September 16 - September 22, 2012

Well, we are up to week 30, and while baby boy still doesn't have a name, he sure is getting big.  He is now as big as a cucumber.  We have been throwing a few baby names around, but none really seem to stick.  I am getting anxious about coming up with a baby name, but I know that when the right one comes along that we will just know.  It will fit perfectly!  Something new this week is that the baby had the hiccups, which felt more like me having the hiccups.  It was such a funny feeling at first, but I got used to it after a while.  Bella has been playing with her new toy, just about every second of the day that we will let her.  It is an automatic ball launcher!  We got it from Jordon's aunt, and Bella just loves it.  She will sit in front of it for hours.  I don't much like that Jordon lets her play with it in the house, thank goodness for vaulted ceilings!  We haven't been able to let her out of the house much this week due to her being sick with a stomach bug and the fact that last week she stepped on a piece of glass and cut her foot.  It is healing, but we are trying to be extra careful.  No walks means that Bella seems to be bored a lot!  I just want to say how enriched our life has been because of Bella.  She is the sweetest thing, all the time, but especially in the morning.  I love how she will lay down and cuddle with you and give you unconditional love.  I hope that I can keep those memories in my mind forever.  Of course, she loves Jordon the most, but I relish every little second of time that I get with my little Bella!  I was able to keep up with my crafting this week as I made the Knudsen's a thank you card for inviting us over for pizza last week along with a few cookies.  They sure are a nice little family.  I also have been working on the baby quilt, as I hope to get it close to being done before this baby comes!  I am a little worried, but hopefully it will be finished.  I started my new job this week in the float pool, which is a little slow and boring, but I look forward to the slow days now that baby is getting so big.  Working twelve hour days is a bit too much lately.  I am on the infant unit, which is only going to prepare us for baby.  Speaking of baby boy, we had another doctor's appointment this week with Dr. Thackery.  He measured my belly and let us listen to the baby's heartbeat.  I always love hearing that little tone on the doppler.  It is so reassuring for me to know that our little boy is doing alright..  I know that Jordon has been reading up on baby books.  He is going to be such a good father!  We had another baby class this week and learned all about breastfeeding, but Jordon couldn't make it because he was at work.  That's okay, I think it was more for the mom's anyway.  We were able to spend some time with the Petersen's this week at Sunday dinner; as well as see my family when we helped Nikki put together her bedroom set.  She is so happy that it finally came.  I think she has been waiting for about three months!  Saturday was the best day of all as 'the boys' from Jordon's family went out to Wendover for the AIR SHOW!  We love air shows, but I had to work Saturday night, so I told the boys to go without me.  Jordon said that they had a blast!  They saw all different types of planes and Jordon ran into his instructor.  I hope that someday soon we can buy a new airplane for my love!  Baby boy however did not like working night shift, so I don't think I will be working very many more until after graces us with his presence.
Have a good week everyone
Xoxo Britt

little gift for the Knudsens

Card for the Knudsens

Cookies.. yum!

Inside of Card

Bella playing with her automatic ball thrower!
 

 And now to catch you all up, here are a few photos from events that we have all been missing:

My friend Kaitlyn had a baby boy, here is her card.

Our baby gift to Kaitlyn

Bella and Bunny playing

A wedding card for someone at Jordon's work

My love feeding Squee... our little squirrel. 

I'm back.... and better than ever!

So, I know that it has been a while since I posted on this blog... I am sorry.  But, I am back, and boy have we been busy.  I really do write my entries, I just fail to put them on the blog, so here is this weeks, and hopefully I can post a little about our family each week as we have so many new things going on!

Top Stories to catch up on:

• We are having a Baby Boy!
• I finished Nursing School!
• Jordon has made so many paintings it is crazy!
• And we love spending time with our family!
• We had a little baby squirrel!
• We have a little baby bunny!
• We went to New York City!
• I have been crafting believe it or not!

September 9 - September 15, 2012

 

This has been a week of so many blessings, it is quite unbelievable. It was my last week in the PICU, and I was really sad to leave that fantastic unit. I know that if my child was ever severely injured, they would be in the best place possible. The love, care, support, and dedication that each and every individual working in that unit has for every child is unimaginable. I loved that unit, and I hope to someday go back to that unit, for I believe that miracles and blessings truly happen. It was an honor to work there. Next, I took my NCLEX test.. It was a nerve wracking experience, and one that still has me in amazement. Everyone gets between 75 and 265 questions, and it doesn't matter how many questions that you get, you can still pass or fail the test. So, I took question number 75, and the test turned off.  All I could think was... "that's it?? it's over??" I was so shocked. I sat there for a moment, and then realized that I should probably leave. I was the first one to walk out. I texted Jordon immediately, and said, well, "I either totally bombed that thing, or I passed with flying colors!"  He replied, "How many do you think that you actually guessed on?"  I said, "More than I think to pass that test." Well after almost two days, I got up on Saturday at 5 am and checked DOPL. There it was, my name. I couldn't believe that I passed that test. So, now I have a license, and I can start my new job next week. I couldn't be more blessed.  On Friday, we had dinner with the Knudsen's who live down the street. They had us over for a pizza dinner, which was lovely.  It was nice to finally meet some people in the neighborhood.  I hope that we can have them over for dinner one day.  They have a very lovely home and two little girls.  After that we went over to the Petersen's.  Reece had a bit of an accident this week and ended up getting a few stitches in her chin when she fell off of a barstool.  Ooops.  Oh well, by Friday, she wasn't too bugged by the fact that there were stitches in her chin.  Then came the biggest blessing of them all.  The baby shower on Saturday was such a lovely affair.  I am so blessed to have such wonderful sisters, families, and aunts who put together the most amazing baby shower.  We received so many wonderful items that this baby is sure to be spoiled rotten forever.  My co-workers and friends are so generous, and we are so blessed to be surrounded by all of the wonderful people in our lives.  I couldn't have asked for a better day or a more wonderful shower.  The best gift was probably a picture of Jordon when he was little in a fire truck that his mom had framed.  I was so happy when I opened it, and even more happy to know that he had seen the picture.  My mom and dad bought us a car seat and stroller, and we couldn't be better off, nor could our little one.  Speaking of baby news... we ordered a crib... and it came!  I love it!  Well, the box was severely banged up, and I wasn't too happy with it, but my husband is very handy, so he fixed it in a jiffy, and we now have a place to put our little boy.  Bunny and Bella also checked out the crib, I hope that they are getting ready for baby as well.  We are 29 weeks now, and baby is as big as an acorn squash.  I finished up Saturday attending Melissa's bridal shower, which was a blast. I am looking forward to her wedding in October.   Jordon has been working on his new painting, and I enjoy coming home each day and seeing what new little surprise he has added to his drawing.  He is so talented.  His skull painting is getting framed and printed at the copy shop, so I know that he is excited to see if he can sell it.  I just hope that he sells it for what it is worth, which is about $1,000,000 for all of the love, time, and dedication that he puts into everything that he does.  September 11th was this week, and it helps remind me why I love my husband and what he does every single day. I can't thank him enough. I thank my lucky stars everyday for how blessed our little family is in this little life.         

 

Our new crib and car seat



Little Jordon



Opening up gifts



The side profile... not very flattering



All of our gifts



More gifts

How I love bows



Our cute presents

The crib box :(

Melissa's Bridal Shower Card

Inside

Gift from my friend Beth :)  Love the Binkie!



 

I will try to add about five extra photos each post to catch you up on our lives and my crafts that I missed:

Bella and Bunny

New York City Skyline from the Statue of Liberty

Ground Zero

Ground Zero



Our Baby Boy!

xoxo Britt

Our Crazy, Hectic, Wonderful Life

So, I know that it has been forever!  I am just so dang busy lately and haven't been feeling very good.  I am not sure if life is catching up with me, but I am exhausted every day!  School has been very busy and we have left the apartment in Salt Lake for good!  Jordon is helping me get the house put away so that I can take pictures.  I just can't believe how fast time has gone by.  Work has been pretty busy as well, as the respiratory season has hit, and the kids are finally starting to pile on in.  I am still working straight night shifts, which makes it a little hard to drive home in the morning, but I like them.  I can't believe that I only have 17 weeks left of school... kinda seems a bit crazy! 
Jordon and I celebrated our 'engagement anniversary' on March 22.  He was so cute.  He came into the office the night before, where I was doing my homework, and opened the door, threw up his arms and shouted, "Isn't it Happy Engagement Anniversary???"  Oh how I love him.  I said, no, it's tomorrow, but I should have just said yes!  We went out to dinner and spent a nice night in our new home. 
The house is coming along nicely, as we are putting things away.  The only room really a disaster anymore is the office/craft room, because I refuse to put things away right now during school.  Yes, I can be stubborn, just like my husband.  I love our home, and I have learned to love it more and more each and every day.  The view off of our back porch is so picturesque.  It reminds me of some mountain retreat.  Jordon and I could sit and stare at the mountains and lake forever! 
Jordon is super busy.  He is a work-a-holic, and a study-a-holic.  I get sad sometimes because we can't hang out, but I know that he is working hard on the things that he loves in life.  He has been looking for an airplane to buy, but hasn't had much luck yet.  Hopefully he can find something soon.
The crafts have been put on a HAULT.......what??? Yes, I am afraid I haven't crafted in weeks due to the finishing of moving, and school.... and this crazy illness that I have.  Oh well, I hope to feel better soon, so that I can get training for my various runs I am signed up for.  I have learned that everything happens for a reason, and sometimes that reason is yet to be learned. 
Have a good week everyone,

xoxo Britt

I am getting a few days behind on blogging each week, but hopefully this week, as it is Spring Break, I can catch up!  I completed my first clinical at Primary Children's on the ICS unit, and I just loved it!  While it breaks my heart to have so many kids with cancer, it is amazing how these little souls can just brighten your day!  I love them all!  I only have 19 weeks left of Nursing School!  Oh I am getting so nervous!
Jordon has been super busy lately.  He finished his PILOT LICENSE!!! That's right folks, my amazing husband, who seems to know how to do it all, got himself a Pilot license, so he can fly planes... well small ones, but they are still real planes that you can sit in and go see the world!  I am so amazed at what he accomplishes each and every day.  Here is a picture of him with his pilot instructors and their plane.  I love him so much, not only because he has a billion qualities, but because his determination helps me understand that you can accomplish ANYTHING that you set your mind to.

Jordon and his flight instructor

Jordon and the plane

Jordon and his testing instructor

View from an airplane

View from an airplane

We are still moving, and hopefully will finish this week.  Jordon set up the bedroom, but we spent the first night in our new home on the living room floor.  It was kinda fun, but we realized that we have a lot of windows, and the sun comes up pretty early up there.  I am going to take pictures this week (determination at work!)

And finally, my life... crafts!  I have been working on  a few projects this week.  First is a card for Jordon's brother who so kindly let us have his fridge since he was moving out of his town home.  It fits perfectly, and we love it.  He has been so nice to us for the past year, letting Jordon live with him, and helping with the wedding.  We hope that this new apartment, brings him happy new beginnings, as we know that starting over can be difficult, but very rewarding!

Stone's Card

Inside of Stone's Card

I wanted you all to know that I spend about $3000 a year on text books, and I use them all... every day... it may not be for reading, but they come in handy for working on some other serious subjects!

Next up, we have a card for Jordon's flight instructors (yes, my husband sells me out to all of his friends and acquaintances) .  I had a blast making this one, I mean when else am I going to make an airplane card except for my husband?


Plane card front

Plane card inside... with his cute picture!

Finally, the last one is a card for our Realtors and loan officers.  They really helped us with this home, and I wanted to say thank you in a little way.  I hope to start making "change of address, we got a home" cards soon for all of our family and friends, so that they know where we live! 

Front of new home card!

Inside of card

Have a great week!  I will it's SPRING BREAK!  Nothing but moving, crafting, and spending time with my love... oh and a little work.

xoxo Britt

Wedding Response Cards

The wedding craft of the week, is our response cards... I again, stamped them from the Letterpress in which I purchased, and hand inked every one.  I also stamped them with our monogram logo for our wedding on the back with our special custom made stamp (another blog posting).  And then had cute little brown envelopes to go with them.  However, this item gets a little special attention, as my darling, sweet, husband showed me that even the most simple wedding task of sending back a response card can be quite amusing and lift your spirit.  Here's the funny little story: The response cards for our wedding were addressed back to my parent's address.  One day my mother received a response that did not have a name on the name line, just a check in the box.  She called me in a panic... who was it from?  how many were coming?  how was she ever to figure this out?  A few days later, she received another response card that was exactly the same, no name.  She was beginning to get frustrated, as we needed an exact count for meals.  I brought the cards home to my husband, who proudly stated that they were probably from guys at the fire department.  He then stated so proudly, "you should be glad that they used a pen and didn't color all over it with their favorite crayon!"  I didn't think much of it, until we went over to his parents house the next Sunday and he asked his mom for one of the response cards.  She asked why and he stated, "because he wanted to send a response to the wedding."  Well, as we all know, one of my husbands many talents is his artistic ability, and he colored all over it, as well as putting his name on the line as "Both of Us".  I laughed for hours.  He then proceeded to send it in the mail, which in turn would arrive at my mother's house.  She called me the second it arrived.  She said, "we got a response today, and you have got to see this.... it is quite interesting, and I guarantee you it is from the fire department."  We went over to her house and finally told her that it was Jordon.  She got a good laugh as well as us.  That little card created so much happiness that surrounded the wedding.  We proudly displayed it at the wedding, as we will also display it in our home.  I love that little card.  Every time I look at it, that card makes me smile.  I never knew the simple pure joy of a piece of paper and a box of crayons until that card.  Needless to say, "Both of Us" showed up at the wedding, and "Both of Us" will live happily ever after with a little card sitting on a shelf in our home that started it all.

response card with envelope

response card

response card back and envelope front



my husbands cute response card



the back of the response card :)

xoxo Brittany

Climb, Work, Craft

Hmmm.... so the week has been interesting and I am a little on the tired side, but all in all, it hasn't been too bad.  I started my pediatric clinical rotations.  They put me on the ICS (immunocompromised services) unit.  The kids are really fun up there, but they are SUPER sick.  The kids either have cancer, or a platelet disorder, anemia, or are a transplant recipient of usually a new liver or kidney.  They always seem to bring a smile to my face, even though they are really sick.  The rest of school seems to just be busy work, but I am trucking along.  Hopefully I can make it one more week, and it will be spring break!
Work this week has been pretty crazy, and very humbling.  I saw a few angels receive their wings this past week, and while it breaks my heart, I know that they are watching over all of us and making sure that we safe.  I am so blessed to have a job that teaches me how to smile, laugh, cry, and pray, and rejoice all in one twelve hour shift.  I hope to be able to get a job at Primary Children's after I graduate.  It is such a special place, and filled with people who truly love what they do.
Jordon is so busy, he has been gone most of the week.  People always ask me what it is like to live with a husband who is as busy as I am.  I tell them, " I wouldn't know any different."  While sometimes it makes me sad that we are both gone so much and are so busy, I know that we are pursing our dreams, and maybe one day they will all pay off.  Jordon has been working hard to finish classes for his masters degree as well as finish moving all of our stuff into the house!  This past week he completed the Fight for Air Climb.  This is where the fire department puts on all of their fire gear, and races to the top of the Wells Fargo Building..... well my amazing husband completed all 23 stories in under 6 minutes....WOW.  Most days I can't believe what he accomplishes, I just hope that I can keep up with him as we get older.  I couldn't make it this day, so this picture was snagged by someone that works for the climb, but I spotted my adorable husband right in the middle.

My adorable husband with all of his buddies.



Jordon getting ready to climb!

The house....is coming along quite nicely.  We have moved everything out of my parents house except for Bella's stuff.  So, next up is Jordon's parent's house.  We are working on getting things put away, but it is taking longer than we expected, as the mattress currently resides in the family room :)  I am kinda hating mother nature, as she has held out on this snow business, and now our new house resides on top of a hill, where we get copious amount of that white fluff.  Here's a few pictures of our house with the two and a half feet of snow that I shoveled!  Horrible!  Thankfully, I was able to meet our neighbors, as he came over and offered to let me borrow his snow blower.  I however, do not operate those things well, but managed to clear most of the snow.  I told Jordon' that a snow blower would be a lovely gift for my up coming birthday :)  The last picture below is our neighbors right across the street.  While we may have a much better view than they do of Utah Lake, they only got about four inches of snow that stuck around in their yard.... the horribleness of your house facing north.  But, I wouldn't change our house location for even five more feet of snow... alright, I will shut my mouth now or I may have just jinxed myself. Our apartment still mostly has my stuff in it.  Of course I haven't been able to pack my crafts, but I will soon. 

Our House :)

My huge snow pile!

The 3 inch thick slab of ice that is covering our driveway, where I have run over it with my jeep :)



Neighbors House

Speaking of crafts.  This week I finished a few cards that were a long time coming, such as my friend Nicole's wedding in December (yes, I am a horrible friend!)  I am not caught up yet, but I am working on it.  She is such a cute girl, a great friend, and I hope she forgives me.  I also finally took pictures of our Christmas card for this year. I just loved it!  Making them was a bundle of fun as I found all sorts of vintage finds to past all over them. 

Christmas 2011

Inside of Christmas Card.


Nicole and Joel's Wedding Card

 

Inside of Nicole and Joel's Card



All Wrapped up, ready to send!

Hope you all enjoy yourselves this week, as I hope to make it though one more and then onto SPRING BREAK! 

xoxo Brittany