Gems from Nate

My younger brother Nate is on a mission in Little Rock Arkansas, Spanish speaking right now. He's been out since January and he is loving it! Those of you who know Nate know he is hilarious and has a very clever, quick wit. It is so fun to get his emails. They are usually full of spiritual stories, but he always gives us a few lines to laugh at. Here are some recent gems:

(Talking about an investigator who wants to get baptized, but has to get married first- Nate has run into this problem a lot. He has even said, "I'm teaching so and so, they have been living together for 4 years but aren't married because apparently Mexicans don't do that anymore." ) He's ready to get married, he just wants it to be a nice wedding for his wife. Is it ok if I give him one of the shirts you just sent me, so he can have a nice white shirt to get married in? I feel bad that you guys went through all the trouble to send me one out and I'm so willingly giving it away (not quite to "give you the shirt off my back" kindness, but certainly "waste my parents money" kindness).

The Global War on Fatness launch another push monday, but caught some traction on Wednesday with the arrival of a care package. I loved it, but everytime you send Pop-Tarts, the terrorists win.

I know I've been failing at the whole birthdays thing. So here is goes in order:
Happy Fathers Day, Dad
Happy Birthday, Court
Happy second anniversary Ben and Court
Happy Birthday America
Happy Pioneer Day Mormons
Happy Birthday Heidi
There, I think that covers me until December.

(This is especially funny if you've ever gotten a birthday present from Nate, he usually doesn't even know what he got you-it's whatever my mom or Heidi already bought and gave to him to give you. And he never wraps it)

We're teaching someone from Belize, this alone merits mentioning.

I worry sometimes guys are out here for the wrong reasons. Don't worry about me though, I adhere strongly to Pres Drewes general advice "Anytime you feel tempted, I want you to picture me drop kicking you in the face" President Drewes merits his own quote board.

Will, you're on the Milk Carton, buddy. Haven't heard from you in 3 weeks. By mission rules I now have to consider you less active. (Will is our older brother. When he was on his mission Nate only wrote him a few times, so Will's occasional lack of letters is somewhat karmic)

I do miss Nate- but honestly getting these weekly emails from him is so much fun and he's just doing such wonderful things in Arkansas! He's a little sad that he's going to miss the first year of his little nephew's life,, but there is really no other place he would rather be!

Yesterday

The Good: Ben and I went to the Dave Matthews Band concert. It was so much fun! Ben has wanted to see them forever. They are his favorite band. We bought tickets to the concert last year to celebrate our first anniversary, only to have the concert canceled at the last minute. Our money was refunded, but we were still a little disappointed. Then, magically, this year he came back to do a free concert and those who bought tickets last year got first pick at seats! So we got to see Dave Matthews this year, in better seats, for no money! We had a blast, no pictures though-they wouldn't allow cameras in the amphitheater.

The Bad: Yesterday I also went to the dentist to have THREE cavities fixed. I really don't know how that happened, I've only had a few cavities in my whole life and all of a sudden I have three?!?! I swear I brush my teeth a lot... anyway the dentist was a really nice person and everything, but now I understand why people hate going to the dentist so much! (And I have a new found appreciation for Dr. Eggert-the dentist I have seen up in Davis County my entire life) He laid back the chair and started giving me the numbing shots, I think between my baby cutting off the blood return to my heart (I should know by now not to lay flat on my back) and me holding my breath while he gave me those uncomfortable shots- I started to get completely light headed and my heart started racing. I almost felt like I might pass out (this is so not normal for me). Anyway, I got repositioned and he kept numbing. Then he started drilling and despite the fact that my face felt completely numb I could still feel the drilling! It wasn't the worst hour of my life, but definitely not something I want to do again real soon. And today, my mouth is still totally sore and I can only open it about half way. The End.

Graduation

This past weekend I walked in graduation-although technically I won't be finished until December. The College of Nursing at BYU just has their own way of doing things, one of which is to have us walk one semester prior to graduation. I felt a little silly walking when I still have another semester, but I also felt a strong feeling of almost accomplishment. Once this nursing degree is officially obtained I'm sure I'll feel it more. My awesome family came to support me. I appreciate their support so much, not just in coming to graduation, but all the help they've given me to get this far.
First of all, to my amazing mom and dad, who taught me the importance of getting an education and instilled in me the desire to learn. They have both spent countless hours listening to me vent about the pressures of school and reassured me that I would get through it.
Then these two women, my sister Heidi and my BFSC (Best friend/sister/cousin) Jana who make me laugh and have helped me enjoy this journey! You all know all about my amazing sister Heidi by now. If you want to truly appreciate Jana's uniqueness, wittiness, and amazing style check out her blog http://oursideofthetracks.blogspot.com. You'll laugh, you'll cry.

I'm so glad I belong to such a supportive, wonderful family. Will (far left) has always been a great big brother I could always count on. Nate was excused from attending due to him currently serving a mission in Little Rock, Arkansas.
Finally, and most importantly, my amazing husband. Ben has played such a big role in helping me get (okay, almost get) this degree. From cooking dinner for me when I get home from long clinical shifts, to agreeing to set his alarm as well in the morning because I'm so paranoid that mine won't get off and I'll be late to clinical, to just hugging me when I've been stressed and discouraged. This man is amazing, I just love him.
Ben's little sister Jessi is staying out here this summer, she cam to support as well! Yay for family!
Let it be known, Jana's mom Pam, who is basically an aunt to me was at graduation as well. Somehow I didn't manage to get a picture of her, but I definitely love her.

Even though they don't read my blog, there are two more people who have played as big a role as any in helping me get my nursing degree- my aunt Georgia and uncle Dick. They live in Salt Lake, minutes from IMC where the majority of my clinical shifts have been. They graciously welcome me and a few nursing buddies into their home the night before clinical to make our pre-assessment and clinical experience a little smoother. Not only did they let us stay there, but my aunt made us an amazing home cooked dinner each week and a delicious smoothie for breakfast in the morning. Both me and my friends have been extremely grateful fo their help and hospitality. Going to clinical at 6 am before the sun is even up is just so much easier when someone else makes breakfast and gives you a hug on your way out the door!

Although this won't be official until December, I have finished most of the coursework and all the clinical rotations. All I have to do this last semester is a small course in Community Nursing, complete my capstone rotation (210 hous of clinical experience in Labor and Delivery-I'm so excited) and study for boards!

Baby Kicks

I've been feeling my little baby move around inside for several weeks now. Two weeks ago I started feeling definite little kicks. I love feeling them-they are so reassuring that my baby is healthy and growing. Every time I feel a little kick I fall in love with this little baby I've never met.
He starts kicking every night during our scripture study. I think he's excited to be a Mormon. Ben is pretty sure it's because he's excited to hear his daddy's voice too. Ben will put his hand on my stomach and just wait until the little one kicks. He's been able to feel his little baby kicks several times. It's exciting every time.
My mom gave us a little book, "Oh Baby, the Places You'll Go, A Book to be Read in Utero." We read it to him last night. He LOVED IT! Kicked the whole time, and for a while afterwards. Research says that even now he can distinguish and appreciate the rhythm and rhymes. Amazing.

Going Private

We're going private. I don't mind adding anyone who wants to keep reading. Leave me a comment or send me an email if you want to keep reading!

court.hugo@gmail.com

Provo Friends

While we've been living here in Provo, Ben and I have been super lucky to have made some amazing friends, Mike and Meghan Caldwell and Andrew and Chana Alder. These couples (pictured below) convienently live just steps from us. We even share walls with the Caldwells and Ben and Mike have devised a system of knocks that mean different things from "Are you home?" to "We're ready for you to come over now" and "Coming over now". Over the past two years we've had lots of good times with these couples, dinners together, game nights, movie nights, bocce ball, going on walks, barbeques. It's been awesome.
In the next few months all of us will be leaving Provo. As excited as I am to move on to bigger and better things, I am so sad to leave these friends behind. Alders were the first to move this last weekend. Saying good-bye was hard and sad. We had one last dinner together at Red Robin.

The Boys: Ben, Andrew and Mike

The Girls: Me, Chana and Meghan

Special Shout-out to Chana (because she definitely deserves it): When I was first pregnant and SO nauseous and miserable, I finally just called a doctors office semi-nearby to make an appointment to see if there was anything they could do for me (which ended up being Zofran). The only time they could fit me in was duing a time when Ben couldn't take me and would be needing our car. Chana had the day off and graciously offered to take me. On the way back from the appointment she was literally driving with one hand and holding back my hair with the other hand as I was crying and throwing up. In hindsight, it's a little comical. At the time, I was thinking, "I'm so grateful Chana is so nice." Oh I miss her already.