Friday, October 30, 2009
Big, big, big news!
I just wanted to announce that Brandon and I are expecting! Cammy is going to be a big brother and he is soooooo excited! We've known for a couple weeks, but wanted to keep it quiet until after my bloodwork came back and we had an ultrasound. I had been on Clomid for a few months, so I just needed to make sure everything was going like it should. It took us a year to get pregnant and I feel so blessed! Just pray everything continues to go well and smoothly. I had an ultrasound today and they saw a "Beautiful Sac", per the ultrasound lady:) She said it looked absolutely perfect. We go back in 3 weeks for another one to check for a heartbeat and do measurements. Right now, I'm about 7 weeks and the tentative due date is June 16th (interesting planning b/c camp is the 22nd and Brandon is supposed to dean and I'm supposed to nurse!). I've been pretty sick, which I didn't have with Cam, so that's taken some getting used to. Some meals stay down, some don't, but I will put up with anything b/c I am so thankful just to have gotten pregos again. Keep us in your prayers please!
Monday, September 7, 2009
Figured I'd give it a try...
1. Do you cook every night?
It goes in phases - I'll get in the mood for cooking and do really well for a week or two, then we get super busy and eat out a lot. I work a lot of 12 hour days and it's REALLY hard to cook a whole meal on those days, so some sort of fast food fits the bill (although I try to make it a little healthy, i.e. apples and salads instead of fries.) I really want to eat at home more and I have a lot of recipes I'd like to try. Secretly, I wish Brandon knew how to cook - wives, if your husband is a cook and loves it you are a blessed woman!
2. What kind of laundry detergent do you use & why?
Usually All rain scent and Snuggle fabric softener. I love our clothes to smell fresh and sweet!
3. Do you do laundry every day or loads at a time?
I try to do clothes and towels once a week on a day off, then tackle blankets and sheets on my weekend off. I like to have every ounce of laundry completed on my weekend off, the kind of keep up during the next 2 weeks.
4. How often do you eat out per week?
Depends on the week. Definitely lunch and dinner on Sundays, then maybe a couple times during the week depending on how busy we are! We eat out way too much and I am so aware of that!
5. Where do you usually eat out?
We eat Mi Ranchito a lot. I try to limit McDonald's, but my boys love it! We also do Applebees some, and I like Taco Bell every now and then. I eat lunch at the hospital some, but prefer to pack b/c then I always know I'll like what's for lunch:)
6. What is your favorite retail store?
I love Target, but the closest is Danville so we go to Walmart a lot. For clothes, I like Old Navy and Gap the best.
7. What’s your favorite thing to drink?
Sweet tea and water.
8. Do you take vitamins? What kind?
2 Flintstones everyday.
9. What percentage of the household chores to you do?
Brandon helps out a lot, so probably about 60-70%. Maybe more if you count the laundry, but he does a lot of dishes and swiffering. I do most of the rest, but he does outside stuff and the trash.
10. Do your children do chores? {Or will they, did they, etc}
Cam definitely will. Now, he is responsible for putting his toys away and making his bed. He does a pretty good job. He's also supposed to clear his plate after dinner.
11. Do you go to church?
Sunday mornings on my weekend off. Brandon and Cam go every Sunday morning and night. We also do Wednesday nights.
12. Do you have a housework schedule?
No, we just do what needs to be done. Laundry is probably the most scheduled thing.
13. Do you keep a working budget?
Brandon does the finances. We try to save as much as possible, if we eat at home more, we'll definitely be able to save more:)
14. What do you do at night as a family?
Depends on what we have going on with church stuff. If there's nothing planned, we watch tv, cam plays with toys, I scrapbook and read, Brandon does computer stuff. Sometimes Cam and Brandon play X-box together. We're pretty low-key around here.
15. How do you prepare yourself for a new week?
We just kind of go over my schedule, make sure Cam's bookbag is ready, I pack Cam's lunch if he doesn't want to buy. We don't so anything too in depth.
16. What do your mornings look like?
On a workday, I'm up at 545 am and I shower and get ready for work, then hea dout by 625 am. Brandon gets up at 7 or 715 am and gets Cam ready, then takes him to school. If I'm off, I'll take him to school and sometimes Brandon and I get breakfast together. On weekends, we take it easy unless there's a youth trip planned, or it's my weekend to work.
17. What time do you get up in the mornings?
See the previous question:)
18. What time do you go to bed at night?
10 or 11pm, Cam goes between 8 and 9, Brandon will go between 12 and 1 (he's bad for that).
19. How do you manage all of the paperwork that floods into your household? {bills, school work, magazines, ads, etc}
Brandon takes care of bills, I read my magazines whenever (they go on a table in the living room), I don't really get coupons, but we don't get the newspaper either. Cam's school stuff is gone through after school each day, I sign what needs to be signed, we do homework, and make sure his bookbag is ready for the next day. Junk mail gets tossed immediately, I hate clutter:)
20. How do you keep your household organized? {calendars, charts, etc}
We try to keep a calendar on the fridge. I kind of keep up with both our schedules, and remind Brandon of where we are each week:) We just try to keep it simple, not too complicated.
It goes in phases - I'll get in the mood for cooking and do really well for a week or two, then we get super busy and eat out a lot. I work a lot of 12 hour days and it's REALLY hard to cook a whole meal on those days, so some sort of fast food fits the bill (although I try to make it a little healthy, i.e. apples and salads instead of fries.) I really want to eat at home more and I have a lot of recipes I'd like to try. Secretly, I wish Brandon knew how to cook - wives, if your husband is a cook and loves it you are a blessed woman!
2. What kind of laundry detergent do you use & why?
Usually All rain scent and Snuggle fabric softener. I love our clothes to smell fresh and sweet!
3. Do you do laundry every day or loads at a time?
I try to do clothes and towels once a week on a day off, then tackle blankets and sheets on my weekend off. I like to have every ounce of laundry completed on my weekend off, the kind of keep up during the next 2 weeks.
4. How often do you eat out per week?
Depends on the week. Definitely lunch and dinner on Sundays, then maybe a couple times during the week depending on how busy we are! We eat out way too much and I am so aware of that!
5. Where do you usually eat out?
We eat Mi Ranchito a lot. I try to limit McDonald's, but my boys love it! We also do Applebees some, and I like Taco Bell every now and then. I eat lunch at the hospital some, but prefer to pack b/c then I always know I'll like what's for lunch:)
6. What is your favorite retail store?
I love Target, but the closest is Danville so we go to Walmart a lot. For clothes, I like Old Navy and Gap the best.
7. What’s your favorite thing to drink?
Sweet tea and water.
8. Do you take vitamins? What kind?
2 Flintstones everyday.
9. What percentage of the household chores to you do?
Brandon helps out a lot, so probably about 60-70%. Maybe more if you count the laundry, but he does a lot of dishes and swiffering. I do most of the rest, but he does outside stuff and the trash.
10. Do your children do chores? {Or will they, did they, etc}
Cam definitely will. Now, he is responsible for putting his toys away and making his bed. He does a pretty good job. He's also supposed to clear his plate after dinner.
11. Do you go to church?
Sunday mornings on my weekend off. Brandon and Cam go every Sunday morning and night. We also do Wednesday nights.
12. Do you have a housework schedule?
No, we just do what needs to be done. Laundry is probably the most scheduled thing.
13. Do you keep a working budget?
Brandon does the finances. We try to save as much as possible, if we eat at home more, we'll definitely be able to save more:)
14. What do you do at night as a family?
Depends on what we have going on with church stuff. If there's nothing planned, we watch tv, cam plays with toys, I scrapbook and read, Brandon does computer stuff. Sometimes Cam and Brandon play X-box together. We're pretty low-key around here.
15. How do you prepare yourself for a new week?
We just kind of go over my schedule, make sure Cam's bookbag is ready, I pack Cam's lunch if he doesn't want to buy. We don't so anything too in depth.
16. What do your mornings look like?
On a workday, I'm up at 545 am and I shower and get ready for work, then hea dout by 625 am. Brandon gets up at 7 or 715 am and gets Cam ready, then takes him to school. If I'm off, I'll take him to school and sometimes Brandon and I get breakfast together. On weekends, we take it easy unless there's a youth trip planned, or it's my weekend to work.
17. What time do you get up in the mornings?
See the previous question:)
18. What time do you go to bed at night?
10 or 11pm, Cam goes between 8 and 9, Brandon will go between 12 and 1 (he's bad for that).
19. How do you manage all of the paperwork that floods into your household? {bills, school work, magazines, ads, etc}
Brandon takes care of bills, I read my magazines whenever (they go on a table in the living room), I don't really get coupons, but we don't get the newspaper either. Cam's school stuff is gone through after school each day, I sign what needs to be signed, we do homework, and make sure his bookbag is ready for the next day. Junk mail gets tossed immediately, I hate clutter:)
20. How do you keep your household organized? {calendars, charts, etc}
We try to keep a calendar on the fridge. I kind of keep up with both our schedules, and remind Brandon of where we are each week:) We just try to keep it simple, not too complicated.
Sunday, August 23, 2009
A Day Off (Sort of...)
This has been a nice weekend. My mom, Paul, Z, my aunt, and cousin came to visit Thursday. We went to Fairy Stone on Friday, and they left Saturday morning. My boss let me change my schedule to come in at 11am so I could eat breakfast with my family before they went home. After eating, I headed into work (getting completely drenched in the process), only to find out I was on call until 3pm. So, I went in from 3-7, which was nice for a Saturday. I got to spend a little more time with my boys at home. Today (Sunday) I got put on call again, which was fine with me. The only problem was that I couldn't go to church because we have crappy AT&T and I can't get a signal at church. So, I've been here at home enjoying my coffee and watching a little bit of tv. The house was already clean, and the laundry was pretty much done b/c I did a lot of it yesterday. Its kind of a lazy morning for me! This week will be weird at work (and next week) b/c I have to work an 8 hr. night shift and a 12 hr. night shift each week. I've only ever worked one night shift and it wasn't a whole night - 3am-3pm. This should be interesting!
Cam started kindergarten last week. He did so well, and seemed to really like his new class and teacher. He said she's a "great teacher" and talked a lot about his new friends. He even remembered names, which he never knows, so I guess they made an impression on him. He walked in the first day like he owned the place, didn't even wave good-bye to us! My baby is such a big boy! I'm so proud of the little man he is becoming, but it's really hard to watch your baby grow up. He still fits in my arms and I can still pick him up, so that's good. He knows he'll always be Mama's baby b/c I tell him all the time:)
That's about it for this post. Nothing much else going on, just have to get through two crazy weeks of work! I'll let you know how the night shifts go!
Cam started kindergarten last week. He did so well, and seemed to really like his new class and teacher. He said she's a "great teacher" and talked a lot about his new friends. He even remembered names, which he never knows, so I guess they made an impression on him. He walked in the first day like he owned the place, didn't even wave good-bye to us! My baby is such a big boy! I'm so proud of the little man he is becoming, but it's really hard to watch your baby grow up. He still fits in my arms and I can still pick him up, so that's good. He knows he'll always be Mama's baby b/c I tell him all the time:)
That's about it for this post. Nothing much else going on, just have to get through two crazy weeks of work! I'll let you know how the night shifts go!
Friday, August 7, 2009
What interests me...
I think I want to see that new movie about Julia Child, but one thing bothers me. I get caught up in the whole cooking through her cookbook in one year. I think about how much it would cost to buy that much food and then how horrible I'd feel if I messed up the recipe. I'd feel like I wasted all that money! because this cookbook is a french one, not jut a basic one. Anyways, I still think I'd like to see the movie, although I'm sure Brandon would not:) Maybe I'll learn something about cooking from the movie!
So, we're back from a wonderful week of vacation! We went to the zoo, spent time on the beach, and got plenty of shopping time in. Brandon and I went to a movie, also, which was nice. It was so nice being away, but it felt good to get back home in our own house and beds. I like the feeling that this has really become our home. We talk a lot lately about future plans, and I truly feel like we may be where we are supposed to be. I know God has His plans for us and can send us where He wills, but I hate feeling like everywhere we live is temporary. I think that happens with youth ministers, versus preachers. Youth minsters sometimes seem like they have a 5 year limit or so at a church, but as we near 5 years in Horsepasture it just doesn't feel that way. I think churches as loving as Horsepasture and rare and far between (at least in our experience).
I started back to work on Wed. after being gone for a week and a half, which was different. I actually felt like I can't believe my vacation is already over - I felt like we'd just left! I love my job, I really do, and I feel blessed to have it, but it makes me really appreciate those days off! Some weeks it feels like all I do is work, especially when it's busy and I may get called in for additional shifts. But, overall things are great at work and I definitely can't complain in this day and time!
Cameron starts kindergarten on the 19th, which is unbelievable! He has grown up so quickly, I wish it'd slow down just a bit, so I can enjoy each moment even more! He keeps us busy, but is one of the funniest, most independent little boys I've ever met! Everyone who meets him lets us know how unique he is and I take that as a total compliment. He' just his own little person with a huge personality! Keep us in your prayers as we continue to try to expand our family, I won't go into too much detail, but we are trying some treatments and hope that they'll work without us having to turn to high measures.
Have a great day everyone out in bloggerland!
So, we're back from a wonderful week of vacation! We went to the zoo, spent time on the beach, and got plenty of shopping time in. Brandon and I went to a movie, also, which was nice. It was so nice being away, but it felt good to get back home in our own house and beds. I like the feeling that this has really become our home. We talk a lot lately about future plans, and I truly feel like we may be where we are supposed to be. I know God has His plans for us and can send us where He wills, but I hate feeling like everywhere we live is temporary. I think that happens with youth ministers, versus preachers. Youth minsters sometimes seem like they have a 5 year limit or so at a church, but as we near 5 years in Horsepasture it just doesn't feel that way. I think churches as loving as Horsepasture and rare and far between (at least in our experience).
I started back to work on Wed. after being gone for a week and a half, which was different. I actually felt like I can't believe my vacation is already over - I felt like we'd just left! I love my job, I really do, and I feel blessed to have it, but it makes me really appreciate those days off! Some weeks it feels like all I do is work, especially when it's busy and I may get called in for additional shifts. But, overall things are great at work and I definitely can't complain in this day and time!
Cameron starts kindergarten on the 19th, which is unbelievable! He has grown up so quickly, I wish it'd slow down just a bit, so I can enjoy each moment even more! He keeps us busy, but is one of the funniest, most independent little boys I've ever met! Everyone who meets him lets us know how unique he is and I take that as a total compliment. He' just his own little person with a huge personality! Keep us in your prayers as we continue to try to expand our family, I won't go into too much detail, but we are trying some treatments and hope that they'll work without us having to turn to high measures.
Have a great day everyone out in bloggerland!
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Little update...
It's been awhile, again. What have we been up to? We just got back from a great week of camp last week at Pitt. I was the official camp nurse this year, and everything pretty much went well until the last hour of camp, literally. One of the campers became unresponsive on the girls' bathroom floor, where I proceeded to get her to wake up a little bit and did some nurse-like things (vitals, finger stick, sternal rub to wake her up). She vomited several times all over the place, so I called an ambulance b/c I couldn't transport her half-awake and vomiting (that's just begging for some aspiration). In the end, she had a ruptured cyst, which can be extremely painful. It was a little scary b/c I'm used to the ICU where we have everything on a monitor right in front of you, we just have to evaluate the results (heart rhythm, pulse, BP, O2 sat, respirations). This is not the case at a rural camp. It is not fun to find someone pale, cold, and clammy, and not be able to check their O2 content. Cameron Bailey had literally left 5 minutes before this happened, and he had equipment that would have been extremely helpful to me! Rule for next year: he has to stay as long as I do:) I also never want to call a mother again and tell her I called an ambulance for her daughter, that felt awful. Other than that the week went great. Brandon and Tim Hunt put together an awesome experience for the kids, we had a great staff, and several kids made important decisions. The best part? I got to spend the whole week with Teri and Ariel! We both value our friendship so much and living so far apart is sad sometimes, so it was nice to be able to catch up and actually have the time to hang out. And don't even get me started on Ariel, the cutest baby in the world (besides Cammy, of course). I could have snuggled her all day, everyday! She is so sweet and happy - I think everyone there enjoyed their special smiles she passed out:)
Now that we're home, it's been back to real life. I'm back at work, which hasn't been too bad. Cam is enjoying his summer "bacation", (can't make a "V" with no front teeth). He's lost another tooth on the bottom now, so that's a total of 6 teeth missing from the front of his mouth, hence he has a big hole that his tongue will fit through. He'll be getting speech therapy at school this year b/c he needs some help in that area. Part of it is the missing teeth, the other part is developmental.
At camp, Brandon accidentally spewed lime chalk? all over a room he was in and proceeded to inhale it. He had to go to Urgent Care yesterday b/c he was having trouble breathing with a raspy cough and his skin burned. The diagnosis: Pleurisy (his lungs are inflamed and irritated from the corrosive lime), and chemical burns on his back. He's on prednisone now and doing ok. Scared me a bit b/c nothing is ever wrong with Brandon, so when he says his breathing is hard, it's not good.
I've been doing more cooking! My friend Liz told me about a cookbook called Hungry Girl and I have fallen in love with her recipes! They are revamped ideas of our favorite foods that are bad for us and they are yummy, yummy! I also have been going on Foodfit.com and getting really yummy, easy recipes. We are eating much healthier, which feels so much better than fast food on the run, which Brandon and Cam love.
Pray for me this week. I have a dr's appt. that will hopefully address some of the fertility issues I'm having. I won't go into more detail now, but it's a little scary for me and depressing. We hope God will bless us with another baby, but it's just not going as easily as we'd hoped.
I think that's about all for now. We have VBS coming up and then vacation in Wilmington, which i cannot wait for! This weekend is the fourth of July and we'll be at Smith Mountain Lake with Alicia (one of my best buddies) and her family, as well as some other good friends. Hopefully Brandon will be feeling better so he can wakeboard, he loves it and is really good! I'll just enjoy being out on the boat and the lake! Have a great Independence Day! Until next time......Jess.
Now that we're home, it's been back to real life. I'm back at work, which hasn't been too bad. Cam is enjoying his summer "bacation", (can't make a "V" with no front teeth). He's lost another tooth on the bottom now, so that's a total of 6 teeth missing from the front of his mouth, hence he has a big hole that his tongue will fit through. He'll be getting speech therapy at school this year b/c he needs some help in that area. Part of it is the missing teeth, the other part is developmental.
At camp, Brandon accidentally spewed lime chalk? all over a room he was in and proceeded to inhale it. He had to go to Urgent Care yesterday b/c he was having trouble breathing with a raspy cough and his skin burned. The diagnosis: Pleurisy (his lungs are inflamed and irritated from the corrosive lime), and chemical burns on his back. He's on prednisone now and doing ok. Scared me a bit b/c nothing is ever wrong with Brandon, so when he says his breathing is hard, it's not good.
I've been doing more cooking! My friend Liz told me about a cookbook called Hungry Girl and I have fallen in love with her recipes! They are revamped ideas of our favorite foods that are bad for us and they are yummy, yummy! I also have been going on Foodfit.com and getting really yummy, easy recipes. We are eating much healthier, which feels so much better than fast food on the run, which Brandon and Cam love.
Pray for me this week. I have a dr's appt. that will hopefully address some of the fertility issues I'm having. I won't go into more detail now, but it's a little scary for me and depressing. We hope God will bless us with another baby, but it's just not going as easily as we'd hoped.
I think that's about all for now. We have VBS coming up and then vacation in Wilmington, which i cannot wait for! This weekend is the fourth of July and we'll be at Smith Mountain Lake with Alicia (one of my best buddies) and her family, as well as some other good friends. Hopefully Brandon will be feeling better so he can wakeboard, he loves it and is really good! I'll just enjoy being out on the boat and the lake! Have a great Independence Day! Until next time......Jess.
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Our goings -ons:)
I actually had to go back and see where I left off so I could update! Last weekend we went camping overnight for Cam's first time. He had a blast! While Brandon and I put our tent up, Cam collected all the firewood, and I mean ALL! He found huge, dry limbs and dragged them over for us to break up - some were so big that we couldn't break them, we'll have to bring an axe next time. I was very proud of him - we were set with firewood for our whole little stay. We only stayed overnight b/c we had church on Sunday and had to get home. Mom, Paul, Steph, and Z met us. It was a nice time overall.
Monday we went up to the lake for the day. Brandon got to wakeboard a lot, which made him happy (and sore). He's getting really good - water sports come so naturally to him. He stood up the first time he got on the wakeboard - its kind of like surfing behind a boat, so he would be good at that. He misses the beach so much sometimes, it makes me sad, but things are so good for us here that he makes that sacrifice. We will go for a week this summer, so we're stoked about that.
Cam graduates from preschool next week, which is crazy! He's been practicing his songs and standing still for the ceremony. He's excited about kindergarten and talks about it a lot. He's grown so fast! I'll probably cry at the graduation. He is so not a baby anymore!
Well, that's about it for now. Working and home stuff keeps me plenty busy and it's so hard to stay caught up. Brandon said I could hire a housecleaner to come once very other week to get the deep cleaning done that I don't have time for. One of our kid's mom cleans houses, so I think I'll talk to her. We shall see!
Monday we went up to the lake for the day. Brandon got to wakeboard a lot, which made him happy (and sore). He's getting really good - water sports come so naturally to him. He stood up the first time he got on the wakeboard - its kind of like surfing behind a boat, so he would be good at that. He misses the beach so much sometimes, it makes me sad, but things are so good for us here that he makes that sacrifice. We will go for a week this summer, so we're stoked about that.
Cam graduates from preschool next week, which is crazy! He's been practicing his songs and standing still for the ceremony. He's excited about kindergarten and talks about it a lot. He's grown so fast! I'll probably cry at the graduation. He is so not a baby anymore!
Well, that's about it for now. Working and home stuff keeps me plenty busy and it's so hard to stay caught up. Brandon said I could hire a housecleaner to come once very other week to get the deep cleaning done that I don't have time for. One of our kid's mom cleans houses, so I think I'll talk to her. We shall see!
Saturday, May 9, 2009
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Paintball, Smith Mtn. Lake, a birthday, and itching!
This past weekend was busy! But, in a super-fun kind of way. Friday we left to take the kids to play paintball. My brother and his fiance met us, and we went to the field where my dad plays, so we got to see him and Anna, also. Anna and I took the ferry with Cam to Williamsburg and ran into the Crosbys and the Murdocks. That was a complete surprise! \I was so excited to see Emily - it made me realize how much I miss her, Duane, and the kids. We got back Saturday evening. On Saturday, I started itching a little, but blew it off thinking it was from being outside almost all day.
Sunday we went up to Smith Mountain Lake with Alicia and her family. They have a lake house up there and a couple of boats, and we love going there in the summer! Her dad put his boat in the water, and he took Cam and I along with everyone, but Brandon (who got sick to his stomach and had to go home), all around the lake. We went to the ESPN bass fishing championship weigh-in, and Cam rode a carousel and ate some corn-on-the-cob. I also was itching on Sunday, but kept trying to ignore the rash that was showing up on my arms and stomach.
Monday was Cam's fifth birthday! Time flies by so quickly! Since we were so busy, we decided to keep it simple. We brought a Ben 10 cake and icecream to school, which he thought was an awesome party. Then, we came home and he opened his gifts. We got him a couple of games for his DS and some action figures from the new Wolverine movie. I potted some pretty flowers for the front porch while he played with his new toys. We let him pick dinner and Alicia came with us. He picked the Japanese steakhouse (after he found out McDonalds didn't have toys he wanted in their happy meals). All in all it was a great day!
Monday evening I noticed that this spoltchy, itch rash was climbing up my neck to my face, on my stomach and back, and on my arms and legs. It was getting to the point of miserable. I called my supervisor to let her know, and she said not to come in Tuesday and to go to the doctor.
My doctor worked me in Tuesday morning (benefit of being an ICU nurse and knowing him from work), and he diagnosed me with contact dermatitis ( a catch-all term for allergic rashes). He thought I had some poison ivy or oak spores blow on me. He gave me a cortisone shot and sent me on my way.
I went back to work today, and it was fine. I am crazy itchy, and I have to take an oatmeal bath and coat myself in calamine cream in order to sleep. Luckly my patients didn't seem to notice the pink hue on my arms and neck today. That would have been fun to explain:)
We have thoroughly enjoyed being outside this past weekend and beginning of the week! I love the sunshine - I feel like we've only gone indoors to eat and sleep! I took a few pics from the weekend and will probably stick them on Facebook and Myspace! Have good week - I'm going to be working a lot! 2 weekends in a row - ugh!
Sunday we went up to Smith Mountain Lake with Alicia and her family. They have a lake house up there and a couple of boats, and we love going there in the summer! Her dad put his boat in the water, and he took Cam and I along with everyone, but Brandon (who got sick to his stomach and had to go home), all around the lake. We went to the ESPN bass fishing championship weigh-in, and Cam rode a carousel and ate some corn-on-the-cob. I also was itching on Sunday, but kept trying to ignore the rash that was showing up on my arms and stomach.
Monday was Cam's fifth birthday! Time flies by so quickly! Since we were so busy, we decided to keep it simple. We brought a Ben 10 cake and icecream to school, which he thought was an awesome party. Then, we came home and he opened his gifts. We got him a couple of games for his DS and some action figures from the new Wolverine movie. I potted some pretty flowers for the front porch while he played with his new toys. We let him pick dinner and Alicia came with us. He picked the Japanese steakhouse (after he found out McDonalds didn't have toys he wanted in their happy meals). All in all it was a great day!
Monday evening I noticed that this spoltchy, itch rash was climbing up my neck to my face, on my stomach and back, and on my arms and legs. It was getting to the point of miserable. I called my supervisor to let her know, and she said not to come in Tuesday and to go to the doctor.
My doctor worked me in Tuesday morning (benefit of being an ICU nurse and knowing him from work), and he diagnosed me with contact dermatitis ( a catch-all term for allergic rashes). He thought I had some poison ivy or oak spores blow on me. He gave me a cortisone shot and sent me on my way.
I went back to work today, and it was fine. I am crazy itchy, and I have to take an oatmeal bath and coat myself in calamine cream in order to sleep. Luckly my patients didn't seem to notice the pink hue on my arms and neck today. That would have been fun to explain:)
We have thoroughly enjoyed being outside this past weekend and beginning of the week! I love the sunshine - I feel like we've only gone indoors to eat and sleep! I took a few pics from the weekend and will probably stick them on Facebook and Myspace! Have good week - I'm going to be working a lot! 2 weekends in a row - ugh!
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Another busy couple of weeks...
Sometimes I feel like I need several days with nothing to do just to catch up on all I want to do. Unfortunately being married to a youth minister, working full-time, and being a mommy don't allow for that! My work schedule has changed to two 8 hour days and two 12 hours days a week which is nice on the 8 hour days and loooong on the 12 hour days. not long as in boring - that doesn't seem to happen much in the ICU, but long as in exhausting! I have been completely on my own for a couple weeks and have actually surprised myself. I've never been naturally good at many things, but nursing seems to be one of them! I was excited when I realized that - I don't know if that makes since to anyone, but it does to me:)
I am so happy with the warm weather we're having. We had so much rain that I was starting to get depressed. I am one of those people who needs sun and without it I get mopier and mopier. Well, Friday we had sun! We went to Owen's Farm with Cam's class and had a blast. I held a baby goat for a while which was a major highlight for me. The best part was that Cameron was so excited for me to be there. I've been trying to balance this full-time job thing and the mommy thing and sometimes fall short on one or the other - or things get left out, like all the laundry being done all the time. So, for him to tell everyone he wanted to sit with his Mommy felt great! I notice where I drop the ball, but he doesn't seem to, so that's good:)
This weekend I have 4 days off in a row! We are leaving Friday and Saturday for a youth paintball trip and getting back Sat. night. See what I mean about never having nothing to do? I'm excited though b/c my brother and Rachel are coming, and my Dad and Anna will be there. I'll get to go shopping with Anna, which is always fun!
That's it for now! Have a good week!
I am so happy with the warm weather we're having. We had so much rain that I was starting to get depressed. I am one of those people who needs sun and without it I get mopier and mopier. Well, Friday we had sun! We went to Owen's Farm with Cam's class and had a blast. I held a baby goat for a while which was a major highlight for me. The best part was that Cameron was so excited for me to be there. I've been trying to balance this full-time job thing and the mommy thing and sometimes fall short on one or the other - or things get left out, like all the laundry being done all the time. So, for him to tell everyone he wanted to sit with his Mommy felt great! I notice where I drop the ball, but he doesn't seem to, so that's good:)
This weekend I have 4 days off in a row! We are leaving Friday and Saturday for a youth paintball trip and getting back Sat. night. See what I mean about never having nothing to do? I'm excited though b/c my brother and Rachel are coming, and my Dad and Anna will be there. I'll get to go shopping with Anna, which is always fun!
That's it for now! Have a good week!
Friday, March 27, 2009
Embarrassing little man...
So, I have finally reached the point with Cameron where almost everything he does has the potential to humiliate me. For instance, the other day in the Olive Garden bathroom (with a group of Red Hat ladies waiting for a stall), he proceeded to explain to everyone why girls have to "sit on their butts" to use the potty. Use your imagination as to what he said, I can assure you I was embarrassed. He has become very independent and has the most interesting ideas which he shares with anyone who'll listen. We have also reached the stage of imaginary friends - he had me convinced he was being bullied at school until he told me the kid's name was "Big Man" and he was a ghost.
Onto other happenings in our life...I am really loving my job. I am in my last week of orientation and then I am on my own! The past few weeks, my preceptor has taken her own patients b/c I'm pretty much independent, but it'll be weird not having someone waiting to answer all my questions. I think I'm ready, which is good b/c I work in the ICU and there's little room for error. Brandon's been busy with church stuff. We're singing on Sun, which we haven't done in a while. He is so supportive of me and I thank God so much for such an awesome husband and father to Cameron!
Well, that's it for now - I'm off to finish laundry, clean the bathroom, and fix some lunch! Have a great weekend - I will...I'm off til Monday!
Friday, March 20, 2009
We're home!
We got back this evening from Gospel Rally. We had a really good time! I enjoyed seeing everyone this year - it's been since I was pregnant that we've gone. Everyone's kids were so cute - so many babies! Cameron had a really good time in his class and he behaved very well (which made me so thankful). We went up Wed. night after I got off work and Brandon got out of church. We got to E.C. around 1:30 am and checked into our hotel, then hit the hay! I knew we had to rush back today, so I wanted to head up early and have at least a whole day there. Then, we went to the basketball game , which Cam was really interested in - that surprised me! He was rooting for the white team, and wanted to know who the loud guy (Neil Alligood) was cheering for:) We left today after the AM session and met up with Mom, Paul and Steph for lunch. I was glad to get home, but was really happy we went! It made me a little homesick, though. Living so far out here can be hard b/c we miss family and friends. I have to head to bed b/c I work 12 hours tomorrow and Sunday! Night!
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Getting stuff done...
It is gorgeous today, even though they were predicting rain ( somehow that changed yesterday). I don't want it to get cold again - I LOVE having my windows open and being able to wear t-shirts, jeans, and flip flops! Nothing much has been going on in our life here in Horsepasture - just working, which I love. I'll be coming out of orientation soon which means I'll lose my preceptor and have my patients all alone. That is a little terrifying! I'm ok with normal care and small problems, but I'm still learning about codes and what to do when a patient crashes. I'm sure it'll be fine - the other nurses I work with are so helpful and really value teamwork, so they'll be there to help me some.
Last week we headed to Wilmington for a couple of days. Brandon's granny is not doing well - she had surgery for colon cancer about 4 weeks ago and now refuses to eat. I hope she pulls through, but it's not looking very positive right now. Please keep her in your prayers.
We'll be going to Gospel Rally next week, which I'm excited about. The drive wil be long but it'll be so nice seeing everyone! I have to work that weekend, so we'll leave Fri. after the AM session and get back home. Probably see some of you all there!
Last week we headed to Wilmington for a couple of days. Brandon's granny is not doing well - she had surgery for colon cancer about 4 weeks ago and now refuses to eat. I hope she pulls through, but it's not looking very positive right now. Please keep her in your prayers.
We'll be going to Gospel Rally next week, which I'm excited about. The drive wil be long but it'll be so nice seeing everyone! I have to work that weekend, so we'll leave Fri. after the AM session and get back home. Probably see some of you all there!
Friday, February 27, 2009
Stress and relief...
So, right now I am thoroughly enjoying my morning coffee and a chocolate biscotti (my favorite). Today Cam didn't have school and it's gloomy and rainy, so were were able to sleep in and enjoy being snuggly indoors. I really like days like this. I need to catch up on the laundry and some housework before 3, b/c we're heading to Roanoke today to eat dinner with Chris and Sarah Brandow - we haven't hung out w/them since Olivet!
Now for the HUGE news! I passed my state Boards for nursing - I am an RN finally! I can't even describe the relief I feel that the journey of becoming an RN is over, and now I can really enjoy being one. I was 99% convinced I had failed b/c my test cut off at 90 questions (the minimum is 75 and the max is 265). You get an amount of questions depending on how well you're doing. The test can cut off early b/c you did great, or b/c you got too many wrong too quickly. I was leaning towards too many wrong b/c out of all the questions I really didn't know most of the answers. It doesn't matter now, b/c I passed, but that was a very stressful 24 hours to wait on my results! Everyone says they think they failed when they left, too.
Well, that's it for now - nothing much else exciting going on other than that! Off to do some laundry!
Now for the HUGE news! I passed my state Boards for nursing - I am an RN finally! I can't even describe the relief I feel that the journey of becoming an RN is over, and now I can really enjoy being one. I was 99% convinced I had failed b/c my test cut off at 90 questions (the minimum is 75 and the max is 265). You get an amount of questions depending on how well you're doing. The test can cut off early b/c you did great, or b/c you got too many wrong too quickly. I was leaning towards too many wrong b/c out of all the questions I really didn't know most of the answers. It doesn't matter now, b/c I passed, but that was a very stressful 24 hours to wait on my results! Everyone says they think they failed when they left, too.
Well, that's it for now - nothing much else exciting going on other than that! Off to do some laundry!
Sunday, February 15, 2009
The circus!
Yesterday we went to the circus! I haven't been since I was itty bitty, and I loved every second if it! It was called Zing Zang Zoom, and they made an elephant disappear and turned a man into a tiger - I still can't figure out how they did it! Cam's mouth hung open almost the entire time. I was so glad we were able to take him. They had 13 tigers and 12 elephants. One of the tigers pooped when he was supposed to be doing a trick, then growled at the trainer when he tried to make him perform. The trainer said (in a thick Italian accent), "Are you ready to play? No? Let me know when you are done." That cracked me up. The tigers seemed very irritable so I was glad we were high up. They kept growling and snapping at each other. I also couldn't tell if the elephants liked doing their tricks - they looked sad to me, but that may just be how elephants look. Everything else was wonderful, but very overstimulating - I couldn't figure out where to look. I am so happy we are able to take Cam to things like that - he's been saying "Zing Zang Zoom" since yesterday. The joy on his face was priceless:)
We did find a new bedrom set. It is a nice, dark wood and very classic. I really like clean lines and not too much frill. Our bed is a sleigh bed and it is gorgeous. We also got a pillow-top mattress set and it is super comfy! I wanted to find something that would never grow old, so we could keep it forever. Cam is enjoying our old bedroom set. He looks like a little prince in the queen sized bed - there's plenty of room for his collection of stuffed animals. Nothing much else going on - I did get to go shopping yesterday and had so much fun picking out baby girl clothes for baby Ariel - I'll try and mail them tomorrow Teri! I hope they fit - I was so excited to shop for a girl:) That's it for now! Have a good night!
We did find a new bedrom set. It is a nice, dark wood and very classic. I really like clean lines and not too much frill. Our bed is a sleigh bed and it is gorgeous. We also got a pillow-top mattress set and it is super comfy! I wanted to find something that would never grow old, so we could keep it forever. Cam is enjoying our old bedroom set. He looks like a little prince in the queen sized bed - there's plenty of room for his collection of stuffed animals. Nothing much else going on - I did get to go shopping yesterday and had so much fun picking out baby girl clothes for baby Ariel - I'll try and mail them tomorrow Teri! I hope they fit - I was so excited to shop for a girl:) That's it for now! Have a good night!
Monday, February 9, 2009
Going on a bedroom hunt...
That's what we're doing today...going on a bedroom hunt. We've been wanting a new bedroom set for awhile and now we have the cash to buy it! The only problem has been we have so many criteria and we are both so picky that it's been hard to find what we know we want. Cam is excited b/c he'll be getting our bedroom set and he loves our big bed! He's been wanting to "trade" for weeks now:) Hopefully we'll find what we want in the price range we want.
Today I was off and so was Brandon - he took Cam to school and we've been so lazy. I slept in until 1030 and we've just hung around the house literally doing nothing. That feels so good once in a while. He was going to go to the SMOV meeting, but decided not to b/c I have to work tomorrow. That's the hardest part about living so far from our families - it's really hard to ask a friend if you can drop your 4 year old off at their house at 0545 in the am so you can get to work. We have so many people that love Cam and they probably wouldn't mind, but that's a lot to ask I think.
Well, that's it for now - I'll let you know if we find anything!
Today I was off and so was Brandon - he took Cam to school and we've been so lazy. I slept in until 1030 and we've just hung around the house literally doing nothing. That feels so good once in a while. He was going to go to the SMOV meeting, but decided not to b/c I have to work tomorrow. That's the hardest part about living so far from our families - it's really hard to ask a friend if you can drop your 4 year old off at their house at 0545 in the am so you can get to work. We have so many people that love Cam and they probably wouldn't mind, but that's a lot to ask I think.
Well, that's it for now - I'll let you know if we find anything!
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Another week done...
I am really starting to like my job. Each day I learn about a hundred new things, but that makes each day better as far as managing my patients' care and knowing what to do. When they say you graduate nursing school with the least amount of knowledge to succeed, they are right. I have learned more the past 4 weeks than all throughout nursing school. I'm glad its all coming together and starting to make sense, though.
I'm also learning how to manage my time better when I am not working. I haven't worked full-time since before Cam was born, and although nursing school took so much of my time, I was still at home more each day. I am trying to make sure to stay on top of things like laundry and housework so it doesn't get away from me (hard to do since our dishwasher broke yesterday!).
Tomorrow should be fun. I am going bowling with Cam's class in the morning, and then we have RBC's Fri. night live thing they are doing at Rich Acres that night. Saturday I have to work 12 hours and Brandon'll be doing the Valentine's banquet at church. I'll get there hopefully before 8 and be able to see David Herring and his group perform.
That's it for now - I can't hink of anything else to write about, and I'm not sure if anyone reads this anyways. Maybe I'm typing to myself:)
I'm also learning how to manage my time better when I am not working. I haven't worked full-time since before Cam was born, and although nursing school took so much of my time, I was still at home more each day. I am trying to make sure to stay on top of things like laundry and housework so it doesn't get away from me (hard to do since our dishwasher broke yesterday!).
Tomorrow should be fun. I am going bowling with Cam's class in the morning, and then we have RBC's Fri. night live thing they are doing at Rich Acres that night. Saturday I have to work 12 hours and Brandon'll be doing the Valentine's banquet at church. I'll get there hopefully before 8 and be able to see David Herring and his group perform.
That's it for now - I can't hink of anything else to write about, and I'm not sure if anyone reads this anyways. Maybe I'm typing to myself:)
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Busy Week...
So, I'm still getting used to this whole working full-time thing. Since I work 12 hour days, 3 days a week, I thought it'd be so nice getting the extra 2 days off a week. But it is super HARD! I know part of it is because I am still training as a new nurse, and part of it is I work in the ICU, so my patients are really sick. I'm adjusting, but I feel so tired and worn out. It also means that 3 days a week I hardly see Brandon and Cameron. That's probably the hardest part. I just have to remind myself about the extra days I can give them all my time. I feel like I'm still kind of in limbo. Hopefully as I adjust, that feeling will go away. I do really like my job, and I am very proud of myself each day in all that I've learned. (And Brandon is proud of my paycheck:))!
Cam said something so funny yesterday when I took him to school. He was disappointed that he had to go b/c he'd had a 2 hour delay, and he thought he was not having school. He started whining on the way there and said his leg "hurt so bad." I told him I'd have to take him to the hospital, then, b/c if your leg hurts so bad you can't go to school, it must be really bad. He proceeded to reply, "Mom, do you think we don't have a nurse at my school?" I said she'd call me, then I'd take him to the doctor. He frowned and said "My nurse doesn't give shots like you, Mommy. She just has temperatures and bandaids." I laughed so hard (after he left the car, he was so serious that laughing would've offended him.) He's such a sweet and funny boy and he always makes me smile:) He's excited right now b/c we're planning on getting a new bed, so he'll get our old one - which he loves! He also is excited to have more room for his stuffed animals - we have a queen, he has a twin. He keeps so many stuffed animals in his bed, he almost doesn't fit:)
Well, I'm heading to bed now - I have another 12 hour day tomorrow! Then I have 3 whole days off! Yippee!
Cam said something so funny yesterday when I took him to school. He was disappointed that he had to go b/c he'd had a 2 hour delay, and he thought he was not having school. He started whining on the way there and said his leg "hurt so bad." I told him I'd have to take him to the hospital, then, b/c if your leg hurts so bad you can't go to school, it must be really bad. He proceeded to reply, "Mom, do you think we don't have a nurse at my school?" I said she'd call me, then I'd take him to the doctor. He frowned and said "My nurse doesn't give shots like you, Mommy. She just has temperatures and bandaids." I laughed so hard (after he left the car, he was so serious that laughing would've offended him.) He's such a sweet and funny boy and he always makes me smile:) He's excited right now b/c we're planning on getting a new bed, so he'll get our old one - which he loves! He also is excited to have more room for his stuffed animals - we have a queen, he has a twin. He keeps so many stuffed animals in his bed, he almost doesn't fit:)
Well, I'm heading to bed now - I have another 12 hour day tomorrow! Then I have 3 whole days off! Yippee!
Friday, January 23, 2009
I finally did it...
I've been meaning to start one of these for months, but couldn't pick a title (so forgive mine if it's silly). I put spaces between the first four letters of our name b/c that's how I have to tell it to everyone. Apparently it's a difficult name to spell, who knew?
I guess I should start this with a quick overview of me and my family. Brandon seriously is the love of my life, and my biggest supporter. I thank God for bringing him into my life! I'll stop being mushy now:) He is the youth minister at the Horsepasture Christian Church and has been there for over 4 years. He really loves it here, as do I, and it is a wonderful community to raise our child in. Which leads me to Cameron, our almost five-year old!!! I can't believe he's that old! They grow so fast...cherish every second with your little ones b/c they fly by! He is in preschool and is a wild man. His imagination is amazing, and he can tell the best stories (especially about superheroes). He is also so sweet and kind, when he wants to be:) He is the joy of my life and I can't even describe how special he is to me. Now to me. I just graduated nursing school in December and will take my RN boards in February ( say a prayer!). I am working as a nurse in the ICU and am getting the hang of it. It is harder than anything I've ever done, but I am confident I'll be a great nurse. I know I have a lot to learn, and I am working very hard at it!
I guess this is it for my first post. I'll try to update regularly, especially if something good happens:) Now, I'm going to get back to laundry and cleaning up (it's my day off and that's what I must do!) Have a great weekend!
I guess I should start this with a quick overview of me and my family. Brandon seriously is the love of my life, and my biggest supporter. I thank God for bringing him into my life! I'll stop being mushy now:) He is the youth minister at the Horsepasture Christian Church and has been there for over 4 years. He really loves it here, as do I, and it is a wonderful community to raise our child in. Which leads me to Cameron, our almost five-year old!!! I can't believe he's that old! They grow so fast...cherish every second with your little ones b/c they fly by! He is in preschool and is a wild man. His imagination is amazing, and he can tell the best stories (especially about superheroes). He is also so sweet and kind, when he wants to be:) He is the joy of my life and I can't even describe how special he is to me. Now to me. I just graduated nursing school in December and will take my RN boards in February ( say a prayer!). I am working as a nurse in the ICU and am getting the hang of it. It is harder than anything I've ever done, but I am confident I'll be a great nurse. I know I have a lot to learn, and I am working very hard at it!
I guess this is it for my first post. I'll try to update regularly, especially if something good happens:) Now, I'm going to get back to laundry and cleaning up (it's my day off and that's what I must do!) Have a great weekend!
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