inspirations

I've decided to start running again for exercise. We'll see how it goes but I'm hoping it goes well. As for my inspiration to get started again...it's a couple of things: (1): Luke-he's been running lately and doing P90X. I'm very proud of him because he has stuck with it and made me want to be good too. (2): Going skiing in December-have to be in shape otherwise the mountain will win! (3): my new running shoes.

Here's to running!

summertime

Amazing that summer is almost over. It doesn't feel like it is almost over. The heat has been unbearable these past couple of weeks. I like always long for the cool crisp air of fall and everything it brings with it. My favorite time of year starts around October 1 and goes through December 31. There are so many things that I am looking forward to this fall and winter.

In approximately 8 days I will be starting my last semester in NP school. I have a hard time believing this, that I have actually made it this far! It's kind of a surreal feeling.

And as soon as the semester is over, my whole family is going skiing in Colorado! This is something that my heart longs for. I can't wait to spend a week with my family and watch my husband learn how to navigate the slopes for the first time ever. I can't wait to share the magic of Leadville in winter with him. I could go on and on and on about my excitement but I'm afraid it would bore people.

As summer comes to an end there is always my little mans (Wilder-my nephew) birthday. I have a hard time believing he is 4 already! It's amazing to see how much he has grown and how beautiful his heart and soul are. He is such a kind-hearted, sweet little man that absolutely adores his family and LOVES his Uncle Luke (pretty sure the feeling is the same from Luke to Wilder)! I love this little kid with all my heart and might. I love his little sisters, mom and dad with all my heart and might too. They are such amazing people that I proudly claim as mine.

Happy Birthday Wilder Blake!

pilgrams, indians, and corn

This week marked the beginning of Thanksgiving week, something that should not be overlooked or undermarketed. Don't get me wrong, I'm all for Christmas music, wrapping paper and fun but first you must be thankful and grateful before you can be bountiful. I feel Christmas has become the overmarketed, highly publicized, shopping spree. I feel people have forgotten the true meaning of Christmas which makes me cringe when they completely jump over Thanksgiving without a thought and head straight for Black Friday. I wish sometimes that the world would slow down, take a deep breath and thank God for everything He has given them. Yes I said everything He has given them, not what they feel they have worked or earned for. Without God they wouldn't have the abilities or talents to have achieved such great things. So please let's remember pilgrams and indians who didn't have anything by todays society's standards had more corn than they could imagine because they were blessed by God and knew it!
Okay, off my soap box. I made it through my trip to Alabama. It was a long, tiring trip but it was a nice payoff to play in the Guld of Mexico in November! I only have my finals left, then five weeks of freedom (besides work). And I only have three semesters left before I *may* be done with school forever!!! =) This is definitely something to be grateful for!
Some things I learned last week...beignets from anywhere but Daddy's kitchen or Cafe Du Mont, just don't compare. There really are 6'10" men out there who actually can play basketball. (p.s. I feel quite short when standing next to them). There is something to be said about learning how to suture on a pig's foot. It's okay to make a C on a test every now and then. I DO NOT have to be a straight A student. 14hours in a car with two other hormonal women makes for a long trip but some good laughs too. There is strength in numbers, 140 FNP students have something to prove when our minds get together! I don't like to travel without my husband. My dogs really are like my kids. Alexandria, Louisania has something foul in it's air, literally. Katrina's effects can still be felt on the Gulf Coast. Whataburger has milk shakes that aren't that good. And last but not least, nothing ever worth having was easy to get.
Happy Turkey Day to everyone...remember thankful before bountiful. =)

The leaves are falling....

tonight is my third test in one of my classes...only one more to go (at least in that class, three total)! I don't think I have ever anticipated a Christmas break so much!!!
The leaves are falling outside and I haven't decided if that makes me excited for the much anticipated Christmas break, or sad to see such fleeting beauty. It's mixed emotions. Christmas is by far my favorite holiday but I think I would have to agree with Paula Deen, Thanksgiving is the real family holiday. There are not gifts involved to spoil the true meaning of the holiday. There may be loads of food but no one really intends to mess with the traditions we have all come to love about Thanksgiving. This will be my 6th Thanksgiving to work. I'm beginning to think that is a tradition in and of itself. I like working on Thanksgiving simply because the unit is normally a little less hectic. It gives me time to go spend time with my patients and realize how blessed and thankful I am. And of course all the cranberry sauce!
Even though it's early, I would like to share all the things I am thankful for this season:
1. My God and Savior who love me unconditionally and gave the utmost sacrifice for me!
2. My husband who also loves me unconditionally (along with my dogs =) )
3. My family who also loves me unconditionally (at least I'm pretty sure they do).
4. A roof over my head that is not just a house but a home filled with warmth, love and joy.
5. My faith...this is something no one can ever take from me.
6. My education...yet again, something that can never be taken from me.
7. My health....because any day it can be taken away from me.
8. My friends....because they aren't required to love and accept me like family but they do by choice.
9. All those things that make you feel warm and fuzzy inside.
10.Moose, bears, and dogs...just because. =)

well it's almost test time and I had better go repeat my test taking ritual, yes just a little OCD, but it helps with the test anxiety. Blessed to all!

It's been a while

It seems this year has quickly slipped through my fingers. So much school, so little time with my friends and family. I've missed so many precious moments with my family, it physically makes me sick. I pray each time I open my textbooks that it will all be worth it in the end. That the work, worry and time spent with my nose stuck inside a book will pay off with holidays and weekends off, time at home in the evenings to enjoy my husband, dogs and hopefully someday children. It will be worth it right?
So it's my favorite time of year and the trees have been absolutely beautiful this year! It makes me smile to see God's beauty in the reds, golds, greens, browns, yellows and oranges that surround us. It's amazing how well God knows us, probably better than we know ourselves. As stressful as this semester has been, things that probably shouldn't have worked out, have; and things that probably should have worked out that didn't, did so for very good reasons. I'm reminded each day how precious life is and that only God can give that to us.
Tonight is Halloween and I'm ready to pass out loads of candy to kiddos! It's about to start getting dark, so I had better go get the candy ready! I hope everyone has a happy and safe Halloween!

oh my little sweet thing...

I'm decidely married to one of the best men on earth. I'm not sure what other man would put up with my moods, whims, and pure craziness. He is definitely my little sweet thing. He still gives me butterflies and I pray that sensation never goes away. Imagine what the world would be like if everyone was able to have butterflies over their first love and be married to them. What a different world it would be.

So lately I have been struggling with the verse posted at the top of my blog. I know God will guide my steps but my patience is struggling to keep up or to slow down. I'm not sure which. I have all these goals in my life that are very important to me but yet I'm not sure if they are what God wants for me. Am I so blinded by the world that I miss God's completely obvious signs? I pray I am not. Every part of me wants to be a mom so badly but I know the idea of having kids right now would not be conducive to school. See, two goals that are incredibly important to me but so completely contradictory of each other. I keep asking myself though, when will be the right time to have kids? There really isn't one. No one is every truly prepared to have children. So all these plans I have are they as important as my goal to have a family? I guess a truly obvious sign from God would be if I got pregnant. Obviously this hasn't happened yet most likely due to the fact God has a plan for me and I'm not quite in tune with it or I'm looking the wrong way. So please pray for me. Pray that my patience will exceed my expectations and God's will be evident to me.

Thanks.

Favorite State of Mind

I think I have just had quite possibly the best weekend. Blake and Shelly came down with the kids for her brothers wedding to of all people, one of my old volleyball team mates (small world)! I had so much fun. We didn't do a lot but it was nice to see them. My belief that Luke will be an amazing dad was once again reaffirmed. Blake and Shelly had left to go to the wedding and we played with the kids, fed them, bathed them and then started to put them to bed. I was in the bedroom with Gywn when Luke walks in and has Wilder in his arms completely sacked. And as soon as Gywnni saw Luke she went crazy! She LOVES her uncle Luke. He just has a way with kids. They are attracted to him like a magnet to a paperclip! I know he will be an absolutely wonderful dad and someday I promise we will have kids.






Blake, Shelly and the kids left on Sunday morning and about 30 minutes after they left my aunt Sherri, uncle Russ, Granny, Christina, Ryan, and Griffin (cousins) came by. It was nice to see them. Very good to see my Granny and that she is doing okay. We all miss Pawpa terribly but you see her heart break every time she talks about him. I know I would be the same if Luke were gone. It's hard to imagine life without him let alone having to actually do it like Granny. But she is strong and it helps that those crazy cousins of mine keep her busy! Anyhoo, so they stayed a while and then I got to take a nap!!! Yea!!! I LOVE naps! I'm trying to get my energy up for my new start tomorrow. P90X, that's right!!! I'm getting more excited about starting this program because well to be totally honest, I'm tired of being pudgey. Granted I love my oreos but if I can be confident in a bathing suit this summer it's worth giving up my oreos and milk for a while.

So after my wonderful nap, I went on a walk. What an absolutely beautiful day to be outside! There is nothing like walking with your I-pod going. Music makes me want to move! Luke laughs at me all the time when we are in the car because I try to dance in my seat to music on the radio. He thinks I'm crazy. I just kindly remind him, he asked ME to marry HIM. He didn't have to live with a crazy woman. And no I don't deny that I'm crazy. But my philosophy is you got to have a little crazy to make the world a happier place! =)

Well as far as the first day of new week goes, I would say this has been one of the best. Hopefully it will carry on throughout the week. I have doubts that my theory paper will help that much, but I will persevere! =)