Cameron's Preschool Graduation Video

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!

My new car!

The sun was in my eyes, so its not a good picture, but my car looks cute!

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!

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!

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!

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!