Moved in!

I've finished moving in! Well, mostly. My new place is still missing a few things. Things that will come paycheck to paycheck, but, for the most part, we've settled in and are starting to feel at home.

Bedroom :-)

Also, we had roomie's bridal shower back in her hometown. I got to perform the maid of honor's duty and collect card and make out the thank you list for the gifts.

Other than that, just trying to fall into a routine, with my ever changing schedule, staying thankful every day at my new job that I don't do anything stupid ;-), trying my hand at cooking different things now that there's no one to feed me, and seeking Him as to where this new life is taking me. :-)

New

Sometimes...change terrifies me. Don't get me wrong, I love new things. Love new experiences, new people, excitement and spontaneity of all kinds! But... sometimes life changes, especially the ones that I can't control/can't slow down can cause a, well...the best way to put it is a freak out/break down.

Which is why I have been waiting for myself to freak over the crazy changes in my life lately, but, very much unlike myself, I have been really cool with them. The only reasons I can figure for these things are 1.) I'm choosing/setting the timing for most of these "new" things and 2.) these are some of the things I've been working towards and dreaming about for quite a while (if not most of my life) now.

So what's "new" here?

1. The look
-If you haven't noticed in the previous pictures, I got glasses. Many people have been telling me that they look normal on me and already can't picture me without them. however, I didn't like them at all at first, which is why I never mentioned them. They're growing on me though :-)
-Also, I cut my hair off and got a completely new style. This was a while ago but, like w/the glasses, I hated my hair at first, and chose not to post about it. Again, however, I really like it now :-) Not the best picture, but you can see the changes here:

2. The job
I've mentioned this before too, but the job has created a very different lifestyle for me. Working as a pediatric critical care nurse has been wonderful in the few short weeks since I've started. It's a little different though. I work 3 twelve hour sifts a week...that means 4 days off...so it's been great, but a little weird getting into my ever changing schedule...did I mention that it's never the same 3 days in a week?

3. The move
I'm moving! I've been living at home all through school, and, now that I'm a fully functioning member of society, It's time to get my own place. This hasn't happened just yet, the move is this Friday, but the paper work's signed, the apartment picked, and the roommate chosen! I'm a little sad about this one, leaving my family and not seeing them quite as much, but I know we'll stay close. Still, I'm looking forward to this "new" but exciting change in life. :-)

This is roomie! We're excited about living together! She's an adult nurse at the hospital next to mine and a great friend!

A surprise in the morning

And what may this surprise be, you may ask? See for yourself...



Yes, our own not-so-little friend chilling in the convenient little "pond" he found for himself. Unfortunately, we could not be as welcoming as he would have liked and I did what any logical girl would do...called her daddy to rescue him (note, I say rescue, not squish).

He made several leaps for freedom during the process, but was eventually cornered and set free outside :-)

Something Old and Something New

My last day at the school I (used to) work at has come and gone...

It was lots of fun...we dressed up as cows for a special event :-)

And, though I knew it was coming...and knew it was time to move on...

Saying goodbye to those kids was one of the hardest things I've had to do!


But, a time for every season, right? And today, I've officially opened a new and exciting chapter in my life!!

Yeah...that's me!!

RN Stands for...?

In case you don't know the answer to the above question... RN stands for...

REGISTERED NURSE!!!

Which, if you have not guessed yet, is what I now am! That's right, as of Thursday, I am an official nurse. Yep, graduated, hired, and officially licensed!



Yes, I took a picture of it...I'm that girl.

I start my new job in two weeks. Which will be a very sad goodbye to my current job of 3 years :-( full of sweet memories, great experience, and awesome friends, and a joyful and slightly anxious hello to the career I've been anticipating for so long.

Stay tuned for pictures of my last couple weeks of special needs summer camp and stories of my new world of nursing ;-)

Family

Hanging out by the pool after a day of parties
(graduation and engagement)

On a roller coaster at one of the parks

(don't think I was supposed to have my camera out...)

Climbing one of the semi-local lighthouses...

On our "sunset cruise" catermaran

Last dinner before they headed back north
(and no, we were not actually in Key West ;-)

Graduation

Little Brother Graduated!!!

We are all so proud!




We also had our graduation/end-of-the-year party at my work



We made shirts for those of us who are leaving (that's me :-( ) That had the handprints of all the kids on them


And then we went to a giant bounce-house building and did slides and bouncing with the kids! It was so much fun!!



And...family from the mid-west just got here yesterday so stay tuned for pix from our week on the beach, boating, the parks, and parties!

P.S. did you notice the new glasses? ;-)

When You Think You're Having A Bad Day...

Look on the bright side...

When you think you're having car trouble...

When you think you're not looking your best...

When you think you've ruined your pedicure...

And when you think your friends are a little goofy...

At Least you're not them...