Moving

I know it's been a week since my last update and I'm sorry for that. First I had three days of nursing school orientation that left me feeling incredibly exhausted and overwhelmed. Add to that two 12-hour days of work training for a new charting system that's going live soon, plus one very persistent sore throat/head cold... and that brings us to Wednesday. Since then, our house deal has been teetering on the brink of not-going-to-happen due to having hired apparently the slowest appraisers EVER.

As of last night, we're moving into our first home on Sunday. We'll be renting from the seller for a few days until the paperwork moves through the system and we can close later in the week. But basically that means I've been on the phone all morning (literally - the phone woke me up and I've already had to recharge it this morning!) arranging utility transfers, internet set up, and UHaul truck rentals.

Oh, and don't forget that nursing school officially starts on Monday and I have what seems like six trillion pages to read before then. When I say the program is accelerated, I mean that for every one DAY of class for us, it's equal to one WEEK of class in a traditional program. Our first quiz and exam are both on Thursday... after we read 500 pages and complete a project.

I've been going back and forth about what to do with You and Me are We while I'm in school. I have added pressure to write on a frequent basis because some very kind souls decided they wanted to sponsor YAMAW. After much thought, I've decided to continue my blogging adventure but slow things down quite a bit. If I have a busy week with school, you may not see much of me but if I can find time, I'll be on Twitter and Instagram daily!

I'm not setting a posting goal for myself but please know that I'll be posting as much as I can! I have a few house update and house DIY posts that I'm itching to get going on.

I want this blog to be a reflection of my life - my real life. And for the next 12 months, my real life is going to be focused on becoming a nurse with some fun weekend house projects thrown in there. I've always promised that I would keep it real here and I don't sugar coat things, so there you have it.

Please, please, please follow along with me on Instagram (@YouAndMeAreWe) and Twitter (@YouAndMeAreWe) because chances are, I'll be hangin' around there before I pop onto Blogger to bust out a post or two!

Catch ya on the flip side (or, at least before Christmas break!)

Hello, hello!

Oh, life.

I have so much to tell you all yet so little that can be shared!

First things first, right?

School: holy moly, I have less than a month until I'm done with work which means it's less than a month until I'm officially on campus with 29 other lucky souls who are abandoning their lives for a year as well. We were assigned three classes to complete before September 20 - and I've only finished one so far... the other two aren't keeping my attention and it's hard to make yourself study when it's beautiful outside! So far, I've bought most of my books - there are only eight left to buy - and I've spent just under a thousand dollars which is pretty darn good, if I say so!

The house situation: Here's where I'm torn.. nothing's for sure yet, but it's such a big thing and I'd like to share some of it with you! Trevor and I put an offer on a home about three weeks ago and after some back and forth, our offer was accepted. As expected, we were thrilled and over the moon about buying our first home. Then, because of a weather delay, we had the home inspection about a week ago which revealed A LOT more "wrong" with the house than previously thought. And of course, it was hard enough to get the seller to agree on a price after our initial offer, so we've been worried sick about what's going to come of this. After a lot of discussion, Trevor and I decided we'd still like to buy the house if four specific things were fixed by the seller. We submitted that amendment yesterday afternoon and now we're playing the waiting game - again. Here's to hoping that the seller agrees to fix the things we asked and that we can still meet our closing date of September 12th. If all goes well, we'll be homeowners in three weeks!

Free time: There hasn't been much of this lately. I've been working extra hours and doing homework or packing up our house when I'm able. Some may say I'm packing too soon, but Trevor and I had to give our 60 day notice to vacate our current rental so whether we move to the house or into an apartment is yet to be decided... but we know we have to move!

Fun stuff: Whitney and I are spending this weekend in Chicago! I'm pretty darn excited to be in my favorite place in the world with a good friend - and for the photoshoots Whit's bound to have. She's got talent, let me tell you! The fact that we're staying at The James doesn't hurt much either. Plus, I may come back 10 pounds heavier, but at least I'll be stuffed with delicious food!

I'm sorry it's been so quiet around here lately! I'm working on a handful more posts for you - now that the news about the house has been shared, more of my posts can go from 'draft' to published!

check this out!

Friday Letters

Dear Trevor, thanks for being so patient with me these past couple of days, for filling my ice packs with fresh ice, and for calling the doctors in the wee hours of the morning when you'd rather be sleeping. Oral surgery sucks, but you're helping to make it much better.

Dear crunchy foods, I miss you! As soon as my mouth is healed, you and I are going to start a serious love affair!

Dear school, I'm excited to find out who my classmates are and where they all live! Here's to hoping we get the email that tells us more very soon.

Dear honeymoon friends, next week we'll be reunited and it will feel so good :) We can't wait to drink bottles of wine, swim in Lake Michigan, and laugh until our bellies hurt with you two!

Dear daytime naps, you're pretty great, you know that?!

Dear wisdom teeth, thank the sweet little lord baby Jesus that you're out and that I don't have to recover from this surgery again. This unexplained bleeding is throwing me for a loop!

Dear Trev, you're like SuperHusband. You've worked 50 hours this week, have taken care of me, made yourself dinner, and you haven't complained one bit. I should buy you a SuperHusband cape or something...

Another Nursing School Update

It's been months since I've last updated you on the progress of getting into nursing school.
So far, I've gotten to the point where they tell me "yes" or "no"... and while I was hoping I'd have news to share with you by now, I don't...

Last December, applications opened. I filled out the 15 pages, made copies, tracked down college transcripts, and sent in everything. It reached the College of Nursing the first week of January.

First, they looked through everyone's applications to make sure we were qualified. They checked GPAs, verified that we had prior Bachelor's degrees, read through our novels applications, and then finally decided who would be asked for an online interview.

I believe I was notified that I made it to the online interview step the second or third week of February. I spent 30 minutes frantically typing up answers to their interview questions, sent it back to them, and waited... until they got everyone's responses back, made their next round of cuts, and notified those of us who were invited to a phone interview.

Sometime in the middle of March, I got the email that asked for my interview availability. I had a great conversation with two men from the program and was able to ask a few questions I had about the program itself.

If you remember, this program is a 12 month long accelerated format. I applied for October admission, which means I would finish the program about 18 months from now. Graduates leave the program with another Bachelor's - this time in Nursing.

You aren't able to work during the 12 month program because you are too busy - with online classes, conferences with instructors, and clinical placements. I've already signed a document that said I was willing to forgo employment to focus on school.

In order to apply to their program, you have to have a previous Bachelor's degree and experience working as a CNA - preferably in a hospital. They ask for specific classes as prerequisites that aren't required for a traditional nursing program which meant I've been taking supplementary classes for the past two years to get my transcript to the point that I met requirements. I have been working my butt off to make this dream come true!

And so here I sit. I'm just waiting for an email telling me that I've been accepted or that I've not been chosen - though the best outcome would be an acceptance email. I have finally found a career that makes my heart sing, and don't know yet if I'll be heading down that path this fall or not. It sounds cliche, but when I am at work, taking care of patients, I feel like I have found my calling. I finally feel like I was put on this Earth to do something - and that something is nursing.

And the best part? Five hundred people applied for entry into this program this fall. There are thirty spots to fill.

I know that I'm a prime candidate. I know that I would succeed in this program. I know that gaining admission would be a life changing thing. I know that I'm ready to finally get a degree in something I love doing. I know that this program is the best way for me to follow my dreams.

So that's what's been on my mind and on my heart recently. My co-workers are fully aware of the program and have been asking for updates everyday. I'm anxiously waiting for an email and hoping I don't have to tell everyone that I didn't get in.

check this out!

Saturday Inspiration

Source: Uploaded by user via Sara on Pinterest

I am enjoying my weekend with Trevor - finally spending some time doing normal weekend things like cleaning, grocery shopping, and working out.

My week was incredibly busy... I picked up extra hours at work and had an exam in each of my classes which meant every minute I wasn't working or sleeping, I had my nose in a textbook or my notes. Thankfully, I have a little reprieve next week before things get super crazy the week of the 11th. If March goes as quickly as last month did, we'll be hearing birds chirp and I'll be running outside in no time!

As for today's inspiration? I am giving myself reasons why I can instead of why I can't. This week has shown that I need a bit of positivity in my life to chase away my blues and the above quote is just the beginning of that positive change.

Happy March and happy weekend!

What are you doing this weekend?

check this out!

365 days to a better me

I don't "do" resolutions. Maybe it's because they're always broken before the month is through. Maybe because I don't think you need a start of a new year to try and make yourself "better".

What I am cool with is adding to my Goals page. Trying to be better inside and out. Holding myself accountable.

So, here's what I'm doing this year:

• I need to take more time for myself. I get so caught up in helping other people and I find spending money on myself is sometimes hard to do.
• I work 12+ hour shifts and purposefully dehydrate myself so that I don't have to go to the bathroom {because there's just no time to pee when you're a nurse!}. I am going to drink at least 2 hospital cups of water per shift - which is about 700mL... not the greatest, but still better than not drinking at all!
• Take a vacation with Trevor before nursing school starts in October {if I get in!}. Jamaica would be our first choice, but depending on finances it may have to be something as simple as a weekend in Chicago.
• Saving money. Trevor's working on finding a real world job now that he's done with school. We have student loans that we'd love to pay off, a $50K nursing program to {hopefully} pay for, a house to save for, a vacation to take and savings accounts to beef up!
• Be healthier. I'm planning a post soon about my own version of clean{ish} eating this year but I'm also participating in this challenge to kick off the new year right. I love green smoothies, so I'm sticking with what I know and love!
• Make more time for my husband. When he starts working regular hours, we won't be able to spend as much time together as we have these past couple of weeks and I'm going to miss it. We sacrificed our time together last semester but now that he's done with school we need to make our relationship more of a priority.
• Finish this spring semester with a bang! I'm taking the last two classes before nursing school takes off and gets crazy hard and crazy busy. I'm going to make it count and learn as much about microbiology and biochemistry as possible.
• Get into nursing school! This is out of my hands as I've already applied and the ball is rolling, but I'm keeping the faith alive that I will be getting an acceptance letter before June 1st.

You may see some follow up posts to this list, but because these are all personal standards I'm setting for myself, you also may not hear another peep about some of them. Stay tuned to see how the 7-Day Challenge goes!

How do you feel about resolutions? Do you love 'em? Hate 'em? Have you set any that are similar to the goals I've set?

High Five For Friday

Holy cow! I can't believe it's time for another H54F - it feels like I just did one a couple of days ago...

Last weekend we visited my Oma and celebrated Christmas with her. She and my Opa {who has since passed} came to the United States with two kids when they were in their 30s. Because so much of their lives were spent in Germany, my Oma still keeps many traditions from overseas alive. Last Saturday, we made kielbasa and homemade potato salad {from scratch! so much work!} and enjoyed a lot of wonderful conversation. Somehow the subject of her furs was brought up and she dug all of them out of her closet. This is the resulting picture of me wearing Russian skunk {huh?!} that was my great-great-grandmother's. Agree or disagree about wearing furs, you still have to agree that it's super freaking cool that I wore something that's well over 100 years old!

Also this week, I took my last final for my chem class. Thank goodness that waste of time is over! On to bigger and better things. Up next? In spring I'll be taking biochem and microbiology!

Trevor also finished all of his classes this week! It may not have happened on time, on the day we thought it was going to, in the way we thought it would happen... but life throws you for a loop every now and again, right? I am relieved school is over for him and that he's officially graduated! Now, we're just waiting on a few companies he has applications at/has interviewed with to offer him a job making meeelions of dollars!

Yesterday, we spent the day at home, in leggings and sweats, unable to leave the house due to a blizzard outside! I haven't heard a final number of inches of snow yet, but last I heard we had gotten over a foot of snow. Even though it was a blizzard, you have to admit it makes for some gorgeous trees!

The letters of recommendation that I need to complete my nursing school application were handed out this week. Hopefully, the two nurses that I gave the forms to have completed them and they are on their way to the CON! I explained the whole process of applying to my accelerated nursing program here if you're looking for more details.

And that's that. It's been a busy week but it's also had it's relaxing moments. Today, Trevor and I are working on a few last Christmas presents that have to be finished up and wrapped and hopefully we'll find some time to tidy up the house in preparation for the holiday as well. Wish us luck!

How was your week?

Nursing School Update

It's been awhile since I've mentioned how my adventure with nursing school has been going, so let's catch you all up to speed!

For my new readers, here's the background: I'm applying to nursing school. It's an incredibly long process. The program I'm hoping to get into is very competitive - they only take 30 applicants for each cohort. It's also very tough - if I get in, I'll earn my BSN in 12 short months. I have a bachelor's degree already {with a minor in science} but have been taking a couple science classes each semester because my minor classes don't count toward the nursing pre-requisites. For example, I had to take Chem 103 for my first degree and now I've had to take Chem 102 because it's what was required for the nursing application. It's been a huge time and money sucker - both of which have been tight. It also means I've been sitting through classes that are a piece of cake. But I can't test out of them because I need the lab component in order for the classes to count toward my nursing degree. Frustrating, no?

Last week the nursing school applications went live. Meaning, we could fill them out and start submitting things to the College of Nursing. First, I had to apply to the University... had to send all sorts of transcripts in... and waited to get accepted. That happened and I had to send in a tuition deposit to reserve my spot and get my official school email address.

At the same time, I've had to submit requests for background checks, fill out pages and pages of personal information and schooling information. Basically, I'm up to my eyeballs in forms. I signed up to take the TEAS V test {anyone with personal experience with it?! I'd like to know what I'm getting myself into} in a few weeks before the spring semester starts in January. Also, I have to have two letters of recommendation be written and sent in to the CON.

After all that fun is submitted {hopefully my paperwork will be completed and in the mail by the end of the year and the rest will all trickle in afterwords} then I get to wait. And wait. And wait some more. Until the end of May. May. Guys, that's over five months of just waiting. Pure. Torture.

So there you have it! That's what I've been busy doing between work and school. That's what's been on my mind lately. It's kind of nice to know that I'm finally getting into the thick of applying - because for the last year plus I've been working toward this application. Now I can finally look forward to the next step!

I'm nervous, excited, and impatient all at the same time!

There are three steps to the acceptance process. If I get an email interview, I know I made it to the first step. If I get a phone interview I know I made it even further. I'll keep the updates coming and I'll share any results or details with you. All I ask of you is patience and kindness if the process doesn't go as I hope it does.

High Five For Friday!

It's that time again!
High five for Friday!
I find it important for my mental health to slow down once a week, reflect on the past 7 days, and find the positive in the crazy life we have. I mean, without this linkup, I don't think I would be looking back to find things I am grateful for - I just don't have that much free time to do so without being prompted.

Anyway, over the last week I've been so busy. I know we're all living life and things get hectic every once in awhile but I don't know that I've had entire days fly by as fast as the ones this week have. I feel like I barely get to work and my 12.5 hour shift is over already! And by the time I get around to thinking about what to make for dinner, it's 7pm and we're starving!

So here are the highlights from this past week:

1) It rained so much last weekend. In fact, I think the weather guy said that it was the most rain we had gotten in 48 hours in over 12 years. It was a soggy one! Trevor and I decided to make ourselves a date weekend out of it as a way to relax and spend more than an hour together. We watched movies and cuddled in bed for a good 36 hours. It was amazing.

2) Two hundred of you have decided that my writings are something you want to have regularly. I was completely floored when I hit the 2-0-0 number. So honored and so humbled. In celebration, I'm offering you guys this! Take advantage of it while you can :)

3) On Sunday, Trevor and I were glued to our computers watching one of the coolest things I've seen in a long time. Click here to see what it was. Did you watch it too?

4) I got a smartphone. I know I'm totally behind everyone but it wasn't in our newlywed budget to have internet on our phones. We are actually paying less now with a smartphone than we did before with only texting. Win-win! But I need your help - see what I mean here.

5) We are one week closer to the end of the semester! I'm trying to get my Advanced Physiology class over and done with by the end of the month. It's self paced so I'm responsible for getting it done. Life has just been too crazy busy for me to devote the amount of time to it that I'd like to. I took two weeks to study the neuro unit and even though I passed the exam no problem, I still feel like it's waaaay over my head {pun intended}.

Happy Friday!

What are you up to this weekend?

High Five For Friday

I know I've said it before, but I really do feel like these weeks are flying by! Didn't I just write a H54F a couple of days ago?!

Let's get to it - the first H54F of September!

1) Trevor and I went to Red Lobster with my parents to celebrate both of our wedding anniversaries {they were out of the country in June} and enjoyed Endless Shrimp. Together, we ate 188 shrimp.
Yes, we counted.
Yes, they were delicious.
If you go, and you should, make sure you get A LOT of the teriyaki shrimp. It's freaking amazing.
Here are all of our shrimp tails:

2) We enjoyed our Labor Day together with Trevor's family.
While we were visiting Grandma and Grandpa's farm, we did a little 4-wheeling. We look crazy because Trevor was speeding around the corn field.

And took some family pictures in front of the barn - set up like this.

Generations have milked in that barn... and next month it's coming down for good.

3) The leaves are starting to change color here! It's cooling off, and starting to feel like Fall!

4) Speaking of Fall, the neighbor kids went back to school this week. THANK GOD. I wasn't sure how much more I could take of the kid who stomps around the street blowing a whistle with every step... for 5 hours a day. I think I'll be able to get a lot more homework done without shutting all of my windows!

5) Another week of classes is done. Only 16 left to go! Is it December yet?

Happy almost-weekend, everyone! I'm spending my Friday getting ready for a rehearsal dinner tonight - my dear friend is getting married tomorrow! That means today is full of eyebrow plucking, nail painting, and exfoliating. Happy Friday! P.S. Don't forget to enter my giveaway - only a few days left!

High Five For Friday

I've had an eventful week! So eventful, that I'm having a hard time narrowing things down to the top five... let's see how I can do it.

1) Basically got everything in order for this fun series coming up in a couple of weeks! Get ready; it's gonna be a great time!

2) Caught up with a friend at Starbucks and got to try their new refreshers - pretty darn good, if I do say so myself!

3) Enjoyed a night out with some great girls! We were celebrating one of my oldest friend's bachelorette party - only a week left until her wedding! And those drinks were the most delicious things I've ever had. Thank goodness they let the bride get non-alcoholic - being pregnant, and all!

4) Got to hang out with this cutie {my nephew}.

5) Even though our time together was limited this week {gee, thanks night classes}, I feel like Trevor and I had a lot of quality time. It's quality, not quantity right now...

Linking up with Lauren, like always!

Back to School Outfits - with Brook

Guys! I'm so excited to introduce you to Brook! She's a sweetheart and has stopped by today to share some great back to school outfits - just in time for school to start for me today! Everyone, this is Brook. Brook, this is everyone!
_________________________________________

Hey y'all! I'm Brook from Cutesy Bootsie and I'm thrilled to be here today.  Shout out of thanks to Sara for generously allowing me to guest blog today.  I blog about my life - challenges and victories, things I struggle with or am loving, my little dog George Bailey, or my experiences as an 8th grade teacher.  You can often find me on Pinterest or Twitter where I'm busy pinning and following some of my favorite things - pretty clothes, creative crafts, funky interiors, and innovative teaching ideas.

As we are  in the thick of back to school time, I wanted to share some of my favorite easy to wear outfits with you.

Source: polyvore.com via Brook on Pinterest

I've shared my love for maxi skirts before on my blog.  Love them!

My classroom tends to be freezing.  Or the a/c goes out and then we all sweat and get grumpy.  So I love to layer.  I nearly always have a scarf around someplace to whip around my neck.

Source: polyvore.com via Brook on Pinterest

I would never wear ripped jeans to work (or probably ever anywhere).  But I do think this outfit is darling in a casual yet pulled together way.

Source: polyvore.com via Brook on Pinterest

I would love one of these bags to tote my school supplies.

Source: little-white-whale.com via Brook on Pinterest

Time to study!

Source: weheartit.com via Brook on Pinterest

__________________________________
Told you she was pretty great! Head on over to Cutesy Bootsie and follow along with her teacher adventures!

Sunday Social

Oh, this Sunday Social is gonna be a good one.

I can't wait to see everyone else's posts because after this post is published I will officially have embarrassed myself and that means many others have too!

Prepare yourselves. Can't say I didn't warn you!

1. What were you like in Middle School/HS?(pictures)

In middle school, I ran with the more popular crowd... and I was a bit of a mean girl. But I was still friends with a lot of people from different crowds! 

This was in 7th grade on Crazy Hair Day {no, I did not wear my hair like that always}... I'm on the right with the glasses. Recognize the girl in the gray sweatshirt next to me? She's the beautiful bride I posted about in this post. I'm standing up in her wedding in a few weeks. We've been friends since 2nd grade :)

After we moved to a new city for 8th grade and high school, I {obviously} made new friends... but I think I'd say I was more of a band geek/smart kid/goody two shoes. Again, I was friends with just about everyone.

Me and my closest friends sophomore or junior year - I'm the one with the glasses. 

2.  What were your favorite past times?
Anything with my friends. Singing with friends, being stupid with friends, talking on the phone for hours with friends, AIM {with friends, duh.}, being annoying with friends, you get the picture.

3. What songs were you obsessed with?
Anything Maroon 5, & Wicked in high school.
I can't remember anything music-wise from middle school.

4. What fashion statement do you look back on and cringe?
Those poofy bubble stretch shirts. They looked like they could fit a doll but then you put them on and not only did they fit, you looked like a pointy dummy. You know the ones I'm talking about?

(source)

5. Who was your celeb crush?
Freddie Prinze, Jr. in middle school
Gregory Smith in high school

6. What were your favorite tv shows/movies?

Everwood & anything on MTV.

I also went through a phase at the end of middle school where I spent a summer watching TLC's A Baby Story and A Wedding Story. Don't hate.

It's so weird for me to think that these things all happened 10+ years ago... ugh. I feel old.

Ok! Now I'm off to stalk everyone else's linkups to see how embarrassing their photos are!

Happy Sunday!

High Five For Friday

This week's H54F won't be linked up to Lauren because I'm totally disconnected from the real world this weekend. Who knows, maybe at this very moment I'm lounging on the dock, book in hand, enjoying the sun... and probably suffering from internet withdrawals.

Anyways, here are my top 5 from this week:

1) My Big Kahuna test is done! Stay tuned to see if I passed :)

2) I'm spending an extended weekend away with Trevor. Even though we're married, we haven't had a lot of time recently to just enjoy each other's company. I'm more than ready to reconnect with him!

3) I had an inspiring patient at work this week. HIPPA protects my patients from me sharing details, so I will leave it at this: I only wish I could have her kind of strength. Also, there was an instance at work on Tuesday that really solidified that I am meant to be where I am. Saving lives never felt so good!

4) I am so thankful I was able to get to the library this week. It had been months since I had last been there and I am always reminded when I go just how much I love reading! I'm a book worm - and a nerdy one at that.

5) I hate to be vague, but this week I've been encouraged about nursing school and my future career. I had a great conversation with my boss, talked to a past classmate who was doing clinicals on my floor, and had a positive conversation with my mom {who is an RN}. All three instances made me feel proud to do what I'm working towards and strengthened my will to make it into the nursing program. I know I can succeed - even if I don't have a life for 12 months. I just feel emotionally uplifted!

...I wonder what it means when 4 out of 5 of my highlights were all emotional. Usually my High Five For Friday posts all have to do with food! Clearly, I've been a bit introspective this week and I'm trying not to let my emotions get the best of me!

BIG KAHUNA

Guys, I'm stressing.

I've mentioned it before, but I'll tell you again. There's this BIG test coming up - TOMORROW. And it's a make-or-break kind of test. I haven't been studying like I should have been. Blog World has been much more interesting than my study guides and books.

I know I've been vague up until now about this big kahuna test... but here's the scoop:

See, I'm working on getting into nursing school. I have to take this test {and pass} in order for me to submit my application in December. And then I have to take {and pass} another make-or-break test in January before I can be accepted.

The nursing program I'm applying to is the real deal, folks. As in, hundreds of people apply... and only thirty get in. It's a very unique program - the only one I've heard of it's kind in the country. I've been holding out on telling you because I'm not sure how it's going to turn out... but I figure if I'm going to be worried sick about it, I might as well be able to tell you what's up.

So this test tomorrow - I'll find out right away if I passed or not. If I pass, I can continue with the application and sign up for the next test. If I don't, I can't apply.
Make-or-break, dudes.

Please send me all the good vibes you have. Pray, toss salt over your shoulders, wish upon stars, whatever you do is appreciated!

I Always Said...

July 29- How does your life measure up to the vision you had when you were younger? Submitted by Sarah-Jayne @ Keep Up With the Jones Family


When I was younger, I never thought that I'd be married to a guy I went to high school with nor did I think I'd be married in my mid-twenties! I always imagined myself living in a bigger city, enjoying life until I was older and finally settle down closer to 30.


I also never thought I'd end up working in health care! It is such a different type of field than I thought I'd like. Turns out, I love it! I love my patients, I love my co-workers, I love the passion, and I love that we are helping people live better.


The university that I graduated from had always been the university that I swore I'd never go to. I was never a fan of the city that it's located in and now I work there {but still definitely hate the city itself}.


How ironic is it that my life is nothing like I envisioned it to be like when I was young?!


Oh well, it's my life and I am loving that I married my high school sweetheart, that we live so close to our families and not in a bigger city, and that I work in a hospital! I wouldn't change it for anything!


Is your life close to or nothing like what you thought it would be like when you were younger?


This post is part of the Summer Blog Challenge.
To see more posts inspired by the challenge visit my Summer Blog Challenge page!

Summer Fun With Kids

July 21 - Talk about a free activity to do with children.

 A few summers ago, I spent 10 weeks teaching at a college prep school. I taught some math catch up classes for students who were to be attending the school in the fall and needed some help to get caught up to their peers but mostly I taught fun summer school classes. I taught a photography class, a cooking class, lots and lots of science classes, a nature class, and a 'let's get outside and run around so we fall asleep at the dinner table' class.
Ok, maybe the falling asleep at the dinner table was what I did - not what the kids did.

Anyways, I found that kids love the weirdest stuff. They don't care if you go out and buy super expensive water toys - they just want to throw sponges at each other. They don't care if you buy all the fixin's for ice cream sundaes - they just want to pour the chocolate sauce in their mouths. They don't care if you spent three hours the night before cutting out objects for your lesson plan - they just want to fold them up and make paper airplanes out of them.

I'm making it sound like I have no classroom management skills at all - which is not true in the slightest; I'm pretty decent at using my "teacher voice" and getting a classroom under control - but my point is that kids are going to be kids and that they just want to have enjoy their summers and have fun! They don't care if you spend all kinds of money on something because most likely they just want to spend time with you & their friends while having a great time!

My students loved a lot of free activities - here are just a few:

1) Go to the library and get as many books as you can carry. When it's rainy out or the kids aren't feeling well, books can be a wonderful alternative to movies and TV.

2) Cut up sponges and tie them together to make "water bombs".

3) Get out a hose and let the kids go wild. Pair this with #2 and you've got a water fight!

4) Head to the park and let the kids run until they can't run anymore. You'll thank yourself for doing it when they're in bed by 8 with no complaints :)

5) Go fishing, go camping, go exploring in your local state/county parks. Kids can collect leaves/stones/whatever to make their own "collections". If you want to get educational, have them figure out what each kind of rock is/what kind of tree each leaf is from/etc.

6) Start a garden. Flowers or vegetables - your choice! {looking for gardening tips? check back tomorrow! there's a whole post about gardening scheduled!}

This post is part of the Summer Blog Challenge. 
To see more posts inspired by the challenge visit my Summer Blog Challenge page!

High School Friendships

July 8 - Song lyrics that you find some meaning in.

Note: I have a similar post from last week that definitely falls under this prompt, too. Check it out here!

Hearing a song on the radio unexpectedly can turn a "ehhh" day to a "HECK YES!" day if I identify the song as being from an important point in my life.

You know, like the song that was playing the first time you danced with a boy that you really liked. {Brian McKnight's Back at One}

Or the first song you danced to as husband and wife. {Doris Day's Again}.

How about the song that was played after graduation? {Green Day's Time of Your Life}

There's also a song that holds a special place in my heart and lives among memories of the carefree days that came with summers off in high school. Myself and three other girls were close and considered Vanessa Carlton's White Houses our anthem.

The song explains where we were in our lives at that age...


We promise each other it's 'til the end
Now we're spinning empty bottles
It's the five of us
With pretty eyed boys girls die to trust
...and...
Maybe I'm more clever than a girl like her
Summer's all in bloom
Summer is ending soon
It's alright and it's nice not to be so alone
But I hold on to your secrets in white houses
...and...
Maybe I'm a little bit over my head
I come undone at the things he said
And he's so funny in his bright red shirt
We were all in love and we all got hurt
I sneak into his car's cracked leather seat
The smell of gasoline in the summer heat
Boy, we're going way too fast
It's all too sweet to last


That song comes on and it takes me right back to the days of high school... spending too much time with my girlfriends laughing about things we wouldn't remember, lusting over boys we shouldn't have, telling secrets, and making memories.  

High school was years and years ago but White Houses never fails to remind me of the friendships I had back then. I'm still in touch with the three girls and though we've grown apart {literally and figuratively} this song will never leave my heart.

This post is part of the Summer Blog Challenge. To see more posts inspired by the challenge visit my Summer Blog Challenge page!

Failure Is Not An Option AKA I'm An Overachiever

July 7 - Something you would attempt if you knew you wouldn't fail.

This is a hard post for me to follow for a few reasons.

1) Some may say I'm a perfectionist. If I start something, I'm gonna finish it... and I'm gonna kick it's butt while I finish. Oh? You want real life examples? For starters, I decided the first couple of weeks of my senior year of high school that I wanted to graduate early (at semester) so I managed to do a whole year's worth of work in a couple of months. I took independent study courses online and worked on them mostly every night. And even though I knew I wasn't going to use my teaching bachelor's degree, I still finished it... Magna Cum Laude. Yeah, I may be a bit of an overachiever perfectionist. Maybe.

2) I don't really think about things I don't think are possible. If I think of it, I know ways I can make it happen. You know, I don't think about becoming president one day because I wouldn't ever want the job. I do, however, think about how I can help people and how I can use my heart to do so. I've never been one to dream big and then not be able to get to where I want to be. It's just not how I work.

With that said, I think one day I'd love to be helping people live better. Heck, I think I already am doing that! Maybe that's why nursing is such a good career match for me... I can heal people who are sick. I can teach them how to help themselves. I can provide a safe place to voice their concerns. I can use my compassion to make them feel loved and valued.

So, you want to know what I would attempt to do if I knew I wouldn't fail?!?! How's this for an answer: I don't attempt to do something unless I know I won't let myself fail.


This post is part of the Summer Blog Challenge. To see more posts inspired by the challenge visit my Summer Blog Challenge page!

Summatime Travels

July 3 - Travel and plans you have for the summer.

One of my favorite things to do in life is travel. I love being a part of new cultures, experiencing new things, and I love taking trains, planes, and automobiles to get to my destination!

Trevor and I have a trip planned for later this month to go to Chicago and Indiana to visit a couple that we become great friends with on our honeymoon. We share a wedding date and the two of them are pretty much clones of Trevor and I - it's kind of scary how alike we are. We're definitely looking forward to spending a few days with them in the city and at their house. We haven't seen them since we met up last December so our get-together is long overdue!

As you may recall, I love Chicago. I go as often as I can and try to do new things every time I go. The last time I went with my mom we hung out at Oak Street Beach and did a little bit of shopping around the Gold Coast. When Trevor and I last went, we did more of the museum scene and enjoyed some time at Grant Park. This time around we'll only be there for a little bit so we'll make sure to hit up a couple great restaurants and enjoy our summer evenings in the parks.

What Trevor may be looking forward to the most is our trip to the cottage in August. It's been a few years since he's been there and I've never been - I've hardly seen pictures! It's right on a lake in Northern Wisconsin (if you've never been to one or have never seen pictures of a Wisconsin lake cottage, you're in for a relaxing treat when I post pictures!) and we are going to be there for 3 or 4 nights... it will be a wonderful relaxing time... especially because I'm taking my Big Kahuna test right before we leave, so the lay-around-and-do-nothing-ness will be welcome! Cell phones and internet are rumored to not work there so it may be quieter than we're used to - but again, that's so welcomed.

(source)
When we get back from the cottage we'll only have a few days and then school will be starting up again. Hopefully, hopefully, HOPEFULLY this will be Trevor's last semester in school, so we will have to put our summery mindset away and get crackin' on school stuff for graduation!

I'm looking forward to these trips because I'll actually get to spend some quality time with my husband! We've both been working so much recently that we are more than ready to reconnect. A few days with friends and dipping our toes in the lake will be perfect ways to do that! Plus, I'll be checking things off our Summer Bucket List ;)


This post is part of the Summer Blog Challenge. To see more posts inspired by the challenge visit my Summer Blog Challenge page!