tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35106537568968734182024-03-05T07:35:47.223-05:00Simply MeMeganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18186540141423294351noreply@blogger.comBlogger286125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3510653756896873418.post-56837022214337081342017-01-24T23:29:00.001-05:002017-01-24T23:29:06.585-05:00Ollie Girl at 2 Months! Ollie girl is two months old today! Just in the last week she has changed SO much and has become so much more interactive. I just love being her mom and I cannot believe how fast she is changing and growing. Last week I went back to school to finish up my last semester, and Ollie has been pretty flexible with our crazy schedules. It hasn't been fun leaving my little sidekick behind, but it's definitely easier knowing that she's either with my mom (and quite a few over-loving uncles) or with her dad.<br />
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We tried to take her "2-Month" Photo--well, we already forgot to do 1-month. Then Nate took all the photos and we realized we forgot the stupid sticker. By the time we remembered, she was maxed out and fell asleep two seconds after this picture. Maybe the 3-month picture will turn out how we plan :)</div>
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Right now I'd define her as pretty much a grump still. She doesn't scowl quite as much as she did the first month of her little life. She relaxes her face more, and has started to smile at us. She and I have little conversations all day long, too. She LOVES to look at all the light fixtures on the ceilings, and she has started to notice the television. Sometimes we watch Moana music videos on YouTube, which she loves. She sleeps on her tummy, back, sides--pretty much any way--and sleeps about 4-5 hours at a time at night. She definitely recognizes Nathan and I, which is such a neat feeling. We love our girl, can't believe how fast time is flying, and yet are so excited to keep watching her grow!<br />
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Ollie loves her dad! This is one of my favorite pictures--the two hands wrapped around his fingers! </div>
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Ollie has been to a few of Grandpa's college classes. She is the smartest one in class. </div>
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She still doesn't like her carseat. The car has to moving for her to calm down, and as soon as you put her carseat down, she wakes up! </div>
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She loves to sleep on her daddy! </div>
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And she loves to eat with her momma. I really do love breastfeeding her. </div>
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She loves her sleep, hates for it to be interrupted, and can fall asleep pretty much anywhere still. When she wakes up, she goes through a ridiculous, dramatic routine of grunts and stretches and cries. </div>
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She slowly started to smile at us! It went from this above... </div>
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...to this! Just this morning I had her smiling at me a ton before I left for school. She must've known I needed a few smiles to get me through the day. </div>
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Her favorite place to sleep is mom and dad's bed. She sleeps right in the middle/all over her dad's side. Mostly this is mom's fault. She actually sleeps in the bassinet pretty well sometimes, but sometimes I'm just to tired to deal with the hassle. </div>
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Love her big, alert eyes. </div>
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And last, Rohan is starting to enjoy her just a little bit more each day. I think they will be pretty good playmates soon enough. </div>
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Oh man we sure love our girl. We're excited about how much she's growing and developing, excited to see her personality start to show, and we can't believe she's not our little newborn anymore. </div>
Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18186540141423294351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3510653756896873418.post-66502000952717770672016-11-24T18:56:00.000-05:002017-01-01T23:32:18.767-05:00Ollie's Birth StoryFor Thanksgiving this year, we welcomed little Ollie Mae Pham into the world. Every day I feel like time is flying by too quickly and pretty soon she's going to be five feet tall and leaving home. But, we're definitely enjoying her snuggly newborn phase, and most of all we are just glad that she is here. Nathan and I keep saying how lucky and glad we are that she is <i>ours. </i>I've been around a lot of babies, and cared for so many newborns and babies, but it is just so much different and so much better now that it's <i>mine.</i><br />
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Ollie's due date was December 2nd, but all throughout our pregnancy we've said that ideally, she would be born the week of Thanksgiving. By then, most of my school stuff for the semester would be over, Nathan's work would be in a pretty good place for him to go out for a week, and there would be a lot of family in town already because of the holiday. Also, Rachel would be home from the Coast Guard, and Suzanne would be here before her and her new husband left for another work trip. So, we were hoping for a Thanksgiving baby, and getting excited about the fact that she could arrive any day.<br />
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I went to the doctor on Thursday the 17th, and my doctor asked me if I wanted her to strip my membranes to maybe kick-start labor. As tempting as it was (because we <i>really</i> wanted to meet this little girl), I said no. To which she said that if I wanted her too, she could do it at the next appointment, which was Tuesday the 22nd. Nathan and I decided we would go ahead and try it. That afternoon arrived, we went to the office, and my doctor checked me and stripped my membranes. I was about 1 cm dilated, and 60% effaced. I'd been sitting like that for two weeks now, nothing had changed.<br />
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After that, Nathan and I went to grab an early dinner together at an Italian Deli nearby, and then went over to walk around. We walked around for an hour and a half there, mostly just window shopping. Nathan was on the hunt for a frilly baby girl Christmas dress, which we ended up finding. We bought that, and headed home. Occasionally as we were walking, I would notice that my belly would tighten up, and got excited as I thought these were probably early little contractions.<br />
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We got home and by the time I hoped in bed, my belly wasn't getting tight very much anymore, so I told Nathan I was going to go take the dog out for a walk. It was only 30 degrees and dark outside, and Nathan didn't want me going alone. So all three of us bundled up, and walked as quickly as we could around the neighborhood for 45 minutes, and my belly started getting hard and a little crampy, and a lot more often. This was my first baby, though, so I was still unsure if these were real contractions, or Braxton Hicks, or just cramps. But even after we finished walking, they stayed pretty constant, and were getting just a little bit uncomfortable. Still very tolerable, though. Sometime around midnight I started timing them just to see how often they were coming, and they were about every 5-6 minutes. At this point both Nathan and I were pretty hopeful that we would be having a baby sometime in the next few days.<br />
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Throughout the night, the little crampy/belly tightening contractions kept coming, and I was having a good amount of bloody show and discharge. I was sure there were some changes going on and that this was all early labor, and I was pretty excited. At one point I was pretty uncomfortable, and left the room to lay on the couch so I wouldn't wake Nathan up. I couldn't sleep very well, though, and neither could he. We dozed in and out, and about 8:30 the next morning we decided we would go to the hospital.<br />
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Suzanne had driven through the night from Blacksburg to be here just in case a little baby would be arriving. So she took a picture of Nathan and I before we left, and off we went. We got to L&D, and were triaged. As I was lying on the bed, I noticed things had slowed down a little bit, and I wasn't really sure why. We walked around outside for an hour, still no real changes. When I was checked, I was still only 1 cm dilated, which was pretty frustrating, because the crampiness/contractions were only getting more uncomfortable. And I had so much bloody show and everything, that I was sure things were changing. But, in the end we were sent home, which I was glad about. If nothing was really happening, I just wanted to be home and in my own space.<br />
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Our last belly shots from this pregnancy: 38 weeks and 5 days</div>
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On the way home I asked Nathan to go buy me a slurpee--it was pretty much all I could even imagine being able to stomach. We got home, and I was still having the crampy/belly hardening things going on. But, at this point I wasn't even sure what they were. I thought they were early contractions, but nothing really was showing on the monitors at the hospital. So maybe they were just cramps from having my membranes stripped? Regardless, I took my orange slurpee, and I crawled into my bed. I was able to sleep for about forty five minutes before I woke up from a <i>very</i> painful crampy feeling. Then, the next five hours I pretty much fought against these cramp things. They really picked up and got very painful. I tried laying in the warm bathtub, which didn't really help. I clung onto Nathan and just cried pretty much. I just kept telling him how I couldn't do this--how if I couldn't even handle stupid cramps there was no way I'd be able to push a baby into this world. I remember telling him I didn't want to have a baby anymore. He tried to comfort me and talk me through them, but I wasn't very consolable. I was nauseous, and hurting, and upset. As they got worse, and I got more dramatic, Nathan got more worried. About five pm, he took my phone and called my doctor, to which I angrily hung up the phone. I kept telling him that probably nothing was actually going on, just like the night before, and that the cramps we just had to deal with until they went away. And Nathan was getting frustrated with his stubborn wife.<br />
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Thankfully for both of us, my doctor called back pretty quickly, and asked what was going on. I told her that the cramps were still going on, and they were really bad, but that also with each cramp my belly would get hard, just like the night before. But, I still wasn't sure if these were actually contractions, because the night before I thought they were, and then nothing happened. About six pm, my doctor checked me, and I was 3 cm dilated, and she told me that those crampy feelings were contractions--she could feel my uterus contracting as my belly would get hard. She asked me if I wanted to keep laboring at home, or go in to the hospital to be admitted. Without a doubt, go to the hospital. I did <i>not</i> want to be at home any longer.<br />
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On the way to the hospital, the contractions and nausea were pretty bad. Nathan had to pull over, I jumped out and threw up. We got to the hospital, got admitted, and as soon as I could, I got some pain medicine. IV Fentanyl--instantly I felt the room spin a little bit, and the pain quickly decreased with each contraction. For about an hour, I was able to relax a little and doze off. I was also pretty dehydrated when we got to the hospital from not being able to eat anything, and from vomiting so much, so they gave me a bunch of fluid. As they rehydrated me, my labor actually slowed down a little bit. Initially, the contractions were showing on the monitor about every three minutes, and they had decreased to about every eight. I wanted so desperately to have this baby, and to not have to have my labor augmented medically, so Nathan and I decided to walk around the unit for about an hour. It worked, and things picked back up. We went back to our room, and at that point, Suzanne, Rachel, and my Dad had arrived. Mom was already at the hospital with us.<br />
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Dad ended up staying the whole labor and delivery, and I am so glad he did.</div>
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Since the contractions had picked back up, the pain was coming back right along with them. All throughout my pregnancy I had said that I wasn't planning on getting an epidural or not getting one--I was just going to see how things went, and if I wanted one, fine. But, I also liked the idea of laboring on my own just so I had the freedom of movement and positioning and all that. Well, back when I was at home with just those cramps, I had pretty much decided there was no way this wimp was making it without an epidural, so I wanted one eventually. I decided to first do another dose of the IV Fentanyl though, because I didn't want the epidural to slow labor down since we were still in the beginning. With the second dose, I was again able to fall back asleep for about an hour. I woke up around ten as the medicine wore off, and shortly after my doctor came up to break my water to keep things moving along. After she broke my water, we decided to get the epidural.<br />
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She broke my water, and I was about 5 cm dilated. As soon as she broke my water, and I lost that cushion between the contractions and my cervix, the contractions were ten times worse. I was shaking uncontrollably, and began vomiting again. I hobbled over to the bathroom, shaking like a leaf, so that I could pee before getting my epidural. At this point, I think my Dad and Nathan were both a little worried about me, because I was so shaky, vomiting, and obviously in pain. But, the epidural came quickly, and somehow I was able to sit still through the procedure. I'm definitely glad I had my husband there to lean on. I remember at one point I bit his shoulder during a contraction just because I couldn't think of anything else to do that would help. Poor thing. Five minutes after getting the epidural, though, everything was better. Each contraction was so much different, and I began to not be able to feel them. I felt my legs and thighs begin to go warm and tingly, and my legs became dead weight.<br />
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With the epidural, I was able to sleep off and on. I drank some ginger ale, and ate half a popsicle, both of which I was finally able to keep down. Everyone in the room fell asleep, and prepared for the morning to come. The nurse guessed that maybe by six am we would have a baby in our arms, which was exciting, and I looked forward to labor being done. Around four am, I noticed that I was able to feel and move my left leg pretty well. I tried laying on that side and bolusing the epidural medicine to try and renumb that leg a little--it didn't work though, and only made my ride side more numb. I was feeling the contractions on that left side, and then things got very crampy again. I tried to just deal with it, because I didn't want more medicine as I was getting close to being complete. However, after some time, I couldn't handle it anymore, and I asked the nurse to get the anesthesiologist to give me a little bit more medicine. Instead of rushing to do that, the nurse said that sometimes as the baby moves down into the pelvis, the pressure and cramping increases, so she checked me, and I was complete: 10 cm and 100%! In fact, the crampiness she guessed wasn't necessarily with my contractions so much as just because the baby was so close and pushing right against me. My nurse called my doctor, who said to go ahead and start pushing and see how I did.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dx72lKnI3JKajbV6D-s84rcJHZ2YP36kLS1UCVYZsHDCvKIyXBFuvPN4iJOJsIH9TA4k3IQH-TknUpZTnTJiQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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A little video I took on Snapchat--if you look closely, you can see Dad asleep in a chair, Nathan asleep on the couch, and Mom, Suzanne, and Rachel asleep on the floor under a blanket.</div>
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About 5:20, I began to push. I pushed a little bit with just my nurse there, and shortly after my doctor showed up. I felt very in control, and I was glad that even with the epidural, I could feel my contractions and knew when to push, and when to stop. In the beginning, my doctor just kept saying how much fluid I was pushing out, and I could feel it gush each time. Eventually they started to see a little hair, and they were commenting about how it looked strawberry blonde (which I was really surprised about, given how dark Nathan's hair is). They also started guessing how much she would weigh, and most people guessed around 6 1/2-7 pounds. It seemed like the talking and pushing went on forever, and my doctor said I would know when we were close when I saw her gown up and change the bed into position. I was waiting to see that happen forever, but finally she gowned up, and everyone was saying how close I was, and how with each push the baby's head would come farther and farther. I was getting really tired, and it seemed like even after everyone said I was almost there that I kept on pushing for another half hour. At one point, Nathan had leaned in close and rested his head on mine during a contraction, and I headbutted him as a way to tell him to back up, because I needed some space while I was pushing (poor guy... he understood what I was saying though). All in all, I pushed for about 2 hours, and she was born at 7:26 am. Feeling her head finally come out and the rest of her body follow was the most surreal moment, and such a feeling of relief. Nathan cut the cord, and finally our baby girl was here. They laid her on my chest and all I remember was saying how beautiful she was. I couldn't believe I actually just had a baby.<br />
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Right when Ollie was laid on my chest for the first time. So many emotions.</div>
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Ollie with our amazing doctor. So thankful she put everything aside (the holidays!) to ensure a safe and smooth delivery. </div>
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Ollie Mae Pham was so perfect. she had the widest eyes, and she was so much bigger than everyone thought--8 lbs, 2 oz, and 21.25 inches long. She definitely did not have blonde hair, but a nice full head of dark hair, just like I imagined she would. She has Nathan's nose, just like we thought she would. While she was being checked out, my doctor delivered the placenta and stitched me up (I had a really small first degree tear). After that, Mom, Dad, Suzanne, and Rachel all held her for a little bit, and then everyone left to let Nathan and I take it all in, and enjoy our first few moments as parents. Ollie took to breastfeeding pretty quickly, and I sat with her right up against my chest for a while as she slept. Seeing Nathan as a dad was very special. He already loved his little girl, but it was so cute to finally see them together.<br />
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All in all, I feel extremely blessed. Everything went so smoothly, and so many loved ones were there to share our excitement with us. I have the best husband in the world, and he is such an amazing dad. Ollie arrived as a perfect, healthy little girl, and I can't describe how grateful I am that I get to be her mom. She is so very loved. I wish I could take all the feelings I felt throughout her birth and just bottle them up and remember them forever. Giving birth to my first daughter was such a challenging yet rewarding experience, and one I want to be able to remember forever.<br />
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We love you, Ollie baby.<br />
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Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18186540141423294351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3510653756896873418.post-54338847856343265612016-07-07T21:30:00.002-04:002016-07-07T21:30:51.525-04:00#Phamfetus<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
For Father's Day I put together this little collage of just a few of the pictures I had of Nathan with various kids: </div>
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I thought it was funny that I had so many pictures of him with kids--my brothers, our nieces and nephew, kids we've babysat, etc. Basically since we met I've always noticed how he has acted around kids (it was always something important to me because I've always seen myself with a big family), and basically he's the best. Kids really just love him, and he's been ready to have a kid for a long time now. I have zero doubts that he will be the best dad out there, and that his kids will adore him.</div>
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So when to start our own family was a constant topic of conversation in our home, and the homes of our families. We both wanted kids, but timing and practicality were another thing. Me finishing school was a big factor, and we put it off for a while in order to hopefully work things around my last two semesters. After lots of thinking and wishing and discussing, we decided in January to throw these annoying little pills away: </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxrDu3uqRGsJr0jkX12CkKgp25UhC_iNcUlaHXHQQKc_qGEqmX3EyJ1BpYP-gDk3GTHk2aFk6Rs2sjfEPHhfIKvu70P1ctCFi5sdvJYOLyaLDrDGBD2Z_OHCdxnMbUj0hjqPOkvLfoiok/s1600/IMG_2635.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxrDu3uqRGsJr0jkX12CkKgp25UhC_iNcUlaHXHQQKc_qGEqmX3EyJ1BpYP-gDk3GTHk2aFk6Rs2sjfEPHhfIKvu70P1ctCFi5sdvJYOLyaLDrDGBD2Z_OHCdxnMbUj0hjqPOkvLfoiok/s640/IMG_2635.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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Then wait a few months for the hormones to work their way out of my system. And there's our Valentine's Day picture, just because I think we're cute and I really do love that man.<br />
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And then we decided to start trying in March, and hoped it wouldn't take long. During my Spring Break we spent a few days away from all the craziness and went to Baltimore. Lots of walking around, visited a few museums and the aquarium, and ate lots of delicious food. It was a nice little get away.<br />
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The best fish tacos I've ever had from a local seafood restaurant </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE1k5dqohrExz1LGFBtKjYeZvaMC3LPqQkWkifsMmfKNjtEOoz0OYEKd7LywZ7WJcmXU9_CUCUtpI1M0Ga96BrinJt9i5hNq88MT6oe-2ubEEgbe5Jwn6FPS_rA5D0_10t0LxfF7fkTco/s1600/IMG_2917.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE1k5dqohrExz1LGFBtKjYeZvaMC3LPqQkWkifsMmfKNjtEOoz0OYEKd7LywZ7WJcmXU9_CUCUtpI1M0Ga96BrinJt9i5hNq88MT6oe-2ubEEgbe5Jwn6FPS_rA5D0_10t0LxfF7fkTco/s640/IMG_2917.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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And a little relaxing in between weeks of studying and busy work trips and day-to-day business</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHcMjYYIOgThyy_YOyzLptRy6rTUG_o0NsXIrjUDdp-zrLyPAVdGgeomOGw7FHCPsbY9z5ssvQZs4Tv7qaPPBClXhMzuysnmpEspiXcJekYBmAJM3dGg2EYbWl2ekJ4tES9cSq076Snag/s1600/IMG_2925.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHcMjYYIOgThyy_YOyzLptRy6rTUG_o0NsXIrjUDdp-zrLyPAVdGgeomOGw7FHCPsbY9z5ssvQZs4Tv7qaPPBClXhMzuysnmpEspiXcJekYBmAJM3dGg2EYbWl2ekJ4tES9cSq076Snag/s640/IMG_2925.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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We ate at some interesting little fast-food fried chicken place one night because Nathan had been wanting to, and they were actually really good. Chicken and cat fish nuggets. </div>
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...Which made this man oh so very happy</div>
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After spring break we got back to our normal routine and I remember not-so-patiently waiting to find out if we were pregnant or not. Nathan and I talked about the "what-ifs" pretty much every night, which probably made those two weeks go by even more slowly. We ended up taking a pregnancy test at one point, a little too early, that came back negative. It was pretty devastating for us, and I decided to myself that the next one I took, I would take alone, without telling Nathan. After a few more days, on March 26 I got up to go to work at 530 in the morning, and decided to take another test, as now I was 3 days late. And, sure enough, we were pregnant: </div>
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I quickly left the bathroom, sat on Nathan, and told him to look at the pee stick. To which he confusedly sat up and asked what I was doing. And I told him we were pregnant. We hugged for a minute before I had to rush off to work. And I guess the news made it hard for him to really think about anything else that day:<br />
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Keeping it a secret really didn't last any time at all. My family knew we were planning on trying in March, so they were expecting me to be pregnant. Basically, they were just sitting there waiting for the news, so we ended up telling them fairly quickly... like the next day. And it wasn't a surprise to anyone, really.</div>
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And then ensued all the daydreaming, wondering whether everything was going okay, going back and forth on whether it was a boy or girl, a little bit of nausea with occasional pukes every now and then, extreme exhaustion where I slept wayyy too much--all the normal stuff. Nathan has been to almost all of the doctors appointments so far, and the first one was pretty exciting for him. They did an ultrasound when we were only 7 weeks, so we got to see our little bean sized baby:<br />
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On Mother's Day our little fetus was about the size of a gummy bear, so Nathan bought some gummies and flowers. And it was perfect. </div>
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Now amidst our own excitement of being pregnant and all that jazz, there was also huge excitement for Gray and Ande and their first baby, which was born in May. We were all waiting for her little arrival, and after quite the eventful few days, little Lori came to join their family.<br />
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I can't wait to see him with his own baby. Part of me feels like as long as Nathan is home and not nursing, that baby will be all snuggled up in his arms. </div>
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I feel pretty dang lucky that I get to create a family with <i>him. </i></div>
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And just last Friday the excitement grew just a little bit more. We had our 18 week appointment, and they were also going to do a scan to check the gender. The entire pregnancy Nathan has been saying how much he wants a little girl, and everyone knew that's what he was hoping for. I think I thought it was probably going to be a boy, but I thought it would be nice if Nathan got his wish. So with a lot of excitement, off we went, hoping our fetus was in a good position for us to clearly tell if it was a girl or boy.</div>
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Her little legs were wide open for us! It was pretty clear that we will be welcoming a little girl come December. Nathan was definitely happy.</div>
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There she is in her 18 week-old glory. She had her little feet crossed, and a hand up by her head. </div>
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So as you can see, we've been very excited for this new adventure of ours. We hope and pray that everything continues to grow and develop just as it should, and that all continues on healthily. Most of all we are just ready for December to hurry up and get here--this pregnancy feels like it's been dragging on, and I am so ready to see Nathan be a Dad to this little one. We feel pretty lucky these days. </div>
Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18186540141423294351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3510653756896873418.post-78549593841400989352016-03-18T14:18:00.001-04:002016-03-18T14:18:49.366-04:00Just an Egg Background story: Monday night we ate dinner, and I made a salad to go with it. I boiled three eggs, thinking Nathan and I would both eat one at dinner, and then I would have one leftover for my lunch the next day at work. At dinner, just as expected, two eggs were eaten. We got up from the table and started cleaning up. As I turned to take some dishes to the sink, I kind of gasped as I saw Nathan salting and biting into that little egg I had saved for the next day. Nate stopped eating it, but I told him to finish it and it was no big deal, I'd cook another one.<br />
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Well, Tuesday I went to go eat my lunch at school, and imagine my disappointment when I went to eat my salad, and only then did I realize that I had forgotten to boil another egg. Kind of a bummer, but oh well.<br />
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Then I got home. If you know me well, you know I have a problem telling short stories--usually they are pretty (unnecessarily) detailed. And a lot of times, I'll come home and sit by Nathan and just dump anything and everything that happened about my day, and he will sit there and listen. He does more than listen though. Take the egg incident: I came home, was telling him about all the patients I had that day, or what I did, or who I talked to, and of course I told him about how I forgot to boil an egg. And he listened and commented and laughed.<br />
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It just left me thinking how fun life is with Nathan, even if we just end up talking about an egg. I feel pretty lucky that I found somebody that loves me and listens to most anything and everything I say.Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18186540141423294351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3510653756896873418.post-1809532454031687392015-12-27T13:07:00.000-05:002016-02-26T13:09:22.628-05:00Our First Christmas <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
This year was our first Christmas together. Getting married does complicate the holidays just a little bit, and we sure were pretty busy from November through January just getting together with family on both sides and endless family get-togethers, dinners, outings, etc. But we decided to spend the few days around Christmas up in Philadelphia with the Pham side of the family. </div>
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We started out Christmas Eve morning in our own little home, and Nathan made us breakfast. I crocheted our stockings and set the tree up the night before, so Santa would come that night with Nathan's big gift. We had a nice Christmas morning, shared gifts with each other, and then packed up to hit the road. </div>
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Our cute little tree</div>
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Handsome husband making pancakes</div>
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Nathan really loves Christmas. And I get called a scrooge (although I don't think I'm that bad). </div>
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Emily opening a few gifts </div>
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Nathan really, <i>really</i> wanted a huge lego set for Christmas. He made a point to go down the lego isle at target every time we were there. And I don't think he actually expected me to buy it, so I think he was pleasantly surprised. His Millennium Falcon now sits proudly on his night-stand. </div>
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And we all packed up, threw Rohan in the car, and off we were. He's a pretty good travel dog, though--he loves the car. </div>
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We got to Philly and enjoyed some down-time with the family, just being all together is always nice. It was fun to see another family's traditions besides the ones I grew up with year to year. Like for starters, not doing Christmas Eve dinner and just grabbing some Philly Cheesesteaks: </div>
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Yeah, that was a great idea. Although I got some serious crap for ruining my cheesesteak with mustard. </div>
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Christmas Eve we spent making some Christmas cookies with the kids. Nathan's brother Josh is a chef, but surprisingly had almost no baking things in the house. So we made do with what we had, but let's just say the cookies were nearly all thrown away the next day. But hey, the kids had fun rolling out all of those candy cane shapes.<br />
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Mom still wanted to continue our family tradition of Christmas Eve pajamas, even though we weren't going to be there, so she wrapped them up and sent them with us. It was really nice still having that tradition, and it's one I want to continue when we have kids. It was a new one for Nathan.<br />
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Man I love him<br />
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Christmas Day we went to Aunt Nga's house and got together with all of the extended family. Nathan's Dad is one of 8 siblings, so get togethers and big and fun, with lots of cousins and kids. Unfortunately, I'm still trying to get everyone's names down and remember who is who, but that could take a while for me. Josh and Mya were picking up a few things and preparing Christmas dinner, so we got the kids dressed and piled them in the car. </div>
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And seriously, doesn't Nathan just look so ready to be a Dad? Those three nieces and nephews in the back seat really do love hanging out with him. </div>
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Being part of an Asian family is seriously so delicious--so much food and it's usually new to me. Love that part. </div>
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After meeting up at Aunt Nga's, we went back to Josh's place and hung around until Christmas dinner. I ended up zonked out on the couch for an hour or so. Josh cooked some seriously delicious food--I definitely ate more than I should have and went to bed very full that night. But it was so, so good. And even better, we had leftovers that he sent us home with for the next two days.<br />
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And that's a wrap--Christmas 2015 was a great one.</div>
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Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18186540141423294351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3510653756896873418.post-41342343892192341342015-12-21T13:53:00.002-05:002015-12-21T13:53:45.919-05:00Temple Lights and Global FoodThis weekend I was taking Kavya up to Dulles airport to fly home to Canada for Christmas break. While I was already up north, I figured it would be perfect for Nathan and I to go to see the Christmas lights at the temple. I told him early in the week about the potential plan, but Nathan also had to work on Saturday. Unfortunately this time of year is crazy busy for him at work.<br />
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Fast forward to Saturday morning, when an early morning phone call woke both of us up for the day. Nate got up and ready and headed out pretty early, and said he'd try and make it home in time to ride up with me at two. You know when you can tell someone really doesn't want to do something but they will anyway? Yeah, that was Nathan. He was already so tired, but just because he knew I wanted to go out with him, he came home in time to go with me, and even drove through the nasty traffic for us. So off we went, him yawning the whole drive. We dropped Kavya off, and then headed over to the temple.<br />
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Nathan hadn't ever been to the temple at Christmas time, and he <i>really</i> loves Christmas. He constantly tries to convince me of the thousands of lights that will be hung at our house one day, so I thought he would like all the lights and everything. Anyways, we went, enjoyed the nativities from around the world, and shivered in the cold long enough to snap a few pictures. But that was just part one of our little date.<br />
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Part two: Global Market. It is so much bigger than the little Asian market Nate took me to the first time. This one is like the size of a Food Lion, and has about a million and one things that I have no idea of even how to pronounce. But for some reason I really enjoy looking at everything--especially the fruits and veggies. Nate kind of just rushes through. In this aspect, I'm a little like my dad in that regard--I could go up and down every isle and ask questions about every ingredient. But hey, Nathan thought Chinese broccoli was the same thing as Bok choy, so I guess my questions wouldn't do me much good with him :). He ended up getting a few random things--some catfish to cook while I'm gone for the next few days at work, and some pork meat things. But I honestly wouldn't know what to do with the majority of that stuff. Maybe one day I'll learn, but for now, the Asian cooking is left up to Nathan. </div>
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And then we went out to dinner and called it a night. Even though he was tired and pretty much went home and passed out, I'm glad he put on a nice smile and enjoyed the evening with me anyway. I love that guy. Now just wait until Christmas Eve until I see him again!Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18186540141423294351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3510653756896873418.post-48776031311203311232015-12-20T22:27:00.004-05:002015-12-20T22:27:45.977-05:00Brain FartSo last week or so mom texted me randomly and asked:<br />
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"Hey what's Nathan's birthday?"<br />
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...which is when I was thrown aback for a minute. Wait, could I really not remember my husband's birthday? I was with him that whole day... I was pretty sure it was August 3rd, but I wouldn't have bet my life on it. So I safely replied: "In August."<br />
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To which mom says: "Date? I knew that."<br />
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I quickly hopped onto my Facebook, remembering that I had posted a picture on Nathan's birthday, so I looked at the date I uploaded it. Yep, I was right. It was the third. "August 3rd lol. I had to double check. (insert crying-laughing face emoticons)"<br />
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So a few days later I was talking to Nathan and told him this little story, laughing at myself and my spacey brain. He laughed, but didn't say too much, so I asked him, "Wait. Babe, do you remember my birthday?"<br />
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"Yeah. It's in August."<br />
<br />
"Yeah but what day?"<br /><br />
"The twelfth?" (I shake my head no) "The thirteenth?" (Still no) "I honestly can't remember."<br />
<br />
"It's the sixteenth babe."<br />
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So we both laughed at ourselves. Honestly I'll probably remember his birthday from now on because of this little story, but thankfully, for Nathan's sake, he's got his electronic calendar and reminder.<br />
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Our little crazy relationship just makes me laugh.Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18186540141423294351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3510653756896873418.post-14043841512441144222015-11-09T12:22:00.003-05:002015-11-09T12:22:33.199-05:00Branching OutSometimes being married to an Asian is a little interesting. I love it, but it has definitely broadened a few of my horizons, that is for sure. I remember our second week of dating Nathan took me to eat a typical Vietnamese dish--Pho. I had never had it before, but it was really good. We left the restaurant, and he kindly informed my that I had passed his test--if I couldn't handle a little Vietnamese food, I wasn't a keeper. I even tried the tripe floating around in his bowl of Pho--bonus points. But then there was the time when we were in Philadelphia with his family, and we went to eat Chinese Dim Sum... I still tried many things, but definitely was not a favorite of mine. <div>
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So Saturday morning we had a hot date to the Asian supermarket. Nathan had mentioned earlier in the week that he needed to go, and I told him to wait because I wanted to go with him. I hadn't been to an Asian market, and as soon as we walked in, I started asking a million questions. "Babe, what does this say?" "Babe, what is bean curd used for?" "Babe, why do we only use these types of noodles--look how many there are." Nathan never really had any good answers to my questions. I told him I'm now convinced he's not <i>that</i> Asian--probably only knew the two classic dishes he cooked all the time. Nathan just laughed, but claimed it's because the store had things from all over Asia, not just Vietnam. </div>
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Anyways, we checkout--had our curry powder, big sack of Jasmine rice, shrimp balls, and hoisin sauce, and we were on our way. But we can't forget the husband's favorite snack: </div>
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Squid shreds. Nothing like watching your husband pull apart dried squid and eat it like candy. And then want to kiss you. Um, no thanks. Brush your teeth first, babe. </div>
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Anyways, so we had my parents over for dinner on Saturday night. They hadn't ever been over to our place, so it was nice to have them over and for them to see where I was now :) And Dad got to meet Rohan, our great dane, which he was pretty excited about. Nathan prepared everything for Vietnamese spring rolls for us, and we taught my parents to roll them. Mom was a little bit skeptical, but Dad was excited--Dad will try anything. Mom always has been the picky one, but she did pretty well--she rolled and ate three of them. She loves lettuce wrap type foods, so these were pretty similar, except for she was a little weirded out by the rice paper wrapper. </div>
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Dad with Rohan, who was VERY happy to have lots of extra attention</div>
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Mom and Dad rolling their first spring rolls </div>
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So yeah, I've enjoyed the new experiences I've had with Nathan and I've enjoyed getting to know his culture more and more. And I'm excited for all of the things he will cook me in the future :) </div>
Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18186540141423294351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3510653756896873418.post-54703137124369581412015-11-06T22:49:00.000-05:002015-11-09T10:50:15.620-05:00Zzzzzzzzzz....<div class="MsoNormal">
Right now my husband is sleeping, it’s almost eleven o’
clock. He’s exhausted from being out of town and driving for the last few days.
And knowing him, he’s sleeping pretty soundly, sprawled out across the entire
bed because I’m not home. I won’t be home for two more hours, and then I’ll try
and quietly sneak in without waking him up. It’ll be one in the morning, but
I’ll quickly hop in the shower because I’ve been cleaning up diarrhea and pee
all day today, and hospitals are just gross. So he’ll hear that. I’ll slink
into bed, and Nathan will roll over and hold me tight for a minute, give me a
kiss, and quickly fall back asleep. And I’ll think to myself just how much I
missed my husband while he was gone for two days, and how lucky I am, and then
I’ll pass off into dreamland too. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Sometimes it sucks that this is an all-too-common experience
for us. Married life is so fun and has been so wonderful, but it is also so
busy. Busy because we are both just so dang busy. Because of school, and jobs,
and trying to fit in time for families and friends, and exams, and the little
random things that seem to come up each week. There are days where Nathan and I
are sitting next to each other in bed, but it feels like I haven’t spent any
time with him in days. We try and make time for us to do fun things together,
we make plans… but then I fall asleep at seven o clock at night and leave my
husband up all alone. Or Nathan will pass out at eight, and I’ll start studying
for exams. Yep, we’re just tired.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Yeah, I know this is normal life for millions of other
people out there, and that so many people are much busier or have more
complicated schedules than we do, but hey… I’m a newlywed. So I’d like to spend
pretty much all my time with that handsome husband of mine, but that’s
definitely not our reality. I’m looking forward to the semester coming to an
end, and then having a little bit more time with my husband—for about a month.
And then it all starts back up again. <o:p></o:p></div>
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But man am I sure grateful for my husband—he is so patient.
He is patient as I sit at my computer and take over our whole bed with books
and notes and papers nearly every day. As I stay up late and don’t go to bed
with him because I have another exam or test or homework to do. As I complain
and whine about having to be in classes and the stupidity of the system. When
the alarms go off at 5am every day and wakes him up, even though Nathan doesn’t
even need to be awake for three more hours. When I come home dead tired because
I went to school and work and all I want to do is go to bed right away. And he
is more than patient—I know he’s always supporting me too. Tells me to go study
when he knows I don’t want to, but I need to. Calls me and asks me how school
was while I’m driving home. Prays for me to drive safely every single day,
prays for me that my tests go well, that I’ll be able to get everything done
and have good days. Yeah, I sure got pretty lucky. Love that guy. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18186540141423294351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3510653756896873418.post-29525693794219162532015-09-16T14:38:00.002-04:002015-09-16T14:38:50.444-04:00A lot can change in 8 months Eight months have flown by since I got home from Chile. I purposefully tried to keep myself really busy, especially since I wasn't jumping back into school right away. I started working. I took an EMT class for a few months, and am now a certified EMT. I began volunteering with the county's rescue squad, which has been an awesome experience, and one I'll keep doing. I taught gospel doctrine for church, which was awesome and always filled my Saturday nights and Sunday mornings. I started dating someone, which was a little unexpected. I started getting things ready to go back into Nursing School, and started a new job in the hospital.<br />
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So now, we are halfway through September and I cannot believe how quickly time has flown. I am finally back in school full-swing, and I am just so ready to be done with everything that school entails--tests, quizzes, reading, blackboard, clinicals, professors, peers. But alas, two more years. Classes have been going on for a month, and I already am feeling too apathetic for my own good. I'm just looking forward to May 2017 at this point. </div>
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And it doesn't help that in just THREE short, little days, I get to marry that guy I started dating:<br />
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I am so ready, and so excited. I can't wait to start life with Nathan and see where our lives take us. So much more than I ever imagined, and a different path than I imagined. He just makes me so happy, and I can't wait to start life together with him. Love that guy! </div>
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So yeah, I've been a little busy, and seems like I'm only getting busier.</div>
Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18186540141423294351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3510653756896873418.post-7761446002545868472014-12-09T22:53:00.004-05:002014-12-09T22:53:57.636-05:00I'm Back.Well I can't really believe that after a year and a half has gone by since I last wrote. Time really did fly by. Now looking back it feels like just as quickly as I started by mission, it ended. I don't really know how to describe my mission in words. It was just absolutely amazing and perfect for me. I learned so much down there, and I know I grew in so many ways. I know that I still have a long way to go, but without a doubt, my mission will have a strong influence and impact on the rest of my life.<br />
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Tonight I went out teaching with the sister missionaries here in my ward. I actually never went out with the missionaries before my mission, so it was the first time for me teaching WITH the missionaries, and not AS a missionary. We went to appointments, appointments fell through, we knocked on doors, contacted people, and had a lesson with an awesome guy. Missionary work is so awesome, wherever you are in the world. It is awesome being the missionary, and it is awesome being with them. Tonight definitely brought back all of the feelings I felt day after day as a missionary. I really miss it. I don't think I expected to miss being a missionary so much, but I do. I guess it kind of makes sense, it was my entire life for a year and a half. But I miss it <i>so</i> much, and I miss the people and culture of Chile.<br />
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I'd love to say I wish I could go back to being a missionary and be in Chile, but I know that is not true. I can't, and wouldn't want to, be a missionary down there forever. I have to start the rest of my life, and now just work to apply everything I learned and experienced in Chile to my own personal life here in the states again. But, I'm pretty sure I'll always miss the life of Hermana Kemmey down there in Chile.<br />
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Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18186540141423294351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3510653756896873418.post-29612841599395313022013-05-27T00:05:00.003-04:002013-05-27T00:05:45.095-04:00Missionary Pictures<div style="text-align: center;">
After church today I asked Mom to snap a few pictures of me before I head out next week. Mom is awesome, and I love looking at these and just imagining how much I will grow through this experience. God is so good. I am so grateful for this life and His love and His gospel. He knows us so much better than we will ever know ourselves. </div>
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Don't think I've really ever been happier about anything in my life. </div>
Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18186540141423294351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3510653756896873418.post-45584169533399834132013-05-26T14:02:00.000-04:002013-05-26T14:05:21.467-04:00Sacrament Talk I can hardly believe that time has passed so quickly and that next week I am leaving for Chile! It's a little crazy, but I think I am pretty much ready to go. Typically, before missionaries head out, they speak in their home wards (church). I had the opportunity to speak in both my ward, and also in my old bishop's ward. I really enjoyed writing this talk and sharing it:<br />
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">About a year ago, I tried to convince anyone in my family to
sign up for a mud run with me after seeing pictures of some friends who had
recently run one. After some serious begging and convincing, I got Suzanne to
say yes. We eventually signed up for another one because they looked so fun, so
we were looking forward to doing two mud runs in May. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Our first race was three weeks ago, and then we ran another
one last weekend. The race courses were about three miles long, filled with
several different obstacles and lots of mud, as expected. By the time we were
done running, we were covered from head to toe in thick, nasty mud. It was
everywhere, but it was a ton of fun. After the first one, we just hoped in the
car mud and all to avoid waiting in lines to rinse off, so when we walked in
the house still caked in mud, and Dad just started laughing at us. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Looking back and thinking about the mud runs Suzanne and I
just finished, there are a lot of parallels to our experiences here in this
life, whatever we may be doing. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">I guess the first lesson that could be taken away from this
experience is to be very cautious of others trying to tempt and convince us. I
had to work on Suzanne for a while before I got her to agree to run with me.
Gray was a little more resistant, and he never let me convince him to run with
us. So I guess you’d have to ask Suzanne for sure, but I don’t really think I
convinced her to do any evil, and we had a good time. However, there are so
many situations today where we are easily tempted and people try to convince us
every day to lead us away from this gospel and the Spirit. In Alma Chapter 34,
verse 39 it reads, “Yea, and I also exhort you, my brethren, that ye be
watchful unto prayer continually, that ye my not be led away by the temptations
of the devil, that he may not overpower you, that ye may not become his
subjects at the last day; for behold, he rewardeth you no good thing.” We learn
from Alma that having faith in Christ, being humble, and continually leaning
unto Heavenly Father and Christ through prayer will help us identify and resist
the temptations of the devil. The Lord often helps us to avoid temptations, and
we are blessed as we endure them. Just like the lyrics of the song Taylor just
sang, I know that Christ has the power to ransom us from Satan’s grasp and
power, and that as we truly come to know and believe in Him, we can feel of the
peace and love He wants us to for eternity. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Another prominent lesson we can pull from our mud run is the
importance of preparing, and being humble. For the past few months Suzanne and
I have looked at each other and said, “We need to start running every day
again.” But unfortunately just thinking about running never actually did
anything for us—we definitely could have been a little bit more diligent with
our efforts in order to be more prepared. The first run was a lot of fun and it
was more obstacles with just short periods of running in between. The course
was pretty flat, and we ran it with really no problem. I was thinking the
second run would pretty much be just like the first. Then the night before,
Suzanne was looking at pictures on the internet and she turned to me and said,
“This course looks a lot harder than the last one.” We started running the
course a week ago, and there was a lot more uphill and climbing then we had
anticipated. When I think about my lack of diligent and consistent preparation
for this race, it reminds me of the importance of our spiritual preparation
during this life. It needs to be a continual and consistent thing, and I do not
want to be the “servant, which knew the Lord’s will, and prepared not himself”
(Luke 12:47). In Alma Chapter 5 verse 29, it reads, “behold ye must prepare
quickly; for the kingdom of heaven is soon at hand.” If we make the efforts every
day to prepare ourselves a little more to face each day, to go through life’s
experiences, and eventually see our Father in Heaven and our Savior again, we
are told in D&C that “if we are prepared, we shall not fear.” This earthly
life is a preparatory state, and I want to be as prepared as I can be to meet
my Father and Savior again someday. I don’t want to finish my life and know
that I could have definitely prepared a lot more, like I was thinking for the
mud run.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"> So we started running,
and there were a lot of obstacles, just like we face in this life. Some of them
were a lot of fun, and we actually enjoyed being knee deep in the muddy water
with hundreds of other people. Some obstacles we didn’t enjoy so much.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">One of my favorite obstacles was an underground tunnel.
Suzanne hated this one. There was a tunnel that was only big enough for you to
crawl through on your hands and knees, and it was actually pretty long. We
started crawling through, and after a few feet, you really couldn’t see
anything—it was pitch black. The turns in the tunnel were unexpected and you
couldn’t see them, so you sort of just had to feel your way through the tunnel.
Suzanne was behind me, and I guess it turns out she is a little claustrophobic
because she was making a lot of noise back there. In Job Chapter 29, verse 3,
it reads, “and by His light I walked through darkness”. Similarly, in Micah
Chapter 7, verse 8, it reads, “When I fall, I shall arise; when I sit in
darkness, the Lord shall be a light unto me.” Through Christ’s light and
through the light that the gospel brings into our lives, we can make it through
dark and trying times. There have been several times in my life when I haven’t
really known which direction to take, and it definitely brings peace to my mind
knowing that we have a Heavenly Father that loves us so much and a Savior that
has done so much for us, that they do not want to leave us in the dark. We
never have to be alone.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Another fun obstacle they had was a
huge, raised balance beam that went uphill, you jumped over a few higher
boards, and then balanced back down. It reminds me of how life can be a
balancing act. For me, if I looked down, I would lose my balance a little bit—looking
straight ahead was a lot easier for me, helped me focus more. I think of my Mom
when it comes to balancing. She has to balance the lives of nine kids, work,
exercise, finances, church, serving others, friends, and so much more every
day. She is honestly one of the most amazing women I know, and she does so much
for everyone else, and it is definitely a trial in and of itself to balance
everything that she does. Elder M. Russell Ballard said, “Coping with the
complex and diverse challenges of everyday life, which is not an easy task, can
upset the balance and harmony we seek. Many good people who care a great deal
are trying very hard to maintain balance, but they sometimes feel overwhelmed
and defeated.” He made several suggestions to help us establish and maintain a
balance in our lives, such as setting priorities and goals, establishing family
relationships, and studying the scriptures. He said, “when I am in tune
spiritually, I find that I can balance everything in my life much more easily.”
I feel so blessed and grateful to know the purposes of this life, and to have
an eternal goal to be able to live with my Heavenly Father again one day. I had
Sister Phelps as a seminary teacher for four years, and I remember her saying
all that time that as we put God first in our lives, everything else will fall
into place how it is supposed to. That has definitely helped me obtain a
balance in my own life, especially in deciding to serve a mission when I have
many other things going on. The eternal goals and truths I have help me keep a
central focus and give me an eternal perspective to help me make it through
earthly life. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">One of the hardest obstacles was
having to pull ourselves up a muddy, slippery hill using a rope. You couldn’t
really even crawl, because there was a network of barbed wire just above our
heads. I definitely am not the strongest person in the world, but if you didn’t
cling on to that rope, you would slide right back down to the bottom of the
hill and have to start all over again. I had a death grip on that thing. To me,
this one is so obvious. When I don’t cling to the gospel with all my might and
strength, things are so much harder. The gospel has helped to guide me, and has
lifted me up just when I needed it to. I find peace and direction from the
scriptures, the prophet, and so many loving leaders. In 1971, President Harold
B. Lee said, “If there is any one thing most needed in this time of tumult and
frustrations, when men and women and youth and young adults are desperately
seeking for answers to the problems which afflict mankind, it is an ‘iron rod’
as a safe guide along the straight path on the way to eternal life, amidst the
strange and devious roadways that would eventually lead to destruction.” That
was forty two years ago, and it remains very true today. There are so many
paths that try and lead us away from happiness and peace in the gospel. Undoubtedly,
at times I will slip and fall. I struggle just like everyone else. However,
just like the rope in that race never went away, the gospel will always be
there for us, and that is such a gift. We can quickly regain hold of the iron
rod. Through the atonement, we have the gift of being able to repent and learn
from our mistakes and trials. Christ suffered all of our pains, sorrows, and
sins so that we can have a way to return to our Heavenly Father despite our
imperfections, so that we can grow here in this life. In Mosiah Chapter 13,
verse 28, it reads, “and were it not for the atonement, which God himself shall
make for the sins and iniquities of his people, that they must unavoidably
perish.” Whenever I fall just a little bit, I can always come back hanging on
even tighter. God’s divine plan is so incredibly merciful, and he has provided the
way for us as we lean to Him and have faith in Him.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">I’ll tell you about one last
obstacle. At the end of the race, there was one last mud pit again with barbed
wire over top. You could see the finish line about twenty feet in front of you,
and we watched other people finish the race as we tried to get through this
last mud pit. This mud was incredibly sticky. It felt like it was sucking my
feet deep into the ground, and I lost my shoe. I was tempted just to leave my
shoe right there in the mud, since we weren’t keeping them anyway. Trials can
hit us at any time. Satan wants to cause us to sink into everlasting misery and
woe, just like him, and I’ve found he will try to work on us as hard as he can.
However, in Doctrine and Covenants, section 6 verse 13, we are taught that “If
thou wilt do good, yea, and hold out faithful to the end, thou shalt be saved
in the kingdom of God, which is the greatest of all the gifts of God; for there
is no gift greater than the gift of salvation.” Working through life’s
experiences, through all the obstacles, having faith and building our
testimonies to cling to, trying hard to prepare for the next life, and enduring
to the end will all be worth our while. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">I am definitely grateful for the fun experiences we had doing
those mud runs this month. I am grateful for my crazy sister who let me
convince her to sign up for a three mile run where we get covered in mud from
head to toe. The relationships we have with our families are so important, and
I have such a strong testimony of eternal families. I am so blessed to be sealed
for eternity to such a crazy and fun bunch of people. Families give us teams to
lean on and to work alongside—they are some of the best people to run this race
of life with.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">This life is a race with so many obstacles and so much nasty,
thick mud. In Hebrews chapter 12, verse 1, we are counseled that we might “lay
aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run
with patience the race that is set before us.” Also, we are told by King
Benjamin that “it is not requisite that a man should run faster than he has
strength. And again, it is expedient that he should be diligent, that thereby
he might win the prize.” As we have faith in Christ and prepare ourselves to
endure and grow in this mortal life, we prepare ourselves to obtain the
immortality and eternal life the Lord desires for us to obtain. The little
medals and t-shirts Suzanne and I got from running our mud races were nice and
cute, but they pale in the comparison to the prizes we can obtain from
faithfully and successfully running the race of life. We had so much fun
running those two races. We have so much fun in everyday life, and this race
can be just as fun, but it too requires a lot of work and effort. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">I love this gospel so much, and I love the guidance that it
gives me in my own race of life. About a year ago, I was in Germany visiting
the Shield’s family and taking care of their four little kids for a week. We
walked to church one Sunday and during sacrament meeting, a sister missionary
was speaking about her experiences after just returning home. I wrote the
following in my journal that night: “At dinner, Aubrey asked me if I was going
to serve a mission. Honestly, I think I would LOVE that. I’ve thought about it
on more than one occasion, but who knows where my life could be in two or three
years. I guess it will all work out in the end.” </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">During the Saturday session back in October, I actually
wasn’t even watching conference. I had no idea about the age-change revelation
because I was racing in Philadelphia for a Crew Regatta with VCU. My great
friend Kavya and I had been talking about our plans for the future that day,
like we so often do. Her education and life for the next several years is
pretty much planned out, and in comparison to hers, my plans for the future
have always been a little bit haphazard. We were talking that Saturday about
what we were going to do after we graduated, and I mentioned possibly serving a
mission, but like always, who really knew what would happen. I had time to
figure it all out anyways. She thought I was just a little bit crazy, like
always. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">When I walked into our house late Saturday night, Mom asked
me if I had heard the news, but I had no idea what she was talking about. She
told me about the age-change, and I hopped on the internet to read it myself.
Initially I was definitely shocked and surprised. Hours before I had just been
talking about wanting to serve a mission, but at that point it was something I
wanted to do in the future. Now, I could go <i>now
</i>if I wanted to. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">I didn’t decide immediately that I wanted to go—but after a
little bit, I was ready. Honestly, even though I wanted to go, I was pretty
sure it wouldn’t happen because so much depended on what VCU would say. I
emailed a dean at VCU asking him if my spot and scholarship could be held for
two years, and to my surprise, they had no problem. Then, one night I opened up
my scriptures and read 3 Nephi Chapter 28. I read verse 18, and I knew then that
now was the right time for me to serve a mission: “But this much I know,
according to the record which hath been given—they did go forth upon the face
of the land, and did minister unto all the people, uniting as many to the
church as would believe in their preaching.” Everything added up perfectly. I
put in my papers, I got my call, and now I am just a little over a week away
from leaving and heading to Chile for the next eighteen months. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">When I think about why I want to serve a mission, Luke
Chapter 22 verse 32 comes to mind: “But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith
fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.” I have a
testimony of this gospel and the peace, happiness, and strength it gives to me
in my life. I want to share it with others, and I want to share the love that
our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ have for us. I know that by sharing the
gospel and my testimony with others, that they can be strengthened and they can
find hope and purpose, just like I have. I know that the gospel enhances so
many aspects of our lives, and helps to lift us up, and it is a humbling thing
to be called to share the gospel with people in a completely different part of
the world, in a language I really don’t know yet. I am so grateful for the trust,
faith, and love Heavenly Father has shown me these past few months, and I am so
grateful to be called as a Missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-day Saints. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">So I guess this is the next obstacle in my ever-changing
race-course of life. I know it’s going to be hard, but I also know it’s going
to be the greatest thing I have done so far in my life.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">In Zechariah chapter 10, verse five it reads, “And they shall
be as mighty men, which tread down their enemies in the mire of the streets in
the battle: and they shall fight, because the Lord is with them.” I want to
live a life where the Lord can be with me, where I can be guided by the Spirit,
and where I can be mighty for His purposes. I want to tread down my enemies in
the mud and sludge of this world, and be able to return home again one day. I
hope that I can be a mighty missionary while serving in Santiago, Chile, and I
know that as I have faith in and try to follow the ultimate example of the
Savior, I can be.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">I want to close with my testimony that I love this gospel. I
love the scriptures and how much they apply to our day, and how they can apply
to my life specifically. I know that the Book of Mormon is true and I know that
Joseph Smith was the Prophet of the Restoration. I know that Thomas Monson is
the living prophet today, who leads and guides us with so much love. I love my
family, and am grateful for them every day. I know that the ultimate prize if
we endure to the end will be greater than we can ever imagine. I am grateful
for the experiences in life that allow us to reflect on our eternal potentials.
I am humbled and grateful to serve the Lord over the next eighteen months, and
I am excited to see how this experience will change me and others. I know this
gospel is true and I know that the Lord truly does have a plan for each of us
and knows us all so well. I love how Heavenly Father truly knows the direction
of our lives, and He truly hears us and loves us. I say these things in the
name of Jesus Christ, Amen. </span></span></span></div>
Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18186540141423294351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3510653756896873418.post-67936029106143692902013-05-03T02:51:00.000-04:002013-05-03T11:50:41.738-04:00sooooooooooo close.so close to being done i can almost <i>taste </i>it.<br />
<br />
sitting in a random building on campus. it's pretty quiet in here. my friend deserted me to get some sleep. i guess it's a good thing that at this hour of the night you need an ID badge to get in here, lol. the library is way too busy these days. standing room only.<br />
<br />
eight hours til i am free from organic chemistry. studying is going a lot better than i expected, so let's just hope this exam goes the same way.<br />
<br />
tomorrow i shall<i> </i>pass out.<br />
<br />
**Update: hahahaha. that exam did NOT go well. but that's okay, because i am done with organic chemistry classes forever. Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18186540141423294351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3510653756896873418.post-8000391938554283022013-05-01T09:58:00.002-04:002013-05-01T09:58:26.789-04:00Seriously Decreased EnthusiasmClasses officially ended yesterday. Folks, I sat through my last college class for two years yesterday. Now I just have to make it through these next two days studying the crap out of organic chemistry in hopes to make an A. My final is Friday morning at 9am, so as soon as that is over I will be done worrying about school :) I have two nursing finals next week, but I know I'll do fine on those ones!<br />
<br />
This semester both seems to have really drug on and also flown by super quickly. It has seemed to fly by whenever I've looked at the missionary countdown on my computer and see that I only have so many days left before I am in Chile. When I'm in classes and working through exams and papers and labs, it seems like it will be forever before I am in Chile. To say my enthusiasm towards school has seriously decreased would be one hundred percent accurate. I called Dad last night and he said he knew that would happen. Ha. Yeah, something about moving to another country in just about a month and living there for eighteen months not having to worry about homework, lab reports, papers, exams, etc, makes school just seem that much more frustrating. At this point, I'm just ready to be in Chile.<br />
<br />
My room is completely pack up, and has been for almost a week. I still have a week left in this room.<br />
I'm ready to be home and away from Richmond.<br />
And I am almost ready to head to Chile.<br />
<br />
Struggling through to the end.....Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18186540141423294351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3510653756896873418.post-72055450602306852942013-04-23T11:38:00.001-04:002013-04-23T11:38:31.924-04:00Love the WeekendsOther than the college kids that actually do live at home, I think I am home a ridiculous amount for the normal college kid. <i>Every</i> single weekend this semester, I have gone home. I love it. School is great and all, but there is just so much more to do for me at home. Even if it is just sitting on the couch in my pajamas all day, it's always better at home. The weekends are always good, and I think they have helped this semester blow by just a little bit more quickly. Always a good thing.<br />
<br />
This weekend when I got home a lot of the kids were actually gone. It was just Bryce, Rachel, Evan, and I, so we went out and got some ice-cream. The weather was so nice, so we just spent the rest of the night outside. Evan would stay outside all day if he could, no matter what the weather. He follows anyone outside. <br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd517OuL1QqGHdrh_3vwxQx7E_RyJQw4shYbS2ZJEmVtjeGCkqneHmxG5BBDlI5OyNsGakD-fSRICDcbbrm1-n-C2Rhi03oS3gzGUD3T3ohnrQ-dH6uvi9zYgga60w3FQUjgTtD4j3440/s1600/photo+4-11.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd517OuL1QqGHdrh_3vwxQx7E_RyJQw4shYbS2ZJEmVtjeGCkqneHmxG5BBDlI5OyNsGakD-fSRICDcbbrm1-n-C2Rhi03oS3gzGUD3T3ohnrQ-dH6uvi9zYgga60w3FQUjgTtD4j3440/s640/photo+4-11.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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He was pretty excited about getting his own little chocolate ice-cream cone.</div>
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I really do have some seriously cute brothers. </div>
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Rachel and the boys: chocolate, Oreo, and key lime pie for Bryce. He liked trying the weird flavors.</div>
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Sunday was church. The morning actually started off pretty interestingly because Mom decided to give her elbow a nice whack. It swelled up, and grossed poor Bryce out. One of Mom's friends from Colorado came to church with us. Mom actually found Kanoe when she was searching to find more about her birth mother and her biological family. Kanoe is great friends with Rose, mom's half-sister who was also put up for adoption. It was so good to see her! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJMkDMJQ87fqIomcoonu6ohDxyaERYb5lywO6N3R-wrLL9cEkD02WYE1Lmc3eUUlHtoGtdu8EwuDbvTAFYYlzzic-6uxqavqvi5sQ0-awQv3UVGfWEI0peNiRwYyaIq-nPr-0YU5ipZ6Y/s1600/photo+1-12.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJMkDMJQ87fqIomcoonu6ohDxyaERYb5lywO6N3R-wrLL9cEkD02WYE1Lmc3eUUlHtoGtdu8EwuDbvTAFYYlzzic-6uxqavqvi5sQ0-awQv3UVGfWEI0peNiRwYyaIq-nPr-0YU5ipZ6Y/s640/photo+1-12.JPG" width="478" /></a></div>
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Folks, I accurately diagnosed her with olecranon bursitis. Just go ahead and call me Megan Kemmey, M.D.</div>
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Suzanne and me all dressed up for church, wearing skirts from Kavya :)</div>
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On the way over to church, Evan broke his glasses (the pair we had just found THAT morning) right in half. Seriously, that kid. </div>
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I got really mad at him and he got upset. He definitely did not want me holding him during church, that's for sure. </div>
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Kanoe and all of us girls</div>
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Kanoe and Mom </div>
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Kanoe gave me a card congratulating me on my mission call. Loved the inside of it.</div>
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After church, Mom just snapped a few pictures on her iPhone. Dad was actually just a tad grumpy about two seconds before this. Don't worry, he usually doesn't scowl <i>quite</i> so much. </div>
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Me with my slightly grumpy pops :)</div>
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He might've been a little grumpy, but he can't resist my jokes.</div>
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The weekends are the best. Counting down til Friday afternoon again. </div>
Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18186540141423294351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3510653756896873418.post-8992537978563887272013-04-23T10:57:00.003-04:002013-04-23T10:57:43.374-04:00Shopping with the PopsThis weekend I had to work here in Richmond, so instead of Mom picking me up on Friday like usual, Dad picked me up Saturday afternoon. I had an appointment with the Apple Store to have them fix my iPod, so we raced over there. After we were done, Dad wanted to do some shopping of his own.<br />
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Our first stop was to REI. Dad now has a few things on his wish list, that's for sure. About a year ago, I told Dad that when I graduated from undergrad, I wanted to take a month off of work/school and go hike part of the Appalachian Trail for a month. So that trip to REI definitely got me dreaming about that again. I will graduate about four years from now, so there is plenty of time. I'm sure some of the boys will want to go too. It will be awesome. <br />
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So the first store wasn't that odd. Just a good old outdoors store. Then Dad wanted to stop at an RV dealership.<br />
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Yep, that sounds <i>exactly </i>like my Dad.<br />
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For years now, Dad has wanted to take all of his family, shove us into an RV, and travel across the country. I think it would honestly be a lot of fun. I doubt some of my siblings would think the same thing, though. Anyways, Dad's looked at them on the internet, just day-dreaming, so he finally wanted to go in and look at one, just to look. Let me tell you, the guy really didn't want to give us the time-of-day. But, the RV's were pretty neat. It would be some seriously tight living quarters, that's for sure :)<br />
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The RV guy that thought we were a little nuts, I'm sure. </div>
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Now I can say I've been RV shopping...</div>
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Just us with the RVs. </div>
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When Mom picks me up from school, we race to get home and be off the highway. When Dad picks me up, we spend three hours day-dreaming and making plans for when we strike it rich one day. Just a little bit different :)</div>
Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18186540141423294351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3510653756896873418.post-84078782502210822592013-04-03T11:45:00.001-04:002013-04-03T14:22:18.855-04:00Suzanne's off to PromGray and I both skipped out on our high school proms. It definitely wasn't anything I was interested in going to. It nearly killed my Grandma, and she thought I was nuts. Gray didn't go to either of his high school proms, but then once he graduated high school he ended up going back to two proms, and that's a long story.<br />
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However, nobody ever had any doubt that Suzanne would be attending her high school proms. She is definitely much more of a social butterfly than the rest of us. In that way, we are definitely pretty different. Anyways, a few weeks ago she started dating a guy from school, Devon.<br />
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Prom is coming up at the end of April, so everyone is getting asked to prom and some people are trying to ask in cute and creative ways. Well, I think Devon did a pretty good job:<br />
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She definitely thought so too. Pretty cute.</div>
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Let's just take a minute and zoom up on Devon. He is quite the stud: </div>
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Ladies and gentlemen, be careful who you send your selfies to.</div>
Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18186540141423294351noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3510653756896873418.post-77813639630644269942013-04-01T13:05:00.002-04:002013-04-01T13:25:21.805-04:00Lunch for 400Mom has helped plan, cook, and serve for several different church activities. She came to girls camp for years and helped cook in the kitchen for all of the girls. She has helped with the midnight breakfasts for the youth New Year's Eve dance, and she has helped with lunches for Relief Society broadcasts and conferences. A few weeks ago, she and a few other women were in charge of another lunch for the Relief Society conference, and were told to plan for about 400 people. Of course, when Mom signed up to help, the whole family was enlisted :)<br />
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Other leaders had already decided they wanted to have a wide variety of salads for the lunch. They had planned to have a garden salad and a Caesar as the two main salads, and then there were tons of toppings and grilled chicken to go on top. Then there were a few different side salads. Mom and I made a broccoli salad and a cucumber salad, and other people made a chicken pasta salad, a ramen noodle salad, and an Asian fruit salad. Everything was delicious, but it was definitely hard work. Mom had been shopping and got all of the food ready to go, and when I got home from school on Friday afternoon, the fun started. We were in the kitchen all night Friday, and started working over at the church early Saturday morning.No surprise at all, but the lunch went off perfectly.<br />
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Cucumbers for a delicious cucumber salad... my favorite.</div>
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Mom and I chopped hundreds of vegetables. Broccoli, celery, onion, cucumbers, peppers, lettuce. It was looking pretty healthy in that kitchen, that's for sure.</div>
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Dad was volunteered to grill five huge bags of Costco chicken breasts. He was grilling for three and a half straight hours, but it was sure delicious.</div>
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Even using the food processor to just quickly chop up the onions, the juices were everywhere. Thanks to Suzanne's goggles, not a tear was shed (which was awesome because I cry like a baby when I chop onions). Genius idea if I do say so myself.</div>
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Evan climbed all around the kitchen just saying, "I'm helping. I'm helping." Cutest help there is.</div>
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Mom and I. She was definitely a little bit on the tired side. </div>
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The fridge was packed. Thankfully it was plenty cold outside, so we left some of the other things in the van.</div>
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My helper and I </div>
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We did a lot, but so many people are always involved in big events like this. Almost 50 tables were set up and decorated for everyone.</div>
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Beautiful center pieces on the tables.</div>
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With my Mom, I sure have been taught a few things about cooking. My family really is lucky to have a Mom that can cook pretty dang well. She has let my siblings and I experiment and learn for ourselves in the kitchen. I definitely don't think many people my age could say they have cooked for 400 :) </div>
Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18186540141423294351noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3510653756896873418.post-71992427637207351142013-03-21T17:38:00.002-04:002013-03-21T17:38:54.599-04:00Just a Good DayLike I've mentioned before, this semester has been my first clinical experience in the hospitals for nursing school. I am a nursing student working with patients and nurses on the trauma floor. Sometimes there are actually quite a few trauma patients, but there are also general surgery or general med patients, too. Some weeks I've had patients with exciting medical histories and problems, and then other weeks I just have a patient that's recovering from something or other and is pretty independent.<br />
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At MCV, there are Care Partners on the different units. One of the care partners on the trauma floor is actually a nursing student in the accelerated program at VCU, so she is just a little bit ahead of us. She is <i>super</i> nice and helpful, and this morning rather than being paired with a nurse and just one patient, I was paired with the care partner and we had about five patients that we were working with.<br />
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Today was just one of those good mornings. Nothing too exciting happened, just several sets of blood glucose tests and vital signs, but all the patients were just so nice and talkative and funny today. Just a good day. One of my patients was this super cute, eighty-two year old woman who was literally the funniest thing. Just had such a happy disposition despite being so dependent on other people and pretty miserable at times. Makes it so easy to want to take care of people like that.<br />
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I had another patient who was also just so cute and nice and talkative. I ended up getting her some coffee and everything, and fixed it up with some cream and sugar. I went back in her room, and her coffee was sitting there on the table half-empty, and I asked her if I did an okay job making the coffee, because I've never had it before. She was flabbergasted. She said: "Honey, if you want to be a nurse and have so many kids, you need to get some coffee in you! Where are you from, anyways?" She thought I was from foreign land where coffee didn't exist... was surprised when I told her I lived in Virginia all my life :).<br />
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And lastly, the best part of my day: So the very first week of clinical I was paired up with my friend Stephania and we had two patients to take care of. Well, one of them was super nice, and she had been there for a few weeks. We went back a week later for classes, and she was still there. I was taking care of a patient in the same room, but I checked on her and asked her if she remembered me from the week before. She said that she didn't really, but I had only seen her for such a little period of time. That second week, the lady was discharged and got to go home--she was so excited. Today, a few weeks later, she was back and I stopped in again. I said, "Hey! What are you doing back again, you were supposed to stay out of this place! Do you remember me?" She looked up and started laughing and said, "Of course! You were the one taking care of that crazy lady that I shared a room with last time." So we chatted for a few minutes, and then I was off.<br />
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It's nice having days where everyone you run into is just so nice, upbeat, and happy about life. And hey, if all these patients in the hospital have nothing to complain about, what should I be complaining about?<br />
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Main 9 Central Clinical Group! </div>
Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18186540141423294351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3510653756896873418.post-88840966426967238652013-03-12T11:33:00.000-04:002013-03-12T11:34:42.815-04:00Just showing my true colors...So I got another job at the YMCA, working in their child-care center watching the little kiddos while the parents work out. In order to be employed, I had to have a background check and a drug screening done. The place that I had to closed at 4, and I got out of my lab at 3, so I was a bit in a rush. I forgot my wallet with my ID and insurance card in my room, so I had to run back there after lab really quickly. While I was in my room, I used the bathroom before heading out since I had to pee so badly--I hadn't peed since the morning. Relief, relief.<br />
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So I sped over to the building on my friend's bike, and my Mom calls as I am walking in asking what I was up to. "Nothing much, Mom, just getting this blood work done for the drug screening." That's when she decides to inform me that it's just a pee-in-a-cup deal, no blood work. WHAT? My bladder was absolutely empty. Didn't have to pee an ounce. Thanks for the heads up, Mom.<br />
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Maybe everyone else in the world knows about drug screenings. But hey, it was the first time I ever had to do one, and the paperwork that I had looked just like the blood work papers I have had several times. Also, it was as LabCorp, which is were I always go to get my blood taken. An honest mistake, really.<br />
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So I went immediately to the water fountain and I chugged three bottles of water in like fifteen minutes. Then they called me back. Awesome, I still didn't have to pee at <i>all.</i> My kidneys couldn't work that quickly! So I go back to the waiting room and drink four more full water bottles. Oh man, I was praying for those little kidneys of mine to kick it into high gear. Thankfully, after an hour at that stinking place, my little kidneys obliged, and the drug screening was over. Somewhat of a blonde moment, if you will. But you can be absolutely sure that I will never pee right before a drug screening again.<br />
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I walked out at almost 5, and even though I hadn't had time to eat since breakfast, my stomach was soooo full. There was a ridiculous amount of water in my body, and I was supposed to meet my friend Kavya at the gym at 6. I texted her and said, "Hey, I'm not making it to the gym at 6. I'll probably go around 8:30. I just chugged seven bottles of water in an hour and my stomach is so full I would barf."<br />
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I ended up peeing like five times last night. Thank you, little kidneys of mine.Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18186540141423294351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3510653756896873418.post-25534089992485165622013-03-11T00:47:00.001-04:002013-03-11T00:54:17.199-04:00Does that look good to you?After I got my mission call and found out I was going to be in Chile for 18 months, I did a Google search for "Chile Santiago West Mission." Lo and behold, just as I had expected, a few results popped up for missionary blogs of LDS missionaries who had served in Chile and had kept a blog about their experiences.<br />
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I started reading a little bit of one of the blogs in order to learn a little bit more about the area and see some pictures of what it was like, when this thing called a "Completo" kept popping up. I decided to research it a little bit more.<br />
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Delicious?</div>
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A completo is a Chilean style hotdog. Basically, it is a hotdog stuffed in a bun, packed with lots of avocado, a huge amount of mayonnaise, sauerkraut and chopped tomatoes. If you want, you can put ketchup or mustard or whatever on top. Apparently everyone <i>loves</i> them. <br />
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Seriously? Does that honestly look delicious? The mayonnaise just kills me. I mean, I like avocados and tomatoes. I could do those, no problem. But really, the mayonnaise? And all of that on a hotdog just sounds disgusting. I'm not a huge fan of hotdogs, either. I also read that most people put sauerkraut on top.<br />
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Hey, they look absolutely disgusting, but I am pretty certain I'll definitely be trying one of those at some point during that 18 months. I'll let you know how they <i>really</i> are.<br />
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Whatever it tastes like, it can't be worse than the Balut my cousin has eaten in the Philippines (or the gecko, or rats, or dog...) Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18186540141423294351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3510653756896873418.post-51636219975822366012013-03-01T23:44:00.000-05:002013-03-02T00:00:08.626-05:00Called to Serve! Well the day that has been pretty heavily anticipated came and went last week! On Tuesday, February 19, I checked my mail box and inside lay (folded up and very crinkled--they clearly did not know what was in that envelope!) my mission call! Since my parents had just returned me to VCU, and I was going back home that weekend, it didn't make sense to go home and open it that night, so I waited until Saturday to open it with the family and some close friends. People all week were asking me how on Earth I could stand to wait that long, but I think I actually had a lot more anticipation before the call was in my box. Once I had it in my possession, I knew I would be opening it that weekend, and it was pretty easy to wait! I wanted to be there with the family! However, it definitely made for a longer week than usual!<br />
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<span style="color: black;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAYQoqzeHrzmSj4BIk12bWHT4Q7ihc6uFuJZrI5XmZBvmM-nCATencw9hqXjJeAh_qgrXIqW_W5Gwe-_7lX654xsvtDkt7yhDJpN7d7bWWOB581aDjY63qxd9WFv-p-rAEUugnu5UQnk0/s1600/IMG_9626.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAYQoqzeHrzmSj4BIk12bWHT4Q7ihc6uFuJZrI5XmZBvmM-nCATencw9hqXjJeAh_qgrXIqW_W5Gwe-_7lX654xsvtDkt7yhDJpN7d7bWWOB581aDjY63qxd9WFv-p-rAEUugnu5UQnk0/s640/IMG_9626.jpg" width="640" /></a> Many, many more guesses were added to this board by the time I opened my call! </span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJavxBxX6x0GJ1ih8-s7Tcfl5x4Rk203wQOtNWdanh3glCL7PqTsQJhBt0jUqqYcSVNxzi3cxNzEqVzpA_NWQYuRLg_n-qHDRbZsRp6mzFG6xVH_PuG4CxPCTYbF198eqCc_q5CWYOrFI/s1600/DSC_0152.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJavxBxX6x0GJ1ih8-s7Tcfl5x4Rk203wQOtNWdanh3glCL7PqTsQJhBt0jUqqYcSVNxzi3cxNzEqVzpA_NWQYuRLg_n-qHDRbZsRp6mzFG6xVH_PuG4CxPCTYbF198eqCc_q5CWYOrFI/s640/DSC_0152.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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Best mail I have EVER gotten. </div>
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<span style="color: black;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz2Y-FYYDwxqqZySaIi6KQgiAqt7n5CAZlh_2G_NFnn6z6pLt_3y2nPCjfKSy7R9abw6lrmx0B1ebiY8gaP2CC-9Ya6MnD-5VxeGLTCLy9lVf772VtHBp8BmuO6_1Joe1lkev7BJAhVRM/s1600/130219-132244.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz2Y-FYYDwxqqZySaIi6KQgiAqt7n5CAZlh_2G_NFnn6z6pLt_3y2nPCjfKSy7R9abw6lrmx0B1ebiY8gaP2CC-9Ya6MnD-5VxeGLTCLy9lVf772VtHBp8BmuO6_1Joe1lkev7BJAhVRM/s640/130219-132244.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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It's here, It's here! I suppose you could say I was excited! :)</div>
Basically everyone knows that I am leaving for eighteen months to serve a mission. Not everyone understands it completely, but everyone seems to be so excited for me. Everyone in nursing school and back here at home have been asking me where I am headed for a few weeks now, and every time I see them they ask if I've gotten the letter yet! I can't think of anyone who hasn't been supportive of me, and it's awesome. I truly am blessed and have tons of support!<br />
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<span style="color: black;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxfgaqfpTWDIF2iZqqbS85Miv7_oKqXkjV5npiexEAusiT2Rna4vDswzPBZKB0ShWTW9errZR-AYuZYo6kPtbJ1_sOme1e8qFvHfOJvxhiE_JAbd-TRBkNdTymWrYR407PTYskt52Gs8A/s1600/misssssion.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxfgaqfpTWDIF2iZqqbS85Miv7_oKqXkjV5npiexEAusiT2Rna4vDswzPBZKB0ShWTW9errZR-AYuZYo6kPtbJ1_sOme1e8qFvHfOJvxhiE_JAbd-TRBkNdTymWrYR407PTYskt52Gs8A/s640/misssssion.jpg" width="640" /></a> The youth in my home-stake that are leaving to serve missions with our Stake President! SO exciting. I'm pretty sure we've all received our calls now. </span></div>
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The week passed by, and finally Saturday came. Thankfully, I had to work all morning Saturday and into the afternoon, so I wasn't sitting around anticipating the call all day--we planned to open it at 8pm. Kavya and I (she came home, too, of course!) fixed dinner for the family and made a few snacks, and then finally a few people started showing up over at the house around 7:30! Time was ticking down. Mom came home from work, my Aunt, her daughter, and Suzanne and Rachel came back into town from Virginia Beach, my Uncle came up, my Grandma drove SIX hours and SURPRISED us all by coming (so awesome!), and a few close families from church that have been so supportive and helpful in this whole mission process and growing up came over.<br />
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<span style="color: black;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkGWR-b42C9UVssapi9-K483DCngXK-gssarbG-J7s5BarrqXZtK3hJ-EKD5P0XJaBzwk4c19BOZ6hLNiEoHTlSvSR2YilwaosjtAmth5Mb5sBGgK_MBvNtnqmpgDnbeupufq4FJWmmY8/s1600/photo+1-9.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkGWR-b42C9UVssapi9-K483DCngXK-gssarbG-J7s5BarrqXZtK3hJ-EKD5P0XJaBzwk4c19BOZ6hLNiEoHTlSvSR2YilwaosjtAmth5Mb5sBGgK_MBvNtnqmpgDnbeupufq4FJWmmY8/s640/photo+1-9.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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My mission call sitting so nicely on the entertainment center waiting to be opened! On Friday, the second, smaller envelope was sitting in my mailbox. It was from the Travel Division for the church, and because several of my other friends have received similar letters with their calls, I was pretty sure at this point that I was headed out of the country. </div>
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The room filled up with many friends and family and just a few minutes after eight, I began opening my call. It was awesome. I could definitely feel the Spirit in the room, and was so excited as I read the beginning of my letter outloud. I covered it up, so that I didn't sneak a peek too much before everyone else. I read:</div>
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"Dear Sister Kemmey,</div>
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You are hereby called to serve as a missionary of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. You are assigned to labor in the Chile Santiago West Mission. It is anticipated that you will serve for a period of 18 months.</div>
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You should report to the Provo Missionary Training Center on Wednesday, June 5, 2013. You will prepare to preach the gospel in the Spanish language."</div>
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As soon as I said "Chile Santiago..." the room was filled with excitement and screaming. I was so happy and SO excited. I would go anywhere, but I am so excited about the place I was assigned! I can't wait to learn more about Chile, the gospel there, and to be able to serve the people in Santiago, Chile, for 18 months. I'm pretty sure this will be THE hardest thing I have ever done in my life.</div>
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Oh, and I took German for 5 years in middle and high school. How much Spanish did I take? Not an ounce. The extent of my Spanish language is "Hola" and "Por favor." I've got some work to do! </div>
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Room full of people waiting to hear where I was going!</div>
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We even got the old man (Grandpa Gray) on Skype! Technology is so awesome! </div>
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<span style="color: black;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy1whR3iQJ04Gqqc0dw1v2U0G634i_kmBOJhAM1Q5E4eRLMuyMQSu_iZQMf7uK_7Kt-Jihq3prBbn57ChfencXGxfPEmEnrCCtMt9ypE4NQ6KuQRhmdTdTTNF17yJ7qKPku0t483GH-f0/s1600/MVI_9713.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy1whR3iQJ04Gqqc0dw1v2U0G634i_kmBOJhAM1Q5E4eRLMuyMQSu_iZQMf7uK_7Kt-Jihq3prBbn57ChfencXGxfPEmEnrCCtMt9ypE4NQ6KuQRhmdTdTTNF17yJ7qKPku0t483GH-f0/s640/MVI_9713.jpg" width="640" /></a></span> </div>
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As I was opening the letter! </div>
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<span style="color: black;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiebpyNVj60hMZ9iqaj7dZwcP1xPv-6dHyfABvGw6V7ywKO2jYhfIIfGhZyXETpxVgWqerJSniFxtE3KbR1JM9Yue_sTlCpPF07IArOGLsM9j-B_YUMlRFNhLul0xxeUvJ09SJ33rsY-m8/s1600/MVI_9713-006.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiebpyNVj60hMZ9iqaj7dZwcP1xPv-6dHyfABvGw6V7ywKO2jYhfIIfGhZyXETpxVgWqerJSniFxtE3KbR1JM9Yue_sTlCpPF07IArOGLsM9j-B_YUMlRFNhLul0xxeUvJ09SJ33rsY-m8/s640/MVI_9713-006.jpg" width="640" /></a> I had just read that I was called to serve, and assigned to the Chile Santiago West Mission! The whole room errupted and I was so excited!</span></div>
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After the initial excitement died down, we started digging through the mission packet and we all sat around and talked about Chile and serving and everything! That night was awesome. We had a bunch of snacks and goodies, and my Aunt Amy made cute sugar cookie missionary tags. She is awesome. </div>
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Dad and Bishop Phelps digging through the mission packet, learning a little bit more about where I am headed for the next 18 months! </div>
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<span style="color: black;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrVW2sgQKi8vkXWF8NWPNBn-3mP7Ujv7k_FhwtScd3uGqbOSJbrtcqEsqjPutWFkxMpbpgyNTQQqWiwWtDuz9b6iskmYvkYcjbKevhG24XN2vgxQmAPeTnYvhSHgMzowjEIq1oJrZZZEg/s1600/IMG_9704.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrVW2sgQKi8vkXWF8NWPNBn-3mP7Ujv7k_FhwtScd3uGqbOSJbrtcqEsqjPutWFkxMpbpgyNTQQqWiwWtDuz9b6iskmYvkYcjbKevhG24XN2vgxQmAPeTnYvhSHgMzowjEIq1oJrZZZEg/s640/IMG_9704.jpg" width="640" /></a> Sugar cookies from Aunt Amy! </span></div>
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Bishop Phelps and Joy. Love these two people. Joy taught my seminary class in the mornings for four years. They are amazing examples to me. </div>
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My best friend in the world. She came home to support me and has been so excited for me through this whole process (since October!). She's taken it rough at times, too, but I am so glad she was there! She was a little bit upset when she heard I was going to be in CHILE for 18 months, but I will write plenty of letters! </div>
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Out of all of the guesses made, Lily Jones was the only one who nailed it! She guessed Chile! Keith and Brother Desmond were the next closest. </div>
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Sister Jones, the Sharpie Queen, hooked me up with some sharpies and journals to start me off with all of the studying I have been doing! She is awesome. Love all of it.</div>
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Aunt Amy and I.</div>
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The cutest two little girls I know! Such an awesome family.</div>
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Dad was so ANXIOUS about where I was going to get called! He said there were 100 places that he didn't want me going, but I think we made out pretty well with Chile! Not too dangerous, but a new place and an exciting experience! </div>
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I have the best Grandparents. Darling Grandma drove SIX hours Friday to be there on Saturday, and didn't tell a soul. So awesome, and I loved seeing her. Grandpa braved the Skype world, and I know Grandma Gray was looking down on the us. Back in November when I told her I was going to serve a mission, she promised to write me as much as she could. She was really excited for me. But I know she's doing her own work now and has her own mission in the next life!</div>
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Cute little Evan man! Pretty soon he will just know me as a picture :)</div>
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The official mission call and assignment.</div>
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This week my Grandpa forwarded me an email. My Grandma is Parley P. Pratt's great, great granddaughter. I did not know <i>any</i> of this. Just goes to show exactly how inspired the process of assigning a mission is. I honestly have a strong testimony that the Lord has sent me where he needs me, and that I have been called to Chile for a reason. I have no idea what that reason is now, but at some point, I'm sure I'll come to know why. Anyways, apparently Parley P. Pratt was the first missionary to go Spanish speaking and that was in Chile from 1851-1852. He did a lot of work, and he said that he hoped his descendants would never forget the Spanish speaking people. I have several other ancestors who have done missionary work in Mexico and South America, which is so neat. One of my relatives went to Chile and opened a branch in Valparaiso. The church has grown so much there since then, and I am excited to see how the people grow and how I grow as I serve there for 18 months. It's amazing that here I am, nearly 175 years later, headed to work with the people in Chile and serving them.</div>
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I <i>love</i> this gospel. I am so thankful that I was able to grow up with the knowledge and blessing of the gospel, and to be a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Later-day Saints. I am really thankful I was able to go to school and distance myself a little bit from home (although just <i>barely</i>), and develop a stronger and deeper faith in my religion. I have been so blessed to have awesome parents and leaders throughout my life that have been great examples to me. Right now I have the best institute teacher, who teaches me so much every single week. I love my Father in Heaven, and the Savior Jesus Christ. I am so grateful for His atoning sacrifice, that I might be able to live with Him again someday. I have a strong testimony of prayer, and I know that I am a Child of God and that He loves and knows each and every one of us. I know Joseph Smith was a prophet and man of God, who restored this gospel and the priesthood and endured so much that God's plan might be fulfilled. I know that the Bible and the Book of Mormon are the Word of God, and they really do guide and inspire us in this life. Life is so great, and I have been so blessed to have learned of the eternal purpose for this life. I know that Thomas S. Monson is a latter-day prophet who leads this church, and I am so grateful for the revelation to change the female missionary age to 19-years-old. I know that serving a mission is what I <i>want</i> to be doing, and what is right for me right now. I have been so blessed with an amazing family, and the Plan of Salvation is so important to me. I know that there are people prepared to hear the gospel, and I hope that I can help them feel the same joy that I have felt from knowing and living the gospel. I know that serving a mission is going to be the hardest thing I have ever done, but also the most rewarding, and I am so excited.<br />
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Mission Call Video: Mom is so awesome and made an awesome video about the night! Love it! </div>
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So excited to be Sister Kemmey, serving in the Chile Santiago West Mission. There is a LOT to do before I leave, but I am so excited.</div>
Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18186540141423294351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3510653756896873418.post-70869395283910876382013-02-21T23:35:00.002-05:002013-02-21T23:35:12.369-05:00Nursing ReflectionsWhen I switched my major from biology/pre-med to nursing/pre-med, I got a few mixed reviews. A lot of people were really supportive, and completely understood the decision and thought it was actually pretty smart. Other people thought I was nuts, because after all, who would want to be a nurse, and why would I settle for nursing school when I could do so much more? A lot of people still think I should just go on to medical school. While I have no idea what my education will finally end with, whether that be medical school or not, I do know that I am really, <i>really</i> glad I decided to change my major and enter nursing school.<br />
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Official.</div>
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Last semester was my first official nursing course, and it was fine. Nothing major, and it was only the one course. This semester we have two nursing courses, one of which being out first clinical experience. The lecture classes aren't actually as interesting and applicable as I would've hoped, but I am really enjoying the clinical part of the course. So far we've only been in the hospitals twice, but we've been learning a lot through the Clinical Learning Center at the School of Nursing. We've basically gone over skills like blood draws, starting IVs, IV pumps, oxygen therapy, folly catheters, and more. It is nice to learn things that are actually useful in the hospital and patient setting rather than just learning the mechanism for DNA replication for the eight hundredth time since middle school. I feel like things we are learning in nursing school will definitely help me if I do end up going to medical school--and in a lot of ways, help me more than the standard biology, chemistry, organic classes. I'm also glad I get to see and experience the nursing side of patient care, and if I do end up as a doctor one day, I can only imagine that having experience as a nurse will make me that much better as a doctor.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcbmOzSXjpZcStd1Q_1XXYjhxWaeZNidb8GwlXPSzQZk_CgA0Mc3ZNopDF0Sr4TPIuyd1t23XOUKlYfERBOivnDaB5f7vJY6C1i7NiX7Vgz5zrpCZ3Zy2JRF5cmOcJaDQvxes-dkNiBPk/s1600/IMG_0156.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcbmOzSXjpZcStd1Q_1XXYjhxWaeZNidb8GwlXPSzQZk_CgA0Mc3ZNopDF0Sr4TPIuyd1t23XOUKlYfERBOivnDaB5f7vJY6C1i7NiX7Vgz5zrpCZ3Zy2JRF5cmOcJaDQvxes-dkNiBPk/s640/IMG_0156.jpg" width="640" /></a> Donating blood with my friend from nursing school, Stephania. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcG3xvGglTP7oD5HIFs73dhJTH-Wgm-ag6ZepGhMe5PgamP71xWqE6nAI_hK7S768GoM0MOU3829TrOiK9cIspqrnjckHiHDKpMQp9vfN7mTJF79oln4HTB-AtrRF-HeXGOgHZ5LcpCvw/s1600/IMG_0146.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcG3xvGglTP7oD5HIFs73dhJTH-Wgm-ag6ZepGhMe5PgamP71xWqE6nAI_hK7S768GoM0MOU3829TrOiK9cIspqrnjckHiHDKpMQp9vfN7mTJF79oln4HTB-AtrRF-HeXGOgHZ5LcpCvw/s640/IMG_0146.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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Our little mannequin friends from class.</div>
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Anyways, so for the past two weeks, all of us nursing students have been paired with an RN in the hospital and have gotten to be "in charge" of our own patients. For clinical this semester, I am on the trauma unit, which is really exciting. We get to see a lot and have already been exposed to quite a bit for only being there a total of eight hours. And honestly, I feel like I've already learned a ton.<br />
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Besides learning expected things like blood sugars, ostomy bags, wound care, hundreds of acronyms, and hospital regulations and standards, I thought a lot about the actual patients and patient care this week. In the trauma unit here in Richmond, I've seen people from several different walks of life, who have made all different kinds of choices here on this earth, and who have had various consequences because of their actions. Then there are also patients who are here for reasons that almost seem so unfair, almost unjust--what did they really do to deserve to be so sick? Last week was our first week, and just being in the hospital taking care of an older lady who really couldn't do much for herself at all, I was definitely reminded of my Grandma Gray. I went down and saw her in the hospital pretty often, and I guess I just have a soft spot for caring for other people like her. She would always tell me that when I became a nurse, make sure you <i>really</i> care about people. Make them feel amazing, because they might just be miserable. When I stayed with her for a few nights a few years ago, I remember just sitting by her bed, rubbing her feet, or brushing her hair. Grandma always had to look as nice as she could, even with tubes and wires sticking out of her from all ends.<br />
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Practicing blood glucose tests in class.</div>
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Mom and Grandma on one of our many visits. </div>
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Grandma and Rachel, Evan, and I a little over a year ago. Christmas 2011.</div>
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Anyways, so this morning I was almost torn, wondering how you have compassion for someone who intentionally causes harm to their bodies, and does so so extensively, when the patient next to her is dying from no fault of her own. It's like my grandma: why did she of all people have cancer, diagnosed in 1989, and suffer with it and the extreme pain it brought upon her for <i>so </i>many years? How do you have the same degree of compassion for a person like my grandma, and say, a person that has caused so much damage to their body because of life-long drug addictions? But I can. I'm glad I had that experience--it definitely made me stop and think. I was talking to Mom later, and got a lot out of the experience. Who knows why people end up in different situations, in different circumstances. You definitely cannot judge, and especially as a nurse in a caring role, I have to be compassionate towards everyone. It's not my place to judge their actions. Mom brought up how when Christ was on the Earth, he didn't turn anyone away--sick, lepers, dumb, blind, poor, needy--he helped them all. Why shouldn't I? I need to have that Christ-like love. It also reminded me of how God has a plan for each of us, and he knows the paths we will take in this life. Maybe we can't understand everything here on this Earth, or why we experience trials and struggles, but sometimes we just need to have faith.<br />
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Mom and I gowned up to visit Grandma last year.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhPfRjAzJbHNdTX03t28ZxZdij6Dkb-_MPNi18ESK3dPZ5kSYvL8H7LBpwUwjWFtxL0GErfi3KzZP0V7Cui_9sGuvwUb3bEXxp8Za9Q3u3cQISi34SmxLVWyEWxJHDhJfBYMnu-aGzRlY/s1600/photo+1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhPfRjAzJbHNdTX03t28ZxZdij6Dkb-_MPNi18ESK3dPZ5kSYvL8H7LBpwUwjWFtxL0GErfi3KzZP0V7Cui_9sGuvwUb3bEXxp8Za9Q3u3cQISi34SmxLVWyEWxJHDhJfBYMnu-aGzRlY/s640/photo+1.jpg" width="474" /></a> </div>
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Dad and I gowned up, visiting Grandma.</div>
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The patient I had last week was still there this week, but she was actually going home today. I went in to her room and asked her if she remembered me. She said no, but I told her that was fine--I was only there for four hours last week! She was so incredibly sweet--started talking to me and telling me how excited she was to go home after being in the hospital forever. She definitely didn't have an easy road ahead of her, but she had a lot of courage, love, and faith surrounding her.<br />
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After I got off the unit, Mom had texted me telling me that one of the families we know from church was in the hospital with her son, and that I should run up and see them if I had time. Of course. I ran down to the floor, and started chatting with the Mom and smiling and laughing with her little 18-month old boy who just had his shunt replaced in surgery on Monday. What a happy, sweet little spirit that guy had. Seriously, you would never know he just had surgery and that his life has been such a little miracle so far. Such a sweet moment. If he can be so happy in his life, what do I have to complain about? Honestly, his life, in 18 short months, has already been so much harder than mine! <br />
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I'm so grateful for these experiences I've had these past two weeks. Cleaning up feces from a leaking ostomy bag isn't always a thrill a second, and I'm sure it will probably get old after a few times, but so far, I've really enjoyed just being able to care for other people, just make their mornings a little bit more pleasant. I've seen my faith grow a little bit. I've been reminded of important things I want for my own life. Some of those patients really are a trip, they are teaching me a lot, and they've got a lot of their personalities to share. I can't wait to experience more.Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18186540141423294351noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3510653756896873418.post-21622536925221872232013-01-31T12:45:00.003-05:002013-01-31T12:45:51.911-05:00Going on a Mission! Back in October, President Thomas S. Monson announced that all "able, worthy young women who have
the desire to serve may be recommended for missionary service beginning
at age 19, instead of age 21" (click <a href="https://www.lds.org/" target="_blank">here </a>to learn more).<br />
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To be honest, I have thought about serving a mission off and on for years, but it was never in my definite plans. I talk often with my friend Kavya about the future. She has her life planned: she knows what she wants and how she is going to get there. I am sure she thought I was crazy when I would tell her that after my bachelor's degree I really wasn't sure what I wanted to do. I'm preparing to go to medical school, but maybe I'll just finish nursing school and go on to become an NP or a PA or something. Maybe I'll be getting married and want to have kids. I might also serve a mission if there's time. We talked about things like this often, and in fact we were talking about it in October.<br />
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In October, Kavya and I traveled up to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania with the rest of the crew team for our first regatta of the season. It was absolutely freezing and rainy, and we were waiting around all day to race. The regatta went by quickly, we finished the races, and then we were on the way home. Since we had pass right by Fredericksburg to go back to VCU, I decided to stop and spend the rest of the weekend with my family. My Grandma was there, too, so it was more incentive to stop and stay.<br />
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When I got home, Mom and Suzanne asked me if I had heard the news. Ummm, no. What news? That afternoon was General Conference, and since I was at the regatta, I hadn't had a chance to watch it yet. So I heard at eleven that night about President Monson's announcement, and no sooner did I hop on Facebook that I was even more informed. All my friends from EFY and church from over the years were talking about what a change it was, and how it might impact their lives. I watched President Monson's talk, and I am really grateful for the changes that were made.<br />
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I started thinking about serving a full-time mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints throughout that entire week. I had thought about it before, but now I was <i>really</i> thinking about it. I wanted to serve. However, I knew I couldn't go if I wasn't able to keep my scholarship and place here at VCU. I emailed the Dean just to see what he would say. Surprisingly, they had no problem with me leaving, and my scholarship will be help until Fall 2015. What a blessing. I went home again that weekend, and told Mom and Dad that I know that I want to serve a mission, and that I want to serve right now at nineteen.<br />
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With that, I was ready to start the process. I talked to my Bishop in my home ward, and he was so excited for me. I filled out my paperwork over Christmas Break, and just finished my last interview for the papers on Sunday. On Tuesday, my mission paperwork was submitted to Church HQ in Salt Lake. I cannot wait to hear where I will be serving and living for the next 18 months of my life. I am excited to share the gospel and its truth, which I have come to know for myself. I am so excited to learn even more about the gospel and the church. I know that wherever I go, missionary work will be so hard, but so worth it and will provide so many blessings. I am grateful for the age change, and for the chance I have to be a missionary now and participate in missionary work full-time. I didn't really think my plans would have included a mission, but man am I glad those plans have changed.<br />
<br />The wait is on. I should receive my mission papers in two to three weeks!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizpFRyqRCXXI-uFjxb_jDJQIoV0W0FBdgQyfTUFLXE_dlwNA6pHViZYSohHbGIhDvIYYrtNgAw4UXkUCfLSJ5LYZLnWI7sUbmAg076GsLUVmj7g4psg4jFmZDkoPPNrjuFEoc5wUE7kg4/s1600/IMG_9426.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizpFRyqRCXXI-uFjxb_jDJQIoV0W0FBdgQyfTUFLXE_dlwNA6pHViZYSohHbGIhDvIYYrtNgAw4UXkUCfLSJ5LYZLnWI7sUbmAg076GsLUVmj7g4psg4jFmZDkoPPNrjuFEoc5wUE7kg4/s640/IMG_9426.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>
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The photo on my missionary application</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDLqGhNZnbOs90mUaG_nJ_ShQNZfGCfV8Vb1Fi30DB24prliC0ypU2CTBW0iT7s39TCpIyk-ljZwCJ48zbCjz47rmFkvjWtErFP4iTDHJezb0OPAuY36F8NyoXtWORzI4U7ujt7_b2_Ns/s1600/photo+3-10.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="584" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDLqGhNZnbOs90mUaG_nJ_ShQNZfGCfV8Vb1Fi30DB24prliC0ypU2CTBW0iT7s39TCpIyk-ljZwCJ48zbCjz47rmFkvjWtErFP4iTDHJezb0OPAuY36F8NyoXtWORzI4U7ujt7_b2_Ns/s640/photo+3-10.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Me and the Stake President on Sunday--the church publicists are writing an article about the LDS members from our stake serving a mission for one of the local newspapers, and so they snapped a few pictures.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNzK7qLmuqOzOGSCtqrrrKW1-OG_ocrF_IbULLynC-MxEyROj7wiwgJc0K4ahhvMUZEnTkN501Ppm-3zeJaXhrZ0I2hDaUcDJQSC9eicf4ILA-JqW2-AwuloasalAiXbmCBHfTuKlYFwU/s1600/Fullscreen+capture+1312013+124311+PM.bmp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="474" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNzK7qLmuqOzOGSCtqrrrKW1-OG_ocrF_IbULLynC-MxEyROj7wiwgJc0K4ahhvMUZEnTkN501Ppm-3zeJaXhrZ0I2hDaUcDJQSC9eicf4ILA-JqW2-AwuloasalAiXbmCBHfTuKlYFwU/s640/Fullscreen+capture+1312013+124311+PM.bmp.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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My mom is a little bit excited for me too and so she made this poster to mark our guesses (take a guess where I will be called!). :) She will be an awesome missionary mom.</div>
Meganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18186540141423294351noreply@blogger.com0