What's in a name? that which we call a rose, by any other name would smell as sweet



So today I made the BIG move of beginning to change my name over at various institutions. My driver's license is on its way with the new name of Amy Overland....Weird. At the registry place they asked me to sign my new name, then and there. All of a sudden it hit me, this was the moment that Amy Sorenson was no more. I hadn't thought of how to sign this new name, but I quickly scribbled something which is now my lifelong signature. Now don't get me wrong, I am very proud and excited to take on my new husband's name, however something deep inside me felt sad. It's almost like I must have a funeral or tribute to the existence of the Sorenson name, to properly make the switch. After deep breathing and kind coaching from Jeremiah however I was able to recover from my anxiety of this life changing moment in my life. But it is happening, my email, facebook and banking have made the switch. More than that, I was shopping at a great scrapbooking store, which I haven't been to before and they asked me (for purposes of their customer database) "What's your first name?" I replied quickly "Amy". They then followed with the inevitable second question "Great, and what's your last name?" I hesitated slightly, but knowing what needed to be done, I stood tall and boldly proclaimed "Overland!" So this it, scrapbookers paradise can prove it...I am Amy Overland, hear me roar!

NOTE: The title, (though maybe out of context, as my knowledge in Shakespear is limited), somehow gave me comfort that though my name has changed (which is beautiful, I love my husband's name) I am still ME, AMY, and a name, just like the rose which would smell sweet no matter what it be called, does not change who I am....so if I am called Amy Sorenson, Amy Overland, James, Stika, Swazi, even Jason (random nickmames) I am ME! yay. I feel better now. But I still may need to have the memorial service :)

Honeymoon....coming to an end

Jeremiah and I have had a great time in Florida for the past week. The weather wasn't always great, but it has been warm and so fun being able to hang out and BE married! It is very nice. Right now we are at the airport in Fort Lauderdale. We are very early. Airports can be a drag...but we discovered free WIRELESS so that is pretty sweet for me, and Jeremiah has his good ole N.T. Wright book, so he's content. We look forward to getting back to Calgary and getting the house set up. I have been watching lots of HGTV so I have been getting ideas and am itching to decorate and renovate...!!!!! We have a way smaller budget than the HGTV people use but maybe we can swing a few cool updates..... Anyway I don't know much of what to say, but wanted to say hi, and that it'll be good to be seeing you all soon....through internet or the Calgary connection. Here are a couple pictures...

We Did It!!! We Got Married!

On June 16, 2007 at 1pm in the afternoon, Jeremiah and I actually got married! It was such an exciting time! The ceremony, was beautiful ( I am somewhat biased I suppose) but we received many pleaseant compliments from our guests! Huge thanks goes out to people involved in the wedding. Amanda Wig, Kara (my awesome sis) and Jesse (my sweet bro) played so nicely as I came down the aisle. My uncle Brian Rude played "My Father's World" a beautiful piano arrangement by Chris Rice, Lance Odegard sang so awesomely during communion. We were so blessed to have him with us. Kristel and Caleb sung together beautifully as well. We had so many friends and family come together and work together to make the weekend just perfect. I won't name them all here, but THANK you friends and family!!!!! We love you so much.

We are now settling into our new Calgary (rented) home. Jeremiah has his last day of work tomorrow before we take off for a sweet week long Floida Va-cay! IT'll be nice to relax and enjoy each other. You kind of go in wedding withdrawal though...there is so much that goes into planning the day, and then it is gone in a flash. IT was beautiful though and we have great pics (Thanks Avey) and video (thanks messiah team and Laverne) to remember it! It was a blessing to have so many people we love dearly all together. True blessing!

Well I am now a wife...and Jeremiah a husband! Today we took on fairly traditional roles, Jeremiah worked a hard long day (physically) and I stayed in the home, cleaning house, organizing and even cooking supper for the guys! Wow. Life will get busy and I won't always have time to be home all day, but for now it is fun. Jeremiah is my best friend and I couldn't ask for a better roomate and life partner! So here's to our life together! Jeremiah is sleeping soundly as I write...I will go to bed soon too! I just wanted to say a quick hello, and update our blog as it has been awhile. We love you friends and fam! Thank you for being you.

OUR FIRST HOME

This past week, Jeremiah and I have been on the hunt for our first home. We were getting really down at the crazy increase in Calgary rental prices. We looked at a few suites in the 1000$ range that were not that great AT ALL. Who can pay 1000$ a month....anyway we were not in house looking mode, but decided to go for a drive and came across a for rent sign. Seemed like a great area so we made the call...and it paid off. We were the chosen ones according to our new landlord. Thanks all for praying for us. We think we will really enjoy this place. It'll be fun setting up our new place with our stuff. We were unable to take any photos when we met our landlord, but here are a couple of outside ones. We are in the left lower suite. Can't wait to post pics that will be of us moving in :) The wedding is only 1 month away....:)

Wine Making Done!
This past week, Jeremiah and I have been able to get lots done in prep for our sweet day coming up. One being the bottling, filtering, corking and sealing our home made wine! Here are a few photos of our fun time with the process!

JER CAME HOME

On thursday Jeremiah came home from the Florida adventure. He drove it alone in 3 days. Surprised me 2 days early which was AWESOME!

Explanation of First Video

I am talking about how I think I am more stable that my roommate was when she underwent oral sedation. I am not so sure I believe myself from watching this video:) Thanks by the way everyone for thinking of me and praying for me. All went fairly well. Do check the blogg later, I will put on a more swollen picture of me for all to enjoy:) I look quite square!

My Dental Sedation Adventure
On April 20th I went under oral (pills) sedation. Fun times. My mom was kind to come out and be my caregiver, which was much needed. It's crazy because from the time I sat down in the dental chair to waking up in a comfy nest in my living room I remember NOTHING. Which is probably for the best I don't think it would of been very comfortable to feel 3 wisdoms get yanked and 6 fillings get done. Anyway I gave my mom permission to take some videos of how I acted under sedation so I could see myself. Here are a couple clips, and pictures. I will put a couple new ones on later, as my cheek is a lot more swollen. Jeremiah, how do you like your love?? You are kind I know you love me. (P.S. For the record while I am doing all this Jeremiah is in Daytona Beach Florida, am I jealous..???) No I am happy you are having fun! I love you.

Calgary Rent is Out of Control
I have been looking tonight online for places Jeremiah and I could move to...sad for us we are living in the wrong city...Everything is outrageously priced! Grrrr. So mad. All I want is this cute house below. It is under 100,000 to buy in Fergus Falls. I wonder if I could finish my Nursing there...

A fun video Jeremiah made when they went crab fishing!

More Pics: So beautiful, can't say exaclty where these are, I believe in Georgia as well. Look at that pie. Looks so tasty. So weird to see our car and think that it is way out there somewhere:) Jeremiah and Josh made it safely to Florida though. They are going to start work tomorrow. I am happy because I had a really great video Sypke call with Jeremiah tonight. Do all look into it. It's a great thing that Skype. I do miss that boy. Very excited for him to come back so I can marry him. Yay.

Soaking Up the Nice Weather in the Southern States!!


Here are some more pictures Jeremiah sent me. They stopped in Georgia, and saw a neat lighthouse and visited John Wesley's church. Great history there!

Jeremiah and Josh are spending some nice days in Washington D.C. on their way down to Florida. Here are a couple pictures Jeremiah sent me. In the meanwhile we are left in Calgary in a snowstorm.....Good April Fool's Joke Weather:)

OCD?



So it is 3am and I just experienced a "checking" OCD moment. I was trying to sleep, thinking about the day as usual, and then I had the constant thought that I didn't sign off my night meds on my clinical shift. I thought and thought and thought about it and then I finally had to call the unit to confirm my obsession. Well it turns out I did sign off my meds, thankfully, because not signing them off it a NO NO in nursing. However I am wondering if this will be a trend. I'm hoping it's just a reminder to make sure to double check my documentation and won't turn into full blown OCD...we'll see. I'll fill you in if I have any more "episodes" :)

I am really excited because I just got some pictures emailed to me from Jeremiah! They made it safely to Washington DC. Jeremiah is really excited to tour there tomorrow. I hope to be more organized about posting pictures, but here are a few for now. They consist of ones of me and Jer before he left...and yes my eyes are teary, Jer with dad Jon, Josh and kindest aunt ever Crystal in Fergus Falls, and a beautiful Cathedral in St. Paul. Jer really enjoyed visiting there.

I just had to take a moment to make a tribute to the sandwich. I don't know about you but I just realized that they are highly underrated....sure they take some time, which is partially why I forgot about them, however when you take the time to put some love into it, IT IS THE BEST THING EVER. I am so pleased with one I just made. Everyone take the time to make yourself a good sandwich. You won't be disapointed:)

The Guys Are Off

This week on Wednesday Jeremiah and his brother Joshua left for their trek down to Florida to work for a month. They are going to drive first to Minnesota, then down the east coast. Jer said he would email me photos, so I hope to post some on the blog here now and again. I miss Jeremiah a lot, but it will go by fast I know....Jeremiah set me up with SKYPE video phone before he left which was the nicest thing ever....and it RULES. All should try it out if you haven't yet. It is on the computer and FREE, and you can see your far away loved ones. Ingenious!!! Anyway please pray that Jeremiah and Josh have safe travels. Thank you. I'll keep you updated on their adventures when I find out more:)

A Definite New Experience: DON'T Read on if scared by death....I promise I will update this one sooner than the Bed Bugs one :)

Tonight I had the expereince of watching and taking part of the process of what happens after someone passes away during my clinical time. It was quite the expereince as I think I have only seen a dead body once (and that was when I was in the 1st grade),let alone touch one. I actually toe tagged someone, and put them in a body bag. Wow. It really makes you reflect on life, and how life can pass you by so quickly. Though the process seemed very impersonal, it was nice to see the primary nurse take extra care to wash the body up in a gentle way and show resepect for the person's life. You can really care right to the end. Just thought I would share with you all what was very new for me and interesting. Take Care

THE GRAND THAW!!!

It is 10 above zero today:) The February blues can begin to melt away. Things are looking way up! Motivation is on the rise.....:)

The Worst Blogger Award goes to.....JerAmy!

So at the start of making this blog I was really pumped up, thinking that having this blog would make me so much hipper and in the "scene". Rather I have realized that in reality I often don't have much to put on here, and therefore do not, in which I get trouble from you avid bloggers regarding my lack of updates....so here I stand admitting my deficiency and can only state that hopefully I will have something worthwhile to check in on from time to time....:)

Life has been busy with school. I have been getting quite depressed over this winter. Must have spring soon....There are exciting things however. Jeremiah and I are continually planning for our wedding, which is now I believe only 106 days away which is exciting. My soon to be sister in law and her husband are expecting a baby any day now, and we pray for a healthy delivery:) I will be an auntie soon, that is fun! And tomorrow I believe is to be 9 degrees ABOVE zero. So things are looking up.

Thanks all for your exciting posts. I will try to post more often whether I feel it is super "cool" or not.... You are all great.

love you ~ams~