Fascinating New Thing...

Ken took me to a dance... it was way fun! We had sushi after- yum!

So, I have been avoiding writing this post... sometimes you don't want to jinx yourself. But, after 6 weeks, its probably time to tell the blogging world about Ken.

About 2.5 months ago I moved into an apartment with some roommates. My new roommate, Gloria, decided nearly immediately that I should date her friend, Ken. So, about a month after that, I did just that.

Ken is awesome. Ken is from Aken, South Carolina. He served his mission in Canada, and graduated from the U!! He is a mechanical engineer, and works for a company in West Jordan that designs and manufactures high-end composite bicycle wheels. He loves to play in the outdoors, and he is the middle child of 5. He is 30 (I know, he's old ;-) He is pretty dang cute if I do say so myself. I think that he is the sweetest boy!

I have a great time with this one. I really feel comfortable being myself around him, and I have to say, he seems to like me. We love being together, and we laugh a lot. He came with me to Thanksgiving, and we are ramping up for Christmas... both my fam and his (his parents are coming into town).

So, there you have it. That might explain my absence of posts in the last several weeks, as we are now going on seven weeks since we started dating.

Giving Thanks.

I can honestly say that I had the best Thanksgiving.  I got to spend it with my amazingly crazy, yet wonderful family.  I have to say, that when you combine that with getting to work last night, at the job that I love (most days, anyway) I am one very blessed girl.

Sometimes the Lord's hand is very apparent in my life, and I have to "live in Thanksgiving daily, for the many mercies and blessings which he doth bestow upon you." Alma 34:38.  I feel like yesterday was one of those miraculous days, and I am so very grateful.

"Not what we say about our blessings, but how we use them, is the true measure of our thanksgiving."         

                                             - -WT Purkiser

An Amazing, Uplifting Story

I wanted to share with you a true story that happened to a friend of our family amidst tragedy. 

My mom called me about 3 weeks ago to tell me that a really good friend of our family, and one of my mom's best friends, had been diagnosed with a brain tumor. Sharon is a saint, and has had many trials in her life, including a battle with Lupus.  She is the mother of five beautiful girls and at this point, the main provider for her family.  She works for UVU and is about the most upbeat and faithful person that ever lived.  I cannot recount the number of kind acts that Sharon alone has performed on behalf of my family!

My parents went to visit Sharon a few days before her surgery, and she was noticeably and understandably upset and a bit distraught.  But, as ever, Sharon had faith that things would all work out.  About a week after her surgery, my parents went again to visit Sharon.  The surgery had gone well, and the doctors thought they had gotten most of, if not all of the tumor.  But perhaps the most heartwarming part of the story was told about the response of Sharon's work to all this commotion.

In August, Sharon had another more routine surgery that had eaten up all of her paid time off. So, this brain tumor left her and her family in a great predicament.  In response to this problem, an email was sent out to the employees of UVU, asking anyone who was willing to donate some of their paid time off to Sharon.  The response was overwhelming.  Over 2,000 hours of paid time off were donated to this woman to help her and her family in this time of need.  That is over a year! 

I think that it really shows that even a very small act of kindness in another person's life can make an enormous difference.  When you think you have absolutely nothing to offer this crazy world we live in, think again.  There is always a way to contribute to those around you, even if it is just a smile, a hug,  or an hour or two of paid time off.  

Do a kind deed today in honor of Sharon and all those who need a hand to lift them. Someday you may be that person who's head hangs down.

"In as much as ye have done it unto the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me."

Matthew 25:40

Starting Over

So, it has been a little while since I last posted... life has been crazy!!  Not only am I in full swing as a nurse, but I moved out. I know, right? Finally!!!

I live with some roommates in an apartment complex close to the U (and work) and I am loving it! It is quite the adjustment, though.  I am not in any way a fast decision maker, in fact I would deem myself a rather slow one, but this opportunity came along and I took it... it all came about in a week!!

In addition, the Seminary teacher and I broke up about a month ago. Not that big of a deal, but he was insistent on being friends, which has proved to be very emotionally draining. So, this last week I ended the friends portion of our journey.  And, it was pretty freeing, though I don't think he's very happy about it. Technically we are supposed to revisit the friends thing in a few weeks, but I don't anticipate a change in status for us.

So, in a matter of about a month I started my career as a nurse, broke up, moved away from home and started over. Its been quite the roller coaster... here's hoping that all the pieces land where they should!

Working Gal...

This week is my first week at the CMU!! Lots of orientation, and tours of this and that!! I have missed my unit!!  When I saw my director for the first time on Monday, she gave me a big hug and told me that they had missed me!! I love my job!

But, it is going to be a long next few months! By Thanksgiving I will be completely on my own at work :-/ and I have a scheduling nightmare ahead of me with all my residency, workshops, and required shifts.  Tomorrow night marks my first night shift and my first shift as an RN! Tonight I am staying up as late as I can to try and stay awake tomorrow night... should be an adventure!!!

Anyway, I think that for the next few months I am going to be buried in Primary Children's Medical Center.  Wish me luck!!

Andrea Webb, RN

I did it!! With the help of the Lord of course.

I was so very unnerved by the NCLEX, I came out ready to cry. I got a ton more than the minimum number of questions, which made me way nervous. I kept repeating the words of the blessing that Chris gave me on Sunday... "you will pass your test with flying colors." And then I panicked a bit... all the thoughts of what would happen if I failed ran through my head- things I had never allowed myself to consider before.

Then I woke up yesterday with a peace that wasn't from myself. I just refused to worry about it anymore. I was checking the DOPL website periodically all day for my license to be posted. I went to Institute last night, it wasn't there. At about 10pm, when I had just finished having another DTR with Chris, I got a text from my friend Danielle telling me to check DOPL. And, when I did, I read the words on the license verification... ANDREA WEBB, REGISTERED NURSE!!!!!!

I am so very grateful to everyone who believed that I could do it, I have had so many kind words, thoughts and prayers come my way, so thank you to all of you who supported me through this. I know I really couldn't have done it without you!! I love you all!

If you ever need a nurse, I am here! Love you guys!!

I don't know how it gets better than this...

Well then, here's that update for all of you who are curious...
I am still studying for the NCLEX... I take it next Monday. I have talked to a few of my classmates who have passed with flying colors, which is very encouraging! I am starting to get stir crazy... I want to be a nurse again! I miss the kids and my job on the Medical Unit. I am ready to start my dream job- finally!! The countdown has started until the 28th and finally officially beginning my career as a nurse!! It's been a long time coming, and I am really excited! I know it will be challenging, like anything truly worthwhile, but I am ready to take it on!!
Chris and I survived our first week!! We saw each other every night until Friday when he went home for the long weekend to St. George to visit his fam. And then we talked on the phone everyday, sometimes more than once. I was very ready for him to come home last night, and I was super glad when I finally saw him again! I really am feeling so good about this... it is so easy. He texts or calls me almost everyday in the morning just to say hi or tell me to have a good day, and he is so in sync with me. I am sure that at some point he will bug me, but until then, I am just so glad that he is so wonderful to me! As he would say, he does his home teaching every night!!
So, I don't know how it gets better than this, you take my hand and drag me head first, FEARLESS!!