tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11359983216544180962024-03-06T03:55:51.643-05:00Blonde AmbitionA Hair Twirler's Stories About LifeErinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03754567242903793140noreply@blogger.comBlogger247125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1135998321654418096.post-18980324974782828292011-10-25T11:12:00.003-04:002011-10-25T11:16:23.456-04:00<div>It's been quite a while since I've blogged. I mentioned a while ago that I wanted to create a new blog once I got married to document my new life with my new family. I've started that new blog and would LOVE if you all would follow me there. I am going to continue to follow all of my blog friends (you!) from over at my new blog and hope you will join me over there!</div><div><br /></div><div>It has <i>just </i>been started so I'm still working on decorating it :) </div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.thebellswillberinging.blogspot.com">http://www.thebellswillberinging.blogspot.com</a></div><div><br /></div><img src="http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm89/erob310/Blog%20Pictures/signature.png" style="border: 0 !important; background: transparent;" />Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03754567242903793140noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1135998321654418096.post-71030853139239139232011-09-19T14:46:00.002-04:002011-09-19T15:13:02.208-04:00Fast Approaching<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMiFwY3AfrlaJQFq5-mtsJuUlfsZKPGg-4bFY8dN_I_1sw6suwXeKjtiACHXdVmfzLmVHl5fkH_6x5FviORM1f29tCgFZF7shSXjJi_oocN9rD-rG4suvc9YCQQZ5z9KT2j5f5dNVvGy84/s1600/Erin+Roberts+Bridal+Portrait+79.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><div>First of all, can I just give a shout-out to my Clemson Tigers??!! We ended Auburn's 17 game winning streak in the REAL Death Valley!!! So beautiful, haha! A GREAT way to start my wedding week!</div><div><br /></div><div>My September work schedule has been completely messed up because of my wedding and my preceptor :) So I've had little time to blog between work and my one day off of cleaning up the house! But...we are now into single digits before the wedding! I can't believe how fast it's coming.</div><div><br /></div><div>I'm so excited and I can't wait to marry my best friend on Saturday. We have a few more things to finish up for the wedding, so on my 2 days off (today and tomorrow) I've come home to help. I have to work Wednesday and Thursday, though. I have THE best preceptor in the world though. When I came in to work yesterday she said, "Erin you are NOT staying here all day on Thursday. You're leaving at three." Long story short, she's not making me stay until 7...or 8...or 9 as some days call for! She's letting me work half a day!! So thankful for her!</div><div><br /></div><div>I can't wait for the wedding festivities to begin! And I really can't wait for my honeymoon! Two weeks in Hawaii...it's going to be amazing. Truth be told, this is our first vacation "together". We've gone on family vacays, but not just the 2 of us so I'm really ready!</div><div><br /></div><div>I don't know if I'll have time to blog before then, but if not, here is a sneak peak of what's to come after the festivities are over!</div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMiFwY3AfrlaJQFq5-mtsJuUlfsZKPGg-4bFY8dN_I_1sw6suwXeKjtiACHXdVmfzLmVHl5fkH_6x5FviORM1f29tCgFZF7shSXjJi_oocN9rD-rG4suvc9YCQQZ5z9KT2j5f5dNVvGy84/s400/Erin+Roberts+Bridal+Portrait+79.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5654150736280871970" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px; " /></span><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "></span><div><br /></div><div>Happy Wedding Week!</div><img src="http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm89/erob310/Blog%20Pictures/signature.png" style="border: 0 !important; background: transparent;" /></div>Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03754567242903793140noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1135998321654418096.post-17246204081249294702011-09-11T21:05:00.003-04:002011-09-11T21:24:04.422-04:00Remembering 9/11<div>Like a lot of you, I have found myself thinking back to 10 years ago today and where I was when I first found out about the terrorist attacks. I was sitting in my first period class in high school about to take a test. My teacher's cell phone rang and her husband told her to turn on the tv, that something was going on we needed to see. She told him we were about to take a test and it would have to wait. He argued with her and she finally turned it on. She told us we could have the tv on as long as we continued to take our exam. When she turned it on, we saw one of the world trade towers on fire and reports that a plane had hit it. We had been watching for about 5 minutes when the second plane hit the second tower. The newscasters were saying, "I think another plane just hit the second tower. This cannot be an accident." I will never forget that moment, knowing that I saw the unfolding of a terrorist attack on my home soil. I still can't believe we watched that happen live. We never finished our exams. I finished my day at school, hearing little pieces here and there about the Pentagon, how the towers collapsed, and the heroic efforts of Flight 93. </div><div><br /></div><div>I sat glued to my tv all afternoon and for days after. I tried to find some way to comprehend what had happened to our country. I ended up drawing a picture and writing a poem. Maybe one day I'll be brave enough to share it on here. :) I was 15 and at a time where most 15 year olds have trouble figuring out who they are, we had the added job of figuring out what this attack meant for us and for our nation. Like most of you, I have found it very hard to believe that 10 years have passed since 9/11. It seems like just yesterday and the emotions, for me, are still just as raw today as they were 10 years ago. Post 9/11 continues to be our reality a decade later. I've watched many shows over the last few days and mourned all over again the loss of so much life. I've also reveled in the fact that we are a stronger nation today because of that heinous act and just as I did 10 years ago, I'll go to bed tonight praying for those who were affected (and still are) by 9/11. </div><div><br /></div><img src="http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm89/erob310/Blog%20Pictures/signature.png" style="border: 0 !important; background: transparent;" />Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03754567242903793140noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1135998321654418096.post-19563824179299839902011-09-06T12:25:00.004-04:002011-09-06T12:55:47.510-04:00A Day to Catch Up<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>I just finished my four days in a row and am <i>loving </i>just laying around on the couch today! I have to work again tomorrow and Thursday so I'm not doing much of anything today except relaxing :) I've been catching up on the blogs I read and I'll probably clean the bathroom and I already have laundry going so I'm not being completely stationary. ;)</div><div><br /></div><div>The start of my four days was really tough. I know it was inevitable in the field that I work in, but I had my first infant pass away. It was one of the hardest things to have to do. The situation was really difficult. This baby was so sick and the parents were no where to be found. They kept calling and saying they would be there soon and would never show. I am NOT passing judgment at all. I have never had a child, let alone one who was sick or one who was dying, so I have no idea how I would handle that. But this baby was all alone and in pain and we could do nothing until the parents showed up. It made me so angry that they just left their to suffer all alone. At one point I just went into the room and prayed for the baby, rubbed the baby's head, and told the baby it was loved and beautiful and would be ok. It was so sad to watch. My preceptor told me later that most deaths aren't like this one. Most of the time, the parents are always there even though it's so hard, so this was different. Either way it was hard.</div><div><br /></div><div>It was a tough evening, but the best thing was getting back in there the next day and working hard for all of the other babies in the NICU right now. And I worked 3 more days in a row! </div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbC4YSGVrpfgcw3Q-BlzDw6KWxaPZ4csxgIoKsKTvdOG4ZZcAUID2W7gmR9H7hVzHmKj9sYo4HKChjkQy2OTfvn2FwFHrJ8N6pD6A8-Lf3HnuizxaBDfrY6cq81CA6dbXlqvkoM4t9yqtX/s400/IMG_0511.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649290899717803442" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">(<i>*Just had to share this picture of Jovie, she LOVES bags, so when I opened the pantry door, she bee-lined it for the almost empty paper towel bag...)</i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><i><br /></i></span></div><div>I had to work over labor day weekend, but David enjoyed going to the Clemson game on Saturday! We got season tickets this year and we are about 20 rows from the field! Talk about nice seats :) Unfortunately, I won't be able to go to any of the games until at least after our honeymoon...bummer! But David and his friends will enjoy using the tickets so I'm happy about that!</div><div><br /></div><div>David and I also decided that we want to try a new meal every week. It may not work too well until we get back from our honeymoon and get settled, but we did try something new last week! It was SO good! It's called, "Sour Cream Noodle Bake" and it's a PW recipe. The name sounds gross, but the picture looked so delicious, so we tried it and decided it's a keeper! I made a side of buttered french bread and salad. Definitely good the next day for lunch, too. :)</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFLz0nRP_3o-UXe-M3OCm092hzDgjYVRj_J1lpu7ujjvnN2bIg4n0cXvNsR7M-LzvRHikP9c_kysB-QXOuOhwhcX9b0ukkHvHJ2bP2kavpxIFtSfm3mdWPaQvcZduyqkwQTfgc9RVaw32G/s400/IMG_0513.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649290899116834914" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div>David and I are going to dinner tonight with some friends, so I'm looking forward to that. This weekend, we are headed back to Charlotte for Vanessa and Dave's wedding! I'm also having my last shower! Bittersweet, but I'm going to enjoy it! I hope everyone has a great rest of the week!</div><div><br /></div><img src="http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm89/erob310/Blog%20Pictures/signature.png" style="border: 0 !important; background: transparent;" />Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03754567242903793140noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1135998321654418096.post-32820923503011765542011-09-01T15:58:00.005-04:002011-09-01T16:26:24.126-04:00Weekend Fun<div style="text-align: left;">I've had the last 3 days off from work....I needed them! Monday was <i>crazy. </i>Now I'm gearing up for a 4 day stretch with one day of break and then a day and a half. It's making me hyperventilate just thinking about it!! ;)</div><div>
<br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnaF-bRa21fFHfYk2UxcjCLM333TDZNyoDii6bh0MQqbhfEicxS_VWZWghSEj0UoijI1QGDco5lCk3lsnOD7xhhyU1CBG844Wxu9VdtLYhwdJAX15R7GrNYL1Q1Y1-Wz8i7Voal9hQxejf/s400/IMG_0491.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5647487540721339746" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><i>(The girls ready for bachelorette night!)</i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><i>
<br /></i></span></div><div>This past weekend, David and I drove to my hometown for a fun-filled weekend. Well, fun for me :) Saturday morning, we had the taste testing at the place we decided on for our rehearsal dinner. I am <i>extremely </i>excited about our rehearsal dinner! I took the leftovers home and had them for lunch on Monday--that's how good it's going to be!! We got a lot accomplished at that meeting and I'm glad because we are down to the wire, people! 24 more days and then I'm a married woman!</div><div>
<br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIk24C9Skfq84_qxJkgYhkaBfM7GE-edXfRz-3vdEHP0PwRIy-D0flWGLNlHhDFrstWx7AtVoqSc6h2NZbvD2wG9HXXdfF8B9ksQ64A4bkt__0fl5W0aiW3ArA-F3dHqKYLcCnAig6bHu8/s400/IMG_0495.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5647487543484232482" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><i>(Amy, me, and Jess on our side of the table at dinner...)</i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><i>
<br /></i></span></div><div>Saturday afternoon/evening/night was my bachelorette stuff. I don't know if I've ever mentioned this or not, but my bachelorette weekend was supposed to be at the beginning of August, but was canceled because I had to work. (There was no way I could get off for that when I'm taking 2 weeks for my honeymoon...so I was okay with that!) But luckily, my friends got together for me on Saturday and we had a blast :) We laid out by the pool and went shopping during the day, had dinner (and dancing!!) at Cosmo's that evening, and then opened presents (lingerie!!) and got through <i>some </i>of Father of the Bride before we all passed out :)</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFK-w6VddKJ-K2ZntXAFIMvsZbbD7_p5V8MoCV7zstIEnGaF76T28GnthWWiZiRrFb5NJvn9goFjQiWJx-vRYZt8toQWvBd3eSEk7NXYAEUNUq_AsX1CkIJ9wW70TXdFOqQtk6XLhtya_c/s400/IMG_0492.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5647487546175419586" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><i>(Erin and Susan on their side of the table!)</i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><i>
<br /></i></span></div><div>My presents are <i>so cute!! </i>I am so excited to get to wear them on my honeymoon! None of them are raunchy, they are very tasteful and some of them are just downright adorable. </div><div>
<br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKJtNWcVcP14pWztsT9YHn5VenOBq8SGl7JfoU2Z97MyQhHBI4TnzUMevnIU2_3Oq47eo0MYsvTj8GLk3bJntwgE1tgrj_r5KkcQKiwBoqGW0xtCGTErkqdnWDMnNeDUiDtiV7MpWmFNeg/s400/IMG_0044.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5647489045111480450" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px; " /></span></div><div><i>(My wonderful hostesses!)</i></div><div><i>
<br /></i></div><div>Sunday, my Aunt Diane and cousin Amy held a bridal shower for me. Y'all, it was <i>perfect! </i>The food was absolutely delicious. My aunt made some chicken salad that I've already gotten the recipe for...and made. That's how good it was. This party was mostly for my mom's friends and she has some of the sweetest friends around. Everyone was so thoughtful and we all just had a really wonderful time. </div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-x4YJgDFujpZeolgwbAm064lrT6qpkKvYiH_cGAjkdWXQQsTH-ry4zu2SHgS432HxsoDDpQF-FhRvn4DQpGZqgUrEzM9R6vFlZ0JlJMJBb0YS05bXFlEM7IBpFPicpmPFkXx8yr7XKk-K/s400/IMG_0080.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5647489053518763554" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><i>(Mrs. Libby and me...she is the reason I went to Clemson!)</i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><i>
<br /></i></span></div><div>I ended up going back to Charlotte on Tuesday for a meeting with a cake decorator. I'm in charge of David's groom's cake and all I'm going to say is that thing is going to be <i>awesome. </i>I can't give away any hints, but I know he is just going to love it. He better love it, too, for what I'm paying for it!! ;) I know I already said this, but I can't believe I'm 3 short weeks from being married....what in the world?!</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZHQmSHLcGcPx-R_0ZLRemLy9zMhAq9MqG3Coz1U-MGmjaRi5u-AEC7U0fOG1qTEWrKCU5nRoyYkn2-TKlg6VJxo7bDgggCbqJIK1OC9jHbmojx7rf_leAoU60rDjCaWAWdPsR18Wv8DhA/s400/IMG_0050.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5647489732431293410" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><i>(Enjoying the party! :) )</i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><i>
<br /></i></span></div><div>And those 3 weeks are going to go by fast with the 20 bajillion workdays I have coming up! :)</div><div>
<br /></div><div><img src="http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm89/erob310/Blog%20Pictures/signature.png" style="border: 0 !important; background: transparent;" /></div>Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03754567242903793140noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1135998321654418096.post-61285824573246043112011-08-22T14:32:00.004-04:002011-08-22T15:05:34.420-04:00What Did I Get Myself In To?<div>I just finished a weekend of work and let me tell you, it was LONG. I was so exhausted last night, I went to bed at 10 and didn't get up until 10 this morning! I probably could have slept longer, too, but I didn't want to feel like I wasted a whole day ;)</div><div>
<br /></div><div>Typically, each nurse gets 3 babies to care for. As an intensive unit, nurses can't have 6 patients like they do on basic nursing floors because the care level required is extensive. (Not taking a dig on floor nurses, they are the bomb.com because they CAN handle a 6 patient load. There is <i>no way </i>that even with all of my organizational skills that I would be able to handle 6 patients! They are AWESOME.) My orientation nurse (We'll call her JD for Jane Doe :) I don't want to be giving out too much info!) is awesome, so awesome that they constantly give her the hardest assignments because they know she can handle it and still give quality care to all of the babies. I don't mind it at all because I get to learn a lot about really sick kids. I also think that's why I leave everyday feeling totally overwhelmed :) On Friday, we had 2 of the same kids we'd been having, plus one new one. When I walked in, she asked me if I'd like to take all 3 today. Sooo, I took care of one chronic (has been there a few months), one gastroschesis baby (intestines outside the body), and one vented baby. I am proud to say I handled all of them, stayed on time with my care, and even helped re-intubate the vented baby! JD was impressed as well :)</div><div>
<br /></div><div>I love my job and even though it's overwhelming, I love it for reasons like this: On Saturday, we admitted a baby who was too young. So young that it's eyes were still fused together. Can you imagine how tiny that is? On Sunday, JD and I were assigned to care for this baby. It wasn't on a ventilator so it was having to breathe for itself. Unfortunately, it was having a hard time doing that and spent most of the morning with many apneic episodes. (Note: lungs are the last thing to develop..there is no way this baby's lungs were developed enough to be breathing on its own...) JD decided that because this baby was so sick, I would care only for this one baby today and she would take the other two. I literally spent all morning keeping this baby breathing. The baby would do okay for a few minutes but then just got tired. Finally, the doctors decided to intubate. Thank goodness:) This tiny little baby could breathe now! Once on the vent, you could see the little eyes trying to open up and finally they did! They blinked a little bit and it was the coolest experience to know that you were there the first time a baby sees the world. </div><div>
<br /></div><div>I will say though, that I was <i>so nervous </i>to be caring for this baby before it was put on the vent! I haven't had my neonatal resuscitation course yet and JD was like, "just keep the baby alive! I'll be back in a few!" I looked at her and said, "JD! Are you serious? Okay this is making me too nervous!" JD has a lot of confidence in me and I did in fact keep the baby alive :)</div><div>
<br /></div><div>JD did pull me to the side later in the day though to tell me that I'm doing a great job. She said that she knows they give her hard assignments because she can handle them, but that they are hard for an orientee, let alone a new grad! A lot of the times, other orientees are sitting around doing nothing because they have one baby to care for and then nothing to do. All of our babies are so sick that we are constantly doing something and never get to sit down. JD sees all of this but also said that she's glad I was put with her because I'm smart and a hard worker and I am handling the assignments great and she doesn't know that any of the other orientees could do it!</div><div>
<br /></div><div>I'm not bragging on myself, but it is really, really nice to hear that. I do leave work some days things "what in the world did I get myself in to?" but knowing that I'm doing a good job, even when I feel like I'm not makes me feel a little better. And being an advocate for these tiny little things makes it all worth it!</div><div>
<br /></div><div>One last thing: we had a normal newborn come in for simple monitoring and I looked at that thing and thought, "gosh that's a big baby!" In reality, it was only 6 lbs. which is almost on the low side of healthy newborns! I've been hanging out with too many little ones lately that the normal size ones seem huge! ;) </div><div>
<br /></div><img src="http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm89/erob310/Blog%20Pictures/signature.png" style="border: 0 !important; background: transparent;" />Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03754567242903793140noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1135998321654418096.post-26375529765182180592011-08-12T12:46:00.003-04:002011-08-12T13:27:30.339-04:00Randoms!<div style="text-align: left;">Well, I don't know about y'all, but I am more than ready for fall to be here! I know you aren't supposed to wish the time away, but I literally stood in my closet this morning for like 10 minutes looking longingly at the cute sweaters I can't wear yet! Our A/C has been acting up ever since David went to Germany (when it actually broke and they came and "fixed" it) so we are currently getting a new one installed. Marley loves people and he thinks everyone is here to play with him so I had to tell you this story.</div><div>
<br /></div><div>There are 2 guys here putting in the new A/C unit. Marley was at the bottom of the stairs and one of the guys wanted to come down and Marley was sitting there barking at him and wagging his little nub...cute little boy just wanted to play! Well, I heard the guy stop on the stairs and Marley kept barking so I called his name. The guy on the stairs said, "does he bite???" Umm...no sir, he's about 5 pounds soaking wet but it sounds like you are a little afraid of him.</div><div>
<br /></div><div>It just cracked me up that this huge guy was scared of my 5 lb. rat ;)</div><div>
<br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt7OlkM8lBQ0EOKgOdu0zPJbuEq-SQk0op7yeH9nwCcu9bFPSQhCIpWTvI5r613cV9IO03pfGfGYJ0IBo29J4upoqaMcrOKTzI1VYx7Dojj69zh1UbSoY_4CzYRIVZ41ba2cVEA5bdcgjE/s400/IMG_0456.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5640021366631757090" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></span></div><div><i>*My first day of work! Although, now I have a few pediatric scrub tops so I'll have to take pictures of those later! They are soooo darn cute!*</i></div><div><i>
<br /></i></div><div>In other news, I am still <i>loving </i>my job. I still leave everyday feeling completely overwhelmed, but I love what I do so I'm pushing through it. :) All of the nurses assure me that it is completely normal to feel that way and they would be concerned if I didn't feel overwhelmed. </div><div>
<br /></div><div>I had my first poop attack yesterday :) There is one sweet, sweet little baby who is just so sick that I have been taking care of. He's been sedated since he was born and they just took him completely off sedation this week so now he's one whole pound of attitude ;) They've also started increasing his feedings so mix his attitude with his bowel habits and you've got a potential mess on your hands! Because he's so sick, we try not to touch him too much and usually change his diaper when we do vital signs/assessments. Well, I went to change him and he'd pooped a little in his diaper..."good boy!" I said to him. I usually put the clean diaper underneath the dirty diaper so if they do start pottying, there is something else there to keep the bed clean. So I had everything in place and I lifted his legs to clean his bottom and....he SHOT a LINE of poop all the way across his isolette!! I was just stunned. How could someone so little create such a force that it shot out like that?! It was so funny and we ended up having to change all of his sheets. So much for my diaper theory :)</div><div>
<br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghJnejdyF4176nRoxwbT1LgxP2CRDwC7Ci7-35Mf9ZltWoFokc9WNmH8TQXd4JnToe0FMuvd74lBMJ66nbhyphenhyphenOi_HNaFlT3gszEAtf7pV-Xychvyc47NVdh_pHIYa2OU3gyzKH8yBB4slJj/s400/IMG_0487.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5640021380517227426" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">
<br /></span></div><div>I also had the brilliant thought that once I was out of school I wouldn't have anymore books to read or tests to do. Wrong. Our nurse educator has delivered 2 new books for me to read and one of them belongs to a set of like 3 that I have to read. Each chapter had a test that I have to do and turn in! Yay....</div><div>
<br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8veW3y7gqd716oyHmERnRoA9dcHGnml6zmuhTsLvxaHZ0U1_HgEXP14pS6Z2udpoLEvQoCW4XTe1AF00_l40dUKUPEgR-p7Q9fpvvOIy_82rDdGlvHoKWdqPK8EuhbJlNkcrRuhP8BIW4/s400/IMG_0486.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5640021376416138562" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">
<br /></span></div><div>I have this weekend off so today I cleaned the whole downstairs. I mopped all of the floors, vacuumed, cleaned the bathroom, kitchen counters. The upstairs needs to be done, but I'm not sure if I'll do it tomorrow or wait until next week. I don't get to spend too much time with David these days so I think we will do something fun tomorrow :) One thing that I hate is clutter. Two of our rooms downstairs (our future office and my future craft room...yes!) are just full of junk that we have no place to store right now. A lot of papers need to be filed, but I think it's pointless to do it when we'll just have to re-do it later! We have a "desk" and an old dining room hutch so I think when Dave gets home I'm going to get him to help me set up a make-shift office so we can start organizing some of the papers. We'll need to make a run to Target to get some filing cabinets. And I'm sure we'll find some other things at Target because I can never go in there without buying more than what I came for! :)</div><div>
<br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjANdozWNX0uak3wMhHBYHpX9HyOYet9n1AUC2ZW3wlvLyv-iR-VBdMlskrLEJSIA16FE03kiTdZIE8A3SIibjXMjcJwF5X1KlSDwJeEEh9bjC7h2xwpY_9UJNcOcK8F-EUia5oorbER7If/s400/IMG_0485.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5640021370917736530" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">
<br /></span></div><div>My friend Ashley got hooked on iced coffee from her sister-in-law and now she's got me hooked on it, too! So I've got myself a cup and I'm going to start tackling those NICU books :) I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!</div><div>
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<br /></div><img src="http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm89/erob310/Blog%20Pictures/signature.png" style="border: 0 !important; background: transparent;" />Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03754567242903793140noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1135998321654418096.post-18780465025666292622011-08-08T15:26:00.002-04:002011-08-08T15:58:55.660-04:00NICU<div><i>*I would love to post pictures on this blog about things I've seen and done over the last 4 weeks, but I obviously can't do that :) I don't even feel right google searching NICU stuff and using pictures I've seen there. So that being said, I'm sorry this post is picture-less!*</i></div><div>
<br /></div><div>Life has been so busy now that I have a J-O-B. 12 hour days can kick your butt pretty quickly :) I have to get up at 4:50 in the morning in order to make it to work by 6:45. And recently I haven't been leaving work until around 7:45pm! That is a loooonnngg day. By the time I get home, all I do is eat dinner and go to bed, haha! :)</div><div>
<br /></div><div>But I wouldn't trade it...I absolutely LOVE my job. So I wanted to post a little about it.</div><div>
<br /></div><div>I just started week 4 of orientation yesterday, so I'll back up to weeks 1-3. </div><div>
<br /></div><div>Week 1-3.5: I was stationed in the NICU 2 for these couple of weeks. NICU 2 is where the "almost ready to go home" babies go. Obviously there are exceptions as some of the babies are there for >6 mo. depending on their needs and some babies end up back in NICU 1 if something goes wrong. But for the most part, this is where the "grower/feeders" stay. Grower/feeders are just the babies who have overcome their more serious obstacles and are just working on feeding through bottles or breast, keeping their weight up, making sure they can keep a good temp, etc. All the things they need to be able to do to go home and stay healthy. The first day I started, there were 80 babies in the NICU...that's a lot of babies! But my preceptor was amazing and showed me a good routine in order to get everything accomplished in a timely manner. Some days, we would have 2 hour "breaks" between feedings and assessments! We actually stayed caught up on charting. In NICU 2 I did assessments, changed diapers, held babies, fed babies, bathed babies, and helped teach parents how to do all of that as well. It may be one of the greatest places on earth! It is so cool to see a parents who are terrified to hold their infant slowly learn that they can actually take care of this tiny human.</div><div>
<br /></div><div>During the beginning of my third week, I got called to the nurse manager's office and both NM's were in there. I thought, "Oh Lord, I'm already in trouble!" Haha :) But they just wanted me to know that I had already received a recognition from a parent during my second week of orientation. The mom wanted me to know that I am a great nurse and she was so glad that I took the time to explain things to her, was so gentle with her baby, and helped her learn certain things to do. One of the NM's said that parents in the NICU don't say positive things about nurses unless they absolutely mean them, so I was pleased that someone thought enough of me to say something. It definitely gave me hope that I will learn how to be a good nurse soon, ha!</div><div>
<br /></div><div>Week 3.5-4: Halfway through my third week, I started in NICU 1. This is where all of the really, really sick babies are. A completely different experience. I worked 3 days in a row and left feeling completely overwhelmed each day. How in the WORLD am I going to learn everything I need to know in order to care for these babies?? Luckily, my NICU 1 preceptor is amazing (30+ years in NICU) and knows her stuff. I am learning so much from her. She taught me how to put in an IV my first day and I got it on my first stick. She was so proud of me...you can imagine how small baby veins are, it would be pretty difficult to stick those tiny things! But I'm pushing through the nerves and being overwhelmed and doing everything I can to become a good nurse. I know it has to be frightening for some parents to know someone so inexperienced is caring for their baby (with supervision...). So far in NICU 1 I've given a vaccine, cared for a ventilated baby, put in an IV, calculated meds on IV pumps, cleaned up lots of spit up ;), gotten an extremely dusky/purple, apneic baby to "come back" and breathe again, cared for 1 lb babies, full-term babies with respiratory issues, cared for babies on CPAP and HFNC, started phototherapy on bili babies, and have seen lots of crazy family dynamics. </div><div>
<br /></div><div>I am excited and thrilled to be where I am, but this is definitely an eye-opening experience. I know feeling overwhelmed will pass once I figure out my way of getting things done, but it is scary to be the only one around when a baby starts going downhill. It would be for anyone and most of the nurses I have run in to are more than willing to help. </div><div>
<br /></div><div>Luckily, I have 2 days off to catch up on my rest, then I'll be back at it again on Wednesday :) Sorry I've been MIA lately, but I'm just trying to get things settled and unfortunately it means a break from the blogging world every once in a while. Plus, I've been thinking about creating a whole new blog once David and I get married to document our life together...thoughts on that?? </div><div>
<br /></div><img src="http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm89/erob310/Blog%20Pictures/signature.png" style="border: 0 !important; background: transparent;" />Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03754567242903793140noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1135998321654418096.post-52793336493028432682011-07-25T19:36:00.005-04:002011-07-25T19:56:14.633-04:00Bridal Shower!<div style="text-align: left;">Saturday, my MOH Jess hosted a bridal shower for me at my grandparent's house! A lot of my really good friends were able to come and the few who couldn't were really missed! David and I got a lot of wonderful things and we are so blessed to have the support from our family and friends!</div><div><br /></div><div>(On a side note: I don't want to forget this. I had my first week in the NICU and didn't tell them my shower was on Saturday. I didn't think they would make me work my very first weekend...well I was wrong! They had me scheduled to work Saturday...so I had to tell them about my party! They were <i>so </i>kind to let me off, but oh my gosh I felt so bad!)</div><div><br /></div><div>Here are some pictures from the party :)</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW9nOmCXBXcfBiXuW2o3JAZAmc9ZuwbT6XRu8sIz9K0X9ssA74sg3nuuiga9ErGO6P3GcQtUcr6OLAlgMBIMLAtV8k8SpTfsdNj0HT0B_cmBZy56V2dnaokkMMtHHYG2uL1u-nQVUo44cM/s400/IMG_0124.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633440288091088514" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 364px; " /></span></div><div>I love my girls! :)</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV5yO2rosntSq2ucG_dWmu0j3uSM9_H8xBo7S-FWfBEOOYKt12ZwZAx5ngJ6sGr0ijxCSuemS1fwwr0uhDjt1TKCpxPb9jDL4Mvg4E4zwOOCnNeNIwQgyhDx8rCXaSPD2IWl9DGClLANch/s400/IMG_0120.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633442528184735906" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">My sweet cousin Amy. She wrote me a note that made me cry...she's more like a sister though :)</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoo-1I4qnIUso_oGSc03MOPzs3HHzHwb9lKYKrWTQ7LsAOi5W2Rka6AyurR_en08LFOPKzB1_CPz5qCKT9OPeFvf3GRDt6qApA_FJRFHFcNijkJ333OxutqcM-o5aobgTXIevZILDhgkZI/s400/IMG_0001.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633440298066803586" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">The pretty set up...minus the food!</span></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQcw6MzSvJQQ9Fs1d6k6QU1IbHLOEKGLxuG6jCTCabHoEYRALr3PuE4ShZHkAGicD6EPz_72AbzjBGMP_fgV7GQ6mQgwW4jEWMEgm05AoexaJ9vuVtjTQvXp6IDDpA9oD-SUPHRFshi3dO/s400/IMG_0009.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633440302873085586" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">Jess' beautiful flowers and the party favors I made! I love all of the bright colors!</span></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQJX8btyJjPYXcckdUpmM_EiuD0zS2kiINpyKkSpPIimoum8wIkkKdCpDISZ6y4kfkQN2MCYOxxAOgkv5SoRxhdHX2OccYpcEyoQQ9naVsHMwrE-uWVs9CrbWBO4LeU9pqtkJMF1mixNpI/s400/IMG_0053.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633440293715947762" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">This picture cracks me up. I got a purple girl toolbox and a bunch of tools! The look on my face in this picture makes it seem like I'm thinking, "what in the world do I do with these tools??!"</span></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg67ejq-sVy6r1l4wf8gvNeRoDaKohZmurYH5DQklwBb2kBNw3VNX-8YRJQpZsorunJf9YS9-Uw3_-vttnYqI_0IEJQNoomIKIpGZAV0b_XnrunfsZ3wX0DZmqbNyJ5OO6ZQs2cyz44vQ3z/s400/IMG_0022.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633441579460660098" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">Lauren and Vanessa :) Love these girls!</span></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4y2zOLUHMyMK6ZrKCxu_8AAAbyqLMXA4hyphenhyphenCU-FzAVYzFxvMQlLohuYuDvNTAslZZn6qhS9qNhRHyP7SDrtPM4q0ucA01qhQKGgBRGHLcuONl0OsC-TRDdsgzs47Z8wQMr85veLddeFIhh/s400/IMG_0014.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633440306355400690" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">I know I already have a picture of these pretty girls in this post, but this is my ALL-TIME favorite photo from the party. I can't believe my babies are all grown up and beautiful!</span></div><div><br /></div><div>The guests played a few games and there were winners and prizes! I hope everyone had just as much fun as I did :) Thank you to everyone for making it such a special day!</div><div><br /></div><img src="http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm89/erob310/Blog%20Pictures/signature.png" style="border: 0 !important; background: transparent;" />Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03754567242903793140noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1135998321654418096.post-50171710315840333202011-07-24T21:53:00.002-04:002011-07-24T21:54:57.186-04:00Checking In!<div>Not a long post tonight! I have to get to bed for Children's Hospital Orientation tomorrow, but I'm hoping tomorrow night to get up a post! Hopefully about my first week in the NICU (LOVE.) and my first bridal party this past weekend! :)</div><div><br /></div><div>I hope everyone is doing well and enjoying this heat! As for me, I'm about ready for fall! ;) Not wishing away the time, but this is extreme!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><img src="http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm89/erob310/Blog%20Pictures/signature.png" style="border: 0 !important; background: transparent;" />Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03754567242903793140noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1135998321654418096.post-13725220856467929312011-07-13T17:23:00.004-04:002011-07-13T18:11:50.205-04:00Learning Curve...<div style="text-align: left;">Hi all!</div><div><br /></div><div>I know it's been a while since I've posted, but life is so busy right now! Wedding planning, moving, and starting a new job have just taken over.</div><div><br /></div><div>This is what the majority of our house looks like:</div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDNvJOIAleKdVtVYgVmNu-XT4Q6Ky3QUih4zJmHRemf0iFLPrwOLhDQTlSNfD5_fKTYAIbAxfhevDEf9rrk7ygObnajq78rCdgZRvIU8tzji3-wC7XN7j0G-BhuokPAsaM5jAWMC5tD1tR/s400/IMG_0394.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628961010814033106" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></span><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY6j0787fIsTVdCeMtvHSjhqR8IweO_lgqK0PRNr-jyJ6x1z3n42jH7sVHwYAVYL2vjhwepElZdyNDfBep86e5wrsDT2Gbdzz6lAcpRlwuh3IRs5FkfX-51LxxC2etSsWSqfW8wEui16Fp/s400/IMG_0393.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628961007668917666" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "></span><div>And this is what it will <i>all </i>look like, little by little:</div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5vnWgJchcPTYjL6IpMYzFjEEtE8GJYcN1HrrH5Vcg_1EFS0xsH45J3kVx6FrT97f2sO6uCB56BeuifmzQrzLkatj0S0qoEegfTZDAhJuovkSv7wF-phkL-ep43PP733t8zzH3vgaxeZ6E/s400/IMG_0396.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628961023747517522" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></span><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAF4HN23ij512CCNbCJdj2DWUM9fFw-JXNsiDEAn09isprxtsEiDzIxFtUX3Z_91jD6R9DT-uq5sA1CbPNW-Z8U9zeHkVf2nG0-IAc_Y8DmIDJS5MG3jvEELjGlnAuIvlVuCo56purRn9U/s400/IMG_0395.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628961021453743106" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></span></div><div>Man, I just love a clean kitchen :)</div><div><br /></div><div>This past weekend, David and I went to the lake to spend some time with his family. Scott wanted to come too, so he drove down from Raleigh! It was a <i>packed </i>house! David's parents were there, Pop and Valeria, me, David, and Scott, and Uncle Evan and Aunt Delane. David's parents brought their dog Georgia and cat Blackberry and we brought our cat Jovie. (Marley <i>hates </i>the lake, so I left him with my mom, but I have SO missed him this week :( I get him back on Friday though!) Oh, and to top it off, David's cousin Andrew and his girlfriend Katye spent all day Saturday with us! I didn't get any good pictures, but the guys thought it would be fun to swim across the cove to another dock thinking it would be quite easy for them all. Boy were they wrong :) They huffed and puffed all the way there-- and back!</div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7k5JWEmJJoOn5m37obwXSGhvssXWawyGX37_WB-0MuyWXdakePDJsNC8JWd1fpgt63ZfcWybUil6p3rETy9ouKRrCEc8kTEoQT9I38C-haDylE1r7pxX2Hz47CKa2sIGQsXdg2dMQqxoY/s400/IMG_0438.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628959833502726786" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8VQwr4n8Jd329WdKpggzG2dZCOHXZizbMnNycmZP1lb2F4wWvveCLwDUyMU4UEuHp0a58woxHCHVDnJ3mnNtGFdsz5tWFajKYdmfIjxTOqA4TozdocPiUyl1RpDuMZygacB6rIKl-HqCD/s400/IMG_0439.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628959828404572994" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "></span><div>I started hospital orientation on Monday and these have really seemed like the <i>longest.days.of.my.life. </i>I have really gotten used to sleeping in, haha! Today started a week of nursing orientation and we had to clock in this morning. Well...this girl forgot to clock out. Yes, I am <i>that </i>person! The very first day and I forgot to clock out. I realized half way home and it was too late to turn around and go back so I'll have to fill out a form tomorrow....it's going to be a learning curve, haha! Hopefully it will be okay since it was the first day and all...</div><div><br /></div><div>But, on Monday, I had David take a "first day of work" picture of me :) My mom always took "first day of school" pictures so I thought I'd add one to her collection.</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg958BUKd9Ygek9dXrW9ji_rnVwtFwZv8LNnEplx9eSK9mo-wrvH2e4oEN84qq9hw5bd47-x7whfNFeMumF51oBTxCXwf8NskoyMIKuOy8ZCeiVxeVmBqWrekRMhlgg8MEdrZ_ocJKeiMLs/s400/IMG_0450.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628959842466786642" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div>Tomorrow is the first day we can wear scrubs since we have our badges now, so I will be all over that! I got Grey's Anatomy scrubs and <i>oh.my.word. </i>are they comfortable! I'll never be able to wear anything else ever again. I did order some pediatric tops today so they should be in in about a month. Hopefully they are as cute in person as they are in the pictures! No fear, I'll probably have a picture of my "first day in scrubs" too ;)</div><div><br /></div><div>I start on the NICU unit next Wednesday and I'm <i>so excited. </i>This has been my dream since my sophomore year of high school and now I am actually getting to live it! I just hope I get to live it with air conditioning...</div><div><br /></div><div>Unfortunately, our A/C has been acting up. It's about 500 degrees here and our air won't seem to cool past about 80 during the day. They've been to fix it about 3 times now and supposedly "fixed" it, but I'm thinking not. David is going to Germany for a few weeks and I just know that thing is going to poop out on me while he's gone! How in the world do you fix an A/C unit??!</div><div><br /></div><div>Anyway, I feel kind of ridiculous about not clocking out so I'm going to go lift my spirits with a little Pinterest searching. Love that thing. :)</div><div><br /></div><div>Happy Wednesday!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><img src="http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm89/erob310/Blog%20Pictures/signature.png" style="border: 0 !important; background: transparent;" /></div></div></div>Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03754567242903793140noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1135998321654418096.post-85234484360716044922011-06-29T11:03:00.002-04:002011-06-29T11:04:57.572-04:00Comments!<div>A HUGE "thank you" to Ashley for pointing out my comments are messed up! I changed my comments to a pop-up, so hopefully that has fixed the problem! If you read this, would you mind leaving a comment just so I know the comments section is working?? Thanks! :)</div><div><br /></div><img src="http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm89/erob310/Blog%20Pictures/signature.png" style="border: 0 !important; background: transparent;" />Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03754567242903793140noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1135998321654418096.post-49224608082900141212011-06-28T17:44:00.005-04:002011-06-28T18:21:51.347-04:00What Have I Been Up To?<div style="text-align: left;">I haven't updated in a while! I have thoroughly been enjoying my nice break. No worrying about passing the NCLEX, no worrying about finding a job, no worrying about homework...it's been nice! So what have I been up to?</div><div><br /></div><div><ul><li>I've been doing a lot of this: <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFeJPA8mIBYQ1XmCYtiVLeqij5gL5X53J06EOVCVWhoiQkFiN1r79OgkCGfYgVPcdPj-X9Qz6bIyME6PujUIU74f1mQwVRSfqrEyb9pPub65HbT-fuBc43Fc6trQ9cU846DLDVvpxUqMeF/s400/images.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5623392114623410050" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 259px; height: 194px; " /></span>My mom and I have been watching all of the Harry Potter movies to get ready for the last movie coming out in July. I think I'm pretty lucky to have grown up in the world of Harry Potter :) (I used to dress up in my mom's black graduation gown and play with a pointer as a wand...I am not ashamed.)</li><li>My mom and I also started working on wedding programs...I can't believe my wedding is less than 3 months away! </li><li>I am <i>loving </i>Pinterest! I didn't understand it at the beginning but I can't get enough of it now! I found a very cute nail style using newspaper clippings and it didn't turn out fantastic but I think with some practice it will be very cute! I couldn't get a picture of it, though. Ugh.</li><li>Not only am I loving pinterest, I'm loving the styles I've been finding on there! I've decided I need a huge shopping spree, haha! I loved all of the yellow and gray outfits so when I was at Target and ran across a cute yellow cardigan with rosettes...I had to buy it! This is what I wore today:<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2odLYeg6BmeHvZqJRntM1klXqH8NXvziyn1YxIYilWzqRt8psTOcnBCrY5oUbxLTjv4ZOJeuFZt5AdGQDZYpcwTONHd1NEnTJUhbAvgkdCFldrpWlVcw7eyIyVoazmI-9XBOUval6eJwM/s400/2011-06-28+10.53.00.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5623397460264046994" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></span> I loved the white shorts and how the yellow and gray looked! I might need some cute jewelry though... :)</li><li>Marley has been busy napping today. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmZJOeLHoMSqjtR58htLMN9_5AEo6A3pcgfdp-uaD0Gupk7i3p_38i-XgHrfEpadHDMbzkTj2UGE0Bn7ATy9uzZ0-P6qnkQNj_8omwP07oVUB43HMEMtNI57PDhkcKoQno9XjzKymASYlj/s400/2011-06-28+15.26.48.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5623399161331908578" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></span>Doesn't he look precious? His ears stick up even when he sleeps, haha.</li><li>I also took pictures in all of my "party" dresses so that I can match up my jewelry and also make it easy to look for jewelry when I'm out shopping. Having a picture of the neckline will hopefully make it easier to find jewelry that will match!</li></ul><div>The power has gone off twice while I've tried to update blogger, haha! I hope everyone is having a wonderful week! :)</div></div><div><br /></div><img src="http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm89/erob310/Blog%20Pictures/signature.png" style="border: 0 !important; background: transparent;" />Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03754567242903793140noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1135998321654418096.post-38942788035898257292011-06-16T17:34:00.004-04:002011-06-16T18:14:20.880-04:00A Story for the Books<div>This is a story that I just don't ever want to forget. I have worked so hard to get where I am and everything all seemed to just come together all at once! It may not be interesting to you, so I won't be offended if you stop reading now, but it's a story I want to remember! :)</div><div><br /></div><div>Last Friday (06-10-11), I had an interview for a position in the NICU. My dream job. I worried and prepped for that interview for days on end! I was supposed to meet the nurse manager (NM from now on) downstairs in the lobby of the hospital near the piano, so when I arrived 10 minutes early, that's where I stood. I made the mistake of standing right next to a huge sign in the shape of a teddy bear and people were asking me all about it! I had no idea what it was for, but one man in particular kept up a conversation with me and come to find out, his wife worked in the ICU unit I did my internship in last summer! She ended up coming down to meet her husband and I got talking with her and found out she was great friends with my preceptor, too! Such a small world :) I was still talking to them when the NM walked up and the man just kept saying, "Oh, she'll hire you, she'll give you a job!" I think I was mortified, ha! I had never met the NM in my life and here is this guy telling her she'll hire me! I was so embarrassed....not a great start to the interview, I'd say!</div><div><br /></div><div>I came prepared with my resume and she asked me a bunch of questions and even though I had prepared, I was still a nervous wreck! I had some questions for her and then she gave me a tour of the unit. I could not read her <i>at all. </i>As she was walking me out she made the comment, "I have 5 positions, but I don't think our budget will allow 5, I will most likely only be hiring 2." I pretty much took that to mean...."don't be offended when I call you and tell you you didn't get the job!" Ha! She told me she had interviews all the next week and I could expect to hear from her either way sometime the week after that. Like I said in my last post, I rehashed every. single. thing that went on in that interview--poor David! :) He assured me I was fine and that I did great and I just convinced myself otherwise.</div><div><br /></div><div>Flash forward to yesterday. I had an interview in the MS-ICU where I did my internship last summer. My granddaddy drove me down, just like he did for my interview last year. I interviewed with my NM boss and nurse educator that I worked with! I hate to admit this, but I didn't really prepare as much for this interview. I knew that they wanted me (NM had been e-mailing me quite a bit and kept saying he "couldn't wait for me to be a part of their team" and they had been "waiting a while" for me to graduate and pass etc.) and I had already prepped my answers from my last interview. They were just as friendly as I had remembered them and they asked me 2 PAGES worth of questions! And they <i>both </i>wrote my answers down! What?! I had my answers ready, but I couldn't believe they asked me 20 questions, haha! I figured that once they were finished, I would hear from them pretty soon.</div><div><br /></div><div>Pretty soon turned out to be right after the questioning was over. The NM told me they already knew they wanted to hire me. I could. not. believe. it. I was being offered a job on the spot. Fortunately, the NM is a <i>great </i>guy and he knew I had interviewed with the NICU and basically told me he wanted me to be 100% sure if I chose to come to the ICU. In his experienced opinion, if you entered a job with any doubt in your mind that you may have wanted something else, you won't be happy. I agreed and he gave me until Monday to give him an answer.</div><div><br /></div><div>I was ecstatic...I had a job if I wanted it! But I didn't know what to do about the NICU position. I knew I wouldn't hear about that job until the following week and I wouldn't have enough time to find out if they wanted me. I had a long talk with my granddad on the way home and we thought it would be good if I went ahead and e-mailed the NM of the NICU who I interviewed with. So when I got home, that's the first thing I did. I basically just told her that I had interviewed and received an offer from another unit in the hospital, that my passion was the NICU and I didn't know how to handle this situation, but I was wondering if I was being considered for a position in the NICU.</div><div><br /></div><div>In my head at that moment, I really thought I would hear back from her in a few days and she would either say, " I'm sorry, I can't share that information with you" or "I'm sorry, but we are looking for someone else." (Would make my decision an easier one, though!)</div><div><br /></div><div>In REALITY, this is what happened: I sent the e-mail. Literally <b>2 minutes </b>later, I got a phone call from the NICU NM and this is how the convo went:</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>- NM: Can I please speak with Erin?</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>- me: This is her. (The period seems to serious, the exclamation point seems to excited...I was somewhere in between, haha!)</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>- NM: Erin, this is _____. I just received your e-mail and I was calling to tell you, you better stop interviewing for jobs, haha! I want you here in the NICU with us! I am officially asking you if you would like to accept an offer to work in the NICU.</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>-me: Oh my gosh! Thank you so much (smiling and jumping up and down as quietly as I could....)!!! That is wonderful!</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>-NM: Your interview was phenomenal, by the way.</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>-me: Thank you so much! This is so great!</div><div><br /></div><div>After that, I started freaking out a little bit and asked her if I could just have the night to get my thoughts straight and I would call her tomorrow to let her know for sure. She was so kind and agreed.</div><div><br /></div><div>This morning, at 9:30am I <b><i>ACCEPTED </i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">my first ever nursing position in my </span><i>dream </i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">job after having two people <i>really, really </i>wanting me to come work for them. I am just in shock. I have worked so hard for this and I am so excited to start this new phase in my life! When I spoke with the NM this morning, she said, "I told ____, I can't do anymore interviews until I know we have Erin! We really need her!" I guess I did better on the interview then I thought--and David <i>loved </i>that he had been right all along ;)</span></b></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></b></div><div>To say that I am humbled is an understatement. I just can't believe all of this happened to me in a 24 hour period! I can't wait to see what the future holds!! </div><div><br /></div><img src="http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm89/erob310/Blog%20Pictures/signature.png" style="border: 0 !important; background: transparent;" />Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03754567242903793140noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1135998321654418096.post-6824972707818458482011-06-14T17:28:00.005-04:002011-06-14T18:05:10.661-04:00Will I Get a Summer?<div style="text-align: left;">Things have been moving right along for me! I think it's because I spend the weekdays in Charlotte and the weekends in Greenville. I've been taking a load of my stuff down each time I go so the end trip won't be so much of a big deal! And it seems that the "big trip" may be coming sooner rather than later.</div><div><br /></div><div>I headed down to Greenville Thursday because I had my NICU interview on Friday. I got a phone call Friday morning from the MS-ICU (where I did part of my internship last summer) and they wanted me to come in for an interview as well! I made plans for that interview for Wednesday (tomorrow).</div><div><br /></div><div>My interview went as well as can be expected I think! I couldn't read the interviewer <i>at all </i>so I have no earthly idea if she liked me, wants me, or anything! Of course I rehashed everything after I left and there is nothing I would have changed about what I said so if it's not in the cards for NICU then they were just looking for someone else :) She did happen to give me a tour of the unit and <i>oh my gosh. </i>Those little angels! After seeing the unit, I have no doubt I would enjoy it. Hopefully I will hear from her after Monday of next week.</div><div><br /></div><div>I got home a little before David did and when he walked in the door, he had these little pretties for me:</div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAC3phAWE9K1scovphLF_yotYhhexOs2nioNEdc0OMGOkTx6L_N7rJoCE8mOBmgmMlbFy0vLvUTE5lZWB_7c-sGsJ205eVlu8ZcDqvtdIRJ4VSPP74b8iGo7NvzxP0XOH6dBlpnrOhqVzH/s400/IMG_0375.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618197958388488498" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></span><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "></span><div>Isn't he amazing?! I was rehashing every little detail with him and he was so sweet to pick me up some flowers on his way home :) I am a lucky girl!</div><div><br /></div><div>I also got my first ever mail at David's house- my official certificate that I passed the licensure exam and I really am a registered nurse! Officially official as I like to say.</div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSVPEJtWpvd8zHqEXfXu8ELra_ip2hrtMfeCW9cXeb7Mg-C03_1thGWOmDvOtZHYobA7rieK-lqNOcr3uAyPAqwZyZW6A9e20Qhz657pouMhULaCeDTYe9rTf6CliR_NOseh1HoUGS8O-E/s400/IMG_0376.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618197961350476194" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "></span><div>David works as an electrical engineer for BMW and because it's a german company, there are a lot of germans who work there. One of David's co-workers had some of his "group" over for dinner Friday night and we went! It was so much fun! They cooked out pork, had potato salad, some vegetable dish, and a delicious salad. I spent a lot of the time trying to decipher what they were saying, but they were all very kind to speak to me in english :) For dessert, we had espresso and home-made tirimisu! I wish I had some right now, it was so good! David has already decided we need to have them over for dinner once I move down--I think it sounds like a wonderful idea!</div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeyetpeq3SXz8fbCZcO-VZVfAxdU_6vdPGNVjfKGjlwz6EIa0rYX7ezL-nmGBHMcenU0zHzSyrnNmnEvxcPb4EVx_6xNp7pK7nEbFCFI78q3yzFodQ64dWjv4mspA7IJh8net5U9P_db2J/s400/IMG_0379.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618197972101937282" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">Always in some kind of soccer paraphernalia! :)</div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "></span><div><br /></div><div>Saturday David watched the movie 300 and I learned my way around Pinterest! Y'all, I am still not 100% sure how to use it, but so far I am loving it!! We also took a trip to the mall and I found my dress I'm going to wear on the plane to Hawaii!!! I wanted a cotton maxi-dress for the plan ride and some cute wedges--found those too! The only thing left is a cute jacket to go on top in case the plane is cold :) </div><div><br /></div><div>That evening, we went to Buffalo Wild Wings with another co-worker of David's- Phil, and his wife Emily. I had never met them before, but they are a very sweet couple. After dinner we saw Hangover 2 which in my opinion is equally just as hysterical as the first one! I don't remember the last time I laughed so hard!</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTMX4bHBDWlT0lvsTGdWPBnexb03dIDBALskQgV5f-yiYI4Z5E6q7siunzTna99QzVW9JFDgpv2J05zwwYb50_r3ZUM3UJMqWxG-uHz20NVF7LVPYRTDA6E2XJNbcJ_GBYkBjZ_Uhzgrx1/s400/254050_779530966936_40506028_39609732_8383468_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618198847871835090" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></div><div>This picture just cracks me up. I guess Marley hadn't had enough attention over the weekend because he came and sat right in my face when we got home!</div><div><br /></div><div>I headed home sometime in the afternoon on Sunday and while I love coming home, I sure do miss David. I am about ready to be in one spot and not going back and forth every weekend! And hopefully, fingers crossed, one of the 2 positions I have interviewed for will want to hire me and I can make my final move to Greenville! :)</div><div><br /></div><div>PS- Monday afternoon, we went to the graduation party of a kid mom had in 1st grade and someone I used to babysit! She had 2 of the 3 kids...crazy. How in the <i>world </i>are kids I babysat old enough to go to college??! His younger brother (2 years younger) couldn't wrap his mind around the fact that I was drinking a beer and said, "at my graduation party, make me a deal that you won't drink there...that's too weird!" And my mom promptly looked at him and said, "she may not be able to drink at your graduation party!" They fist-bumped that comeback and I started planning baby names, ha!</div><div><br /></div><img src="http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm89/erob310/Blog%20Pictures/signature.png" style="border: 0 !important; background: transparent;" /></div>Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03754567242903793140noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1135998321654418096.post-39373652867768791722011-06-07T17:59:00.002-04:002011-06-07T18:58:18.596-04:00Short Post!<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNxMFVbto7AYD6qumzS05MU2qpS9CpczRj2tZMh_ultQs2fC6RW684JvFs2XiTsIeqp2felFjGd8u65B3q7dy2-g6cAFS94Mc4E36-bQnyJ44866uBIfWUo5D51YuDjziMkFhRjAGN5LHB/s1600/2011-06-07+11.16.09.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><div>Hi all!</div><div><br /></div><div>Short post today! It's been quite a busy day and it's not over yet! But I just wanted to check in:)</div><div><br /></div><div>Today I:</div><div><ul><li>Okay'ed my wedding party favors!! They are so cute! I don't normally keep things I get at weddings...they don't really mean anything to me because they don't have any relevant info for me! (I mean, it's not my wedding date...it's yours??) So I wanted something that represented us, but that people could use. So...David and I decided on shortbread cookies in the shape of bells!! (Our last name will be Bell...well, his is already...mine will be.) The icing is cream colored with purple trim and our monogram initials in the middle! <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNxMFVbto7AYD6qumzS05MU2qpS9CpczRj2tZMh_ultQs2fC6RW684JvFs2XiTsIeqp2felFjGd8u65B3q7dy2-g6cAFS94Mc4E36-bQnyJ44866uBIfWUo5D51YuDjziMkFhRjAGN5LHB/s400/2011-06-07+11.16.09.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615615846538242066" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></span>I <i>love </i>the way they turned out! We are going to put them in clear bags and tie them with purple ribbon :)</li><li>I also went looking for my bridesmaid gifts! I know what I want, but the store didn't have quite what I was looking for. I looked through their catalogue and the lady was so nice! She ordered one pair of each thing I was looking at and when they come in she is going to call us to come look. Then I can choose my favorite out of those :) I am so excited that things are moving right along!</li><li>I also received a phone call from the hospital in Greenville about an interview for the NICU!!!!! This would be a dream job for me and my interview is on Friday at 2:00pm. If you happen to think of me around that time, I would be so thankful if you would send up a prayer for me! I'm not getting my hopes up but it is still very exciting :)</li><li>On top of that high, I also received an e-mail from the nurse manager I worked for last summer in Greenville! (MS-ICU) He told me he wanted me to apply for 3 positions he is posting so we can get that interview process moving along, too! Oh my gosh y'all, I am over the moon that in one day I have 2 potential places of work! I loved working in the ICU last summer and while NICU would be my first choice, I know I would love working in the ICU as well so I am hoping that one of these 2 will pan out for me :)</li><li>And tonight, I am going with my mom, aunt, cousin Amy, and close family friends, Mrs. Wanda and <a href="http://fromcitylightstoclearskys.blogspot.com/">Karen</a> to see the movie Bridesamaids. I am so excited because I've heard it is good!! </li></ul><div>Last, I would <i>love </i>it if you would say a prayer for my sweet friend Mandy. Sunday morning, her long-time boyfriend went into cardiac arrest and passed away. He was only 30 years old. I am so heartbroken for her and I can't even begin to imagine what she is feeling right now. I know it would mean a lot to her to know so many people are lifting her up in prayer! Thank you :)</div></div><div><br /></div><div>Now, I hope everyone has a wonderful hump day tomorrow! Anything interesting going on in your lives?? I need to live vicariously through you now that I have nothing going on!! :)</div><div><br /></div><img src="http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm89/erob310/Blog%20Pictures/signature.png" style="border: 0 !important; background: transparent;" />Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03754567242903793140noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1135998321654418096.post-12005223230057059882011-06-05T19:10:00.002-04:002011-06-05T19:33:36.177-04:00Motivation?<div>This marks the 2nd time today I've tried to sit down and come up with a blog! Apparently I'm lacking some motivation right now!! :)</div><div><br /></div><div>Saturday, David and I took a trip to Dahlonega, GA for one of his Clemson teammate's wedding. It was a beautiful ceremony and the reception was at a ranch in the middle of the mountains so it was a wonderful view! I left my camera at home so I have no pictures :( I'm apparently really bad at taking pictures....maybe I should work on that.</div><div><br /></div><div>Today we slept in and I officially decided what I want to do with my free time! I'm going to continue learning how to sew and start making jewelry. Unfortunately no job leaves me with little money to be "crafty" right now so I'm going to have to work with what I already have, which isn't much. It'll work out! And to top it off, I have been figuring out how I want my future craft room to look! David was just <i>thrilled </i>about that, ha!</div><div><br /></div><div>Othar than that I don't have much going on so I'll leave you with a list of what's on my agenda!</div><div><ul><li>Tomorrow I am going to watch one of my long-time friend's sweet little boy! It's so hard for me to believe we are already at the baby-making age but he is so precious. Lunch and catching up is also on the list ;)</li><li>My uncle coaches a legion baseball team here and they have a game tomorrow. I like supporting my family and this is what he loves to do so I love going to watch! </li><li>Tuesday I'm meeting with Edible Art for my wedding favors!! I am <i>so </i>excited about my favors! I'm hoping they are going to be as cute as I think they will be...and then my grandmother and I are going to work on bridesmaid gifts :) Things are moving right along in the wedding department and it's a good thing, too! It's only a little less than 4 months until the big day. (I also picked up a couple things at the wedding this weekend that I don't want in my wedding, but also some things I'd like to incorporate!)</li><li>Ummm....that's it for this week, ha! So sad, right?</li></ul><div>Now I'm off to spend some time with my puppy...I missed him this weekend! Hope you all had a wonderful weekend! :)</div></div><div><br /></div><img src="http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm89/erob310/Blog%20Pictures/signature.png" style="border: 0 !important; background: transparent;" />Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03754567242903793140noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1135998321654418096.post-6654411315806474192011-06-02T20:54:00.003-04:002011-06-02T21:09:56.487-04:00In BetweenI am currently sitting on David's couch while he plays Call of Duty or something like that. I just painted my nails and thought I'd blog a bit! I'll say, typing with wet nails is interesting. It's kind of like "hunt and peck" but I'm not really hunting for the letters! Also, I'm right-handed so the nails on my left hand look <i>way </i>prettier than then ones on my right...bummer.<div><br /></div><div>I came down this afternoon before Dave got off work and <i>the air conditioner in my car was not working. </i>Okay, it was kind of working. It was blowing air, but it was not blowing cool air. It's been in the high 90's this week and my car <i>would </i>pick today to lose the ability to cool me off! I finally just turned the A/C off and rolled the windows down. It was <i>slightly </i>cooler. Once I got here, I got out and my shorts were soaked*, ha! Oh well....</div><div><br /></div><div>I am in the middle of getting things moved from my house to my new home with David. I brought my first load down today and will spend tomorrow putting it all away. I brought all of my Christmas stuff (4 tubs, 1 box, and 1 bagged christmas tree...) and all of the books I wanted to bring with me (4 boxes). It's kind of bittersweet...I'm really looking forward to this next stage of my life but I'm kind of sad to be leaving family!</div><div><br /></div><div>I know, 1 1/2 hours away isn't bad at all, but I've been within 5 minutes of my whole family since I was 5!! And, some of y'all can attest to this, but I used to have the <i>worst </i>homesickness ever! Sometimes I would even have to be taken home in the middle of the night at sleep overs. Ugh, I'm still embarrassed about that!!</div><div><br /></div><div>So needless to say, this will be a transition for me, but I am looking forward to getting all settled in eventually! (I'm bringing a load down each time I come :)...and now that I have nothing to do, that should be often!!) </div><div><br /></div><div>This weekend, one of David's roommates/teammates from Clemson is getting married so we will be spending our weekend celebrating with friends! I <i>love </i>weddings because they are getting me excited for my very own in just about 4 months!</div><div><br /></div><div>I guess I don't have much more to talk about now...any ideas to keep a girl busy?? (Besides apply for jobs, ha!) Happy weekend, everyone! :)<br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">*I went back to re-read my blog and just thought I should define that they were soaked with sweat...not pee. I </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">am </span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">potty-trained! ;)</span></div><div><img src="http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm89/erob310/Blog%20Pictures/signature.png" style="border: 0 !important; background: transparent;" /></div></div>Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03754567242903793140noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1135998321654418096.post-29831575654918712762011-06-01T14:22:00.004-04:002011-06-01T17:07:26.416-04:00Not How I Thought It Would Happen...<div style="text-align: left;">I'd definitely say it's been a while since my last update! I have been studying <i>non-stop </i>for the dreaded NCLEX exam. I took my exam on Monday.</div><div><br /></div><div>I didn't tell anyone when I was taking the exam. Aside from my mom, David, and a few of my close nursing friends, no one knew. I was so scared I was going to fail and then I'd be embarrassed when people started asking me about it. I just didn't want to even imagine the disappointment!</div><div><br /></div><div>Unfortunately, some things messed up my "secret plan". I started feeling kind of puny about a week ago. Not totally bad, but not that great. I figured it was just the stress of the situation getting to me. After all, I was studying pretty much 24/7! Well. My symptoms continued to get worse over the next few days and Sunday (the day before my exam!) rolled around and I just couldn't eat and I was starting to feel pretty bad. </div><div><br /></div><div>I will spare you the gruesome details (and believe me, they were gruesome!) but I ended up in the ER Sunday NIGHT. Nothing like a trip to the ER to keep your mind off the NCLEX!</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPzOfTbBK_9Rg3IKJ71lalE_Bs6uTdV_Dz-dkTB3kPC2ypia5k1hFdZIWm8oTBSvM524TZiP0JuKCx84knkk13Ba0beXHFQaUb3749krAHWKgoih6UmLssUQwusMLwKabEhpCLEk6NMjmx/s400/248803_775319362026_40506028_39526097_7521277_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613360533430968514" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><i>*<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;">David couldn't resist a picture...he also said, "It's Murphy's law--anything that can go wrong, will go wrong..." Me and Murphy aren't on great terms right now... ha!</span></i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div>I was diagnosed with an intestinal bacterial infection. Yuck. But I got my antibiotic at 11:00pm and they told me I wasn't contagious so I would be good to go for my exam in the AM!! I wasn't feel too great the next morning but I went to my test anyway!</div><div><br /></div><div>75 questions and 60 minutes later I was walking out of there and back to bed! I never thought I would end up in the ER the night before the biggest exam of my life, but apparently I was well prepared. I found out today that I PASSED!!!!!</div><div><br /></div><div>I am now officially an RN, BSN!!! </div><div><br /></div><div>Thank you for all of your thoughts recently and now I will have more time to update my blog!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><img src="http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm89/erob310/Blog%20Pictures/signature.png" style="border: 0 !important; background: transparent;" />Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03754567242903793140noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1135998321654418096.post-57859281010464977562011-05-19T20:51:00.005-04:002011-05-19T21:50:10.674-04:00Graduation Weekend #2<div style="text-align: left;">I've been MIA for the last week because I have been studying 24/7 for the NCLEX, the nursing licensure exam. I'm not telling anyone when I'm going to take it in case I don't pass, haha ;) I just don't want to deal with everyone's sympathy if I don't make it. BUT I am going to pass and I have post-its all over saying just that! So hopefully I can psyche myself into passing!</div><div><br /></div><div>This past weekend we had another graduation in my family. My cousin Scott graduated from Duke University's Master of Engineering Management program! </div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqvolhIa3Z6o-kKpeg4oWQs65EPx8hM8I47r-6yDF1eVCKycQjsBRd817G1i6DoVsDanypAc4Y4UDVPYJlk-HcxDIoOSF1OMTZhCejwQeNmqvMTxFYawOrrRKjUwpwIou9Z7XWBTSKm4wr/s400/IMG_0019.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608605063356656946" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px; " /></span><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "></span><div>Scott has an apartment up there so David, Marley, and I stayed with him and Kylie! Aren't they just the cutest couple? :)</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidr5x7NEROa5Qsat7mlVpdkijFRHeP0v-kSfnXC3kqGEpvL8TrmXp-bHKWxlFSpn8aLAjFe-pH0htMsGkL8rr2JsN_XBmr0sVWzzTN25ePA52mCJLVL2HyDK-F93g1s5WreA4crAYzoo5-/s400/IMG_0052.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608605061492886578" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div>Saturday was his hooding ceremony and he was so funny! He was half way across the stage before they even called his name :) We were definitely proud of him and to top it off, we found out earlier Saturday that he had an internship set up that will (fingers crossed!) <i>hopefully </i>turn in to a full time job! Yes!</div><div><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4MYa4aU7_IoM9b4wD_qzfdkEnuwjHKhLSOAJJekkl7RIqBKxsQ70YGDkphixA0WMKlRDlfUDwbgX-cQO6iMALinYdGFhzlK7eUeIIXlraBtrPk1aQm2xJjrES-4QODGl6f1g0V3Jm2X-h/s400/IMG_0123.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608606511188008530" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px; " /></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">*I love this one...mom fixing the hood before the ceremony :)</div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "></span><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoRleOZFhQZzvODHTPt0UBuvute_DqR438A7XwzNAo9E91slVzhJVTCqKLWEii9QYxhYOW0hhe3J3eeRc-ACTa62ZCsu7TsmhyphenhyphenN2zZ018zg-CR-p5Zlnt9OKYprOkbiEcMREygV9iXVAHs/s400/IMG_0126.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608606507703295538" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">*I love this one too...mom looks so happy and proud!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div>We went out to dinner at a mexican restaurant after the ceremony and it was so delicious! Although, we had to pay for chips and salsa...what kind of mexican restaurant do you have to pay for chips at?! We were all really exhausted so we went back to Scott's apartment and watched Pirates of the Caribbean 3 and hit the hay.</div><div><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBPHRPfSBTeDqGFX1DHXuG-UKiTYRRc1_A-By3KibD2r8wGmiE5ukdcfQq-BxSbJK1K1iZ1CGGiYHLG8TrUV1aMqPFnsm0dsS64Mx9_n-8JZQJ24u2BlVFq9FVXpcwZ3k32BrA32YpmHs2/s400/IMG_0118.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608608145895224050" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px; " /></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">*And just because he is so handsome... :)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNEptf5quYMoYHSJbqtcTxQ9GEn1xkVtAvsDlx-tX8H4fvQLgZeryZThamrKQlab5ybaZkDat5D6ZlwdZ8dauK7h6P4ENHxlcNGcVme6wTytkiDHfh695bFBgPnYDghSAyeU10Zc-X3Rwk/s400/IMG_0093.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608608140133947602" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">*And just because this is probably one of the best pictures of us!</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "></span><div><br /></div><div>We got up early Sunday for brunch at Bob Evans--Scott's request :) Then we headed to the Duke Chapel for the diploma presentations. </div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhITjX85dD-fSHtMK7NLe1XM1p3KB7dGhaewKhxeiFlXSoXj3LKritnDis17el5R9gGS6VxksNcomqLVvfHsjjtAdJtA8w9EuI3yLthnnhAMeA-hyNwE-9y28ux1bzFLukuPdgFn3YKzVlp/s400/IMG_0088.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608605066719724770" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div>It was beautiful inside the chapel, but the serenity didn't keep people from whooping it up for their family graduates! It was a great ceremony and a wonderful weekend. </div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhocw5W2Zmj-NgcSAXnYkCavhVJCr2B-LFxLa6fTkpBk-WCv5PnFwTNBVDVRqUDAes-uVL8O95S5SL5LN6n4w9lys87AG6kWUwJz-3SCEjv1wT18nvlQw-6ZE0XeePK0yLXr78BF6UfAKLj/s400/IMG_0169.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608606505310256690" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div>Gosh, we sure do have a lot to celebrate in this family! So proud:)</div><div><br /></div><img src="http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm89/erob310/Blog%20Pictures/signature.png" style="border: 0 !important; background: transparent;" /></div>Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03754567242903793140noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1135998321654418096.post-49937299961545718012011-05-09T18:01:00.012-04:002011-05-09T19:21:44.165-04:00Nursing Graduation :)<div style="text-align: left;">Warning: This is a long post with a lot of pictures!! :)</div><div><br /></div><div>This past week was all about graduation from nursing school. Tuesday was the Pinning Ceremony and Wednesday was Blessing of the Hands, which you can read about <a href="http://erinstigertale.blogspot.com/2011/05/graduation-week.html">here</a>. Thursday, the nursing girls had a "Bachelorette Party" for the three nursing girls who are getting married this year.</div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg133aCwi2qkgF0k8NaOYXQeVghyFKUw9bPsGOwemwztVzG6Mqy_hj2b_Qvmpu-RMrY1NI3GuF3kJY5z7OIzXiPtkZJJ9tvzKmgbiTBr6oW_pbCw5zMMEYU4KChU0DWhkSQVyHvLwzAxDGQ/s400/IMG_0317.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604841566209665954" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 242px; " /></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "></span><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">*Me and Van, the 2 September brides!*</span></span></i></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIYQZVzRAVplK7oiWjzU0JSX8uwHZdkoWPmzchTw2HTR1apfNEIN4N9FevRpYFq8AOWGhPmPD5datM9jDorlqMqH0QQWXXB4csPm_1OPiIC6VZMRn0wjXmwwNW5eU0-nbNJjlyLmOk8O9F/s400/IMG_0341.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604841978152976754" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 224px; " /></span></i></span></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>*</span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The whole group! Love you girls:) *</span></i></span></i></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i><br /></i></span></span></i></div><div>We went to a new restaurant called San Antonio's. I <i>loved </i>it! And actually, now through May, everything on the menu is $5!! (I think it's a marketing ploy for the restaurant, but most of the entrees range from $13-$22, so $5 is a pretty good deal!) So needless to say, I will be going back there a few times in May :)</div><div><br /></div><div>Saturday was graduation day! My future in-laws came in to town to help me celebrate and I'm so thankful for their support--and the fact that they are letting me marry their son! ;)</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVkkNPnuJaW7dv1tg7G72sZF3D4uYtuQDHQcHtovXPf75n4uundwkK3syAnObxyLGiiaMEhLFlGLJAChkybj7lQpu2bhKMooVYdO0Ls3od5z2rZdP1kqFQBLT-m5BagYb8iWmOrs3d2QvC/s400/IMG_0109.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604856980513177346" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div>We got to the school about 8:30 am and grabbed a row of seats! I got a couple of pictures with my family and then a few with my friends. Then it was about time to line up. </div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4yA_FTVlxYsSIU5ayYklukTQkBgboIYbQ1SDSlxeQ71p2zqvF7r0ixUE4SjpuxL1nXHpGwG1hEFqVoOt3RC9WR9Q9hqgjYNlauuAM2UPa-yVvX4kefFxMvD0GFpkCyhAZDqBG-qTcyVSl/s400/IMG_0068.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604844568795638658" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px; " /></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">* Me and my handsome granddaddy*</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-size:16px;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWuLtSRI3mMwGnizy3kYCULvO5wg2SENYT3VKtfMv7HRIBv7qRND-mFWptwwsbDGNaLoVnmyY9loxRDI_3iBsCsqVBLrt5b7lr7mjK5A8QTFKQqg7CYHLltePYZ5QRBzbHfaBRzrO6cPnp/s400/IMG_0072.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604844576997395730" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px; " /></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">*</span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Me and Les before graduation!*</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-size:16px;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8xr-JezhektGmzi8whcIwK1ZvWfux1wQ0T2lAOdH-0Jn-7dn8jCYI4Lw4IbzXGYhLtWclNYhiR1JklptkBCmHfA1-nCcSOoVgHNcrjTSsLjkGBmfEDx6zKedj589ZX97Rn0RMoF0qZDAi/s400/IMG_0069.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604844573751906130" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px; " /></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">*</span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">My family all in a row, there to support me!*</span></i></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i><br /></i></span></span></i></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "></span><div>The nursing girls were in the back of the line so we were last to graduate. Word at the graduation is when they announced the Presbyterian Nursing School graduates (we all stood up to be recognized), we were the <i>loudest </i>group there! We were so thrilled to be finished and relieved to finally be at this point! As we walked across the stage, we were given our diploma and then hooded. (Colleges and universities used to hood their bachelor graduates, but most have stopped. Queens still does and it was a great experience!)</div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1ilc7KFhdfjbgfjMPt3aOdICSp9GxcCMMQL9HEHk-TbzXlyT50XKfzmSz5U_Zixx3Z8sV4JZgxHQ8h8VAsMgVi8ORkB63VqeekQxPeRAPujJn5KzbzigPCSl-CJNECDFdaunhUwrf2KRG/s400/IMG_0082.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604844580451059106" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">*Receiving my diploma!*</span></i></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-size:16px;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaZWJzlXWVZvKJ79lgzYatUFyZHCcUAbamOcqgty5-eUCuTRvZQ0kw4C_Yw7K1yqQ_xfWZhELwO7yOzXzGTko36RZyMTGHjTkVNll2udVTaYA3JGBMSfn0kbOloFNwDHafz9_ffFvLiw1P/s400/IMG_0083.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604846492724865874" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px; " /></span></i></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">*</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Getting hooded by my grandmother's friend, Dr. Chris Allegretti. It was such an honor to be hooded by someone I know and look up to!*</span></span></i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></i></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "></span><div>Once we were all finished walking, the graduation was pretty much over. After the recessional we all went to meet our families. I was so excited!</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjClknUE6l4cbe5cT5ArAAmnDhrXt4Kv0noLMqla4aA1rvqngltk72bhtLi7sTLYMVNhmD7La6XHLDpyUBH22ZVUvWTLk8EYwR-EYGLGCHTuwsZZqbJFzGElhhUhHmELJ82-omz2CsWk9ZF/s400/IMG_0092.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604846496595047282" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px; " /></span></div><div><br /></div><div>Then we got a slew of pictures with my family :)</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYHG4lUIT-GzE8ljV4z71tnOoPVK62dMqj0nZC7eJ0q71-FsS8fEK9l0CCSRlhgKqAq0SO8VWENRFKhttrUm_7wKbLTsRaOFtBvSO8MYREUYEp4DO43IEhXKvPtLF5h2wCAj4SHb3yofYv/s400/IMG_0096.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604846501732895490" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">*My favorite aunt. I sure do love her!*</span></i></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-size:16px;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo3WHW_Ws3UbEiaHwPrSNoy5aYv3Gl6GiSVX6bAWFOPx7s1RMKHlDaKB2PindBnEPUI_5ew_RJR4X881urs3O2EiEE32j9CeBlPg19QspIDbZOXng-dE-mwvjh3EPIGPcrEwqVkaFNVL-j/s400/IMG_0097.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604846507668629986" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px; " /></span></i></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">*</span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">My wonderful, supportive mom :) I love her, too!*</span></i></span></span></i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i><br /></i></span></span></i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i><br /></i></span></span></i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlv7GvpXs3NzNcaZIwqCZfBmID15soPqbMk9CQim3o2S2FW3hgM20Bb0e1Cq5t2y2mlGCxsmmuifaw89S_JOkPVT5smKIXkZCZfugvf7xjCr8qv4AOZAQ-LSZyclIRmPDVX0Nrd372xkmm/s400/IMG_0110.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604856972494580050" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px; " /></span></i></span></span></i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">*Such a supportive fiance! :)*</span></span></span></i></span></i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></i></span></i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6EX5JnUg2-laU6HNvKBpVd-3bkW62AB5VfP-Dpc1Af8iMmhJBwQsY3WgecM4Zqe-IgR37lhxT_DUW9pKIVQPeWXnTGSnspoHRtYNf2t7LAaFLjVNVKpBV1W2-rrn7j54HNm3DITwKIMi3/s400/IMG_0102.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604858784095880402" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px; " /></span></span></span></i></span></i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>*My wonderful cousins!*</span></span></span></i></span></i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></span></i></span></i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-size:16px;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Oyo0Z4pFa77E8GAFXRo421ZSB4lOLsCdI2Qo2Qd5X7D1gzHZrJ5PD4L8d4OnKaOLxxhlsdVuba9TnzT-qVCLe8D24JlmE3NI_fZPzxRAKpuW5ZvrnaPtQGg8lnPXfvv9ZMNYST-oDKgH/s400/IMG_0108.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604858783920286018" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px; " /></span></span></span></span></i></span></i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>*My incredibly supportive, wonderful grandparents. I wouldn't be anywhere without them!*</span></span></span></span></i></span></i></span></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></i></div><div>After graduation, Leslie's family held a graduation luncheon at their house. </div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG55sppCdzlaGwfIWq0h5v9zrPeeLBVFPdTIxiOpu-NFbNZ20szZ4ztsjqqoiki0uA5rpxFZxj7WC3oyx61lG0oTA2_ZfpMAQdUEY4MZRG1deTLr1rbzK0BGQXk_wq4lfFqbuV7jIyEOsf/s400/IMG_0119.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604856970176792898" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">*</span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Me, Les, Vanessa, and Seana at Leslie's graduation luncheon!*</span></i></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></i></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "></span><div>They are some of the kindest people in the world and we all really enjoyed getting to spend some time relaxing, eating, and enjoying each other's company! Once we left there, we made a pit stop at Vanessa's house because her family was throwing a graduation party there as well! We were pooped, but my family dinner was that night :) We had a great dinner outside on the deck, opened presents and spent the evening hanging out. </div><div><br /></div><div>If you've made it this far, congratulations! :) Sunday we made breakfast for my mom and David's mom and that pretty much sums up our week. It was such a wonderful weekend and I am so thankful for all of the support and love from my family and friends through this experience. Now...if I can only pass NCLEX! :)</div><div><br /></div><img src="http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm89/erob310/Blog%20Pictures/signature.png" style="border: 0 !important; background: transparent;" /></div>Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03754567242903793140noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1135998321654418096.post-56080070386445332011-05-07T07:42:00.001-04:002011-05-07T07:42:43.151-04:00Graduating...<div>Today, at 10:00 am, I will be GRADUATING nursing school! I am so excited!! :) I'm sure I'll do a full length post all about this special day later!! :) Have a wonderful Saturday, everyone!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><img src="http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm89/erob310/Blog%20Pictures/signature.png" style="border: 0 !important; background: transparent;" />Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03754567242903793140noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1135998321654418096.post-61815200775024693912011-05-05T12:57:00.005-04:002011-05-05T13:16:55.097-04:00Graduation Week<div style="text-align: left;">Man, I have SO much free time now that I'm not constantly working on nursing stuff! I've already cleaned my room and my bathroom and re-watched the royal wedding (I know, I know. It's weird. I don't care!). And now I'm working on updating my blog! Monday I took my last nursing final (and to brag just a little...I ended up with at 97 on it!!) and that was the start of graduation week! When we left the exam, we all felt like we still had a million things to do for school! It hadn't actually hit us that we were completely done with nursing school! Lucky for us, the school had some things planned for us.</div><div><br /></div><div>Tuesday afternoon, we had the Pinning Ceremony. The pinning ceremony welcomes new nurses into the field of nursing and we receive pins from our faculty. It was a really nice ceremony and Leslie won the Senior Nursing Award!! I was so proud of her :) </div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj88pyfnbPHb_gvSiAEaxzv-VFWxnOSmzjfXOFPo03g457jeaAdy6fsVaTvZdpbsuWxNFU0GCZr2TKMF7AcoF5HXunSr_xofUVMB9C8ttPkPVgoQBzwjxHwCcNMYaPYMSidmp8P2MfeYvZK/s400/IMG_0039.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5603280189786787250" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">*</span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">She also had to give a speech and she did AMAZING!*</span></i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT0chgqjyTg7R4Cj3aSTfbdBWMpo5AaDdQr84KR6lOUqVFUIwJa2Nmbiu28w7h5pg9IyrEkDqYHV66E1GLhJvNTFMxoZxeYnNJ8vvTS2B0mdFb9eggRmAzPQ74FRrM9-pjcYibyZRK5bGX/s400/IMG_0042.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5603280193605758402" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px; " /></span></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">*My grandparents came to the Pinning Ceremony. They are always so supportive!*</span></i></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimLcXLfORX9w5veJtgqREC2jFg9TGBDVOkxULxzS9wEadi_UUuyfKss6CS1vmVvENtk0Ok_aswP3Ph6z72XH7gS0aJcLCYGrD7aAwksM0gAo0UnfFCqhJujl8r_amcXkWUcL-Shm5rGOZQ/s400/IMG_0028.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5603280192811063458" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px; " /></span></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">*Receiving my pin! I'm letting my hair grow out for my wedding...I can't wait to cut it off! Ha!*</span></i></div><div><br /></div><div>Yesterday, we had the Blessing of the Hands Ceremony. It was such a beautiful ceremony and I think it really hit home with us that we were through. We have made such wonderful friends over the last 2 years and it seems too soon to leave them! </div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOaun-kz-oNSLj0wshDHU6dLnszcT-SqxjW6c5Vbp14uRGxGwutrvzoevpDCiZDCM_lsHdO0vYsXn2AvF_Euukvr0p7lLBy8y8-rZa-WcIf8tqiSDicuxQ2MnFKg4fLEPE3hvfuxiuva8q/s400/227158_198756466833135_100000963495090_494734_1224464_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5603281505388935010" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px; " /></span></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">*Getting my hands blessed by one of my favorite professors! (Photo courtesy of David O'Neal)*</span></i></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></i></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-MTd-ADLwALM91XkQbT-GNQsRHLgUHhl6rVogdKmQ3NGFQ-wU2EnRD81JH4zbDTnye5a5y830ITGu2QegFQNgYFuhHgYM4BidH0PZdTiCSnR3rNdWWYLGv0zZ59P8erpjtt6qkHLN_uSc/s400/221985_198756816833100_100000963495090_494743_2094836_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5603281500819443426" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px; " /></span></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">*I sure do love these girls! (Photo courtesy of David O'Neal)*</span></i></div><div><br /></div><div>Tonight, all of the girls are getting together to throw a "bachelorette" party for the three girls who are getting married! I think it is really just an excuse to get together again ;) But whatever the reason, I'll take it because I am going to miss these girls so much! Saturday is graduation and I think it is going to be bittersweet.</div><div><br /></div><div>David's family will be coming up for my graduation and we are having a family party Saturday night! I am <i>so </i>looking forward to it! I just hope the weather cooperates! :)</div><div><br /></div><img src="http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm89/erob310/Blog%20Pictures/signature.png" style="border: 0 !important; background: transparent;" />Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03754567242903793140noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1135998321654418096.post-81038178378412839962011-05-01T22:49:00.007-04:002011-05-01T23:37:30.857-04:00Just a Few More Hours...<div style="text-align: center;">...and I will officially be done with nursing school! I have one last final tomorrow at 9:00am and I am more than ready for it to be done :) We have our class picture following the final and after that, I will be packing up those scrubs and putting them far, far away! (Until I get a nursing job, ha!)</div><div><br /></div><div>But I just thought I'd update before going to bed! (After all, I don't have any more nights to stay up late before school!)</div><div><br /></div><div>Thursday night, I spent the night with one of my nursing friends, Leslie, (who also happens to be a bridesmaid!) and we got up at 4:30am on Friday to watch the festivities. We kept saying over and over how glad we were that we decided to get up and watch everything live! We made a pot of coffee and just thoroughly enjoyed watching this fairy tale come true! I'm marrying a soccer boy so I was <i>loving </i>David Beckham :) His hair looked mighty nice combed to the side!</div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtYoTWr1-VXc3-DBmpwqSIUEiUKnOfHi9aL8-AXK5BuObZTaTnmfbDjPxEQc1ejsUvXq4csCLeAzEyTmNAPCFxyEFSu_4kTeij7wB9MXDJdj6gAqspUd7yqZWospeeRB-k1whGNS_3UtQp/s400/images-5.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601957589298198434" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 161px; height: 313px; " /></span><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><a href="http://bumpshack.com/2011/04/29/david-victoria-beckham-at-royal-wedding-photos/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">via</span></a></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "></span><div><br /></div><div>I also think Prince Harry is just the <i>cutest </i>thing (Chelsy Davy is so not, though...) and I thought it was so adorable how he turned around to see Kate walking down the aisle! And he seemed to have done a wonderful job keeping his brother relaxed on his big day :)</div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiySZMn_1UYK7vnn02YuOpG_iw0Q1OZAYn8JD8M7I9tzjY11yjSsazfTeR74bkzzjBVtC-CjeYX8zNd_TGuzlzeEqBNYNxhyphenhyphenKqsmN2W6csoBez-2ZcGOJLGvdN-5QS3TAh9dSB1qqaQeTQr/s400/images-1.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601955718054797410" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 301px; height: 167px; " /></span><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><a href="http://swoonworthy.net/2011/04/29/the-5-most-swoonworthy-moments-of-the-royal-wedding/">via</a></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "></span><div><br /></div><div>And Kate looked <i>phenomenal. </i>She is so beautiful and I really don't think the Queen could have asked for a more perfect woman for the future King of England to end up with.</div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMpz7Wc0gNW81zCBsHZsOLEvomVxZP7UOd_Fsq0iCAoLWfq-0eCFNH0LUTaWF7-IgSmVM5E1oIDITroJfrb2YymvEc2ERUHYEbwFxwH2jdv1AvmjMtTGNCDu0x_H_TaB4kJP3B1b-gDUqT/s400/royal_wedding_dress.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601957118427824802" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 302px; " /></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><a href="http://www.contemporarybride.com/blog/Royal-Wedding/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">via</span></a></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "></span><div><br /></div><div>I almost cried when Prince William told her she looked beautiful.</div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXP526XBzfXGZboEM3kcnmiEG-ki1v3VWqB7qKI4_WY1A9E8ptPqTz9IFijYQBd6E58urZlvwh5-Q6-n_t-UYcWw9Skc-u3TDTgdFeiMLlm4RL1091-aSWD4j6gT82ONC-hsqkHWg_vY-2/s400/images-4.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601953375053389218" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 166px; " /></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><a href="http://judyhalone.com/tag/royal-wedding/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">via</span></a></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "></span><div><br /></div><div>She held herself with such grace through the whole experience, but I <i>loved </i>her response when she first came out on the balcony, "Oh, wow!" They were all there for her!</div><div><iframe width="560" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/AGco9hM80HE" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>I taped it, and yes, I've watched it all over since then :) (And since my semester officially comes to an end tomorrow, I will have ample time to watch it again and again throughout the week, I'm sure!)</div><div><br /></div><div>Still on the same topic, my mom and I went to the mall Friday afternoon and look at what we saw:</div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7W7JCz4WQmn-ysjVjG7awD-NEm0FPx0k68-j6JcIYgMnoflL2PDs97oe0oTyiSwOWT475k0wZBSNr7V8u3bfWG59HXxtvR5iRQ0wZQ8QYZ9om2MmPepeqYTSH4Ro6qhCMlCOWOSHBwkNy/s400/2011-04-29+20.29.01.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601952340842258178" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "></span><div>Yes, even here in America, people were dressed up like the Duchess of Cambridge :)</div><div><br /></div><div>But, I think even more exciting was the fact that my mom and I got locked in to Pottery Barn Kids with Usher! He was in town for a show and happened to be in PB Kids when the whole mall realized he was there. They kept wanting to take pictures of him and he was not happy about it so the poor lady who owned the store shut down and wouldn't let anyone in. So we had to stay put until they took him out the back way. I didn't get a picture of him because he was, well, angry, haha! I posted on FB that I saw him and one of my friends said, "no picture, then it didn't happen!" So, I saw him a while later and took a picture of him then! Unfortunately, it's his back, but by that time he had the mall cops taking him wherever he wanted to go :)</div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHRchCQg9o01A7gJXrzqn6P5KencDC10aOkPC9qd68N_kX8q1gqR1yAOtIxR0wvzhvpwrtuJpySymsr2mTgVKbW-dpZoCeIeGq7yg3y1AzEalA-YZ-1m1ICeoB3LrHEnHGCdAqfP4NsfDr/s400/2011-04-29+20.30.24.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601952346519325842" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "></span><div>Oh! And an update on the baby bunnies: they all hopped the nest early last week. David was a little upset, but I told him that he had been a good daddy to the babies and they were going to do well out in the world ;) Kate Middleton got to marry her Prince, and I can't wait to marry mine :)</div><div><br /></div><div>Have a great week, everyone!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><img src="http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm89/erob310/Blog%20Pictures/signature.png" style="border: 0 !important; background: transparent;" /></div></div></div>Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03754567242903793140noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1135998321654418096.post-72668042139369956502011-04-28T20:51:00.002-04:002011-04-28T20:55:35.146-04:00Royal Wedding!<div>Y'all, I am so, so, so excited about the royal wedding tomorrow! I know a lot of people are sick and tired of the royal wedding and to that I say POO ON YOU. Things like this don't happen often and it's <i>much </i>happier media coverage than a lot of things these days. I like focusing on happy things :) </div><div><br /></div><div>I wil certainly be getting up at 4:00am to watch everything live! And I even have a final at 1:30pm tomorrow! Wedding trumps final in my book :)</div><div><br /></div><div>But really, all of this media is making me so excited for my own wedding coming up in a few months :) I feel just as happy with my Prince Charming as Kate looks with hers. It's just beautiful. </div><div><br /></div><div>Just wanted to drop in and say hello and I hope you all enjoy the wedding if you watch it!</div><div><br /></div><img src="http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm89/erob310/Blog%20Pictures/signature.png" style="border: 0 !important; background: transparent;" />Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03754567242903793140noreply@blogger.com2