the return.

The 141st battalion made it home safely from Iraq after being gone for a year! I was lucky enough to be able to go to the homecoming in Salt Lake at the same military hangar where the sendoff was back in 2010. It was such an amazing experience and once again it felt just like movies to see wives and kids running to their dads, or dads running to their wives and children. I feel so lucky to have been apart of this welcome home and I'm so grateful for those that sacrifice so much for our country, I've gained an even greater appreciation for them and their families through this experience. And I won't admit it to Jake but it's nice to have him back around again : ) we've missed him and we're glad that him, his brothers, his friends, and his unit in general made it back safe!! Welcome Home 141st!!
Kezzy's T-Shirt said Out of my way! I'm here to pick up my daddy!


Jax man's shirt said "mommy says daddy's coming home, I finally get to meet the man behind the voice!"




The Brandt mom, Brandt wives, Beekman's wife, and Pinon's Girlfriend.

the twins making their grand entrance to all their "fans" : )

The family finally back together again!

papa.

happy be-lated father's day to my dad, who's the best dad in all the land!!! He takes care of his family in so many ways, and I swear he always has the longest days! We don't hear a peep, cause he doesn't ever complain of getting no sleep. Dad you've always been there, and I've always known you care : )
(I wrote that poem on the spot for you dad. that's your daughters college education at work!)

seriously though dad. you're the best! I couldn't ask for someone better to be the father of our family. thank you for everything you do, and for the continuous example you set. I love you dad!

I want a cowboy.

I have this obsession that has been discussed on here frequently, I love cowboys. My problem seemed to be toned down a little bit the past year when I had the Piute cowboys at my beckon call in Cedar but now that I'm in Provo I've been having some serious with drawls!!! I miss those crazy cats, and the missing them got even worse when I went to the Strawberry days rodeo this past weekend. I've been to the rodeo before and they put on a fantastic show so I was really excited. Erin Channy and I made the trip to the parade that morning and celebrated with an early pre-parade breakfast at kneaders. That night we made the trek back to PG for the rodeo and we went early to ensure that our blanket hadn't been moved and our seats were still reserved next to the chutes of course : )
The pre-rodeo show was awesome with the cutest lil mutton busters ever, along with all the cowboys stretching and warming up right next to our bleachers. The flags rode in, we cheered the national anthem and the rodeo was off!!! It's such an adrenaline rush for me at rodeo's because I probably get a little too much into them than I should but man it was a partaay!! I was singing "save a horse, ride a cowboy" and cheering and hooping and hollering for the boys. I love rodeos. I love cowboys.
but.... I hate barrell racing. Sorry cowgirls no offense to your sport but I don't come to watch you so naturally that's when I took my bathroom break. On my way back from the good ol porta potty's this little boy who I recognized from the mutton bustin was standing in between the bleachers with his mama and was waving his number pin at me, yelling "Hey!". He ran over to me and asked for my autograph. "excuse me?!?!" was what I wanted to say but instead I bent down and said "you want me to sign that??" he eagerly nods. I glance at the page full of the Pro Cowboys sloppy signatures and think to myself what the heck, why not make this kids night. I take his pen and give him my autograph. He then asks "you work here?" pointing to the chutes...shoot!.... "No"...."oh I get it you just ride not work"...."yup I sure do buddy! did you do the mutton bustin tonight?"....big ol smile comes on his face, "yup!".... "good for you pal! keep it up!" and high fived the kid before making my way back to my seat. Hilarious moment but man that kid was so cute I couldn't turn him down since he thought I was a pro, besides those cowboys should be honored to have my signature next to their names!!




hello there my lil dark knight!!!


My favorite color is red.....



Excellent rodeo. I miss my boys more now so next on the agenda is seeing when I can get them to venture out to the big city to come visit me. Probably not happening anytime soon so I'll have to be going to another rodeo real quick to get my cowboy feel in again : )
Long live cowboys!!


ps. Sorry about the holy homeless jeans mom. I know you would disown me in those and are probably gonna kill me for still having them but, I just had too.

best friend weds.

I first met Melissa when we started nursing school together. She's one of the best friends ever! seriously she's always so thoughtful, helpful and did I mention she's crazy fun! We've obviously had many memories made in the past 2 years and I wouldn't have survived 4th semester without her.
Melissa got engaged back in October to Evan, and as sad as I was to have another friend enter the married world I'm so happy for them because they are the nicest people and the best part is I still hang out with the two of them and it's great. The 3 of us even took off for a late night trip to Mesquite one night before graduation : )
The big wedding took place June 4 in Kanab. I had ventured down to Cedar City that Friday to meet up with my other nursing pals to make the trip to Kanab. I loved that weekend, despite the worrying about my test results all weekend, because it was all of us back together again and I've really missed them since graduation. It was my first wedding with the whole hotel wedding party, outdoor wedding etc... but we rocked Kanab like it was 1999! we kidnapped Melissa the night before for a bachelorette party-along with her cousin and the best man's GF. There isn't much to do in Kanab and everything including food places close early so after we pretty much begged this restaurant to feed us we took off to the nearest and only bar within miles which was in Fredonia Arizona. Yes we are that cool to cross the border for our bachelorette party. We improvised melissa's bachelorette attire with what we were able to find in small towns and the result was hilarious if I do say so. Not as hilarious as the podunk bar with the live band that loved us because we were the ONLY ones dancing away on the dance floor. You could definitely tell we were not locals : )
The wedding was beautiful and the bride looked gorgeous! we spent the morning getting the bridesmaids hair curled in our room all morning and running back and forth between Melissa's parents room to ours, (and me checking the laptop every 1/2 hour to see if our results were posted seeing as how Melis and I had taken it on the same day, same time) but it was worth it. Congratulations Mr. and Mrs. Orton love ya both!!

Party animals!!! (get it...we're partying in between 2 animal heads. love small towns!)



I forgot to mention that before we left cedar we got free glitter gel toes! Thank you starving student card.





My friend Ty. and his Tie....
Friends for life thanks to the nursing program!! oh and Chandie her cousins face is popping up in there too. Horrible picture of us. Ty needs to work on his photography skills obviously.

Congratulations Best Friend. Wedding. Love. Marriage

unemployment.

I'm in a funk. to make a long depressing story short let's just say, I thought that graduated life would take off faster and differently than it has. I feel so worthless not having a job, seriously some might think it's nice to have any responsibility etc... but honestly I feel like my nursing school knowledge is draining away one day at a time. I hate not having an income, I mean in school it was a great excuse because my schedule was worst than a job and didn't allow time for one but now I have no commitments, no deadlines etc... I can't plan my life, my summer, or anything. I go through on a day to day basis. I'm a stress case to add to the problem, I sit and worry and stir about how I'm never going to find a nursing job and that I'm going to have to move to another country where there's not 5 thousand nursing schools within 12 miles of me. I sit and get so sick and start stressing so much I'm making myself sick to my stomach all over again like I'm taking that stupid test. anywho, I'm in this weird depression funk where I'm disappointed with life lately, and it's irritating mostly because this should be the happiest and exciting time of life.....things are different.
However, I'm trying to not get too down and let it show because despite my job, and roommate frustrations life really is great! Truly it is and I'm blessed in so many other ways so I hate complaining. The other day a random thought crossed my mind that I need to enjoy the journey. Struggle with that a lot, because I stress and worry about things out of my control and it was a great reminder that while things are not totally great or totally how I wanted them to be at this point of time I need to still enjoy life, everyday!!!
"life is what you make it. So take it and make it beautiful." on that positive note, I'm off to have a NYQUIL induced sleep because these allergies don't give me no rest.
-B.

PS. I got my license in the mail already!! It came last week and I was so happy when I got it that I couldn't stop myself from having a mini(okay pretty long) photoshoot with yours truly and the piece of paper. I may have crazy emotions running through my body these days but I'll admit signing my name on a registered nurse license is awesomeness, unemployed or not.

Uncle NCLEX

I'm a nurse!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

and now that it's all over and I passed my test the secrets can come out such as test dates etc...
I'll never forget the day I set my test date. The anticipation of the dreaded e-mail showing up had been dragged on forever as it showed up much later than what we'd thought. I'd been checking my e-mail about 10 times a day and that morning I checked it and there it was, an e-mail with my ATT(authorization to test) and a number and website to find dates to register. I pulled up the website, and set the big date for June 2, 2011 and 2 PM. I freaked out that day, and proceeded to freak out for the next few weeks. I was really nervous about this test, and as I allowed it to get the best of me my former test anxiety from high school came around and I was always sick to my stomach and scared as all get out. weird I know, but biggest test of my life!!
The morning finally arrived, I swear I double checked I had everything (my ATT, picture ID, etc...) 50 times before I drove off to the freeway. I had gone up earlier in the week with Candice and Brookie so they could show me where it is and such so I didn't have stress about where I was supposed to be. The drive up I actually listened to church music to calm myself, had a mini panic yelling attack when I parked my car in the parking lot and walked into the building. I checked in an hour early and was relieved when they told me they'd let me take it, sweet. I read the rules, signed my sheet, got the fingerprints and paml vein scan what felt like 50 times, sat down and tried to smile for my picture, did the vein scan one more time.

My proctor was sitting in what I nicknamed the control room. A tiny "room" with computers all over her desk, a massive glass window overlooking wall to wall lined cubicles and computers(looks like a call center). She gave me rules and patted me down, okay not really but pretty much have to airport frisk you, and led me in to my computer. Suddenly the room was REALLY hot, and I began to get question after question. My computer shut off at question 76 and after one question above the minimum questions for the test I was sure I failed. I walked out to my car, got in and immediately just sat and cried.
Thankfully the story from the worst day ever looks up to the best day ever, June 4, 2011 when I checked my account on Pearson Vue to see in all red letters that my test results were available. I paid the money for quick results( I wasn't about to wait a month) and sure enough popped up this little box where at the bottom read
GRADE: PASS
I dropped the laptop throwing my hands in the air and once again started crying. Don't make fun of the tears, you can't describe this feeling unless you've been there. It's seriously the best and worst thing ever! I was so relieved to be done and so happy I'd done it on the first try. Life couldn't be better!
I'd like to say that I did it alone and that it was just me that takes the credit, but I can't. Holy hannah I have the best support system ever. Seriously, family, friends and others thanks for putting up with me these past couple of years and especially these past few months. The drama of nursing school, and NCLEX is over!! I'm done. finally all done. Now I just gotta find a job....
much love! Brittany Olsen, RN, BSN :) : ) : )

ps. the story behind the title comes from Ash, I started packing around my KAPLAN NCLEX book with me everywhere because ya never know when you could catch a few practice questions and/or get some reading in. Not that it really ever happened for me but I felt less guilty doing whatever I was doing if I had it with me. anywho, ash nicknamed it my boyfriend and when I passed the boards she told me she didn't know how Kez would cope having to say goodbye to uncle NCLEX. let's just say I'm happy to say goodbye : ) such a great break-up boyfriend. I hope the best for each of us in our parting!

life of late.

I love summer and I'm so glad it's here!! even though I've been doing lots of studying everyday I've been able to have lots of fun. I'm so glad to have my best friends here close so after a rough day of studying or just short on time we can go get a treat, catch a movie, etc... their great. I've done more than just get treats lately.

Kite Flying...

Night Y hike followed by a "bonfire" roasting feast up the canyon...








another night hike to re-visit the spanish fork hot pots or natural hot springs from 2 summers ago, turned out to not be such a great idea. The high waters of the raging river that runs alongside them was so high that it had washed the hot pots out... but I found a hose where they had tried to tunnel the water into one so we all got into one big huddle sitting as close as we could and going from person to person spraying them with the hot hose to prevent hypothermia : ) we're adventurous that's for sure! turned out it wasn't a good idea but luckily I still had a blast anyways, and who can't laugh about something like that not-so-pleasant surprise, and after the freezing 3 mile hike back down we went to Denny's to warm up!





Girls Nights...
One in particular. Danny, J.Love's husband, called me a few weeks back and wanted to plan a night where we could surprise Jess with a girls night out free of the cute kiddos. I was so excited! Luckily it worked out to be on the same weekend as the 5 year reunion so J.Pate was in town : ) Jess and I went shopping while Jenny made her way from the airport then we had a delicious dinner at a new restaurant(ish) place called Communal, shared deserts that we ordered after they had closed. It was SO fun to be together again, without their husbands and babies it felt like back in the high school days and we just laughed and talked about life and where it was taking all of us these days, etc... one things for sure that was decided, We'll be friends forever : )


and many many more things I'm sure, smaller activities that I guess weren't picture worthy : ) I've been doing LOTS of studying and LOTS of practice test questions. My life lately besides allowing myself some fun time at night consumed of being in sweats or basketball shorts, not ready for the day studying at my little desk for hours each day then hanging out at the fam's house. With the pre-test jitters I'd actually started taking baths!! I think baths are gross, and everyone who knows me knows I'm a shower gal, but I was so sick all the time stressing about and dreaming about this test that I started taking baths at night and turns out only way I could relax. weird but true. I also still drink lots of diet coke in preparation for this test, let's just say that McDonalds dollar large soda's are genius and a result of my graduation money now being MIA...
anywho, life is good. Summer is great! thanks for finally showing up summer, it's really nice to see you again.