ODUS 2.0 vol 4: GOODBYE SWEET MEMORIES

Remember that one time, when I went through nursing school, and worked my tail off, and graduated with a BSN and a stash of stuff that felt really impressive?

Yes, those books and binders were my pride and joy.
And for the last 4 years we have been moving them with us from place to place and putting them up on bookshelves...
and I've never once looked back through a single one of them.

I suppose that could have been predicted.  I don't think I'm the only one who gets attached to things that represent such a huge part of your life.  But, as awesome as it was, it really was just sitting and taking up space.
I came home after Christmas with a little bit of early Spring Cleaning fever, and one night while Tim and I were re-situating the basement, I decided maybe it was time to clean out the old binders and finally let it go.

Check out that pile of stuff!

Man, I really did work hard.  Those piles and I spent a lot of time together.
And I can honestly say, I loved it!

Farewell my friends.  You were good to me.

26 and 2

We had some birthdays!

Yup.  That time of year again already.  It always seems to come so dang fast!  Last Saturday I turned 26, and the very next day Brinlee turned 2 ...I don't really feel 26... and we cannot believe that Brin is 2!  But we had a fun couple of days.  We celebrated with 4 (yes, 4!) parties, and ended up with lots of pictures.  So I warn you now, this post is packed!  Here we go.

Party #1: For Mommy

We celebrated for me a day early.  Tim took me up to table rock with hot chocolate to watch the sunrise, and then out to breakfast at Cracker Barrel (which I love!).  Perfect! 

Party #2:  For Mommy... mostly

My mom and sister took us out to dinner at a fabulous pizza place where I, of course, ate way too much, and Brinlee, of course, made a huge mess.  Perfect!

Party #3: Definitely for Brinlee! 

We celebrated for Brinlee on my actual birthday, which I would have been bummed about if she weren't so stinkin' cute!  We did a Minnie Mouse themed get-together with my family complete with cupcakes for the kiddos and brownies and ice cream for me.  Brinlee was the entertainment. Perfect!

Party #4:  For Brinlee and a Cousin

On Brin's actual birthday, we went out to Uncle Greg and Aunt Jaylene's house and spent the day with Tim's family.  Brinlee actually shares a birthday with a Borup cousin who was nice enough to agree to a party with a toddler.  SO fun and, perfect!

Brinlee made out like a bandit!  The little stinker... her birthday haul was seriously impressive.  And so far, she loves all of it.  Her closet full of new toys has made her one happy little camper.  What a fun little lady to share (well, almost share) a birthday with.  She sure does keep us smiling.  This newly-turned-26-year-old mama couldn't be happier!

Cute cute two-year-old sweetie!

Turning 25

On Friday I turned 25...
...yup...
...1/4 of a century.
 I can't believe it.

Year 24 was awesome!  We saw so many blessings and smiles.
And year 25 is looking good so far.  I was supposed to work Thursday night, which would have meant a birthday celebration of mostly sleeping off a night shift.  But, lucky I got to stay home instead.  So, Friday I spent a relaxing morning eating waffles I didn't have to make, an afternoon cuddling my baby, and an evening enjoying some Olive Garden. Tim surprised me with gorgeous flowers, new socks (an odd but true love of mine), and Les Mis, my sister and mom showed up later that night with new clothes, a cute picture frame, and tickets to a concert for later this month, and my dad and Dianna practically doubled my movie collection with several of my Disney favorites.  So fantastic!

So far, I love being 25!

Back At It

Well, as of tonight I am officially back to the old grind.  

Goodbye maternity leave, how I have loved you so!!!

I'm actually not dreading it too much.  Night shifts might easily end up completely wearing me out.  But just a couple nights a week really shouldn't be too bad.  Besides, I have an odd sort of excited feeling when I think about fitting back into my scrubs again.  Call me weird, but the last time I was in them my pregnant belly was practically popping the seams.  Getting dressed tonight should be a treat!

Right now I'm just avoiding the thought of leaving little Brin... that part will surely NOT be a treat.  I could always call home and check in at 3:00 in the morning.  I'm sure Tim would appreciate that, and it would be more fun than crunching on carrot sticks to stay awake.

Of course, I could get really tough patients that keep me busy all night. Then I wouldn't have to worry about getting lonely for baby, bored, or sleepy...

...but..... I'd rather not plan on that........ ever!  I'll stick with the call home plan.

For now, off to bed

Short Lived

This evening I walked out of the hospital after a long day as a nurse, and the next time I walk back into a hospital I will be a patient.  Yes it's true, I am officially on maternity leave!  Which means my workin' days were a little short lived.  But little girl could come any time now.  Besides we're starting to get uncomfortable so... I plan to enjoy 8-12 weeks of guilt-free "fun"!

Next Stop, Olympics

I have to show off DeeAnna's new-found talent.  She and a bunch of gals from the ward put this beauty together and it debuted at the ward talent show last week.  I just thought it was too great not to share.  Besides, this is how we are going to make our millions!

Woman. Of. My. Dreams.  Need I say more?

DeeAnna's 23!

Well another year has come and gone, and now I'm on to the big 23. They always say another year older is another year wiser... I suppose that may be true. I've compiled a short list of the wisdom my 22nd year has left with me:

- Eggs freeze in the back of the fridge
- Money not budgeted magically disappears
- Migraine headaches are still misery
- Ping Pong is the game of champions... and I need serious work
- Husbands are not accountable for what happens in the kitchen without wife supervision
- You can survive nursing school and there is life after!
- Primary is the greatest calling

I'm excited for what year 23 will bring. So far it has come bearing cake, balloons, flowers, and a date to Olive Garden with my sweetheart. This year is shaping up to be pretty good. Oh to be 23!

College Education!

YAY!!! Finally!!! After a year and a half of biology work and 3 years of living and breathing nursing I am finally done! Oh so wonderful! Granted, I still do have a few classes to finish up to get the next level nursing degree... and I still have to pass the state board exam hanging over my head to be officially official. But at least I will be able to see what life looks like outside of the library! Hello world, and make way for a new college graduate!!! Feels good

This is the face of a person who has just received her Nurse's pin!

And this is the face of a person who has just received a diploma!



And this has been my life... so... much.... studying.......

Thank you to all of my wonderful family for all of your support, you totally rock! And thanks to a fabulous husband who made a fabulous graduation dinner! You're the greatest!

DeeAnna's 22!

Well, I'm one year older and wiser too... or so they say, we'll see if it's true... but it was a good birthday! I got to celebrate twice, lucky me! The weekend before my birthday Tim took me out to dinner at Olive Garden and bought me flowers and made a cake, yellow with chocolate frosting, my favorite!

And the next weekend my mom and sister treated me to Ruby Tuesday and presents! So much fun! Getting older really isn't as bad as they say. Here's to you 22!