wowzers.

Needless to say, it's been QUITE a long time since my last entry. Between the wedding, new job, and life period, I truly didn't have time to even think these last few months, not to mention blogging! So as of this past Sunday, John and I have been married 3 months :) The wedding was amazing and absolutely the best time of both our lives. The week prior could have been better, but no use in dwelling. Note to self: don't combine two families like that EVER again the week before the most important day of your life. BAD IDEA! The wedding went without a hitch and I was incredibly pleased with ALL of our vendors whom I obtained all on my own :) Here are a few of our favorite pics:

Poor Beau couldn't be in the wedding because he would have dragged my niece down, so just Lilo was in the wedding ;) But Beau did have a fantastic time at the beach!

LOVE the black and white pics :)

It's official!

Whatcha lookin at?!

So I have continued to run, even though I have slowed down a lot on the training. The next race I have is the Wicked 10k on Halloween weekend, but I am tentative about signing up for anymore incase "something" were to happen between now and then ;) Yes, John and I are TALKING about little ones, but still just playing with the idea, no definites yet ;) Mentally we're there, but is it a good idea of I'm thinking about starting back to school this coming spring? Should I go back earlier rather than later? Should we buy a house first? Mom's response to that was "you can easily fit a baby in your rental home!" Ha ;)

From what I have learned, if you don't have your NP or are not enrolled in an NP program by 2014, there will be none and all will be required to obtain their doctorate in nursing instead. I definitely DON'T want to do that, so NP it is! I'm actually going to look at VCU tomorrow for an information session about theirs in either family practice or pediatrics. I miss pediatrics! I love my unit, but with all the crazy changes and over-flow patients we have gotten recently, I'm wishing more and more that I was in pediatrics now... We shall see what the future holds!

More to come later, off to make some granola!

D.O.N.E. with school!

Hell has frozen over. I am officially done with nursing school. I'd probably be celebrating, except I work tonight from 3-11:30pm so it will have to wait... I think I am in shock, like not sure what to do now. I really SHOULD study some for my boards while I have time, but my brain is a bit fried, and may benefit more from a little rest first :) Tomorrow, my review for the nursing boards starts and will be all day each day until Friday, whew! At least it's not new information, just a review for the things that we are a bit rusty on so we can be prepared.

Yes, I have been neglecting my blog, but guess what, I'M BACK! Lots of new fun stuff going on, too! I found out that one of my best buds is pregnant and due in July (YAY!) and that my other best bud is engaged to her Italian man! Lots going on already for 2011... my planner is already filling up!

AND, despite the weather men being wrong, we woke up to SNOW this morning! Since when did Richmond get so much snow every winter? Not that I'm complaining, but we have gotten a TON these past few years!

Anywho, more later, must get ready for work now!

ps, only 144 days until the wedding!

back to reality.

So! Yes, it's been quite a while since I last posted. John's wonderful grandmother, Maw-joe, passed away a week ago today and it has been a heck of a ride the last few weeks. We went to Radford, VA the Friday prior to visit because we had been told that "it won't be long", etc for quite some time. But, as was her nature, she fought her way through the entire weekend! John and I came back Sunday night because I had an exam Monday morning, then returned to Radford right after my exam (a 3.5 hour drive). About one hour after we arrived, she passed away very peacefully and when she decided she wanted to. After that, it was a whirl-wind of a week, viewing Tuesday, funeral Wednesday, Thanksgiving Thursday, back that night and back to work all weekend for me. All well worth the craziness, because I know I was right were I needed to be, supporting John's family and doing everything I could to help them. Maw-joe did say on Friday, when she was last responsive to John and I, "Love ya" just as she always had when we visited her, and I know he and I will cherish that forever.

So back to reality for this chica! And, ONLY 2 WEEKS LEFT OF CLASS!!!! Thank God! The end is truly in sight, and man it looks good! Some how, after studying MAYBE 2 hours for my exam last Monday, I managed a 98 on it, better than I have done in forever. I think that Maw-joe was sitting right next to me taking it for me because I can't remember one question on that test.

10 mile race in Virginia Beach is this Saturday! The Surf n Santa 10 miler! Even though most of the girls I had planned on running with have decided not to run, I still have a couple to buddy up with :) And the schwag for this race is awesomeeee! Probably not a great idea for me to have taken a week off from running while I was out of town this past week, but I ran a little over 6 miles with dad yesterday and felt pretty good after. My knees definitely started aching about mile 5, but I think the 10 miler Saturday will be fun and not too hilly. We shall see how it goes!

Off to do some NCLEX reviewing, especially since I am planning on taking it in a month! Must.concentrate.now.

xo

B

I may not be able to get out of bed tomorrow...

I saw this at Fresh Market the other day and had to take a picture.... What the heck is that and what can I make with it?!

SO! I just got my tail handed to me at the gym. To the point of STILL feeling shaky over 45 minutes post-workout. This is all in the attempt to start toning more. I have lost the weight and am SO incredibly happy with that, but now it's time to tighten up a few spots that could stand a little work. My awesome workout buddy, Caroline (whom I have made her swear to never charge me for training when she becomes professional trainer some day), had me doing a whole series of squats, arms, abs, all with 1 minute intervals on the treadmill in between each set at 8.5 mph... the last one literally making me almost throw up. I had a "biggest loser moment". I was also thrilled to see that the pool is ALMOST done at my gym, so I will definitely be jumping in ASAP! Maybe my fantasy of triathlons are not too far out of reach ;)

Any who, heard some bad news today... John's grandmother (Maw-Jo), who was just this past weekend placed in a hospice-like facility, has taken a turn for the worse and is becoming more and more unresponsive :( I wish so bad that I could be there for the family, but between school and work can definitely not make it there until at least Thursday. Maw-Jo is a hilarious 80-something who I have so enjoyed getting to know over the past 3.5 years, watching her in her rocker gossiping about some good 'ole Radford juicy gossip, her loving heart for her family and her dogs, and has never skipped a beat with her tough love. Please keep her in your thoughts and prayers, along with John and his family as they handle it the best they know how to... together. I feel so blessed to have each and every one of them as my family :)

Busy month coming up!!!!!

~Turkey Trot 10K on Thanksgiving morning

~THANKSGIVING!!! :) :) :)

~Mom, my niece, and my soon-to-be father-in-law's birthdays

~Surfn' Santa 10 miler in VA Beach Dec 4th

~Final exam EVER in nursing school

~NCLEX review

WHEW! Exhausted just thinking about it all, but I can't seem to stop staring at my calendar! My motto, keep busy and it FLIES by! Even more exciting is the new countdown until I start my new job as an RN :) Only 69 days!

And ps, only 172 days until I'm a married woman!

xo

6 months until marriage :)

WOW how time flies! After feeling like the big day will never come and now being engaged for 1 year and 3 months... only 6 MONTHS until our wedding! Unfortunately, it will be just me and the critters tonight since John is headed to North Carolina for work, but it's still pretty special :)

AND only 6 days until the half marathon! I ran 5 miles today and was super sore after, but I blame it completely on the cold. Man that cold air hurts my joints! Thankfully, they are calling for 67 degrees next Saturday :)

On another note, we got a new stove! My landlord rocks. We emailed her to let her know that 2, yes 2, of the stove burners were not working (SO not conducive to my cooking addiction!) and her response: "Ok, guess we will get you a new one!" Score!

Anywho, enough for tonight... first Transitions test tomorrow and I have a LOT of studying to do. Good thing it's nice and quiet ;) After this, only 2 tests, 1 final, and NCLEX left for nursing school! 5 weeks left of nursing school!!!!!!!!!!!!

Life is such a count down these days... lots to look forward to!

xo