And a partridge in a pear tree...

Only 12 days til Christmas! It really snuck up on me this year...I feel like Thanksgiving was just yesterday!! Things have been great and very busy this last month. Jon started his new job in Bakersfield, and it's going really well! I absolutely love having him home. I almost feel like a newlywed all over again! :) This year, we're celebrating Christmas in Bakersfield with friends and family. I'm working on Christmas day, so we're celebrating a little early. Looking forward to good food and good times! :) My job is going great! I love the people I work with, and I look forward to going in everyday! It has it's moments, but it's wonderful and rewarding, and so sweet to know that I really do make a difference in the 12 hours at a time that I'm there! Hope you're all enjoying your Christmas holiday. Have a special Christmas, and a 2011 full of love, laughter, and many great memories! Lots of love from CA! :)

Happy 1st Birthday, Lady

My sweet little Lady-bug! She came to us at a time when we needed her so, and I'm convinced that she was made for us. She is energetic, smart, and loves to cuddle close to your side. She's my sweet little bug, and I'm so glad she's ours! Happy birthday Lady!! We love you! :)

Is it really almost Thanksgiving?!

Gosh...this time last year I was studying like crazy for finals and writing disgustingly (is that even a word?!) long care plans, and counting down the days til Christmas vacation! Feels like that was just yesterday!! Hope you've all had a great year. Mine's been fast and furious, but wonderful all the same. Speaking of wonderful...I'm am SOOOO excited to tell you guys that Jon finally found a job here in Bakersfield!! It seems like it's really going to be a great deal, and I'm SOOOOOO happy to finally have him home! You know...since we got married, we haven't really had a chance to hang out and just really enjoy living the married life. We moved to AZ 7 days after our wedding, and I started Nursing School 9 days after that. Then, last February, he started working back in Southern CA and I only saw him on the weekends...UNTIL NOW!! ;) I can't tell you how big the smile is on my face!! I almost feel like we're starting our "real life" together finally! :)

What are you doing for Thanksgiving this year? I think Jon and I are heading to Fresno for the annual Olson Thanksgiving. (That's my mom's side of the fam.) I think Stephanie and I are taking our little sister Gina to try on wedding dresses on the day before Thanksgiving! :) I can't wait for the girly time!! I miss my little Gina Ballerina, and it'll be lots of fun to have some sister time all together.

My work is still going great. I've joined a couple committees, and am enjoying getting to know my colleagues, and some upper management folks. I love going to work, and leave everyday with a smile on my face...partially cause I love it so much, and partially because I really can't believe I'm getting paid to do what I'm so happy doing!

Here's a recent pic of the cutest pups in the whole wide world. Deacon is 4 months old and quite a handsome little man...if I may say so myself! Lady is 11 months old and is such a sweet little thing. They say hi, and they want you to come visit them and throw them the ball if you're ever in the area!!

Happy Monday!

Hope you're all enjoying the cooler weather this past week! Something about the rain and dark skies...and a peppermint mocha! :) Nothing too new in this neck of the woods. Had a great weekend with the hubby! I've been working lots of weekends, and it's been a bummer to hardly see him. I loved having the whole weekend off with him. We got alot accomplished and spent lots of time just hanging out. I sure love that man! Work is going great for me still. Just a few more weeks in orientation, then I'm on my own!! Hope all's well where you are. Lots of love from CA!!

The Kids...

Just wanted to say hello and post a new picture of Lady and Deacon! :) At our last vet appointment, Lady was 30 pounds (think that's gonna be it for her) and Deacon was already 21 pounds! I have a feeling "Little Boy" is gonna be a bigger boy than my little girl! We have another appointment for his last shots in 2 weeks, so I'll keep you posted. They are doing great. They get along really well, and play together all day. Here they are: (Lady, almost 11 months old and Deacon, 16 weeks old)

Hope you're all well and starting to cool off! Lots of love from CA!

It's my birthday week! :)

It's actually only a couple days away from the start of my birthday month! :) I figure...since I was born on the first, October is my birthday month...sounds good to me! So I'm hitting the big 3-1 on Friday, and I'm pretty ok with it! I was talking to my mom about it today, and so far, I haven't hit an age that's really bothered me! 25 was fun, 30 has been great...31 is nothing to be scared of! :) I think it's all in how you look at it! I am married to the man of my dreams, I have a job that I love going to, and I'm really loving where I'm at right now! From the looks of it...31 has some great potential! :)

Yummmm!! :)

Thanks to my good friend, Amy Frahm, I have a YUMMY recipe to share with you guys! I haven't made it yet (I will this week), but after looking at the recipe, I don't see how it can't be delicious! :) Happy Fall everyone! Lots of love from CA! :)

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies
4 cups All-purpose flower
2 cups Sugar
2 tsp Pumpkin Pie Spice
2 tsp Baking Soda
1 tsp Salt
1 can (16 ounces) Solid pack pumpkin
1 cup Vegetable oil
2 Eggs
2 Tbsp Milk
2 tsp Vanilla extract
2 cups Semi-sweet chocolate chips

In a mixing bowl, combine flour, sugar, pumpkin pie spice (or cinnamon), baking soda, and salt. Add pumpkin, oil, eggs, milk, and vanilla; beat on medium speed until well mixed. Stir in chocoalte chips (and nuts if desired). Drop by tablespoonfuls on greased baking sheets. Bake at 375 F for 13-14 minutes, or until edges just begin to brown. Cool for 2 minutes, and move to a wire rack to cool completely. Enjoy!! :)

Introducing..

Mr. Deacon Bender! :)

Last week, Jon and I flew on a whirlwind 24 hour trip to Georgia to pick up this little bundle of love! To make a real long story short, he's Lady's baby brother...for reals...same mom and dad! We flew into Nashville, then rented a car for the 3 hour drive to Ringgold, GA. We went straight to the farm to see him, and brought him to the hotel with us that night. He did GREAT on the plane! The people around us didn't even know he was there until we got off and they saw his carrier. He's a great addition to the family. Lady loves him, and they play non-stop! He's 10 weeks old now, and he's a very smart little guy! Let me know when you want to come meet him...he loves visitors!!

As for work...I LOVE IT!!! :) I leave everyday thinking..."I can't believe they pay me to do this!" I work with the nicest people, and have so much support from my preceptor, the other nurses, and even the hospital administration. It's been a great experience so far, and I've learned SO MUCH already. I feel so blessed to have a job that I can't wait to get to every morning! :)

Hope you're all enjoying the end of summer, and the great weather that we're getting a taste of! Come on Fall!! :) Have a great weekend! Lots of love from CA!!

Settling in...

Hello All!
Has it really been a month since my last post? SORRY!! :) Here's a synopsis of the last month, and some fun things coming up! We are pretty settled in to our new home now. There are a few things yet to be put away, but we made great headway the week before I started work. Jon was able to take the week off, so we really kicked it into high gear and made the house a home. It's a very liveable house, and I really love it. I can't wait for you all to come visit and stay at the Casa de Bender resort! :) For those of you that still might use the US Postal service every now and then...if you want my address, just email me and I'll be happy to share! :) I'll post pics soon...just haven't gotten around to snapping any just yet. As far as work goes...I LOVE MY JOB!! I work with the nicest people, and we're getting so much support from our hospital. I have a day or 2 of class each week, and at least 2 days on the floor (in the NICU). I have the best preceptor, and have learned SO much already! I giggled the first time another nurse asked me to verify a medication, and I signed the chart "S Bender, RN." That made it feel very real! :) My preceptor is a day/night floater, so we have a few night shifts each month. That's been interesting, but really neat to see the life ofthe hospital at night too! I think we were busier during my first night shift than my day shift (Thankfully! It helped keep me awake!). There was about an hour...between 4am and 5am that I had to keep walking around and drinking cold water to keep me awake. This week, we work tonight and Saturday night, then I'm on days only for the next couple weeks. Did I mention that I LOVE MY JOB?!!!! :)

Amy and David were just here from Oregon with the 3 boys for 2 1/2 weeks. It was so fun to see them, and spend so much time with them while they were here. Those boys are so sweet, and getting so big! We had a birthday party for Isaac's 3rd and Xander's 1st birthdays! David's little sister, Sara, got married 2 weeks ago...the reason for the visit...and it was a very special day. Congrats to Mr and Mrs Taylor and Sara Miller! :)

What else...Oh! A very special happy 1st birthday to little mister Warren Jack Sunderland! :) What a cutie pie that little guy is! It's been fun to see him and his mom and dad when they come to Bakersfield to visit family.

One more little tidbit before I go...Next week I'll post pictures of the newest addition to the Bender home. We are picking up Lady's baby brother on Tuesday. And, yes, he really is her baby brother...same mom and dad!! :) We've only seen pictures of him so far, and he looks like he could be her twin, only smaller. We haven't picked out his name yet, but I'll be sure to formally introduce him next week!

I think that's all for now! I hope you all had a nice summer, and are ready for some nice, Fall weather! Good luck for those of you with kiddos starting school. Miss our AZ "family" but really enjoying being around our friends and family here too. Have a great weekend. Lots of love from CA!! :)

So many things...

Well...I can officially tell you everything that's been going on since graduation! :) Well...I guess you already know some of it...and some of you know more of it... BUT, the weekend I passed my NCLEX, I had an inteview in Bakersfield at Memorial Hospital (side note...where I was born!). I got a call a couple days later with a full time offer as an RN in their NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit). The reason I couldn't say anything right away is that I was tied into a 2 year contract for employment in Arizona, in return for some money for school loans. Turns out, they had 60 days from graduation to place me, and they never did...and 60 days ended this last Wednesday. When my time was up, I officially announced that I had accepted a position elsewhere, and I was relieved of my contract! SO...it's official! Jon and I moved to Bakersfield this past Monday (what a trip!), and I will be starting work as a NICU RN in 2 weeks! I go on Tuesday to fill out all my paperwork and all that fun stuff...and orientation starts on August 9th. Jon and I found a house...a super cute one...and we get the keys on Monday! I'll post pics as soon as I get in there and get the house all set up! I'll keep you posted on fun stuff from work! Bought all my scrubs, my infant stethescope, and I'm all ready to go! Miss our friends in AZ SOOO much, but it's also fun to be home with friends and family here. We'll be back to visit AZ, FOR SURE!! Guess that's it for now...a very brief synopsis of our last month! Hope you're all well and enjoying summer! Lots of love from...CA!!!! :)

It's been a while...

...BUT, I haven't forgetten about you all! :) It's been a crazy, very busy last 4 weeks! SO much to catch you up on...but it's gotta wait until Thursday...You'll see why when you come back to read! :) Hope you're all well and enjoying the summer! It's been hot, hot, hot here in AZ...basically 112 degrees everyday! But, thank God for a pool and AC!! Come back Thursday for the whole story...Lots of love from AZ!

So...about the NCLEX...

I PASSED!! :) I am officially licensed to practice as an RN, and I can't wait to get to work! The test was awful...I walked out of there thinking that I failed. See...you take the test on the computer. When it is 95% sure that you have either passed or failed, it stops giving you questions and the screen turns bright blue. You'll get anywhere from 75 to 265 questions, and it can really go either way! I got 78 questions (3 of which I was sure I got right!) and I was out in about an hour and 10 minutes. I wasn't sure if that made me feel good or terrible! ;) I took the test last Thursday (the 10th) around 12:30pm and found out my results at 10am the next day! I looked my name up on the state board of nursing website...and there was a license number next to my name!! :) Needless to say...I was overwhelmed, I screamed, I was happy, and we celebrated with dinner at Tahoe Joe's (a yummy steakhouse) in Bakersfield. Now...about the job...STAY TUNED!! :) Lots of love from AZ!!

Oops...

Just realized my last post was a little bit of a repeat of the one before it! :) haha...well...in case you forgot... :)

School's out for...EVER! :)

Well...maybe not forever, but certainly for a while!! :) The graduation events were great, and it was fun to see the family and friends that could make it out. Here are a few pictures of the week and the various events...

Oh, and Lady had her first few swimming lessons! She did great, and she's a PRO now! :) All you have to do it show her the ball and open the pool gate, and she's in! We started with a kiddie pool to see how she'd do, and quickly graduated to the big pool!!

More exciting news...I GOT MY NCLEX DATE! :) This morning I received my "Authorization To Test" through email and got right to scheduling a date!! I thought about making it after my trip to California next week...then I decided that I want to do it as soon as possible...so I'm taking it during my trip to CA!! It's next Thursday, the 10th at 1pm in San Diego! :) I'll drive out there on Wednesday, take the test Thursday, then head up to Bakersfield to get ready for my interview there on Friday! Busy trip...but it'll get alot accomplished! I'm looking forward to seeing everyone in Bako and San Diego...it's been a while since I've seen everyone and been able to relax and enjoy their company (without school, assignments, etc!). SO...I'll let you know how it all goes...and I'll post pictures for sure! Hope you're all well and ready for summer! I heard it might get up to 110* here on Sunday!! Eek! Not sure I'm ready for that yet...thank goodness for a pool and AC!! :) Lots of love from AZ!!

I'M DONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

...For now! :) Actually, I should say "We're Done!" Jon definitely gets to share the credit with me! :) What a crazy, wonderful, growing, changing, learning, amazing last 16 months! It all started with the best day of my life to date...our wedding...WAY BACK last January, and ended with a fun celebration of my graduation from Nursing School, LAST WEEK!! It was bittersweet, but much more sweet than bitter, to take that last test and walk across the stage. I wasn't sure whether to laugh, cry, run in a circle... Here are a few pics from a couple of the graduation events...

(Threw in one of Lady so you could see how big she is now! :) ) I really can't believe how fast school has gone...and that I'm about to be a "real" nurse!! I am hoping to hear from NCLEX (the National Licensure Examination for Nurses) in the next 2 weeks about scheduling a date. Once I pass that, I'm officially a licensed RN! I'll keep you all posted on a date when I get one! For now, it's sending my resume to whomever will look, and hoping to get interviews! I have a couple scheduled, and I'll let you know how those go too! Other than that...hoping to spend some QT with my husband, and just enjoy spending time WITH him, not just sitting in the same room with him while I do homework! Hope all's well where you are! Lots of love from AZ!! :)

I'm GRADUATING!! :)

Well, Class of 2010...WE DID IT! All 40 of us, graduating together! Like a good friend described, we've bcome a 40 person family! We came a long way over the last 16 months together, and I'm am proud and honored to know all of you. Thank you for your help and support, and for some of the best memories of my life. My girls, you know who you are, let's always keep in touch no matter where life takes us! You've become a huge part of my life and my heart, and I love you all so much!

So...what's next for me? A week of graduation fun next week, the Kaplan NCLEX review the following week, job interviews, taking (and hopefully passing) the NCLEX, and a job...if it all works out as I plan! :) Today, my first day after my last final, felt weird...weird but great! One side of my mind is still spinning in school mode, and the other side is so ready to relax. I'm sure it'll hit me after next week...once everyone has left, I've gone through graduation, and I'm actually learning how to "do" life outside of school again! I can't wait to be a wife and enjoy my husband...not just sit in the same room with him while I do homework. Thank you, Jon, for your support and love through all of this! What a tail spin we started last January...but I wouldn't have it any other way! I love you, and I couldn't have done this without you! Mom, what a crazy year! Thanks for understanding and supporting me everytime we talked. To the rest of my friends and family...thank you for your encouragement, phone call, emails, and cards...I can't wait to catch up with you all! :)

Well...yesterday I was a college student...today I'm a nurse! Crazy how things can change in a day!! :) I'll post pictures of all the graduation festivities soon. Send good thoughts my way for a job...something that will work for Jon and I both! I'll keep you posted along the way...and let you know when I get my NCLEX date! For now...lots of love from AZ!!

Bittersweet days...

Well...I'm officially done with clinical rotations for school! Yesterday was my last day in the NICU at Cardon Children's. It was a great day to end on...learned SO much and felt very confident. I was so flattered by all the well wishes and congratulations I got from those I've worked with over the last month there. I have truly enjoyed every second of working in the NICU, and though I did not want to leave, I know that graduation is right around the corner now, and I'll be getting payed to do this! :) I haven't nailed down a job yet, but am working on it. I met many great contacts at the hospital I was just at, and I'm applying to other open positions this week. Wish me luck...I'll keep you posted!

Other than that, not much has changed! Mom came out to visit me this last week. We got all of my announcements out (I only ordered 30, so please don't feel bad if you didn't get one...I barely had enough to cover family!), and started planning for graduation events. I can't believe it's only 26 days away! I have 2 exams and a presentation...and that's about it! Feels like I just walked in the door and learned how to take blood pressures! We've come a long way in 15 months!!!

I hope you're all well and enjoying Spring! It's starting to warm up around here, but the evenings are gorgeous! Sending lots of love from AZ!

The Countdown Continues!

Sorry it's taken me a while to post anything! This last few weeks has been fun, great, and VERY busy! All that to say...37 DAYS TIL GRADUATION! I have been having a blast in my preceptorship in the NICU. Each time I go, I feel a little more confident, and take on more responsibilities...and it helps that my preceptor nurse is awesome! She is kind and patient, and she is very supportive! I've seen some pretty amazing things in there too...and I can't wait to be a nurse and take care of these tiny babies for my job! I just found out that the hospital I'm at has a position open in the NICU, and I'm talking with the managers and HR to see if they would consider a new grad for the position! If not, I heard that another hospital (about 45 minutes away) is taking new grads, so I might try to get in there and try to come back to after I have some experience. We'll see!! Think happy thoughts for me though!!

Aside from school, things have been going pretty smoothly around here. Lady is growing fast, getting into everything she can, and being an adorable puppy. She drives me crazy sometimes, but I think that comes with the puppy territory! :) She's very smart too...too smart for her own good! Her and PoliAna (my cat) get along pretty well, but Poli lets Lady know when playtime is over. During Spring Break a couple weeks ago, Jon and I went to the "Hangar Cafe" at the Chandler Airport (a small, local airport) a few times to eat and watch the planes. He had the chance to talk to a few different flight instructors, and found one that he got along with well to help him finish up his private pilot's license. He's so close to being done, and he loves it...so I'm really glad he'll finally get it done! My mom is coming next week for a visit. We have some shopping to do (YES!), and we are going to plan my graduation party! It's going to be at my house on Friday evening, May 14th...for any of you who want to venture this way! It shouldn't be too hot yet! :)

Hope you all had a great Easter, and are enjoying Spring. Can't believe it's April already! I swear, the years go faster and faster... Lots of love from AZ!!

It's already 1/2 way through March?

Wow! Time flies when you're having fun...or in Nursing School! :) Haha...or both! I have been so lucky in my rotations through nursing school! I've gotten great nurses, and great hospitals, and I'm really loving it! On the other hand...I'm not sure it's humanly possible to be any more excited to graduate in 64 DAYS!!! :) I just finished up my Critical Care rotation. My group was lucky to be at the Mayo Clinic Hospital in Scottsdale. It was a bit of a drive each morning, but what a cool experience to be there! I learned so much and really enjoyed my time there. The ICU is quite an intense place, and I saw things I may never see again. Next (and last) order of business for school...my preceptorship in the NICU at Banner Desert/Cardon Children's Medical Center. I'm SOOOOOO excited! I haven't talked to my preceptor yet (just got her name yesterday), but I can't wait to find out her schedule and get started! We'll be doing 9 shifts in 4 weeks, and I'm really excited about how much I know I'll learn. I'll keep you posted...on that and graduation!!

Today is Mom's brithday!! :) Happy Birthday Mom!! She turns ?? today! :) Haha...she'd kill me! Anyways, wish we could celebrate together, but we'll make up for it soon! Have a fun, special day today! Sending big hugs and kisses your way!

Friday is Jon's birthday! We don't have plans yet, but I'm sure it'll be a fun day...whatever we decide!

Lady went on her first trip to the snow last weekend! We packed her up and headed north to Greer (about 30 minutes East of Show Low/Pinetop for those of you who are familiar...) with some friends. We got a cabin and had a blast! The people we were staying with went skiing and snowboarding on Saturday, and Jon and I took Lady to a sledding hill to see if she would like the snow. She LOVED it! :) She was pouncing around, chasing snowballs, digging in the snow, eating the snow...it was so cute, and so much fun!! Here are a few picures...

Introducing our little "Lady"

We've had a recent new addition to our family! "Lady" is 1/2 Blue Heeler, and 1/2 Australian Shepherd. She is almost 12 weeks old, and she's a really good girl! In just a couple days we've almost got a handle on potty training, she's figured out the doggy door, she loves to play, and really loves to cuddle. She is a special girl, and has been so fun to love on! Here are a few pictures...look for more as she grows!

Sweet Kellie, Precious Angel

Sweet Kellie girl...We miss you so much! You were so perfect and special, and life will never be the same without you. You were a part of us, and will always stay in a very special place in my heart. You helped bring your dad and me together, you always knew what to do and when to do it, you could look at me and know what I was thinking...and I could do the same with you, you had the sweetest spirit and the most loving heart, you were patient, you were so smart, you were more than I ever could have asked for. You changed my life in the best way, and no words could ever decribe how special you were, you are, to us. "Kellie Girl," "Baby Dog," "Pretty," thank you for the memories...I love you so very, very much!

"Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole." You sure did, Sweet Girl...you made our lives whole!!

Bringing you up to speed...

So, to keep it simple...this semester started out WAY busier than I expected! I mean, I knew we would be busy, but I really had no idea of the intensity. I know I promised a highlights of 2009 post...but is it ok if I stick with a few bullet point highlights? :) I'll give you a quick replay of 2009, and let you know what's up these days!

• Jon and I got married on January 3, 2009. It was the best day of my whole life! Our wedding was at The North Chapel at Liberty Station in San Diego, and our reception was at South Bay Fish and Grill...a gorgeous restaurant right on the water. What an amazing night it was!
• We moved to Gilbert, AZ on January 10, 2009. Yes...I wrote that right...We were moving in to our house exactly a week after the wedding. Talk about a busy week!
• I started Nursing School at Arizona State University, Polytechnic Campus on January 20th. It's a year-round 16 month BSN program (Bachelor of Science in Nursing). Jon still tells people that we went to Nursing School for our honeymoon! :)
• Not much other than school to report about from then through much later in the year! :)
• I turned 30 on October 1st! And, I must say...it's not so bad after all!
• We got our first break from school in December. We had 6 weeks off...that flew by faster than I ever expected! Our plan was to go to Bakersfield for a few days to see my fam, then San Diego for a few days to see Jon's fam, and then back home with a couple weeks to spare before school started back up. Well...like I said...that was the plan. What actually happened was, my mom ended up in the hospital a day and a half after I got there, and we were in the hospital until New Year's Eve!! I won't go into the details (cause there's ALOT of them), but she's home and getting better, and that's a huge step in the right direction! Jon was such a HUGE support and help during those 2 weeks. I really wouldn't have made it through without him there. We finally made it to San Diego on our 1st anniversary and stayed at the Dana Resort...where we stayed on the night of our wedding. It was a very restful and special night, and a very needed get away for the 2 of us.
• We got back home around the 7th of January, and I spent a few days putting away Christmas decorations and getting the house back to normal. Even though we had a week before school started to "relax," time flew by and before we knew it, I was back in school starting my last semester of Nursing School...

...Which leads us to right around now...We got back to school on January 19th, and hit the ground running. We're in Critical Care (ICU) right now, and the last half of the semester is a preceptorship where we are partnered with a nurse and actually work his or her schedule. I'm excited and nervous and anxious...but mostly excited! After that is the NCLEX exam (the national licensure exam for nurses) and then a J-O-B...hopefully! :) Graduation is May 13th...106 days away!! It's truly been one of the most challenging journeys of my life, but so rewarding and amazing at the same time! I hope you all had a wonderful and special Christmas and New Years! I hope 2010 is off to a good start and brings lots of great memories and special moments! Lots of love from AZ!!