I Be Flyin' Solo... in a week...

 

Well folks, it's been 17 weeks since I began my job as a New Grad Resident RN. The past 17 weeks have been essentially similar to an additional semester of nursing school (sort of). Yes, this included lectures and "clinical hours" and even projects. The point of the program is to provide new graduate nurses with the extra support, education, training, confidence, and competence they need to be a great nurses. So, though I've been independent at work and have been caring for patients on my own, it's been nice to have that extra someone somewhere on the unit to always ask questions to and seek help from. Next week, I'll be just another nurse on the unit with my own patient load, etc. I'll be flyin' solo. Not to say I won't have the support and help from my fellow staff members, but it'll be different. A new transition.

Us 3 gals (all in Family Birth) have made it through (almost). We've bonded over all that it took for us to make it through, as we've had some hiccups along the way. And, we're about to FINALLY embark on being a "real" Nurse. 

 Praying and keeping my eyes focused on the fact that I'm at work to care for those in need has helped get me through each day. These patients are God's children in need. It's all about perspective. 

**

Back to nights I go.

I can do this, I know.

Keeping a good attitude is key.

And I will daily ask for strength and peace from Thee.

Fav Find: Boot it Up

The boots I've been wearing for the past few Falls/Winters are favorites of mine. They are mostly my favorites because of the fact that I bought them from a church garage sale for 25 cents 6+ years ago before boots were even in style. They sat in my closet for years until people started wearing boots obsessively. The time has come for me to actually invest in some new boots. The great thing about all of these pictured above is that they can all be found at Target! I LOVE target and I LOVE all of these. How will I ever decide. 

Do you have a favorite pair of boots? Where did you find them?

Crock Pot Potato Soup

 (Not all ingredients in crock pot yet in this photo)

 I experimented with this crock pot Potato soup and it turned out wonderfully! 

 Warm, savory, delicious!

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Crock Pot Potato Soup

• Potatoes, chopped (I used 12 mini potatoes)
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 1 cup of tater tots (not necessary, just added to the potato flavor) 
• 3 small garlic, cloves chopped in halves
• 1 can of cream of chicken
• 1 1/2 cans of chicken broth
• Pinch of pepper
• Handful of green onion, chopped
• 2 spoonfuls of cream cheese

• Recommendation: Substitute half to one full can of water for 1/2 can of chicken broth to decrease sodium

Place all ingredients except cream cheese into crock pot and cook on high for 6 hours. 

Mix cream cheese into soup before serving while still in crock pot. Stir until fully melted and mixed. Enjoy with toppings to include cheese, green onion, bacon, etc. 

Date Jar

 At the start of our marriage, we created this date jar for date nights. We simply put extra cash, coins, & gift cards in the jar and whenever it's time for a date, we use the jar money. As I will soon be returning to the night shift permanently and opportunities for time together will dramatically decrease, we've been using it fairly often.

To celebrate the finish of Andrew's 1st course in Med School, our weekend date night consisted of our favorite Mexican restaurant, La Hacienda  (we were so thrilled to find one in the Portland area), visiting our friend Adam at the new Nike store in Pioneer Square & window shopping in downtown Portland, chocolate fondue at the Melting Pot, and time to cuddle while watching the movie 300.

It was supposed to be a $20 date ($12 shared Fajitas, $8 Fondue from the happy hour menu, free window shopping, free movie on TV) but Portland's Melting Pot doesn't have choc fondue on their happy hour menu. So, it was a bit more, but so worth it! Check to see if yours does! 

Much needed intentional time with each other with no studying and talk of nothing medically related.

***

Check out what designer, Lindsay created for her and her hubs. Lindsay's version of a date jar consists of tickets with planned dates that her and her husband created. I love this idea and she made it look so cute! 

Check out her site here. 

Maybe I could combine the two ideas and paperclip money to each date ticket.

DIY: Stamp on Fabric Bag

 Need a quick gift bag for a little gift? Make a bag out of extra fabric! I sewed these little re-usable baggies to fit a Bath & Body Works gift for birthday presents. To add individualized detail, use a rubber stamp and regular stamping ink & stamp directly onto the fabric. Can use ribbon, string, or rope for the ties.

I luckily had the two letters of their last names in my stamping stock.

Add some gift tags with a note on back and you're set! 

Thankful for Veterans

 I took these photos at my grandfather's funeral in 2008. He was a Senior Master Sergeant in the Air Force. He is a hero to me and always will be as he made countless sacrifices for his country and his family. I couldn't be more honored to have grown up with him as my granddaddy. He taught me the importance of patriotism and the respect and honor due to soldiers and their families. I miss him, am thankful for him, and will forever have a special place in my heart for Veterans. 

Thank you Vets & Active Military folks for all that you do!

Thank a Veteran and active military person today and take a moment to think of what our lives would be without them.

PS- shout out to my folks from MAMC. Thank you for letting me be a part of the Army team. Miss you all!

Factoid: Did you know that at military funerals, the 21 gun salute actually stands for the sum of the numbers in the year 1776?

Prayer for Military Spouses
Lord, grant me the greatness of heart to see,
The difference in duty and his love for me.
Give me the understanding to know,
That when duty calls he must go.
Give me a task to do each day,
To fill the time when he is away.
And Lord when duty is far away,
Please protect him, this I pray. — Author Unknown

 

Med School Update

 Many have been asking how med school is going for my husband, Andrew. So, here's an update!

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1. He's loving it. I frequently ask him if he could see himself doing anything else or if he has any desire to do anything else. The answer is always, "nope, this is what I want to do." He loves it and that makes me so happy. 

2. Yes, he studies a lot. Hard to picture I know... Even in college, he didn't have to study too terribly much, his brain is like an incredible sponge. Wish I had his brain just for a day.

3. He loves telling me about every little part of my body.  He has just completed dissecting the entire body. Literally, every thinkable part: nerve, blood vessel, muscle, bone. You name it, he knows it. 

4. He always makes time for fun. He's playing on an indoor soccer team with the school right now. He was playing flag football each week when it was nicer outside. And, good ol' Words with Friends on the iPhone keeps him happily entertained for study breaks. 

5. He has to dress nicely (i.e. not in his usual shorts and jacket) at least once a week and always looks incredibly handsome. I just want to cuddle him up and not let him go. 

6. His next preceptorship is in pediatrics and he just completed a preceptorship in a neuro disorders clinic.

7. His school offers so many additional learning opportunities than just classes and clinicals. He attends extra classes, occasionally serves at a free clinic, and has even signed up for the 'baby beeper' where he will attend a few prenatal visits with an expecting mom and then be called when it's time for her to deliver.

***

I couldn't be happier for him. It's truly amazing how God placed this desire in his heart years ago and how Andrew has been faithful, worked so hard, and is following the Lord's guidance. What a blessing it has been so far for both of us.

 My favorite is when we escape off to a coffee shop (usually Starbucks) and "study" together. I get to spoil him with tasty drinks and treats and simply get to enjoy being with him. Of course, I get easily distracted and just want to talk, so I'm working on not being too distracting so he'll keep agreeing to go with me.

By the way, if you want to read a sweet love story, read the book of Ruth. It literally makes my heart all fuzzy every time I read it. I LOVE this account of Ruth, Boaz, Naomi and the ancestry line of the great King David and of Jesus.

White Bean Chicken Chile, Cornbread & Apple Crisp

White bean chicken chile is a winner & is the easiest half-way home-made recipe on the block!  As we had a family get together this Sunday after church, I am counting Friday night's dinner as this Sunday's supper (for blogging purposes).  We had some friends over who are all affiliated with Andrew's med school in some fashion or a wife of a med student--like me. This crew gets together usually about once a week for some sort of meal. It's truly a blessing to have met people with so much in common & in a similar stage in life.

So, this week, I made a favorite meal. I learned it from my mom who makes if often. This recipe could not be easier and it tastes delicious!

 

White Bean Chicken Chile:

• 1 packet of White Bean Chicken Chile seasoning (Difficult to find-- Have found at Walmart and Roth's --for Salemites--). So, when you find it, stock up!
• 2 cans of white beans -rinsed and drained to decrease sodium intake
• Shredded cooked chicken (I use canned chicken for convenience- but you can use chicken breasts as well). Can delete if you want it vegetarian-- which is also delicious.
• 3-4 cups of water
• Toppings to include: cheese, sour cream, tomatoes, avocados & cilantro
• Can add lentils for increased protein & iron if desired 

Follow instructions on seasoning packet. There's probably a way to make your own seasonings, but nothing compares to the packet. The taste is perfect and it's SO easy! 

 

Enjoy with some cornbread and Apple Crisp for the perfect fall/winter meal. 

Makes great left overs!

PLUtonic: To celebrate making it to day 7/7

I made it to my 7th work day in a row and could not be more thrilled. I've got the weekend off and have BIG plans (ok,  not really. . . just sleep and housework mostly). 

These videos have brightened my week. PLUtonic is the acapella group at Pacific Lutheran University (my almamater).  In all of his spare time (if you know him, you know that he lacked spare time- even to see me very much), my hubby sang in this group his senior year of college. Andrew and I were just talking today about how he missed singing with this group. They are AWESOME and work so hard to make some pretty sweet music! Take a listen and see what you think.

Favorites? Their CD is sooooo great.  I wish I could put it on here for you to listen. Truly a treat. Looking forward to what they come up with this year. 

(Andrew is in the first 3 videos. The last video is from 2009-2010).

Fav Find: Your Trash is My Treasure-- New Chairs

This is my favorite find of the week so far and I wasn't even looking! On my way home, I found 3 chairs and a table in the dump outside our apartment. Though the table was awesome, it was missing legs, and too large to carry up (plus... no room to keep it for now). So, we took the 3 chairs! I can't wait to re-cover them and paint them! 

Photos from Clementine + Olive.

  I can't decide between these colors: white, black, grey, robin's egg blue. What do you think?

 

I'm loving these colors for fabrics as well. This is the overall color scheme of our apartment with some brown as well. So many decisions! So glad to have driven by the dump today! Win for us!

 I still have so much work to do in our apartment. Lots of organizing, rearranging, cleaning, etc. Some days, I just want to move everything out and start setting up from scratch. If only things weren't so heavy! I'll share the finished product when done.