January Update

Wow...I even fail at keeping this a monthly update blog! My apologies. I sometimes think that I should write another post, but honestly- it doesn't cross my mind too much. I frankly don't have the time to be a daily poster nor do I have the exciting adventures to warrant such frequency. Even when it's been almost two months, I don't feel I have too much to share.

As proven by this blog, it has been a long time since I last wrote. Cole and I did move into that little house in Burley and we are loving every single minute of it. We are loving our ward and received new callings this past week. Cole is the new Gospel Doctrine teacher and everyone has already gushed to me how excited they are to have him. Natural born teacher that husband of mine. And I was called to be the Sunday School teacher for the 14 and 15 year olds- they aren't responding to candy which is my go-to technique. I'm in trouble!

I have started my clinical work in Twin Falls- so I drive 45 minutes every Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. I'm up at 6:30 and for those that know me even a little, know that I am not a morning person. But I'm getting better. Shocked? Of course you are...so is my husband!

It's a daunting profession I've chosen but I love it more and more every day and I love being in a hospital. Most people think it's easy, that you just set the probe on someone's belly and take pictures. I can assure you it is a million times more complicated than that. But I'm getting better and understanding more and learning to love learning. It gets hard because I want it to be a year from now, working in my field and making money. But right now, I'm proud of the fact that I'm doing what I've always wanted to do.

Cole is still subbing mostly at the highschool and some at the junior high. He is busy nearly everyday. I think he misses being the actual teacher but he enjoys being with the kids. We are avid Burley basketball attendees...which Cole loves! And he'll also be coaching track and field in the spring.

See, we really aren't too exciting. Busy, per usual and living the dream in the thriving metropolis that is Burley, Idaho.

XOXO,
Jamie

November

It appears this blog has become more of a monthly update than a regular occurance!

Meh- oh well! Life is busy, right?

RIGHT!

Well, Cole and I have just barely....as in today...signed a lease for a little house in Burley! WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!
I mean... its alright... I guess.

But seriously- we're SO SO SO SO SO SO excited! It's a little bitty thing. One bedroom is all- who knew such tiny houses even existed? And who even knows if all our crap will fit!

We, however, are confident...ish.
And what we lack in confidence- we make up for in enthusiasm...so yes- all our junk WILL fit!

How dare you doubt us?

That handsome husband of mine has been substituting this week. He comes home with the most random, hillarious stories from these tweens who just love him. Apparently, one little tyke of a kid gushed to his substitute teacher about how he wanted to write romance novels that weren't just romance- but had action and mystery too. His theory.......that his mother had read romance novels when she was pregnant with him- so naturally he wanted to write them. Completely logical in his little 6th grade mind!

I'm not sure how Cole kept a straight face with that one- he couldn't when he was telling me about it!

I have been busy as ever with ultrasound school. Projects, image labeling, observation hours, lab time, book work, and exams have pretty much dominated my life these past few months.

I've taken 32 exams this semester. 32! And I'm not even done- I have probably 10 or 11 more before the semester ends.

That sounds like they're dinky little tests but I can assure you they are not! Every single one of those takes between 2 and 3 hours to study for- some take more...like all day!

But I am looking forward to finishing these classes. Abdominal sonography, imaging pathophysiology, superficial structures, sectional anatomy, and patient care and assesment- not quite picnic classes.

On the bright side- It's nearly Thanksgiving....I LOVE Thanksgiving. Stuffing, Turkey, Dinner rolls, and pumpkin pie...I could live off it!

And I'll be done with classes on December 2nd and then I have an entire month break!

HOLLA!!

And I'm really excited to start my clinicals at the hospital in Twin Falls in January....I get to wear scrubs----TURQUOISE scrubs! Okay, they're called Carribean Blue- but basically they're turquoise!

That's the designated color for the ultrasound department!The whole hospital is color-coded! Oh, how I love it there!

Other than that- about the only thing we do is go to church. We're primary teachers- team teachers- which, by the way, I'm convinced is the greatest calling.

A bag full of tootsie rolls...easy peasy! This Sunday is the primary program. I love those kids! They're all yellers so I love it when they sing the songs!

Well that's the crazy and ever exciting life with the Nelson's!

FALL!!!

Per usual...it is after midnight when I decide it would be a good time to blog.
(which I am obviously so incredible at since it's a rare occassion that I do it!)

Cole and I made the journey to the thriving metropolis that is Burley, Idaho today. That 40 minute drive was gorgeous! Don't believe me? Come Visit!

Seriously...COME VISIT!!!

But it definatelyreminded me why fall is definately my favorite time of year! Here are some of my favorite things about fall!

I love that burned copper orange color.
I love hot chocolate and home-made biscotti.
I love fall tv shows.
I love snuggling up with a blanket...and the hubs. (I love this year round actually!)
I love love LOVE Halloween...it's my all time favorite holiday.
I love trick-or-treaters.
I love breaking out my long sleeved shirts and jackets.
I love everything with pumpkin...cookies, pie, DQ blizzards.

Cole and I are still planning to move to Burley, but the place we're planning to move into keeps getting delayed. Originally, September 1st. Then October 1st. Now they told us November 1st.

Patience is not my strong suit!

But someday...ahhhhh someday....we'll be in our own place again. Poor Cole- I am a terrible housekeeper in a tiny place. You know- even when everything is put away- it's still messy! Discouraging since there's nothing better than a clean place!

Thats how it is moving into your husband's high school bedroom. I DO NOT recommend it!
Good thing I love him or something!

Restless Nights!

Do you ever have one of those restless nights when you just CANNOT sleep? Like you can feel the hours ticking away while you're staring at the ceiling wondering if that commercial for restless leg syndrome is reality and if you need a perscription? Or you can't tell if its been 30 minutes or 2 hours because you can't squint hard enough to see the time- sadly, I'm THAT blind without contacts!

Yeah...it's one of those nights!

Even my ever-trusted Mulan that can nearly always lull me to sleep has failed.

More than likely it's because I've been terribly sick for the past week and I've totally thrown off my sleeping schedule due to somehow having two completely separate colds this week. One for three miserable days simultaneously with the husband. And then we both got better and a day later I was sick again. Priceless.

Meh- What can you do?

Sleep!!! That's always my answer!

Until I can't....Which is now!

Blast!

So...here I am at 1 am watching PSYCH and thinking back on how a year ago today, I was taking my Father to the emergency room for a propane explosion. My dad...totally awesome man that he is....is a little bit accident prone. You don't believe me? He's broken his right leg four times, has broken ribs, cut off part of his finger, gotten blood poisoning, and burned himself and all of those happened either at his work or because of his cows.

And I- his only daughter- am either always in the right place at the right time OR I'm bad luck! But either way, his little medical emergencies always bring us closer- even if he is on percoset! So today, he's been on my mind a lot.

My dad is most definately my hero. His quiet intelligence is almost always overlooked because of his strong cowboy persona but his humility and kindness could never be mistaken. People respect him, love him, and his friends would do anything for him. He graduated in microbiology but he's a butcher and I love that. He always wanted to be a Veterinarian, and boy would he have been a fantastic one! He loves his cows and he taught us as his children how to work hard and to love ranch life. He got that love of ranching from his Father, Walter. And his greatest decision was my sweet mother, Diane. And the thing I love most about him is his testimony- I love to hear him talk about spiritual things because he has the most incredible perspective!

Not only that, but he has always been so supportive. He believed I could do or be anything, even when I didn't. He told me I was smart and was always there to help me with my math and science homework- usually relating the concept to ranching and cows- I told you he loves it- and whats worse is I adore hearing him talk about his cows!

When I left for college, it was his voice telling me "You will always be my only daughter, make me proud!" In a tone that said I could never disappoint him. My name is because I am a part of him and my firstborn son- however far in the future that may be- will be named for him! And it was him that I turned to in times of crisis and heartache, and later I realized why. His quiet nature is what calmed me down. It was my complete opposite. And it was that quality that made me realize my Cole was my perfect companion.

Ok...you get it...I love my Dad! And I'm pretty sentimental about the fact that a year ago I realized he was not invincible. But I like to believe he is!

XOXO,

Jamie

Missing In Action

Woof! It's been a long time since I've last blogged!!!

I have been MIA these past few months due to my handsome cowboy of a husband moving me to Elba...which- until only recently- had no internet! Heaven bless us!

Let me tell you something...you honestly don't realize how convenient the internet really is until you don't have it!

BUT we have been busy.

Rephrase...COLE has been busy!

Taking the cows out on the forest, putting up the hay, watering the fields, repairing fences etc.

I -on the other hand- have been sleeping til noon! Yes yes, my schedule is PACKED!

Alas, it lasts only a short time! Because I will be starting school again August 22nd. Which gives me mixed feelings.

A. ugh....I seriously JUST graduated! Why am I going back?

and

B. Ummmmm....it's ultrasound and kinda like a life dream or something...no big deal

So I had orientation for my program in Ogden this week.

Greatest EVER! I am so very very very excited.

Here's the deal. BYU was awesome and I'm glad I did my undergrad there. But from day 1, I accepted the fact that I was definately not going to be competing with everyone for the A's. I was just not as smart as many of the other students nor was I willing to devote my entire life to studying. I was still a good student...but I still had social skills. It's kinda a give and take at BYU... usually.

But the professors of my medical sonography program think I'm a genius since I already have a bachelors degree and a pretty good basic knowledge of ultrasound. Here's the difference between my classes at BYU and Weber state.

BYU

Student: "Professor, I think everyone scored too high on the last test. The TA gave too good of a review. The next test needs to be harder to reflect our knowledge of the subject matter."

Implication: I'm smarter than everyone else and they need to know it!

Weber State Ultrasound Program

Professor: "Ultrasound is made up of high frequency soundwaves"

Student: "WHAT!?! How does that even work?"

Implication: How the heck did they even get in the program!

I am SO excited to feel like I'm on the high end of the curve for once! But mostly I am just so excited to finally be starting ultrasound. It's been nearly ten years since I first discovered ultrasound and completely fell in love with it...even though it was done on cows when I first found out about it! And I can't believe- after waiting for so long- that I finally get the chance to do it.

Life is good. I have an amazing husband...he's the greatest! I love him a lot! AND I get to pursue my dream of a career. Best of both worlds!

Xoxo,

Jamie

Life has been just crazy as ever. Cole and I came back from our trip in Florida- a chaotic trip which resulted in an emergency landing back in Salt Lake, spending the night in the airport, lost luggage, and coming home to a broken back window in our car....someone had thrown a garden knome through our window- yes... a garden knome! Classic.

But- we had a great time in Florida, got to see my big brother and his sweet wife for a little bit and we enjoyed Disney World to the fullest. Here are some pics!





Magic Kingdom

Epcot

One of our fave rides. Cole started lots of Jimmer talk around Disney World.

And yes...I got to meet Meeko. Pocahontas is the greatest...right Kaylee?

And here we are at the Daytona Race Track...that's and hour and a half long tour I wont ever get back! :)

But look at how happy my Cole is at the start finish line. Oh NASCAR!

Daytona Beach!!! Corina...here's a foot pic just for you!! ;-)

Oh Yeah...and then we graduated from college...WOOOO! Yeah- we're educated! BYU says so!

Now Cole is at Lagoon with his junior high kids and I'm packing because we're moving...THIS WEEKEND!!! Here we come Idaho!

XOXO

Soon-to-be Real Housewife of Cassia County, Idaho!

Final Finals!

Well...I still haven't had time to post about our Florida trip....and boy is there something to talk about with that trip. That will have to be another time when I have time to post the pictures.

On an exciting note....I just finished my last...yes my LAST final ever at BYU!

Wooooo! Greatest feeling! I dont ever have to go up on campus again!

BYU has been a great school and I'm so grateful for the education that I've had the chance to get at this school and the spiritual aspects of the Gospel and how its incorporated in to the classes. And I also met my husband at BYU- so thats definately a bonus.

It's been great but its wonderful to be done!

My parents are coming into town tomorrow because we graduate on Friday! My poor parents- we've really run them around last year for weddings and this year for graduations and such. Their real troopers! And I'm really excited to see them!

XOXO,

BYU Grad