BSN? Check.

Well, I made it! I had my pinning ceremony for nursing school last Thursday and graduation last Friday. It was a grand time, and it was especially nice to have some family in from out-of-town and to celebrate with some friends i haven't seen in a while. I'm relieved to be done, however I can't believe how fast time has gone! I'm so thankful for each of my fellow nursing students and instructors who have shared this journey with me...and to my non-nursing friends and family for being supportive and understanding (or at least for putting up with me and my madness). It really has been an incredible journey. As I was going through pictures for my slideshow, I was reminded of all the remarkable opportunities I've had in college and all the wonderful people I've met. I've been blessed! Next step = passing boards. And job hunting.

In the mean time, I'm working on house stuff, cooking, getting the baby brother ready to graduate high school and all that jazz. I've also started the second month of Insanity...killer. Like, I'm in decent shape. I've been doing extreme workouts for a while. And I'm getting slaughtered. Thank goodness for endorphins!

Hopefully I'll get some foodstuff posted soon!

#MX2013

I have been back from Mexico for a little over a week now. This was my second time to make the trip, and I hope not my last. I love Mexico. I love my kids in La Union. I love the community we have when we're at camp in Aquiles. I love getting to know and spend time with people (especially since I haven't had much time for that this year). I love the generosity of the people in the valley. I love how affordable the Edmond church of Christ makes the trip. Really, though. Thanks to those who made it possible for the cost to be only $125. (That's just $12.50/day!) I love that my allergies are not as bad there as they are here. But seriously. I love our cooks and our nurse. And while camping, outhouses, and sometimes ice-cold showers are not my most favorite, I can live with it because the reward is great. It's literally impossible to describe how much this trip has impacted me. I can't fully describe how much it means to me. You can't understand until you go. I definitely suggest you go. I have never heard anyone say they regret going. Ever. Like, I'm not what you would call "outdoorsy" but I'm more than willing to legitimately camp for a week because I love Aquiles so much. If I can do it, you can. I also give up my workout routine for Mexico, which, if you know me at all, is a pretty big deal. I could write forever, but they say a picture is worth 1000 words or something...

This is Tiffany. We are BFFs.

She is so sweet, and she wanted to help carry the cooler.

Gamma Rho in MX!

My tent-mates! 3 of us in an 8-person tent. Perfect.

Pretty view on the way to VBS.

The new kitchen & pavilion at camp. Fully equipped with charging stations. Fancy.

Obligatory family pic with the little bro.

Me & Rosella rockin' our shades.

Oh, Susanna! She's a mess.

Um, precious.

I love that he's sporting his Woody t-shirt and showing off his lasso skills.

La Union VBS. It's the biggest and craziest. Obviously the best.

Here are some things I learned this year:

• I can share a twin air bed.
• I can go a day without showering (when I've been awake 36ish hours and it's freezing cold).
• Brushing your teeth at night becomes optional when you have to walk up the hill and you're exhausted. Mouthwash works well.
• I have a legitimate caffeine addiction. Like I was dying on Monday. Seriously.
• A spoonful of jalapenos works well as a decongestant.
• The church is like the power rangers.
• Nursing skills and small hands are useful for removing icepicks from sink drains.
• There is a massive amount of prep that goes into VBS each day.
• It doesn't get easier to leave the kids on the last day of VBS. 
• Police escorts are nice.