Happy New Year

I do not do resolutions, the never stick anyway. This year however, I do intend to make this year about me. I know it sounds selfish, but I don't mean it that way. I am going to take time this year to learn myself, to take care of myself and to learn to cherrish myself. If I can learn to take care of myself, then I will be able to take care of others better, be a better wife and mother, and by the end of the year I will be a RN!!! Looking forward to this year!

Happy New Year

WOW!

I was cleaning up my son, Devin's room and came across the rough draft of a paper that Devin had written titled Mom, My Hero. He had given me the final draft last year after his English teacher graded it and told him that she thought I would like to read it. I was swept away then, but today when I found the rough drafts I was really blown away! There were even more details in his rough drafts, it was amazing what he noticed in me and even respected. In moments that I did not realize he was watching me, he was. It made me think deeply, if he saw all of these things he perceived as good, what had he seen that was not good, that I did not realize. It made me realize what a big influence I am as a parent in my children's lives, both good and bad! What a big responsibility that is!!! I am honored that at 16 years old I am still his "hero" and I will try so much harder to deserve this title!

Merry Christmas

I had a great Christmas! All 3 of my boys were here on Christmas Eve! I so enjoyed having Storm home and his brothers loved it too, especially Devin! They were like 2 little kids again!!! Below are some pictures of all 3 of the boys!

Devin and his Run DMC shirt
Not sure Devin loved this hug from Braxton!

Braxton playing with his footbal from papa and mema on Christmas Eve.

Storm and Devin, not quite sure whaqt they were doing!

Two boys, one hat and possibly one brain! (their words not mine)

Storm in his Joker hat I got him for Christmas!

Most Wonderful Time of the year

I love Christmas! I love the lights, the smiling faces, the hustle and bustle of the season! I love it all! I love that I get to spend extra time with my sister because we do a lot of our shopping together. I actually have had even more time with her this year because she had surgery last week and I am her official taxi! I have loved it! This time of year makes me think of my mom, she is the one that instilled the love of this season in me. She was like a child at Christmas time. I miss her so badly at this time of year, but I also feel closer to her now than ever! I make sure that her traditions are passed on to my children, she always read "The Night Before Christmas" to us on Christmas Eve, and then my dad would read the True Christmas Story from the Bible just before we went to bed! My mom always had the family over every Christmas and of Course on Christmas Eve dinners with her best friend Wanda and her family! I pray that one day when I am no longer here on this side, that my children will be able to look back on the memories we are making now and smile as I do now!

Hello again!

I know, it has been forever since I last blogged. I have been so busy with school. I had been told that the 2nd semester in nursing school at SCC was the worst but figured that it was mostly hype from students. Well, it is not hype! It was the hardest thing I have ever done (including birthing 3 babies)! The workload was overwhelming, but I did live through it and am now officially a 3rd semester nursing student (there are only 4 semesters once you are in the nursing program, it does not count all of your pre-requisite classes). I am so blessed that God has opened so many doors to allow me to return to school and persue my passion to help others! I have been blessed again that my unemployment has been extended again and that my funding has been approved for the next two (and final) semesters!!!

I am such a blessed girl!

PRAISE GOD!

It's been a while since I've blogged, it has been really busy! I am half way through this semester and have B's in all of my classes. My husband Robert, was offered a full time job with benefits. Of course the benefits will not start for 90 days, but it is still great! This is a great relief since he has been without a full time job since March and I have been out of work since May of 2008! We have been blessed throughout this difficult time and have had enough to get what we need, as HE promised.

PRAYERS PLEASE

I am not going into specifics, but I need your prayers for my family and marriage! There are some very hard decisions that have to be made and have needed to be addressed for quite some time now. Please pray that I make my decisions wisely and not hastily. I am seeking Godly counsel. I am very scared and need your prayers!

God's Grace

Monday was my first day back to school and man was it a day! We had our medication calculation test thatwe take the very first day of each semester and must make a 100 on in order to continue in the nursing program. You have 2 attempts every semester to pass, if you aren't successful on the first try you have to take it several days later and it is a huge weight on your shoulders for those days because you know that all of the work you have done hangs on this one test, no one wants to have to take it the 2nd time! Well, of course, I made a silly error on my first one and had to retake it! It is so hard to concentrate on anything else when you have this black cloud hanging over you! My husband posted a lot about my ordeal on FB and had lots of his friends that I do not even know and some of our friends and family praying for me and God's will in the situation. I promise you I felt a peace when I took this test. I still wasn't sure I would pass it, but I just felt like it was all in God's hands. He had opened so many doors for me to get back into school, if he needed to close those doors now I would understand, I wouldn't like it, but I would understand. He has plans that I can never comprehend. There were 12 of us who had to retake this exam and sadly one of us did not pass! I felt so bad for her, I knew what she was feeling, the same all 12 of us had felt for the past 2 days only amplified by a million!

This semester is going to be crazy! We have 3 papers due by mid September, at least 2 test every week (sometimes 3 a week) and 2 days of clinicals! It will be very time consuming! I pray that my family, especially my 10 year old Braxton can be patient and understanding!

Good News

Robert got the job he interviewed for. It is part time now, but should become full time with benefits by fall! I have been so amazed at how God has provided for us these last 5 months! When I found out that Robert had lost his job, I was devistated and worried. I asked for prayers and turned to God on my knees as well and stopped worrying. When I turned it over to him, he took care of everything, we never went hungry and didn't lose the house! God is sooooo good! Thanks for all of the prayers!!!

Summer fun

This summer was about spending some time with my boys. Devin started working this summer, so he only went on one trip with us, to Cherokee, NC. Robert, Braxton and I also went to visit his family near Syracuse NY and then to Gettysburg, PA. Other than the trips I enjoyed spending time with the boys just hanging out at the mall, at the local water park or just around the house spending quality time togehter. I did not get to see Storm a lot, he is still doing his own thing, please keep him in your prayers. Also keep Robert in your prayers, he has an interview today and could possibly still have an opportunity to go back into the work he used to do in Nuclear power plants and would be in Kansas for several months. This would be a good opportunity!

I have posted some pictures of our trips!

Braxton shooting the cannon at Gettysburg.

Braxon with his favorite monument at Gettysburg.

Braxton and 2 of our grandchildren, Colby (4) and Akayla (3) at the Alpaca farm in Marathon, NY

Braxton on his new bike. "The Fastest Bike Ever".

Braxton floating down the river in Cherokee, NC

Braxton on a rock in the river in Cherokee, NC

Devin skipping rocks across the river in Cherokee, NC

Pouty face Devin!

Devin exhausted after cross country practice.

My stud Devin relaxing in the sun on our visit to Cherokee, NC

Summer Doo

Braxton has been begging all year to get a mohawk and I did not think that it was a good idea, so I told him that when school was out, if he had good grades, so he now has his mohawk! He is so funny, everytime he passes a mirror he has to look at himself. I have a mirror on my mantel and as he walks up the stairs he peaks over the banister and looks at it in the mirror! He loves seeing peoples reactions to his hair! We went to pick up his report card at school and he had to show all of his teachers, the lunch ladies and the custodian. He is so funny! I am glad that I can make him happy with such a little gesture!

Berrylicious

It is strawberry season here in the upstate of SC and there is this wonderful strawberry farm here named Strawberry Hill, USA. Yesterday was Robert's 50th birthday and he loves Strawberries so we bought 2 gallons and I made him this yummy strawberry cake! It is sooo easy I have attached the recipe below:

1 box white cakemix

3 cups sliced fresh strawberries (sweeten them to taste and set aside)

1 cup heavy cream

1/4 cup confectioners sugar

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 3 oz box strawberry gelatin

Bake cake mix according to box and allow it to cool completely. Mix the gelatin according to directions and refrigerate it until it is cool, do not let it set up at all. Use a straw to poke holes in the cake and pour the gelatin over the cake evenly allowing it to soak into the cake. Now spread the sliced strawberries on the cake. Whip the heavy cream, confectioners sugar and vanilla on high until it forms stiff peaks, spread it on the cake. I sliced 4 cups of strawberries and set aside 1 cup to add to the top of the cake.

It was delicious! The only problem you will have is that unless you live in upstate SC you will not have the best strawberries in the world! I swear it tastes like they put sugar in the soil, the berries are just that sweet!!!

Taking Chance

Today is a day that we remember the sacrifices that many men and women have made to keep this the "land of the free". So many have paid the ultimate price so that we can live in a land where we are so blessed. Robert and I watched a movie last week called "Taking Chance". It is a HBO movie that he found on NetFlix about a Colonel that offers to escort a PFC that was killed in the Iraq war on Good Friday 2004 home. It is a very thought provoking movie. If you have HBO it is on today at 9 pm, it will truly make you think!

Enjoy!

Rene'

Quick and Tasty chicken salad

I thought since it is getting warm you may be interested in a real easy chicken salad recipe:

I use a Rotisserie chicken (either lemon pepper or original) because it gives it great flavor and it is already cooked, so you do not have to cook the chicken, it makes it a lot quicker. I let put the chicken in the fridge and let it get cool. After it is cool, take the skin off and pull the chicken off the bone. I just rip the chicken up, in small pieces if I want to use it for sandwiches, or bigger pieces if I plan to serve it as a salad. I then add mayonaise, I add it a wooden spoonful at a time until I get the right consistency. Salt and pepper to taste and serve on sandwiches. If I plan to serve it as a salad I also add sliced red seedless grapes and either wal-nuts, peacans or almonds and serve with crackers. I hope you enjoy it!!

How?

Storm and Devin before Storm's Junior Prom in April 2009

Have you ever wondered how 2 children can have the same parents and the same rearing and grow up to be completely different? As most of you know, I have 3 boys, Storm 17, Devin 16 and Braxton 10.



The oldest two boys have always been very close, but since Storm turned 15 he has changed so drastically. Shortly after he was 15 he decided he could not live with my rules anymore and that he wanted to live with his dad, normal for a kid his age. This was very difficult for me because I felt that I had somehow failed as a mother. If I was a good mother my child would want to live with me, right? I have struggled with this for the last 2 years and still do in some ways. About a month ago, Storm decided that he could no longer live with his dad and his rules. To him, both me and his dad are tirants. For goodness sakes, we terrible rules like you have to be in by 11:00 and no phone calls after 9:00, no smoking, drinking or drugs period. Storm broke all of these rules numerous times at both houses and would rebel more and more every time he was punished. It got to the point when he lived with me, as well as with his dad that we were concerned about the well being of the other children in the house (my other 2 boys here and his dad's 2 year old daughter and 1 year old son). We never knew what to expect with Storm, he has stolen prescription drugs from his dad's house and my house. So when he told his dad he was moving out from his house, we both told him that it was not a good idea, but we did not stop him, again another heart-wrenching decision. He has moved in with one of his friends and his family. I have now heard of even worse behavior on his part. I talk to Storm as often as I can and even visit him at work to let him know how much I love him, but am so scared for him! I worry so much about his salvation and live by the scripture: Proverbs 22:6-Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.



Storm was such a loving child and his brother Devin was my hellian when they were small, you never knew what he would get into next. Now Devin is so grounded, he even tries to give Storm advice and positive encouragement. He is so good with all his younger brothers and sister and even consoles me when I am upset. He is not perfect, but he is so grounded and will refer to the Bible for solutions to any problem. I am so proud of him, he is very active in our youth group and volunteers every Sunday with the two year olds and loves it! I pray for all of my boys every day. I pray that Storm begins to make better decisions for himself, that Devin continues to make good decisions and that Braxton will make good decisions when he gets older. I also pray that I make good decisions for them all and that I become a better model of Christ for them.



Please pray for my Storm and the decisions he is making right now.

Being Mom again

Okay, I am trying to get adjusted to being home again, of course the last week or so has been more hectic than school just trying to get things done that were neglected for the past several months. The boys still have a couple of weeks left in school, so I hope to have a little more me time before summer starts.

It is so strange trying to change back from student to stay at home mom (for the summer). I keep thinking I need to read something or write a paper or something! I can't wait for the boys to be home so we can spend some quality time together this summer! I plan to catch up on my blog and may try to start some quick and easy recipes at least once a week!

A Needed Break

I have been away for a while, I have been so overwhelmed with school and my family that I have not had any time for the blog world! I have just completed my first semester in nursing school! I am so relieved, B's in all 3 classes, but have been told by the professors that next semester is the most intense out of all 4 classes. I am so glad that I have the summer off to rest, rejuvenate, get some stuff done around the house, read a book other than a text book and of course study what I learned this semester so I don't forget what I learned! Thanks to all that have been praying for my success this semester!

Lights Out!

Last night everyone was encouraged to turn out their lights from 8:30 to 9:30 in their time zone, it was called Earth Hour. Robert decided that we would participate in this, but not only would we turn off the lights, we would unplug all electronics in the house and sit in the candle light and play checkers! We had so much fun that we ended up playing for not just one hour but closer to 2 hours! The candles I have are all scented and are all different scents, not good when you are already fighting bronchitis. So after about an hour and a half I blew them all out but 2 that were the same scent. Robert and Devin continued to play the game that they were playing, it was hillarious, they couldn't even see the checkers, but they struggled through it. I think that they enjoyed it even more because it was a challenge! We enjoyed it so much we decided that it will be a weekly event, except we will not use candles, we will use flashlights! I would have taken pictures, but I'm not sure that they would have shown up! I will attempt to take pictures next time!

Online Friends

I started this blog as a journal for me to express my feelings. I never expected to meet real people online and become friends with them and gain encouragement and love from them! I have been so amazed at the comments and e-mails I have received from so many people that I only know online! Thanks for all of the encouragement! God has shown me the beauty of His people through all of you!!!

Spring in the south

Gotta love spring in the south, it is absoutely beautiful and I have tulips blooming in my yard! The flowers are blooming and trees are budding, it is wonderful! My neighbors daughters told me that my tulip bed was the most beautiful garden ever! However, there is aways a price to pay for such beauty, it is also allergy season here and many are suffering (including me), but I don't mind paying the price when it is so beautiful here!

Update on my daddy

The doctors came in last night and said that daddy did not have a stroke, the problem is that his blood is too thick. So the doctors told him to take 360 mg asprin per day and he should be fine! Thanks for your prayers!

When it rains it pours

My last post was about Robert losing his job, he is still looking, he had a interview today but it is only going to be maybe some part time work if that, so he is still looking for a job. Then, today I got a call from my sister that my dad had a "mini" stroke. He seems to be ok right now, when I saw him he seemed to be very clear minded. He could remember the event and described it clearly to me. He will be in the hospital for a few days while they run tests, please keep him in your prayers.

Worst fears revealed!

Well, today Robert did indeed get laid off! It is scary, but I am so surprised at how Robert is taking the news. He says he knows it happened for a reason and God has something out there for him. He has been unhappy at this job for a while because of of the attitude in the office. It is hard to see the good right now, but God is in control and we both know that! Continue to pray for his job search and our mental status during the next couple of weeks. We are thankful that Robert had carried over 2 full weeks of vacation so we have a couple of weeks before his paychecks stop coming in. Thanks for your prayers!

Prayer Please

I have a huge request today. I think most of you know that I have been out of work since last May and have been unable to find a job, and am now in school full time for nursing. My husband called me just a few minutes ago and told me that it is a very real possibility that he may also lose his job. I know God is in control and he will take care of us, but if he loses his job we have no way to pay any bills. It is a very real possibility that we will lose our house and that I may have to quit school to be able to survive, that is if I can even find a job! Please just pray that Robert and I have peace, no matter what happens with his job!

Thanks,

Rene'

My Blog Friend Robin

Back in November Heather from Whittaker Woman hosted a blog party and I met one of the neatest, sweetest and loving people I think I have ever met. She has a huge heart for the Lord and for her children. Well, she is in a bad place right now, her daughter Steph had to have an emergency c-section yesterday due to complications in her pregnancy. The baby girl was 4 weeks early and Steph is very sick. Please pray for Robin, Steph and her baby girl. Please pray for the doctor and nurses as they take care of both of them and as they search for answers and try to treat and cure Steph! If you get a chance go to her website http://robinrane.wordpress.com/ and leave her a message of love and prayer, Robin really needs it now! She is posting updates every couple of hours! I want us to cover that family with our love and prayers!!!!

half way

OK we are now half way through my first semester of nursing school! I can't believe how fast it is going by! Only 3 1/2 semesters left!!! So far I am doing pretty well, I still have 5 tests in one of my classes, and four in both of the other classes. I have one week left at the nursing home and then we go to the hospital for our last rotation in clinicals for this semester. I gave my first shot to a human today (one of my classmates) and he lived to tell about it! I am really enjoying school! I am so blessed to be able to do this at my age!!!

Thankful

The snow was so beautiful and so much fun to play in, but in all of this beauty and fun there were a lot of people without power, and it was very cold for this area, especially in March. I am very thankful that we did not lose power at all during this storm. Another problem caused by the 2 to 3 days of rain prior to the snow and then this very heavy wet snow was that trees were falling everywhere. One of our friends had an oak tree fall in his front yard, it totaled his truck, fishing boat, his neighbors 3 cars and motorcycle and also hit his neighbors roof and knocked down power lines, so on top of all of the damage, they had no power!! The interstates were backed up for hours and there were lots of wrecks and several teenagers lost their lives in weather related accidents. I am so very thankful that my family was warm, dry and safe during this storm!

Fun in the snow

Here are some pictures from yesterday. Braxton and his friends built a snowman that Braxton named "Governor Mark Snowford." We had such fun, this is the first snow that Braxton has been able to really get out and play in! I had so much fun with him!

Braxton and the Governor
Braxton building the snowman.

Braxton and his friends building the snowman.

Snow storm

I love snow! We have not had a good snow storm in several years. The snow started falling around 5:00 pm today and is still falling now at 11:00 p.m. here are a few pictures of the snow falling that Robert took an hour or so ago.

Cool new Blog

There is a new cool blog that I heard about on Karen's blogsite. It is called Roof with a View and is full of encouragement for women. Check it out! BTW they are also having a giveaway, go check it out!



Roof with a View: 1000th Hit Celebration Giveaway!

About Boys

Things you find out when you have boys:

1.) A king size waterbed holds enough waterto fill a 2000 sq. ft. house 4 inches deep.
2.) If you spray hair spray on dust bunnies and run over them with roller blades, they can ignite.
3.) A 3-year old Boy's voice is louder than 200 adults in a crowded restaurant.
4.) If you hook a dog leash over a ceiling fan, the motor is not strong enough to rotate a 42 pound Boy wearing Batman underwear and a Superman cape. It is strong enough, however, if tied to a paint can, to spread paint on all four walls of a 20x20 ft. room.
5.) You should not throw baseballs up when the ceiling fan is on. When using a ceiling fan as a bat, you have to throw the ball up a few times before you get a hit. A ceiling fan can hit a baseball a long way.
6.) The glass in windows (even double-pane)doesn't stop a baseball hit by a ceiling fan.
7.) When you hear the toilet flush and the words 'uh oh', it's already too late.
8.) Brake fluid mixed with Clorox makes smoke, and lots of it.
9.) A six-year old Boy can start a fire with a flint rock even though a 36- year old Man says they can only do it in the movies.
10.) Certain Lego's will pass through the digestive tract of a 4-year old Boy.
11.) Play dough and microwave should not be used in the same sentence.
12.) Super glue is forever.
13.) No matter how much Jell-O you put in a swimming pool you still can't walk on water.
14.) Pool filters do not like Jell-O.
15.) VCR's do not eject 'PB & J' sandwiches even though TV commercials show they do.
16.) Garbage bags do not make good parachutes.
17.) Marbles in gas tanks make lots of noise when driving.
18.) You probably DO NOT want to know what that odor is.
19.) Always look in the oven before you turn it on; plastic toys do not like ovens.
20.) The fire department in Austin, TX has a 5-minute response time.
21.) The spin cycle on the washing machine does not make earth worms dizzy.
22.) It will, however, make cats dizzy.
23.) Cats throw up twice their body weight when dizzy.
24.) 80% of Women will pass this on to almost all of their friends, with or without kids.
25.) 80% of Men who read this will try mixing the Clorox and brake fluid.

guilty

I feel so bad, my Braxton threw up on Wednesday night right before bed time, but did not get sick any more during the night. I had clinicals on Thursday morning and had left before he got up for school. Robert said he was feeling ok before he left for school on Thursday morning. After he got to school he got feeling bad again and I was in clinicals and could not be reached, Robert was at the doctor's office and the nurse could not reach his dad. Finally, they got hold of my dad around 12:30 pm, the nurse had started trying to find someone at 10:00 am. Daddy picked him up and babied him until I could get him. When I finally picked him up he threw up again right before we left my daddy's and again in the car (in the bag we had fixed just in case). It made me feel so guilty, that my dream and my school kept me from getting him! I know that I probably should not feel this way, but it is the protective mom part of me that wants to always be there for my kids.
He stayed home from school with me on Friday and is completely better now.

Lots of Love

I hope you all have a great Valentines Day!

Spoiled

Sometimes we need little things in our life to remind us how fortunate we are to live in this country with all of our luxuries, and even when money is tight we, as Americans, are all rich and spoiled.

It started on Thursday. Class ended early so I was home a couple of hours early thinking I would get some studying done before we went to the Conway Twitty show. Well, I had done some homework and walked outside, I don't even remember why and there was water all over the front walk. I immediately knew that a pipe in the wall had burst. It took until Friday afternoon to get it fixed, so we lived without water for a day and a half. It drove me crazy not to be able to take a bath, and of course theres the potty thing, and even something as simple as brushing your teeth is impossible without running water.

Then yesterday I got home from school, early again, (maybe that should tell me something) and the power had just went out. A transformer down the street had blown. I had planned to come home and cook for the boys and I needed to check some stuff for school on the internet. I called Duke Power and they said we would have our power back on by 9. So instead of doing what I planned, we went to McDonalds, I did take my schoolwork and read it while Braxton played on the playground and then we went to the mall. We got home about 8:45 and the power was on!!!

We don't think about how much we have and how much we take forgranted! There are places around the world that do not have running water or electricity and I cannot function for even 1 day without these things! I admit it, I am spoiled.

I am blessed and I thank God that I was born in this country to my parents! I pray that I remember this lesson for a long time!!

A wonderful evening

As I posted in my blog last night, Robert had bought me tickets to "Conway Twitty, The man, the music, the musical". After the concert we met my sister, her boyfriend and my 2 aunts at Krispy Kreme for donuts and conversation. We had finished our donuts and were talking and a lady walked in with a backstage pass on, Robert kept looking at her and telling me that he thought it was one of Conway's daughters, and I blew him off and thought he was crazy. He kept insisting that it was one of the daughters and wanted me to talk to her, but I hesitated thinking that it was probably a stage hand. Well, Robert spoke to her and asked her what her name was and she replied, Kathy Twitty. She got her donuts and sat down in the booth beside us. At this point I did go over and talk to her and let her know how much her dad's music had meant in my mom's life. She told us that her sister, Joni was in the car and would be inside in a minute when she got off the phone. Joni did join us minutes later and we sat and talked for about an hour! It was amazing, they were so down to earth and I loved watching them talk about their dad! It was the best Christmas gift ever. I so felt my mom with me last night!!!

The autograph I got from them so that I could prove to my sister that I had met Conway's daughters who had written and produced the show we had just watched.

Hello Darlin

I am so excited about tonight! My mom was a huge fan of Conway Twitty, if he came in the area she would be there. In fact, when she was sick Conway was coming to Greenville for a concert an I had contacted the radio station that was sponsoring his concert to see if he would come by our home to see her. The day after she died, the radio station contacted me and Conway had agreed to come visit her! She would have met him if she could have hung on just a few more days!

My husband knows how much she loved him and bought me tickets to "Conway Twitty, The Musical" for Christmas. He said that he knew I missed her so bad, especially at Christmas so he wanted to give me a part of her and that was his way of doing it. So the musical is tonight. My sister and her boyfriend and two of my moms sisters are all going tonight, our tickets are not near each other, but we will meet up afterwards at Krispy Kreme. I am so excited for this little break since I have been so stressed out from school! It almost as if mom is with me today!!!

Thanks again to my sweet hubby, Robert for the thoughtful gift!!!

My latest test grade

I got a 88 B on this latest test. I am beginning to feel more comfortable with taking her tests and kmowing how to study for them! Please keep praying for me, I am loving nursing school even though it may be the biggest challenge I have ever faced in my life!

Update on my 1st test

Well, I got my test back today, I scored 81.5 on it. I am not thrilled, but am happy that I made a C because in order to pass nursing school, you have to pass with at least a C, whic is an 80. I have another test in this class on Thursday and pray that I do better now that I know how to study and what to expect on the test. It is particularly hard for me to accept a C, but maybe God is humbling me!!! Thanks for your prayers and support!

Rene'

A good afternoon

Today I spent the majority of the day with my favorite aunt, my mom's oldest sister. I have an assignment in my nursing class to interview someone that is at least 70 years old about their life. The assignment had interview questions to ask the person you are interviewing and use that information to write a paper about their life. I chose my aunt who is 78 years old. I enjoyed my afternoon learning about her memories of her childhood. I was amazed at the things she remembered. Her first memory was when she was 4 years old, the night their barn burned down. That was a big deal because grandpa, her father, made his living as a farmer. All of their animals were in the barn. She could remember seeing her daddy going into the barn on the end that she was on and not seeing him come out the other side with animals that he was rescuing. She remembered a neighbor holding her as she screamed for her daddy, thinking that he was lost to the fire. She shared stories of her memories of her younger brother's death and funeral and the fact that she met her dad's mom and dad for the first time at the funeral because her mom and grandpa's parents did not get along. The funeral was the first memory that she has of going to church, even though she was in church her entire life, she clearly remembered the organ and exactly where she sat at the funeral and who was holding her and she remembered watching her mom and dad at the funeral.

She talked about her memories of her dad's stroke and death and the 25 days that he was in the hospital between the two events. She spoke about my mother, her baby sister, and her illness and death. She also spoke about how close she was with my mom. When my mom was born it was my aunts responsibility to take care of her and my uncle who was three years older than my mom. My mom always looked up to her like a mom, they were very close. In fact most of my childhood memories revolve around my aunt, uncle, their 2 daughters their boat and Lake Bowen in Spartanburg, SC.

I loved hearing her talking about her daughters and how much they meant to her and how much the time she spent with them, especially one summer that she took off just to spend with them. She has so much pride in her 3 grandchildren and her newly born great grandson.

She repeatedly spoke about how real death was now, and how she wasn't scared to die. She also talked about how satisfied she was with her life and how now is the best time of her life because she understands a lot and she doesn't feel like she needs as much as she thought she did when she was younger.

I think she enjoyed talking about the memories, but I really believe she enjoyed spending time with me, I know that I surely enjoyed spending time with her and plan to make more time to spend with her and other people in my family that I have neglected lately.

What a wonderful day!! Thanks to my teacher for the assignment.

Another first

I had my first test of the first semester of nursing school! I think I did pretty well, but you never know until you get the test back. Next week I have 2 test and a skills check off, to ensure that I know the skills I should to go into the hospital and do clinicals. The 1st check off is handwashing, oral care, bed baths and making beds. Robert volunteered to let me do as many baths on him as I needed to. Even though this is very tiring and mentally draining, I am having so much fun, I am meeting lots of new people who have the same goal as I do, to become a great nurse! I will update with my grade, if I want to publish it, next week!!!

Snow day

Well, we had snow last night and they cancelled school today. I looked out of the window and could not believe they cancelled school, you could still see the grass and there was no snow on the road. Evidentally other parts of the county had more snow than we did here. I am from the south and love snow and love the way things close down so that I can enjoy the day with my kids, but today was so bad that by the time I decided to go outside to take pictures it was all melted away! Well at least I got to stay at home and watch this great day in history!

First Week of School

Well, one week down and many more to go!!! WOW, I am overwhelmed, so much information to absorb. We have a test this Thursday, check off on skills on the next Thursday and another test and a math test in 5 weeks that if we don't make a 95 on it we are out of the program. It is very tiring, but I am already loving it! It is so much fun getting to know the other people in class. Please keep me in your prayers, my brain does not function as well as it once did!!

Pictures

Braxton got a digital camera for Christmas, thank goodnes that they are really inexpensive now! You never know now when you will get your picture taken so you have to be careful what you do around him! These are a few of the pictures he took. I think this lets you know what his favorite gifts were this year!

The picture of me putting up Christmas decorations! Love this one, I had no idea he took it until I downloaded them for him!

Love Lost?

I stood in the livingroom of an aquaintance who had lost her husband recently. I went to high school with her husband and Robert and I both worked with him. Robert was recently moved into his office and in the process of moving his stuff in, he found some pictures and art that his boys had made in the desk. Robert thought we should drop them off to his wife, he figured she would want them. He was correct, she seemed so happy to get the stuff and told Robert if he found anything else, please make sure she got it. As we stood and chatted she started talking about Chris and how it was still so unreal, she could not believe she was not married anymore, that she was there alone. She has 2 little boys who keep her quite busy, she says that helps somewhat. I could see her love for her husband in her eyes.

This morning when I was reading on the Lamberths website how Angie already feels alone after Mark went to be with Jesus yesterday after a month of struggling to live after his accident I started to think about death and love. I have lost people in my life by death, but not a spouse. I watched my dad after he lost my mom and my sister after she lost her husband, but have never experienced anything like this myself. I experienced a divorce, the ties of love are severed in a divorce, you make a choice that for some reason you can no longer be with that person, your feelings you once felt are no longer there, at least not like they once were. But, to lose someone you still love, by no choice of your own, how do you move on? Do you ever stop loving that person? If you do move on do you talk to your new love interest about that person?

These are just some things that went through my mind.

I want to end this by saying that my heart goes out to Angie and Shannon, they both have such a long and winding road ahead, they suddenly by no choice of there own are now single parents raising boys alone. I will pray for them every day, for strength that only God can give them.

Back to School

I am getting so nervous as the first day of classes grow nearer. This is such a comitment and it takes so much time away from my family! I know that I am doing this for the family as much as I am for my self, but I still worry about not spending as much time with them. I do praise God for the months that he has given me with them since I have been laid off. I have had time to spend with the boys in the afternoon and have actually been able to cook real meals. I know that with my schedule I will still be able to cook at least casseroles or in the Crock Pot.

I am sure that all will be well as long as I continue to seek God and his will.

Happy 2009

We had a great time last night! Robert and I went to some of our friends house and played Rock Band on the Wii. That is way harder than it looks! We watched the ball drop on ABC, poor Dick Clark looks so bad, but he has done the show now for 36 years!!

I hope you all have a great New Year!