Consumed

Blogging has become non-existent as has most other leisurely parts of my life. This semester was ROUGH, and I'm thrilled to say I survived and I am 1/4th a nurse practitioner ;-) I won't have a true break as I'm still in clinical but classes don't resume until the 18th of January so I do get a break from tests and get evenings with my husband back. HOORAY!!!

I know you all already know, but I'm excited enough to share again :-) Come June, I will have a sweet NEPHEW who I am so ready to spoil! Watching our sweet boy move around during the ultrasound brought tears to my eyes. A true miracle and such a blessing to our family!

Tomorrow my mom and I are going to the Fox to see the Nutcracker. My mom has wanted to go since she was a little girl, and I am thrilled to be going with her. :-)

Merry Christmas,

~BKL

I've been bitten!

By the Christmas bug! We put up our Christmas decorations today and I couldn't be happier! Justin is about to become a slave to his job (which is really another story for another day) due to selling Christmas trees at the nursery he works at (and an insane employer), so we put our tree up today, on what will probably be our last day off together until Christmas.

We had coffee and cinnamon rolls while we listened to Christmas carols and put up the tree- perfection!

Here's a photo of the tree and fireplace. The mantle isn't really what I want, but my husband's lovely television gets in the way of true mantle Christmas bliss so I'll just be satisfied with what we have this year. Since I only have the ends to decorate, I feel like I need something with some height, but like I said, I'll be happy with what I have! I do hope that in a future home we can make other TV viewing arrangements...



This is my new kissing ball! I've been looking for one for years and my mom found this at Hallmark last year! I LOVE it!



And this is today's ornament. I thought it would be fun to post photos of ornaments throughout the Christmas season and share their meanings. :-)

You'll find these ornaments all over my tree, of different sizes and slightly different shapes. My great-grandmother made these snowflakes and they are by far my favorite thing(s) hanging from my tree. Each time I see them I think of her, and I'm reminded of her love, especially of this season, celebrating our Savior's birth!



Merry (early) Christmas!
~BKL

Rolling Along

Life is rolling along.

School is insane and clinicals haven't even started yet. They start in two weeks and I imagine the level of insanity will only increase. To say I'm counting down to the end of this semester would be an understatement. A huge one. Although I should say I'm really enjoying my classes and learning about becoming a medical provider. It's just eating away all of my free time.

We went to the mountains last weekend with Justin's family and had a nice escape from reality. When we got back this week hit me in the face because of the lack of work I did over the weekend. Ooops. Oh well, it was worth it. Ask me that again after my Health Assessment exam next week. ;-)

A little update on Jackson. He needs to a have a lymph node removed for more testing. We're working on scheduling that now. Our hometown vet is not comfortable doing the procedure so we are currently working with a clinic in Athens. Hopefully, we'll have his surgery date set by the end of the day today. He's doing well though. So sweet and I'll admit it, so spoiled. :-)

~BKL

Excited Much?!?

YES I AM!!!!!!!



Let the spoiling begin!!!

~BKL

Rambling Thoughts

Thanks for your encouragement about Jackson. This Thursday he had three X-rays taken to check for metastasis to the lungs. Thankfully, the vet did not see anything. We are scheduled to meet with an veterinary oncologist in a couple weeks to see where we go from here, what we look for in the future, and how we manage Jackson's thyroid levels.

As all this has been happening, life has some how went on. Justin had oral surgery and did well. Now we have to wait three months for his bone to regenerate before he can get an implant. Talk about painful- physically for him and for our finances- dental work is NOT cheap!

Grad school is moving at full force. I had my first exam this week, and it went well after countless hours of studying. I have two more next week which means a whole lot more studying for me in the next several days. I also completed my first gyn exam and pap smear and male/prostate exam on human models who the school pays to be our guinea pigs. Let me just say, I don't know who in their right mind would be willing to do this- they must be making some serious $$$. The female model I had told us it was her birthday. 7 speculum insertions on my birthday? Never. My classmate said it well when she said those who volunteer for such madness are an interesting crop of human. I'll leave it at that.

It's supposed to be cool tomorrow and I'm thrilled about that. We have a great place to walk in our new neighborhood and I'm hoping I'll become motivated to get off my butt. And cooler weather always makes me think of my birthday- it's one week from today ;-)

Happy weekend and go dawgs,
~BKL

Bad News Never Comes Easy

Jackson's tumor was malignant. I think maybe I'd let myself hold out too much hope for good news. Either way, it sucks. I've cried all morning and battled through all sorts of emotions. Anger at the fact that innocent animals must be subjected to such a horrible disease. Cancer. The same disease that stole both of my grandfathers from me far too soon. But mostly I am sad and weepy. Sad at the thought of life without my sweet boy. Or the thought of him suffering- it's just too much to bear. He's so loving and accepting of all. It isn't fair, and of course I know life isn't fair, but still. It sucks.

He'll have three chest x-rays on Thursday to search for metastasis and have his sutures removed from his incision. In the meantime, I pray for the best. That it hasn't spread. That it was confined to his thyroid. That the worst thing we'll have to deal with is hypothyroidism and thyroid hormone supplementation.

I can take comfort in the fact that he's in no pain and that he's so happy. We played all weekend, and I'm confident of those two things.

~BKL

Pets are Family

I've had such an emotional day today. Last weekend, I found a sizable lump on Jackson's throat. I knew immediately that it was something new and my stomach dropped. I tried to assess the mass, and when I gently pressed on it, he showed no signs that it bothered him. His behavior is also unchanged- he's been eating, drinking, pooping, playing, ect normally. The vet agreed that the mass was very questionable and scheduled a biopsy, forewarning us that it was in a terrible location due to the large amount of blood vessels around the area.

Jackson went in for his biopsy this morning, and I literally have cried all morning. I know that I can't keep him forever, but I'm not ready to give him up. And I sure don't want him to suffer. He's my precious little fella.

When the vet made her incision for the biopsy, she ended up having a hard time getting enough tissue and actually found it easier to remove the entire mass. It was in the thyroid region, and she explained to me that in that region it's most often cancerous. Of course, I already knew this as I've read way too much information on the internet. His lymph nodes are not swollen, so we are still trying to remain hopeful for good news. We won't get the results until sometime next week. If it comes back cancerous, he'll have to have a chest X-ray to look for metastasis as it typically travels to the lungs. I'm trying to remain positive and stay calm, but it's so hard.

When I spoke to the vet on the phone just now she told me that he is doing well (he can't be picked up until 3) and that he is moving around and not complaining. She said "He's such a good boy." And he is. He's the best, so sweet and loving. I never knew I could love an animal so much.


~BKL

Chaos

They past week has been chaos, BUT we've officially moved and are loving our new place! I still have boxes to unpack in our bathroom and closet, and then we'll officially be settled in!

In other news I passed my boards and am officially an RN! Some days it seemed like I'd never get to this point. I'm looking forward to the next few semesters of my Master's program!

That's about it for what has been going on in our world, hope all is well in yours!

~BKL

Move It

We finally signed a lease and will be moving on Saturday! Photos to come!

It's been a big FAT hassle finding a house out here in a safe neighborhood, and I am OVER it. I'll be so thankful to have this behind us! The entire house is packed except for the few things we need to get us through this week, and that was a chore. Justin had to work on Saturday, so my mom came and helped me pack. Bless her!

I started Grad school this week. It's exciting. And scary. It's starting to dawn on me exactly how much responsibility I'll have as a nurse practitioner. Did I say scary?!

Like a lot of you have also mentioned, I'm ready for fall. A new season. Football. Cool weather. Bring it on!

~BKL

Somewhere to live?

Justin and I signed a one year rental lease on the townhome we currently live in last May when we moved to Atlanta. When it ended this May our landlord informed us that she was putting the unit up for sale and that we were welcome to rent month to month until it sold which is what we've been doing. A few weeks ago I received a letter in the mail informing me that the property would enter foreclosure on September 6, 2011. We had suspected our landlord was having some financial issues, but the foreclosure was a bit of a shocker. So we've been looking. And looking. And looking some more. Apparently the renting market is booming out here right now. We finally found a place we liked and that was actually still available and have been put through the ringer trying to get it. Say a prayer this one works out. We should know later this week. We just want a home in a safe neighborhood that still allows us to eat and pay our other bills. I'm hoping this is the one!

~BKL

Life

So I basically live in the hospital these days. I come home exhausted. I shower and eat and hop in bed and repeat it all over again. I've definitely learned a lot about nursing and patient care but more about life than anything else. I've made an advanced directive (plus some adjustments). Really, we all should have one. When we say our prayers each night, I can't help but give God thanks that we have our health, especially the ability to breath on our own and use our extremities. We are blessed.

~BKL

West Virginia

I'm officially the most lack luster blogger ever!

Anyway, I'm heading out to W.Va this Saturday and will be there for two weeks for my immersion program. I'm getting really excited. I'm going to be working with a few other students and a primary care office who is looking to become a patient centered medical home. I think medical homes are the greatest idea ever and think that all primary care offices should function in this way. Hopefully it's an idea that will spread south. Of course, they're already in other parts of the U.S. Here's a great NPR article about medical homes: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=129432707

If you get a chance, check out this two minute video video: http://www.spike.com/video-clips/1fspxz/coal-the-dangers-of-coal-mining (Sorry that my links never work- can't figure out why)

I think these are the accents we'll encounter. I've laughed and told everyone I'll be the interpreter as I'm the only southern student in our group ;-) We're using this clip in a presentation we're giving tomorrow about the mental health issues associated with mining in W. Va.

Looking forward to having a great two weeks, but I know I'll miss Justin so much! We're going to have a date night Friday before I leave!

~BKL

Sweet break!

I am on a break. And. it. is. fabulous.

I have slept and slept. Laid out on the dock. And slept some more. :-)

Our weekend was filled with graduation and mother's day festivities. I'm too lazy to upload photos from my camera at the moment, but here is one taken by the school's photographer.



Mother's Day was great. My mom and I went to see Justin's new work and she picked out some flowers for Mother's Day. He had to water so we went to the mall afterward and shopped. It was a good day!

Today a couple classmates are coming to the lake, and I'm so ready for a do nothing day in the sun together!

~BKL

This and That

I'm preparing for finals and a teensie bit of freedom from school. So ready to take these exams. So ready.

Last Wednesday, I watched the news about the tornadoes in Alabama and never knew it was affecting someone I know personally and have grown to care a lot about. I was sitting in class on Thursday when I realized one of my classmates was missing. And then it hit me that she was from Alabama. I texted her and she quickly responded that she was okay, but that she was in her car. I left class and found her crying. My instinct was to cry with her, but she begged me not too. She's told me before that she hates people feeling sorry for her and that she needs tough love instead. I'm not so good at that. It was very hard to not cry as she told me what happened. I want to cry now just thinking about it. Her dad lost his home. Her best friend's grandmother was killed. Her cousin couldn't contact her parents. Her son was to be a ring bearer in a wedding that weekend and the groom couldn't locate some groomsmen. Awful. 100% horrific. She kept it together at home, because it was her son's 6th birthday and said she realized when she got to school how emotional she was. I had to put on my tough love face and told her to get out of the car and go get coffee at the cafe to get it together and come to class. She hugged me later, and I wanted to cry all over again. I don't think we understand the power of natural disasters until they affect us in some way. Please pray for those who have been affected including my friend.

In happier news, we celebrated Emilee this weekend!





I'd also like to say that I'm so grateful to those who risk their lives each day to keep us free. I pray for our country everyday. Last night's victory can't help but make me want to brace for the retaliation I fear will come to our country because of it.

~BKL

Easter and Emilee

It sounds like everyone had a wonderful Easter! We did also. I had a HUGE take home final that was due today which I worked on sporadically throughout the weekend. On Saturday, I took a break and me and my mom scooted over to Anderson and got her and my dad something to wear to my pinning and graduation in a couple of weeks. On Sunday, Justin and I went to church and to his grandmothers. During the afternoon, I laid on the dock in the sunshine and Justin kayaked and it was just a glorious afternoon! That night we had our Easter dinner with my parents and grandmother and headed back home. I've turned in my final (praying I pass this dreadful research class!) and all that stands between me and being done is three quizzes and five finals!

Day 19 - A picture and a letter



Dear Emilee,

I cannot believe that you are thirteen today. I remember the day you were born, it's one I'll never forget. It was such a special day. We had waited for you to join our family for such a long time. When I first met you, I was in awe of how beautiful you were, so fat and cute, and so ours. I remember the first time I held you, I was young, but I realized so much about love and family in that one moment. You've blessed our family in more ways than you'll ever know with your giving heart and kind spirit. I'm so proud of who you've become. You're one of the kindest people I know and your passion for the things you love is so inspiring. I love you so very much.

~BKL

Last!

I had my last maternity clinical this week- woooohooo! Now on to preparing for finals and wrapping up this semester!! Then I'll be done with classes for my BSN coursework! :-)

This summer I'll be doing an immersion program in West Virginia. I'm very excited because I'll be working with a rural geriatric population- my favorite!

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Day 18 - A picture of your biggest insecurity

I don't know how you photograph it, but I'd say the fear of failure is my biggest insecurity.

I think it's going to take me three months to get through this thirty day challenge, lol.

~BKL

Impact

Day 17 - A picture of something that has made a huge impact on your life recently



We all know nursing school runs my life! Still counting down the days till May break!

Justin started a new job. Loves it!

That's all for now :-)

~BKL

This Time of Year

Today is gorgeous and I'm dying to go outside! Too bad I'm stuck inside studying for an exam tomorrow. We came to Hartwell this weekend for a birthday party and a wedding (big thumbs up to both!!) and I used up my free time yesterday. I keep looking out the window longingly. Justin is out on his kayak and my parents are working in the yard. I'm counting down the days until my ten day summer break, and I plan to live outside during those days. We're hoping to go camping during that time so I hope that works out. I also really want to go to a Braves game! I love this time of year!

~BKL

Inspiring

Day 16 - A picture of someone who inspires you

My daddy.

I can't tell you how much my dad inspires me. He is such a hard worker and he always puts his family first. He's taught me so many things about life through the way he lives his own. He'd do anything to help someone else, and I always know that he's there for me. Always. We have a terrific relationship, it's definitely one of my most valued. As humble as he is, he would talk himself down if he read this post, but he's definitely an inspiration to me.

We danced to "You've Got a Friend" by James Taylor. He used to sing it to me all the time when I was little.




~BKL

Before I Die

Day 15 - A picture of something you want to do before you die

On a sentimental note:

I want to be a mom. (In the more distant future).



On a career driven note:

Become a Gerontological Nurse Practitioner.



On a for fun note:

See the world! Particularly Ireland. And going back to Australia wouldn't be half bad either.




~BKL

Sadly...

my Spring Break is drawing to an end. Man, it was good while it lasted! I did NO school work (despite needing to) and got lots of rest! I dread going back to the grind tomorrow. The next seven weeks are going to be very busy.

Day 14 - A picture of someone you could never imagine your life without

I can't imagine my life without Justin. He really is my best friend, and he's so good to me. Nine years and counting and it only seems to get better! I am very blessed!



~BKL

It's here... finally

My Spring Break has arrived. I really think I could sleep for an entire week. And I've officially decided pediatric nursing... not my thing. Not that I didn't know that going into the rotation, but it was 100% confirmed. After Spring Break, I'll start my maternity rotation- labor and delivery, mother/baby, and NICU.

In other news, today is my mama's birthday! :-) So glad that I'm getting to spend it with her!

Day 13 - A picture of your favorite band or artist



I really don't have a "favorite" but I've always loved Jewel, especially her older stuff and her Christmas album is beautiful.

~BKL

Thanks

Thanks for the well wishes, I'm getting there slowly but surely. If I could get a decent amount of sleep I might could feel better, but between the crazy hours I'm spending working on school work and my non-working nostrils, it's difficult. At least next week is Spring Break and I can rest some then. HOORAY! I think I see a pedicure in my near future and that I'm most deserving ;-)

Day 12 - A picture of something you love





I didn't grow up with a dog as a child and never knew how much you can love them and now I can't imagine my life without one. Of course no dog can ever be as great as this one. He's spunky and fun, but loving too. He always knows when I have a bad day or when I'm upset and on those days he's extra snuggly. I love my sweet fella so much.

~BKL

Ugh!!

Strep throat + midterms week + 3 papers to write in the next few days = complete misery.

All I want to do is sleep, but I can't afford to because of all the school crap going on.

Can I just say, I want my mom.

-BKL

I hate it

Day 11 - A picture of something you hate



Personally my life has been affected by



and



But don't get me wrong, I hate it all. I pray that we find a cure. That people can stop losing precious loved ones due to this horrible disease. I hate it.

~BKL

The most

Day 09 - A picture of the person(s) who has gotten you through the most



:-)

~BKL

For Laughs

Day 08 - A picture that makes you laugh







So much fun, and I find this little photo series hilarious!

~BKL

Treasures

Day 07 - A picture of your most treasured item

I have thought and thought about this. There aren't many items that I treasure. There are people and memories and Jackson that I greatly treasure, but none of those are items. Most of the items I own can be replaced when it comes down to it, like my car or my laptop for instance. I've came up with three items that I really treasure though, after much thought. Things that if something were to happen to, I'd be devastated.

The first item is a necklace from my dad. I'm wearing it in the photo below. It's a silver necklace with a diamond filled heart shaped pendant on it. He gave it to me on Valentine's Day when I was 13. My dad is not a shopper and because he went to the jewelry store and picked it out himself, it means more to me than he'll ever know. I love my daddy.



The second is a note to me from my Papa. I don't have a photo of it because it's at my parents' house, but it's a precious note. We don't have many things that he's written because my grandmother always writes in birthday cards and things like that. It's such a sweet, generous note, and so my Papa. I'll treasure it always.

Thirdly is this mood ring. It was my great-grandmother's (from the previous post). I remember always going through her things and how I was always drawn to this ring. One day she told me to go get it and that she wanted me to have it. I love that it's vintage and simple. I can't tell you how much I love it and how much it means to me.





~BKL

Continuing On

I've missed a few days, school is crazy right now, but I'll continue on with the next day each time I post.

Day 06 - A picture of a person you'd love to trade places with for a day

I'd like to trade places with my great-grandmother for a day during the time in which she was living through the great depression and raising seven children alone. I think I've shared her story, but her husband was killed by a drunk driver and she was left to fend for herself and her children. I know that I would have even more appreciation for the amazing woman she was and complain a lot less about the life I live. I can't put into words how much I admire the life she lived. She endured more hardships than anyone I know, but yet had such an amazing testimony and was a wonderful witness to others. She taught me so many things about life. I can't put into words how much I miss this precious woman.







~BKL

Overload

My blog doesn't know what to think with all these posts. (Five on Friday is in the previous post)

Yesterday's photo theme was to post a photo of my night. Well I forgot to take a photo, but what we did was go here:



We had dinner with Justin's dad and his wife. His birthday is next weekend and Justin has to work so we went a week early. The food was delicious. I had the bacon wrapped chicken, fried squash, and a baked sweet potato. Seriously the best meal I've ever had there!

Today's photo topic is to post a photo from your favorite memory. I think it's hard to have a one favorite memory so I'm posting a few.

This photo is from the first time we went to Destin, FL. It was just my parents and I and we had the best time. From there on after we went every year and took my grandparents too. Hands down my best childhood memories come from those weeks at the beach with my family.



This photo is from a typical day spent on the lake. Growing up with the lake in my backyard made it a huge part of my childhood.



Later in life, I cherish memories from days spent at UGA. I had the best roomies and so many great experiences.


I can't forget my favorite memories with Justin. I have too many to share them all so I'll pick two. Our time in Australia and of course our wedding day.


(Yes, I still can't believe I let him convince me to climb that thing...)



~BKL

Five on Friday

TGIF! Here's this week's five:

1. Simply Raspberry Lemonade



So so sooooo yummy! It tastes just like Olive Garden's raspberry lemonade. Target currently has it on sale for $1.99. Delicious!

2. Nivea chapstick



Just love the stuff. It's not too thick and slides on smooth and really helps with chapped lips. Plus it's not scented, which gets points in my book.

3. Snapfish.com


I recently had photos printed from Snapfish and they turned out so great! I order a large 16 x 20 print along with some 4 x 6s and the quality is phenomenal. Plus the prices and free shipping make it unbeatable.

4. Pureology Hydrate Shampoo and Conditioner


A little on the pricey side but so worth it! My hair is that color that can easily be made to appear greasy by shampoo, but this one always makes my hair look and feel so clean. It helps to hydrate hair and maximizes color treatments. And it smells so good!

5. Brita Pitcher


We have city water and being raised on well water, it's not my favorite taste for water, too much chlorine or something. Our Brita pitcher leaves the water tasting fresh and we save so much money by not having to buy bottled water!

~BKL

My favorite show

Today's photo assignment is to post a photo from my favorite show.

Friends is my all time favorite show. I can watch a episode I've seen a trillion times and still laugh so hard. I have all the complete seasons, and I'll never get tired of watching. Such a wonderful show! I found this photo and thought it was funny.



My favorite current show that is still taping and airing new episodes is Brothers and Sisters. I love Grey's and PP too, but this one is definitely my favorite! For those who don't watch it, it's about five grown siblings and their mother (Sally Field who I love!) and their spouses and families. ABC describes it like this:

Brothers & Sisters is like that awkward family reunion, where everyone is airing their dirty secrets at the dinner table. The thing is, with the Walkers, they're dropping these bombshells at every meal. The Walkers appear to be the perfect all-American family, but it's up to matriarch Nora Walker (Sally Field) to hold everyone together as they cross paths with divorce, infidelity, addiction, war, politics, prejudice and death.

You never know what other family members might creep up--there seems to be an endless supply of affairs and illegitimate offspring being paraded out in the wine-soaked, soapy world of the Walkers.

But don't dismiss Brothers & Sisters as a family-crisis-of-the-week program. For all of the dysfunctional drama, the Walkers know that the family that drinks together, stays together. As the empty wine bottles pile up, the lips loosen and the secrets pour out just as fast as the vino. While we’d give anything to attend one of their raucous dinner parties, we all know we’d be better off posting our deep dark secrets on Facebook than sharing them with Nora and company.

It's such a great show. I can't tell you how many times it's made me cry, as well as, laugh. I couldn't find a photo of this season's cast, as a couple have left and a few newbies have came along, but here's the most recent one I can find. You can tune in and catch the Walkers on Sundays at 10 on ABC.



~BKL

So I just couldn't choose...

(Day Two: Photo of you and the person you've been closest to the longest)

One person I've been closest two for the longest, so I picked two :-)

I've always had a wonderful relationship with my mom. For as long as I can remember, she's been my friend. How she struck that perfect balance between being my mom and friend, I don't know, but she sure did it, and I pray that I can be the same for my child or children someday. She's hands down the best person I know. She's made so many sacrifices for me, and my life is so much better because she's such a large part of it. I love my mom so much, can you tell? ;-)



I met Jenny when I was four at the good ole Gloria's School of Dance. She's been my best friend since. I was sisterless growing up, and she's always been like a sister to me and definitely still is. She relates to me on a level no one else can and always knows what I'm thinking or feeling. It makes me want to cry when I think about how lucky I am to have her. I can only hope I've been as wonderful of a friend to her as she's been to me. I miss her now that we're grown up and away from UGA,some of my best memories are from our times as college roommates, but thankfully we still talk on the phone all the time and see each other as often as possible between our crazy school schedules and separate city living. But of course our Kindergarten Valentine's Day Ball ranks right up there with those favorite memories too ;-)





~BKL