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

So Thankful

As you know, if you've read some of my past posts, I have started fundraising to raise and save money for a Diabetic Alert Dog (something that could save my life). This is the only form of fundraising I am doing right now as I try and finish nursing school (only 6 1/2 months left!!!!). I have already had 3 very special women donate and help me raise almost $200! I could not be more appreciative!!! Honestly, words cannot express how grateful I am.

(If you would like to donate or learn more about what I am fundraising for, go to my website, Diabetic Alert Dog for Kelley. Please share with anyone you know who enjoy helping others, too! )

Also, my mom came into town yesterday to help me while my husband is deployed. I am so thankful to not have to wake up 1 1/2-2 hours early to get Ryder dressed and to day care before I go to school. He (and I) LOVE LOVE LOVE his day care,  but I am so happy that my mom is here and he can spend time with his Mena. We are then going to fly to Nebraska on July 3 for the 4th of July. Everyone (except Pat) will be there! It has been years since all of us have been in Nebraska at one time and about 4 or 5 since I have been at all. I am so excited for Ryder to see the horses and cows and other farm animals and to ride the tractors and see all the fields! I'm taking my good camera to get pictures -The Midwest is beautiful!
On July 7, I am flying back to SD for school on the 8th and will be leaving Ryder with his grandparents to go to Orlando, where I will fly to pick him up a few days later. As excited as I am for him and the rest of my family, I am absolutely terrified. I trust my parents. They are so good with him, but it's so far from me-and I'm his mommy. He is going to have a blast but I am going to miss him so much!!! I get close to having a panic attack just thinking about it. It's only a few days-we will both be ok!
I am just thankful to have family that loves him so much and want to love on him.

Life is pretty good right now :) Busy and hectic, but beautiful!

The 3 Who Shaped My World

Today is Father's Day and though I appreciate these 3 men EVERY DAY, today it's "official".

To my dad:
You showed me what it takes to be a real man. You were an example of hard work, integrity and ethics.
You showed me what unfailing, unconditional love was. You allowed God to work through you in my life and showed me a glimmer of how He feels about me. You led our family in faith and never backed down on what was important. I am forever thankful for the Godly man you are, the dad you are, the grandfather you are and for everything you have ever taught me.

To my father in law:
For raising my husband to be the man he is today. For the Godly example you gave to him. For teaching him Godly values. For loving Ryder so passionately. For the example of what it means to work hard and never give up. For the ministry you lead today, allowing God to reach others through you. For praying so hard for our family and loving us through it all. I am forever thankful for the man you raised.

This is one of my all time favorite pictures!

To Pat:
You work so hard everyday! You wake up on the other side of the world from us and go to work and you don't complain. You are showing Ryder what it means to take care of your family. I could not imagine a better father for my son and I am so thankful that God brought you into my life. We may have chose a "difficult path", but we proved the naysayers wrong. You love Ryder so passionately. I love watching you play and interact with him. Though you're not here physically, today, we feel your presence. You are so strong, mentally and physically, yet so gentle and kind. Everything I could have asked for. I am so thankful for the mornings you let me sleep in and you played with Ryder and for all the dirty diapers you changed (and even getting pooped on haha). For all the bottles you gave and spit up you wiped away. For all the tears you dried and boo boos you kissed. For the balls you've thrown and the blocks you've stacked and knocked over. For the walks you've gone on and the days spent on the playground. For the deployments you've gone on to take care of and provide for us.
I love you. Always & Forever