The little things in life

After a crazy week of class, clinical and care plans by today I was exhausted even though I still have 2 more days in the week. The lack of sleep, stress and a paper we have coming was definitely wearing on me this morning. Having a 3 hr lecture where the prof skimmed through powerpoints explaining what we didn't need to know for the test didn't really help either. But this afternoon I remembered there is a new break room on campus for nursing students. Since I planned on spending the day on campus I figured I'd go check it out. Sure enough, I think I found my new favorite place on campus :) It has chairs, a table, tea, stress balls, snacks, and other "soothing" things but my favorite is the massaging chair cover :) I've been working on my paper for about an hour now and my back feels looser already! So I'm happy to say my thursday has gotten much better!

Its definitely the little things in life that can make your day a whole lot brighter :)

week 4

Finished my first midterm of the quarter this morning! Only 3 more to go :) And a paper to write, but still its a relief! It was sunny and gorgeous in seattle today but unfortunately I was in lecture and then came home to work on my medications for clinical this week :) after 4 1/2 hrs of me, my computer, my drug book I think I got them all done :) hopefully in a few weeks they will start overlapping and I won't have as many new ones. But for now I am LOVING having my car at school! (in case you didn't hear the good news!) the saturn is doing very well on the hills :)

clinicals

This quarter I am doing my clinicals at Swedish at the Cherry Hill campus on the neurosciences floor! I am stoked for what this quarter has in store but nervous at the same time. Last week was our first week meeting our patient and following a RN around and getting familiar with the electronic charting system, the floor, and the staff. I will be going downtown twice a week, tuesdays 7-3:30 and wednesdays 7-12. Anyways, tomorrow will be my first 8 1/2 hr day on the floor and I am praying it goes well! This week has a lot of "firsts" in it and I hope I survive it all lol

As you are keeping Haiti in your prayers if you could also send prayers to seattle it would be much appreciated. Even after a 3 day weekend the stress and craziness of nursing is just getting started. Plus I have a new family I am nannying for so pray the first meeting goes good tomorrow :)

Thanks! Love you all!
Chelsea

I have the best mom

One thing I cannot complain about this quarter is not seeing my mom enough. And this is only because she has taken on the project of trimming our trees at my house in seattle! She had driven to seattle with her truck, tools, a ladder and whatever else she needs in order to trim down our apple and plum trees.

I'm sure you don't have to use your imagination too much when I say the weather isn't always accomodatig when she comes down either ;) she always has her rain gear handy and hasn't once complained because, "its not cold" or because "I've been wanting to do this since the day we moved you in" ~eileen

Needless to say it has been so great seeing my mom so much this quarter :) even though I am usually doing homework while she's outside, we eat lunch together and usually end up getting groceries (which is another plus of course!) while she's here. It's so random coming back from class and seeing the white truck parked in front of my house but I love it!

Anyways, can't thank you enough mom! Love you so much!

VanDalen christmas

I think Van Dalen Christmas could refer to many different parties this year but for now this is the one with my parents, siblings, and their kids :)

Took Bryce 11 months, but he got his Daisy!

Dad got a new sweatshirt from Trevor

Mom got some new black bear decorations from Shannon

Dave's mystery gift from my dad....

A new bumper for his truck!

Me and shannon got some new vests :)

For the most part, Bryce was more interested in the ornaments on the tree

Brock with his new hunting gear

And even though Mark and Lacey were in Juneau this year we still got to see them by skyping with them online :) Its a little more challenging with 10+ people lol but it works good :)

My mom took pictures while we skyped too, us hovering around the computer

Mark, Lacey, Caitlin and Andrew :)

Baby Andrew - Up close and personal!

not such a good one of him, but you can see Caitlin's smiling!

After that, Tasha, me and my mom tried to set up the tents & tubes thing from Andrew for Bryce

Took us a little bit...but we got it! (with brock in the background saying, "mom do you need to read the directions? Here's the papers"

All the while the men sat back, surfed the internet and laughed at us trying to get it assembled

Dad by the way was thorooughly enjoying this!

This is the first of 2 or 3 posts (I forget how many already...so read on!)

More birthday pictures

Sorry these are a little late, life was busy as usual over break, but better late than never! Especially for anyone who wasn't able to make it, here's the rest of them :)

The chocolate fountain with was a hit (especially with the growing teenagers and kids... :)

My mom and Bryce with her flowers

more food...

mis padres

She even got a Birthday sash, wand and crown (that she wore all night! :)

Me and my mom :)

And shannon with the birthday girl :)

with Brock

The hostesses :) Thanks again Tasha for letting us use your house! and Shannon for doing the invitations :) and all the other planning that took place while I was still at school finishing up the quarter and taking finals!

My mom and Grandpa & Grandma Scholten

It was a fun night with lots of friends, food and family! Good thing we got a few years till my dad's 50th, but he's already started planning....lol

State

So I'll admit I'm massively behind on my blog posts, so here's some kinda old ones that my mom took but they're still good :) so I figured before classes and homework get too overwhelming I better try and do some catch up!

The Lynden football players at the Lighted Christmas parade two time state Champs!

If you haven't seen my dad's collection...the first football is from my senior year :) oh how that already seems so long ago some times!

I got a little break from studying and got to enjoy the game with the family, including the Millers, my parents, and Brock! He really was happy to see me, this picture just doesn't show it lol

Papa Scott and Brock at the Tacoma Dome

Final score

Lots of words could describe this: Brothers, best friends, coach & #1 fan....the options are endless

Cousins and future football players :)

Future linebacker ;)

crashed out on the way home after quick stop at Dick's drive in