She's Glowing...

Well, it's been awhile. I've been adjusting to life as an RN on night shift with a 3 year old in day care and a 30 year old in school. We are back in the 'Ham and my husband is out of the Navy and back in school. I could not be more proud of him. It has been stressful, though. I don't think he really realized the strain it would be for me to have the only paycheck and to have to pay "real bills" with the military providing housing/water/electricity/trash. etc... However, we are making it and are enjoying being back on the east coast and have started really getting into Dave Ramsey...his books, his show, cds. It's common sense but its 80% behavior and that's what Pat and I have to focus on. (But that is for another post at another time).
My bestie from work is about to become a Mimi!!!! I have been so thrilled to watch her daughter's belly grow (that's not weird is it? haha). I was able to give Ryder's baby items to them to help them out and they asked me, recently, to take maternity pictures for them. I am, by no means, a great photographer, but I figured if we take enough pictures, there has to be at least a few good ones....AND THERE WERE! At least I think so.
Now I need some help editing. If anyone has any suggestions about free programs to edit pictures with online, I would soooooo appreciate it! Here are some pictures (unedited) from our little photo shoot...

It's Been A While...

Well, I haven't written in awhile. Pat had left for his deployment in April and was due back "by the end of the year" (the rest of his DET is still deployed so I won't be giving out dates or ports). While he was in Bahrain, he was attacked by some locals while leaving dinner and injured and was sent home. Ryder and I, as well as our church, spent a lot of time praying for his safety. And, though he got hurt, I still believe God was there with Pat in that moment and kept him safe. There was broken glass involved and I believe that God's hand was there and saved his life. I am so thankful that Pat was able to come home early, though the good Lord know we could definitely have used the money, I am entering my final semester of nursing school and God knew I needed Pat here more than he needed to be in Bahrain. So, all the glory be to God for keeping my husband alive and bringing him home to me safe (and early)!
Had my last clinical of the semester today at Sharp Chula Vista. I really enjoyed it and got to learn a lot and do a lot. I had very interesting patients with very interesting backgrounds. (Can't say any more than that because of HIPPA). Next semester, I will be taking Leadership, Psych, Geri., and Advanced Med-Surg. I also have volunteer hours to complete at an adult day care center, clinicals at a psychiatric facility and, what I am most excited about, my preceptorship. Though it isn't official, I've tried to help line up a preceptorship in a local L&D because that's what I want to do...In fact, Georgetown University has a combined Midwifery and Women's Health Nurse practitioner program. Alabama only had 14 CNM in the state, but I would love to be the 15th!
Anyway, all in God's plan.
I have been working out 2 hours a day for 5 days a week and lifting weights. Though I haven't lost much weight, I have lost inches. (I've also started selling wraps with ItWorks! again and have been using them. I love love love them!!! ) It may seem silly, but if you would send up some prayers for me that God would help me lose the weight I need to lose, I sure would appreciate it and believe it would work!!!!
I've been couponing and saving a bunch of money!! Last trip to the grocery store I spent $107 and saved $209!!!! HOLLA!!! Making a trip to Walgreens for detergent this afternoon-I'll post pictures and prices as well as what coupons I used later on today :)
So...anyway, that's pretty much it right now. Here are some pictures from the past few months...

Chocolate Banana Bread Brownies made for the nurses at our clinical site

One of my favorite, most hard-hitting devotionals from this year

Calf Press 3 sets of 15 250lbs- what what!!!

Dinner at our community's Annual Luau-It was beautiful!

Our view at our Luau

I've been volunteering as a doula at our local hospital-If you are having a baby, considering non medicated or not, I definitely would recommend a doula! (I'll be your doula!) Wish I had had one :)

CVS : Soft Scrub was 2/$4. Got 3 and used 3- $1/1 coupons ($1 each) Biore face wash was 2/$14.98 got 1 (for $6.77) and used $3/1 coupon ($3.77). Garnier Fructis was $2.99 each. Used 2- $1/1 coupons ($1.99 each). Lady Speed Stick on sale for $2 each. Got 3 and used 3- $0.50/1 coupons ($1.50 each). Degree was 2/$5. Got 1 and used $0.50/1 coupon ($2). Not a bad day. Less than $15 total spent

My work out partner and her little buddy <3

Legos and Coupons <3

My heart and soul

Promises from Proverbs 3:5-12

Beach Workout

We've moved to a big boy bed

One of my stashes-Wish I had the storage I really want to display it :) (Ya, I'm one of those people lol)

$15 total spent from Ralph's

$14 from CVS

We went to visit my family in FL and Ryder loves his "Uncle" and Uncle's scooter!!!

Went to Nebraska for the 4th of July-This saddle needs to be used again-I need to ride again

Ryder, Prinze, Babe

Grandpa, Ryder and Papaw

You don't know AMAZING until you've had a Runza

More Savings

**Alright, I'll stop with the pictures ;) **

Are You Lonesome Tonight

Well, the words don't fit exactly to a "T" to my situation but I am lonesome tonight and I miss my baby and my man and Elvis' voice is soothing and speaks to my soul <3
I miss you, baby! I love you and can't wait until you are back home with me but, until then, I will wait for you patiently!

You Just Have To Get Out of the Boat

...well, today was a very emotional church service. In fact, there were moments when I could not stop the tears flowing from my eyes. All because Mrs. Caroline Barnett, wife of LA Dream Center pastor Matthew Barnett, was speaking today. She spoke of her story and connection with the Dream Center. She spoke of hungry children fed and of sexually abused children saved. All because of one person's desire to start this 24 hour a day, 7 day a week, 365 days a year church. She spoke of the moments when we ask "How could you let this happen, God!" God only desires a willing heart.
Over 2.1 billion Christians in the world and over 500  million churches. God has given us the tools, the gifts and talents, the sheer numbers and size and HIS PROMISE - we have everything we need to change the world. Why are WE allowing it to happen- why are WE not taking action- God only asks that we be willing. That we willingly bring our sacrifices to him and they will be more than enough for His will to be done. She spoke about Exodus 5 and 6, when those who brought their gifts and offerings WILLINGLY to the Lord-THERE WAS MORE THAN WAS NEEDED!
The God of Angel Armies has given us everything we need to act. 18.5 million (I believe that is the correct number) children in foster care-wouldn't take that many willing Christians to provide a loving home. 500 million children dying of starvation (almost 16,000 every day)-if each church would "adopt" 1 child to feed that number would be ZERO! Wouldn't be that hard.
Caroline also spoke about how we each have a "trigger". Our hearts are heavy over each injustice, but we each have a trigger that God has instilled in us where He wants us to act.

She spoke about so much more and I am so blessed for having heard her today. Click here to listen to her message: Caroline Barnett at Coastline and then click on her sermon "Willing to Walk on Water".

I got her book by the same name as her sermon, Willing to Walk on Water, and believe it is a must read. All the royalties and profits from the book go directly back to the Dream Center so go find it on Amazon!

You To Miss

Some people try to hide 

They try to move on 

Can't stand the pain of you gone 

But baby that's not me 

I'd never try to ease the ache that I feel 

The pain reminds me how real 

This love has come to be 

And I'm not running scared 

I will stay right where 

I gave you my word 

That I would be 

And I don't want to hurt 

But I know I have to feel 

I do it to be close to you 

Just to keep you real 

And I don't want to cry 

But tears are part of life 

They conquer the impossible 

And make you feel alive 

And I'm so glad, my love 

That I have you to miss 

Some people try to fake 

They don't feel this 

Can't stand to face the realness 

So they just run away 

But I want nothing more than you to hold me 

To intimately know me 

So I'll hurt along the way 

And I'm not running scared 

I will stay right where 

I gave you my word 

That I would be 

And I don't want to hurt 

But I know I have to feel 

I do it to be close to you 

Just to keep you real 

And I don't want to cry 

But tears are part of life 

They conquer the impossible 

And make you feel alive 

And I'm so glad, my love 

That I have you to miss 

And it could never hurt so bad that I would trade the love we have 

And it could never cut so deep that I would ever want to leave 

And I don't want to hurt 

But I know I have to feel 

I do it to be close to you 

Just to keep you real 

And I don't want to cry 

But tears are part of life 

They conquer the impossible 

And make you feel alive 

And I'm so glad, my love 

That I have you to miss 

I'm so glad, my love that I have you to miss 

And I'm glad my love that I have you to miss