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home stretch

Ah, I am pretty pathetic at posting, but I am so happy at this point today! I took my 4th test today (which I procrastinated horribly studying for) and I was SO nervous. There were 14 powerpoints. Yes. 10+4. They covered things from musculoskeletal stuff (broken bones, sprains and strains, osteoporosis) to heart (heart failure, CAD, hypertension, etc. ), to Parkinsons, Lou Gherig's, MS, etc, etc. I think you get the point. It was A LOT of material that was not related at all. I didn't know where to start, so I just didn't, until last night, basically. I got a few hours in this morning, but not near enough. I was terrified. To my pleasant surprise, the test was pretty easy compared to previous tests! I also scored better on this one than the last 3! I sure wish it meant I was getting an A for the semester, but I don't think that will be happening. 
I was also pleasantly surprised when I looked at the syllabus to see for the remainder of class, we are learning about mother/baby stuff! I don't know why, but I just love it..

I also discovered yesterday that I love the operating room. I was able to go observe for about 4 hours and it was so cool! I got to see a lap colectomy and an another one that was open cut involving the abdomen (looking for a tumor). It was so awesome to watch. There is a person in the OR called the first assistant that helps the surgeon do different things and they can suture (they're usually the ones that close up). I think I can see that someday in my future! Its definitely the closest I'd ever be to being a surgeon. It would be such an awesome job! I loved it there!

Speaking of school, last week Chris and I went over to UW so he could get things figured out. It looks like he will have a crazy schedule, so it makes more sense for us to live in Laramie. There are quite a few ladies in my class that commute from Laramie, so I think I will be able to car pool with them. We are excited to be close to some old friends, but we will miss Cheyenne and our friends and ward here.

Anyway, I've got to head to work, so maybe I'll finish another day....

black. white. silver. flowers.

Sorry if this gets old, but I think I will continue posting pictures of bands, even though I don't like how they look just flat. They look much better with a face and on a wrist!However, any comments (suggestions to make them look better, ideas) are appreciated!

final product..

Whenever I make something, I either love it or hate it. There's really no ground in between. If I'm not sure at first, I usually end up hating it. The first draft of this band was that way. I think it is the OCD monster in me. I have found that I am most satisfied with these bands when they at least have some kind of a pattern to them (and its much easier on my brain with shapes and sizes of the beads).

Today I ordered some new spacers on eBay today. I'm excited to get them! (Thanks Hannah for giving me some tips!!)

I'm thinking about ordering some watch faces. If anyone is interested, just let me know. I put together some pictures of some that I like or that I have seen on other people so you don't have to look through hundreds of pages of watches on this website. Just let me know if you are interested!

Watch Bands.

So, back in October,  I decided to buy some beads to make Chris' mom a watch for her birthday. I looked at one I had been given from Summer (made by Hannah Winters) and went about it. I bought more beads here and there, and then my mom bought me a bunch for Chrismas. I don't love all the bands I make, but I'm still trying and learning new things. Anyway, I'll probably post occassional random pictures of watch bands, and I'd appreciate any suggestions or new ideas. I think I need to get more chunky/big beads. That is kind of the 'in' thing, even though I appreciate a smaller, less chunky band. Hopefully as I get more beads, my bands will improve!

Here's one I made for Darcy tonight. I'm not sure I'll leave it this way- plus I just noticed the two cat's eye beads are different greens. The more I look at the picture, the more I think I need to change it. I'm just not sure how! I think I need to put some different shapes in... I'll probably mess with it more tomorrow.

Another one I made tonight.. I don't really like how it goes and I had to add the clear bead because I didn't have a bigger silver one that would fit well.

One I made quite a while ago and took apart.

I would love to hear any tips, tricks, or personal preferences concerning beaded watch bands!

Its finally here!

Spring Break is finally here! I wish spring was here for good too, but I won't cross my fingers.
Chris' parents came Saturday to stay for the weekend. It was good to have them here! We didn't do much, but we did eat some really good food. We went to the Tortilla factory (because Esmeralda's was closed) on Saturday night. Sunday, they came over and we had some breakfast and Tracey helped me with the treats for our primary lesson.

(idea from sugardoodle.net. Graham crackers for sand, blue jello for water, and swedish fish)

After church, we made some ham, potatoes, corn, and angel food cake for dinner. Ashley and Rodney came down to look at apartments in Laramie so they were there for dinner too. Then we played some mario until our thumbs were hurting.

Today, Brad and Tracey came over this morning and we all went to the park to feed the ducks (the geese and squirrels got in on the cupcakes too). I think Rodney had more fun chasing them than feeding them.

This squirrel seemed to enjoy his cupcake!

Tracey was a lot braver than I was feeding the geese.

For the rest of this week, I plan on doing some studying, cleaning and organizing. I did one set of kitchen cupboards today. They were looking pretty bad..

I was trying to think of other things to add in this post besides the usual "We are still working and going to school.. blah blah" so, I guess I can write a little about nursing school.

This semester has actually gone pretty fast. At first, I thought I was going to die. (I don't think that hearing that 2nd semester was the worst helped me out at all) I actually feel like I'm doing alright. I don't have as good of a grade as I would like, but I'll work on that. I have clinicals Mondays and Wednesday from 6:30 am to 2:30 pm. My first rotation was on the medical floor. It was good because it helped me get the hang of things at the hospital and assessments and stuff, but I really didn't enjoy it. Nearly ALL of my patients were in with pneumonia or COPD exacerbations. It got kind of old (since that's all I had). This rotation, I'm on the Oncology floor. I am enjoying it. We take care of two patients each day (instead of one like 1st rotation) this rotation so it is helping me learn to prioritize. Some of the patients on the floor obviously haven't been given the best prognoses (plural for prognosis?), so I feel like I really need to try to be there and treat them as well as I possibly can. My 3rd and final rotation for the summer will be on the surgical floor. We will see what this brings.. (to be continued)

Its getting to be around that time of year again for General Conference. We (and the other Haskells) get to go to the Saturday afternoon session. We went last year and I'm so excited to go again. I love to hear from our leaders!

This summer, Chris and I might to get to move home to work! I have to take microbiology (online), so I just have to work a few things out. We are really excited though. We feel deprived being away from our families so much! We will miss Cheyenne, but we'll be back in August!

I think..

I think I can say we're surviving, but that's about it. This semester is insane- SO much information, so much to do, and so little time to learn and grasp it. I think we are both suffering from a numb mind. Chris does better than I do (and he's got more on his plate!). He is just finishing up his excel class. It will be nice for him to have one less thing to do. He is still very busy with work and school.

 I think I'm shortening my life with my sleeping habits. I haven't been successful getting to sleep before about midnight Sunday and Tuesday nights (before clinical), and then I wake up at 4 most times to finish up some pre-clinincal work or drug cards, then head to the hospital for 8 hours. Most other nights, I do a great job confusing my body by getting about 8 hours of sleep. I end up more tired after 8 hours than 4. Enough with the complaining though..

Last weekend we made a flying trip home. We left at 10 Friday night, and came home Sunday at 8. It was fast, but we enjoyed seeing everyone. Saturday, Chris went to the mountain with his dad and brothers. I was dying to see our nieces and nehpews (since we hadn't seen them since Thanksgiving) so Lissa and I went to Burlington. I can't believe how much snow there was! We hung out, played Just Dance 2, held Kortney, dyed my hair, and enjoyed the time there. Kortney is such a sweet little baby. I think I could just sit and hold her all day.

Sunday we took Hailee with us and went to church in Burlington. After church, we played and ate a delicious dinner (BBQ beef nachos/sandwiches). Too soon, we had to leave. We really didn't want to, but I had clinicals the next day and Chris had class. It broke my heart because Hailee was sad we left and I had to run in to get Chris' glasses and she thought we were staying. When she found out we weren't, she started crying again and watched us leave out the window. I'm definitely ready to go back! We are heading back the last weekend of February.

Here are a couple of pictures from Chris' day Saturday.

 And, Jo looking adorable before church.

Valentine's day (as everyone knows) was Monday for most everyone, but not for us. I had clinicals, then Chris was gone for work by the time I got home, so I ran him some BBQ chicken and rice on my way to work. Tomorrow is going to be our Valentine's day. Neither of us have work or school, so it should be great (even though it will include a significant amount of studying..). We are excited to have a day to spend together!