Saying goodbye to the old and hello to the new.

WOW, my New Year does bring about a lot of new to me. After 3 years of very hard work I finally graduated nursing school in December 2010. For the first time in several years I will not be starting the new year as a student. This is both a very happy time, but also a very scary time, I no longer have the safety net of school. Sometime in January I will take my state boards to become a registered nurse. Thanks to my school, I was able to get my lpn in late July so I have been working since August at a nursing home on weekends, I will continue there as a RN. It will be great not to have to spend so much time studying. I am so glad that I will now have time to spend with my family going to Braxtons ball games and whatever Devin may be into at the time. I am so thankful to God for everything. I absolutely love being a nurse and I LOVE the residents that I am blessed to serve. I was so scared of working in a nursing home and prayed to God that he would find me something else that I could do as a LPN. Funny how he knows so much more than me. I also prayed that He would open doors so that I could find a full time job where I would not have to work every weekend and it appears that He has opened more doors in the nursing home. I can't wait to see where He will take me in this profession.

Love to all!!!
Rene'

Much needed get away

With my school and Robert's work, we have not had much time together lately. The end of my last semester was on April 28th and Robert left the next day for Washington DC for a month. So we planned a get a way for the weekend of his birthday. We had heard about Cumberland Island off the coast of Georgia where wild horses run free, ruins of one of the Carnagees homes and beautiful beaches. It was a wonderful break and so much fun!!! I have posted some pictures of the trip below:

Robert and I standing in the ocean.
Wild horses in front of the ruins of the Carnagee house.

One of the packs of wild horses that lives on the island.

My graduate!

I am so thrilled to say that Storm has graduated high school! I am so proud of him. The last several years have been complicated to say the least, and there were times that I was not sure he would make it to graduation, but he did. Not only did he graduate but for the last semester he has been on the honor roll! Prayers are being answered, slowly but surely!

Learning

As my oldest son, Storm's graduation nears I reflect back on his life and all that I have learned during his childhood. I have learned how to remove a filthy stinking stuffed animal from a sleeping child, wash, dry and return it to the sleeping child without him realizing it was ever gone. I have learned that frog urine does not cause warts, but that a frog can make mommy scream when placed on her shoulder. I learned that when he was 2 until 10 I was the most beautiful woman in the world. I have learned that boys don't bounce, but are pretty resiliant. I have also learned that it is very hard letting go of that beautiful little boy that I still see when I look at him. It is so bitter-sweet to see him grow up. As a parent,in your head you know it is your job to raise them to be Godly adults and then let them go into the world, but in your heart you want to keep them in that crib forever. I cannot believe my Stormy-Normy is eighteen and all grown up! I have also learned how much God must love us, his children!

The Greatest Gifts I Ever Received!

By far, these are the greatest gifts I ever received in my life! I thank God for them every day!

Braxton 11

Devin 17

Storm 18!

Hello again!

I know it has been a while since my last post, but I have been busy with school again. Since tomorrow is my last final, I have a few minutes to post pictures of my handsome boys in tuxedos. Braxton and Devin were both in my sister, Tracy's wedding and Storm's senior prom.

Braxton and Brooke dancing at Tracy's wedding.
Devin dancing with one of the brides maids, Stephanie.

Devin with me.

Braxton with me.

Storm and Kessie.

UPDATE

Good news! All 3 tumors are benign!!!