2011 began with me graduating from nursing school and starting my first job as an RN. I started with Legacy Healthcare as an on call Hospice and Home Health nurse. I can't think of a job that would fit more under the category of "baptism by fire" as a fresh nurse. I LOVED IT!!! I learned so much about caring for people, nursing skills and most importantly confidence in myself as a nurse. I finally learned (as my WONDERFUL nursing instructor Maureen had been trying to tell me for nearly a year) that I AM a nurse!! As the year went on I started case managing Home Health patients for Legacy and found that I kinda liked this change of pace. My heart is with Hospice, but sometimes you need a break from work that is that heavy all the time...............
Next up with 2011 came the most exciting day for our little family: We bought our first home!!!! This had been a dream for Justin and I for years, but we didn't want to rush into it and end up making a huge mistake. It has been one of the hardest journeys I think we will ever face as a couple. Looking back, I can see we made PLENTY of mistakes, but in the end, we ended up with the most amazingly perfect house for our family. We moved to South Willard and it has been AMAZING to say the least. We are blessed with amazing neighbors, great friends, views of the lake and the mountains, fruit stands around every corner and a glorious "slowed down" feeling to life. I LOVE IT HERE!!!
With moving came a big change for me on the job front. I left Legacy Healthcare, a company I had been with for over 4 years. This was one of the most emotional transitions for me. Legacy had become family to me. It was so hard to make this decision, but after lots and lots and lots of soul searching, I realized it was the right decision. I miss them DAILY still, but know that it was the best thing for me and my family. I started in Brigham City with Alpine Homecare. I had no idea I could find another homecare family....but I have. I have made the most amazing friends with this transition, ones that I hope I will have forever. We have WAY too much fun together. We are all so different, coming from different backgrounds, having different faiths, different lifestyles and it just doesn't matter, we love each other and love to hang out! Its so nice!
Aspen started preschool in Perry at The Peak. She has school 3 days/week and has tumbling and cheer as well. The Peak has been awesome! Aspen has learned so much and is such an amazing little tumbler. She also started soccer this year....the jury is still out on that one :).
Another HUGE happening for us this year included adding a new member to our family: Bear. Bear was definatly meant to be with our family, we have no idea how we lived without him. We bought bear after going through a heartwrenching miscarriage and he filled a spot that was so empty in our hearts. We love him and he is a huge (no pun intended) part of our family!! I now know why people say after owning a Newfie, you will never own another breed. I know I never will. :)
Other amazing happenings this year include an awesome family vacation to Disneyland (separate post to follow), my lil sister got married and Zack Emal became a part of our family, Aspen made friends with 4 lil girls that have become members of our family as well, this group of 5 is INSEPERABLE!!! I know there are so many things I am forgetting!!
Such a huge year for us, with so many transitions. Justin and I were laying in bed, 2 nights ago, talking about how all of this (our life) is even better than what we had dreamed. We discussed how we spent so many nights laying in bed, saying to each other, "Don't worry, just a little bit longer, or a little more hard work and it will all be better......we will get there, chin up!!" Now we are there, and just as we had promised each other, we are NEVER going to take it for granted.
A year in review in pics:
