Merry Christmas!

Today is the first day that I have the beginnings of the Christmas spirit. I called my dad who is going to lend us his small, fake tree for Christmas this year. He's bringing it by tomorrow! Shane and I verbalized that we wouldn't put up Christmas decorations or a tree until it was December. Suddenly I'm in the mood! Good thing tomorrow is December! Today is the first day that I put on some Christmas tunes! I did some stretching and excercising to it this afternoon! Good times!

This Christmas is our first as our own little family. My family tradition growing up was to celebrate on Christmas Eve. So, in my brain, Christmas is in the evening. Shane's family celebrates on Christmas morning. So, the last 4 years I have celebrated Christmas with them Christmas morning. Because of the last 4 years of practice, I think I can adjust to a different time of day than I grew up with. Shane wants to have Christmas on Christmas morning for our family and it is one of those differences that I'm alright with giving up. Before I met Shane and his family, I had never had a stocking before. I bought stockings for us at Walmart so that we can start our own tradition! I'm excited!

Maybe I'll have to start a bunch of traditions for us. I should get together with my mother to start my own collection of Christmas baking! Each year that Shane and I have been together, I gave him a Christmas card each week leading up to Christmas, like advent. It slipped my mind until the other day! Maybe I'll have to keep that tradition going! Also, we have a Christmas party each year (well, other years it was more like me having a Christmas party, but Shane was always there). So, this year we get to pack our little apartment out with friends and food! I'm looking forward to it! Maybe we'll have to pick a favorite breakfast to have on Christmas morning and then make the same every year!

I like special family traditions! What are some of your favorite? Maybe I"ll have to copy some of your family traditions! Do share!

I love those days when you get home early! We got out of class half an hour early, which is very nice!

I was part of a group presentation today. Generally, I don't get too nervous, but I did have a few pangs just before we presented! An interesting things that I noticed was that after our presentation was done and I was on my way home, I was feeling a little bit of a "high"! Maybe it was adrenaline from public speaking! I thought it was interesting that something that could make me a tiny bit nervous, then made me feel pretty good inside after it was over!

Tonight is Girls Night! I love Girls Night! This months restaurant is Olive Garden, mmmmmmmm!!!!!! There are 6 of us gathering tonight to chat, eat and laugh! I am really looking forward to it! Next month should be fun too....because we are making it a Christmas Girls Night and going to Pine Ridge Hollow! I love it there! It has such good atmosphere....and food, of course!

Speaking of food, it is past 2:30pm and I have yet to eat lunch (because I didn't pack one for University!). So, now is the time to fill my aching tummy, so that it is nice and empty for all the salad, bread sticks and raspberry iced tea that I plan on filling it with!

Oh, and by the way, I have a job interview on thursday! God's Will be done!!!

Ahhhh.....I love the weekend.......

I enjoy sleeping in with my husband and putzing around the house. I enjoy, strangely, tidying up the place on the weekend....though it was just cleaned on thursday! I enjoy making the bed in the morning.....yes, I am a weirdo, but when you have such a nice bed, you just have to make it!

Speaking of our nice bed, when you have the luxury of owning a great, comfy bed, going away for the weekend isn't as glamorous as it used to be. Last weekend Shane and I have a great time up at Elkhorn Resort in Riding Mountain National Park. It was a fabulous weekend away from everybody, the telephone, the computer, the playstation, and homework! We did a lot of relaxing, eating of yummy food, some swimming and some walking around outside. It was such a nice weekend! But, of course, the bed. Ouch! We are so spoiled by our bed that any other bed is FAR less comfortable. And I'm finding lately, trying to fall asleep on my side is really causing my shoulders to hurt! It feels like my shoulder blades are seperating in the back! Isn't that weird?! But, my poor shoulders have been increasingly sore! Strange piece of information.......

So, today we slept in! And it was wonderful, until the phone started to ring. We normally don't get a whole lot of phone calls in general. I'd say between 10 and 10:30am the phone rang about 5 times! So, now we had a nice omlet breakfast...not sure how to spell omlet.....and my brother came over. We plan on using our two free passes to check out the YMCA gym this afternoon. We really want to get active and get gym passes. We are hoping and praying that we can get a reduced rate, otherwise we won't be able to get them! I'm looking forward to hanging out with a couple that we know. We are going over there for supper and a good round of Cranium, and we're bringing dessert! Normally I might bake something, but I think I'm in the mood to pick up some vanilla ice cream, bananas and chocolate sauce for sundaes! Yummy!

Tomorrow, our forming dance team, referred to as Zion, is doing a dance at church. Us crazy girls had a practice to put things together at 11:15pm last night! We were pretty tired, but I really enjoyed it! It should be a fun little time tomorrow because our dance incorporates a poem, a painting and dancing! Let the creativity flow! I hope it goes well, which I'm sure it will, even after only 2 practices!

Ta Ta for now and enjoy this wonderful weekend!

So, you must all be getting very sick of the job hunt that I can't seem to get off of!

Today I was going a little insane over it. I was searching like a mad woman on the internet, doing my usual searches at monster.com and workopolis. That wasn't helping at all.

I decided to check in with the job interview place and hear the latest, only to find out that their time frame for getting back to me is even longer than I was originally told! So frustrating to find that out in the middle of desperation!

If I wasn't looking for a job, this would be a nice time in my life where I could just get stuff done and relax at home. I really should put a time limit on my searching for job time each morning and then forget about it for the rest of the day. Otherwise it just gets too overwhelming to my brain!

So, I found myself searching again this afternoon. Well, I ended up going through the yellow pages and calling different sections! Can you believe it! I've never hunted for a job that way before! I went through the florist, massage therapy, and physiotherapy sections and guess I'll continue next week on the dentist. I would like some sort of administration-type job that gets me off my feet for parts of the day.

A positive part of my yellow pages hunt was I found a few that said to email or bring in my resume. So, I jumped into the shower, printed out a resume and walked over to one of them. They will be able to let me know probably within the week. It is at a florist shop and the ladies there were really nice! Only sucky thing is that they need every other saturday help....but I think I can suck that up!

Guess I'll end this post and hope to post later on about NON job-related issues!

And the hunt continues.....

So, as for the job interview (thanks for asking Lynne!), they will take a few weeks to get back to me. Ughhh! I wanted to start this week. I guess that is not the case. Instead I am getting relaxing time off when I had planned to be bringing in a little money for us!

The job would probably be pretty convenient for me. It is close to home (within walking or busing distance). The hours would most likely be days, though they are open until 7:30pm on wednesdays and 4 hours of saturdays. The boss is going to be away for the next week and a half. During this time the rest of the staff are supposedly going to find a full-time person and then contact the part-time people. I could be the one for the part-time, who knows! But, I won't hear from them for a few weeks, until they get their full-timer.

I'm not sure where to go at this point. Should I just sit tight and wait, while still looking for something else? Should I sink really low and just take anything? AHHHHHH!!! I hate looking for work.

I'm also not sure if I should get in contact with my previous employer and tell her that I won't work for them anymore. I'm too concerned about hurting my back all over again, but I don't want to throw the possibility of a few shifts away if I can't find anything else for the time-being!

Too many things to think about!

So, today is the day......

I have a nice day ahead of me! I'm up pretty early for what could have been a sleep in day! I drove Shane to work so that I could have the car for the day. I plan on cleaning the house, getting some readings done and getting all beautiful for my job interview!

Yes, that's right people, pray! It is at 12:45pm. I'm not nervous, because it sounds pretty relaxed and comfortable. The lady I spoke to was really nice. But nonetheless, I do hope that it could possibly be the job for me. I don't like the whole hunt process!

These are the things I would really like for this part-time job:
1. A combination of sitting and standing so that my recovering back doesn't hurt too much. Eg. not an 8 hour shift on your feet the entire time!
2. Close to home, on a bus route so that I can bus or walk (because Shane needs the car on his work days; his workplace isn't on any bus route)
3. 2 day shifts a week. See, I would love it if they would be pretty flexible and let me work tuesdays and thursdays presently, picking up more at Christmas and then mondays and fridays next semseter! That's asking a lot but heck, we'll see what happens!
4. a decent amount of pay. I am prepared that I am taking a few dollar an hour pay cut with changing jobs, but I hope it isn't too much. I have a figure in mind that would be nice...and still a cut!
5. people that are nice, fun to be around and NOT perverted. A lot of jobs are filled with people with very dirty mouths and a poopy morale. I want work to be an enjoyable break from school and homework.

So, these are my hopes! We'll see what happens!

After spending all morning on the computer and almost going loopey......

I HAVE A JOB INTERVIEW TOMORROW!!!!

I have been hunting for jobs for the past few days and am getting a little desperate! I really want to find a job that will work for me, part-time. I have a few wishes that I really hope that God incorporates into a new job for me. I don't want to find just anything though, because if I'm going to be spending any amount of time there over the next few months, I want to like it.

So, I'll keep you updated about the job situation.

I know God will provide. He always has.

So, do you ever feeling like you would like to escape yourself?

Generally, I feel like I am my own friend. I like to spend time with myself and enjoy my own company. An evening at home alone is a nice time, not painfully boring.

Well, I've been feeling annoyed with myself lately. I'm not proud of my attitude recently and it feels like I've been a little bit miserable! I don't know if it is just me, circumstances that I'm allowing to bother me, or effects of birth control, honestly. Regardless, I'd like to take a little holiday from myself today.

I think that this is a perfect time for God to speak about His unconditional love to me. Yvonne has organized these Confidence in Love nights and we had the first one last week. I've been forgetting to think about and be aware of how God speaks his love to me. So, how I'm feeling right now is actually a pretty sucky place to be in, but it does allow God to speak to my heart about His love. He really does love me in every circumstance, mood and when I say and do stupid things.

I just wish that I didn't do those stupid things! I'd like to have the fruits of the Spirit gushing out of me and flowing totally naturally! No more stupid sin!

Today, I'm looking forward to heaven. No more sin, tears, pain, offenses, etc. All joy, peace, love, etc. What a good time awaits us!

Ok on a not-so-happy side of things...I need to express my frustration.

I'm tired of Christian snobs. People that think they are doing everything right. People that mock anything that isn't their form of hip or cool. People that mock anything that isn't under the category of "artsy". I hate that word already!

I didn't really notice this pious Christian phenomenon while growing up. I went to a more traditional church and though there may have been the factor of a little religiosity, I didn't really see the snobby, we're better than you, side of Christians. I thought the people at this church were not-so-friendly and didn't enjoy them, but there wasn't the stress of what is "hip" in the Christian world today.

Sadly, this phenomenon became appartant to me when I began to associate with non-traditional churches and funtions. I began to see the snobby attitudes of the "gifted". The mockery of older styles of music, people who couldn't dance as well as another, other churches that do it differently, people who weren't hippy-like or second-hand store junkies. I was just reminded of this attitude today and felt an overwelling distaste for this attitude.

I think it is full of judgment and distain. I pray that God will keep us from this kind of mind set and attitude. I pray that those that really flow in it would be notified by the Big Guy. I just get nausous when I hear people talking in this form. I need to be aware of what I communicate and be careful to give my negative human tendancies to Jesus.

Thanks for the vent. Hope that I didn't ruffle anyone's feathers, but if I did.......maybe it was for a reason.

Good morning all! Day #2 on my no clinical week! I'm loving it!

The haircut was not a botch yesterday! I think I like it! Well, see how it goes when I try to do something with it after my bath! It is nice and short though, which is a great change! It feels good!

I had a really nice time with my mom and the babies yesterday. I gave lots of hugs and kisses and got my baby fix! I even got to give my youngest foster brother (3 months) a bath! I haven't done that in forever!

Today I slept in!!!! It was very yummy! And then I wrote a paper. I'm a little nervous about handing it in though, because I don't know if it is exactly what the prof wants and it is a page over the length that she said! I plan on writing another one this morning/afternoon! Let's see if I can get two papers written in one day! That would be a great use of my time on a day off! Then I could spend tomorrow's holiday with my hubbie instead of frantically putting papers together!

I am meeting my CEF at Tim Horten's to find out my mark for my last clinical! I don't really care too much though, BECAUSE I'M DONE AND NOTHING WILL CHANGE THAT!!!!

I'm also seeing another friend this evening which should be a nice time! I like my friends!

Well, hope you are all enjoying your days! I'm sure enjoying mine! I think I'm going to clean the house, bake blueberry muffins and spend some time with my Jesus!

What a fun day I have ahead of me! I'm up extra early because I had to drive Shane to work for an early meeting, because I need the car today!

Today is my first "day off" because it is my first tuesday since school started without clinical! Yipppeee! I made it through!

So, in honor of making it through almost 4 years of school, and all of my clinical rotations, I am awarding myself with a haircut! I thought, no more having to look professional with my hair pulled back in a ponytail! It is time for something new!

The hairdressers is my first stop today...in Steinbach. Then I'm off to visit my mom and her babies. I'm quite excited because I haven't seen Kaden (one of my foster bros) in a long time, because each time I see my mom, he's at his biological dad's for the weekend. So, today he will be getting lots of squeezes and kisses! I'm looking forward to seeing them!

Then off I go, back to the big city, to meet a friend that I haven't seen in a while for a really belated birthday celebration! Yummy! Desert! And we are going to try a new place!

Then I must pick up the hubby, potentially start tacos for supper and zoom off to physio.

My last stop of the day is Yvonne's Confidence in Love thingy tonight. That should be good!

So, I have a pretty full day of fun things ahead of me! Hopefully it isn't too busy! I haven't had a day off in a long time, so I happened to stick everything into the same day! Oh well!

Thinking maybe I should just find a new job.........

My back is a little sore today from all the activity over the weekend and being in stupid chairs at school all day. Otherwise doing quite well. I went to the doc's to check it out today. It sounds like I can start working slowly. The problem I have is with my work people. I think that they are going to make it tough for me to get work any time soon. They want a detailed doctor's note of my limitation and specifically what I can do. They want me to take an inservice before I take shifts, but that is at the end of november and I want to pick up shifts already because we need the money! They also want to talk the whole situation over with the boss!!!!!

So, I'm thinking.....it would probably be easier to get a different job. The only sucky thing would be to find another one, take a huge pay cut and potentially have to work at the mall!!!!

So, I'm a little bummed about this job/financial thing! If any of you have links to jobs for me, leave a comment! I'm open.....mostly because it would just be part-time and not for too long!

Not really in a chatty mood....maybe I'll post later on.

Oh the procrastination! I am blogging, have cleaned the house, made my lunch for school tomorrow and packed my backpack (and it's only 5pm)......all slyly procrastinating. I have a midterm exam tomorrow morning and I don't want to study!!! I really should be, but it is so boring being consumed by the books! It is the weekend! I want to play, not work!

I am not really looking forward to this week. I have two exams..yuck. And clinical all week.....BUT.......IT IS MY LAST WEEK OF CLINICAL FOR MY WHOLE DEGREE!!!! The end is near! I don't completely finish until July 22, but my clinical part of rotations is done as of thursday! It makes me feel like I'm practically finished!!! Yippppeeeee!!!!!!

Shane and I have been going to a new (for us) housegroup. We are really quite enjoying it....and it is often my break from the books for the weekdays! What a highlight! So, it is something to look forward to!

Not much else to report. I really should get studying! I sure hope that I can put a little time in this evening! I must force myself!

Ahhhhhh.....finally the weekend! Boy, I love that time of the week!

My last clinical rotation is half over as of now and that has me thrilled! 6 more days split between the next two weeks and it is over baby! Then just some theory and elective courses and of the course the all important senior practicum, AND THEN I WILL BE DONE!!!!!

At the beginning of this school year, only last month, I was a little sad that this is the end of the road for me (at this point) with school and all. Now I'm thrilled. I've had enough of clinicals, feeling like I'm always being evaluated and observed, working with people that bug me but I have to suck up to for marks.....oh, I'm just tired of the entire faculty. Oh, one more thing to complain about, GROUP PROJECTS!!!! If I never have to do another group project again that will be too soon! Unfortunately that part isn't over for me yet!

The psycho part of me will miss that strange sensation of accomplishing something tangible every day. Every day I can highlight something off my list of homework to do. Most days I learn something somewhat new, if I'm actually listening in class! But, I usually use that time to do my readings! Kinda defeats the purpose of going to class, eh? Oh well, it gets the job done!

My hubbie is gone to a work function this friday evening, so I went to meet my mom and bro (and of course the little foster bro) at the mall. It was a really nice time! Somethings are going on within the fam though, so a little prayer would be GREATLY appreciated!

Tomorrow Steph (the sis) and I are celebrating my belated birthday, because the two of us have not had the chance to celebrate yet! She is making me waffles, white sauce and berries for breakie, then off to get pedicures and reservations at Pine Ridge Hollow! I think we will have a blast! Then in the evening we are having a birthday party for the whole family! Strange sounding, eh? Well, we didn't have time in August to celebrate Shane and Shaun's (bro), now mine, and so we are also throwing in Steph and mom's! Why not!?!

Well, that was a lot of filling in! I'm feeling a little verbal at the moment! 'Night!

I returned from the womens' retreat this afternoon to a clean house! What a wonderful husband! I didn't even ask him to do it...I was planning on potentially cleaning the house this afternoon when I got home! And it was all clean and the laundry was done! I SO appreciated that act of kindness by Shane!

I had a little time to reflect at the womens' retreat and have a good look at my priorities. See, I've narrowed down the things in my life at this point because of finishing my last year of nursing. So, my problem isn't usually too many committments or ministry-related things. Actually, I'd like to do more...but not just now!

So, I find what robs me of my peace and solitude is all my homework and school/clinical-related activities. So, I am a hard worker and am trying to really be focussed this semester. In the process, my homework has definitely come to a high priority...to high. And this isn't where it should be. Yes, the school stuff should be up there, but not first. I've allowed my solitude time, my time with the Lord and just my sanity to slowly leave my life. I've found that my brain feels too full all the time and I just can't think properly then.

My new priorities are God-time and solitude, and investing time and love into home life with my husband. He's been incredibly understanding about how much time is spent doing homework (and it works for him because he's a home-body and likes our evenings at home). Now it is time to place our relationship in higher priority. We NEED to make time to sit and talk without any homework to get to. We NEED to have time for snuggles and kisses (hee hee!!). And we need to go out sometimes and be a little spontaneous!

When the speaker asked us to write down the few tasks that are truly each of ours, I thought about Shane. I am the only woman that God has appointed to love Shane in the way that a wife does..or should. That is a task (welll, not really a task) that only I am called to in his life and I want to do a darn good job of loving him with all that I have!

I also look forward to spending more time in quietness with my Jesus. There are feelings that only He stirs in me. I love those times and He is making Himself more visible to me in certain ways lately...or I'm just being more aware. Anyhow, I'm looking forward to what is in store!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!!!!!!!!!

Yummy.......I like food. Frankly, as soon as I eat almost anything, my stomach sticks out so that it looks 3 months pregnant! I even impressed my brother this evening with how real it looks!

My dad and I share the same birthday. So we went out, my dad, bro, sis, hubbie and I, for a birthday supper tonight at Olive Garden. I've had such a yummy weekend! Lots of special meals! We had a nice time together!

I love celebrating....as you all know from the last post! We even got the whole restaurant staff singing and free desert thing! I love that!...though it is embarassing at the same time!

I'll keep you all updated with fun birthday...and other.....stuff!

Oh, if you think of me, I start my new clinical tomorrow. I'm looking forward to it, but a little nervous at the same time. This past clinical was not so good for me. I didn't have a great experience and I pray that this new one (Cancer Care) will be WAY better! I'm trying to think and pray postively about it! Thanks for your prayers! I appreciate all of them!

I like Thanksgiving! I like writing a list of all the things I'm thankful for. I like getting together with my family to have yummy gatherings. I like pumpkin pie....a whole lot! (though I haven't gotten any at either gathering this weekend). I like that my birthday is so close by. I like having an extra day added to the weekend. I just plain like Thanksgiving.

We just got back from a family gathering. We had a nice time! Shane is SO good with ALL my ton of little cousins who want to wrestle with him, sit on his lap, play with him and put clips in his hair. I'm so proud of him as my sweet husband as I watch him interact with them! Yep, that's my hubbie! He has way more energy to play with them than I do!

2 days to go until my 22nd birthday! I love birthdays and I love the excuse to celebrate anything! Shane took me out last night to Red Lobster (our special occasions restaurant)! It was so yummy! Instead of doing anything else after, we just rented a movie and came home to relax and snuggle! I love snuggles!

Well, I hope that everyone is having an enjoyable thanksgiving and long weekend! Blessings!

So, I got in a car accident yesterday......

yep. i was on my way to jail. does this sound like a bad dream? well, it is reality though i must explain. it was during clinical and i was accompanying a psychiatrist to jail for the afternoon. i was extremely excited about my opportunity......and suddenly that was gone. he was driving, i was the passenger. we were both buckled, thank-you Jesus. we were hit head-on by a mini van trying to make a quick left. the air bags went off and it was all so fast. my glasses were broken in the process of the air bags inflating. that's quite the impact to the head! i had quite a headache and the right side of my head was a little sore...i have a little tiny battle wound. i couldn't hear very well out of my right ear. now the hearing is back but everytime volume around me or myself gets above a certain level, i hear high-pitched squeeling. my neck and back are quite sore today, and supposedly are only going to get worse in the next few days (not to be negative or anything!). i have quite a bruised left elbow, which is very painful because there is not a lot of tissue to bruise there! ouch! otherwise, i'm fine. just sore and irritated with the ringing in my ear.

the doctor taxied me home from the scene of the accident. i called shane and he came home from work to drive me to a walk-in (those terrible things) and to get a new pair of glasses. otherwise i'd be lost! i have no other pair! and i wear my glasses almost everyday of the year! today i saw another doctor who would assess me a little better and do some documentation. i am going to get my hearing checked out tomorrow and do some more physio on top of what i'm already doing for my lower back.

what a summer/fall this has been for my poor body. the poor thing is pretty fragile and can't take much more of this. i've been a bit of a paranoid driver, and now i may be even more! i'm a little scared in the car! i'm going to be fine though....just a little sore.

and on goes the journey........

The weekend is here and that is a reason to celebrate! My last two and a half weeks of school have been incredibly intense! I forgot the craziness and stressful days of school in the excitement to get back and focussed! There is just far too much to do!

I think that I'm just get really picky and trying to do everything by the book. Other years I didn't do 75% of my readings, because there is just too many, and still aced things. Well, strangely, this year I have this expectation on me to do all the million readings! I don't know if this will work out for me......and frankly, I don't know if I really have to force this on myself! I'm going to keep trying, but try to stop stressing!

My mental health rotation is half over! I'm enjoying it, but there is just something about clinical (eg. being graded, always people watching you, not knowing what you are doing, in a brand-new workplace but expected to work as though you've been there for 30 years! ect.) that stressed me out. The countdown is on from the moment you begin, even if you really enjoy it! It is just the way we student nurses are programmed....or at least I am!

My patients have been great and I'm had a really interesting time on forensics! I thought it would be really scarey, but I'm not scared to be there after all! I was talking to my dad on the phone last night and explaining my rotation. He assumed that the patients would be locked up because some of them are in the hospital presently instead of jail. Well, that is not the case. They all walk around like regular patients on the ward, they just don't get to leave. I guess it is a little strange to sit and walk with those that have murdered. But it is eye-opening. It is teaching me something about grace....because whether they are deemed NCR (not criminally responsible) or guilty, they cannot take back what they have done. That comes with a lot of guilt after the fact. I don't know how I would cope after my thinking cleared and I realized that I had killed someone. How awful!

On a totally different note, today I get to see my mom! I miss her a lot lately! I got to see her quite a bit during the month I was off work because of my back. Now, with school being so busy, I feel like I only go to school/hospital, read at home and sleep. It is working out for me though, because I can see the finish line! So, my mom is picking me up and I'm going home with her. I'm going to have to write a little paper there this afternoon when she's gone on another run (bringing foster kids to Winnipeg for their visits). Then Shane and I are going to a fondue with two other couples from his workplace. I'm excited about the food, but hope that we can fun too since I don't really have any relationship with the others there! I told Shane we should try it out and if we don't enjoy the company, we don't have to do it again! Hee hee!

So, off I go to shower and get my stuff together! Have a nice saturday all! I think it will be beautiful!

My first day of my last year of school!

I'm remembering many first days and the excitement I had of running to catch the bus and the traditional first day of a new year picture holding up the grade you were in on your fingers in front of the fireplace. I've always loved the first day of school....except grade 12 because I had only arrived home from a trip the night before and wasn't in the mindset yet!

I'm a little sad that today is my last first day of school! I love school and so cheers to a great last year! It was a short little day of orientation. Only 9-11am and I got to find out where my clinical placements are and who my CEFs (Clinical Education Facilitators) are.

Thankfully, I did not get September as my month off! I got November!!! Yippeeee! That means I only have school 2 days a week after October!!! That rocks! Also, my back should be doing pretty great by November and I hope to be able to work in November and December! We definitely will be able to use the money!

I start my mental health rotation on tuesday already!!! I have a CEF who is tag-teaming it up with another one. They haven't done it before.....here we go! Well, I had one CEF who had never done it before and we thought she would be a breeze because she was new at it! Well, she was great until we got our final marks the last time we saw her and she was incredibly stingy on the A's! We were all very ticked because she was actually a really tough marker and we didn't think that was fair!

So, anyways, my mental health rotation is at HSC. I wanted St.B because it is closer to bus to at 6 or 7 in the morning!!! But, it should be good anyways! It is only 4 weeks so I can make it! I'm not exactly sure where I'll be though. I could be on a ward alone because some of the wards take only 1 student nurse, others take a few more. I'll find out on tuesday. But I heard them say there is a forensic ward, an intense care ward and a child/adolescent outpatient ward and those sounded pretty interesting to me! Especially the child one.

As for palliative...I AM EXCITED!!! I got my first choice, Cancer Care MB at St.B. The thing that I didn't know when signing myself up for this one is that you don't have a clinical group! You are on your own! So, it is really like a senior practicum. See, normally, you have a group of students (5-6) on your ward with one CEF. Well, in my case, I am the lone student with a preceptor (a nurse that works there to teach you). No CEF to help me out and no other student nurses for moral support! Oh well! I'm a big girl and I'm excited about the challenge! It's going to be great!
Only, I have to start on my birthday!

The big pat on the back is that the course leader explained when reading out the lists in front of all the students and CEFs this morning, that you have to be a very strong student to get one of these placements and you pretty much have to be at the top of the class!!! I'm very impressed and very honored!

Well, unfortunately after 2 hours at school, my back is sorer than usual! Good thing I have physio this afternoon!

I'm flying a little high at the moment! Much more excitement and activity today than I've had in the last month!

Well, two more days to go before hitting the books! I'm actually planning on fully enjoying two more relaxing days until I get really busy again. I'm planning on tackling what is left on my to-do list around the house tomorrow...like a mad woman. I want it to be spick and span before school starts on thursday. I'm also presently on the internet looking up recipes. I've planned a schedule of suppers for the next two weeks. I'm thinking that pre-planning will greatly accomodate our soon-to-be busier lifestyle. With Shane working until 5pm and me at the hospital or in school all day, I won't have the luxury of starting supper in the afternoon like I have been doing. So, by preplanning, it will leave out the annoying step of deciding what to make, I will already have everything bought and in the house, and I can just get to it! Let's see how this works!

Our september long weekend was nice! We were going to go camping originally with our friends, Nat and Lance. Seeing as the weather has been quite crummy and I'm already usually a cold person, never mind if I'm freezing my butt off in a tent in the rain.......we decided to have a sleepover at their house instead. We ordered pizza, rented a movie, played games...yes, Shane and I actually played games. For those of you who don't know us as well, playing games is where we don't get along! That is fighting territory! Anyways, we slept over, had yummy crepes for breakie and relaxed for the morning and part of the afternoon. It was nice!

We had a wedding to go to on sunday...my uncle finally married his girlfriend! It was just a small, backyard wedding and the reception was pay-your-own-way at one of their favorite restaurants. It was nice!....I'm leaving it at that because I don't want to get into it.

I'm totally pumped to be getting back to school! Yippeeee!!! I'll update more another time!

Happy September to you all! I'm really excited to be getting started with a new university year! Yippee! Something to do again!

University begins next thursday! It is my last year of nursing which is bittersweet for me. I love returning to school each year. When Shane starts to go back each fall and I'm just working like normal, I'm going to be jealous! I hope that this year is a good one. I think that it will be. I have a pretty good school schedule and so far, my course leader for clinical has been pretty flexible.

See, we have two clinicals this semester (palliative and mental health) and so each take a month and you get the third month off! That is a sweet deal! See, I don't want September off because I've had all of August off and I'm ready to do something! I'm motivated so I want to get into it! Unfortunately my doc requested that I ask that I don't do my palliative rotation in September because of my healing back. Mental health would be fine because it doesn't require a lot of actual activity (mostly pyschosocial stuff). I thought that by requesting not doing palliative in September, she would probably give me september off.......Well, she emailed me and asked if I would like that or get into mental health in september. I told her how I felt and she said whatever my preference was, she would try to accommodate it! So, hopefully I'm doing mental health as of September 14!!!

Otherwise, this week has been pretty good! We are really enjoying the new routine with Shane's job. We get to have supper with one another each evening, unless something else is planned. We have free evenings together. My husband is a lot happier when he comes home and is actually enjoying his day. I pray that it only gets better!

I've spent each day this week at home except for physio and doctor's appointments. Today, I'm starting to get a little antsy. They are calling for a beautiful day (weather-wise) and I'd like to be out doing something. I've been ok at home this week because I've been absorbed in a book...but yesterday I felt yucky by the afternoon because I just read too much!

So, today I think I will bake and cook. I'm going to make something in the slow cooker and apple crisp! It should be yummy!

What are you guys doing for the long weekend?

So my journey on the learning road to contentment continues.......

Some days I find are peaceful, relaxed and the contentment-thing is happening! Others aren't so good. Monday was one of those peaceful days. I spent the entire day at home and in the evening Shane and I went out for 2-3 hours to visit his family and pick up a few groceries. But I was in the appartment, mostly alone, for almost 24 hours. That may seem like nothing to some stay-at-home moms. But, for a just-married, usually quite busy girl of 21, it has been a challenge, but a good one. I've been praying that God would teach me more about contentment. Oh the peace and contentment was flowing on monday. It is such a conscious effort on one hand. I find that if I don't think about it, I can get so sidetracked and just go about a regular day. If I consciously think about these topics and pray about them at times throughout the day, things go a lot better. But the deal is that I can't make these good feelings happen. Praying and thinking helps. Reading my Bible helps. Quiet time and relaxing helps. But it is God who gives me the peace that I long for. Nothing else can really make it happen. That is good for the people who don't have the time or space for the quiet or relaxing times. Have hope! God is bigger than our circumstances!
So, the on one hand it seems to be a conscious effort and on the other, it has absolutely nothing to do with what I do, only God.

So, yesterday was the other kind of day. Little things were bugging me and on my mind (eg. concern over whether or not my massage today would be covered by my benefits or not, a little nervous about finances, etc). They weren't big events of the day, just little thoughts that concerned me and that I allowed to fester in my brain and heart without me realizing. So, by early evening I was unhappy. I think the disturbing show that was on Oprah aided in my mood....but that is besides the point. I haven't felt cranky like that in a long time. It is like an itch deep in your heart that you just can't scratch. Boy, I hate those times. Thankfully, I hung out with my sister, who is so understanding about those rare cranky days and we ended up having a nice evening together. I'd say a good friend, a chick flick and food often helps the mood! ......and I think that Jesus is aware of that! Hee hee!

Well, today was a better day. I had physio, which I actually enjoy. I scrubbed down my kitchen and focussed on washing my oven and organizing my cupboards. See I have a list of what I want to get done before school starts. There are 56 items on the list....so if I want to get them done, I have to do 3-4 per day. At least that gives me something to do. Now that my back is getting better and I feel less pain, physio says to test it a little. Within reason of course! But, give my back some activity, rest and see how it feels. So, I'm going to try to do more, but rest a whole lot in between! We'll see how that goes!

I had a great massage though this afternoon and that is enough to make anyone smile! Ooooo those hip muscles get so tight! Anyways, I should go. I'm going to my aunt and uncle's for supper tonight...and my mom, sister and grandma will be there! It is going to be good.....and I'm excited to eat!!!

Have a great evening! (wheww.....what a long blog!)

My mom and the cute little foster brothers just left my place. We had ourselves a little visit this morning and some pancakes! What cuties! I love getting my baby fix!

Sunday I threw together a surprise supper at Applebee's with friends to celebrate Shane's birthday! Somehow, no matter how great I keep the secret, he always finds out! Only once have I truly surprised him. I showed up in B.C. for a weekend about 2 years ago next month...and he totally didn't know that I was coming. That moment was priceless! He was sitting on the couch in his aunt's house in North Vancouver and I walked in the living room! He was speechless for a short time! That was worth the short amount I was there...just for that suprise!
So, anyways, I don't know how he figure Sunday's surprise out, but of course he did, even though no one gave it away! But it was very fun nonetheless! 14 of us were there for good food (half price appetizers every sunday) and good friends!

I'm pretty sleepy today. I think Shane and I will have to have a nap when he comes home in the afternoon. He's working his last split shift tonight 9-1 and then 5-9pm. I enjoy spending the afternoon with him on those days, but it kinda sucks when he has to go back! Well, I am spending the evening with my sis so I won't complain! I haven't see her and hung out just the two of us in a week and a half already! Too long!

Have a great day!

What a nice saturday morning! I just had a friend join me at my place for brunch and chatting! That was nice! I love having people over and feeding them....it feels like Jesus-times when people invited people over, dined together and built community. I love spending meals at either our home or at our friends' homes. I've actually come to prefer that over going to a restaurant!

Shane and I had a really nice time celebrating his birthday on thursday. We relaxed at home, slept in, had brunch, played golf on playstation (since I couldn't take him actual golfing which was originally the plan before the back injury), etc. I ended up falling asleep for an hour and a half! Opps! Well, Shane was on the computer so I lay down to put heat on my back and fell asleep! By the time I woke up, Shaner was definitely ready to do something!
So, though I wasn't sure if I should, we went mini golfing....in lieu of real golfing. I got two holes in one!! And we were tied by the last hole! I ended up losing but boy was that a close game! Then Shane and I went to Tony Roma's for dinner and saw the Bourne Supremacy! Fascinating movie! Those kind of movies always have me either motionless with intensity or jumping in my seat! I really enjoyed it! It was a fun birthday! I'm so glad that we had the whole day alone to celebrate it!

EXCITING NEWS IN THE FARROW HOUSEHOLD!!!! SHANE GOT A JOB!!!!!
The head office for Shane's company has offered him a job! He may even start as early as this coming wednesday! The hours rock....9-6 or 8-5 monday to friday! That means we get evenings and weekends together! That will be so nice! He gets to work with two of his friends so that makes working more fun! The bummer is the pay cut. I hope they can negotiate something that is a little more in the middle (from what they said yesterday and what he is presently making). Thanks Lord for providing so smoothly and that we don't even have to have a job hunting period...it just was handed to him! Thank-you!!

...wonder if any of you are bored in regards to friday night. I am without plans for the whole day and evening...except for sleeping in with Shane who only has to work at 1pm. So, for the rest of the day I am completely open. I do hate to spend friday nights alone with nothing to do...so if any of you are in the same boat...do call me if you know my number or leave a comment...though calling would be better!

I'll probably update the celebration of Shane's birthday tomorrow! We just got back home and I would like to just relax and sit with my husband!

good night!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY HUBBIE!!!!

My Shaner is 24 today and we are going to celebrate it today! We both get to spend the whole day together...Shane doesn't have to work! We slept in until 11am and spent the morning relaxing! It has been good!

Shaner isn't much into celebrating and making a big deal out of his birthday. Well, think again buster! We are celebrating you today! I'm going to try to think of special little things that I can do to make today special. Eg. play golf on playstation with Shaner (he loves it and loves when he can convince me to play...today I will offer), Shane gets to pick what we eat for our meals today, I didn't wake him up to say Happy Birthday nice and early like I wanted to because he requested before bed last night that I just let him sleep and when he's awake then say it. So, I waited until I saw him turn over, open his eyes and touch my leg that I knew he was awake!

Well, must go and continue celebrating! Adios!

mmmmm........(yawn and stretch)....You know that sucky feeling after you wake up from a nap?

I needed a rest, so I took a two hour nap. That is usually my standard nap time...maybe that is why I feel so funny when I get up. Or it is because I was awoken by some lady on the phone!

With all this time on my hands, I've asked the Lord to work on contentment in me. I tend to not actually be too bored, but I'm so concerned with scheduling myself so that I won't be bored that I get a little over-concern about the issue! It is pretty over-ambitious of me, but I was even thinking of re -reading my notes from last year so that I can refresh the area of my brain that knows about nursing-related information. I feel like I forget everything over the summer and go back knowing nothing. Not a good thing by 4th year. So, maybe I'll read up or something! If I can get myself to that point!

I just wanted to mention that the carrot cake turned out great! Especially the cream cheese icing, so I hope that tonight, Shane' s dad enjoys it! We are having him over for some stirfry and visiting! I'm looking forward to picking my Shaner up from work and having him home for the evening. He's worked the evening the last two days, and tonight he'll be home!!! Yipppeee!

And, TOMORROW IS MY SHANER'S BIRTHDAY!!! So, we get to hang out and celebrate all day! Hey, does anyone have ideas about how to celebrate when you are limited in your activity level? I have a possible plan, but I'd love some more options! Do leave comments!

So, here is the latest! I saw the doctor today and she has put me off work until the end of my position!!! Therefore, no more work for the summer! It is nice to be off for the month of August, but I can't really do much so it's not like grand holiday time! But, I really do appreciate the time off!

I was so concerned at the beginning of all this back injury stuff about how I would decide, what I would do, etc. I was pretty anxious about this. I'm so glad that God has made it bearable for me to live day-by-day in this situation. And, physio and my doctor have been awesome for giving me the recovery and healing time that I need! I thought that I would have to fight tooth and nail for my back and the smart moves to make, but they are making those decisions for me! I'm so thankful....it has made the burden so much lighter!

Next friday is Shane's last day of work and we are counting down! I'm really relieved and excited for him that he is finally finished! He spent 3 years this month at his job....that's quite a good amount of time! I haven't even been at a job that long!

I'm baking a carrot cake right now for a friend-supper date I have this evening! We have actually had quite a few of those recently. We are becoming quite the family household! A couple over for dinner on sunday, one of my friends over for supper yesterday and today I'm going to a friend's house for dinner...but tonight I don't have to cook, just bring the dessert! I hope it's yummy! I even made cream cheese icing!!!!!

ohhhh, and then tomorrow we are having Shane's dad over for supper!!! that is quite a lot of supper dates for one week! whew! (but oh so fun!)

Little exerpts from my dreams of the night....

-"Shane don't be mad at me...I ate most of the hamburger for tacos! Opps!"

-Went to church....in a small little place...but Nathan Rieger was there so it might have been Vineyard. I asked where Kendra and the kids were. I guess the kids were gone for the week (not sure where) and Kendra was in the house (on the same property) sleeping in!! She needed the rest!

- Building our house....I think that we made the roof over the front porch too low! And we were conversing over where we should put the mailbox on the front side of the house...it was a long, brown house

- We were in a big building with multiple elevators. I wanted to get to one specific room that I knew certain adults didn't want me in. 5th floor I believe. These rooms required long, metal keys (old school kind) to get in. I finally got to the right elevator but it just didn't want to move...or if I press the floor that I wanted, it wouldn't go there..it would come back down. I finally got in but had to leave pretty quickly because there was someone outside the door. I wanted to go back in later to clean up a game that I had sloppily put back in a box...my grandma was there. We began to prepare for a potluck, by seperating vegetables from fruits in a platter. My grandma was being so annoying and watching us like a hawk. I finally snapped on her and started yelling at her. It felt quite intense.

-this next dream took place in a small community...perhaps northern. There was a girl and a boy...well, young adults they were. I guess the boy actually liked the girl, but he was quite abusive. We were in a store of some kind. I became the girl..or I just had the view of the dream from her eyes. She had a grip on one of his legs because he kept trying to kick her in the face with the other one. Realistically you can't walk, and kick with only one leg free...but that is a dream for you. He never ended up kicking her in the face because she covered her face against the floor. Suddenly he was caring and nice. Her friend or sister said that she was going to stay at home and he said that she wanted to go to his brother-in-law's wedding (which was taking place in short order). She (the girl) still wanted to go to the wedding. So, she went out and came back with a vest made for her for the wedding. It was pretty nasty looking, different colors and patterns, made of wool. Her dad took the vest from her...and instead lying across her bed was a beautiful dress! It was too made of knitted wool, but a beautiful pattern with beautiful colors...I just remember a cranberry color. Over the knitted wool was a see-through chiffon-type material. I don't know what it is called. ...

.......then the phone rang and I woke up to run and answer it......(for real)

Well, big news!!!!

SHANE HANDED IN HIS 2 WEEKS NOTICE TODAY! HE IS FINISHED ON AUGUST 27!!!Strangely, we both feel a lot of peace and a huge release, regardless of the fact that he doesn't have another job lined up at this point. We are going on faith and trusting that God will provide and has a hand-picked job for Shane at this time in our lives.

At a time where I could be the most stressed, I'm feeling excited. I don't know what Worker's comp will do for me, I don't know if I'll go back to work before summer is over, Shane could be jobless by the end of the month, school starts in a matter of weeks, we need quite a bit of funds before september....and our lives feel a little up in the air right now, but it feels good. It actually feels like we're in the best spot yet in our short married life...besides when you are on a honeymoon in Mexico without a care in the world about reality. It is a place in which I'm excited about what God will provide and what direction He will guide us in. It feels good to not feel in control sometimes....though usually I do feel the opposite.

Please pray for all these areas...especially the provision of an incredible job for Shane, back healing for me, approval by Worker's Comp, and the finances we need. Just pray that we hear God. Thanks all!

Another day at physio......

A positive experience though, because another healthcare professional affirmed that I do indeed have a back with wounds. The physiotherapist was a fill-in because the one I saw last week is away for the week. She said that my ROM (range of motion) in the back is pretty crappy. I am using my whole back to do things (I guess to compensate for the hurt areas). I told her that I have the 11 shifts still to work, depending on if the doc sends me back or not when I see her next tuesday. The physiotherapist said she didn't want to plant any seeds in my head but she can't see me returning for the last 2 weeks! I hope that that is true! I want to rest and recover fully and not strain it again for the last 11 shifts before I go back to school!

Jesus, please give me and my claim favor with worker's comp! I pray that this month or whatever it ends up being is covered by worker's comp and we get the money! If they approve it, we get 90% of what I would have made! That's pretty good! It should cover some books and tuition like it was supposed to!

On another note, if anyone is free or bored, I have some time on my hands and with my hubbie working quite a bit, and quite a few evenings, I need to fill some time! Call me (if you know my number...) or leave a comment! I spent this afternoon with my mom and the babies...though I feel quite useless when I can't help carry all the heavy loads of cuteness! But I do hold them when I'm sitting (not standing or walking)! They are so cute!

Anyways, I'm chatting with my dad on msn so I'm going to go and do that and then pick up my cute hubbie in a bit from work!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY BRO!!!! 16 TODAY AND A WONDERFUL GUY!!!

Lord, bless him and totally impact him at youth week this week! Send your Spirit, your power and your reality to the youth there! Bless the socks off them!

I'm getting pretty good at this more regular blogging thing lately!!! I'm proud of myself. Well, it is actually because now I have way more time on my hands.

I went to the doctor's today to reassess the back situation. I thought for sure she would be getting me back to work by friday.......wrong! And happy to be! My doc actually listened and though I was prepared for friday, she doesn't want me to go back for the rest of the week. She is going to reassess me again next tuesday and we'll go from there!!! That means that I only have a maximum of 11 shifts left...maybe. She felt my back and had quite the reaction. She said my muscle is as hard as a rock...I guess the injury was real! Especially if you can feel a huge clump of a muscle a week later! I'm so thankful that she listened to me and is taking good care of me!

I scared the poor husband though! I wanted to share the good news that I have a week off again...in person. So, on the way home, I stopped in at his work. I usually just spill whatever is on my mind in the first few sentences that I see the person. Well, I walked into the office and said, "you want to know what the doctor said?" and handed him the paper she wrote for my employer saying that she will reassess in a week and no work until then. My poor husband almost stopped breathing for a bit there. I'm supposed to get my depo shot in a week and thought I might get it today instead. Before they give the shot, they always do a pregnancy test each time. This is the first test that it would actually be a possibility...you know, now that we are married. Well, Shane thought that I got the shot and the pregnancy test done today. The poor guy's heart pounded for a bit when I handed him a paper without a verbal explanation! I've been such a paranoid girl with every new body change that has happened in the last 2 months! The doctor assured me though that we are on the most secure form of birth control if we don't want to get pregnant. Though....it is always on my mind that God can have other plans in store!! Ahhhhh! That reminds me that I have a short story to tell about what someone said at Rock Lake over the weekend! I'll leave that to the next blog because this is getting long!

Good afternoon!
Well, my mom and I just got blessed! We went out for a bite at Bosten Pizza. I wasn't going to get anything because of the uncertainty of the finances in the next few weeks...so I was just going to pick off my mom's salad and cheese toast. Well, she also ended up getting a dessert for us to share. The manager there remembered my mom and my little foster brother from the last time we had coffee there (a month or two ago). She just fell in love with little Hessai (pronounced Essay) and has a soft heart for the work that my mom does with foster kids. So, a few minutes ago when we went up to pay....the manager said that the lunch was on her!!! She said that since my mom does work that blesses, she deserves to be blessed! What an incredible woman and manager!!! That totally spoke to my mom and I! And it was sure nice to have had a free lunch! Bless Katie back Lord!!

Another good piece of news is that Worker's Comp approved me for physio! This means that I don't have to pay out of my pocket! Thanks Lord! I don't know if it means anything else is approved (eg. prescription, time away from work, etc.), but at least I can go to physio with the peace that I don't have to cover the costs!!!

I called work this morning and said I wouldn't be able to do my tuesday or wednesday shifts because I have a doctor's appointment tuesday and the only time I can get into physio this week is wednesday evening. Also, I don't want to attempt work without another assessment at physio....because it sounded like physio said not to go back until they give the go-ahead. So, today this day-by-day approach has been working out quite well. I have thursday off with Shane so the next possible day for me to work is only on friday....which would mean only 3 weeks of my term position left! Lord, give me wisdom day-by-day.

All you praying people out there! We could use some!!

I spent the weekend at Rock Lake and Shane joined me...and surprised me...yesterday evening! I got to spend the weekend with my sister and then when Shane came, he joined us in a lodge room! I haven't had a sleepover with both my husband and sister before! ....boy, if I wasn't a Christian, this could sound pretty wrong! Anyways, it was nice to be out at Rock Lake because I love it there, it is like home. And it was nice to get away from home and the thoughts of back pain and the question mark of work.

That brings me to the things that are heavily weighing on my mind. I have a doctor's appointment scheduled for tuesday, but it is super close to my shift. I am thinking that at this point before I see the physiotherapist again and the doctor, I don't think I'll work that tuesday shift. See if the doc says, "no...don't resume work yet", then my poor employer only has maybe an hour to find a replacement and I don't think that that is very fair on my part. So, I'll probably call my employer tomorrow, give the heads up and say it is a no-go for tuesday and we'll see about wednesday. I'm just not sure what to do about the next 4 weeks. I have only 4 weeks as of yesterday left of shifts. Shane and I really could use that money for tuition...we were counting on it. To stay sane, I am trying to take a day-by-day approach with my back and work. I just don't want to do more damage. Another concern is that if I don't go back to work for the summer now, I have probably shot my casual job for the rest of the year out the door. I can't really pick up much this semester, except the one month (not sure which one) that I have some clinical days off. I had peace and felt some rest from this issue out at the lake, but now that I'm home, I feel the stress of it. It feels like a big decision that I have to make on my own, because I don't feel like the doc or physio is going to make decisions that are for me and my health long-term. I think they are on the side of worker's comp and throwing me back to the wolves. I'm scared and I don't trust their advice!!!!!

On another note, Shane is having a really hard time at work. I can't remember if I blogged about this a few weeks ago, but it is getting to breaking point. Life is not supposed to be hated. God has plans and gifts for us to enjoy and be taught by. I'm not saying that as soon as a situation gets tough or uncomfortable, run. I'm saying that in this case, Shane has been a very faithful employee and it is time that he enjoy work again. He used to love it and he would say to me "the day I don't enjoy going to work anymore is the day I quit". Well, that day happened a long time ago. But, the financial pressures of paying for a wedding, supporting a family now and knowing that we will be a one-income family in 4 weeks...or sooner...is pressure enough to rethink an automatic quit. Well, this unhappiness is not what God intended. Shane has given this job a million chances to get better and for him to enjoy it again. And everything seems to be on a steady decline.

Life-giving. I was thinking about our situation when driving home late one night this week. I passed a sign that said Suds....an advertisement. I think it may have been for a job. I felt God say..."life-giving". He has given us a world FULL of opportunities and possibilities. I felt that he was saying, "why stay in a place that is taking so much life away when I have created so many other opportunities that are life-giving". I felt that we are limiting ourselves and God by staying in a place that is causing so much unhappiness just because of the money. Money is not worth our happiness......it gets a little complicated though when you need the money to pay the bills. But regardless, MONEY IS NOT WORTH OUR HAPPINESS!!!! God is our provider. I have the smallest amount of faith that I know of....it is so hard for me to believe that everything will be ok. Yet, God has proven this to me time and time again. Still, I find it so hard to trust.

Please keep us in prayer. Many things are up in the air...or could be and we need guidance and direction from the Lord. We need to hear very clearly from him regarding decisions and timing alike.

I have a sore back. I screwed it up at work yesterday morning. Transferring a resident onto the toilet, my back felt sudden and severe pain. Left work and went to the walk-in. Stupid walk-in doctor didn't even listen to my story and made me feel like I was making it all up. He gave me a prescription (I don't like taking meds so I'm tempted to skip that part but I'm trying not to) and referred me to physio. Again stupid doc told me to try and give my work shift tomorrow a try! Stupid! So today I went to physio. I have a soft tissue sprain on my lower back by my sacrum. It hurts a bit and mostly on the left side. I have some pain on lifting and bending. I just don't want to do any permanent damage. Physio said definitely don't go to work tomorrow! So, I'm not sure what the next few weeks will look like. I don't like injury, but I don't like work. I am afraid that my job is ruining my body for good. I can't see how this won't continue to happen until Sept. 4 which is my last day before going back to University. I'm afraid to go back to work.

But I don't have to go back until next tuesday at the earliest. I hope that I can enjoy this time off with a golden ticket to relax. I have been told no vaccuuming, scrubbing, gardening, lifting certain things, etc. I hope that I don't get bored! So, I must relax. I might go out to the lake this weekend. I was supposed to go to help out the staff by cleaning, but that's out the window. Maybe I'll go for some relaxation and good teaching and ministry....my hubbie works all weekend anyways. We'll see what happens.

Please pray for my back. Pray that it is not a permanent injury or the beginning of anything progressive or chronic! Back pain sucks! Also, please pray for wisdom...I don't want to damage my back for only 4 more weeks of work. It just isn't worth it. I'm feeling a little consumed with this issue right now.

I'm bored. There has been quite a routine these last few days. Work, nap, eat supper, go to bed early with some fun stuff in the evenings. Shane and I had date night on friday and yesterday night we had my sibs over for supper and then went out bowling. But as for this evening, I am a little antsy! I think Shane and I are going to walk to 7-11 for some 5 cent candies, but he is battling a headache on the couch right now.

Switching gears a bit, I have to brag about my hubbie and tell you all how impressed I am today! I got home from work to a nice smelling appartment. Shane cleaned and cleaned hard! He was dusting and saw my list of what I wanted to get cleaned in the appartment.....so, he did it! He actually was doing most if not all of it before he even saw the list...but, my baby ended up washing our floors, vacuuming the entire appartment, dusting, washing the windows, making the bed and cleaning the bathroom to perfection! I am SO impressed. I feel appreciated by the fact that he helps out too and that we don't have to assume that because I'm the female that I will do everything. I am a lucky girl because Shane doesn't think that way and helps out around the appartment! I really appreciate him and I feel loved when he helps!

Well, I hope that the evening has a spark of excitement for me or I might have to take drastic measures like doing the dishes (which I will do anyways) or going for a run! No, not exercise!!!! (though it is much needed!)
Take care!

I love my girlfriends! Yesterday I threw together a girl's night at Earl's. I had a really nice time with some of the females in my life! There were 7 of us there and just talked, ate and I brought the wedding pictures for them to see. Afterwards, I got to see my old roomie's new house that she and her brother are in the process of moving into! Good-bye old appartment! I shall never see your insides again! Steph, Chris and I were going to see a movie at the cheapies, but we had a need to talk instead. We ended up parked in Movie Network's parking lot and talking in the car for quite a while before we decided to call it a night. I love my girlfriends! Such honesty can be shared with close friends and as Christina said, how come it is so easy to communicate and connect with your girlfriends and not always so easy with the opposite gender (paraphrased)?

Fortunately I have quite a good listener of a husband. Of course, naturally, some days we are on different pages in the connecting area, but I find that that isn't so frequent. I like that. I have definitely learnt a lot about communicating from Shane because over the almost 4 years of relationship he has really encouraged and challenged me to communicate fully and honestly. Sometimes I do need some time and other times I really don't know exactly what to say. It must drive him nuts but sometimes I finally hit the nail on the head and pinpoint exactly what I'm feeling after I've processed verbally for a while. All along he's thinking, "just get to the point woman!". But I really sometimes don't know what the point is until I hit it like a wall out of nowhere!

Tonight I am spending the evening with my wonderful husband! I'm really looking forward to it because we both worked evenings this week and this is our first evening together since sunday! I'm ready for some relaxing, quality time! ....I'm running only half full in the snuggle area! Unfortunately I tried to get someone to switch my weekend work shifts but no one could. This is Shane's one and only weekend off of August....and I'm working saturday through tuesday....bummer. Oh well, life goes on! At least we have tonight!

Well, it is my one day off out of 9 days and I'm going to spend the day at home! I'm going to clean, cook, bake, launder(?), read, bathe and shave! I will smell good and feel smoothe by the time my hubbie comes home! And I bought two new books about marriage at Blessings so I'm pretty pumped to relax and learn from them!

Have a great day!

Something inside of me sometimes longs for a conversation of substance, wisdom and spiritual stuff. I am feeling that way today after spending the weekend at Rock Lake! I have been focussing on working, cleaning my house and cooking meals. Can you believe it? Kristi...the one who never used to cook! Well, somehow it is coming naturally for me now and I am finding a lot of peace, relaxation and enjoyment in upkeeping our home! Thank-you Jesus, because that can only be supernatural!!!

But now I'm thinking that I don't want to swing too far both ways. See, I don't want to be the kind of person that is so "spiritualized" that they can't even live a normal life that inevitably includes bills, cleaning, cooking, relationships, conflict, love, etc. Because God made all these things to be included in the earthly life we live. These things are not just activities we must do but they can be life-giving and acts of worship as well. But, I can also see how it is easy to be side tracked by all these things and become soley focussed on these necessities of life. I want my life to be real. Including all these necessities, trials and joys....and be full of the presence and focus of God. I do want to have a new perspective and a new source of hope. I often feel like I have to do it all myself...that God isn't fast enough, or he's just not into doing what I want today. I know that my brain needs some new thought patterns, but that is sometimes how it works. I want to be able to trust that he will meet my needs and it doesn't mean in my timing. I just have to have faith and trust that he knows more than I do. I think I might have to get into the habit of surrendering all control each and every day. It is tiring when you feel like you have to make things happen.....

well, much is on my mind and heart today.....maybe I'll blog again in the next few days. I'm working evenings this week, so we'll see what kind of time I have! ....I think God is stirring some things up. I wonder what he's going to do and where we're going to end up..........

-very interested

What a nice weekend! We just got back from Rock Lake where we spent the weekend! The weather was pretty great...though I thought the water was cold so I spent my time on the beach instead of in the water!

My baby sister got baptized today! Yes, Loraleigh, it was this weekend and at Rock Lake, but I'm sure she'd take the prayer anytime! It was really great! My mom, brother, and dad came out, as well as some of Steph's girlfriends from high school! I thought that was super supportive of them! Good girlfriends rock! It was a very heart-warming time and I'm so proud of my sister! I'm so glad that she did it at the lake! A neat thing was that Alvina Peters (Bonnie's mom for those that know Bonnie) baptized me at Rock Lake when I was 8. We found out last night that there wasn't an appointed person to baptize Steph, so Alvina volunteered!! It was special because we absolutely love Alvina and now she's baptized both of us!

The speakers were pretty great too....it was a trio apostolic/prophetic team. Lots of good stuff! Shane and I were so tempted to quit our jobs today and stay out at Rock Lake for the rest of the summer. Our hearts are definitely there. Bummer that we need our jobs and money. If I wasn't in school.......it would have been tempting!

It was so fun to go to camp for the first time as a married couple! We got to stay in our own room and do our own thing as a family unit....even though we spent most of our time with people! I love my husband so much. As I told him before bed last night, I'm growing to love him more and more every day. I am so loving this thing of marriage!

Well, I have to pray for hope to survive 6 more weeks of work. I am hating it and it makes me feel a strong feeling of despair, but I don't really want to talk about that right now! The weekend was great and I'd rather enjoy that fact for now! Have a great night!

good morning. yes....a day off. time to clean the place up and bake some muffins again. apple cinnamon this time. grocery shopping with the sister is the plan for the evening and the husband is coming home for lunch this afternoon (working a split shift).  i need to recup today.
 
saw a great movie last night. The Notebook. there were many crying people in that theatre. very good and very sad. i never want to get old. the story line hit home a little closer due to the residents that i work with. a must see for females. very good. bring a girlfriend or multiple and some kleenex.
 
bye now

I just love the weather! Unfortunately during the day I've been working (last 3 days) but I've been able to enjoy the evenings! The evenings are so comfortable! We went to BDI for ice cream with our good friends of ours, Nat and Lance. It was wonderful to eat, laugh and watch the boaters and dogs playing in the water from the bridge. What a perfect night!
 
I'm really looking forward to tuesday and wednesday because it is my weekend! I've worked all weekend and with one more day shift to go, I'm excited for a day that I can sleep later than 5 or 6am! I'm not into those early mornings! Though, the world is quite beautiful and peaceful that early in the morning! I just hate being tired!
 
My sister is getting baptised a week from today! I'm excited for her and proud of her! She is such a super light in this world! I am amazed sometimes by her boldness and her ability to speak, act and pray so confidently. She'll talk to anybody about her Jesus! She teaches me things and challenges me by her boldness. To make the event even more exciting, we get to go to Rock Lake for the weekend! And my family will be there, including my pops! I really hope that the weather forcast is wrong and we have a great weekend ahead of us! But, I'm getting ahead of myself because I still have the week to live through! Still, I'm really looking forward to it!

So, today I'm a little bummed...I must admit. I don't like to admit this because then I feel like I'm not being positive. And when you are being positive, you can sometimes trick your being into thinking that you aren't bummed. I guess that sounds a little warped....but I hate feeling bummed.

I'm a little worried today. And I hate feeling that way too. I have a few things that I'm worrying about. I have a stupid grinding my teeth problem at night. I'm trying this new self-mold mouthguard, because the real ones are way too expensive! It is just not working. It is digging into the side of my gums and some of my teeth aren't even covered. It falls out too because it isn't molded right. So, sleep time, which is one of my favorite times of day, is sort of stressful for me because I feel like every night I'm doing permanent damage. That stresses me out. We just can't afford the mouthguard from the dentist because my benefits don't cover any of it and it is hundreds of dollars.

I'm a little stressed out about tuition and money. I'm just afraid that we won't have it by September. It makes me a little nervous. So, I'm feeling a little financial stress lately.

My job. I was honest with myself yesterday and finally said that I don't like it. I hate it that I'm working in a job that makes my back ache every day. I don't want to wreck my back for life at the age of 21. I don't like the management team, because everything is in the name of the budget and not for the employee. I'm so sick of politics and complaining, though I know that what people are complaining about is valid and true. I hate dreading work each day and having to go to bed so early so that I can get up far too early. I just am hating the despair that accompanies knowing that I have to work tomorrow and all weekend. I'm just bummed. The positive thing is that once I'm at work, besides the back pain, I'm fine. I do a great job and I don't mind it. It is when I go home and dread coming back the next day, that I feel crappy.

Boy, I hate sounding bummed and I hate complaining, but it sure does feel good to write out my feelings and be honest. Screw positivity at this moment. I'm bummed.

Hello fellow humans! It is finally a beautiful day in Manitoba!!! My sibs and I were thinking of beaching it today, but in the end are going to do that tomorrow with my hubbie and dad! It sounds like it will be pretty nice all weekend! Part of our decision was due to car issues. Please pray for our car because her ABS, service engine soon and trac off lights are on and won't turn off! Also as of two days ago, the head lights aren't going on automatically! That is really weird and our brakes are making squeaking noises! I think we really should get her checked out! Please pray that it is just a censor problem and not an actual one....something like this happened the week before the wedding and it was nothing! We really can't afford repairs!

So, I'm still hanging out in my sexy pj's.....I've become a sexy pj girl since graduating to "wife"! Soon my sibs and I will be heading to the mall...the bro needs pants and I need a big frying pan and some light bulbs!

Adios amigos!
kristi

Here I sit without my husband for the evening. I blessed him, while already missing him, to have an evening with a guy friend. So, here I sit at the computer and need to find an outlet. Here is a short story that was born out of my state.

Sisters
A short story for Stephanie

In the small town of Carmen, on a hot, sunny day, stood a tall cow in the middle of a yellow pasture. This cow had such a horrid look on her face that those that past stopped to look and ponder. The weather was odd that day in June and while staring at the old cow, people began to feel raindrops sprinkling on their bare shoulders and arms. See in Carmen in June it is summer weather and tang tops are a common article of clothing. An old woman had recently moved into the area to move in with her elderly sister. Both women were widows of a few years and both being alone had decided to become roommates. This warm weather was an adjustment for the elderly sister from Winnipeg because she was used to spontaneous snowstorms in June. See, the cow had brought the two sisters back together again. Years before the sisters had been visiting another state with their families and had spent an evening at the fair. A game that the two sisters had enjoyed as children was tipping cows in the pasture late at night, and trying not to get caught. Well, at the fair that one family day, there was a game with a cow. It involved soft balls, a heifer and stuffed animals for prizes. The sisters had such a blast that they vowed that every time one would see a cow for the rest of their lives, they would say a prayer for the other and call the other sometime that week. So, as the sisters aged, children moved on to start their own families and husbands were laid to rest, the sisters brainstormed about their futures. The two decided to merge households in Carmen, were the younger was located, and begin a cow farm. They had decided that if cows played a part in bonding them together over the years that they could give back to the cow family. So, as owners of a cow farm, the elderly sisters enjoy using their farm mostly as a petting zoo. This brings us back to the cow that day in the yellow pasture with the odd look. This cow was one of heifers from the sister farm that had misplaced her dear sister. The cow was going north and had stopped in her tracks when the breeze that the sisters normally felt while strolling together was felt blowing from the opposite direction than other days. The message of the missing sister was learned by all and news traveled fast through the small town of Carmen. The sister cow was found later that night, beside the pond, sharing with the frogs and toads about giving back to the community and how important sisters are.

So by now I am a married woman of over 3 weeks! I really like it!!

Today I finally have a day off! I worked quite a bit last week, but the killer part to my job is the physical labor of stretching, lifting, and bending and the killer early mornings! That early stuff is what gets me! I don't like getting up before 9:30am!!! Oh well, I just have to suck it up! At least with the early mornings of the day shift, I can see my husband in the evenings!

So, it is my day off and I am a little antsy....I really cannot think of how to spell that word right now! I want to see my wonderful friend that just started dating a boy that we have been talking about (for her) for months! I may go to the mall to check out if we can further the enjoyment of our home with anything...purchased with multiple gift certificates! Or I do have the chance to visit my mother and brother who are coming in to the city this afternoon! I just don't know!

Well, I think I'll start by getting rid of some old bananas and being a little domestic! I'm going to try to find a good recipe for banana muffins on the net because I usually just used Christina's (roommate), but now that is not in my house anymore!

Blah, blah, blah!
Talk to you later!
Kristi

Ohhhhh.....life is good. And I am a blessed woman. I had an incredible wedding, a fabulous honeymoon in the Mayan Riviera, Mexico and now am adjusting to regular life with a husband, whom I love like crazy! There were some glitches with the location of the ceremony...not due to rain but due to misquitos! But I adjusted very well to the new plans and enjoyed it incredibly anyways. What a fabulous day June 12th was for us! We were very relaxed, not nervous AT ALL (completely serious), and just had so much fun! I loved being the bride and wearing the whole garb....though my silly dress kept on falling down!!! I'd have to say that my favorite parts of the day would probably have to be the walk down the aisle and all the blessings we got from friends and family at the reception! You should have seen my hubbie as I walked down the aisle. He was priceless. Bawling like crazy and repeating "Wow...wow". It was an indescribable experience.

The honeymoon was so great and relaxing! We spent the first night in a theme room at the Clarion hotel! I love the jacuzzi in the room! That was the best feature! Then we went off to the Mayan Riviera in Mexico for a week! We spent 15 hours a day sleeping and the rest eating, drinking and beaching it! It was super relaxing and just what we needed! The weather was the highlight....reaching 44 and only dipping to 26 at night! I could live in that weather! I hope that we brought some of it with us....not so far since returning!

It is super fun to get into life and living at our appartment. Shane and I have been having so much fun and laughing ourselves silly many times as we enjoyed the home part of our honeymoon! My Shaner is an incredible catch, and though I knew that before I married him, I am getting the reality of that truth more now. He has been so thoughtful, kind and is always making me laugh! We are an incredible team! He contributes equally to cleaning up, doing the dishes and making food! I love marriage so far!

Unfortunately, today is resume work day. We are bummed. Both don't want to go back to work. So, that is our prayer request. Please pray that we both find peace and enjoyment regarding our jobs. I would much rather stay on a honeymoon for a few more weeks!

So, to those unmarried....if there are any unmarried readers that come here.....I would have to say that 2 weeks and 2 days into my marriage, I would completely recommend it! The piece of reality that I did discover was that marriage in the right time and with the right person can be incredible! I looked around at the other honeymooners on our trip and also realized more fully that marriage at the wrong time and/or with the wrong person could make your life miserable. So, relax, take your time and let God make things fall into place at the right time. Then it will be incredible!

Hello. This is Yvonne Parks. I'm a friend of Kristi's! Kristi is unable to blog because she's on her honeymoon! yay! Anyway, at the wedding, I took some photos, and she said i could post them on here for you all to see! So, Enjoy!


Beautiful Kristi


The Bride and Groom!


Shane and Kristi Kissing! whohooo!


The table setting at the reception was gorgeous!


So were the centrepieces!


The table numbers were photographs! Isn't that cute?


There were lanterns used everywhere. So beautiful!

Well, it is now 6 days to go! A week from now I will be on a plane going to the surprise destination of our honeymoon! Shane, my darling, has planned the whole thing, and I don't know where we are going! I don't want to know either until we are on our way! I like surprises (that I am aware are coming). See, I always thought I liked surprises in general, but I realized in the past few months that I like planned surprises. Like eg. I love it when Shane tells me we are going out on a date on friday but he doesn't tell me what we are doing! I absolutely love that! But, when I already have plans and they are cancelled for a surprise, I have a hard time adjusting to the surprise. I guess I sound a little freakish, but it is just how I react emotionally. It is just a reaction that naturally happens!

Anyways, things for the wedding are going very well. I spent the last week working like a mule at the personal care home and now I'm finally off!!!! Saturday was my last shift scheduled until I start my term position July 1!!!! That means potentially 3 and a half weeks off!!! But I will take shifts the week we both plan on going back to work (the 28th). So, I spent the rest of my time on friday and saturday making the favors!!! What a huge job that was! It took me FOREVER!!! Or so it felt! But it feels good that the job is done!

If you all think of me this week, please put me in your prayers! I just want to fully enjoy this last week of preparation and totally enjoy the wedding day. Pray for perfect weather, dry ground and no rain this week! Pray that I don't sweat the small stuff, but am just easy-going and relaxed!!! Oh, and for the vain side of me, pray these silly zits go away!!!

Thanks, see you later!!!!

So....two weeks from tomorrow!!! I'm getting so excited! I spent the day today doing little wedding things that still need to get done. My biggest stress......the music. Strange, hey? See...our wonderful Yvonne makes anything sound good, so I have full confidence in her. But picking the songs is my biggest bother right now. It has been a little frustrating! Anyways I think after today I have it under control. I was imagining what we would be doing at the time while listening to the song...to get the right feel. I feel like I already have had the wedding day!!!
I got a position at work!!! Up to now I've been casual (but getting a lot of hours). I applied for some term positions for the summer...and found out yesterday in my boss's office that I got one! And it is supposed to start this saturday, but instead I told her when I'd be back to work after the honeymoon and she is willing to let me start the position then!!! It is a .7 which is .3 away from full time! 3 shifts one week and 4 the next. I think it will be quite busy (day and evening shifts) but it will pay for a lot of stuff that Shane and I need to pay off!!! Yeah!!!!
We went to the bank this afternoon and added Shane to my account. As soon as we are back from the honeymoon we are going to move all our accounts to one! It is our first joint account! Boy oh boy!
Well, going to get going here! Enjoy the nice weather today!

3 weeks from tomorrow.....now that is exciting! Let's see my perception of loved ones reactions to the nearness of the wedding.

mom - super excited and not stressed at all. Telling strangers in the mall tonight!

dad - nervous that he doesn't have enough time to do the stuff around the house that he had wanted to before the wedding (eg. paint the house). It is hard for him to believe that the day is so close.

Steph (sister) - ....not exactly sure. I think that she is excited, but also, you know, the mixture of sadness. There is some loss involved for her because I won't be living down the hall anymore and I will have a husband. I still plan on seeing her frequently and calling her often! I will probably see her more when I am married because now it is just plain busy sometimes.

Shaun (brother; 15 year old)- Well, not sure what he's feeling about how close the wedding is. He doesn't talk "feels" very often, which is predictable for a 15 year old male. He is happy for us though, likes Shane and doesn't have worries about us.

Well, I'm just finding lately that I really don't have much to blog about except the wedding, and I assume that must bore people. Oh well, I have 22 more days to talk about it and then it will be over forever.

Shane has the honeymoon all arranged....and I don't know where we are going! I like it that way! Surprises!!!

I have to work at 6:30am tomorrow morning and then 6am on sunday!!! Ahhhhhh! All in the name of money! But once I'm at work, I enjoy it. It's just sometimes hard to drag my butt there!

I'm at Shaner's and he's a sick guy tonight...some sort of flu bug bit him pretty hard. Please pray that he gets better quickly because he is supposed to work tomorrow as well. And pray that I don't get it because my stomach has been quite sore today!

Good night

Well hello everyone that still comes and checks my blog! We are sitting at 24 days until I become a Farrow and a wife! I'm doing a bunch of wedding stuff today...well, actually there really is hardly anything to do but I'm trying to do what I can on my day off. This is my only day off of work in a stretch of 10! That is a lot for me and I'm thankful for the shifts, but sometimes I still dread working!
In general I have really enjoyed planning this wedding. On the whole it has been pretty relaxed and very organized. I just want to get a pet peeve off my chest.....BEING ORGANIZED DOES NOT MEAN YOU ARE STRESSED OUT!!!!!! Thank-you to those who encourage us organized brides! The stress that I have felt about the wedding has to do with people calling us and asking to bring kids and boyfriends/girlfriends that aren't invited! Yes, I have just taken the role of "mother dog" because if someone calls it is an automatic "no". Shane and I made the rule together at the beginning of all of this and we aren't making exceptions! That is probably the most frustrating part of the whole wedding process.
But, wedding planning is definitely up my alley and if I wasn't going to be a nurse I just might become a professional wedding planner! I would thrive! I can't wait to help my sister out when she gets married.....though I don't plan on helping where she doesn't want me! I have enjoyed how relatively isolated this wedding planning has been for me. Due to Shane and I paying for our wedding, we got to make all our own decisions! It has been great! I hear horror stories of parents and in-laws that have major control issues because they contribute! Praise God that has not been an issue!!!!!
Well, I'll try to write again soon.....hopefully! I just don't have a lot of access to a computer now that I'm not at the University!
Ta ta for now!

38 days to go!!!! Oh my goodness!!!!!!! And there is really hardly anything to do right now!

I'm working as a Health Care Aide casually this summer. Unless I get a job that I applied for, which I will find out by friday. I sort of want it and sort of don't. It has great hours (monday to friday 8:30 -4:30pm) and would be a sure pay check. But, if I get the job we only get a 1 week honeymoon and if I don't we get two weeks together! So, I just want to know the verdict.

Thanks to all who came to our social and bought tickets! We were expecting to make a little figure and walked away after all our expenses with triple that amount!!! We get to go on a honeymoon!!!! Yipppeeeee!!!

Well, I'm at the U and my parking is going to run out soon so I gotta go!

I just found out the funniest thing!!! Do you remember reading about me going to a silly cheerleading tryout about a month ago...back in March? Well, I never saw who made it, and the website didn't post the roster like it was supposed to so I thought I never made it.....plus after being worked so hard that I almost cried the next two days because of being so sore (truth), I decided not to be apart of the team anyways!

Well, today I go to the website just to check for fun! They have a new layout and low and behold the roster is up.....AND I AM ON IT!!!! THAT IS ABSOLUTELY HILIARIOUS!!! The practices started a month ago and so I don't know if I would still be on it! But, I didn't know about it until today. I don't really care much if I become apart of the team but knowing that they picked me, MAKES ME FEEL PRETTY DARN GOOD RIGHT ABOUT NOW!!! I can say another accomplishment in my life....making the cheerleading team! Woo! Hooo!

As for other life updates:
Social stuff is at the peak! It is this thursday. Slowly the money is coming in! BUT WE NEED A LOT MORE PEOPLE!!!! If anyone is thinking of coming or just buying a ticket to support our effort for a honeymoon, PLEASE DO AND PLEASE NOTIFY ME!!!

I had a nice shower today thrown by Shane's mom and sister! It was really nice and boy does Tina (Shane's sister) know how to decorate and throw the greatest party. It totally touched the girlie side of me! I loved it! And boy do the colors of pink, white and black make for really pretty decorating!

Last sunday, Steph and Christina threw me a surprise shower and totally got me!! I had no idea! And I usually figure things out! I completely believed that Shane and I were going for engagement pictures, but nope! They all had a different plan! I got great stuff! And it was so great to see my friends all sitting there and I had no idea!

School is over for year 3 as of wednesday! I am finished! Nothing until September...boy does that feel so good!

Yesterday I had my wedding hair and make-up trial! Totally fun!

I will be getting married in 47 days!!!! Ohhhhh my goodness!!!!!!!! My heart it starting to pound now that it is getting closer! Partially out of total excitement and partially out of the reality of the nearness! It makes my heart skip a beat! But I'm not nervous about it.....I'm making the right decision!!!!

Talk to you all later!

Hey....I'm insulted! No one commented on the last post!!! Will any of you come????!!! Well, I don't blame you if you don't check up on this blogsite anymore. I haven't had any time to actually update it!

I have worked like a dog this last week. I hope I am slowly adjusting to 5am mornings (all semester I woke up at 9am, besides clinical days)! Yesterday I had to be at work for 6am, so I got up at 5am, but with the time change it was technically 4am!!! WAY TOO EARLY!!!! By 5:30pm, I was so tired that I had a little crying time and didn't know what to do with myself. I felt nauseous. I don't know how I will ever survive sleep deprivation that accompanies parenthood! What will I ever do?!!!!

Shane moved into our appartment this week!!! It is great! The landlords have been pretty great so far about fixing things! They gave us a brand new oven...never been used!!!! And gave us a new light fixture in the dinning room .....it was so ugly to me!! We got our brand new bedroom set all up! I got to make our beautiful bed for the first time....and love it! We bought the most comfortable mattress......grrrr.....my fiance is the one who gets to sleep on it for the next two months!....... We also got furniture! From Leons! Gorgeous brownish/tanish colored suede! I love our place already!....well, technically Shane's place until June.......

Well, I hope you all come to the social! It will be a really fun evening!