25 Random Things

Directions: Once you've been tagged, you are supposed to write a note with 25 random things, facts, habits, or goals about you.

(my sweet college friend Catherine tagged me in this). Here goes...

25. I love animals. My best friend Meredith and I started a dog-sitting business in 5th grade, as well as create a Save the Whales club in which we sponsored a real whale. We were not nerds!
24. I love macaroni and cheese and PB&J
23. I have the most wonderful family- its the thing I am most thankful for here on earth
22. My younger sister Mollie and I invented a water game called Papaya many years ago. It involves one person being a papaya tree and the other person has to climb up the tree and grab the papaya...? (I wish I had a picture of this to go along)
21. I did not learn to ride a bike without training wheels until 4th grade. Since then I could probably count on my hand the number of times I have ridden a bike. Im just not athletic!
20. I love to try cooking new meals and create my own recipes. This is both a good and bad thing
19. The physically hardest week of my entire life was this past summer on a backpacking trip in the Ozarks. I learned I can do more than I ever imagined and have gained a new perspective on overcoming hard situations.
18. I LOVE getting a good deal. I usually dont buy clothes or shoes unless they are on sale
17. My favorite memories are of family vacations. One summer we drove from Louisiana to Canada, stopping at D.C, Gettysburg, and Niagra Falls along the way. I think this is the trip that made me forever hate McDonalds. It may also be the trip in which the expression "barfy" was coined.
16. I have a weird fascination with dinosaurs. I loved Land Before Time growing up and still love with Jurassic Park. I sometimes wish it was a true story.
15. I have really great In-Laws!!! And I love being Aunt Laura
14. I used to have a door full of posters of Hanson (maybe I still do). They were the inspiration behind LYLAS, a band that was created by 4 7th grade girls me included
13. I think I liked Junior High more than highschool-weird I know
12. I missed my college graduation day because I was getting married. No regrets =)
11. I moved from Louisiana to Texas when I was 9. My best friend Aimee Claire and I wrote letters all through elementary and highschool and we now keep in touch on facebook. I think thats so neat!
10. I have learned to trust God more everyday over the past 2 years in particular and have found much peace through this.
9. I love to read. I think this is in part because my parents read to us nearly every night when I was little. My mom, sisters and I have pretty similar taste (Dad doesnt like to read novels) so its fun to swap books with them.
8. I rarely have painted nails. I just feel like I clash if I have on red polish and wear a pink shirt or vise versa. And I dont think there is any other color I would try. No black for me.
7. I really enjoy discussing Lost with other Lost fans
6. Traditions are very important
5. I try to incorporate blueberries into my meal at least 3 times per week. Great antioxidants
4. First thing I like to do when I get home from work is take off my shoes and get in my pj's. Even if its before 5 =)
3. There is one activity that I wish I liked. The rest of my family does. I have tried to like it. Horseback riding. Every time, its a terrible experience. Its a strange fear I cant explain.
2. I still miss my first car, a maroon 86 volvo. It was totalled my senior year (my fault).
1. I am one very blessed girl!

Today is my sister-in-law Tasha's birthday! She has been a great friend ever since I started dating Dillon about 5 years ago.

In other news....

Dallas is covered in ice. Did we not just leave Dumas? =)

Have a happy Wednesday!

Randomness

*Tonight my husband Dillon picked up his long-awaited Apple laptop. Among the many comments that I overhead as he assembled and played with his new toy, I couldnt help but smile as I heard him say to himself "She's just so beautiful."

*I know how it must feel to potty train a child. Penny is 2 years old and peed twice in our house today!!!

*I made fried rice at home tonight with shrimp and pineapple shishcabobs- pretty good!

*I am training for a 5k. I have a very reasonable schedule that will help me get in shape for it : http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml
My dad is training too and is helping me stay motivated. We havent picked which race we want to be in yet though.

*I finally finished the final book in the Twilight series. An easy fun read that I would recommend.

Until next time, blessings and peace!

Before and After

Yesterday Penny woke up with a swollen eyelid. We
thought we would just keep an eye on it (no pun intended) before taking her to a vet. This morning it was draining and looked awful so I took her to our first Dallas vet visit. After a shot of antibiotic she was much improved.


Tonight I was by myself and refused to turn on the t.v. Instead I rummaged through my junk collection to see what I could find to keep me busy for a little while. Here is what I came up with: an old collection of Florida sea shells and one very ugly lamp























A hot glue gone and here she is:



















(I dont really know yet if I like it or where I will put it-but it was a fun project nonetheless)

This past weekend my sister Katie came to Dallas to see friends and family before she leaves this Sunday for the Middle East.

Katie is my older sister by 22 months. I will miss her SO much but am honestly very excited for her to begin this new journey. She has ministered to refugees (Iraqi's, Sudaneese, Somalians, Burmeese, etc..) for the past 2 years- she did this by living life with them-literally, she moved into the refugee apartment complex that some might not consider to be the safest living arangements. This is her passion and so when she raised all of the support she would need in just a few months, I wasnt too suprised. Please pray for her this week as she prepares for the trip/move of a lifetime!

This is from the King Tut exhibit in Dallas- very cool!

Work it out

Looking back on Dumas:

Wonderful job

Christmas 2008

Vegas 2008

Dogie Days 2008

When we first moved to Dumas I had just graduated nursing school and was VERY anxious about being a nurse. I really didnt have much of a choice as to where I was going to work, Dumas is a small town with 1 small hospital. So- for 2 months that is where I worked. The 3rd day of working there I walked into a room on the OB unit and caught a baby a few seconds later as it was born. A few days later I was screamed at for putting my gloves on too slowly. Frequently the nurses would send me to do tasks so they could make personal phone calls.It was...unpleasant.

(as a side note: that hospital is now in the process of starting a new graduate nurse internship and is making steps forward to be a better hospital)

I started wishing for a different job but felt stuck. I decided to bring my resume to all of the clinics in Dumas (there are about 5) just to see what would happen. Within a few weeks, I was called back by Dr. Covington, a family practicioner. They needed an RN! I was thrilled to start working a M-F 8-5 job. Little did I know just how much I would come to love that place. I have learned so much and loved so many. Finding that position helped me find MY place in Dumas and make friends that I desperately needed. The clinic where I worked was extremely efficient, and we all got along as friends would. Every Friday morning we would pray for our patients. My boss took us to Vegas after a crazy winter season. We had weekly lunches together and actually hung out with eachother outside of work. I know it was a complete blesssing and am so thankful for my time spent there.

I am now waiting to start work for Dallas ISD as a school nurse. I know its going to be a completely different setting and I cant compare it to my old job, but I do hope it proves to be more than just the place I work, and that I can make lifetime friends as I have in Dumas.

Moving

Moving seems to come in the winters for my little family. 2 years ago we were just settling down in Dumas in our first year of marriage- it proved to be a unique adventure that was quite short lived,

as we have now moved to our new home in Dallas.

I imagine most of my blogging will be uneventful but will document my life nonetheless. It will also help me to keep my family more updated I hope, as my older sister Katie will be moving to the Middle East for 2 years- she leaves in less than 2 weeks!!