A Belated Congratulations

This is something that should have been posted pretty soon after it happened.  On December 17th, Scott graduated with his associates in nursing.  He is now a Registered Nurse (R.N.)!!  He didn't attend the graduation ceremony for a variety of reasons, but I did throw him a party with our family.  All my siblings and my mom were available to come and Scott's sister, husband and kids showed up as well.  It was great to have so much family together showing their support.  We had delicious panini sandwiches for lunch and played some games.  It was a good time and I hope Scott felt that his graduation was recognized.  I wish I had taken pictures, but I was too busy trying to be the host for the party.  Oh well.

(Sorry for the bad pictures...I was in a hurry to take them)

Scott has not received his nursing license yet, but once he does then he will officially be a R.N.

 (This next bit is a little long and really for my own personal "journal".) 

All the way back in October (maybe September), Scott started applying for jobs left and right.  He was talking to every one he could in the hospital trying to find out what he can do to help him get a job.  He didn't start getting interviews until December, but when he did it sure felt like he was getting one after another.  We were feeling so blessed that he was receiving these opportunities.  Scott was so ready to start working as a nurse.  Looking for jobs is such a roller coaster ride.  You get so excited when you get an interview and then feel so disappointed when you don't get it....and then it starts all over again with the next interview.  I can't speak for my husband, but I know that I felt this every time he got an e-mail saying that they went with another candidate.  I kept thinking, "what went wrong?  You said that the interview went great!  You said that they were impressed with you and your answers and your knowledge.  How could they not pick you?"

It wasn't until Scott was offered the job he has now that I realized that Heavenly Father knows what's best for us.  Sure, any of the other jobs Scott interviewed for would have been fine, but this job seems so perfect for him!  Scott is a R.N. in the float pool circuit around the Salt Lake Valley.  This means that he will go to whatever hospital is in need on whatever floor.  He is so excited because he will be getting experience in all areas instead of just one.  It is a great opportunity for him to really figure out what floor he likes working on.

The job is full-time, but his shifts are 12-hour shifts, meaning that he will only be working three nights a week.  I am glad that the time that he will be gone at night is the same as it is now instead of increasing.  I'm not sure I could handle more, especially whenever we decide to start a family.  Another plus is that he will work up in Salt Lake.  We live about 40 minutes south and the school I teach at is up in Salt Lake also.  We are planning on moving once our contract is up in August and it will be so nice not to have to commute every day.

We are so excited for this new journey in our lives and can't wait to see how it goes.  Congratulations, my husband, all your hard work, time and effort have paid off and I am so proud of you!  I love you!

Zupa's Wiconsin Cauliflower Soup

I love being able to find out how to make things from restaurants.  It is just so much cheaper to make things at home instead of going out to eat.  Last night, I decided to make a recipe for Zupa's Wisconsin Cauliflower Soup.  I got the link for the recipe from a friend on Facebook and I'm glad I decided to try it out.  It was so delicious!  The only thing missing from our Zupa's meal was a chocolate covered strawberry.  It was a very easy meal and didn't take a lot of effort.  It was perfect for a cold, snowy evening.

Wisconsin Cauliflower Soup

2 tablespoon butter or margarine
1 medium onion, chopped
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups milk
1 1/2 cups water
1 can (13 3/4 to 14 1/2 ounces) chicken broth
1 head (2 1/2 pounds) cauliflower, cut into 1-inch chunks
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard (I just used normal mustard...you can't really even taste it)
1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
1 cup Colby Jack cheese, shredded

In a large saucepan, melt margarine or butter over medium heat. Add onion and cook until golden, about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Whisk in flour and salt. Gradually stir in milk, chicken broth, and water.

Add cauliflower and heat to boiling over high heat. Reduce heat to low; cover and simmer until cauliflower is tender, about 15 minutes. In blender, blend cauliflower mixture at low speed in small batches until very smooth. 

Return cauliflower mixture to saucepan; heat over medium heat until hot, stirring occasionally. Remove saucepan from heat; stir in mustard and 1 1/2 cups cheese until melted and smooth. Serve soup with remaining cheese as a garnish.  Add bacon if wanted as well.
(Recipe and picture from here.)

 For a dessert, I made these yummy cookies.  Just take a basic chocolate chip cookie recipe (it can be any of your choice) and add cut up Reese's peanut butter cups and Rolo candies into the dough.  Bake as normal and enjoy!! They were pretty tasty, if I do say so myself.

 

Kansas City Temple

It is weird to think that Missouri is not really my home anymore.  I have not lived there for the past 3 years and I doubt that when Scott and I start a family, we will end up back there.  It is not that I hate it; it just seems like it is a place that is now part of my past instead of my present and future.  The last time I visited was when Scott and I had our reception for our wedding (August 2010).  I do miss it and I love any chance I can get to read stuff about my hometown (Liberty) and cheer on my hometown sports teams (Go Royals and Chiefs!).  One thing that I just read about was the Kansas City Temple Open House dates.

The closest temple to go to when I was growing up was the St. Louis Temple, which was about 4 hours away.  Once the Nauvoo  Temple was rebuilt, we started to go to that one, but it was still a drive to get there.  This Kansas City Temple is just so exciting!!  From pictures and what I've read, the temple is built about 10 minutes away from where my old house was.  I sometimes secretly wish I was still living in Missouri, so that I could participate in this temple that's been a long time coming for the people of Kansas City.  The open house dates are from April 7th-April 21st.  I love going to temple open houses just because it is fun to be able to see a lot of the temple at once, plus it is a great missionary opportunity.

It is crazy to probably think this is possible, but I have my spring break from teaching the week of April 16th...meaning, that I could go out to Missouri and be able to attend the open house of the temple, in a place that is dear to my heart. (If you're really thinking about going Rebecca, I'll tag along!)  It is probably wishful thinking, but either way, I hope to be able to visit it someday!

I just love the fact that Temples are being built in places where it was never thought possible.  It just makes it more real that the gospel really is being spread to all ends of the Earth. 

Slacking...

I have been slacking in posting on the blog.  It seems that I just haven't wanted to post anything, but I know that I should and would probably regret if I don't.  So, let's do a catch-up from Christmas.

New Years Eve was a fun time.  Scott and I went over to Andrew and Rebecca's (bro and sis-in-law) for a party.  Lots of cheering, noise making and balloon popping at midnight.

Scott labeled our cups for us.

Pretty quickly after New Years Eve, Scott started to get this pretty bad cough that would keep him up at night.  We bought some medicine from the store, but after a week and the cough had still not gone away, Scott decided to go to the doctor.  The doctor said that it he probably has bronchitis, so we are hoping that he gets better soon!

A semester of school just got finished for me, so I had Friday off (teachers need a break from all that grading) and I have Monday off (holiday)!  I am a little anxious about this new semester, but it is nice that it will be a fresh start.  I just hope these kids are as good as the last ones! (I complained a little, but in all honesty, they were pretty great).

As a surprise, Scott's Uncle Robert (who he was named after) passed away just recently.  Scott's Aunt Helen passed away right before Thanksgiving, so back up his parents come for another funeral.  We went to the viewing and everybody was saying that they weren't expecting to see each other so quickly.  I actually think it's quite cute when spouses pass away soon after one another.   As always, it has been nice to see and chat with the in-laws. 

On Saturday (the 14th), I went to take the Praxis test again.  I had failed the first one by 3 points (most likely because of the essay portion), meaning that I needed to take it again.  My motivation to study was a little less than last time, but I forced myself to study again.  I feel pretty good about it and I will find out in 4 weeks if I have to take it again or if I am done taking those hard, expensive tests.

In other, very exciting news, my sister Brianna has gotten engaged!  Her and Kyle are great together and it will be exciting to be able to help with a wedding that's not mine.  I am glad that all the planning, stress and money are something I don't have to worry about.  I just get to help out on the fun stuff, like wedding dress shopping!  Congratulations sister and thanks for the road trip to San Diego! (They have chosen to get married in the San Diego Temple).

I think Kyle will fit right in. :)

Excited to visit this beautiful place again!

As I was talking to my sister-in-law, Rebecca the other day, we were both realizing how many activities will be going on and how quickly they will be happening.  I just hope I can keep up on blogging, so I don't have to do another catch-up post.