Here we go again....

Don't worry, this is the last one! But today my baby brother turns FIFTEEN! Freak!! Young girls, you have one year to prep yourself for this witty, smart, funny, fun-loving hunk of a brother I have, before he'll take you out on a date ;) Once again, I present a montage of Craig's awesomeness. :D

Craig is a great target :)

I'm taller ;)

Happy 15th Birthday Craig! I love you!!

Update

Well, I've had lots of people asking me how things have been since my lovely accident, so I thought I would give a general update.

Saturday was the day of the accident. The doctor told me that Sunday was going to be the worst day for soreness. He wasn't totally wrong. It wasn't as painful as I thought it would be, but then again, he probably meant that it would hurt if I moved, which I couldn't. haha. So I spent the day resting and reading and watching movies. (Yes, I did skip church, but for some reason sitting through my 4 hours of stake conference meetings in the Smith Fieldhouse bleachers just didn't sound like a smart idea...)

Monday was a pretty good day. I still felt like I had been hit by a train (I kinda was ha) but I was able to walk okay. My neck did start to hurt a bit, and I started to find all these weird bruises and other markings all over my body, but at this point I was only really experiencing pain on my left arm/shoulder (I guess where I collided with the ATV?), a little in my neck, and then right over my kidney, right lower back, and just overall soreness. But here I was thinking I was going to have a speedy recovery. Beep! Incorrect. Try again.

Come Monday night. I laid down to sleep but couldn't because it hurt too bad. It was weird because I had slept pretty well the previous two nights. I tried taking medication, putting my ice packs all over my back, being on my side, being on my back, I even tried the stomach approach (ouch!) but nothing worked. I didn't sleep that night. maybe 15 minutes at a time, but with a couple of hours between each "nap". It was miserable. No more than 45 minutes-hour of sleep.

That made yesterday (Tuesday) pretty miserable. I was hurting more than probably any other day thus far. But too bad nursing has all the classes on one day a week: lovely Tuesday. I had class from 8 am to 8 pm. But I was so tired, and in so much pain that I could only make it through my first two classes before I gave up and went home. I tried to sleep but just ended up relaxing, and doing a little bit of homework. Then came last night to sleep. I got into bed and it was the same as the night before. Way too much pain all over for me to sleep. After 45 minutes, I decided to try something different, so I went to the couch with my pillows, blankets, and ice packs. The moment I laid down the pain was (essentially) gone. It was wonderful!! I slept like a baby for a few hours. I did wake up in pain at some points, but still, far more sleep than the night before.

Today, I'm feeling okay. I'm definitely on the mend. I'm sore, but now it only really hurts when I make transitions. I'm fine when sitting, standing, or walking, but transitioning between that all is very painful. I suppose it's to be expected though. At least I am feeling better and don't need to take painkillers anymore. I'm overall trying to take it a little easier. I'm limiting my activity, especially neck movement (just want to be careful with that fracture). I usually get up at 6 at the latest to get a start on my day, but I'm trying to get more rest than usual so I can heal, so I'm trying to sleep in to 8ish.

I'm healing faster than anyone thought I would, even the doctor. I know that it's not a coincidence. I also know that I was DEFINITELY protected in my accident. I must have been going almost 30 mph down that hill and had I not been able to protect my head from the ATV, I can guarantee you that today I would either be dead, paralyzed, or a vegetable. I have no question about that. I'm just grateful that I was protected for whatever reason, and healing quickly.

Anyway. That's my lengthy, way-too-much-information update. I know you're all wishing I had said "I'm fine" and moved on. Too bad I'm not that way :)

Just a quick shout-out. Thanks to everyone who has been SO supportive and caring over these rough few days. Offering rides, telling me I MUST take it easy, praying for me, thinking of me...And especially those who have brought me food of some kind!!! I got homemade Cafe Rio and banana bread (thanks Alyse!), cinnamon rolls from Shea and Kyle, homemade salsa and tabouli from Aaron, and orange chicken from Camille. I really appreciate everyone for helping, especially those who have just sent me a text to say they're thinking of me, or come over to visit. I love the company :)

So after all this, all I can say again is: DO NOT EVER PLAY CHICKEN WITH AN ATV! You'll regret it. haha

GAH!!

I don't understand this. How the heck do I have an 18 year old younger brother?! But alas, Scott turns 18 today! He's freaking awesome, so this montage of pictures is to celebrate that fact :)

That BYU blue looks good on you, bud! Did I mention he's recruited to run track and XC at BYU? :)

He totally bought these boxers haha

Happy Birthday Scott!! Love you ;)

They need to decorate the ceiling of ambulances if you have to stare at it for 20 minutes

For two weeks I have been looking forward to going up to my friend's cabin for a gathering for some friends and their dates. It was going to be a great time to take a break from this *wonderful* month. Unfortunately, things didn't go the way I expected...

Oh it started out all right, everyone was happy and enjoying the cabin and the company and looking forward to a day of sledding, four-wheeling, hot tubing, games, movies, etc etc. I mean, look at these happy faces!




We decided to go sledding first. There was a really steep hill just next to the cabin that was long and steep and super icy. Because it was so long, we were towed up the hill by four wheelers. Very convenient on the way up, not so much on the way down. As I went sledding down the hill for the second time, I turned a bend and low and behold idling right in the middle of the trail was a four wheeler....and I was headed right towards it, headfirst. Try as I might, it was too icy to stop or steer and not really enough time to roll out, so my instinct was to put my arm up and protect my head for the possibility of any neurological damage (thank you nursing for that one). Although I was (miraculously) able to save my head from any damage, there was nothing I could do to save my back. The second I collided, my back twisted in all the ways it's not supposed to, my body curled up underneath the four wheeler on contact, and I was basically just one limp, mangled mess. It hurt. so. bad.
Next thing I knew, I was surrounded by a group of people who were concerned and watching out for me while I struggled to breath and attempted to figure out what was going on with my back that was hurting so badly. But I've decided that if you're going to get injured anywhere, it should be with three nursing girls! (Props to Sara, Sarah, and Shea!) They did all kinds of assessments to make sure I didn't have any neurological problems, and to determine what kind of pain I had and what it could mean. After being in the snow for about 20 minutes, it was decided that I first and foremost needed to get inside and warm up. This required a makeshift bodyboard. Sleds are remarkably handy when used as hard, flat, objects to keep back and neck straight. Everyone did a wonderful job keeping me stable as they all lifted me from the ground onto the sleds.

Sarah R. decided to document this experience. Hence the pictures.

Since I couldn't move my neck/head, and my back hurt whenever my legs were higher/lower than my back, the "board" required two sleds to keep my body level.

The next step to getting into the house was getting me up the long, steep hill. At first they tried pulling the sleds, but that was going to be quite a treacherous trip and everytime they pulled me over uneven snow (aka, THE ENTIRE TIME) I could feel it in my back and it hurt! So that plan was an epic fail. Next plan was carrying me up. I'm glad we decided not to try that one. Thankfully, there was a Jesus-loving drunk (he offered me a beer to take the edge off my pain haha) who offered to bring down his Suburban to take us to the cabin. He was a different kind of Good Samaritan than I would have expected, but I was so grateful to him. He brought us to the cabin and I was carried into a bedroom to rest and be covered in lots and lots of blankets. And to take lots of advil haha (which I really appreciated because those transfers were extremely painful).

okay, this was obviously before the lots and lots of blankets, but you do see the meds! ha

After another half hour of not being able to move, my friends called 911 and told me afterwards (mostly because I had told them a hundred times that I didn't need/want an ambulance). Alas, it was too late, and it was already on the way. So they came, strapped me to a board, put a lovely neck collar on, and took me away.

Funny story about the ambulance that may only be funny to nurses. When I was in there for the 20 minute drive, my pain was so bad they gave me fentanyl (best. stuff. ever! My pain went from an 8 to a 2 in like three minutes) but they had to start an IV in the ambulance. One of the EMTs tied the tourniquet on my arm (far tighter than I had ever had before or needed to be) and left it on my arm for about 2 minutes. Ouch. Meanwhile, the other EMT took my vitals, including blood pressure. When he took it, he asked if I was nervous. I told him I wasn't, but asked why, and apparently my blood pressure was 168/104 and he thought it was because I was nervous hahaha. Nevermind I had a noose around my arm for two minutes making it hard to pump blood ha.

This was in the hospital before they took me for x-rays. I have oxygen in this picture because in the ambulance my oxygen saturation levels dropped to 86-87% (normal is 95-100%) so they threw me on 4 L of oxygen.

Thankfully, all scans came back clean, and I was able to go home. yay!

When getting discharged, they made me go out in a wheelchair because I really couldn't walk well, as you can tell haha. Eric (who had driven up to Heber from Provo) thought this was remarkably funny and wanted to document the moment. haha.

So there you go. My first ride in an ambulance. It's about the same significance as my first step, first tooth, and first kiss. More or less. And even though I am ridiculously sore, walk like a cripple, and have no idea when I'll be able to function again, at least I got to ride in an ambulance. AND keep the hospital pants that are one size fits all--including all obese patients. boo-yah.

Moral of the story: If you're going to play "chicken" with an ATV, you will lose.



Update: The ER doc just called me this morning (Sunday). The radiologist called him very late last night and thinks I may have a fracture in the posterior process of one of my cervical vertabrae (aka my neck area) and recommended a CT scan. Wouldn't that come with neck pain though? I'm not having any pain in my neck...?

Ohhh March...

Bad Things About March:
-Unpredictable weather
-No days off school
-11 quizzes
-2 Relief Society Lessons to teach
-3 Exams
-4 Research Papers
-1 Debate
-1 Birth Plan
-2 Article Summaries
-2 Simulations

Good Things About March:
-Mom here
-7 more weeks of school, meaning 7 more Tuesdays (the day I have class from 8 am to 8 pm with one two hour break)
-Brian's 24th Birthday
-Scott's 18th Birthday
-Jared's 18th Birthday
-Craig's 15th Birthday
-Brett's 21st Birthday
-Mission papers in
-Mission Call?
-11 quizzes, 2 RS lessons, 3 exams, 4 research papers, 2 simulations, 2 article summaries, 1 debate and 1 birth plan all done.


I'm ready for one crazy month.

I am a complete chick-flick-lovin' girl.

I am your classic girl. I love all the things that typically girls are expected to like. I love wearing dresses, putting on eye makeup, having girl chat, talking on the phone, eating ice cream from the container, crying when PMSing, taking long walks on the beach, dancing in the moonlight, kissing in the rain... these are the things girls are stereotypically supposed to do/love, right? Eh, more or less. ANYWAY, what's another classic sign of a stereotypical girl? A chick flick lover. I must say, I DEFINITELY fit into that category. Especially since last night I watched the perfect chick-flick.

Meet Nick and Beth

They're from the movie When In Rome, no NOT the one with the Olsen twins (excuse me for a minute while I throw up in my mouth...okay, back). I had seen the previews on TV and wanted to go see it, so last night my old roommate Lu and I went. It was perfect. Cute, clean, cheesy, hilarious, unrealistic, mushy-gushy, predictable, perfect guy who doesn't exist-- I love it all. Truly. I laughed, I (almost) cried, I drooled over Josh Duhamel, I envied Kristen Bell's outfits, and I smiled practically the whole time. So let's begin:

Kristen Bell: How could you NOT love this girl?! I first saw her as Elle Bishop in Heroes, then as Sarah Marshall in Forgetting Sarah Marshall (the edited version). (Also, for all you GG fans who are not reading my blog, she's the voice of Gossip Girl). She's stunning, and funny, and she's dresses like a goddess. Of course, when you are as naturally beautiful as she is, it's not hard to look like a goddess. Also, I think she is a terrific actress, definitely amazing in this movie, even though every time she stepped into the fountain and got a beautiful dress soaking wet, i cringed.

Josh Duhamel: ::drool, drool, drool:: HELLO HOTTIE! Win a Date With Tad Hamilton, Las Vegas (the series), oh MAN you are beautiful. And even though your role as Nick was completely unrealistic because you said things no guy ever says, and I've never met a man more flawless as your character, it doesn't mean I don't love you anyway. You're funny, and beautiful, and quite a good actor, so if you are ever looking for someone who is, ya know, 17 years younger than you, I'm your girl :) You shouldn't have married Fergie. You're too good for her.
p.s. There was this part in the movie that we laughed and laughed and laughed at and wished that we could rewind and watch again (no, it wasn't JUST the kissing parts) so if you watch it, let me know and let me laugh with you ;)

There were other cast members who were pretty big too: Danny DeVito (is he really that short?), Jon Heder and Anjelica Huston (Ever After). Overall I would have to say this was an awesome movie. It may be too gushy of a movie to watch with my boyfriend, but it's definitely going on my "must purchase" list ;)

To watch the trailer, which you should do, click here!

Valentine's Weekend

This Valentine's Day I got to be in Idaho with Brian and the rest of the McKellars. It was a fantastic weekend, although it was cut shorter than I had hoped. I have this entire week off from school and was planning on coming back on Wednesday but the girl I was going to ride back changed her plans to Thursday, a little too late for me. So I came back Monday. sigh.... But it was still fabulous!

On Saturday, Brian and I exchanged gag valentine's day gifts. I gave him a Raggedy Ann doll (an inside joke) and he gave me a box of stuffed "microbes" haha. Only funny to a nurse apparently. Then we were going to go to a dance, but changed our minds, and instead went to dinner at Olive Garden. So good! We then got back to his house right when Shelby and Robert were about to head out to the High School Sweethearts Dance. I crashed their photo shoot :)

I'd like to believe that they enjoyed my tongue in their picture...

"awww....."

I LOVED her dress!

And I apparently really wanted to go to the dance with them.

On Sunday, Brian and I went with his Mom to the Singles Ward (his mom is in the Stake RS presidency and it was ward conference). This was kind of unusual because Brian now attends his family ward. When we were in Sunday school, he passed me a note saying that his valentines gift to me was that he had arranged to sing in sacrament meeting :) It may sound silly, but he sang a few weeks ago in his home ward and I was so bummed that I didn't get to hear him, so he planned to sing in the Singles ward while I was there :) It was a really sweet gesture and he did an AMAZING job! :)

After church, we had a fabulous dinner made by the men for their ladies. There were 13 people all together at the dinner, 6 couples and Claire. Landon made the main dish (chicken alfredo with sauteed veggies etc) Brian made the salad, Matt made the potatoes, and Robert made the fruit pizza for dessert and the (virgin) martinis. Good meal, good company, good valentine's day :)

a heart shaped chicken breast for valentine's day :)

Since Claire was the only single, she found comfort with her good friend "martini"

yummy!!!!

After dinner, Mike (Brian's dad) Carmen, Salvador (Carmen's man) and Claire did magic. They are SO good, It was pretty amazing.

Thanks Brian, for being my perfect valentine and giving me an awesome weekend. :)

Why not put croutons in there and put the whole thing on a spoon?

I had always thought that Mac and Cheese was like the lowest a college student could go. Okay, maybe it's second only to Top Ramen, but I've never had that before (nor do I intend on ever having it, so this is the lowest I fall). I mean how much more simple can it get? Boil water, add noodles, drain, add butter, milk, and cheese powder. And if you are like me, you don't even measure the milk and butter! And it only takes like 15 minutes top! Easy peezy. But apparently not easy enough.

Ladies and Gentlemen, I present to you: Velveeta shells and cheese!!

I'm sure that I'm just behind the times and you've all had it before, but it was on sale the other day so I bought it and decided to make it tonight since I didn't feel like making a real dinner (don't worry Mom, I usually eat really well and healthy! Promise!!) So when I started to make it, I thought for sure that it would be a mac and cheese knock off. That would be a no!! Apparently mac and cheese CAN get easier. Just put all the cheese, milk and butter into once sauce mix! Heaven forbid we need to open the milk AND measure some butter AND rip a packet of cheese powder! Do you know how much time that takes and how much work is required?! I'm pretty sure I pulled a muscle last time I opened the milk. Now with a simple packet filled with a substance that can't decide if it's liquid or solid, I save myself from all that work! Thank you Velveeta! What would the world do without you. Now if only it could all be found in a convenient squeeze bottle. Can life get better? I submit that it cannot!