Where to Start?

It has been so long since I've blogged, I don't even know where to begin!

Well, as you all know I finished my first semester of the Nursing Program! It was intense but so amazing! I can't imagine doing anything else! A lot of what I learned this semester (bed changes, bathing, etc) I already knew (which was nice!) from doing my CNA (certified Nursing asst) classes and working as one. But I did learn to give all types of shots, and all types of medication! That was so amazing! as horrible as it sounds, it was So fun sticking people with needles!!! =D

As For Shane, he has been preping for his deployment (he left monday the 28th) And started taking some college classes! He is off to Afghanistan this time and should be back RIGHT before Joanna and Jake's wedding! It is supposed to be an 80 day deployment, which would bring him back on the 18th!!! So we are hoping it is shorter than that or he may not be able to come!


Thanks Giving was AMAZING! Shane and I invited out friends Brooke and Em ( brooke is in school with me, she is amazing. Her and her husband have been together since they were 15 and they got married when she was 17, they are a lot like Shane and me, and we love them!!) over and between us two ladies we had a FEAST! Shane and I had out next door neighbors deep fry our turkey... yummmmmmmmmmm... it was incredible! Brooke and I traded off who made what! it was so yummy!

Right after Thanksgiving, Shane and I went to the Saints Vs. Patriots game! we won tickets at a pizza place down here by finding the cherries in a whip cream pie. we won by FAR! We both found all the cherries in each of our pies before one of the couples even found half! =) we weren't afraid to get our faces dirty =) it was so much fun and a time we won't forget, even if the people next to us brought binoculars in order to see!!! hehe

I was for the Patriots, Shane was for the St's.... Makes it more fun that way =)
...he won...

Christmas for us was relaxing! (Besides me being sick over my entire Christmas break!) We Opened our stockings before breakfast then our presents after =) We both recieved awesome gifts! I got a new camera (I broke mine around 2 months ago!! =( ) his big present was a Play Station 3! He actually got that in November, because it made no sense to buy it for him 3 days before he deployed! as for our christmas dinner we went over to some of his friends house who didn't have any family to spend Christmas with. It was a great Christmas! Im so glad Shane got to be here this year!!

So that about catches us up! Life is busy but amazing. Now Shane is deployed but I am SO greatful that he was able to be home for so many holidays!!! His birthday is Jan 20th, so if anyone wants to send him a card let me know! I have his address!!! =) He would love some!

I am about to start up my second semester of Nursing school! I've heard rumors that the second semester is the hardest of them all! This time we will be learning how to do catheters, IV's, sterile wound care, etc etc.. all the tough important things!!! I am So excited but nervous too!!

I will do my best to keep everyone updated better! Hope to see you all soon!

Joannas Videos

Memories

I was sitting at my computer last night, just looking at old pictures. I thought I'd share the memories =)

I dont think she knew he was there... haha, Pops =)

haha

yikes

The Cookster!!!!

girlies

JERRS!!

Oh matthew =)

Shane and Joj

Long time ago!

Their First Thanksgiving! (mollies first Turkey!!)

So young!

Hehe

Joj Do you remember the plane ride to NC?? =)

Our 15th Birthday I think!

I love looking back =) I hope everyone did too!!!

Nursing Orientation!

Im gonna blog a bit about how my Orientation went! Its mainly to catch Shane up to date and give him a heads up as to what he'll be coming home to, and to anyone else interested!! =)


Today was the last day, it went really well! We learned a LOT more critical and useful information today than we did yesterday. A lady spoke about learning styles, I am (ive known this) a Visual-Haptic learner, I do well by seeing things and hands on, I have a short attention span, and when I sit for long period of times I move(shaking my legs or foot). They gave us lots of tips on to each style should study and test, it was very interesting!
Then, (my favorite part of the day) Nursing students who are half way done with the program came and talked to us. It was very encouraging, and also unerving! They said it's been extremely hard, but amazing.
After that, we got to talk to one of our soon-to-be intrusctors........that was scary...
she gave us stuff to study and said be ready for a quiz the first day! Its just changing Oz to mL and stuff, but still! They have eqivilants and conversions Ive never seen before! So I'll have to start looking at those!! And then she told us our schedule.........
her words were, "You can buy the books next week and begin reading...if you'd like, its up to you. the first day of class we will begin unit 1 it wil take us two days to go over unit one so be prepared for it, Unit one is Chapter 1-5, and 15, 16, then the second week we will do Unit two 6-14, and 32... then we will have our first exam on Sept 9"
EVERYONE went SILENT! The semester starts August 24th and we are having an exam over 22 chapters two weeks into the semester!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
We were all like... If we don't read before the semester begins we are in trouble. haha
So I am looking forward to being able to buy all nine of my books next week and begin reading and outlining each chapter! woohoo!
All in all today was amazing too =) I am so excited!
Oh and Shane, one of the suggestions to us was to slack off on house duties, they said*and I quote* "its okay is the dishes sit in the sink for two days or so, your bed doesn't have to be made every morning... the house doesn't have to be spotless. Do whatever is needed for you to succeed" So....You cant be upset if house duties come after!
They said they have homework due almsot everyday, even on days there are no class you turn it in through the internet! hahahaha
This is gonna be the hardest thing ive never done, but I am SOOOOOOOOOO excited to finally get started!
Here are some pics off all the coolio stuff I got!

My Name Tag! Nursing Process I
I am known as an NPI hehe

looooove it

All my cool stuff.
A very spiffy lunch bag
lots of pens
a band aid dispencer
my student Planner (i bought one the first day, then they handed some out!!!)
a Nursing pin
a nail file (?) random
I think thats about it
oh and post it notes

July 4th

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!!!!!!!

It's a Miracle....I'm Blogging!!

So sorry its been SO long since we've blogged. Life has been amazing and crazy and blessed! =)
As most everyone knows...I GOT INTO THE RN Program, here at Northwest Florida State College. I recently received a package from them with all the things I have to do (and pay for) before the semester even begins! Because we will be working with patients even our first semester we have to have a clean bill of health, and we have to have a clean background check! (cant be an issue seeing as this will be my THIRD background check since I've lived in FL). And seeing as each cost 96 dollars, I wish they could just take info from my previous ones! lol
I have an Orientation on July 16 and 17 that will explain everything I need to know, how to register for classes, what to expect, and hopefully my schedule(somewhat). My bosses at FWBDC (fort walton beach developmental Center) are excited for me, but extremely sad to see me go, seeing as I don't really want to be working while I'm in the program. The HEAD honcho did, however, offer me the center to do my internship. I am still considering this, there are pros and cons to that, because the actual RNS do nothing there, they just sit in an office, the LPNS do all the meds and interactions, so we'll see about that.

Anyway, moving on!
As everyone else knows Shane was deployed this month, the 20th to be exact =)This is him with all the luggage, as you can see they all look.....similar? haha So he has his marked with BRIGHT green tape. You should see how creative some people get with tape on those cases.
Shane is doing really well over there right now. he says the average days hits about 120. He also says he is So glad he works and night (whens its only about 105 or so) and sleeps during the day!! =) so keep him in your prayers!! He is "scheduled" to come home the beginning of September, but we all know the military and their "schedules".

Seeing as I have no children to blog about, I will blog about my doggy!

Bella has certainly been growing! She is now about 50 pounds and isn't done growing at all. The vet says she'll be a big girl. She is an amazing puppy for being six months old. I can take her on walks and let her off her leash and she'll walk up a bit turn around and wait for me, then walk up a bit, then turn around and wait. And she hardly gets distracted. She hardly noticed birds, cats, even other dogs. The only things she loves too much to pass up are children. she ADORES little kids. =)
Since Shane has left, she has taken over his side of the bed, and i think she'll fight for it when he comes home! She has gotten into the habit of waking me up everything morning around 730 by laying down on my stomach, mind you, 50 pounds plopping down onto a sleeping stomach... not pleasant haha. but it is expected these days. The other morning I woke up because I felt something on a face. Well, turns out Bella was laying on her back arms in the air with her cheek pressed up against mine. It startled me a little and i woke Bella up. All she did was lick me cheek press against my face and go back to sleep. She is so cuddly, I love it. Makes me feel like I'm not sleeping alone! She helps me everyday Shane is gone. I love coming home to an extremely happy dog, rather than a silent house. She loves talking to Shane on Skype too, she'll lick the camera =) she does get very confused when she hears his voice but can't find him. I know she misses him, she hates being outside or locked in my bedroom for the 8 hours Im at work. I have started coming home on the 30 min breaks to feed her and say hello. We can't wait for Shane to be back!

And now I shall leave you, with the grand finale.... Bella's latest trick!!

pouncing

here ya go joj!

our new home!!

So, Im sure everyone knows that... WE MOVED. it was sudden and fast and crazy but completly what God had in mind for us! About two weeks ago I was feeling very stressed and worn out. IN Church that Sunday I prayed that God would help me out with Work, School, and moving. I seriously felt him lift my stress away and say "Don't worry about it, give it to me and I'll take care of you" So thats what i did. Days later i found out i had straight A's in my classes, im getting better days of work (my weekends right now and thursday friday they will be friday Saturday soon, so I can see Shane more) and I felt at ease about paying to break our lease.
So, the day before we were moving our stuff, we were talking about how awesome it would be if God provided someone to move into our apt.
We walked into the office the next day to pay and the lady looked at us and said " are you 1507?" SOMEONE DOES WANT your Apartment! they called yesterday wanting it.
It was amazing. I started crying right then. So instead of paying 1400 dollars to break the lease we are paying about 200 for the two weeks before the guy moves in plus out 900 dollar down payment will be given back to us. It was incredible!
Anyhoo! Just thought I'd share how amazing out God is =) here are some pictures of our BEAUTIFUL house!

Our Kitchen! the cupboards are open =)


Guest Bathroom

Our huge bathroom with walk in closet and seperate toilet room

Bells loved the boxes

her corner =)

family room

Entry Way

Luandry room, leading into the garage

HUGE!! our other one was FULL with the same amount of food

backyard

more backyard

OUR HOUSE!

yay =) (haha bella)

Moving Prayers!

So, the tenant in the house we are renting is moving out tomorrow! meaning we can move in by this coming week, most likely. Our landlord wants to check out the house make sure its all "spit spot" as she says (shes english). And she is putting in a brand new stove which is extremely exciting.
We have our apartment on open lease meaning anyone can move in any time. But if no one wants it by this coming week, we are moving anyway. It'll cost a bit, but we feel God is telling us its time to move. So we figured we'd listen =) Plus now we can get Bella permanently!! shes actually in town with us right now, just spending the night at our friends house. But we spent all evening with her, and will be with her all day tomorrow =) She is still amazing. Weighs about 25 pounds now! shes gettin big!! Prolly nothing compared to Layla!!! (btw.. where are all the pics of her!?!? shes a part of the family too! hehe)
Shane is at work right now, everyone at his squadron has to take turns working MCC (boring desk job) and hes gotten the night shift two nights in a row. Its boring, but its work =)

Spring Break started today for me. and......the weather is horrible. Severe weather warnings, flash floods, tornado watches... its crazy. kinda freaky! It rained soooooo hard today it was hard to believe we didnt wash away!

So! Please keep us in your payers while we move!
ALSO! we will have an extra bedroom soo.....Visitors this summer?? =D

This is For Jackson =)

Ready for some updates!?

Hey everyone!
I know its been a while. so lets catch up! Bella is doing amazing, she is living with her doggy mommy and Daddy but LOVE me and Shane. She knows we are her owners. Yesterday, I picked her up for a play date, when I walked into the back yard i was surrounded by puppies but none were her so I called her name and she came SPRINTING from around the corner. She is an amazing dog!

In case anyone didn't know.....WE ARE MOVING!!!! We are moving into a two bedroom two bathroom house. Its still in Fort Walton Beach just a few miles away from where we live now. We are moving at the beginning on April, which is very exciting! I dont have any pictures of the house because there is still a lady living there, so we thought we'd wait =) but it is an adorable house!!

ALSO....Gibson is living with us for a while too. He needed to get away from California for a while. and we agreed he could stay with us for now. It's fun having him here!

What else is new here... OH! we bought a Wii! it's amazing =) and is a good workout! first day we played I was So sore!!
okay last thing before I post some pictures.... I find out NEXT MONTH if I made it into the RN program. so keep that in your prayers. Im very nervous about it =)

Bella and her BFF Maximus

After 3 washes with shampoo and baking soda...soaking my hair in olive oil...and 3 washes with dish soap....the grease came out... ha ha