2011 in Review: January to June

It always amazes me how quickly years seem to have passed once you're on the other end of them. I thought life would maybe slow down once school was done and I was "settled" into my career, but it just seems to continue flying by.

In January I started the final semester of my nursing degree. School was not the focus of the month, however, as I spent most of my time packing and preparing for my trip to Africa. We welcomed our nephew, Jamie Sterling, into the family in January last year as well. I can't believe he turns one tomorrow!!!

February and most of March were spent in the wonderful country of Ghana. I would go back to Africa tomorrow if I had the chance. The experience was nothing I expected it to be, but it was absolutely wonderful. Even with the skin infection I managed to pick up while I was there.

In the middle of March I was reunited with my husband and my girls. Erik treated me to two nights at Harrison Hot Springs and we went to my in-laws to visit with my SIL who was visiting from the midwest. It should also be noted that I wrote my last exam for school this month.

 

April wasn't too exciting. My skin infection finally disappeared, I wrote my last paper, and I started my final practicum. Sawyer Dawn turned one and I spent all of my spare time studying for my CRNE, hanging out with my girls, and working.

Erik and I moved into a little house in May -- just four doors down from our basement suite. We are still loving it. We had many after-church gatherings in our front yard with our friends throughout the summer, but they started in May.

May also marked the beginning of our hiking season and the little Sawybean learned how to walk (at my house).

June was momentous in the Olson household. The month began with me writing the Canadian Registered Nurses Exam, which I thankfully passed, and I was rewarded by having Sawyer over for a week while her parents went on a motorcycle trip to California. Even Erik loved having Sawyer around -- she is wonderful!

I graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing in June as well -- an occasion that my parents, my brother, Anthony, and his family, and all my relatively local in-laws came out for. Soon after graduating I was offered a job as a casual (on-call) nurse at the local hospital. And Erik went to Alaska.

Thus concludes the first installment of my year in review. Stay tuned for more!