Yellowstone National Park

I found one of the most beautiful places, and it's only been 2 hours away from me this whole time!

When my Mom and sister, Audrey, were still in town we made a trip to Yellowstone National Park. I have been living in Idaho for three years now and still had not visited. It would of been a shame to never visit after living so close. It is simply beautiful! There are over 2 million acres of this beautiful place. So much to see it could take days. We explored and saw a lot for one day! Maybe in the future Eric and I will plan a longer trip. 

Now, here's a photo dump of our day! 

Everyone has to see Old Faithful. It ranges up to 8,400 gallons of hot water erupting.

The Grand Canyon of Yellowstone

^^^ ok, this was awesome! We stumbled upon these Elk at their home. As they started coming out of the water closer and closer, I was a little freaked out and backed away, while my sister ran to the car. Some people were getting way too close for a picture! Seriously, the animals could become angry any time. They're lucky! They are so big up close. And those antlers! Huge in person. You never know what wildlife you'll run into! 

 And last, gotta take a selfie at Yellowstone. 

College Graduation!

Jeez, my first post ever on this blog was my high school graduation. I remember the countdown, the packing and excitement of starting college. And now my college graduation? I can hardly believe it! 

My feelings were all over the place all day. I almost didn't feel ready. This was really happening? I have really given up many hours of my time, of sleep, and tears all for nursing school and it's finally paying off? Through nursing school you dream about it being done and making it. But it always seemed so far out of reach. When I would catch myself thinking about it, I would laugh and remind myself I was still trying to make it through the semester, or day. I knew it was graduation day, but I couldn't picture myself walking across the stage and being handed the degree I worked so hard for. And then, it was happening! I was wearing a gown again that was a little too big, I was trying to put on a cap that made my ears stick out, and all of our family was here! 

I walked across the stage as my name was called, shook some hands and clutched onto my diploma cover. You know how it goes :) BEST FEELING EVER! I could not of done any of it without the support of my family and close friends cheering me on. I was spoiled to have my in-laws and mother and sister here for a WEEK with us. We had a blast! Eric has always been my bestfriend. He supported me when I wanted to do nursing in high school, when I was applying to the program when he was on his mission, when he was engaged to me during the program and now married to me for my graduation! He is incredible. I also have to mention that a huge part of me did this for my Dad. He passed away about a week after I read my acceptance letter by his bedside. I know he is so dang excited and proud of me!

My time at Brigham Young University-Idaho has been amazing. I could tell a story for hours about everything that I've done, about the friends I have made and all that I've learned. Lots of people pack up their belongings and hit the road where ever it's taking them next, like a lot of my friends. But lucky for me, I get to hang out still right here in Rexburg, Idaho as my husband finishes school for himself. That sounded like a lot of sarcasm... But I really do enjoy our time here! Especially being together, making memories and new friends.

So what's up now? Things are definitely changing around here! I feel like I'm out in the real world. Although I may not get my dream job (L&D nurse) right away, I am so excited to drop the "student" nurse name, add a RN behind my name, and spend 12+ hours in a hospital but actually be getting paid for it! Nursing school is a challenging experience. As if the rigors faced during it weren’t enough, I still have to take my professional licensure exam to be able to practice as a registered nurse. So that is my next challenge + task I am tackling! Oh, I am also continuing my education and going after my BSN degree. This september I will begin mainly researching/writing papers as I start working towards it. Thankfully, it's all online class, a big difference from what it's been like and I finish July 2015!

The day the rains came down... and it flooded.

Seriously everyone. It was kind of really scary. I went into take my LAST nursing test at 6:15pm and it had already been hailing for a while. As I was taking this timed test, on the computer,180 questions, the huge rain storm and hail just kept pouring. To the point where it was so loud I didn't want to focus on my test. I thought it was bad and wondered if we needed to take cover or anything. Next thing I know we are being evacuated, I hear mention that it's starting to flood, but all I can think about is how important this test is I had just spent two hours sitting there working on it and I was not going to stop in the middle. I was pissed. I go outside and I'm thinking "Where is this flood??" I head back into the building and as I'm walking in I call Eric to come pick me up. That's when I realized I was about to be walking in water up to my calfs. The whole building was flooded.

I go outside to wait and Eric starts driving to campus. But all the streets are flooded. Our car can't make it through some places. He got as close as he could and I walked the rest of the way to him... well swam. The flood was up to my knees. As soon as I got into the car he told me he just got called into work. He works for the campuses plumbing/electric office. He spent 5 hours on campus going through buildings fixing/cleaning things. When I picked him up last night there were people all over campus cleaning debris that were left in roads/parking lots.

And guess what, campus looks like nothing happened to it today. We're back in classes, taking finals and graduation is in 7 days!

We experienced our first, and hopefully last, flash flood! I am so, so grateful our apartment is safe. As I was making my way off campus to get to Eric I saw apartment complexes taking buckets of water out and dumping them. They set up refugee for people affected. I can't imagine losing everything. Pray for those affected by this! Here are some pictures going around the internet.

Water flowing into campus. 

I'm still here!

And as happy as ever! These past couple of months have been a whirl-wind. Soon after getting married we moved into our first apartment and started into a routine. This semester flew by for me going to school/ working part-time and Eric working full-time. It finally comes to a close this week for me! On Friday I am done with test, classes, clinical, projects... done with my ASN Nursing Degree! I can't wait to see all of our family for graduation next week!

Meanwhile this semester we've been making time for lots of fun. Idaho is a funny place. It's only beautiful for about 3 months out of the semester. If you've ever visited, you understand. We've had lots of bike rides, hikes and this past Saturday I had a first. I went white water rafting for the first time! I was probably the most nervous. Eric has been a ton on the Colorado River. But man, after a few miles on the river I was in a happy place.

We drove 3 hours to the Salmon River. That's the first thing I loved. Getting so far away from Rexburg and just forgetting about school work the whole day. I enjoyed just being in the moment all day. Our raft guide let us know when it was a safe to jump out and swim. Floating on my back, looking up at the blue sky, as the Salmon River flows through the mountains covered in pine trees, with a smile on my face, it was magical. And the sunburn is completely worth it!

We also enjoyed a wonderful 4th of July! Idaho Falls has the 2nd best firework show in the nation. And it didn't disappoint!

LOTS is planned for the month of August! Including my NCLEX test (boards for nursing license) and a vacation I have been

looking forward to forever now.