School Nurse

Well I have started a new job....I am the Llano Elementary School Nurse!! I have been working for 4 days now, but tomorrow will be my first day on my own. School nursing is very different than any other nursing job that i've had! It is nice in some aspects that it is just me and my kiddos, but sometimes you need that extra person to consult with. I am not a parent yet, so I don't have that parental instinct, but hopefully my nursing judgement will lead me in the right direction. If you're a parent and have any suggestions/things you like about a school nurse you've encountered, send your suggestions my way! Thanks and Gig'em :)

Wedding Bells..

Well it's official, Brian and I have set the date! Wedding bells are in the near future, 33 days to be exact :)

This past weekend I went home for my bridal shower! It sure is fun being the bride. So many people gave us such wonderful presents. I can't wait to use them! Also, I love to cook, so included in the invitation was a recipe card for the ladies to put in their favorite recipes. I got some very good recipes that I can't wait to try.

Every time I go home it seems like there are 10 more wedding things to do. This time I was home we bought the table coverings and met with the decorator to pick out some table centerpieces. I know now why you should only get married once, there is a lot to do when it comes to wedding plans!

Another thing that I got to do when I was home was my lingerie shower. I am a PJ pants and T-shirt kind of girl so I guess I will have to get brave on the honeymoon. I had a lot of fun getting to hang out with old high school friends and open scandalous presents! Brian will be suprised :)

We are so lucky to have such great family and friends that love and support us. I can't wait for the big day!

Wedding Weekend

Mom and Dad before the wedding



My dancing partner!


The lovely bride and groom


Parents of the groom (my aunt and uncle)


Sisters!!



The wedding turned out so pretty. It was great to see all my family for the weekend. I went home Thursday and got to stay til Monday! It was a nice break because I have been in Llano by myself so I actually got to see people instead of just talking on the phone!

Next thing on the list Frio River!!!

Harvest

While Brian has been harvesting wheat...





I've been harvesting the garden!










I love going out to the garden to see how much veggies I will bring in for the day. Our onions have already been picked, it's too hot for the spinach so that is done. I still have cucumbers, squash, zucchini, bell peppers, jalapenoes and tomatoes! The tomatoes are in their prime so I am having to can alot to keep up with them.

The wheat harvest is going good. Once they had both combines going for an extended period of time it's amazing what got done! The weather has cooperated for the most part, but yesterday and today the rain delayed them. They have cut almost 1100 out of 1200 acres- in the home stretch now!

I'm ready for Brian to come back- seems like everything goes wrong/happens when I am by myself. So far I have killed 2 black widows, 3 scorpions,and 2 mice. I wont even begin to count the stupid grasshoppers! only a couple more days til he is home!

Memorial Day Weekend!

No Agenda Hacienda

Every year my friend Katy's Parents lets 30-40 people come to their house to eat, drink, cookout, play washers and have lots of fun! This year was no different! I got to see my friend Cortney that I had not see since last year. The older we get the harder it is to get together.

There were lots of babies this year, so they were alot of fun to play with. Also, this year we had the coolest intertube/raft. If you've been to Sam's, its the huge white raft with 4 seats, a slide and a small pool in the middle. The best thing was that it had an anchor. So when we got to our spot, we'd drop anchor, pull out the drinks and not have to worry about paddling!!

This year I didn't have to camp out either. I'm not much of a camper, so it was nice to get to sleep in the A/C!

Yesterday we went to Brian's aunt's house to celebrate Brian's grandmother's birthday! We got to see Michael's little boy Marcus that we had not seen in a couple months! So much fun :)

Here's to good friends and good wine!

Tonight a friend that I used to work with invited me out to dinner. Being that we live in the Hill country..there is a winery on every road! We went to Lost Creek Winery's Tree House Bistro. It was really good. We wanted to eat sushi, but they weren't serving it tonight. I had chile-lime fried snapper and it was great! We also had some good wine. It's fun to go out with old friends and catch up!

Baby Shower

Last weekend I went home for my mom's 52nd birthday (I didn't take any pictures). We had some delicious pork chops, sausage and all the fixings. Everyone got togethter and we had a good time. A big storm blew in that night and we got to listen to the wind/storm all night!!

The next morning I went to a friend from high school's baby shower! It was good to see everyone from high school that I haven't seen in a while. It was also nice to see Courtney's family. Courtney is due at the end of June. Another friend of mine, Maegan, is going to have her 2nd little girl in August!

Maybe one of these days i'll be a momma!

Spring time and flowers

Well I've started to brighten the color of things around here. Back last year in November I bought a plant stand from friendshipgarden.com- they had a booth at the Wimberly trade days. So I planted an assortment of flowers in those pots and put in my pot hangers. We also had an old metal wheel barrow that we made into a large flower bed. The plant stand turned out great :) I just love all the colors in it.

Now my trouble is trying to keep my puppy out of all of the plants and away from grabbing my pot hangers thinking that they are toys. We planted some tulip and hyacinth bulbs and they are all up and starting to bloom.

My spinach and onions are planted and I am going to try to start some cucumbers, squash and broccoli in smaller pots, then move them to my bigger pots! I love all of the gardening and flower planting. You can work all day then look back and see all the pretty things that got accomplished.

With all this rain we should have a beautiful spring. I planted a couple packages of some wild flowers and I think they will be pretty mixed in with all of the bluebonnets!

**S**N**O**W**

Just when we thought it was warming up....we had snow!! We didn't get any snow this winter, so this was a nice suprise. We took the dogs out to play in the snow and they went crazy. I tried making a snow angel, but it wasn't that good.

Our snow man was small because it was getting dark, and the dogs knocked it over so I had to start over. Our nose is a piece of cow cake and the nose is a cow "patty". The shovel broke last week so we used that as our prop!

Today we went to Fredericksburg and bought 4 flower pots for our roses, potting soil and some flowers for some pots that we already have. Tomorrow sounds like it will be nice, so I hope to get everything planted :)

I'm ready for spring!

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!