Holiday Open House

Don't miss this fun shopping event! Bring a friend and enjoy some girl time, coffee and shopping! Hope to see you there!!

Surprise! My world is now BLUE!

As many of you know, we are expecting baby #2 in April. Today I am 21 wks and 5 days...almost 22 weeks along!! For me, this is a little sad. I am not your text book pregnant woman and I LOVE being pregnant. Aside from the first trimester nausea and negative zero energy, I love the experience of growing a little person. I love the experience of trying to figure out the personality before he or she enters the world. I love the fact that I am the only one, for 9 months, who has the baby ALL to myself! I love the first kicks and movement that only I can feel. I love that I am the only one really getting to know this little person before I am obligated to share them with the world.

Monday was our ultrasound to measure the head, bones and make sure all is on track, and to find out BOY or GIRL! I wanted all 3 of us to find out together and we couldn't take Aubrey. So, my amazing friend Sarah, who does photography, and is signed to me for life to do our family photos until we die, came up with this awesome 'baby reveal' idea. I had the ultrasound and asked the tech to put the gender picture in an envelope because we wanted to know, but didn't want her to tell. So when we arrived at that point in the ultra sound she had me close my eyes. It was done and over. The verdict was in the gold envelope and I had to restrain myself with EVERY ounce of energy to NOT peek! I had two very important people waiting to be surprised with the news, and I wasn't about to ruin it!

So I drove to Sarah's house, handed her the envelope and off she went to the store to get pink or blue balloons. She then took the bundle and headed to the park to fill the 'surprise' box with the verdict of balloons. When she was all set up, Justin, Aubrey and I met her at the park. I can't begin to describe how nervous and excited we all were! And we pulled it off perfectly! Pulled the top off the box and our world was filled with blue balloons! For once in our lives we were speechless! Our world has been pink for 4 years, and now blue has entered the picture! What in the world do I do with blue?!

Aubrey's reaction? 'I told you it was a brother!' and she jumped up and down holding the bundle of balloons! Yes, she deemed him brother about 2 months ago.

Sarah captured the moment of surprise PERFECTLY! I am SO thankful I did NOT peak!
Now to plan for a world of blue!

Such is my life!

Many of you know, some of you do not know, our house sits on 6 acres. We have plenty of woods, fence and room to run. Along with all of that space comes the ability to own multiple animals! My husband is in charge of the animals. Granted neither of us grew up on farms. He grew up on the South side of Springfield in a neighborhood, I grew up in a 'farm town', but only on 1 acre with a cat or a dog. Everything we have learned about 'farm' animals, we have learned from experience!

We have on our 6 acres; 2 goats, 1 miniature horse, 10 chickens, 1 cat and 1 calf. Yes, all very interesting and they all serve a purpose, or Justin would not allow them to take up residency on our land. He has been wanting a cow for years. I finally broke down and agreed. Now that he has a cow, he wanted a pig! I WANT NOTHING TO DO WITH A PIG, NOR DO I WANT IT ON OUR PROPERTY! They stink, they root and they destroy. I don't care that a pig will eat all of your table scraps...I don't want one!

Conveniently, his brother bought 2 little pigs, but can only keep 1. Guess who has the one he just couldn't keep...that's right! US! So last week we drove to Niangua for our Nephew's birthday party, knowing that on the ride home we would have an extra passenger. Mind you we drive a Mazda Tribute, medium size SUV. While partying, my brother-in-law says to me 'sooo, the pig MIGHT have a friend riding home with him'. My reply - 'what kind of friend? Is it living and breathing?' B.-in-Law 'maybe....it's for Justin's birthday...it's a Turkey and it's big enough to eat as soon as you want!' WELL THAT'S CONSOLATION!

2 hours later packed in the back of our SUV is a large dog carrier and a plastic tote. Large dog carrier contains the turkey, plastic tote with holes contains the pig. We set off for home, a turkey, a pig, Aubrey, Justin and I. My nausea of pregnancy has let up, but probably not enough for a 45 minute ride with 2 farm animals in the back! We made it to Springfield, intermittently rolling windows up and down for a breath of fresh air now and then. I was feeling pretty good. 15 min from home I assured Justin I was feeling ok, but he didn't need to take any sweet time driving.

About that time this HORRENDOUS, PUNGENT, TERRIBLE, BREATH-TAKING odor OVER TOOK ALL OF US! I said 'but whatever THAT was, I CAN'T HANDLE!' Evidently, when birds get nervous, they poop... A LOT! Thus the turkey in the back POOPED something AWFUL! We needed a gas mask! But unfortunately, our car is NOT equipped for that! I WAS IRATE! Mad at the whole situation, mad that we actually have room for all of these ridiculous animals! (even though Justin does all of the work) And then, the situation just turned funny. All we could do was laugh! The mix of the smell and laughing ourselves to tears, brought Justin screeching to a halt on the side of the highway. He jumped out and lost everything he just ate at the birthday party! Upon witnessing this, Aubrey pipes up from the back seat 'mama, i think I'm going to throw up!' I said 'no honey, no one else is throwing up, pinch your nose shut and breath through your mouth!'. OF ALL PEOPLE I, THE ONE WITH CHILD SHOULD BE TOSSING MY COOKIES! But I think my adrenaline was running rampant and I didn't feel the need. SOMEONE had to stay strong!

Needless to say, we flew into the drive way, hands on the door handles and as soon as the car stopped, we all piled out like the car was filled with a nest of bees!

Yes, the Turkey and Pig are living happily at our home. Hopefully the Turkey will be Thanksgiving feast! And one day, the pig will be in my freezer! Do I think it will be hard and sad to eat these beasts? NO WAY!

Such is my life!

12 weeks

12 weeks and THERE IS a bump! It may look small...but it's enough to make me winded walking to and from the car, I'm eating like food will be wiped off the face of the earth tomorrow and sleeping like I haven't slept in years! (I don't remember being like this with Aubrey at this stage...Justin disagrees.) Nausea? It has subsided for the most part. It only gets bad when I'm exhausted or EXTREMELY hungry. When this baby wants to eat...it wants to eat NOW!

Honestly, I'm not sure it has really hit me that there will be another BABY around! I have a job, a 4 year old, housework and a husband to keep up with. Not sure when it will hit, but for now I'm enjoying my bump. :)

BABY!

Most of you have probably heard by now... we're having a BABY! April 9 is the estimated date of arrival!

I've had a rough few weeks of nausea and tiredness, but Sunday I will be 12 wks! I think I'm coming out of they 'yucky' feeling part....for a while that is!

Aubrey is excited to be a BIG SISTER! Every day she changes her mind as to whether or not she wants a brother or a sister! We're just hoping for a healthy baby! Makes no difference to us. The organized side of me wants a girl, b/c I already have all girl stuff and SO MUCH cute little girl clothes I want use all over again! But the unknown side of me wants a boy b/c I have NO IDEA what to do with a boy! We'll find out after Thanksgiving if it's a girl or boy.

a little jar of heaven

That's right! These beautiful shiny jars are filled with SEEDLESS black raspberry jelly! HOME MADE by myself! Well, with a little help from a very good friend!

Let's just say it was a LOT of fun making it...and I will NEVER tell you how much sugar is in a batch of jelly! EVER. It's heavenly! Our berry bushes did not let us down this year!

Tomorrow and part of Tuesday I get to play 'camp nurse'. First time as camp nurse... with a bunch of Teenagers! YIKES! We'll see! I'll use this as a test run...to see if I EVER want to play camp nurse again! Wish me luck!

Decade?!

Last Thursday, June 16, was mine and Justin's ten year wedding anniversary! TEN YEARS! I remember thinking during the first year....'10 years is a long way off!' Boy was I WRONG! Time has FLOWN BY! Every year on our anniversary I want to get married all over again. Of course in a different location, different colors, different flowers, different dress each year. Just to mix it up!

Our wedding day was SO much fun! Surrounded by family and friends, I couldn't have asked for a more perfect day! Complete with violin music, smiles, tears, hugs, bubbles, a hay ride with the wedding party and a little bit of boogy on the dance floor! The only thing that went wrong? All of the groomsmen, ushers, minister and groom decided to shine their shoes moments before the event. There were tea-light candles placed in tuhle across the stage to give a 'soft glow' to the set. I bet you have guessed by now something caught on fire....NOT the tuhle! But the toe of the ministers shoe! He stepped back and flipped the candle over, igniting the toe of his shoe. Justin, myself and a few attendants were the only ones who caught this mishap! And we paid for a new pair of shoes for him! Not because we had to....because we felt bad! ;)

Below are a few pics from the day. Taken from our wedding album by Justin's Iphone. Not the best quality....but 'back then', digital camera's weren't popular and were way to expensive if they were around! this would be the quiet moments AFTER the ignited shoe!

YES, that is a HAY wagon we rode off into the sunset on! The entire wedding party and significant other fit on that wagon! My best friends brother was sweet enough to drive it down mainstreet to the reception! Maybe a little bit 'country', but a TON of fun!



Ahhh the memories. Wonderful ones they are of that day! I love reminiscing about the event and wish we could do it all over again every year! It's been a busy, educational, wonderful decade....we're looking forward to what the next decade brings us! (Hopefully a little more relaxation!)

Friday Firsts

It's almost Friday...so I'm getting my 'friday firsts' up and running early this week!

There have been a number of 'firsts' in the last couple of weeks:

First catheter placement....as a nurse NOT on orientation! I guess i should say, my first catheter success since third semester of school! OVER a year ago!

First 12 hour night shift. The first 10 hours were GREAT....the last two...way too long.

Tomorrow is Aubrey's FIRST trip to Silver Dollar City! It's going to be a hot day....it's 9:55 p.m. and she's still running around the hotel room. Tomorrow should be a fun day. (If you aren't familiar with SDC, check out www.silverdollarcity.com ) We're in for some fun!

Here's a cute quote from the Aubster herself:

Last Friday we spent a few hours in Urgent care to find out she had an ear infection. Memorial Day we took a family trip to the pool. On the way there I told her she couldn't get her ear wet because she has an ear infection. That night in the bathtub, I was rinsing the soap out of her hair and she informed me 'mama, you can't get my ear wet, I have an ear confection!'

Have a WONDERFUL Friday!

Happy Mama's Day!

What does this red Geranium,






Plus this yummy cherry chip cake,








Plus this lovely floor lamp have in common?

Grandrich Torchiere Floor Lamp Grandrich Torchiere Floor Lamp

Online


Happy Mother's Day...to ME!

Justin put Aubrey in charge of shopping for my gift for mother's day. Or 'mama's day' as she calls it. While I was sleeping after my night shift, Justin and Aub packed up and went into town. While they were checking errands off the list, he asked her what she wanted to get mommy for mama's day? She confidently replied ' a lamp for papa's room'. Papa's room is our guest bedroom where my parents stay when they come to visit. He asked her if I told her that was what I wanted. Nope. After questioning her several times that the lamp was what she wanted, they walked out of the store with the above 3 items. Aubrey selected them herself.

I guess I needed a lamp for Papa's room! However, I do not recall EVER thinking that or saying anything of the sort. Perhaps we have a future interior designer on our hands!
I DO love cherry chip cake, she selected 'rainbow chip' frosting to complete it. And red Geraniums. These flowers were my grandmother's (my mom's mother) favorite flower! I remember summers as a kid with her car port covered in pots of red geraniums! Sweet memories!

HAPPY MAMA'S DAY!

Firsts...

Today's post is named 'firsts'. It should be Friday Firsts, but I am writing it 2 days early due to the fact I WILL be sleeping all day Friday and probably won't be coherent enough to write anything that makes sense!

Below are a few 'firsts' which happened in the past week for our family:

- I have officially and successfully finished my FIRST week of working NIGHTS, 11p.m. - 7a.m.! (Hence the fact I will be asleep Friday) As a nursing school grad....it is rare to find a RN position on Days in the specific area you want. If you are a grad who landed a position on days...kudos to you! I am not that fortunate. HOWEVER, I don't mind nights. I am able to stay awake suprisingly well and make sense of my job. Good thing, right?! I am NOT a fan of my completely opposite schedule of my husband and daughter. But, this schedule isn't forever!
Oh yeah...and who ever thought it was OK to call the meal you eat or break you take at 2:00 a.m. 'LUNCH'?! It is NOT lunch....it is simply a break or a snack! Hello 4th meal.... :(

- First make-up disaster....Aubrey broke into my Mary Kay stash and opened up a brand new, off the shelf, ready for someone elses' face... cream blush. The color pictured above. Smeared it across her forehead, ran into the kitchen and said 'daddy look! I'm beautiful!' His reply? 'Aubrey....where did you find that? is that mommies make-up?!' Her reply...'DON'T TELL MAMA!'
Unfortunately I was in the shower, missed the entire show, but did get to hear 'DON'T TELL MAMA!'. Her face was blush free when I was done stalling and 'pretending' I didn't know what was happening. Justin didn't grab a picture of her either :(

- First screaming and kicking tantrum, courtesy of Aubrey. Yes, this past week has also brought with it a brand new form of misbehaving! Arguing to get your way and when you don't get your way, let's scream, kick and cry! Yes, we are trudging our way through parenthood and childhood dealing with this issue, like any normal family. We have discussed this matter with her, laid ground rules, talked about how it hurts mommy and daddy's feelings etc. etc. So after a few days of being exhausted by this action, Aubrey was being, for lack of better words, an ANGEL yesterday! ALL DAY! I felt like I should be walking on egg shells, wondering when the switch would flip?! IT DIDN'T FLIP! She was wonderful...and wonderful today as well! Since she was so good, we were in downtown Springfield and stopped at this adorable little cupcake shop, so cleverly named 'the Cup'. Delicious little treats awaited us inside. This was Aubrey's FIRST trip to 'the Cup'. I informed her this treat was special because she was being such a nice girl and making good choices etc. She ordered the cupcake with sprinkles and I indulged in the peanut butter and chocolate one. We sat in the chairs by the window and had a fun 15 minute mommy/daughter time eating cupcakes and watching people and cars. She had a LOT of fun! As we were getting in the car, she said to me in an almost 'bossy' type voice 'mama, I have something to tell you....' I thought 'here we go! Good bye SWEET Aubrey....what is she about to say!' I said almost reluctantly 'yes?....' Aubrey: 'You're a GOOD mama!'
Need I say more?!


In the mean time... keep tabs on your family 'firsts' this week!

birthday party...toddler style

Monday was my birthday and I had all day to myself! When Justin and Aubrey came home, they suprised me with a 'party'. This party was planned and designed by none other than Aubrey. Hence the decor! A Care Bear cake with Rapunzel plates/cups and noise makers. And to top it off a fancy ballerina kitty card! Hysterical!

While we were eating our cake Aubrey asked 'Mama, where's all the people?' My reply? 'Aubrey, when you get to be grown up like mommy and daddy, you don't always have a lot of people at your birthday party'. She wasn't too distraught by it, the cake/frosting soon set her free of her worry of not many people at our party! Fun times!

Birthday memories

SO today is my BIRTHDAY! I know as we get older a lot of us don't like to necessarily celebrate our age. I will admit, I turned 31 today! And have spent much of today reminiscing the past. Past birthdays and the past year of being 30. 30 was VERY good to me! My biggest accomplishment in the year of 30 was graduating Nursing school and landing an RN position! I decided last year on my 30th birthday that I was going to SLOW DOWN in life and ENJOY! My 20's were definitely 'roaring 20's' and flew by faster than I wanted! So I am making it a priority to enjoy every moment, to enjoy friends, to enjoy family and take my time, to not commit to a million things and if it will take away family time or relaxation...perhaps I should re-valuate it!

I have chosen to take today to myself! I have stayed home and organized, cleaned, napped and just sat down to watch a little t.v. Maybe I should have rented a good classic movie...but for me, the peace and quiet, the stillness of the house, the cloudy rainy day outside made for an amazing pajama and nap day!

I have been reminiscing about past birthdays, primarily from my childhood. I wish I could post the pictures I have in my head for you to see from my childhood birthdays! Before I could invite friends, birthday parties were filled with family! It started early in the morning, or the night before. I remember my mom and grandmother sitting in the kitchen boiling potatoes and peeling and chopping pounds of them for home made potato salad! I can hear the sound of the ice cream churning while my parents made their famous home made ice cream recipe! I remember how embarrassed I was to sit in the middle of the room with my cake and candles and everyone singing 'happy birthday' to me! I HATED to be the center of attention! I hated unwrapping the gifts in front of everyone and loved it when someone struck up conversation so that for a split moment their attention would be on someone else. Yes, I am an only child, but my home was filled with 20-30 family members on my birthday. Mom and Dad, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins and close family friends sharing laughs, stories, hugs and good times. It's days like today I wish so badly, so much so it makes my heart hurt, that I could go back to those birthday celebrations surrounded by the people who loved me most! Making memories and eating the best home made food on the planet!

Birthday memories as a child are amazing. And today I spend reminiscing all of them!

pretty toes!

For the month of April I am looking for 3 people to have a 'pretty toes' pedicure party! Who ever has the most friends in attendance wins a free pedicure set. See below....

Limited Edition! Body Care/Fragrance Sets (while supplies last):

LTD. ED.! Pedicure Set (Includes relaxing foot soak, soothing foot balm, pedicure brush/pumice stone and coordinating zippered bag)

Invalid Amount: Min=0 Max=999

Fashionable feet. Fabulous value! the Pedicure Set helps your customers get sandal-worthy feet for spring. They can skip expensive spas and come straight to you for a beautiful bargain.


I have a couple of AWESOME spring/summer nail polish colors to go along with this awesome set!

Any MK orders from now until May 12, I will donate 20% to the Mary Kay foundation for cancer research.

Let's have a "pretty toes" party!!

Friday Firsts....on Saturday

I know it's Saturday, but it STILL counts that I THINK OF and COME UP with what I'm going to say on my Friday Firsts...on Friday! This post is a post of EDUCATION! Be prepared to learn something today! :) This weeks firsts: #1 - Dropped my first NG tube. In the world of nursing, 'dropped' used in this context means 'inserted' - an NG tube is a naso (nose) gastric (stomach) tube inserted through the nose and down the throat to the stomach. In this case to suction any stomach juices that shouldn't be hanging around! Not too bad for a first time 'dropper'! It was successful! - #2 -Set up and ran my first 2 blood transfusions! Not for me...for someone else. - #3 - Shed my first tears over a patient (short hand for 'patient' is PT) Not that my PT passed away...they were in a LOT of pain. - #4 -This morning I downed my first Hazelnut latte...my first coffee of the week! (I'm trying not to rely on caffeine to keep me going...but today I HAD to have it!) It's been a busy work week. 5 days down, 1 to go and then a day off! Yes...A DAY...then it's time to hit the floor again! Hope you've learned at least ONE thing new off of here! Leave me a comment and tell me what you learned that you didn't know before! It's ok....you can be honest! ;)

and the winner is....

Jill Williams! The name 'Margo' was selected by an unbiased person!

You will be happy to know little miss Margo is doing well. Getting fat and feisty!
Thanks for your participation in the name suggestion and selection for our new addition!

Stay tuned...you never know when there will be another contest! :)

a new addition needs a name

That's right! We have a new addition to the family! A sweet little girl!

A little girl goat that is! And she needs a NAME! Our mama goat Gretel surprised us with a baby this morning! We went out to feed them and there in the middle of the pen was this sweet little baby goat! I am not a big fan of goats, my other half has them for some reason.... but I AM a fan of the babies!

So...I need help coming up with a name! I'll run a contest until Thursday, March 24. Leave a comment and a name suggestion. Winner will receive a $10 gift certificate for Mary Kay. To be used on my website or in person.

She's pretty cute!(sorry if you were looking for an announcement of my pregnancy.... no such thought of an announcement exists at this time.) :)

Friday Firsts

And another Friday Firsts posted on Saturday. Oh well. I have GREAT intentions on getting them on here on Friday...just hasn't worked out thus far!

Thursday was my first day on the hospital floor...as a NURSE! The first 6 hours are a blur! It took me sitting down and eating lunch to kind of loosen me up and reassure myself all will be OK! I CAN DO THIS! Friday I was a lot more comfortable....yet nervous. Each day will get better and I will fall into my role a little more each day.

Friday was the first time I accessed a port. If you don't know what a 'port' is... here's a link that explains it! Pretty nerve wracking experience because you can't see through skin...but one that I will do millions of times in this career with my patients. Just open a new page and copy and paste the link into your address bar at the top.
http://www.allina.com/mdex/ND2301G.HTM

Finally, I came up with my first motto for why I do what I do.... plain and simple.

"I HATE cancer....but I LOVE my cancer patients!"

Friday Firsts

I'm 24 hours late on this...but I didn't feel like staying up late to post the fun activities for Friday Firsts.

Here are a few activities which happened for the first time this week:

Tuesday I bought my first two pair of work scrubs and shoes! We have to wear navy or white. I can handle that! I look good in both! :)


Friday I rode Jake, my horse for the first time in a quite a few months. But this time was a little more relaxing...for the first time in 2 1/2 years I didn't have the constant reminder of school in the back of my brain. I wasn't constantly thinking 'get the ride over with because you have hours of studying to do!' I COULD RELAX AND ENJOY MY RIDE!

Friday night was the 'Father/Daughter banquet' at our church. It was the first one for Justin and Aubrey. My dad is visiting us for a week and just happened to be here, so I was able to take MY daddy to the banquet as well! It was a nice 'date' night for Aubrey and I with our daddies! Enjoy the pics! (My daddy isn't in the pic! He's the photographer...but we did get a 'professional' photo together at the banquet, no worries!)

Friday Firsts!

And the winner is my friend Courtney, from back home in Indiana! If you missed out on my contest below, you should keep a close eye on the blog...I throw out a contest here and there for free MK loot! Courtney won herself a yummy Brown Sugar/Vanilla hand cream! Thanks for your input Courtney!

The new name for Friday's on my blog is 'Friday Firsts'. I won't have one EVERY week, but I know I will have a lot of 'firsts' coming up in the next few months and years! Between my new job and Aubrey growing up, there are a lot of 'firsts' to come!

So to kick this thing off, we actually had a 'first' this week! I decided since I am starting my new career on Monday, Aubrey and I needed a special day together. We went to the mall, Build-A-Bear and ate at Chick-Fil-A. This was the FIRST time either of us had ever been to Build-A-Bear! I told her we were going so she could make a teddy bear to sleep with and have with her when I was at work and she missed me. We came away with an expensive, yet well worth it bear named 'Sweetie'. And they ARE best pals! Enjoy the pics!

friday's contest

Two posts in ONE day...CRAZY I know! But I need your help... some people have a 'Friday favorites', 'Friday's finds', 'Fridays ______' and they post fun things on Friday. Why Friday? I don't know, maybe it's because it's the last day of the week and Saturday gives us more time to look at the fun from Friday. Maybe we are SO excited Friday is here, we just putz around on the computer finding things. Whatever the reason....occasionally I would like to post something fun on Fridays. But I need a catchy title. This is where your help comes in. I have a yummy Satin Hands Hand cream or a flirty Lip gloss waiting for you if you can come up with the best catchy title for my Friday! Leave your comment/idea below and I will pick the winner by next Thursday, so it can appear Friday! :)

For the first 'nameless' friday _____ I want to highlight the book 'I Love You This Much' by Lynn Hodges and Sue Buchanan. It is one of Aubrey's favorite books I read to her almost every night at bedtime. We have memorized most of it and can quote it to each other, at least the main 'chorus' if you will. If you have a little one, will have a little one or know a little one, this book is great! The first year of Aubrey's life, when I sat and read it to her, I could hardly get through it without crying! Maybe it was the insane roller coaster of post pregnancy hormones, maybe it was the overwhelming love I have for her, whatever it was....it made this book my favorite to read with Aubrey.

deal is sealed!

The deal is finally SEALED! March 7th is the official day of my new job as a nurse! I will be working at one of the largest Hospitals in the area as an Oncology (Cancer) nurse, part time, nights. Nights isn't my top pick of hours, but I'm a graduate...I'm bottom of the barrel. I have to start some where and maybe nights won't feel like being 'thrown to the wolves' in my new career!

I'm excited, scared, nervous, sad and in wonder of this next new chapter....

Excited - this is something I have worked insanely hard for the last few years. FINALLY all of my time, dedication to studies, paperwork, tears, exhaustion, stress and lost time is beginning to pay off! Excited to see what lies ahead!

Scared - I am scared to death to step out into this new avenue of a career! It's not like I'm sitting at a desk filing papers and taking phone calls. I am responsible for people's LIVES! AGH!
No pressure.

Nervous - there are always a good amount of nerves that accompany each of us in any new endeavor. If there weren't nerves involved, there would be a problem and we would be WAY too confidence in ourselves.

Sad - these are my last days as 'stay at home mom'. But really? Have I ever been considered 'stay at home mom'? I think being out of school and solely focusing on being a stay at home mom would drive me to the funny farm! I need things to do and scheduled time away. What better thing than to schedule my time away to take care of people and love on them?! But sad that this cherished time is over and will cherish even more, the time I get to spend with my family.

Wonder - I am in deep, anxious wonder as to what I will experience in the next few years! I am in awe that God has brought me this far and I am actually able to carry out His plan and feel peaceful about it. I wonder what kind of mistakes I will make and learn from? I wonder what my patients will be like? I wonder where this new status will take me in life...and possible around the world?

I am so excited to begin my new journey March 7th. So stay tuned for updates!
(No, this is not me, nor anyone I know in the picture...i just love the 'old school' style!)

from the mouths of babes

I've been cooped up this week, both Justin and I have been sick. NO FUN! So far, so good for Aubrey. She's had run of the house, spent the night at Grammie's and received 2 vitamins for extra immunity boost! She would eat the entire bottle of vitamins if they weren't locked in the cabinet!

When you can't do anything other than move from the couch to the bed and the bed to the couch, with a frequent visit to the bathroom in between, one has a lot of time to think and reflect. I decided to reflect on the cute little phrases and conversations I have had in the past week with Aubrey.

#1 - I washed all of our sheets and towels and hung them out to dry on the clothesline...hence my previous post. I opened windows and aired out the house. At bedtime, all of the blankets and sheets on Aubrey's bed smelled like fresh air. I said 'Aubrey, smell your blankets, they smell sooo good....just like fresh air'. So she inhaled a large, dramatic sniff, smiled, hugged my leg and said 'YOU'RE THE BEST EVER!' If that doesn't make a mama's heart melt, I don't know what does.

#2 - One of her friends was in the day care office the other day waiting for her mommy to pick her up because she had a fever and needed to go home. I stopped in to say 'hi' to her and this is what was said....
Me: 'I'm so sorry you're sick'. Aubrey's friend: 'I'm 4 and I have a fever. Even when people get 4 they can still get sick and have a fever'. Me: 'Yes, even when we're as old as 4, unfortunately we can still get sick'.

#3 - and last but NOT least, living in the house with another girl can get rather dramatic at times. The latest saying out of Aubrey's mouth is 'UGH, you're dressing me out!' Otherwise known as 'stressing'. HM! I wonder who she's heard THAT from?!

Fresh air

Today is Saturday...ahhhh...what a great Saturday it is!
Aubrey is at Grammie's for the weekend, Justin will be on his way home from an over night trip, I had a girls night with some of the best girls around town, and to top it off, I have had the house to MYSELF for almost 24 hours!

24 hours is like a glimpse of Heaven! The house is clean, dishes done, laundry on the line and windows open! Yes, there's still at least 6 inches of snow on the ground, but I think it's at least 40* outside!

Fresh air makes me HAPPY! Something about it that gives me comfort, makes me feel crisp and clean. After being cooped up in the house with subzero weather and over a foot of snow for the past 2 weeks.... fresh air is a WELCOME AROMA in my home!

Today is a great day!

New Chapter

Yes! I know I know! This poor blog has sat and gathered dust since September! Sad, but true! The last 5 months of my life have been deeply, to say the LEAST, involved in finishing my ASN and graduating Nursing School as an RN! Did I accomplish that task? YES I DID! Does it feel absolutely amazing and surreal? YES IT DOES! At times I am completely SPEECHLESS as to how I feel about this accomplishment. Becoming a nurse doesn't happen over night or with a wiggle of your nose! It involves sweat, tears, serious tears, sleepless nights, possibly a little blood depending on the day, anger, excitement, frustration, thousands of practice questions, hours away from your family to study and quite possibly a Rx for anxiety! BUT when it's ALL SAID AND DONE and the assignments, tests, clinicals, 'pomp & circumstance' and state boards are OVER... I sit down and can actually BREATHE! I know being a nurse is what my heart has wanted since I was a little girl. I have always LOVED people, animals and nurturing both! I'm the girl who left her mother notes on how to take care of the hamster while I was away at church camp for the week!

It looks as though I will be heading into the field my heart most desires in the VERY NEAR future...and that is Oncology (Cancer). My heart and hands can't wait to love on those cancer patients! Everyone says it takes a 'special, strong' person to be able to work in this field. I can't wait to meet and touch the lives of those in it! God opens and closes doors for a reason....His reason. A few doors have closed, but many are now opening...and I can't wait to see what's inside!

In the mean time, here is what's on my to do list with all of my new found free time!

Relax! No more school to keep me stressed 24/7, now it's just a job to stress me, and even then, it's not a job....it's what I love to do!

Read! I am looking for some amazing books to take me far far away from here into the exciting, romantic, action filled life of someone else. If you have suggestions, please post them!

Play! I am making it my goal for the year of 2011 to have more FUN this year! I want to be able to drop things and have a 'girls night'. Or just sit in the living room and play pretend with Aubrey.

Aubrey! Need I say more?

Cook! I have time to plan meals and experiment with new recipes. Cooking is relaxing for me...and my husband is NOT a picky eater, so I have a first hand taste tester in my house!

Enjoy! Enjoy life, enjoy this NEW chapter of my life! I turned 30 last April, soon to be 31. I can't WAIT to see what 30's bring to my life! 20's were insane, fast & furious! I want 30's to slow down and be classy!

Blog! Yes, I plan to fit into the 'relax & fun' time to keep up with this, so you can keep
up with me!