A Few Thoughts For The Day

I'm reading a new book called "Having a Mary Heart In a Martha World", and although I've only finished the first chapter, I've already been inspired. The book offers much to think and pray about, so here are a few quotes to contemplate on....

• "Busyness, by itself, breeds distraction"
• "While the world applauds achievement, God desires companionship. The world clamors "do more! Be all that you can be!" But our Father whispers, "Be still and know that I am God"
• "We are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. The one thing is not found in doing more. It's found by sitting at His feet"
• Matthew 11:28-29 ---> (open your Bible to see what it says)

More quotes and thoughts to ponder soon to come....

Being an Aunt

As most of you probably already know, my adorable niece Bella is absolutely 100% the love of my life.

No one can make me smile as much or laugh as hard as she can.

No one says "Aunt Emily" in a more precious voice than she does.

No one asks me to color or play dress up the way she asks.

No one's endless energy keeps me on my toes quite like hers.

Ever since I moved to Arizona a week ago, Bella and I have been having the same conversation everyday, and it goes a little something like this...

Bella: "You live near me now Aunt Emily"

Emily: "That's right Bell, I live right down the street from you. Isn't that cool?"

Bella: "Yeah. Will you live here forever??"

Emily: "Yep, forever"

Bella: "Forever and ever??"

Emily: "Yes, forever and ever"

Bella: "Forever and ever and ever??"

Emily: "Yep!!"

Isnt that just precious? I swear that little girl melts my heart every time... Nothin like bein an Aunt!

Picture of My Apartment... Finally!!

Alright alright I know you are all just dying to see pictures of my new Arizona apartment.
And I know I've tortured you enough by making you wait an impossibly long amount of time.
But you have to admit, its built quite a bit of anticipation.

I mean this is a big moment.

These pictures are not of just any apartment, they're of my apartment.

The apartment I will most likely call home for the next 3 (or more) years.

The apartment that will house me and my messy, complicated, and somewhat adventurous life.

The apartment that will be my safe haven, my comfort, and my home.

The apartment that will see me through good times and bad, tears and laughter.

Nope, its not just ANY apartment, its my "home sweet home"

So without further ado.....

Here's a view from the front entry of the kitchen/dining room. Isnt my burnt reddish orange wall awesome??

view of dining room/living room (and Tirzah)

My living room (and Tirzah... again)

My bedroom (a work in progress)

Part of my bathroom (it extends further to the left, but I couldnt get the angle)

Tirzah relaxing in her new home

Finding My Way

Well, I'm all settled in and trying to adjust to my new surroundings here in Arizona.

Luckily it hasnt been too hot lately, but I know the summer heat is on its way.

Its strange calling a new city "home", as a matter of fact it feels nothing like home.... well not yet anyway.

I think the only thing keeping me sane in this crazy new world is my amazing sister Bri.

Living down the street from her has been a true blessing.

On the bright side, I'm totally in love with my new apartment. I know I've lived on my own before, but something about this place makes me feel like a grown up... wait I am a grown up.

Whoa thats weird.

Anyway, my apartment is spacious yet cozy and smells of rich hazelnut cream (thanks to my hazelnut cream candle). There are quite a few windows which allows for a plethora of sun light to flood the main living space during the afternoon. I think Tirzah is probably a bigger fan of the sunlight than I am, as she is always sure to find a sunlit patch on the carpet to curl up on and bask in.

There's nothing quite like a warm safe place to come home to at night, and this apartment has definitely become my little haven.

Of course once my new place was set up and settled, I knew it was time to venture out. Learning my way around Scottsdale has had its difficult moments, but thanks to the book of directions my sister wrote and laminated for me, its been surprisingly simple.

There are a TON of shopping centers, parks, and biking trails all within minuets from my place. As a matter of fact, my sister and I enjoyed a pleasant bike ride this morning, and although it was already 85 degrees at 8:00am, it was a refreshing way to start the day.

All in all I'm learning to love this new place I call home.

I'm anxious to see what God has in store for me here, but regardless I'm choosing to trust in the Lord's plan.

Couscous and Capers

Maybe something is in the water here in Arizona.

Or maybe I've been bitten by the "domestic bug",

but whatever the reason, I've recently developed a deep love for cooking.

Its amazing the variety of fruits, vegetables, and grains the Lord has provided for us to enjoy, and I for one would hate to miss out on all that deliciousness!!

Sitting and enjoying a meal with someone you love is definitely one of the greatest pleasures in life, and tonight I had the privilege of spending some valuable one on one time with my mom in my new apartment.

It was a wonderful time.

We popped open a bottle of wine, lit some candles, and chatted while I prepared a meal for the two of us to enjoy.

And what was on the menu you ask??...

Feta-Chicken Couscous Salad of course!

There's nothing quite like couscous and capers to make your mouth water!

And in case you were wondering, here is the recipe for you to make and enjoy:

Feta-Chicken Couscous Salad

1 serving of cooked whole wheat couscous

1 cup of cooked and diced chicken breast

1/4 cup chopped fresh basil

3 Tbs capers

1 Tbs extra virgin olive oil

1 Tbs lemon juice

2 cups of mixed salad greens

1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese

My Colorful Cabbage Salad for Summer

I dont know about you, but during the heat of the summer, there's nothing quite like a refreshing salad to keep you cool.

My favorite summer salad is called the Colorful Cabbage Collage, and as its name indicates, it's filled with bright colorful veggies and a zesty dressing.

YUMMY!

Colorful Cabbage Collage

2 cups red cabbage, sliced thinly

2 cups green cabbage, sliced thinly

1 carrot, grated

1 red bell pepper, sliced

1 green bell pepper, sliced

1 yellow bell pepper, sliced

4 Tbs. scallions, chopped

1/4 cup lemon juice

1 Tbs extra virgin olive oil (or flax seed oil)

1-2 tsp dried red chili pepper (AKA Cheyenne Pepper)

Dash of Braggs Liquid Aminos (a type of soy sauce found in any health food store)

Toss ingredients in a large bowl, chill, and serve!!

My New Home

Greetings from my new apartment in Scottsdale AZ!!!!

Phew its been a long couple of days moving and getting settled, but at last I have succeeded in unpacking, organizing, and setting up my new life here in the Valley of the Sun.

My journey began Friday with the long tedious trek to Arizona via car.... talk about boring. Tirzah and I drove alone while following my dad in the moving truck. In order to stay awake and occupied, Tirzah and I bought some books on tape, packed our favorite snacks, and hit the road.

About half way to Arizona I started coming down with the flu.... fever, chills, headache, body aches, and sniffles. Talk about bad timing. But of course I pushed through the pain and arrived in AZ around 11:00pm.

Saturday was pure hell as the flu took over my body. What was supposed to be a fun and exciting day of moving in, quickly turned to misery.

But, praise the Lord I have such a wonderful family. Without even saying a word, my family kicked it into high gear unpacking while I laid on the bathroom floor sick.

To make a long story short, after three days of hard work, I am finally relaxing in my new and quite spacious apartment.... and I couldnt be happier.

Now I know you are all dying to see pictures of my place, and I of course would LOVE to show it off to you, however, I am still working on some last finishing touches, so you'll just have to wait.

But here's a sneak peak to wet your appetite a bit....

Ok ok so its not as much a picture of my apartment as it is a picture of the new home for my shoes. But you have to admit, a shoe closet is a beautiful thing!!

Moving Day!!!

Alright guys today's the day.
We're packin up the truck and making the drive to Arizona, which for me will be purely a one way trip.

Strange.

Yet also exciting.

My adventure has officially begun. I have no idea what the Lord has in store for me, but if history is any indication, its sure to be wonderful.

Please keep me in your prayers as I make this huge transition in my life.

I'll be sure to post about all my new experiences and of course the many ups and downs and twists and turns my life is sure to take.

FYI:

I probably wont be blogging for a few days due to the fact that I will be up to my eyeballs in boxes to unpack and an apartment to set up. Once life settles down in a few days I will post pictures of my new place and begin blogging once again.

Winds of Change...

"There is nothing wrong with change...if it is in the right direction."

-Winston Churchill

Hey guys! So big changes are happening....

Yes, as you can see, I'm re-vamping my blog. It's kind of a metaphor to all that is changing in my life too! Can't chat now...I'm busy packing, but check back often because I'll have so much to write about!

Packing Sucks.... But Cowboy Boots Make Life Better

Well the time has come, and as I sit here in my apartment amongst the many stacks of boxes, the reality of moving has begun to sink in.

I move in three days now, and while I couldnt be more excited to embark on this new journey, I'd be lying if I told you I wasnt a little sad, kinda nervous, and a pinch overwhelmed.

Over the past week or so I've slowly been packing bit by bit so not to leave it all for the last minuet. Unfortunately, I didnt realize just how much crap I actually have. What I thought would be a few brief days of packing, has turned into an exhausting week of wrapping, folding, shoving, labeling and organizing this mess I call my life.

I'm already looking forward to the day when I'm completely settled in my new place and my life as an Arizona girl can finally begin.

Those of you who have ever packed up a house and moved, know the hard and tedious work it involves. Sometimes the mess has to get worse before it gets better, but I'll tell ya, I could really use a little packing fairy about now.... or maybe just a lemon drop martini instead.

Step by step it will all get done, but in the meantime here's a glimpse of the disorganized mess I'm currently living in....

On a slightly lighter note, I thought I'd give you all a glimpse of my oh so adorable cowboy boots as I promised I would.

Aren't they so urban chic??

I'm infatuated

Birthday Laughs, Drinks and Toasts!

Have I told you lately just how truly blessed I am???

Well, I am!

I have the best group of friend and family a girl could ever ask for. Not only did my family make me feel incredibly special on my 21st Birthday, they continually poured out their love onto me by making it the most memorable birthday I'll probably ever have.

My Birthday began at midnight on May 15th when my sister, john, and my dad all took me to a local dive bar for my first legal drink. The people were interesting, the music was loud, and the drinks were delicious!

The real celebration, however, took place the next morning when we all sat around the table eating breakfast and opening presents. My gifts were all amazing but some of my favorites included a new camera, a laptop, a new bike for Arizona, and of course cowboy boots (pictures to come of those puppies!! )

After a leisurely day of relaxation and birthday wishes from various friends and family, I received a card saying...

"Get all dressed up and grab your ID.

Tonight we will celebrate in the CITY!

When your limo arrives

We'll have fun, fun, fun,

Cuz the gangs all here

And your 21!!!"

In typical "emily" fashion, I put on my best going out dress, my highest stilettos, and lots of lip gloss in preparation for what I knew would be an amazing night.

The "gang" included:

My sister and her husband

My cousin Lindsay and her Husband Ian

Carrie and her husband Cory

My Mom and Dad

Myself and Casey

The plan was to drive into the city and spend the entire night driving to various hotel lounges and loud lively bars that lined the Gas Lamp district.

What a blast it was!

Here I am at an Irish Bar called Dublin Square (yes, the family MADE me wear the ridiculous "I'm 21" sash and "Buy me a drink" crown)

All the Girls before leaving the house

The entire gang (minus the parents) in the limo about to take off.... yay for a toast to ME!!

Me and my wonderful cousin Lindsay

Sister love

First drink of the night.... drum roll please.... an lemon strawberry martini!

The rule of the night was that at each place we went, one couple had to buy me a drink of their choice- and they were not allowed to tell me what is was. Luckily, my friends and family take care of me- so no one abused their power! Along with their drink order, they dedicated a small toast and message for me...so the first one below is good ol' Mom and Dad :-)



The second is Kerri and Kory..(soon to be neighbors!)

And then my cousin Lindsay and her husband Ian.....

What an amazing 21st Birthday! I'm very blessed to have so many friend and family who love me so much! Thanks to everyone who made my night so very special.

Busy Busy Busy

Hi everyone!!

I know its been a while since I've blogged, and I promise I'll update you all soon, but for now please understand that all my energy and focus is purely on getting through finals week and packing for the move to Arizona.

I have a TON of pictures and even videos to post from my 21st Birthday (best birthday EVER), but for now it will have to wait.

Please check back soon.

Love you all.

Ode to Coffee

As the reality of moving and the oh so dreaded week of school finals begins to sink in, my stress level has begun to rise.

You known the drill,

Late nights, early mornings, hundreds of flash cards, lack of showering, many tears, lots of panicking, and of course feeling as if your brain is about to explode with information.

All I have to say is....

Thank the Lord for Coffee!!!

To put it simply, caffeine is my new best friend.

Lets take a moment to smell the coffee beans and breathe a sigh of relief.

*SNIFF SNIFF*

ahhhh

Please pray for me this week as I seek to find a balance between studying, packing up my entire life, and of course enjoying my 21st Birthday on Friday.

The Lord is in control.

It will all get done.

And in the meantime, Coffee will see me through :-)

Let Get On With It....

Its that time of the month folks and I'm in rare form.

I'm super cranky, annoyingly bloated, extremely emotional, overly impatient, easily annoyed, utterly exhausted, and as antsy as they come.

But today I feel particularly antsy.

I feel as if nothing is coming fast enough and instead everything is moving in slow motion.

Those who know me well, know I have a fondness for countdowns.

Give me anything and I'll count down to it.

Christmas, my birthday, moving, finals, various holidays, future trips, school days, work days, and anything else involving time.

This past month has been devoted to counting down the days till my 21st birthday (6 days left) and moving to Arizona (14 days left) but as the two events begin to approach closer, I'm beginning to feel a tid bit impatient.

Impatient?!? Who me?? Couldnt be!

I kinda have the urge to scream

"ENOUGH ALL READY! LETS GET ON WITH IT!!"

I want to blink my eyes, be 21 and be living in Scottsdale.

No? Not gonna happen?

Fine.

I'm off to wallow in my menstrual misery.

Happy Nurses Day!!

Hi guys,

Sorry its been so long since I've blogged... the days just seem to be slipping by. I can hardly believe my 21st birthday is in 8 days, or that I'm moving to Arizona in 15 days, or that I'm officially celebrating National Nurses Day today!

Its just craziness!

Anyway, I want to dedicate this blog to all Nurses and Nursing Students out there. Thank you all for you selfless service, your passionate heart, your healing touch, and your incredible dedication to what you do. Its true that nurses are the backbone of Hospitals. I'm proud to call myself a future nurse... what an honor.

Here is a little Nursing Student Humor:

You know your a Nursing Student when....

1. you have nightmares involving the parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous systems

2- you walk around thinking of the names of muscles and things like that

3- you look at your co-workers and starting naming their bones

4- all of a sudden you start thinking of a&p stuff

5- when you are really tired and wanting to go to sleep your mind keep thinking of bones, muscles, tissues, and making the most weird connection among them that makes no sense other than keeping you awake

6- you touch your own bones just to make sure you remember their names

7- after taking micro you start getting grossed out about a whole bunch of things

8- You open the refrigerator door and notice that the already opened milk jug has been dated and timed and has your initials on it.

9- You keep the sterile field even when you cook dinner.

10- Your family has filed missing person reports on you during finals week.

11- You shake a person's hand and you find yourself feeling for a vein to decide which size IV catheter you would use.

12- You discuss the consistency of your patients' poop on your lunch break..and thats not weird to you.

13- Your normal friends all graduated in business or mass comm.

14- You've canceled your gym membership once you realized your Pediatrics book can double as a 10 lb weight.

15- You are determined to figure out how to administer caffeine through an IV line before finals week.

16- You know that the correct answer is not on the test and you will argue to the death for those 2 points.