Discovering New Talents

I have always had a love for art. Pencil is my favorite medium to work in. I have done a few pieces in my life that I have been very happy with. Two semesters ago, I discovered a new medium. Clay. I took a ceramics class with Sam so we could both have our fine arts credits. I had done a little clay work in high school, but nothing to speak of.

As I went through this class, I discovered how difficult hand building with clay really is. There was a point in the class when even the instructor was concerned about my work! With perseverance, and some creativity I completed two projects that I now have displayed in my home.

Why am I telling you about this? Well I was chosen to be part of the student art symposium at the college. It is a show where a committee judges and selects certain works to be part of the show. These works can be sold (some for amazing prices) or simply be displayed.

I was so excited that both my works were chosen. Their value to me and my family was too great, so I did not sell them.... however, I did get a phone call from a prospective buyer and was told to contact them if I ever made another piece.

Finally Done!

The last few weeks of school flew by, so fast in fact; that I have not been able to think about posting anything! Finals are over and so is Graduation. May 15, Sam and I graduated! Anyone who has come this far knows the relieved feeling I have. It was a beautiful sunny day, in contrast to the nasty rainy ones we had been having. Graduation started at 10am and then all the family got to stay for my nursing pinning at 3pm. It was a day full of graduating, and we are so glad to have it behind us.


Sam and our Nephew Levi




The Olsen bunch... it was quite humorous as all four of us walked across stage one after the other. There was a fifth Olsen, but no relation. We take the prize for most academic family... right? Haha!


The Moncur bunch

A small selection of the best nursing class ever!

Back row: Taylor H., Chris S., Me, Diana B., Traci W.

Middle: Kindi K., Carolyn B.

Front: Lorena M.

Bus Trips, More Birthdays, and a Day for Mothers

The last few weeks have been a little wild, and I am not sure were to begin. The end of April took me on a clinical trip to SLC. I got to spend a night shift in one of the University Hospital's ICUs. All 39 of the nursing students in my class came along, and it made for one loooooong bus ride. Not because of the group, but because of the antique bus we were given! The seats were broken and we couldn't count how many times the transmision slipped! After 10 hours there we made it and the rest of the week was full of fun adventures wandering the "big city" on our off time. This trip made me appreciate my chosen proffession even more, and brought me one step closer to graduation.



I highly recoment spending a day on Temple Square.... the spirit is calming and it is total stress relief.

The day I came home from the trip, Peter and Kenneth turned 18. I can't believe my little twin brothers are growing up on me! All the more reason to cherish the time we can spend with our families... which brings me to

MOTHERS DAY!

This is one of my favorite Holidays, because like christmas; it honors someone very special in all of our lives.



I found this cute mug at Wal-Mart, and thought....that's just what my mother deserves to be... treated like a Queen!



I took the mug to the local flowershop and asked them to match some springy flowers to the colors of the mug....



The finised product was just what I hoped!

Thank you Mom for all you do, flowers aren't much but I hope you know how much you are loved and appreciated!

My mother is not the only one that needs some recognition here. There is a new added mother to my life, and she is also a very special woman. Sam's mother has raised a wonderful family and blessed my life because of it.

Happy Birthday Dad

He held me in his arms of strength, so gentle and secure

As I grew he stood by, so steady and so sure

He watched me stumble, watched me fall, he knew it had to be

He taught me courage, taught me strength, brushed the dust from my knees

In prayer he showed me faith, in kindness taught me love

The man I call my Father is a blessing from above.

~Lauren Olsen

My Dad is having a birthday coming up next week. With hectic family schedules it is hard to get everyone in one place at the same time. This past Sunday we had everyone home, with the exception of Sam who was in Idaho with his brother, and held a surprise "early birthday" for my Pops. We did hamburgers for lunch, chicken cordon bleu for dinner, and (after some interesting cake acrobatics on my part) served a checkerboard cake. My Father is a well loved man, and I pray that we always remember to show him how much he is appreciated.

Happy Birthday Dad!

Health Fair

As sophomore students of the NWC nursing program, we had the opportunity to put together a booth. My group chose to display information on poison prevention. We worked together with the regional Poison Control Center to get handouts and information. The whole project was a blast, and the actual presentation was definitely worth the effort. Thanks Chris, Diana, and Carolyn for being such great partners!

Hand sketched and painted... LOVED IT!

Chris and I...

Chris and Carolyn with our fantastic poison display!