Ah, back to school time...always one of my favorite times of the year! Mostly because for most of my educational career it involved purchasing 2 of my favorite things: 1) new crayons and 2) new clothes (not necessarily in that order, but sometimes definitely in that order). It's kind of weird to be all the way done with college - I have a bachelor's degree - what the crud? It sounds so like, grown up or something to have a college degree. I am a registered nurse! Not a student anymore...I officially have a license to practice nursing in this state! Not to say that I don't still have tons to learn about being a nurse...but my formal education to become an RN has come to an end. That, ladies and gentlemen, is a very strange thing to be able to say. Every year as I get a little more grown up I wonder, "will I ever really feel grown up?" I think the answer is no...at least that's what I've been told...and I'm glad for that. I grow up every year but enter into new seasons in my life.

So in this one, although I've finished my bachelor's program, I am starting school on Tuesday to learn a whole new part of nursing practice. It's intimidating but I know that it's where God wants me to be, so I know I can do it. I just started a new job at a non-profit children's clinic that primarily serves children and families with little or no insurance. It's a wonderful place to work, and the best part is that it is a faith based practice, so we pray every morning before the patients come in. I am so thankful that this clinic has hired me...I had gotten pretty discouraged soon after graduation because I had not found an employer that was willing to hire a new graduate who could only work part-time. God is faithful and worked it all out, as He always does, and exceeded my expectations of the type of job I'd imagined I would have.

So, long story short - school is new, job is great, married life is wonderful

Well, the craziness that has been my life (and the lives of those around me) will soon come to a close (well, at least a brief intermission), and we will all start to experience at least some degree of normalcy and routine. A little sad, and a big relief!

Senior year of college (and high school, for Sarah), bridesmaid, showers, my wedding, Chris and Stephanie's wedding plans and many get-togethers, graduating college, Sarah's graduation, Sarah playing with the Nashville Symphony, Sarah going to bluecoats, Chris and Stephanie's wedding, Brian starting a new full-time job, me starting to work as an RN, still looking for an RN job after the camp nursing job I will have for 7 weeks this summer, studying for the NCLEX (nursing state boards - I've taken the review but have yet to begin actually studying on my own), Sam and Sarah's wedding, taking the NCLEX, starting graduate school - think we have enough going on?

I'm exhausted just looking at that list! I've never really sat down and looked at all that we've done and have yet to do this year. On top of it all, I'm still a newlywed! Marriage is absolutely wonderful but there's still lots of change and adjustment and learning to be done. After Chris and Stephanie's wedding, and starting the new jobs, we should have a couple months of just normal stuff. Hallelujah!

I will really miss Sarah being gone this summer...but am super excited that she will be at MTSU in the fall. And that I'll get to go see her this summer being as cool and talented as she is. She is going to have a great summer. Speaking of missing people, I will also miss Jessica when she goes to her internship in NYC this summer (which, by the way, is absolutely amazing - Jess I am so proud of you and can't wait to hear about your summer in the city!!). It's super weird that Chris and Stephanie are getting married like, this weekend. I know their wedding will be beautiful and their marriage will be blessed.

 Sarah, you are going to do SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO well tomorrow - I can't wait to come see you! You will look beautiful and play wonderfully. I'm so proud of you and am so excited to see you play with the WHOLE symphony!!

Anyway, long post - goodnight!

I AM AN MTSU GRADUATE!!!!!

Brian is, too!!

And I'm going to Vanderbilt for Graduate School!!!

God is faithful.

Happy Easter!

My most favorite dialogue from today after service:

me: "Hey Josh!"
4 year old Josh: "Hey!"
me: "How are ya?"
Josh: "Good! Merry Christmas!!"

Currently Listening Lifesong By Casting Crowns see related

- Praise You in this Storm

Just sittin' here in the storm, waiting for Brian to come home...I spent most of the afternoon at work (where we had a "code gray" and had to take the whole clinic to the 1st floor/basement) then at my parents house, watching the devastation unfold. So sad what has happened to all those families...Tennessee has lost over 30 peolple in one week from tornados. I've never seen anything like it.

After I left my parents I came back to the apartment to a man standing at the top of the stairs...he asked if I lived in one of the apartments (he asked about the one behind mine) and I told him that isn't where I live. He said that he is the maintenance man and he's been fixing broken windows in the middle of this storm, and that the apartment behind ours has several busted windows but they're not home so he can't get in to fix them. Incredible. For one, that this man has been doing all this on a ladder in the storm, and two, that he's been waiting for them to come home so he can fix them, and three, that God protected our apartment.

 I'd laid our wedding pictures out in the floor in front of the largest set of windows in our apartment and had been praying that our apartment would be kept safe...little did I know just how close damage would be! Praise Jesus for His protection on my family, myself, and my belongings! Brian should be home in about 30 minutes...I'm gonna go make chicken nuggets