In anticipation of this week's Omaha Nighthawks home opener, I have a recap of last week's scrimmage.

The scrimmage was open to the public and admission was free. It was a great night for the players and staff to get a feel of the field, and it was a great preview for the community of what is to come. We saw big touchdowns, big names, and autograph sessions -- all in the brand new downtown TD Ameritrade stadium.

A few friends and I enjoyed this year's first night of football, complete with dogs, candy and a few beers. It was a jeans-and-long sleeves kind of night--just what football weather should be.

I'm excited for this week's home opener, and I can only imagine it will be as much fun as last year - or more!

A view of the field.

The girls: Me, Tina, Kate, and Kelli.

The Joe's: Joe Joe and Joe Papa.

Clearly pumped about the football debut.

The suite Mike hooked us up with to watch the game.

We thought we could pool our money together and afford it for the season,

but apparently it's worth more than we all make in a  year.

Guess we'll start saving our pennies for 10 years down the road!

Florida

I realize I'm (way) late in sharing this, but just go with it. Pretend like I just got back

As you probably know (because you've been reading my posts), I was in Florida a couple several weeks ago visiting one of my girl friends from college. She's in graduate school in Ft. Myers, and I hadn't seen her for a while. So I took a long weekend off work and headed south.

We had a fabulous time reconnecting, getting outside, and drinking wine. We perused the local shopping centers, ate at delicious restaurants, soaked up the sun, and went on a mini-vacation to Siesta Key. I couldn't have asked for a better time!

Here are some of the snapshots we captured, and some of the memories we made.

The first night, we went to the Ritz Carlton's beachfront for a glass of wine and to watch the sunset. I could definitely get used to that.

 

  












This is Katlyn at a Scottish restaurant we went to one night. Check out the lime-green honeydew sangria. The waitress told us it wasn't artificially coloring, but pretty sure honeydew isn't that neon-looking.

 













One evening while on the 'mini-vacation' to Siesta Key, we went out for dinner, watched the sunset, had ice cream, then ventured over to the Daiquiri Deck. Calories don't count while on vacation, right?

 

 

The next day we went to Sarasota and met Mike's aunt, uncle, and cousins for dinner.

Then we went horseback riding... on the beach! We rode along the beach for a while, then we went into the gulf with the horses. We went horse surfing, horse skiing, and rode the horses while they swam. It defintiely was something we've never done before!

The trip was great fun, and it was wonderful to see Katlyn and Jason again.
And needless to say, Florida was beautiful and I wouldn't mind going back again soon!

William

This morning was spent with one of my co-workers and her five month old baby boy. After seeing the pictures of Kasey and Jakob I had done, she had asked me if I wanted to take some pictures of little William. Of course! 

I didn't really have a clue what a five month old was able to do or how one would act in front of a camera, but he was a little ham! He loved the camera and was nothing but giggles, drool-filled smiles, and face-crashing-army-crawls. Too fun!

We got some great photos, but Mama K hasn't seen them yet, so this is all you get. Isn't he adorable?!

Thanks for letting me come play... and practice!

Muddy Buddies

Last weekend a couple fabulous friends and I decided quite spur of the moment to do the Mud Run'11. I didn't really know what we were getting into until the drive there.

The run was a 3 1/2 mile off-road course with three mud pits, a giant slip-n-slide, obstacles to jump over, and creeks to cross.

But it wasn't a solo race. We did the "Worm Race", in which three team members are tethered together with a 16ft bungee cord. If one person falls, all three fall. If one goes over the obstacle, all three go under.

It was quite an adventure. We didn't win any awards and I don't have an 'after' picture, but you can see the 'before'. Oh yes, and there was a costume contest. Clearly.

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Destination: Wedding

Not mine! But a wedding. At a particular destination.

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In a few short weeks, we'll be attending the second-to-last wedding of the year. My task yesterday (while Mike was being responsible and working) was to book flights and a hotel for the wedding weekend. Where are we headed? NEW YORK!

One of Mike's good friends (we shall call him G--for Groom) from high school is getting married in West Point, NY to his very lovely lady, B (for Bride--get it?). I met these two when Mike and I traveled to New York two years ago (I think?) for G's graduation from the Military Academy in West Point. Since then, G has served a tour overseas, B has begun med school and planned a wedding, and they have together sustained an overseas relationship. I just can't imagine. What a wonderful couple.

Anyway, Mike put me on the task of making said reservations. After hours of searching I finally decided on acceptable (direct!) flights and a nice-but-affordable hotel. I don't think my credit card liked the whole process... but it's free til next month, right?!

So I sit. And wait. For October to come. I'm enjoying life in the meantime, but I'm super excited for this NY vaycay. Flying halfway across the country with the handsome Mikey, seeing New York sights, and attending a beautiful wedding. Sounds fun to me! Maybe we'll just miss our return flight....

Or maybe I just didn't book them!

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Where in the world is… me?

Some days I wonder where I belong. Figuratively, but also literally. Figuratively: where do I fit in? What am I supposed to be doing? I am a nurse, and I love that. I love doing what I do, caring for people in their most vulnerable times, and making a difference in people’s lives. But do I belong in oncology? Or do I switch to ICU, the NICU, or an office? Grad school? I just don’t know. And literally: where do I go from here? My work contract and my apartment lease are both up this month. Coincidence? I’m really a free agent. Do I stay in Omaha, or do I try travel nursing for a while? Do I move somewhere new and different? I'm trying to figure it out.

Lately it seems like all my friends are figuring their lives out. They’re getting married, expanding their families, and moving fun and new places. Where does that leave me? It lets me live vicariously through them—and let me tell you, I really do enjoy that! But I still need to figure out me. Figure out where to plant my feet and let my roots grow.

These are (seemingly) huge life questions, and ultimately they’re up to me. But if you know me, you know I’m not good at decisions such as these. I’m thinking maybe I’ll put all my options on a slip of paper and draw one out of a hat. Or spin a wheel.

Legitimate means of making a decision? Maybe not.

Where do my roots belong?
Stay tuned for an update and I'll let you know what's next....

random picture, i know.
but i'm intrigued by the new mushrooms growing outside of my apartment each morning.

Movin' On Up

When I moved into this apartment, I didn't really think it would become home. But three years later, that's just what it has become. 

My roommate Molly has been a permanent fixture in my life for the past three years. Coming home to her every day has been a blessing, and I can't help but admit a little jealousy that Dave will get this for many years to come. Molly knows how to make me laugh, she knows what foods I like, and she knows how to get me to the gym. I truly couldn't have asked for a better roommate to transition me into my "big girl" life.

So as I'm packing up all my belongings and trying to figure out where they'll be in two weeks, I want to thank you Molly, for being such a wonderful roommate. Thank you for being you. And thank you for helping me be me.