Alone

I am reminded of when I first moved to Llano...I am all alone! Brian and his family are up in Crosbyton harvesting maize and I am left here to work/tend to stuff around here.

I really don't mind tending to everything around here, I just get lonely. There is not as much to do here as there is in San Angelo. Fredericksburg has more to do but I never feel like driving there on my days off.

Hopefully Brian will be home for Thanksgiving, I have the house decorated really cute. I also started buying Christmas decorations, so I can't wait to start putting those out :)

Work is going good, just busy. I really like the money that I am making, but my back has been killing me!! I hurt it back in August and I still am having pain every day. I've been to the chiropractor, the doctor to be put on steroids and a neurosurgeon. I go for an epidural steroid injection at the end of this month. I am nervous, and anxious to see if it will help the pain. I have a bulging disc and a tear in my disc. Surgery would be the only other option and I really, really don't want to consider that option.

Holidays will be different for me this year. I have always been able to spend the holidays with my family. However, this year I have to work on Thanksgiving. I really didn't want to work on Thanksgiving, but I was able to get Christmas off which meant more to me. Our plans will be to stay in Llano for Thanksgiving, go to Wall the weekend before Christmas and then be in Llano for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. I also have to work New Year's Eve, but that's not really a problem b/c Brian and I don't do much :)

Well that's a quick update of what is going on. I can't wait for the holidays, I just hope I don't eat too much

New puppy

This is Rooster! I got him last week after I found a pretty good deal in the paper. It all happened so fast..I called, then I met the owner in Burnet that afternoon and before I knew it I had a new puppy! Brian's dog isn't that fond of him, but that doesn't stop Rooster from following Abby around all day! The owner said he would get to about 10lbs..right now he's only 4.5! He's a good puppy and has been sleeping outside with the big dogs! More updates to come :)

3 YEARS! and counting :)

I haven't blogged in a couple months, but I have been extremely busy! I started my new job back in June and have been busy busy!

• I took my NCLEX exam on June 23rd and it was the hardest test I have ever taken. I didn't even know how to feel after it was all over! Luckily, I passed!! It is nice to have that finished and now I can just focus on my job!
• Kelli (Brian's sister) got married on June 6th and I was a bridesmaid in her wedding. The wedding was very nice and kind of a blur it went by so fast.
• I have been working days at my job, but in a week or so I move to nights :( I am worried about how that will work!! I am not necessarily worried about working nights, just worried on how I will function on my days off (AKA trying to lead a normal life)
• Brian's friends got married July 4th weekend. He was a groomsman and the wedding turned out really nice. We even got a couple of dances in! I forgot my camera so I didn't get any pictures of how cute he looked in his tux.
• The picture of flowers is what Brian suprised me with for our 3 year anniversary. We've been so busy that it kind of snuck up on us. I worked the day of our anniversary, so we didn't really get to celebrate. I did have these beautiful flowers waiting for me when I got home and that was really nice
• In three years you sure do learn alot about your significant other. I am sure after we get married there will be even more to learn. I think we have both developed patience in many areas. Brian has helped alot more doing house stuff like cooking and projects and just all around helping me in the house!!
• Every day I thank God that he brought Brian into my life. We have been through alot in three years. Most couples don't go thru what we have in their entire life. I know that once we get over this hump there will be smooth sailing ahead. If we can survive these past three years marriage will be a breeze!
• Brian spoils me and I love it. I don't know what I did to deserve someone like him. He's the best :)
  

Finished...Kind of

Well this past weekend made my exit from nursing school official! I graduated and I am now considered a GN. This week I have a week long review for my board exam....just when I thought I was done with school.

• Brian got to come to my pinning ceremony, which really meant alot to me.
• The pinning ceremony for nursing school was really special and I am glad my family and friends were there
• My granny and aunt Judy came down from Lubbock to see me graduate
• On Saturday we had a party out at the house to celebrate my graduation!!

Next, I will pack up all of my stuff and move to Llano! I start my job June 6th, but there are lots of things I need to do before I start my job!

Pictures will be in the next post!

What's been going on...

Well here's a post to catch up on everything:

• I got the job in Fredericksburg.  I found out on Good Friday.  I am so excited!!  I start on June 8th.  Not sure when I will be moving down there.
• I have about 3 weeks left of school and I can't wait to be done
• Brian got to come to Wall for Easter.  We had it at my parents house.  We decorated with fresh flowers and cute Easter Bunnies.  We also planted lots of flowers outside!  The weather turned out great and everyone had a good time.  The food was delicious.
• This weekend I have a wedding in College Station.  I get to meet some of Brian's side of the family that I have not met yet.
• Last weekend mom and I went to Round Rock to shop at the outlet mall there!  It was soo great :)  I got 2 dresses, some pants, shorts and a shirt AND a NEW COACH PURSE!  I have always wanted a  Coach purse, so my mom bought me this one for graduation!!  Its soo pretty
• I chipped part of my tooth the other day and its driving me crazy..no worries I get it fixed today
• Makenzie is growing like a weed.  It seems like it I don't see her for a week she grows another couple inches(up and out haha!!)  I am going to miss being able to see her so much when I move.
• My new bedspread that I ordered in March (and was supposed to be here in March) should be here this week or next.
• Brian bought me two cute little figurines called Marblies.  www.marblies.com  is the website if you want to look at them.  He bought me the nurse to celebrate me getting the job.

Well  I think that catches me up on what's been going on.  I have pictures, but I am at work so I can't get to them!  Have a great weekend :)

My Birthday

This is my big birthday gift from Brian. It was a surprise! I didn't get to see him on my actual birthday because I had to study, but he sent me some goodies in the mail and some flowers! He was so secretive about this vanity that I had no idea. He stripped it all, put new mirrors on it and set it all back up before I got there on Thursday. He worked so hard getting the new bed set up and all the furniture put it! He also finished painting and touched up all of the boo-boos!

I am so blessed to have a fiance as wonderful as him. Birthdays aren't as great when you get older because it just seems like another day! My friends and family made me feel very special on my birthday, even though I had to work and study...blah!

I also got new scrubs from my mom on my birthday! I have one job offer so far and I am waiting to hear back from another place to see where I will decide to work. Keep your fingers crossed :)

Well I'm off to unpack my things and take a shower...just got back from a great weekend in Llano!

Interview

Today I had interviews at Community hospital for the OB department and the nursery. They went really well and I look forward to hearing from them next week. I am kinda torn on what to do!! My parents would like me to get a job here, but I would like to get a job closer to Brian. I've been driving to see him for the past 2 years, and I'm tired of driving!! Both hospitals that I interviewed at offer good things and both have their downsides.

Fredericksburg
> 3 twelve hour shifts means I would only work 3 days a week!
>It would be in the Med-Surg department, which isn't my first choice
>I would be driving from Llano
>The hospital and staff are soo nice!!
>Good health insurance, relocation assistance and pay is higher, with night and weekend differentials

San Angelo
>3 twelve hour shifts plus a 4 hour shift would mean I would have to work 4 days a week
> It would be in the OB or nursery which is really where I want to work
>The drive would be short to work, but long to see Brian
>The hospital is nice and the staff is nice
>Sign on Bonus $$ but less pay and less shift differential

I guess next week will be the deciding factor. I go back for another interview in Fredericksburg and I should hear back from Community Hospital :) Wish me luck

Spring Break

Well my Spring Break was good! I needed a week off, just so I could do nothing, but we never sat still!! We made 3 trips to Fredericksburg, 2 trips to Austin and many other things in between. I enjoyed getting to spend an extended amount of time with Brian. It seems like the weekend trips go by so fast that when we just get started doing something its time for me to go!

I had an interview on the 19th for a nursing position at a hospital in Fredericksburg! It went really well because they called me back the next day! I go back on the 3rd of April for the last part of the interview process and hopefully I will have a job sometime soon!!

Brian is excited for me to get a job, he's already looking for things to buy :) haha j/k. It will be nice to finally have a good paying job and NO school to worry about! I can't believe I'm about to graduate.

Josh and Kelli also came to Llano for Spring Break. They were busy doing things for the wedding so its seems like we didn't see each other much! They are getting married in June, graduating in May and are very busy! I look forward to helping with their wedding.

This was my last Spring Break ever! Unless I decide to go back to school :(

Picture Time!

This weekend I went to Llano to see Brian. His mom had found this old rock house, and she wanted us to be her guinea pigs for pictures. I took this as the perfect opportunity to take some engagement pictures. Here are a couple from the over 100 pictures we took!!

Spring Break is next week and man am I ready!! School has been stressful and I am ready to be done! I have a job interview next Thursday so hopefully that will go ok and I can have a job. Wouldn't it be nice to not have to worry about where I will work?!? I am planning on moving to the Llano/Fredericksburg area to be closer to Brian. Since we haven't set another wedding date yet, I think this would be the perfect time to be closer to Brian and experience another town. I need to be out on my own before we're married :) I've always lived with family members so this will be a new experience!

The only part I hate about moving...is packing all my stuff! I moved to College Station, moved once while in CS, moved back home to Wall, and now I will move again. This time I am not taking that much stuff so that will at least make it somewhat easier! Today I went and looked at paint samples. I want to paint a room a color called Coffee au'lait...its really pretty, but all I ever hear is if you paint your room dark it will look smaller..any thoughts?? I love the color brown and have always wanted to paint a room that color.

Well off to do some studying and cook supper. I'm trying manicotti stuffed shells...it looks good, but kinda long to prepare! Wish me luck and I'll post a recipe if it's good :)

All good things must come to an end!

My Valentine's Day was really great! Brian got me beautiful roses, a stuffed teddy bear and a box of Turtles! We bar-b-qued ribs that night and I made myself absolutely stuffed. This year was our 3rd Valentine's Day together. We also got much needed massages that morning. I love getting to spend time with Brian. Unfortunately, I must always return to Wall, to school, to work!! Blah. So that leads me to my next set of pictures.....

I had to be at work early this morning to cover for someone that took off. Well I planned accordingly and left the house 10-15 minutes earlier than I usually do! Well on the way to work I saw a deer crossing the road up ahead of me. I slowed down, thinking it was the only deer, WRONG! When I got closer to where the deer crossed the road, 5 more decided to jump the fence also. I spared the lives of the 4 smaller deer and hit the nice BIG, HUGE, 10 POINT BUCK!! This is the damage that was done to my car :( The sad thing is that I just got it out of the shop for being rear-ended in the parking lot by old people!

So the saying holds true...All good things must come to an end!

Power to Change Things

"God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference"

This lady at work is really bothering me!!  She is totally taking advantage of me.  I have worked here for almost 2 years and it has definitely gotten worse over time.  I just have a part time job, she has the full time job, but it seems like the other way around.  She constantly takes longer than an hour for lunch (While I sit and wait to take mine, ending up late if I have an appointment) and then when she returns it is almost as if she just expects me to do it.  Friday I got off at 12, well she took lunch at 10:45, and did not return until 12:30.  My parents think I should say something to her, but then I think the situation might become awkward because she would know that I was me that said something!  To make things worse, today she took off work with "Comp Time"....where did she get that from?  

There are so many things that I wish I had the power to change.  Sometimes I wonder why I am in a certain situation.  When times get hard I just have to remember that God doesn't put us in situations that we can't handle.  Sometimes I just wonder how strong I have to become before I keep getting in these situations.  

Sorry for the rant...just had to clear my mind!

Christmas Pictures

I am a little bit behind posting these, plus my computer was being repaired. All of these pictures were from Christmas on my mom's side of the family. I have more pictures from our tree, but my camera is hiding and I haven't uploaded those pics yet!! I've been a slacker on posting because I got an Ipod touch for an early birthday present so I've been playing with that! I'll try to stay more updated :)

Back to school

Well school started back today. It was hard getting back into a routine because I have been sleeping in really late. 6:00AM came really early this morning! I just got back from Llano after being there for 11 days. It was so great to spend time with Brian and not really do much. That was the purpose of my trip...to do nothing!! With school starting back, my life becomes pretty hectic. I have my schedule planned until the month of May...pretty pathetic, but its a must in Nursing school. I am glad that this is my last semester of nursing school, but also a little scared. After May I won't be a nursing student, I'll be a real nurse! Its scary!! I have lots of decisions to make in the next couple months and I just hope that I can stay sane while making the best decision possible!!

On another note: My future sister-in-law just recently got engaged. I am happy for her and Josh, they are both great people. Their wedding will be here before we know it!! All the fun wedding planning will now be shared with Kelli!

Brian and I decided to move our wedding until after I get out of school. I want to dedicate all my time to school and I think wedding planning will be more fun if I don't have to do it in between tests. So as of now we don't have an official date anymore...but another date is soon to come!! I can't wait!

Headed to Llano

I'm heading to Llano tomorrow to spend the weekend and next week with Brian.  I took this time to spend with him because I am not sure how hectic school will be.  I can't believe that the Spring semester has already gotten here!  I am thankful that it is my last semester though!!

Everyone always asks me if I will go on to get my Bachelor's degree in Nursing, but right now I just don't see myself doing that.  I am TIRED of school!!  If I went back now I don't think I would put all the effort into it that I need to.  Maybe down the road I will go back??

I love spending time with Brian and we have gotten to spend many days together over the break!  School is going to kill me because that's when we hardly get to see each other!!  I believe that our love will get us through this time in our life and that we will be stronger because of it!  

Have a great weekend!

Crash and Burn!

Well I am back from Llano again and I will go back this Friday.  I got to Llano on Wednesday, but we really didn't do much that day or on Thursday.  On Friday, Megan came to Llano because she wanted to see Brian, she hadn't seen him since Christmas.  Friday afternoon Brian, Megan and I rode horses, much to my opposition.  I like to ride slow, they on the other hand like to ride fast!  Well the ride was going just fine until Megan and Brian took off running.  I managed to control my horse for a little while, but when my feet slipped from the stirrups it was a wreck!  I fell off/jumped off (not sure it was all a blur) before hitting a tree.  I ended up with scrapes, bruises and bumps, but I am finally not sore!!  Brian was so far ahead, he didn't even realize I fell off until my horse came up, WITHOUT ME!

Kelli and Josh showed up Friday night from Canadian after their long drive.  Brian and I decided to bar-b-que some ribs and they were great!!  Saturday we all decided to go bowling.   I was the loser, but hanging out with everyone was a lot of fun!  Megan and Brian rode horses Saturday and again on Sunday!  I think Megan would ride every day if she could.  Saturday night we played an intense game of Trivia Pursuit!!  We had a lot of fun and created some funny memories!

I also just finished my book, The Lucky One by Nicholas Sparks, it was really good.  Brian didn't like that I read so much, but once I start a book I just can't put it down!!  

Brian and I are in good spirits and enjoy the time that we get to spend together.  We have difficult times ahead of us, but we're ready to face them together.  Nothing is better than spending time with family and loved ones!  Happy 2009 :)

**I would post pictures, but my computer is being repaired, so Christmas pictures will be posted soon**