course so I can read tele and be put up on 10th floor. 10th floor is a more advanced floor now than when I started. The floor is basically being turned into a "step-down" unit. Currently, I work more on the 9th floor which is surgical/ortho. I enjoy taking care of these patients. I'm very nervous about moving up to the 10th floor which has more difficult patients and neuro patients. I'm not sure what to think about neuro yet.... Plus, I feel as though I don't have enough experience to be taking care of that kind of critical patients. I'm not saying that I think I am a crappy nurse, I just think I am to inexperienced yet. Oh well, I guess I don't have a choice in this one... Even though I am not looking forward to this, I know that this tele course and this experience will make me a better nurse in the end.

Because I have been a little stressed out and so busy lately, my wonderful hubby decided to take me away for a night on an amazing date. My hubby got off work early and brought me a candy bouquet :) We then went to the movies and got popcorn! Which if you know me, you know I LOVE POPCORN! After the movie, we went and tried a new pizza place in town call BeauJo's. After our supper, we went to where Matt had gotten us a hotel room. This hotel had a 24-hour open pool/hot tub. So of course we took advantage of this.... I love just soaking in a hot tub :D Fun times... The night out was just wonderful! Well, except the pizza we had made me a little sick I think.... So I had to go to bed with a tummy ache :( All in all, the date was wonderful and I love my hubby for doing this for me!

Another update in my life is that Matt and I will be heading to SF on Feb 10 and we are staying until Feb 14 :D We are going mostly to see my cousin, Amy! Amy is coming home from AZ for like two weeks.... We get the pleasure of hanging out with her for the long weekend! We are super excited to spend some time with our family and friends! My mom and hopefully my aunt Jeannie are coming down for the weekend too! Plus, we get to see our siblings and some friends that live in SF. We just love going back home... We wish we could go visit home more often but it is hard with our schedules and of course the cost of it all.... I am just so excited for that little vacation coming up! So excited that I was going to make a paper chain to count down the days until we get to go.... JK! But we are super excited!

2010 baby!

HAPPY NEW YEAR! It is a very happy new year because I found out some wonderful news last night- my big brother Adam asked his girlfriend Cassidy to marry him as the ball dropped last night! YAY! I'm so excited to have Cassidy as a "sister", even though she pretty much has been for a long time now! Cassidy fits right in with the family and she is just wonderful! We are all so excited to welcome her into the Kulesa family :D

So I thought about what I should do for my new year's resolution this year.... and I am very proud of what I came up with. For 2010- I am going to learn more about my religion and grow deeper in my faith. I went to Borders today and purchased a bible that is broken down to be read in one year. Yep folks- I am going to do it! Along with reading the bible daily, I also purchased a journal to write down my thoughts about the readings. I know I have said before that I wanted to read the bible, but this time I am going to achieve my goal.

Along with that resolution, I am of course going to try to lose weight as well. My goal is to lose 20 pounds. This is something I struggle with. My husband got me a scale for Christmas and my mom got me new running shoes, so you could say I am prepared. Bring on the gym! I also talked about cutting back on my addiction of coffee from Starbucks.... This will also help with my goal of losing some pounds.

Well, there you have it folks- my goals for 2010! Please help me to meet my goals by encouraging me when I need it. Thanks!