BIRTHDAY WEEKEND!

On Thursday, my actual birthday, I had to work. Mom made me the traditional pancakes with a candle on top for breakfast. The ladies at work bought lunch for me and the secretary make me muffin size cupcakes. I got a lot of presents from people at work too. It was a really good day to be working so I wasn't upset about it. For dinner I wanted it just to be Mom, Pop, Emily and myself. I had looked up restaurants that give free meals for your birthday the day before at work and chose Red Robin! I know I am a nerd, but I think I deserve a free meal on my birthday :) I got the banzai burger, which is my favorite. We had everyone over for ice cream cake after dinner. It was a really fun birthday and I got everything I wanted.

I convinced Kylie to come down to Vegas for the weekend so she could go with all of us to Phoenix. I found her a ride down and she got here late Thursday. I was so excited to have her back in town. As I get older, I don't really feel social anymore and I just want to hang out with the few people I know and can trust. I was sad, even though she probably doesn't believe it, that Emily couldn't come with us to Phoenix. She had band stuff she had to do over the weekend.


Friday I took the day off work and ran some errands. Kara drove down with Hallie to go with us to Phoenix as well. I was so excited for a fun weekend. We left around 4:30 after everyone had packed. Christen convinced Pop to sleep at her house over the weekend. We hung out most of the day on Saturday and just bummed it around Christen's house. Ben also came down to Phoenix with his kids! Pop took the girls, Hallie Bear, Skye Marie, and Larkie Loo to Walmart to pick out some toys. When we got home Mike started up the BBQ and we all ate way too much. Pop and I took a nap before the game since he was tired and I was in a pissy mood. The game started around 5pm. The disappointing thing about going to Chase ballpark is that they don't have Dodger Dogs! I still ate a chocolate malt and the field was beautiful. Even though the Dodgers lost, I had a great time wearing my blinged out Dodger hat. After the game, Ben's family and Christen came to Chili's to eat dinner with us.


Sunday morning we left Phoenix at 6 am so we could get home for sacrament meeting. It was an important meeting for Pop because he became the bishop of the Quail Ridge Ward. It was a great weekend despite some hiccups here and there, but when isn't there with a family full of girls! I missed having Katie and her family there this weekend, but we get to see them this weekend and I am so excited!

I GOT A JOB...ACTUALLY 2!

I finally got an ultrasound job! A couple of weeks ago I interviewed at Southern Hills Hospital for a per diem position. I got a call from the recruiter a couple days later telling me they wanted to offer me the position. I decided to turn down the Kingman position because if I at least had this per diem I could wait it out until I got a full time position somewhere. I will be on call a couple weekends a month and cover some vacation time. Yesterday, I got a call from the recruiter at Southwest Medical telling me they FINALLY posted the job online. I rushed home from the gym and filled out the application. A couple hours later the recruiter called me back and told me they wanted to offer me a full time position! I wanted to scream I was so excited. So, now I have both a per diem and full time position. The training may conflict a little so I am hoping Southern Hills will be willing to work with me so I can keep both jobs. YAY!!!

What to do?!

As you all know I have desperately been trying to find an ultrasound job now that I passed my national board exams. I have applied everywhere, but I would love to move to Phoenix I decided. Well, I got a call before I went to Virginia to interview in Kingman Arizona. It is about an hour and half outside of vegas on the way to Phoenix. When I got home from Virginia I set up to have my interview yesterday. I drove out and started the interview at ten in the morning at Kingman Regional Medical Center. I had to sit with three of the imaging managers while they asked me questions, then I went on a tour of the facility and had to scan for the ultrasound manager. I wasn't too nervous, but I did feel a bit intimidated when they started talking about benefits and me moving out there. I would have to work Friday, Saturday, Sunday from 7am to 7pm and I would take the On Call shifts for Friday and Saturday nights. That would leave my weekdays open to go home if I wanted. At the end of the interview, almost three hours later, they offered me the position. They offered me full benefits and more than I could have hoped for starting out pay. WHAT DO I DO!? The cons are the that I would have to move to Kingman, have no life and work on Sundays. The pros are the pay and the experience I will gain being in a hospital. Then, as I was driving home I received a call from the outpatient center I want to work for in Vegas. The manager said the position was approved, but has to wait for them to post it online in order to interview me. He said when the recruiter calls he is going to tell him he already has someone in mind and not to call anyone else who applies. But, it could take up to two weeks for them to post this position I want. I feel bad making Kingman wait two weeks for my answer without knowing for sure if I will even get the job in Vegas. My mind is going crazy right now. It is all coming in at once and I hope I make the right decision. Keep me in your prayers that I will know what to do!

I PASSED!!!

I finally took and passed my specialty ultrasound board exam on Friday morning. I am officially a registered ultrasound technician. I am so grateful for the power or prayer, the priesthood, and loving parents. Now on with the job search!

Personal Training

I started a personal training thing with the owner of this boxing gym I do kick boxing at. A bunch of us girls decided to do it. I want to tone up and lose some weight in my problem areas. We weighed ourselves last Saturday and did a body fat test. I am starting at 125 lb with 32% body fat. He wants me to lose 15 lb of body fat and gain 4 lb of muscle. I think that is a little unrealistic and I don't want to lose my butt! The first day of our meal plan we had to fast all day and only drink water. The second day we could only eat fruits and veggies. The third day we started a strict diet of eggs, chicken, fish, veggies and a few other things. I am dying without sugar, but I have already lost 4 lb! I will let you all know how it goes.

Pampering

Mom stayed home all last week to take care of Pop after his surgery. So, I came home from work one day and told her we were going to get pedicures, my treat! It took a lot longer than we thought because it was one lady switching between the two of us, but it was worth it. We had massage chairs and the lady did a great job. I love our pink toes!

Pop's Hip Replacement

Pop got his hip replaced by Dr. Hoer on Monday the 22nd. He and mom went to the hospital at 5:30 am to get all set up for the surgery. I went to the hospital to sit with mom at 8 am after they had taken pop back to prep him for surgery. The surgery took over 4 hours! He is doing really well with his physical therapy now. His therapist even said he is over working his hip. I think he just wants to be up and moving again. Congrats on the new metal pop!