I Have Been Blessed

We are home from a long, exciting weekend in Columbus. We went home after ice-skating lessons on Saturday, and came back last night after Eli won the Super Bowl. And, no, I'm not going to jump on the Eli bandwagon now. I was very excited for him, but all of these people who have never watched a football game before, but are now the biggest Eli supporters crack me up. Me, I will stay on the Peyton bandwagon, but I am very happy for the Manning family. Their mother must be proud.
This week I had to go to an oncology class for work, and one of the topics covered was Death, and how we, as nurses, are to play a part, and how we are affected. One thing the lady teaching the class said that caught my ear was, "It is an honor and a privilage to be with someone as they are dying." How true is that? As a nurse, I get so much satisfaction when we get to send someone to the house, but it is such an honor to be with someone as they prepare to go Home. I work on a floor where people have come to terms with the fact that they may not go home. i have experienced death a few times prior to becoming a nurse, but never like this before. Yes, it was hard when I lost my grandfather in the 9th grade when he lost his battle to cancer, but I did not understand. And I spent lots of time being angry with God after he took Josh when I was a senior in high school. He was so young. I got to be by Beebish 's side when we found out that she, as well, would be going Home. I have experienced death in the hospital setting as well. but this week, I understood what a privelage it was. I have a hard time seperating my emotions from my nursing. Our patients stay a minimum of WEEKs at a time, some more like MONTHS. They become my family. I lost a dear, dear patient this week, and a dear, dear friend. I was lucky enough to be able to go to his visitation on Saturday, and what a blessing it was to me. Yes, it was one of the hardest things I have ever done. I became close to this man, and his family. He had been with us at the hospital since NOVEMBER! But, what an honor it was to be able to know this man is Home now, and no longer suffering. I will miss his smiling face, he never quit smiling. I will miss holding his hand when he was scared of what was going on. I will miss his wife's hugs, I will miss knowing that she is sitting in his room any time I want to go by and chat. I have truly been blessed. To be a part of this man's life.
I pray that when it is my time to go, that I have peace. And that everyone knows what they mean to me. I have had friendships that have dwindled over the years, and this weekend their importance came rushing back to me. God put all of those people in my life, and I feel such a longing to have them back. Our lives have taken us all seperate places, but they still have such an important place in my heart. They know who they are too, some I have talked to about this, others I am not sure how. But, I want o figure out a way. Ok, I have rambled enough, but I wanted to count my blessings today, and everyone to be aware of it. I have a beautiful family, wonderful friends, a God that loves me without end, and a job I adore. What more could I ask for?

2008!

Well, time flies when you're having fun! And we have had a lot of fun this year. We're all moved in, still un-packing some, but we're here. We have the cutest neighbors too. Lots of kids! I've decided to try and blog more, it will keep me from doing housework (like I need an excuse.) Grace is now in dance, ice-skating school, and about to start soccer. (sorry guys, obnoxious proud parents will return). She's taking dance at school...has a recital in May, Ice skating lessons on Saturdays. I always wanted to be an Olympic figure skater...so I thought I would make Grace one. I'm only kidding, she'd rather play hockey. My prissy little girl.
We're so excited about 2008! Lots of weddings again this year. We'll start it all out in New Orleans on Easter weekend with Paula and Joseph. We're very excited about this one. Wes will get to hang out with his boyfriends Joe and Richard, I will get to hang out with my boyfriends Joe and Richard (and meet the infamous ex-girlfriend---Wes is all ready afraid I will embarass him), and Grace is excited about dancing the night away with Uncle Joe's little brother. Oh-and Paula will be such a beautiful bride. She was the bride at our rehearsal. So, needless to say, we love these two, and cannot wait to see them. Then several more wedding through out the year, and we will finish it off with Sarah and Andrew in December. I CANNOT WAIT!!!! The night she called to tell me they were finally engaged, I could not sleep. I've all ready gotten to go with her to a bridal fair, and I had so much fun. She will truly be the most beautiful bride (and will definately have the hottest bridesmaids ;) I love these two...we're currently trying to talk them in to buying the house down the road from ours. I think I may be getting on Andrew's nerves now, oh-well, not much has changed since the 7th grade.
I will post the pictures from the snow as soon as I get them developed. We had tons of fun. And--my precious nephew was here to share in all of our fun. I'll leave you with some pictures from Christmas, and of my adorable husband and his birthday cake. I love him!

WE BOUGHT A HOUSE!!!

Yes, that's right, we bought a nouse, and will be moving in the first of January! We are so excited. It is in Pelham, right next to Hoover, so we won't be much further away from work than we all ready are. We're going to have a garage and a back yard, and lots of room....we are pumped. We're going over there tomight, so I'll try to post some pictures tonight or tomorrow!

One of the best things about my job is only having to work 3 days a week. Of course, i love my job, and I would work more. But it is so nice to be able to spend time with my family, with myself, and still work a full work week.

Last week/weekend I got to go look at houses....yes, we are all most there. We've decided what and where we want, now we just have to make an offer, and it is incredibly stressful.

Wes, Grace, and I got to go see some fellow Mississippians that moved to B'ham Friday night. THey have two girls that Grace loves! We got to sit around and visit, and really just enjoyed their company. Grace had another soccer game Saturday, and yes, yet another great one. We are so proud of her! Then we watched State run over Kentucky, and our Vols pulled it out (thank goodness.)

Wes and I got a date night Saturday night (Thanks to Chris and Tiffany). We went out to eat, and even watched a whole movie without falling asleep. We are so thankful to have friends in B'ham with kids Grace's age.

Today was wonderful! Grace and I went to the pumpkin patch with her school, and then she and Wes carved our pumpkin, I was the photographer.

The Weekend

So, this was my first weekend to work as a "real nurse", off orientation, on my own. It was incredibly intimidating to walk into work, and know that I was ultimately responsible for three people's health. But, I work with some really amazing nurses, and our doctors are great, so they were really helpful in making sure that I was comfortable. And, it was a great weekend. Well, with the exception of my teams losing! I wore my Tennessee scrubs to work, and sang Rocky Top all day, so you can only imagine how bad I got it from all those darn Alabama fans! Then, my Bulldogs didn't pull it out either. Grace spent the day and thenight with Aunt Dana Saturday night, and allowed Wes to watch the game, and us to have some quiet time Saturday night. So, Sarah came over and watched the Auburn/LSU game. I have to admit, I went to bed at halftime.
Grace had her pictures made at www.Fairytalefotography.com a couple of weeks ago, and the proofs are up now. Marcie did a really awesome job. If you have small kids, you should really check it out. Meanwhile, just check out the pictures of our little diva. She had a blast dressign up and getting her pictures made.

My Soccer Star......And the ONLY thing I HATE about Birmingham

I tried to upload a picture of Grace playing soccer the other day, and of course it didn't work, so here it is! Her team is the Yellow Jackets (and as all of you from Columbus would unerstand, it's really hard to cheer for the Yellow Jackets. Definately not something I thought I would ever cheer for.) But, Grace MUST wear her pink socks and pink headband, it's kind of her trademark I guess. She surprises those little boys, and really upsets their dads when she runs all over them. I didn't know that grown men could get so bent out of shape just because my Daughter is running all over their Son. It's so much fun!

I get to work ALL weekend long, so I will miss Grace's game on Saturday, I'm not looking forward to that. But, we do get to wear our team T-shirts to work on Friday so I will obnoxiously be wearing my Power T shirt and orange scrub pants. I know, I have always been, and forever will be , a Mississippi State fan, but I did marry a Tennessee fan. And, I HATE Alabama, so it will be fitting. That is one of the only things I hate about Biormingham.....all the super obnoxious Alabama fans. But, I have been know as, and I quote, an "Obnoxious Alabama Hater!" Yes, someone , who was really, really mad at me, and really, really bent out of shape called me that. It offended me at first, but then I enjoyed knowing that there will be know mistaking me for an Alabama fan, I wear maroon, not crimson.

Ok, I need to be cleaning my home, My best buddy Zach should be dropping my any time now, and I have got to finish laundry day (or week, as it has turned out to be.) And, I have to make an appetizer for work tomorrow. We're having a bachelor/bachelorette party for two of my co-workers. Should be interesting......

Trying Again

I tried this whole blogging thing once, and it did not quite work out. Now that life has slowed down (somewhat), I thought that I would try again. We're living in the Magic City now, and we love it. I will try harder to keep this thing up to date. Here's a brief summary of where we are now.

GRACE: Grace is in four year old preschool now at the most amazing daycare. Their curriculum is awesome, and Grace has learned so much. They are learning Spanish now! She is also a soccer STAR! She has played 4 games, and scored 35 goals! (The team has only scored 36). Not to brag, but she really is a good little athlete. She started dance back today. She really wants to be my prissy tomboy. She really is alot of fun, but she is definately 4 going on 25.

WES: Wes is working hard, every single day. He works all day, then has to come home and teach me how to take care of a home. He is much better at cooking and cleaning than I am. Thank goodness I have him, otherwise Grace and I would be in trouble. He is really enjoying watching Grace excel at soccer, and knowing that she is the best one out there.

ME: I am enjoying this whole wife/mommy thing. I am also LOVING my job. I work in the Bone Marrow Transplant ICU, amd it is so fulfilling. I learn and grow so much every day. I would go to work everyday if I didn't have to get up so early, and didn't feel like I was missing out on time with Wes and Grace. It's such a good feeling to LOVE going to work. Now, I have to learn to work on the cooking and cleaning stuff at home.