Ever Wondered???

In case you have ever wondered who looks like who in this family.....here ya go!

Here you have Emilie at 2 years old and Me at 2 years old! Crazy!!!

memory lane

Now I'm having fun looking back and looking at life now.

Here Ian weighs 3lbs 1oz. He was really awake and alert for such a little guy. But all that we have come through, he has done so well. We have our moments...but overall I couldn't have asked for anything better!


He is growing up on us so fast. Pretty soon he'll be 18 and won't want anything to do with us. For now, I will be happy that he still loves to be around me!

Keeping with the theme

Well, I got quite a few comments last night at church about yesterday's blog. Chad was rather upset as I didn't post some of his favorite pictures. Must I say....I won't DARE!!! But as I come across some of the blast from the past, I guess it's okay to share with you. And just a little side note....for all of you my age....YES...YOU HAD BIG HAIR TOO!!! So don't even try to deny it!
The above pic was taken in March 1992 at this little place called Fromex inside Woodland hills mall. They had this booth where you go in and use a remote control to take your pictures. I think those were our first offical pictures we ever took together. It was a fun time as we created may fun poses behind the curtain! The next picture is us after we had climbed all the way up some huge cliff in Searcy and then climbed back down. It was a fun day. Needless today, we conqured the cliff.

#14

It's really neat to me to know that Chad and I have been married now for 14 years. This picture was taken on Chad's 21st birthday. (yes, we are skinny, and TAN!)
It's amazing over the years what life takes you through. The ups, the downs, the happiness, the sadness, and so much more.
Over this past year, we feel like we have embarked on a rather unusual journey together. Not necessarily the road we would have chosen to travel, but one that God has chosen for us.

We love eachother more today then I could have even fathomed 14 years ago. Sure, it was cute puppy love then...and really...it still is. One of the neatest things ever is that I think Chad and I have grown up together.

I can't imagine life without Chad. I can't imagine life without all the struggles that we have been through together. It would take just a lifetime to go through them all, and yet, we are not even close to being finished. I couldn't be happier than I am right now. We do everything together! We laugh together, cry together, get mad together, gain weight together, get sick together, get hurt together, make friends together, and the list goes on and on.

It's no secret how much I love him. He's my life. My love.

21 years of friendship!

Tisha and I met at the workshop 21 years ago. We've been the best of friends ever since. I can't imagine my life without her in it. Thanks Keith for capturing the moment!

Who am I???

What's up with life lately? I just sometimes don't get it. Life gives you lemons, you make lemonade. Right? Well, life gives you troubles and what do you do with that? Give up? Give in? Give it to God??? Ah! Yeah...I think it's that one.

But when I give it to God, why does it keep coming back? I have been reading the book of Job over the last month. Reading...re-reading...and reading some parts again. I wouldn't necessarily compare myself to him in the fact that our struggles are not the same. I know that Job was a messenger. God sent a message through him that no matter what the struggles....we should never lose our faith. His family was dying of thirst and God finally relieved them of all their sufferings. I wonder if I have to get to that point to be relieved.

Life has been rough lately. Truly! And now that I think about it, my whole life has been a story of roughness. Am I whining? No. Complaining?? No! But I'm making an observation into my own life and wonder if God is trying to send a message through me. Would He do that? And if so...why pick me? Who am I???

Chad is home recovering today from his latest surgery on Friday. Walking has been a challenge, but he is being so strong. I praise God through all of this that they have been able to get all the cancer out and he does not need any chemo or radiation.
My doctor informed me this week that I must have a hysterectomy. I don't know how to feel. I'm okay with the physical aspect of this, but not the emotional part.

How long can one be strong? Is it okay to not be strong? So many questions go through my head.

I do not feel like I suffer as Job did. But I do know the feeling right now of suffering. I pray that in all things that God will not allow my children to suffer. I would take all the pain in the world for my family. And I would take my last breath for them as well. To know they are safe and healthy gives me peace.

If God sent me here to be a messenger, what is my message? What is it that God wants to convey through me. Have I conveyed it yet? Do people know? Am I getting it? But most of all...why me? Who am I that he cares enough to send a message through me.

Things you should never say to your mother!

(I said) Ian...I see you are starting to get hair under your nose!
(Ian said) Really Mom!!! So are you!!!

(Lukus said) Mom, did you want your hair to look good today?
(I said) Yeah, why?
(Lukus said) Well, it looks better now that the wind has blown it everywhere!

(Emilie said) Mom, are you ever going to have another baby?
(I said) Definitely NO! Why?
(Emilie said) Because you have enough room still in your tummy!

(Lukus said) Ah...you and grandma look so much alike.
(I said) Yeah, but she's older
(Lukus said) Yeah, you both look the same age.

And the number one thing to never say to this mom is....
"Mom....you look really good in orange"

I'm not even going to tell you which child said it!!!

Fun times in Bentonville!

Just Deal!!!

I love game shows! It's no secret in our house that one of our favorite shows to watch is Deal or No Deal.

I have to admit, I have a huge amount of anxiety when watching this show. You can catch me at many points telling them to just "Deal"! And again they push the limit until they go home with so much less than they could have had.

What if we gave this same amount of 'dealing' to our lives...our faith...our God?

Let's see, we are chosen to play a very intense game in life. We're given the best of times...and the worst of times. I have to start out by opening 5 areas that I may not be happy with. It's a gamble. But I go for it anyway. I could either be dealt something that is not so painful to deal with and the sting doesn't hurt to lose it, or I could be risky and end up opening the one thing that I dreaded all along. In the beginning, it's easy. The pain of losing something or getting hurt isn't so hard because why??? Well,I am relying on faith. Faith brought me to this point in life and now I have to deal with the consequences of my actions. Am I afraid of the consequences??? Not yet! Why??? Because I have faith in the banker...well...God! I nervously await that phone call...or answer to prayer...and must have patience while he makes His decision. Will my answer be rewarding, or will it be less than I expected Him to tell me?
But then wait! You have to make a decision. He's now answered your prayer. Do you say, Deal.....or no deal? It's HIS decision. You can choose to like it or leave it. How many times in our lives do we say "deal" and how many times do we ask Him for an answer and then walk away? It blows me away how many times that I have just chosen to make my own deal rather than wait for Him. In the end, you've either got a fortune in the bank, or you are going home settling for less.

But that's not our case with God. We already have a fortune. We are already millionaires. We don't have to make a DEAL because He paid the price for us. He is our banker. He is our friend. I think He wants to 'deal' every time and live life as He intends for it to be and not take it into our own hands.

Father thank you so much for giving me this opportunity to enter this game of life with you. I'm so sorry for all the times I made my own deals and didn't listen to what you were trying to tell me. Lately, the deals have not been so good and I have wanted to throw away what you gave me to take it into my own hands. Father please forgive me for not keeping my eye on you. Thank you for giving me faith and knowing I can believe in you that no matter what case I open, the answer always comes from you. Help me to trust you right now and forever.

Friends

Sometimes, words just can't express enough how thankful you are to have someone this special in your life!

Satisfied

I made an attempt to make my first video using software that came with my computer. Tell me what you think!

Day 3

And on the 3rd day....we rested!!!

Day 2 of insanity!

Before!

It's coming along quite nicely!
I can't wait to see it when it's done and has furniature in it!

Extreme Insanity

There's nothing better than feeling spontaneous and ripping up the carpet in your living room. I am so tired of carpet. It just doesn't work well with 3 kids. So the best way to fix it, is to get rid of it. Today I went to Lowe's and got a wild hair to buy tile and fix up our living room. Now, this is a much bigger job than I anticipated, but there is nothing better to cure you when you feel down to do something that makes you feel better. I don't really like my house, but I'm happy to have a home so I make the best of it. It has many....and I mean many problems with it. The big job to tackle will be our bathroom, but until then, I just thought the carpet had to go. Taking out the boards with carpet tacks was NOT fun!!!
However, I love how it's going to look I got it all out of the house and laid the tiles out! It will look so good! And my dear brother came by tonight to help me lift furniture. All I can say is that big TV's and piano's are meant to stay in their places and not be moved!


Chad coming in to inspect my work!

Don't you love how red his face is??? Dr's give great meds!

This will be the final look! Well, with more tile of course. I'm really excited! Right now I even love the concrete floor!

Pee mate

Girls....this is your next Christmas present from me!!! Just so you know....THIS IS A REAL PRODUCT!!!

Use me O Lord

We sing the song:
Give me the heart of a servant
Tender and faithful and true
Fill me with love and use me O Lord
So that the world can see you.

How amazing are these words!!! 4 simple phrases that mean so much. I long for my heart to be that of one of HIS servants and after He has used my heart and molded it to be what He desires, I pray that one day, others will see Him through me.

Be glorified!

"

"Do not be frightened...make up your mind not to worry...stand up and lift up your
heads...be careful or your hearts will be weighed down...be always on the
watch and pray..."
Do you live afraid? Do you worry? Are you weighed down?
God gives us hope! He gives us peace so that in everything we do, in everything we say, in every decision we must make, that we can rely on him.

Be encouraged today. Be happy! Live in His light no matter what the circumstance!!! You may have it bad, Jesus had it worse. He took that pain for us so that we can be light and love to all around us!

Have a glorious day!

WOW!

I just have no words for this! Can you think of any???

Laughter

If laughter is the the best medicine...then why on earth am I still in school? I should be making millions by now. I love to laugh. It is what keeps me going through hard times. This weekend has to be the best weekend I have had in years. I spent it with the most beautiful ladies at our appreciation banquet and all I can say is the giggles were rollin from the moment we walked in the door. I honestly cannot even tell you what was SO funny, but whatever it was, it kept us going all night long.
A series of events happened here....not sure what...but something was REALLY funny!
I truly loves these ladies!

Friends

I have many friends in my life. I am so blessed beyond measure.

Today, Theresa and I went shopping and for the first time in over a year, I will be wearing a dress tonight. I had the best time shopping for dresses and found the absolute most best sale ever. I'm a little uncomfortable wearing dresses, but I will let all that go tonight so that I can enjoy myself....not wearing my usual suits!

Then, I am coming home and recieve a phone call. Lately for me, receiving phone calls have not been entirely good news. But this one was the most precious phone call from my freind Carrie. She was full of emotion as she told me she wrote a song for me as she is mindful of all we are going though. As I got off the phone with her I couldn't help but cry. She sang it for me and it was one of the most beautiful prayer songs I've heard in a long time. She said it needed some work, but I think the words are perfect. And for her to sing it to me was priceless!!!

Father when I kneel to you my head beneath your grace
I see your loving kindness, I feel your warm embrace
I know that in my sorrow, you know my hurt is deep
And when I bow before you, that is all you need.....

Father God
Hear my prayer
I am breaking with a heart of despair
Will you come and lift my soul
Please take my heart and completely make me whole,
And I know that your here
And I know that you care
When I come to you, my soul so weak
Please Lord come and make me complete,
This is my prayer

I have so many great friends that I can not fathom life without them right now. I have never been so touched and to have a friend feel my pain and write a song...now that is just amzaing. If there were no other blessings in my life right now, I would feel abudently blessed to have the friends I have by my side.

The first of many....

BLACK EYES! Word to the wise....wear a helmet when you ride your scooter in the street! Or you may kiss the pavement!

The act of....

Forgivness.....

It's a hard thing. I think it's one thing to fogive, but what does that really mean?

In my human mind, I forgive the best way I know how. Doesn't mean my heart doesn't hurt. Doesn't mean I still don't experience pain. I'm human.

When you forgive someone, to me...that means...you still love them. So then why is it so hard to still be in the same room?

Will that feeling ever go away? If I truly have forgiven, then why do I feel this way?

All I can say is Lord please, take control!

New Toys

I love getting new toys. Thanks to our friend Nancy in Dallas, she inspired me this weekend to go out and purchase this new toy. We've been wanting to cut back on our eating out....however....I don't have enough time to cook!!! When I do cook, things get wasted because the sit in the refrigerator too long. So here we go! I bought the Seal A Meal vacuum food storage system. I really am highly impressed with it. So...today I made a Salad. A BIG SALAD!!! So what do I do now??? I need to seal and save it. Let me tell you...this salad was big enough to feed 10 people. Now, it fits in one of our cereal bowls! This was a nice big puffy, fluffy salad!
Chad said he has the feeling he is going to come home and the entire refrigerator will be sealed up! He may be right!

Push Play then read....

What do you praise Him for each day? How do you proclaim it?
It's such an awesome feeling to know that there is a God that can hear my cries, my pleas, my heart, my whispers, my laughter, and my shouting!
Shout to the Lord is one of my favorite songs this year. It speaks of such passion....such heart...such power....such awesome praise to Him. It's a pretty amazing feeling when a song hits you so had that it leaves you gasping for air. This song is such a prayer and testment. If you stopped by here today, let this song be an encouragement in your heart as much as it is in my mine.


My Jesus, my Savior, Lord, there is none like You;
All of my days I want to praise the wonders of Your mighty love.
My comfort, my shelter, tower of refuge and strength;
Let ev'ry breath, all that I am, never cease to worship You.

Chorus
Shout to the Lord, all the earth, let us sing
Power and Majesty, praise to the King;
Mountains bow down and the seas will roar
At the sound of Your name.
I sing for joy at the work of your hands,
Forever I'll love You, forever I'll stand
Nothing compares to the promise I have in You.

Late nights, early mornings!

I have found myself working my fingers to the bone. Hitting deadlines, coming in just under the wire and staying up until all hours of the night. As I try to find time of peacful rest, I find myself waking up worried about what I did wrong, what I did right, did I leave anything out, and then I must get up. Average amount of sleep for me these days is 4 hours. I sit in a chair and rarely ever get up. Before I know it, today has turned into tomorrow. It's crazy I tell ya! ;o)

As I was rushing into school early this morning to hit the deadline, I thought to myself, what if we gave this kind of commitment to everything we did? Our family, our jobs, our friends, our lives, our God. Would we tire easily? Would we have enough of it to go around?

I find myself trying to prioritize my life and time and making room for the things that are important to me. Some things, I've had to give up. Some things, I've cut back on. Learning to say yes and learning to say no is something I have started doing well. And I don't feel bad either. It's starting to come naturally.

I think God has shown me just how much I can handle. Now it's up to me to decide what I will do with my time. Using it wisely and using it to His glory is all that matters.

For Tammy

She has the lyrics, I found the video. Such a precious song during a hard time.
Remembering JJ.

80's!!!

The 80's had really good music!!! Today....this song won't get out of my head. It wasn't my usual pick of 80's music.....but sometimes, words just hit home.

Conversations with Emilie

Emilie "Mom....did you HEAR what the TV just said?"

Me: "No...what?"

Emilie: "They said if we come right now, we will get a free car"

Me: "That's not how it works"

Emilie: "That's what they said"

Me: "How many people do you think would go there to get a free car?"

Emilie: "Thousands"

Me: "And do you think they are going to give each person a free car?"

Emilie: "No, but if we hurry and we are first in line, we'll get it"

Me: "I'm sorry honey,they just don't give away free cars"

Emilie: "Ummmmm....then that's not HONESTY!!!!"

Study Time....

Exam coming up.....

No time to blog!

Praising through the storm....

One group I really love is Casting Crowns. Today, I was listening to the radio...and a song I've heard over and over before came on. I've liked it before, but it really touches my heart right now in a way that is unexplainable.

"Praise You In This Storm"

I was sure by now
God You would have reached down
And wiped our tears away
Stepped in and saved the day
But once again, I say "Amen", and it's still raining

As the thunder rolls
I barely hear Your whisper through the rain
"I'm with you"
And as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God who gives
And takes away

And I'll praise You in this storm
And I will lift my hands
For You are who You are
No matter where I am
And every tear I've cried
You hold in Your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm

I remember when
I stumbled in the wind
You heard my cry to you
And you raised me up again
My strength is almost gone
How can I carry on
If I can't find You

But as the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper through the rain
"I'm with you"
And as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God who gives
And takes away

I lift my eyes unto the hills
Where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord
The Maker of Heaven and Earth

Yes...He's speaking!

Monday's

Monday's are rough days. They are long and drawn out. It's easy to get frustrated with life by 5:00 on Monday's but sometimes we just have to roll with the punches and keep going.

I've been sick since Friday, but really, really, sick since Sunday afternoon. Seems that life and illness caught up with me and told me to slow down. It has a funny way of doing that. When you least expect it, it knocks you down.

My mother was the store this weekend with Ian. While they were there, Ian saw one of his teachers from school. Today, I got an e-mail that read "I saw Ian at the store with his Aunt...she looks just like you"
I couldn't wait to pay my mom that compliment. She loved it!

Life has been difficult lately, but I will not give up or give in. I just pick myself up and keep going. It's been an interesting ride. Life...is good.
*******************************************************************************
Give to every day
There will always be a reason to give up, and there will always be a reason to keep going. The question is, which reason will you choose to focus upon?
Your troubles will get the best of you if you give all your time and attention to them. But you always have another choice.

You can give your attention to the positive possibilities. You can choose to focus upon what's right with life.

There is something you can do in this very moment to create a little bit of positive value in your world. Though it may not seem like much, just one small positive action can have an enormous impact.

Even the smallest step has a clear and unmistakable direction. When you choose to take action, you choose to take control.

Don't allow your life to be defined by the difficulties that come your way. For beyond them all, you have something unique and beautiful to give to every day.

-- Ralph Marston

Installing Love

Tech Support: Yes, how can I help you?


Customer: Well, after much consideration, I've decided to install Love.
Can you guide me through the process?
Tech Support: Yes. I can help you. Are you ready to proceed?


Customer: Well, I'm not very technical, but I think I'm ready. What do I do first?


Tech Support: The first step is to open your Heart. Have you located your Heart?

Customer: Yes, but there are several other programs running now. Is it okay to install Love while they are Running?

Tech Support: What programs are running?


Customer: Let's see, I have Past Hurt, Low Self-Esteem, Grudge and Resentment running right now.

Tech Support: No problem, Love will gradually erase Past Hurt from your current operating system. It may remain in your permanent memory but it will no longer disrupt other programs. Love will eventually override Low Self-Esteem with a module of its own called High Self-Esteem. However, you have to completely turn off Grudge and Resentment. Those programs prevent Love from being properly installed. Can you turn those off?


Customer: I don't know how to turn them off. Can you tell me how?

Tech Support: With pleasure. Go to your start menu and invoke Forgiveness. Do this as many times as necessary until Grudge and Resentment have been completely erased.

Customer: Okay, done! Love has started installing itself. Is that normal?

Tech Support: Yes, but remember that you have only the base program. You need to begin connecting to other Hearts in order to get the upgrades.


Customer: Oops! I have an error message already. It says, "Error - Program not run on external components." What should I do?

Tech Support: Don't worry. It means that the Love program is set up to run on Internal Hearts, but has not yet been run on your Heart. In non-technical terms, it simply means you have to Love yourself before you can Love others.


Customer: So, what should I do?

Tech Support: Pull down Self-Acceptance; then click on the following files: Forgive-Self; Realize Your Worth; and Acknowledge Your Limitations.


Customer: Okay, done.

Tech Support: Now, copy them to the "My Heart" directory. The system will overwrite any conflicting files and begin patching faulty programming Also, you need to delete Verbose Self-Criticism from all directories and empty your Recycle Bin to make sure it is completely gone and never comes back.


Customer: Got it. Hey! My heart is filling up with new files. Smile is playing on my monitor and Peace and Contentment are copying themselves all over My Heart. Is this normal?

Tech Support: Sometimes. For others it takes awhile, but eventually everything gets it at the proper time. So Love is installed and running. One more thing before we hang up. Love is Freeware. Be sure to give it and its various modules to everyone you meet. They will in turn share it with others and return some cool modules back to you.


Customer: Thank you, God.

Life and Challanges

Today is January 31st, 2008. I have to admit this has been the most challanging month I have had in a few years. I hurt, I struggle, I cry, I'm depressed, and still...I keep going. I go and act as if it is all okay. Silly me. That's just so silly. This is not the way I would have planned the new year to begin for me. I have a lot of heartache, rejection, fear, pain, emotions, at a time when I should be happy. Certainly this is my Father trying to clue me into something that I cannot see. Life will get better, or it may get worse. What can I do about it?
Today, nothing. My heart hurts way too much. What do I do when it hurts.....I smile and go on.
I am married to the most amazing man ever. He takes care of me no matter what my feelings are. I then hope he feels the same about me. What happens when we are both down? We do our best to take care of one another. After almost 14 years together, we've learned to do that pretty well.
One day....I'll be gone, he'll be gone...we'll all be gone. Would I look back on this month and regret? Probably not. Would I look back on this time and wish it had gone differently? Probably yes.
Today I read the daily motivator. I found it so fitting and so positive. Positive is what I need today and this little thing below said it perfectly.

Life returns the favor
When you encounter resistance, it means you are moving forward. When you come across a challenge, it means you have reached the point where you can successfully meet that challenge.
Life becomes more rewarding as it becomes more demanding. You are destined to achieve, and each successive achievement positions you for an even greater, more challenging achievement.

Each new challenge is an opportunity to stretch beyond your previous limits. Most of the advantages you enjoy today were born in the difficulties through which you traveled in days past.

Every day brings a new way for you to more fully give of yourself. It is by so giving, in ways that are familiar and in ways not yet imagined, that you create the life you most sincerely desire.

In everything there is treasure to be found. The richest treasures are those that ask the most of you, for they resonate wholly with your deepest purpose.

Delight in the living beauty of each challenging effort. Give your best to life and life returns the favor, a million times over.

-- Ralph Marston

Better hands....

Negativity

But if you cannot get the habit of observation one way or another, you had better give up the being a nurse for it is not your calling, however kind and anxious you may be. FLORENCE NIGHTINGALE

This was the quote we were given this week to spur us along. Pretty un-motivating huh?

Fortunately, I have a classmate who cared to send this later today!


'I've learned that no matter what happens, or how bad it seems today, life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow.'

'I've learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way he/she handles these three things: a rainy day, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights.'

'I've learned that regardless of your relationship with your parents, you'll miss them when they're gone from your life.'

'I've learned that making a 'living' is not the same thing as 'making a life.'

'I've learned that life sometimes gives you a second chance.'


'I've learned that you shouldn't go through life with a
catcher's mitt on both hands; you need to be able to throw some thin
gs back.'

'I've learned that whenever I decide something with an open heart, I usually make the right decision.'

'I've learned that even when I have pains, I don't have to be one.'


'I've learned that every day you should reach out and touch someone. People love a warm hug, or just a friendly pat on the back.'


'I've learned that I still have a lot to learn.'

'I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.'

Test....and other test.

Tomorrow at 12:15 I will go in and take my first test of level one. I was not enouraged to hear that I may have to go through a "pat down" procedure before entering the exam. I think that's taking it a bit too far.

I don't know how to feel about tomorrow. I don't feel overlly stressed right now. I think it is because I have NO IDEA what these test are like or what is on them. I want to go in and do my best. I'm excited that I'm not anxious right now. I feel so relaxed that it's really scary. I pray tonight and tomorrow that God will help me work through the scenarios for each patient I read about and allow me to make good decisions for their care. I have faith that he will bring me through this.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
This afternoon was a weird one for me. Maybe because of the anticipation of the test tomorrow. My thoughts today haven't seemed really clear and my "inner dummy" just really beat me up. Sure that doesn't make sense to many, but makes great sense to me.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
How does one become truly "selfless"? Can you truly be "selfless" and still want for more? I struggle with this so much. How do I become truly selfless???

I give up so others can have more....
I do less so others can do more....

I don't feel sad about what I miss out on....but have a hard time when selflessness goes un-noticed. So then I say..."That's not true SELFLESSNESS!"

This is where Satan has such a grip on me. More like a choke hold and it catches me off guard.

If I am trusting in my Savior...he knows my intentions. All the other static that goes on in my head....that's cluttered by Satan.

Oh God! Please help me in my walk to stive to be more like you. To be more like you made me to be. To be selfless and not care how others feel. To not worry about going un-noticed. So many times, you were mocked, you were scorned, you were ignored, and you remained selfless. God please help me to be more of the image that you created me to be!

Tags and Links!

Okay...here's the deal with this! I got tagged (Thank you Vanessa)...but I have no idea how to put a link in my blog. So I will have to break the rules until I am educated on how to do this! (PS...somebody on here knows my password and I am sure by the time they read this...they will edit it enough to put the links in! ;o) --Okay! Okay! I get the hint! I fixed it for you! -T--

The Rules: Link to the person that tagged you and post the rules on your blog.
Share 5 random and/or weird facts about yourself on your blog, OR
Share the 5 top places on your “want to see or want to see again” list, OR
Share 5 things you never pictured being in your future when you were 25 years old.

Tag a minimum of 5, maximum of 10 random people at the end of your post and include links to their blogs. Let each person know that they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog. The tagees have a choice of which they want to do.

As far as weird and random facts go, ya'll know all that stuff about me. Um...the 25 thing...yeah...Everything I'm doing is what I saw myself doing. So lets go with places.

#1. I would love to go out of the country. I have never been out of the United States.

#2. I would love to have a "do over" trip to California with my parents. Would really love to do anything with them again.

#3. I would like to go to Florida. No special reason. Just would like to see that side of the US.

#4. I would love to go to NY and see the Phantom of the Opera.

#5. I would love to go to Jersulem.

So....to tag 5 people.

Okay....Chad...because he doesn't blog and it's time to get something up there.
Chris...because I just need to know more random facts about you! hee hee
Robert...he travels everywhere!!!
And that's all I've got!

Terry vs. Jeff

I'm not really sure where this came from but seems like Terry has the lead!

2nd Week

The second week of Level One NS proved to be more challenging than I anticipated. All the stressors and worries of everything in life fell upon me this week. But I have survived.

Today when I went to the dentist, he accidentally hit a blood vessel in my face and made for an interesting afternoon for me. When looking in the mirror and trying to smile, I look more like Popeye that got in a bar fight.
(disclaimer: I've never been in a bar fight, BUT I'm sure this is how it feels)
I have discovered once again that Lortab is my friend!

We went shopping for wedding rings today. No...not getting married again, but since mine is falling apart after 13 years, I guess it's time to move on. I discovered that my taste has changed over the years. I have become more "simple" than I use to be. What Chad liked, I found very busy. I think he may have thought what I picked what boring. At least he doesn't think that about me!!!! ;o)

So I'm off to bed. Me and my drugs and my big face!!! Hopefully the swelling will be down by tomorrow.

AAAARRRGGGHHHH!!!!!

Today was S T R E S S F U L!!!

At one point today I took my blood pressure to see how stressed and angry I was and it was HIGH!!!

My normal speaking voice has hit an unsusal soprano octive and I talk really fast!

At one point, I was shaking today!!!

It's nerves!
It's anxiety!
It's anger!
It's tiredness!

It's everything wrapped up all into one!

CALGON!!!! TAKE ME AWAY!!!!!

Broken.....but now down!

My laptop BROKE!!!

My upstairs toilet BROKE!!!

The pipes to the washing machine...yes....BROKE!!!

The water main in the front yard..you guessed...BROKE!!!

Our cable TV....it's broke!!!

The blinker in my car...yesterday...BROKE!!!

4 of the prongs on my wedding ring....seriously...BROKE!

My bank account...now very broke!!!

So what's the deal?

School started Monday and everything started falling apart. Was that supposed to happen? I don't think so. Everything in my life is supposed to run just super smooth!!! Ha! If you think that's the case, you don't know me very well. (just remember the night I was born, and my wedding day)

This kind of stuff keeps me on my toes. Keeps me awake, keeps me alive. I don't have anything to complain about. At least I have all that stuff to break!
Could I live without it??? Sure! (maybe not he toilet)

When life gives you lemons you make lemonade.
When life gives you apples, you make apple pie.
When life gives you brokenness....you remember who you really are and what is necessary in your life.

In the dark ages!!!

I am sure I am living now in the dark ages.

I write here today from school. It's a bit frustrating to me that I got a new laptop about 4 months ago and it is in the shop. Don't know how long it will take to fix, what's wrong with it, or what. It's been a bit inconvenient having to go to school everytime I want to do something.

Then last night, AT&T Wireless service was down from about 4:00 to somewhere around 9:00. Now...I had no computer, no phone, and no technology.

I was forced to do the only thing I should have been doing in the first place.
READING!!!

First two days of classes have gone very well. Monday was all Theory from 8:00am until 5:00. I think next Monday I will bring a pillow to sit on. Today was all lab and I'm already done. It was a little exciting and interesting...but not dull at all. Tomorrow is clinical day. That's always exciting to me. I like the hands on work.

I have more reading than I could ever imagine right now. The questions in Nursing School are unlike any other questions from anything I have ever done. You may know the knowledge, but you have to know how to apply it in any situation. All questions are multiple choice, but EVERY answer is correct. You have to pick the best one. It forces you to stay on your feet and think on your toes and think quick.
I did pretty well Monday in answering the questions so we'll see how the rest of the semester goes.

I have a suitcase for a backpack now (and yes, it's red) and even with that, I cannot fit all my books in it.

This is a different life for me now. This is where the rubber meets the road. And we started off running.

Wish me luck!! ;o)

School: Tomorrow I embark on a new journey of my education.  I've heard this semester called many things.  None that I'm willing to repeat as I want to keep my blog at a "G" rating.  I thought I would be more nervous than I really am.  Maybe that will hit tomorrow morning.  Class hasn't even started yet and I already have an assignemnt to read 3 chapters and have all the questions answered before we walk into class.  Wow...no pressure huh?  I am learing to finally sacrifice certain things in my life. It hasn't been as difficult as I thought it would be, but then again, it really hasn't started yet.  I'm sure my absence from certin things that I love will begin to have an affect on me at some point in time.  Right now, I'm okay. I get to take singing lessons for another semester. That's really exciting to me.  However, I've come to the conclusion that I am not a soloist.  No matter how hard I try, I will never become what I dream to be in that area.  So I have become content enjoying observinig others.  I wish I could have enrolled in our show choir at school but the rehersals conflicted with my nursing courses.  Maybe someday I can do that as it sounds like so much fun. Family: Chad's mom and sister are leaving tomorrow. I think they have had a nice visit.  Chad and I were introduced to Thai food while they were here.  It's always fun to have new experiences with the the people you love.  Chad's sister loves to try new places and things so we went along and enjoyed our evening together. Thanks to Theresa for the great reccommendation of Lanna Thai.  It was FABULOUS!!!! Spicy...but great!!!! Here are some pictures of us duing the week.