Whew....I didn't go exactly a WHOLE year without posting.

Where does the time go? I can't believe it was last June that I posted. A lot has happened of course! I continue to work at Advanced Dermatology and Assure Women's Center. We got a new manager at our Dermatology clinic which has been awesome and I really enjoy the hours & people I work with. My patients always make me laugh and it is great to see them when they are feeling for the most part well :) I'm attempting to get more hours at Assure because I love the mission there! For now I'm working on being content with two Thursdays a month.
BIG NEWS! Found out my best friend and her husband are expecting their first Baby in August! Kendra has been a steady & wonderful friend that is a strong Christian women. From the beginning of our friendship I knew she would be an amazing mom and now the time as finally come! They are not finding out the gender of the baby until the big day and I think that is so exciting (and takes WAY MORE patience than I have!)
My friend Mallory and her husband are also having their first baby that they are expecting THIS MONTH! It is great seeing my friends transition into the roles of motherhood and I'm impatiently waiting for the day I can hold that little guy! At the beginning of May Kendra, Bailey and I drove to Hickman, NE for a baby shower for Mal.

6 Humans!! :)

This year has most importantly been filled with my sister and Kyle's wedding preparations! They get married in less than 2 weeks now and I almost don't want it to get here because planning has been so much fun. They are perfect for each other and have been together for over 7 years! In April, Megan had her bridal shower in Marcus at Peace Lutheran Church. The shower committee (Deb Mayer and Carla Weber along with many others) threw an amazing shower. Deb Mayer gave a devotional centered around being a devoted Christian wife. Megan opened presents all morning and got a lot of great items to stock their new house in Cherokee. At the end of the shower Kyle came in with some roses and was ready to do the heavy lifting to get all the gifts transported.

Weekend Updates & Meg's 22nd Birthday

Happy Hump Day everyone! I actually think of Wednesday as the middle of the work week because I'm working regular 5 days a week with my NEW nursing position at Advanced Dermatology of the Midlands. Today however is an unusual day because Omaha was hit with it's first big blizzard of the winter season and the clinic is closed which means I kinda feel like a teacher enjoying this snow day! I'm blessed to have a nursing job where I can learn so much about a very specific set of conditions and treatments for the skin. I really enjoy the staff I work with and it isn't a bad place for a former lifeguard that spent 6 summers in the blazing sun ;)

with monitors, cables and wires cleared out

In other news, a few weekends ago my parents came down to spend the Saturday helping with various projects around the house. My dad went right into action to clear out some space in our downstairs closet that was previously occupied by tons of random security equipment that the previous homeowner had installed in there. I was so excited to get that nonsense out of there that I forgot to take a "before" picture. 

Then we moved on to the guest bedroom closet to touch up the ceiling that was not quite completed when the house was built. Our home has a lot of character that I love but when having an older home comes areas for improvement. One of my good friends Anna will be staying with us for a few months during her Physical Therapy rotation starting in March so it is a great excuse to get the room finished off and cozy! 

Dad hard at work - looking like a Coal Minor

Finished product!

After we completed all the projects we could get to in one day, we had a delicious meal a Red Robin! Having family come into town is already a treat and luckily my sister is completing her nursing preceptorship in Omaha at my old stomping grounds, The Nebraska Medical Center. Kyle and her came down Monday night through Thursday so we Alex and I helped Meg celebrate her 22nd Birthday. Here are some pictures from that fun filled week! 

Drinks and Dinner at The Homy Inn 

Her Favorite! 

Kyle and Kobe bonding 

Dinner at The Drover

Cheesecake with Julie and Linda 

And this past Sunday was spent with Kendra, Trent, Bailey, Josh and Harper for The Super Bowl. The game wasn't excited at all but spending time with my Best Friends is never disappointing! Harper was pretty chatty and such a cute little girl in her polka dot bow headband! Kendra as always was a great hostess and I ate too many of the white chocolate chip oatmeal cookies she baked! 

All Wrapped Up into One Day // Worship Wednesday

Today is a very significant day for multiple reasons. It's a hard day because I know that my best friend and her family are hurting. They went through something very difficult a year ago that is pretty shocking, yet when I see their resilience and faith, I am reminded that this doesn't have to be labeled as a "sad day". 

I can honestly say that Kendra has played a significant role in shaping my faith and her friendship has made an impact on not only my life here on Earth but in my Forever Home in Heaven. Wow, that's deep stuff...but it's the truth and it is what is on my heart today as I think of the heartbreak her family endured. So I think it is no coincidence that this day is also National See You at the Pole Day.

  

I have no doubt millions of people across the nation were praying not only for their school, classmates and teachers but also healing. Whether that be healing from sickness, loneliness or a broken heart. God can work wonders through prayer and it is powerful that today so many young people are joining together for one mission. A peaceful demonstration and positive gesture in this broken world reminds me of the song by Kari Jobe called 'We Are'. The song is an anthem for living like Christ and walking in your faith as an open example for others. 

Every secret, every shame
Every fear, every pain
Live inside the dark
But that's not who we are
We are children of the day

So wake up sleeper, lift your head
We were meant for more than this
Fight the shadows conquer death
Make the most of the time we have left

We are the light of the world
We are the city on a hill
We are the light of the world
We gotta, we gotta, we gotta let the light shine

We are the light of the world
We are the city on a hill
We are the light of the world
We gotta, we gotta, we gotta let the light shine
Let the light shine, let the light shine

We are called to the spread the news
Tell the world the simple truth
Jesus came to save, there's freedom in His Name
So let His love break through

We are the light of the world
We are the city on a hill
We are the light of the world
We gotta, we gotta, we gotta let the light shine

We are the light of the world
We are the city on a hill
We are the light of the world
We gotta, we gotta, we gotta let the light shine

High Five for Friday

Excited for the weekend?! How about ECSTATIC? Because that is what I'm feeling right now! One night shift separates me from a fun filled weekend with my Whole Family at the Lakes in Okoboji. We haven't been all together with Alex included since Michael's graduation way back at the beginning of the summer so this is going to be such a blessing to have 3 days together! 

1 // Thursday Morning after work I prepped some Greek Chicken Gyros in the Crockpot and by the afternoon when the house smelled delicious and Alex was begging to have some to take to work. We were fighting over it and I had to make sure there was some left over for me to have for supper. Note to self...Make about 3 pounds at a time ;)

2 // Mike had is first week of classes at ISU and he is getting used to being in class sizes that are in the 300's rather than 20 student classes at MMC! I was lucky enough to get to chat to him on the phone and loved it because he always knows how to make me laugh. I told him to keep a look out for a girl that was on MTV's Catfish because she just started at ISU and I thought they could be friends ..haha! 

3 // Where's Kobe? He cracks me up and has become an expert fly killer and daytime "snuggler" while I'm sleeping 

4 // My bestie Kendra posted this picture and I asked her permission if I could share it because it gave me goosebumps right away. The caption read "The car I followed home from work..License plate, CJD DAD..Someone's initials? Someone who's dad was affected by CJD? A sign..? Pretty Crazy!" 

God sends us signs every day and if Kendra was too busy with the hustle and bustle of this world she may have missed this very special sign from The Lord. We are so blessed to have these little miracles from above that help us know the Lord is looking out for us and that everyday He is working to heal our heart :) 

For full details about her Dad's struggle with CJD you can read her blog and if you would like to know more about CJD visit this website 

5 // Finally after 1 week I was able to run. With this stubborn sinus infection and busy work schedule I had been lacking in the workout department so I was blessed to finally get some fresh air and listen to some great Pandora radio. I started to wonder if Pandora knew I was sick because these were the songs that came up...

I'm linking up with Lauren Elizabeth for this {High Five for Friday} 

Hope you all have a safe and fun Labor Day weekend! 

Happy Friday Everyone! {Link-Up}

I'm linking up today to share 5 random things with you!

[ONE] is the number of shifts I have before a 3 day weekend and I'm pretty excited! I was also excited last night when I got to work and was just starting to get report and found out that they had forgotten to mark someone down on patient assignments sheet and turns out I was free to go back home! Which makes for one very happy sleep deprived night nurse!

[TWO] The number of miles I ran today in this blazing sunny weather! Thank goodness there was a breeze! I rode my bike to the high school track that isn't too far from our house and then ran a couple miles before heading back home. I was tuckered out afterwards but it was a great workout! It doesn't help that my bike (free from my aunt) is just a tad small for me so it really gives my quads a workout.

[THREE] things I'm thankful for Prayer, My home and My job. I'm very thankful to be able to connect with God daily. We have a wonderful home that I am so glad Alex found while it was on the market. Something as simple as having a roof over your head makes you feel like a very blessed individual. And my occupation and job and the hospital and pregnancy center really are a big part of my character and I'm glad to have such a rewarding and stable career. 

[FOUR] It may be odd but I find myself saying little mantras in my head to get me through my workout.  Sometimes I say "just one more mile" or recite a bible verse like "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength" Other times I'm thinking of the individuals that can't run and making sure I get in a lap for them. But I recently found this on Pinterest and it is so true! 

[FIVE] Happy Early Father's Day!! I have the best dad in the world and even though I won't get to spend father's day with him I will probably me spending it with my new Father-in-Law and then next weekend seeing my dad! I got him an awesome gift so I'm excited to see his face when he opens it! My dad has been my strength during times of depression in my life and is always there when I call! During planning for my wedding I really appreciated all the effort he put into making things just right! He was like my fill in wedding planner ;) From the music to making steps for the wedding aisle (which he called an alley-way..haha) he just out does himself again and again! When I had my bachelorette party last August I was worried about the little details and he said to me "Don't worry about a thing, everything will be taken care of and you will have a great time!" He drove my bridesmaids and I on the boat and picked us up from the bar in the pouring rain! 

P.S. I will be thinking of my Dear Friend Kendra this Sunday as it is the first Father's Day without her Daddy. His life on this earth was far too short and I can't even begin to imagine the pain she is going through every day! If you are a praying person please say an extra prayer for her and her family! 

New Twist on an Old Favorite!

Hop on over to my updated #SRT page. The devotional this month is over 1st Peter and is really great!!

"When we submit to another out of reverence to Christ, we replicate (faint though it may be) the very submission of Christ on the cross—the very heart of the gospel.” -Nate Shurden

Learn how to make it!!

Also Check out the detailed tutorial for this DIY Cakestand
 

Last night Jack came over to watch the 2nd half of the finals game with Alex and I made a "remixed" version of my stuffed shells recipe. Since stuffing those jumbo shells is such a chore and takes way too long, I decided to just get the lasagna noodles and roll up the mixture which is MUCH faster. I also added zucchini to my half of the recipe because Alex is too picky of an eater and I didn't want to chance it by making his half healthy too! (Heaven forbid!) So here is a step by step recap of the recipe.

I used ground chicken breast (a discovery I just made about 6 months ago) because it is quicker and the chicken gets diced up pretty small. Then boiled the noodles for 8 minutes so they were still pretty sturdy. Combines the pound of chicken breast, 3/4 container of cottage cheese (this is what makes it so yummy), 1/2 package of shredded cheese and then 1/2 a zucchini. I was going to add spinach but decided against it.

Then I laid the noodles on wax paper and spread the mixture on the noodles (just takes a thin layer because other wise it will spill out) and roll the noodles. Place the noodles in a 9x13 pan that had a thin coat of marinara sauce on the bottom. Once you have all the noodles in place you can put more shredded cheese on and then the remaining sauce from the jar. Cover with tinfoil and bake at 400 degrees for 45 minutes. Enjoy!

 

Unfortunately I only alloted myself one stinkin' roll because of my low carb diet. Just one of those lasagna noodles has 20 grams of carbs!!! This is Alex's favorite dinner and I can always tell because the next day he takes the WHOLE container of leftovers to work and I never see them come back.



Last saturday I picked up my NEW glasses and was pretty excited to wear them that night for Kendra's party! I got some compliments on them and even got bored at work and took the opportunity to take some nerdy pics.

 

 

Strong lil buggers!!

Kendra's party was a lot of fun. Even though it was mostly family that was there I was still excited to see her family and Trent's family. We had brats and burger, taco dip (my favorite!), oreo fluff, corn/macaroni casserole (Kendra's mom's specialty) and cake! Trent's grandmother was hilarious because she even had a Budlight Lime-A-Rita and was convinced the 8% alcohol in the tiny 8 ounces was going to put her to sleep! It was pretty strong but really tasty mixed with ice and lemonade :)

 

After Kendra's I weathered the rain and went over to Eric and Lauren's block party. They had a firepit going and it was a relaxing time! Debbie and I talked about and started planning our family vacation hopefully in Okoboji in July which will be a nice 3 day vacation with the kids!

Oh how I miss the Lakes!! This is Arnold's park all lit up with the Oldest wooden roller coaster in Iowa.