Last Day of 2012

ANOTHER year has come and gone it has gone by so very quickly!

I feel like I have grown alot this year and many new beginnings have come

my way. Here are a few pictures to review some of the years events.

 

This year I graduated from undergrad and began my nursing career!

It was a big deal to interview for the first time and I spent many hours

studying to pass the state nursing boards (NCLEX).

 

 

I have been blessed and deeply challenged at my new job at UAB.

God and I have had many conversations on the drive to work most of them

on the topic of attitude and strength. My Aunt gave me a plaque for

graduation with Phillipians 4:13 on it and I have said it numerous times

while walking up and down the hospital halls.

 

After I finished my NCLEX Brad and I began looking at rings!

We have been dating for six years tommorow and are so very excited

to get married next year on August 17, 2013!

 

 

This year and any year would not be the same without my

 wonderful fun and supportive friends. God allowed

me to find my closest friends in Enterprise and though we have gotten older

we all still love to see each other and celebrate life together!

 

 

Amanda's Wedding March 17

 

Lake Martin Trip at Ray's Lake House

 



2012 also brought its share of heart aches to my family. I hate tto hink

that I will not see these two special people on earth again. Tom married my

Nana a few years after my Grandaddy passed away. He was good for her

and kept her company in the lonely days after my granddads passing. Tom

was a true handy man who could fix just about anything you asked him to.

He was extremely giving and took me and Nana on a spring break trip to

Savannah, GA which is one of my most favorite southern towns. I will

miss him greatly in 2013.

 



 

Also in October Sweet Teso ended her battle with cancer. After graduation I

moved in with her and Uncle Ron for what was supposed to be just a couple of

weeks, however after getting engaged it seemed weird to move to an apartment

by myself when Brad and I would be moving next year anyway. I am

glad I was able to stay with her our time together was filled with medicine taking

and shopping trips. She was an amazing person who also

was a great travel partner through the years! Her trip adventures were the

very best and I am excited to see her at "The Pearly Gates" some day soon!

 

 New things this year:

 

I spent way to much time on Pinterest Teso got me started on that.

Also I have pretty much replaced blogging with instagram it takes little

to no time and I love using my phone to upload everything much easier.

I got to welcome a new family member to the world this year Baby Colt

is so sweet and so are his parents!! Can't wait to make new memories with him!

 



Happy Day

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

Marriage Monday

Your service is a sacrifice at minimum,

and we will never understand what all you went through.

Thank you does not seem enough, but know that your

service has made a difference in our country,

and in every citizen's daily life. The freedom we

enjoy would not exist without your service.

Thank you!

 

 

Happy Veteran's Day

 



You Are I AM--MercyMe with lyrics

 

I listened to this song on the way to work on the day she passed away.

Yesterday evening was "Teso's Viewing", and some my childhood best friend Sabrina and her parents came to see us.

Teso had many friends and there were so many many nurses pouring into the funeral home. Also the unit she was on

made her a huge trifold card with messages about how much they missed her and get well soon wishes. One nurse even left a flush up front in honor of one of her many practical jokes she often played at work.

Teso was the life of the party at all of our family gatherings. She had amazing energy even with the

chemo and cancer. I was blessed to spend the night with her on the night before she passed away. I held her hand and talked

to her. As tears of sadness filled my face, I could only think of how I hoped she would not die. It is so difficult to say good bye to someone you have known your entire life. She called on every birthday, took us on many trips, came to see me cheer and over all encouraged me throughout my entire life. I have been thinking about life and how living on this earth is not always the best thing for us.

Life is only temporary, I'm going home one day to be with my father in heaven. The process is important, but keeping

my eyes on heaven helps me to realize that this life is not all their is. Petty arguments, particular details, and trying

please everyone is a waste of time. So I will strive to please the Lord with obedience and faith, and let the rest of it take

care of it self.

Flying through Fall

  Time is flying at the moment, and I can hardly keep up with what day of the week it is around here. Following Tom's death in August my Great Aunt Judy passed away and now my Aunt Teso has also gone to be with Jesus. Both of my sweet Aunt's have now completed their battles with cancer and victory is their's because they have gone to a better place with no pain or suffering. Logan called me to say she was sorry about Teso and said,"I know when she saw God she must have said Gzz you could have made it a little sooner," . I love my friends and Mom and Dad have come home for four days to attend the funeral so it will be wonderful to see them during this time.

 

In order to be at the funeral I had to rearrange my work schedule for next week, but the manager was pretty nice about it. Work is very busy and on days when we are understaffed the work is stressful and hectic. I know I will probably miss my job though as I begin my new job hunt in Tuscaloosa. Brad and I have begun apartment shopping as of last week, and growing up is not the most exciting thing in the world. There always seems to be more bills to factor in then the last time we made the list.

 

Emily and Cecil are Engaged!!! Last night while Brad was visiting Cecil text him and told him the great news!! I am so excited that another roommate is now engaged!! They are so sweet and I know we will have so much fun in Tuscaloosa together!!!

 

Wedding planning is going well! We now have a Band! And the invitations are picked out so hopefully the dress and bridesmaids dresses will all be coming up soon!! Happy weekend now it is gym time!!



                                                                                                           

Wedding Plans

 Wedding Planning has taken off! I have had my monthly few days off

 and my mom was off as well so we now have a few details ironed out!

Specifically we now have a date, a florist, a  church, a

reception location, all the wedding party members are in, and I have

asked my wedding directors to run the show on the big day! What a relief!

 

Almost time to just enjoy the ride!!

   Brad and I will take engagement photos on the 23rd with

 Abby Caroline Mims! She takes beautiful pictres and I

 can't wait to see her work for us!! More pictures and details soon!

 

On My Day Off

Today is an off day! I have done bible study, ironed clothes, addressed bridesmaids cards, and took back a bedspread to Home Goods. Pretty productive day so far...Teso went to Tenn today for research so the house is pretty quiet. Only a few days till mom gets home, and I can't wait to see her!! Love my mom so so much!!

So far I have managed to stay away from candy corn this year, but I can feel my self control weakening as September draws to a close. I told myself I'd hold off on per celebrating any holidays so i am determined to stay away from all things October for one more week!

Fall Fever

No real excuse for waiting so long to update the blog,

but here it goes. September has sped by all to fast!

Time flies now that I have a big girl job! Brandon

and Trey both have September Birthdays and Trey is now 21!!

I had to work on both of my brothers birthdays this year,

so I saw both of them on the day before.

 

Brad and I have started to see each other only one day a week

most weeks because of school. Usually we see each other on

Sundays for our together for life class. I love that we are

doing this class through our church. Every week Brad and I

have the best talks about everything from family to finance.

 

The family is doing about the same. Nana  misses Tom, but has been

keeping Molly while Trey is at baseball. She likes the company and Molly

doesn't escape from our back yard. Aunt Teso is more confused and forgetful

than she used to be. Not enough room for the details.

 

Wedding planning has begun and we will be getting married in our

hometown at Enterprise First Baptist Church. I am planning for

August, but there is still a slight chance for October.

More soon...Love this cool weather!

August Photos

 

 

With my trusty Iphone at hand I have found

I am more comfortable taking everyday

photos. So here are a few August photos

with a little help from Instagram:

 

 

OCK Memorial

 

Railroad Park

 

Flowers for my grandmother and Tom's

last wedding anniversary.

 



OKC Memorial

 

Sunshine at the park 

OKC Capital



August almost Over

During the last week I have traveled back and forth between home and Andalusia two times. My grandmother's husband Tom passed away so I have been trying to help with post funeral thank you notes, errands, and today we are headed to Dothan for her to get an IV infusion for her RA.



   We stopped by the Enterprise home on the way to get the infusion and there was an unfamiliar car in out driveway plus Trey's truck. I must confess the following is a pure example of how I let my emotions get control of my action's and mouth all to often. I walked in the house and darted to Trey's room for an explanation as to why he wasn't at school and who was at my parents home ( no doubt without permission... Is what I was thinking ).

  After stating rudely that he was supposed to be at school a guy named Travis appeared around the corner. He told me who he was and I asked if he had school today he said yes and I said they both needed to be on their way. Trey told me Travis had no where to stay and while that breaks my heart and I know we should meet the needs of others I let my emotions drive my actions and made sure the doors were locked and the house was empty before I left.  I felt convicted after the fact, but the fact that my parents didn't know he was there honestly made me mad and a bit frightened.

 

 

  I pray God forgives me for my attitude and actions earlier this morning. I also pray he gives me more chances to help others and change my heart so that I use both of my ears to listen and be considerate before I open my big mouth.

In other daily news: 

 

We ate at my favorite! Chick-fil-a while in Dothan..

 

And stopped by this sweet Lady's home for some fresh green tomatoes!

I hope to have a garden like hers one day!!



We're Engaged

So happy to say that since my last post Brad and I have gotten engaged! On Tuesday after I got back from visiting my parents Brad and I went to the park to talk about wedding stuff, but when he started talking he got down on his knee and proposed! I was in shock! I had always imagined him asking me, but when he did I couldn't believe it!! I held it together while we were at the park, but I started balling  once we reached the car. I could not be more excited to continue our journey in life and I am so happy to officially be engaged.

 

       Brad picked out the prettiest ring ever! We went and looked together, but  I am a bit indecisive so  after two visits to the jewelry store he chose a beautiful ring all by himself. I love it! I worked three twelves after Tuesday, but Brad picked me and the girls up after work and drove us to our cars! I had the most questions from patients about my dating status during these three days. Two of my patients had me tell them the full engagements tale and one had lots of suggestions on honeymoon destinations and baby names. Lol. After Brad took me and three of my coworkers to our cars we went and got dinner and I drove the thirty minute commute to get ready or work the next day!

   Friday we went to Jackson's with some of Brad's roommates and one of his sweet girlfriends Emily! Gahh, love her!! Then we watched a movie together...the roomies love movies! Saturday we went to the jewelry store and Picked out Brad's ring as well! He chose much easier than I did. After that we ran errands and my car battery went out at the car place. What are the odds??

    Saturday night Sabrina made dinner for Brad and I!! She made some yummy poppyseed chicken and got us some GiGis cupcakes!! Then we went to Jimmy and Susanna's new apartment! All the girls ambushed me at the door and gushed over the ring and how excited Brad had been the week before the engagement (he caught the garter at Susanna's wedding). We had so much fun playing charades and laughing with everyone. We are blessed with so many loving friends.

  On Sunday we started the Together for Life class at Dawson! I was so excited Brad suggested that we take the class. The topics are so relevant and really challenges my thoughts and attitudes about marriage and forming our new family.



 

 

 

Hello from OKC

 Hello from Oklahoma my brother and I have been here for going on six days. My parents who are travel nurses have been working here since January so we came to visit them, and see a new  place. Sadly tomorrow is our last day in the city and my parents will be traveling to their new work/home on Saturday. They will be in California next!

 

   We have seen lots of neat things on our trip to Oklahoma. We visited the capital, a ton of history and cultural museums, the zoo, and lots of shopping malls! There are so many furniture stores here, and my most favorite is Mathis Brothers Furniture. I hate to leave tomorrow, but it has been a nice break from work.

Updates

If I could pick out a talent to be better at it would be writing.

I have things to say, but it never flows as well as I would like for it to.

So here are updates on life:

Work

I passed the NCLEX thank goodness! The two days after my boards

were some of the most nerve racking days ever. I tried to be distracted, but

relief didn't come until I saw my name on the board's website under RN.

Work is tough and I think the majority of nursing comes down to communication.

Communicating with patients, nurses, dcotors, and many others has been the most

challenging part of the job so far.

Post NCLEX Cheesecake Factory Dinner with Brad

Fun

Brad and I started sunday school at Dawson and there are so many people in

our class. Everyone seems really nice and there is a girl from work in the

class too! Logan went with us last week I hope her and Sabrina start the

Tuesday nigth class with me in the fall! It will be so good to see them

at least once every week just like in Enterprise! I am so glad they are

in Birmingham!

We had a Taco Night at Logan's apartment last week! She is the

best host just like her mother, and her apartment is decorated

to a "T" already!! I love it! Sabrina, Logan, and I had a

Nacho bar...Brad and John joined!

Brad's relative Julia had the cutest Strawbreey short cake party

last saturday! The decorations were so cute and we got to see

Amanda, Collier, and Julia! They are the cutest family ever!

And this week was Sabrina's 22nd birthday! I love picking out her birthday

present every year! She is one of the most fun people to buy for!

Family

Mom and Dad are in Oklahoma for a few more weeks and Trey and I

are going to visit them on the 9th! Yay a new state to put on my

 places I've been list!

Mom's hospital had a sales rep come in from a bedding company

and she said the nurses were buying sheets like it was Back Friday!

Score she picked me up some sheets for the new apartment!

Projects

Yesterday was an off day so Teso and I went to the fabric store.

There are so many great places around Birmingham for sewing

supplies and Teso seems to know them all! We picked up a simple

pattern for me to learn on. A new baby will arrive in our family in

November so my goal is to make an outfit for him! So far I have only

cut our the pattern... I get a little side tracked.

Yestersay we also went to Dick's Sporting goods and got

Brandon and Trey's Christmas gifts! Yay in Christmas in July!

July

    After a month without blogging I am here to say I am alive! My parents visited during the first two weeks of July, so I have spent a good number of hours on the road from Birmingham to Gantt and the beach.

     The two weeks before that were spent at orientation for my new job, and I am very excited to only have a three day work week. The first two weeks were five 8 hour days instead of three 12s. Work is going well and I feel like I am adjusting. The family is good and I love when we all get together. I do have three rather sick family members though two with Cancer and one with an incurable lung disease. Their daily battle to not spend their time in self pity gives me a constant reminder of how blessed I am to be healthy.



       I took my Nclex yesterday and felt greatly defeated afterwards. I should know more tomorrow, but for now I'm just waiting and trying not to fret. If I didn't pass this time I'll just try again, my bible study group at Dawson is studying about the characteristics of God this summer. The most recent topic I have read is on God's sovereignty. The book ends the section with the following: "His sovereignty means I can trust him. When life seems more than I can bear or deals me a bitter blow and my heart is crushed with pain; I will anchor myself to his greatness. His sovereignty is my surety. I can rest in the knowledge that when all is said and done everything will be alright. He will make it so. His counsel will stand, and he will accomplish his purpose." Knowing God by Name- Mary A. Kassian I realize I may seem dramatic especially after mentioning my very ill relative's situations, but these words bring comfort in all situations no matter how big or small. Happy Tuesday.

Because my temporary license didn't come in on time I got

to extra weeks of vacation, and my weeks have been
 spent delightfully surrounded by water. Brad Paisley's song "Water" has been playing in my head as I uploaded my iphone pictures.

Gantt is as beautiful as ever. I could live at the lake if it was a littler closer to work and friends. Molly loves the lake too. She and I went on so many walks and boat rides last week.

Since I still have lots of free time I have been making some new foods. I could eat only vegetables everyday and be happy, but
Trey loves meat so I have been grilling pork chops, steaks, chicken breasts, and bbq sandwiches from a crock pot with boston butt meat. Yummy.