He's here! And I am so in love. I've never met a more precious, beautiful, cuddly, sweet baby!
Can you tell I'm a proud Aunt? ;-)
I'm also a very proud sister. Jamie did amazing! It was a very long and hard day, but she handled everything so wonderfully. J, I love you and T so much!
~Auntie BKL
I can officially check off the five classes I took this semester. Grades are in and I survived. So glad to have that LONG semester behind me. Two semesters left! Summer semester always flies by, so I know I'll be done before I know it. I plan to use that thought to get me through these two semesters. I'm starting to pray that the Lord is preparing a job for me. I know that He already knows where I'll end up practicing, but it gives me comfort to put it in His hands and let Him be in control. I signed up for a preparation course for boards in September. I won't be able to sit until Feb or March, but I want to start preparing much earlier than that.
Summer classes resume Tuesday and my first Hospice clinical is Thursday. I'm anxious and eager for this new learning experience.
This weekend we helped my family clean out my grandfather's barn and my great-grandmother's house. It was bittersweet. We found some neat items, and occasionally my grandmother filled us in on the history behind them. My great-grandmother's home is filled with vintage furniture. I'd take it all if I could, but there's just no where to put it all. We are having an estate sale this coming Saturday at 8 AM if any of you are interested or know anyone that is. Tools from my grandfather's barn are also being sold. More specific information is printed in the Hartwell Sun. Most of the furniture needs a little TLC, but has so much potential. We'd love to see these pieces go to homes where they will be treasured. My grandmother's home is also for sale. It's a brick home in the North Hart school district, 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms with an updated kitchen, nice barn, and three car carport. This whole moving experience has been emotional, so many memories. We hope that my grandmother will be happy in her new home in town.
I am closer to being an aunt! We hope to learn a little more this week about when to expect his arrival. No matter when he comes, it's going to be a joyous day!
~BKL
This is a spin off post of "Five on Friday." I actually have some time on my hands to post. A week without classes feels like a gift! I'll admit, I'm a little lost as what to do with my free time though because it's so strange and rare!
I love when people share their favorite products so I thought I'd share my top three right now.
1. EOS Lip Balm - Sweet Mint
I LOVE EOS lip balm! I have several flavors but sweet mint is by far my favorite. It tingles a little and smells great!
2. Alegria Shoes
Alegria shoes are AMAZING! I now have two pair, and I LOVE them! I'm on my feet a lot at clinical and these are the most comfortable and supportive shoes I've found. And they're so cute! Tons of prints and styles! Paloma is my favorite style. I have this pair (Black Etched) and they are so versatile. I love my tortoise pair too. They can be wiped down easily and are blood resistant which is a perk for nurses. These shoes are seriously the best!
3. Essie Nail Polish
Love Essie polish, especially this color. It's called "Ballet Slippers" and it looks clean and professional when it's applied!
Hope everyone is having a great week!
~BKLI took my last final of the semester today. Genetics=Horrible. Hopefully my grade survived so that I can check this semester and all of its classes off my list. I hate waiting on grades.
This has been my worst semester by far. A lot of stress. I have enjoyed my clinicals this semester though. I spend a couple days a week at three different nursing homes and another day at the VA. Sadly next week will be my last week at the nursing homes. I'm doing some research at the VA so I'll be staying on there for a little bit longer. My summer clinical placement is at an inpatient hospice facility. I know that it will be challenging, but I requested the placement to see if hospice is a setting I would like to work in. Personally, my family has been blessed by hospice in the past, and I'm interested to see how I like it from the provider standpoint. I believe that everyone deserves to die with dignity and pain free and I know that this clinical placement will definitely be a learning experience.
I'm beyond thrilled that I will be an AUNT very SOON! Time has flown by! So exciting!
Happy first Mother's Day, J! He may not be here yet, but he already takes comfort in hearing your voice and he knows you're his mom. You're going to be a fantastic mother!
Is good news.
Not much going on in our neck of the woods. Let's see if I can think of anything to blog about that is halfway interesting. 
My K bug turned 9! I can't believe it. That means next year she'll be ten. And I'll be officially old, lol. I remember when she was born! I was in 9th grade. She was a miracle baby and is a true blessing to our family. Love that sweet girl! 
Last weekend we went to Charleston with J and hubby. It was a great weekend! My only complaint is that it was too short. :-) Of course, I didn't take any photos of us which I definitely regret, but I always forget. This is a photo of the bridge taken from Mt. Pleasant Park (which is beautiful!). The guys threw Frisbee while J and I walked on the pier and watched dolphin play! I've never been that close to dolphin in their natural environment.
Today was J's first shower! I'm sure she'll blog about it but let me just say it was so much fun! I can't wait for our sweet boy to arrive!
I'm gearing up for a BUSY week! I have a big, big, BIG presentation on Monday at a national conference and I am NERVOUS. Prayers would be much appreciated! I also have a test on Wednesday which I am dreading. And clinical. And journals. And quizzes. Ahhhh. It will end eventually, right?!
Hope you all have a good week! Easter will be here soon!
~BKL
The past week and a half has been insane! Two ridiculous midterms and two nit-picky case studies due all within one week in addition to clinical. My bones literally ache, and I'm so tired, but I survived! Now let's see if my grades did ;-)
Next week is "Spring Break" although in reality it's not a complete break. I have two big assignments to work on over the break and some little things as well, plus one day of clinical, but no class so that's a perk! I'm also taking my grandmother to a geriatric specialist, and I have two doctor's appointments for myself, gotta get it in while I can :-)
My sweet mom had a birthday Monday which we celebrated Saturday. 
And this handsome boy got a haircut!
Hope everyone is having a good week. The weekend is almost here!
~BKL
So I never get into Valentine's Day. I do think it's a fun holiday for kids and a great excuse to eat chocolate (which I usually buy a day or two after Valentine's Day when it's on sale!). We have our anniversary to celebrate our relationship so we usually let that suffice.
However, this year I used Valentine's Day as an excuse for a Cracker Barrel meal, lol. Justin's always thought that Valentine's Day is a over-commercialized, greeting card holiday, and I tend to agree, however; I've been craving it for weeks, and I was desperate. We're trying to cut down the amount of meals we eat out in an attempt to save money, and we've been doing pretty well. Luckily he loves Cracker Barrel as much as do, so it wasn't too difficult. And the fact that he's shot me down for the past two weeks when I suggested it helped too :-) It was delicious as always! We went on Friday night and Justin was super pleased to see the meal of the day was fried fish so we both left full and happy. We browsed in the store too which is always a must. Justin informed me "I had it bad" when I found something for Tristan (my nephew who is due in June) a gift in Cracker Barrel!
I also decided that there's no time like the present to spoil my other Valentine, and Jackson is getting a new pink squeaky toy tomorrow. It'll be his first pink anything so we'll see what he thinks :-)
On a quick serious note, even though I really don't give two hoots about Valentine's Day, I am so thankful to have a spouse who loves and respects me. It seems like lately, I have been observing some bad martial situations filled with an utter lack of respect, and I am continuously counting my blessings for the wonderful marriage I have and for a spouse who is dedicated to our friendship and family.
My Valentines
Happy Valentine's Day to you and yours,
BKL
