An Update

Stefani...

...is working at the Reproductive Care Center and loving it

...is frantically trying to put together our new apartment

...is feeling the "domino effect" after re-doing our bathroom

...has started a new routine of watching Harry Potter after work while studying up on infertility

...is almost finished with her Bachelor's degree

...plans to celebrate graduation by heading to Barnes and Noble and purchasing her very own copies of the Harry Potter books (and then read them all this summer)

...is feeling puppy hungry   

Braedon...

...is always studying

...has completed his volunteer work for U-fit on Friday nights (Stefani is really happy to resume the regular Friday night Date Night schedule)

...has been working in the genetics lab at the U and studying obesity

...is going to continue volunteering for the program "Running Forward" as the site leader

...is running his own Window Washing business, tutoring company, and working for a Marketing company 

...plays his guitar almost every night and serenades Stefani to sleep  

...still keeps up on talk radio and could tell you about almost every (good) video on youtube 

...is not feeling puppy hungry  (plus our apartment doesn't allow it. boo)

Braedon and Stefani...

...are addicted to Prison Break on Netflix

...are feeling sad that we have to be grownups this summer (Stefani is working full time and Braedon is preparing for the MCAT)

...are considering enrolling in some type of couples dance course- salsa, hip-hop, tango- we'll see

...are still having weekly date nights, arguing every once in a while, and are still in love.  

I'm A Nurse: Terminal Illnesses

I have to admit, this post is a little less on the lighter side than my first "I'm A Nurse" entry.  But hey, I never said nursing was perfect!  Lately, this has been on my mind....

What it's like to care for a child with a terminal illness...

*By the way, I'd like to first just recognize the parents of these children.  They provide so much more than us nurses, and are truly heroes in my eyes.

1. You get to forge a unique relationship, one that can't really be explained
2. Many moments become a, "this could be the last", so naturally, you make the most of them.  You allow your patient to eat dessert first, and push aside the veggies- even though you're the nurse and should probably be a better example
3. You do weird dance moves, have thumb wars (even if your patient is supposed to be doing something else, like listening to their teacher), and you try your best to keep the mood light 
4. On that same note, you acknowledge the hard moments and give your patient time to relax.  You don't rush them through therapy, and you cry when they cry
5. You try to give them as many options as possible and let them be the "boss", because they rarely get to choose
6. Your job stops feeling like work
7. You worry about your patient when your not with them 
8.  You cry.  Sometimes you cry when you don't expect to.  
9. You learn to be gentle, to be loving, to be patient, and to not take yourself so seriously
10. You become and expert in whatever hobbies or interests your patient has.  Be it Justin Bieber, NBA basketball stars, or boxing matches
11. You put up with listening to Justin Bieber over and over, just so your patient can memorize the rapping part in "Baby"
12. You cheer when they rap said part perfectly for the first time and have a mini dance party during therapy
13. You think twice about what you'd want to be remembered for
14. You realize your life is easy
15. You find out that there is a place in your heart you never knew you had- you realize this child helped you more than you could ever help them, and that something as simple as a healthy body is a beautiful blessing  
16. You find a new meaning for the resurrection, and look forward to the day you can witness these crippled bodies run, jump, and play
17. You thank Heavenly Father for allowing your life to be changed by such a beautiful spirit  

Marriage Pet Peeves

Moral of the story: we're not perfect. 

Braedon's pet peeve: 

//when I forget to squeegee the shower//

(happens a lot...)

My pet peeve:

//towels thrown over the shower, unfolded//

(just one fold vertically would suffice)

But you know what?  I still love him.  A lot. 

"It is so rewarding to be married.  Marriage is wonderful.  In time you begin to think alike and have the same ideas and impressions.  You have times when you are extremely happy, times of testing, and times of trial, but the Lord guides you through all of those growth experiences together" -Elder Richard G. Scott from the General Conference talk, "The Eternal Blessings of Marriage"

One of my favorite conference talks on marriage.  Listen to it, and grab some tissues!

Click here to watch the video