Home Renovation

The house is finally done! We officially moved in about 2 weeks ago!  Below are a few before and after photos. Thanks again Dad. I love it! (The floors are just so pretty!!!)

Living Room

Living Room

Nursery

Nursery

Office

Office

Master Bedroom

Master Bedroom

It has been lovely having our own space again, but I had forgotten how long it takes to setup a home. I feel like by cleaning up one mess I end up with two more. The nursery is currently full of boxes and there is stuff everywhere, but very slowly things are finding a place. Finding window coverings has been a bigger challenge then I expected. I have learned that it is very easy to spend hundreds of dollars on just a few windows. We currently only have curtains on our bedroom window. Randy says it feels like we are living in a fish bowl.

Mitch and Winter have settled in, it took a couple of days before they would both relax enough to take naps and not follow us around every time we moved.

Friday night, we spent hauling buckets of water out of our crawl space. The sump pump was not installed correctly and our crawl space was filling up with water. Another big thank you to Dad for saving us again. He came out yesterday and helped Randy figure out how to install the pump and get the water out as well as replacing our garbage disposal. At this rate our house will be brand new by the time we move. :-) 

November 2016

I'm almost halfway done with this pregnancy!!!! I'll be 20 weeks along on Sunday. For the most part I have been feeling good, but I still have the awful taste in my mouth and in the afternoons I usually hit a wall. My next appointment is Monday for my big ultrasound to make sure our little darling is growing appropriately and to 'confirm' the gender. At my 16 week appointment our doctor looked for gender, but the little one wasn't super cooperative and kept hiding in a corner. So he gave us his best guess.

We officially purchased a home and it is almost move in ready after weeks of remodeling. You can't tell if you were to walk in today, but the plan is to officially move in next weekend! The last big thing to be done is the carpet installation which will be done at at the beginning of the week. My wonderful in-laws drove all of our stuff (minus Randy's keepsakes) from Idaho last weekend. Thankfully it all fit in the garage.

A huge THANK YOU is due to my dad, who has pretty much done everything- painting all the trim, doors, door frames, walls, a vaulted ceiling, tiling 3 rooms, replacing the water heater, placing a drain for the laundry, laying the most beautiful laminate flooring (I LOVE IT), framing in air ducts, fixing dry wall holes, and the list just keeps going. There is no way that our home would look so inviting and beautiful without my dad.

Thank you to Mom who has suffered/powered through tackling redoing the banister with me. That was quite a project that I hope to finish tonight (just one more coat of varnish). The banister was a reddish brown color that I didn't love, but real reason we redid the banister was because of the many many scratches and gouges in the wood. Mom and I with Randy's help spent days and days sanding away the stain and imperfections. When the wood was finally prepared I applied the prestain and followed up with a rich dark brown stain. I then had 2 learning moments- 1) I should have taped off the white posts that support the banister first because I got stain all over them and of course Dad had already painted them.So I need to prime and repaint almost all of the posts. 2) Use a lint free cloth to apply stain. After the first coat of stain Mom and I went back apply the second coat and the banister was super rough. We ended up lightly resanding it and applying another coat of stain. Finally last night I was able to apply the first coat of varnish and it looks soooo pretty!!! Hopefully tonight the saga of the banister will be finished.

Thank yous to Grandpa Sheets, Uncle Spence, and Jason are also required. They have all given up their free time to help us prepare our new home.

Randy has been kept busy with work and ends up with some funny stories. One morning he had to leave extra early to watch children walking to school in response to a complaint that wild turkeys were chasing the kids on their way to school. He didn't see any small children, only middle school kids and not one wild turkey. A more fun adventure for him was releasing a bobcat that was caught in a neighboring town. He was pretty excited about that.

Work for me has been busy most days. I have worked a few 4 hour shifts by myself and so far those have gone well. I had to manage a seizing dog one of those afternoons, you could say that added some excitement. I am continuing to learn and I can feel my confidence growing with healthy doses of humility daily of all the things I don't know.

A couple of weeks ago I spent one early morning in the ER. The previous evening, I was super painful in my lower abdomen but the pain eventfully passed. However it started to return in the middle of the night, so my sweet husband drove me to the hospital at 2 am. Being a medical professional wasn't helpful that night because I had a list of diagnoses running through my head, none of which were pleasant. I was given some fentanyl and anti-nausea meds, IV fluids, had lab work done and an abdominal ultrasound. Thankfully our little one was perfectly fine and they didn't find anything on the ultrasound. I wanted an abdominal radiograph because I am 99% sure that the pain was from my GI tract, but as I'm pregnant radiographs are out of the question. I was discharged from the hospital at 6 am. Randy was able to be with me the entire time, even for the ultrasound. He made sure I was warm enough and as comfortable as possible. He even put on my socks for me. He surely is the best companion.

Other fun things

• We had dinner and games with Kelsie and James and Amanda and Jake last month. These get-togethers for me are soul refreshing. Our next get-together is Monday (with lots of pie!). 
• I was able to go to a bridal shower for a friend that I haven't seen since my wedding reception. We picked up right where we left off and the last 5 years didn't even matter. I am so excited for her wedding next week.  
• Amanda and I attended a continuing education dinner in Salt Lake this week. Sitting in lecture for 2 hours was tough, but I enjoyed the subject (upper air way disease) and it was refreshing to review some things that I knew and gather new treatment ideas.

October 2016

House things 

So it looks like we are really buying a house. The inspection is done, the appraisal came back okay, the loan is approved and today our home insurance policy was submitted. We spent a large part of the last three days choosing paint and flooring. We have finally decided on the kind of flooring and last night picked a few colors (thank you Cathy!). I had no idea how exhausting this kind of stuff is. It doesn't help that I am not a creative interior design person. I know what I like when I see it, but I can't come up with it on my own. Something I inherited from my mother. 

My next challenge is not to bite off more then I can chew with updates in the house. Pretty much the entire house can/should be upgraded. I want to change light fixtures and counter tops and shelving and landscaping but as my dad keeps telling me, I don't need to do everything right now. 

Pregnancy

I am 14 weeks and the baby is about the size of a lemon! At our last appointment two weeks ago, we were able to see our little one. He or she has fingers and arms and legs. It was the coolest thing! Two weeks from yesterday is the anatomy appointment! All of this still doesn't feel real, although the nasty taste in my mouth sure is. I have felt better the last few weeks and my appetite has improved, but I get worn out easy and I just feel weird all the time.

Recent adventures

About a week ago, we went to the Hogle Zoo. It was pretty chilly that day, but thankfully we had finished exploring the zoo before the heavy rain hit. We enjoyed lunch at Kneaders, did a few errands, and that night had dinner and a game night with Jake and Amanda. It was an awesome day.  

Baby Giraffe!

Randy's favorite!

On Saturday, we went to a home show in Sandy. The expo center was huge and the parking lot a disaster. We were hoping to gather some ideas for our new house, but mostly there was stuff for sale. We did pickup a pretty awesome paint tape roller and a few coupons for AC tuneups. Afterwards we had a snack with Stephanie and Logan. It had been a while since we had seen them. 

Randy's job 

Sunday, Randy received a call that two turkeys were caught in a turkey trap. So that night, Randy and I drove for about 45 minutes to collect them.  When we arrived there was only one left in the trap. Randy crawled into the trap and snatched the turkey and then transferred it to a turkey box. The next morning we drove up Ogden canyon to release the turkey. The drive was beautiful. Taking a drive up the canyon to look at the changing leaves had been on my list for a few weeks now.

During conference weekend, Randy got two calls about injuried geese. I was able to go with him to catch the geese and transport them to the rehabilitation center. 

I removed this feather from the back of a puppy's throat

July/August/September - So many blessings

 I have been putting off this post because I am so far behind!

July:
We went to Randy's good friend Chris's house for for dinner for the Forth of July. The following Tuesday, I woke up feeling awful with a fever of 102. I called in sick to work, went to the doctor and lo and behold I had strep throat. It was terrible, but thank goodness for IM penicillin. Later that month I attended several different bridal showers for my little sister Ashley. We celebrated my birthday late with the Vocklers with Texas Road House and swimming.

August:

For our 5 year anniversary, I found a bakery to duplicate our top tier of our wedding cake. The cake was good, but there was a communication mix-up and it was frosted with fondant instead of buttercream. Randy had a job interview with Utah Division of Natural Resources (Utah's Fish and Game) and he got the job! Better yet, the job is in Ogden, so we get to live together!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! He started a week later. Ashley and Preston's wedding was on the 11th. They were married in the Ogden temple followed by a luncheon at the Grand View and finished up with a reception at Eldridge Manor. The weather was beautiful and everything went smoothly.  The next day, my cousin Ryan was married and Randy and I attended their reception. Two weeks later, my good friend and classmate Becky married her sweetheart Brandon in Seattle. I was able to switch my schedule around and share in their special day.

Mitch had a rough couple of weeks at the end of August. He got a hematoma in his right ear and I did the surgery to correct it. He had to live in a cone for about 2.5 weeks. He was pretty sure he was broken and couldn't do anything but lay around and look pathetic. 

September:
The next position up from Randy's position became open and Randy was encouraged to apply for the job. He was interviewed and the next day he was offered the job! I am so proud of him and thankful that others see how hard he works and his dedication to his job. Now, this job is not his dream job, but it is working for the right department, with health benefits, and potential graduate position aid. This month we started seriously house hunting. It has been difficult to find anything in our price range, in a decent neighbor, that does not require 10,000s of dollars in repairs and upgrades, and in the area we want to live in. Last weekend we finally found a house. Eric (my bother-in-law's father) is our realtor. We found a ~1400 sq foot 2 story yellow house in the northern part of Ogden. The yard needs a make over and all the flooring needs to be replaced, but it fits our needs. We put in an offer and the sellers countered and we accepted. The inspection is tomorrow. I am excited to pick out paint and flooring and making this house our home.

Lunch date with my siblings

In other news, on August 2nd we found out that we are expecting at baby!!!!!!!!!!!! This is something we have wanted for a long time and I can't believe its really happening! August felt like the longest month of my life, but that could be because I felt so horrible. Thankfully no vomiting, just lots of nauseousness, bloating, no appetite, mood swings, and zero motivation. My work is excited for us and have been doing a great job taking care of me. I am 12 weeks today and the last few days I have felt much better, never normal, but soo much better. Our little one is due April 9th. I have my second appointment tomorrow. At our first appointment last month, Randy and I got to see our little one and hear his/her heart beat. That is the best sound I have ever heard.

These last few months, we have received a down pour of blessings from heaven. I am so grateful to my Heavenly Father who knows what is best for us and wants to bless us. I have everything I could want- a loving husband who has a job in his career field that is 20 minutes way, an awesome job that is very supportive, a house under contract, and a baby on the way!

New York City!

New York City May 2016

On a Bus

This was another Sheets style trip- fast and furious. Mom, Randy, and I flew out on a Tuesday afternoon to JFK airport. After arriving at JFK and trying to find our way through the giant airport we finally found the shuttle pick up. We stayed an 'interesting' hotel just 10 minutes from the airport. The next morning we took a cab to the nearest subway station and began the hour trek into Manhattan. Thanks to Ashley we stayed a Marriott that had a huge breakfast. After dropping our bags off and purchasing 'Hop on Hop off' bus tickets we began to explore. We walked to the nearest bus stop and enjoyed our tour guide telling us all about the different landmarks and what happened that horrible day on September 11, 2001. We walked around ground zero and then couldn't find anywhere quick to eat! We were waiting to take a ferry around the part of the island that took you past the Statue of Liberty but there wasn't any places to eat that didn't have white linen table clothes. (we were in the financial district, so that shouldn't have been a surprise). But that was the theme the rest of the trip, we somehow ended up at high end sections of town during food time. That night we took a night tour of Brooklyn to see the Manhattan skyline.

Times Square

Freedom Tower

The next day we visited an aircraft carrier, walked around central park and 5th Avenue (the AC in Tiffanys was wonderful, but we didn't stay long), and that night Mom and I saw Les Mis. Randy choose to stay at the hotel. He had run out 'people minutes'. Big cities aren't his thing, but he was a good sport and I am glad he came with us. Ashley tried to come for one night, but the flights were full.

Hanging out in Times Square

Waiting for Les Mis to start

Cupcakes after the show! 

I was amazed at how many places and sights we didn't get to see on that tiny island. I knew there were would be a lot of people, but actually being around that many people was something I didn't expect. Thanks Mom for another incredible trip!

Vet School Graduation

May 7th 2016, a day I looked forward to for 4 years finally arrived. Graduation day.

Randy came home a week before graduation, and I am so glad he did. I don't know how I would have gotten everything done on time without him. We spent our last week soaking up as many of our favorite things about Pullman/Moscow, lots of packing and sorting of stuff, and spending time with friends.

My last full day of clinics was Thursday the 5th. Friday I had to go to school to perform my morning patient care and paperwork and then pass of the reins to the new 4th years. My class had brunch together that morning to go over graduation stuff (like how to hold your hood and where to walk). That afternoon my parents, Chantel and Garrett, Ashley, Jason, Grandma Kay and Grandpa Karl flew into Lewiston. That day was full of food (pizza, Applebees, Oreos, cookies, chips and salsa), bowling and culminated in the best game of Curses I have ever witnessed (Thanks Dad for the Elmer Fudd impersonation). That night, Chantel and Garrett stayed with us. The following morning we had a big breakfast and then it was time to take graduation photos with my cap and gown. Bob and Cindy drove up from Emmett that morning, so we met them for lunch in Lewiston. We took a few group pictures just before it was time for me to head to Beasley Coliseum.

My class had to line up under the Coliseum and it was so hot. It didn't help that we were wearing heavy velvet graduation gowns and hoods. Finally, it was time for the ceremony to begin. Dr. Thandeka Ngwenyama was our master of ceremonies. I took her critical care rotation twice because she is amazing. Her concern for the animals entrusted in her care and her small group teaching style was excellent (even if it included being asked a lot of difficult questions). She always tried to make the students answer fit the question. Dean Slinker said a few words of congratulations. Our commencement speaker was Dr. Andy Roark who spoke about caring for people as well as animals and not being afraid. Then it was time for the  awarding of diploma covers and hooding. Dr. Parish and Dr. Rance Sellon were the hooders. I have worked with Dr. Parish often during my four years in Pullman. He was my advisor for my senior paper as well. Once all of us had walked across the stage we repeated The Veterinarian's Oath lead by Dr. Leathers our pathology professor who had retired earlier this year.

Being admitted to the profession of veterinary medicine, I solemnly swear to use my scientific knowledge and skills for the benefit of society through the protection of animal health and welfare, the prevention and relief of animal suffering, the conservation of animal resources, the promotion of public health, and the advancement of medical knowledge.

I will practice my profession conscientiously, with dignity, and in keeping with the principles of veterinary medical ethics.

I accept as a lifelong obligation the continual improvement of my professional knowledge and competence.

  
Afterwards there were refreshments. I tried to find all of my friends, but unfortunately I wasn't able to find all of them. On our way back to our house, Randy and I stopped by Dairy Queen for some celebratory ice cream.

I can't believe that my vet school career has officially ended. The WSU Collage of Veterinary Medicine Class of 2016 is full of some of the most incredible, kind, hard working, loyal people I have ever met. I am missing my friends already. Goodbye class of 2016 -until the next conference or class reunion.

Memories of Grandma Sheets

Where to begin...

My Grandma Sheets has been a constant part of my life. I can't remember a time when her smile was not familiar to me even though we lived across the country and sometimes the ocean.

I have decided not to use third person in describing Grandma as she isn't really gone, she just off doing what she does best- serving others and the Lord.

She is quick to smile and willing to listen to the ramblings and frustrations of a 13 year old girl.
Some time after we moved from Utah to Albuquerque in 2012 my mom enrolled me in dance lessons. I had danced for about 6 years, but then quit after we moved to New Mexico. My first lesson was taught by a girl younger and shorter then me and I felt super awkward so instead I 'ran away' (with permission) to Payson to spend part of the summer with Grandma and Grandpa. I felt special being the only grand kid there and had my grandparents full attention. Grandma taught me about gardening and healthy eating and Grandpa took me horseback riding.

Since that time as a young teenager I have often called upon my Grandma to hear my woes and for her loving but sound advice.

For one of my personal progress projects for church I decided to work on my family history. Grandma was instrumental in helping me with that project. She took me to the family history center near their home. She also went through her own documents to find stories and memories of her ancestors to share with me. 

Before I started at BYU-I, I asked my grandma for any quick, easy, and healthy recipes or snacks she would recommend. She put a binder together for me full of her go-to recipes and she bought several packages of nuts so I could put together a trail mix similar to the one that my grandparents always have around.

She makes the BEST wheat pancakes. I've tried to duplicate them, but to no avail. About a week ago I dreamed about Grandma and one of the things I asked her in the dream was how to make her pancakes so good. Although the food she prepared was not considered 'fancy' (except for her amazing pies) everything always tasted delicious. I love Harper's Homemade bread and she would always make sure to have a loaf on hand whenever I came to visit.

During my summer trips to Payson Utah, I accompanied my grandparents many times to the soup kitchen. I always had a great time working side by side with them and watching what it meant to truly care for others. 

Grandma is one of those people you can't but help feel loved and important when you are around her.

Grandma I miss you and I will love you forever. 

As I remember more moments with Grandma I will add them here.

May-June 2016

I finished this blogpost, went to publish it, and it wouldn't publish. I hit the save button about a 20 times to make sure it saved. I then copied what I was worried about would not save, then hit the refresh button. Like I thought, most of my entry was not saved, but neither did the content I copied...

So I present attempt number 2 

So many things have happened in the last month and and half. I realized I need to write down a least a time line or else I will forget. In the coming weeks, my plan is to record these events in more detail for myself.

Graduation Day was May 7th. The following day, my father-in-law drove my car loaded up with Mitch and Winter down to Emmett. It was so nice to not have them in the way when we were cleaning, packing, and loading the trailer. Monday the 9th, we were able to get the trailer completely loaded and the house cleaned before the buyers arrived at 10 am. They showed up with a truck load of stuff, so I was extra happy we were ready to pull out as soon as the contracts were signed and the taxes paid.

We drove to Emmett to stay with my in-laws and Randy had to go back to work for his last week. I spent the first part of the week riding our horses and organizing all our stuff. Randy's last day was Thursday. The next day, we loaded up the car and drove to Utah for my cousin Malory's sealing to her husband AJ in the new Provo City Center temple.

Cousins!

We drove back to Idaho on Monday for another week with the McBrides where we rode the horses and organized more stuff. The following week we came back to Utah the  to go to New York City with my mom for a few days. It was a whirlwind of a trip, but we had a good time even if Randy ran out of 'people minutes'.

After returning to Utah, we spent an afternoon with my Grandma Sheets who was in the hospital. Several months ago she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer, but she was admitted to the hospital for a GI obstruction. Once she was resting, Randy and I went to see Cavalia a horse/acrobatic show. It was a spectacular show with live music, gorgeous horses, and impressive acrobatics.

Waiting for the show to begin

The next morning, Randy and I flew out to Hawaii. I had never been to this tropical paradise and I was ecstatic to sit on the beach, soak up the sunshine, and spend some time with only Randy. While we were there, we heard from my parents that my grandma was being moved from the hospital to her home and would be cared for by hospice. She passed away early Friday morning. She is an amazing woman of faith and service. I hope to record some of my memories of her on this blog in the coming weeks.

My first day of work was to be June 7th, but as that was the day of the funeral, I was able to push it back a day and instead spent Monday and Tuesday with my Sheets family.

My first day of work went really well. At this point, I have completed 4 days of being a practicing veterinarian. The practice I work at is wonderful, full of good and helpful people. I am amazed at how comfortable I am already in my new role at doctor instead of student. Thank you to WSU CVM for the excellent training.

Other happy news is my baby sister got engaged last week and the house is already all aflutter with wedding planning. I am happy that I get to be around to be a part of this wedding and to help Mom and Ashley (one perk of moving to Utah).

Randy is taking two GRE prep classes to help him study as he will take the exam next month. Last weekend, we drove again to Emmett, this time to bring Mitch and Winter back with us as well as much stuff as we can fit. I guess we can now say we have officially moved in, now that our little family is together again.

All in all things are good in our lives and we would be amiss to forget our blessings.