I did the math...

and I found out that I only have 26 more hours of driving to and from school...ever.
and although I get sick of my rear falling asleep on the drive everyday, 
I think I might miss the time alone to think about anything and everything. 


but this week I realized that in 30 days from today, 
it will be time for me to not plan my future life anymore but actually live it.  
and for the first time I feel so calm and confident with 
where I am and where I am about to go in life, 
even though I am still clueless as to where to I should move 
and where I can find a job.  
I'm determined to embrace what's in store for me next...


because I know this next chapter of my life will be the best one yet!

Walking with Grandpa Christensen

One of the most inspiring people in my life is my grandpa.  Today we took a walk in the forest and  sat and talked for a long time at the park.  Our conversations empower me.  He makes me want to become better and do incredible things with my life.  Today one of our conversations was related to an excerpt from a photo-copied page my grandpa gave to me...


"For some, it is all too easy to become fanatical; some feel that they should be on their knees praying all the time when instead they should be out working, having prayed already and continuing to pray in their hearts.  Some people expect the Lord to do all the work and reveal things to them that they haven't bothered to study out in their minds beforehand....Others may be paralyzed into inaction, waiting for an answer from the heavens, when in actuality the Lord may be requiring them to move ahead, proceeding the best way they know how, before he will confirm their course."


This reminded me of a quote I love that I read recently by Pres. Uchtdorf: "When our wagon gets stuck in the mud, God is much more likely to assist the man who gets out to push than the man who merely raises his voice in prayer- no matter how eloquent the oration."


Thanks Grandpa for your wonderful insight and inspiration.  I love you!

Last week I experienced something wonderful...

As I was doing my routine medication administration, my patient called out for her husband.  As I was about to give her the shot, her husband, who is 90+ years old, slowly made his way over to the bedside and grabbed her hand (he has been living at the hospital with her and spends every waking moment at her side). She looked up at him and said, "I think I need about 5 kisses right now."  He smiled and leaned over the bed rail and kissed her several times...

"I gave you 10."

At that moment I promised myself that I would find that- I would find a man who will love me with a love that is unbreakable and grows everyday, even when we are 90 years old.  I have seen it, and I know I will find it.  And I will never settle for anything less.

And when I need 5 kisses, I know without a doubt that he will give me 10.

Advice from Elder Busche

This was just what I needed today...and everyday

Cutest thing ever!!

...who cares that he doesn't even know the words
His itchy nose solidified my conclusion that he is the cutest kid ever!

The past few weeks...

I saw a delivery for the first time

I saw a C-section

I held sick babies and cried

I decided that I am going to be a labor and delivery nurse

I experienced the love parents have for their newborns 
I started my first IV!!!

I went to a Jack's mannequin concert with my beautiful cousin and my new friends

I saw old and dear friends in Utah

I spent time with people who mean a lot to me

I spent Valentine's Day in a hotel room...all alone

I fell in love all over again

I realized that I am more grown up than I thought I was

But more importantly...

I decided that I'm ready to grow up

 HOW LUCKY CAN ONE GIRL GET?

Last week I got to celebrate my HALF WAY mark of nursing school...woohoo!

And where did I get to go for my break?!!

Sunny, southern California!

Yep, thats right!

No rain, no mudslides, no clouds...

Someone just KNEW I needed some warm sunshine and 

the beach.

My little, busy world got lost in that big ocean and I felt unbelievably

calm and happy...

Ok, so I felt slightly envious when I saw something like this....

  

sigh...

But its ok.

I never feel lonely on the beach.

I had a fast and crazy love affair with it....

Just in time for Valentine's ;)

Just what i needed.