So Much To Talk About...

Well I made it through another semester. I have absolutely no idea how that happened but I did it!! :) I thought fall semester was bad enough to kill me at times but yet here I am again, ready to go another semester and picking up an extra 3 classes on top of it all, I might add! Yes, that's right, I MUST be crazy!! Lol

Right now I am studying my butt off during my christmas break getting ready to go take my state test for my nursing assistant license. Im not worried about it in the least, it was my easiest class (97% on my final exam I might add), I just dont want to get nervous and forget something dumb. You know me...haha. I'm planning for January 16th for the big test...wish me Luck!! :)

Oh yeah...I am also getting ready to take my Nursing Entrance Test in January too. I have to admit that I have already taken this test. I went in November to check it out. I was freaking myself out because I had no idea how to study for this type of test. It only gave such a broad description that I decided that I would just go down and take the test so that I would have a better idea of how to prepare for it next time. I had absolutely no hope for passing it, but just to see what they tested you on. It was a very long test, it covered: english, grammar, science, biology, algebra, anatomy & physiology, microbiology, and more that I can't even remember anymore. Well needless to say, in not studying or preparing for this test in the slightest......
I didnt pass by ONLY ONE POINT!!!! I was pissed! I couldn't beleive I did so good. LOL I am so ready for it this time. Can't wait to get that checked of my "To-Do List"....

I will be ready to apply for the nursing program in March. It seems to be pretty competitive, my odds aren't very good to be getting into the program for next fall semester. I heard that over 80 people applied to get in for this Spring semester and they only accept about 20 at a time. All of the classes that I am taking now will be pending when I send in my application. So they will just pass me up for those that have already completed these classes. In May, I will have completed all of my pre-recs (classes that have to be completed before I can even apply for the program) as well as all but one of the co-recs (core-classes that you are able to take with the nursing program that I am taking beforehand). I will have all but one of these done in May and that last one I will take in July. So hopefully that seriously weighs in my favor!! Cross your fingers....:)

School is tough but I am actually loving it. College life is actually pretty fun, who would have thought!! Hahaha....

Nursing Home

So this past weekend I started my clinicals at the nursing home. I had myself so psyched out over everyone's stories that have gone before me. I didn't think that I would be able to handle it. After I got there and got settled in, they assigned me my residents and I just jumped in. Someone had told me beforehand that if you get scared and you let things bother you then they always will and it always seems to follow you. But for those people that just jump in and aren't afraid of things, they seem to be really good at what they do and seem to have better luck. Which seemed kind of weird to me, but I wasn't taking any chances! Lol So when the time came to give showers and change briefs, I didn't let it bother me. They funny thing is....i started noticing that those people who did let it bother them were the ones that seemed to have all the "accidents" and karma just seemed to follow... haha It turned out to be a VERY good day! :)

I came home thinking...."what are all these people complaining about!?....It wasn't so bad..." It was then that I realized that I am absolutely going to LOVE what I do!!!

Labor Day Weekend

This past weekend Brant's family all went camping and we were the party-poopers who didn't go. I didn't think that I would be able to take another break from school and homework since I had just taken a break the weekend before when we went to the D-Backs game. Well, some how this week I got all caught up on my work plus a little bit ahead so we decided to skip church on Sunday and drive up to the mountain and hang out with his family for the day.

We even decided to take one of our horses up since we heard that some other people had brought theirs. It was a fun day! I had saddled up Duke and was going for a ride when Justin came up to me and asked me if I wanted to go on a ride with all the guys. I was a little bit nervous considering that all these guys were pretty experienced on a horse and I was just learning and had only rode a handful of times. I wasn't sure what I was getting myself into just yet, but I was up for the challenge!

Who knew I am quite the cowgirl!

Here is Brant lookin' like he just stepped out of a Western Bant ended up riding Duke and I rode one of Don's horses, Blue. I got more nervous because Duke was the horse I learned how to ride on. He is a very tame, slow paced horse. Blue was real peppy and liked to run so it was a whole new experience....and I loved it!! The trail we took was about eight miles. I thought I was doing pretty good, we road all the way up to the very top of the mountain. It wasn't until we were ready to go back down the mountain on a separate trail that I freaked out a little bit. This trial was about 6 inches wide and at some parts you could fall right down the mountain. I just kept hoping my horse wouldn't slip....but they did...because the dirt was so soft! It was completely straight down for most of the way. I literally was sitting on the horn afraid I was going to slide right over the horses neck!!

After the ride Don came up to me and told me that I handled my horse real well! I just laughed and said thanks. He told me that I impressed him for someone who hasn't rode a whole lot. He was pretty surprised when I told him that I have only rode a handful of times and that's it!
Brant and I had so much fun riding together that I told him we have to get our other horse, Buckwheat broke so that we can go on rides together more often.

After we got back to camp we just relaxed a little bit and hung out with everyone else before it was time to load up and head on home. It was a pretty nice day. It rained most of the way up the mountain and most of the way home but it stayed clear and sunny during our horseback ride. It was perfect weather, about 50 degrees! It was so nice to be out of the heat!

When we got back to town that evening we stopped to drop off Duke at the corrals and to feed and we noticed that the ground was all wet. Well come to find out, before we left that morning Brant forgot to turn off the water and it just ran everywhere. Luckily our nice neighbor out there noticed and came and turned it off for us. Brant got distracted talking on his cell phone and tried to drive right through the mud. Well is wouldn't have been so bad but the mud out there is just clay. So as soon as the truck hit the mud we just sank with the horse trailer on the back. It was awful, it took us forever to get out. We even called our nice neighbor and hooked up chains and everything and 30 minutes later we finally got unstuck. It was pretty funny afterwards, but not when I thought I was going to be sleeping with my horse since his family was still on the mountain and not coming home until the next day. Haha...good times! :)

Diamond Backs Game

Brant and I were able to go up to mesa for the weekend and go watch a Diamond Backs game. I had to pull a few late-nighters and get all of my homework done and caught up so I wouldn't have to worry about it this weekend. After a tough first week of school it was already nice to have a break. Haha!

We loaded up the car and headed out yesterday morning. The game wasn't until later that night so we went to the beauty supply stores, and checked into our hotel at the Hilton. It was so nice just to have a slow-paced day with no worries about school and deadlines, and just being able to hang out with my love.

We just had be make out to Chase Stadium a whole two hours before the game even started! Haha...I just laughed at how cute my husband is. With his baseball glove on waiting for the fly-balls during batting practice. Brant used to have season tickets to the Padres when he lived in San Diego. It was a lot of fun to see him in his element running and jumping the bleachers having so much fun trying to catch the fly-balls. We aren't really into the D-Backs all that much but it was fun to get out and go do something together.

Here is Brant waiting for the next fly-ball to come his way

This was the game that Luis Gonzalez retired his number. It kind of cool to watch and we even got free t-shirts! Apparently it was a pretty big deal I guess...I don't really know. Haha...

Just waiting for the game to start
I'm not really all that into baseball but I just thought that it was so cool that this was on television and I was there! Haha. I'm a nerd...I already know! :) We did so much walking around and of course we had to try all kinds of food and snacks. I was exhausted by the time the game was over. Diamond Backs won 9-0 against the Houston Astros.

Billy and Brant

Us after the game, we were so tired!
After the game we headed back to the hotel and put our swimsuits on and headed down the the hot tub! It was still a 100 degrees outside so we didn't sit in there long, but it sure did feel good on my sore aching muscles from the day. I jumped in the pool to cool off and then it started to fill up so we left for some alone time.

Today we went to the mall then went out to eat at Red Lobster...(Brant's favorite) before we headed home. It was such a fun weekend. I love the times that Brant and I can spend together without worries of school and everything else going on in our lives. We are always the happiest when it is just the two of us. Making me especially appreciate those times that hardly ever come anymore.

Birthday Boy

Today is Brant's birthday!! We decided to celebrate yesterday since I have class most of today and tonight. Yesterday we just got to hang out and spend some time together. Last night we went out to dinner to celebrate and then we went over to my Mom's house to eat some cake. Poor kid, I must have worn him out yesterday because he fell asleep at his own party. Haha! It was fun just being able to just be together and go on a little date. Happy Birthday Babe!

Summer Is Officially Over...

Well my wonderful three weeks of summer has come to an end. Today was the first day of school. I am not sure if I am ready for the long nights, early mornings, and massive amounts of studying again. But I guess I better get used to it....this is only the beginning. This will be the story of my life for a few more years. This semester I am taking Anatomy and Physiology, Microbiology, CNA, and Algebra. It doesn't sound like too much because I only have four classes, but it adds up to a whole 20 credits. Hopefully I am not getting in over my head! It will all be so worth it though, I can't wait!!

Today Was The Day!!

Today was definitely a GOOD DAY!! We were finally able to get water hooked up out on the land where we keep our horses. Normally, Brant has to load up some jugs or barrels and we would have to haul water out there everyday. It is not fun at all. I worried all the time that something was going to happen, like smash out the back window to the truck! We have gone through four back windows in our truck in the last year and a half that we have owned it so far, and Yes, the barrels do get tied down. It's pathetic! And expensive to replace I might add.

Here is my love working away!

Brant's dad Billy and grandpa Floyd came out to help him dig trenches and lay down the pipes. Me and Jo Ellen (his grandma) just got to hang out all day and gossip. Thanks everybody for all the help! I am so excited! Never again will I have to haul water. Now all I have to do is just turn on the facet!

Surprise!!

Yesterday I was just hanging out and I realized that I hadn't seen Brant in a while. I started looking around the house and couldn't find him. I walked outside and to my surprise, this is what I found....

I was so dang excited to see my Hubby hard at work. It made my whole day!! :) Especially since I didn't even have to ask him to wash the truck! I know this is totally the lamest thing ever, but when it will make your wife happy....what can I say?

Come to find out...for one reason or another there was a whole mayonnaise container out in the middle of the road next to our truck. Someone had ran it over and it seriously exploded all over the truck! So my loving husband cleaned it all off in the 100 degree weather just so I wouldn't have to deal with it....what a Great guy! I love good surprises!!...who doesn't!?

I Finally Made It!

Well I did it! I am proud to say that all that studying and hard work paid off. I have absolutely no idea how I made it through, but some how I did. School is over and I am so excited for these next few weeks of summer I have left, before I'm back at it again.

I passed all of my classes, even chemistry online!! I cant believe I managed to get a B in that one. I got straight A's in the rest. I am so proud of myself, I worked hard for it!! :)

4th of July

This past weekend for the 4th of July, Brant and I went camping with my family. It was a lot of fun having everyone together, which doesn't seem to happen very often. It rained most of everyday that we were there. So there was plenty of mud and frizzy hair to go around!

We laughed and played the whole time that we were up there. I got the new nickname "Evil Knievel" after I ramped my bike with the boys. Haha..it was fun, I even surprised myself a little bit. Who knew I had it in me? "Grace" was another nickname I got this weekend. I don't know what my deal was. I tipped my chair over, spilled soda down my back and rolled down the hill! I could feel it happening but for the life of me I couldn't stop myself from falling. Yeah....that was pretty much the joke of the weekend. I laughed so hard I had tears in my eyes!! Hahaha.....

This year Mindy brought a pinata and almost everyone got to take a few swings at it. I don't think that I have ever laughed that hard in my entire life. It was probably one of my favorite moments of the whole trip. I couldn't believe it when my mom actually got up to do it. I was so surprised!! Then before I knew it, it was back to the real world and loads of homework. It was good to have a few days off to spend time with Brant. I don't get to see him much anymore with everything I have going on. In a few more weeks it will be nice to get back on the same schedule again and actually feel like I have a life.

All in all it was a fun weekend. I'm glad that everyone was able to make the long trip. Hopefully it wont be too long before we can all get together again!

Here is a few pictures of the trip.

Devon after he wrecked his bike in the mud

Doing homework on vacation!

Me and Shaylan and her goofy smile

Tying the quilt for the little kids

So Frazzled

I have been SO BUSY with work, school, and homework that I can't even think straight! I haven't felt this FRAZZLED in so long! It has become very common for me to be getting home from doing homework at my mom's house around the time Brant is getting up to get ready for work! Our schedules have been so opposite lately, it is crazy.

Brant has been so helpful lately, it has been so great!! I think he is just trying to help out more than usual to take some of the extra stress off of me with everything I have going on. It has been so nice, I have such a great husband! He is so thoughtful and caring. Poor guy, I can't wait until things start slowing down and I can actually spend time with my husband. Life is crazy right now but eventually everything will start paying off.

Back To School

I have now decided that I want to become a Registered Nurse. For those of you who know me, I am sure you are all thinking "She is CRAZY, how the heck is she going to manage that!?" Well believe me, I have already thought the same thing. But after long talks with my Hubby and A LOT of thinking I have finally decided to go back to school.

I officially started my classes this past week. Sometimes I wonder if I am getting in way over my head!! I feel like I'm too old to be a college student again. But if my Mom can do it...I guess I can too! My Mom has recently decided to go back to school and I think that is such a neat thing. She works as a Medical Assistant and she has finally decided to go back to school to get her RN. Not before a lot of persuading of course! I am so proud of her!! She is such a good example for me. We are taking a few classes together and I think it's going to be kind of fun. I probably wont admit that too much, you know me.! Haha. Well everyone wish me luck!

Prize Winner

Okay so, cool story. Brant went out to the horse races this last Saturday, I wasn't able to go because I had to work. He thinks it's pretty fun, I don't understand it personally. I don't know, I guess I just can't really get into the whole thing. Well, they were raffling some stuff off out there and Brant bought a ticket. Long story short....HE WON!! He was so dang excited when he called me at work to tell me! He got the 3rd prize which was originally a $600 COWBOY HAT that he WON after buying a $1.00 raffle ticket!!!! Yeah...That is a SMOKIN' DEAL!!! It's pretty cool for being nearly free.

Two Years Down...

Brant and I just had our two year anniversary this last week! I can't believe how fast time has gone by already. We didn't get to do anything too exciting to celebrate but we had a fun day together. We just relaxed and enjoyed the day. Brant surprised me a little bit. We came back to our house that evening and Brant had set up our dinner on a blanket in the living room with candles all around and he gave me some very pretty flowers. It was so sweet! I loved it!! :) It was very simple but very thoughtful. He is such a good husband and I feel blessed every day to have him in my life. I could have never asked for a better husband. I'm just glad he found me!! Two years down and hopefully many more to come....

Easter Weekend

Saturday morning we all got strapped in the car cheek to cheek and drove up to mesa for the weekend. It was Billy, Janeen, Brant, Ariel, Amber, and me! We met up with Brant's brother Brady and his wife Mandi at the mall and did some shopping. We went to the Easter pageant that night. It was so cold but I was glad that it had stopped raining by the time it started. It was really neat, I haven't seen it in years. We stayed at Brady and Mandi's place and went to church with them the next morning. We went back to their house and ate dinner and hung out some more. I was surprised to see that the Easter bunny had found me! It was a lot of fun being able to have everyone together! I wish I was a lot better at taking pictures. I remembered to bring my camera but I never thought to actually use it! I'll have to work on that....

Just a Workin' Girl

So recently I have gone back to work. I am now working at French Cut again just a few days a week. I took some time off for a little while and now I have decided that I am ready to get back into it. It has been a lot of fun working again! I am happy to be back. So if anyone is needing their hair cut....then just give me a call!

Snow Day

The wind was blowing so hard outside early yesterday morning that it woke me up in the night. I looked out the window and I couldn't believe my eyes. It was SNOWING!! There were people already out on the street playing in it at 2:30 that morning! I was about to run back in my room to grab my coat and join them, but Brant told me to just sleep a little longer and we would play in it all day tomorrow. I restlessly agreed and went back to bed. I have been wanting to play in the snow all winter long. I told Brant that I was destined to play in the snow and since he hadn't taken me to play in the snow yet, the snow had come to me! Yeah, he made sure to tell me how big of a dork I am...no shock there! I woke up that morning a little later than I had hoped and the snow was already melting. I made sure that Brant kept his promise and we headed up the mountain to find more snow. We tried to make a make-shift sled, but that didn't turn out very well. It did make for some good laughs though! I made a pretty darn good snow angel if I do say so myslef. We played for a few hours and then it just got way too cold and windy so we decided to just head on home. It was a fun day, I was sad to leave. Snow in Arizona sure doesn't come often enough.

Finally a Post

Recently I decided that I would jump on the blog band-wagon. I thought it would be a fun way to keep in touch with some of the people that we don't get to see often enough. I realize that I'm not the best at keeping it updated with all the many new and exciting stories and adventures we seem to run into from time to time. It would be a little bit easier if I could just seem to find the cord to my camera and I could upload some new pictures. Also, we have decided that we would like to start a family. Hopefully it wont be too long before that blessing comes. Putting kids in the mix will definitely make things a little more exciting. But, until that happens...it might be a little boring around here.