Life is good today

This weekend was much needed.  Zac Brown Band Saturday night, & the lake all weekend.  It couldn't have come at a better time. AND, Zac Brown even covered some John Mayer. LOVE. No, seriously. So unless its to catch a break, for the next two weeks I will be studying and starting my new big girl JOB. My nursing boards are June 12 & I start orientation for work Wednesday. Until then, here are a few pictures from a pretty awesome weekend. Happy Sunday y'all!

Fill in the blank Friday

linking up with lauren @ thelittlethingswedo

1.   If I could get away somewhere for the weekend I would go   to a private island, or anywhere that had a beach and sunny weather  and I would bring   a few books to read that had nothing to do with studying for the N-CLEX.

2.  Something I often rant about is  school right now, after that who knows...Hopefully Ill be talking a lot more about finding a place of my own.

3.  One item I need to have in my fridge at all time is    dr. pepper, probably not the best option but I am sort of a caffeine junky.

4.  My "life-saving" product is   i have no idea...i try a little bit of everything, so nothing is technically a have to have kinda thing.

5.  A friend is someone who    knows your past and loves you anyway...also someone who always stands beside you even if they don't quite agree with what you're doing. atleast they will be there to catch you if you happen to fall.

6.  If I could write my own blank it would be   Your dream house would include?? 

7.  My favorite kind of art is  photography.

 

Happy Friday Y'all!!

In a snap...

It's all gone. It's over. Done. Finished.

And I'm not referring to the tornadoes. This story I hope isn't as tragic, although somedays sure feels like it. It isn't that storybook ending I wrote a long time ago. Sometimes it's a comedy with me as the joke. Sometimes a war story, that so far has always ended with a casualty, and it's even felt like a horror story, because I'm terrified of what could be lurking behind that door.
See, I am working on closing this chapter. A super long one. I love reading. Hate long chapters. Even worse, a terrible ending. I'm the one who reads the last few pages to make sure I'm going to like the ending. I have to know the story will end how I feel it should end. My story has not. Maybe because it isn't the end. Maybe or hopefully I still have many more chapters to write.
This last chapter was pretty bittersweet.
Sweet because I'm a nursing school graduate, temporary licensed registered nurse, and received something that I worked so incredibly hard for. It was sweet because I met many great friends along the way, went on many of awesome vacays, and made memories I will have forever. And let's not forget I became an aunt three times throughout this chapter as well.
But I can't help this bitter feeling either. I never planned on losing friends, or for relationships to end the way they did. I never in a million years thought i would have made some of the decisions that were made. I had always hoped I would close the chapter fairly close to the way it began. Well, maybe not that close. I dreamed a different dream, and it never came true. Not to mention, the tornadoes that pretty much snapped it all away for us. So sure, this journey was a whirlwind. Literally. It still is. And now I have two weeks before I take the big N-CLEX. Hopefully, I will really end this chapter with a happily ever after.

Do Dah Day

Yesterday was Do Dah Day. It is a day all about DOGS. 

There was a parade, music, food, vendors, and lots and lots of dogs dressed in some pretty funny costumes.

Tallulah loves being outside, and loves going hiking, but she didn't love

Do Dah Day. I think all of the noises and other dogs scared her, because

she wanted to be held and shook during the whole parade. Poor thing. 

But overall we had a good time. It was nice to enjoy the sunshine.

Fill in the blank Friday.

 

1.   People always tell me I look like      my mom. I've also gotten Keri Russell, from Felicity (probably because the hair), and a few people kids have said Selena Gomez. She is the one on Disney and Wizards of Waverly Place. I know I look a lot like my mom, and I don't mind. :)

2.  Friends don't let friends   walk around with something in their teeth, or walk out of the house looking like that.

3.  A sunny day is perfect for   laying out by the pool or beach...I'll take either.

4.  My favorite accessory is  my pearl ring, or any ring in general, LOVE THEM ALL.

5.  If I could afford it I would    hire a driver, because I don't really care to do it.

6.  The cure for boredom is       get up and do something.

7.  I am currently "in like" with       ADELE, although it is more of a love kinda thing. And I am really loving this handsome little fella that I get to hang with until I start my big girl job.

Surprise!!!!!

Friday's agenda: 

-Get up SUPER early.
-Make it to school by 9:00 AM (it takes at least an hour to get there)
-leave by 4:00 (it takes at least another hour to get home)
-Get ready fast because my brother was treating ME to a graduation dinner. (We, THE WHOLE FAMILY, were originally going to lunch the Tuesday after graduation, but since that was cancelled we were pushing it back until NEXT Saturday the 22nd).
-Drive to Daniel's, wait, wait, wait, then off to dinner we went. I was going with the intentions of it being a super casual dinner with Daniel and our two friends, Brett and Sarah.

SURPRISE!!!!

  

This my friends, is a GENUINE surprise face.

 I had NO idea.

I might have even been more surprised that I REALLY DIDN'T KNOW.

 But we all had so much fun,

and I received some awesome gifts.

Like this camera

 

 And this super cute bag, that reads "Nurse Lindsey!!"

  As well as, this awesome Vera Bradley purse that I love. 

 

And my PRETTY FUNNY Dad even got me TEN dollars. 

hahahaha. Such a jokester.

 

 Here are a few more party pictures.

 Check out my Nurse Minnie Cake that my mom had made.

LOVE
LOVE
LOVE

 

And after dinner we went back to my brothers to continue the celebration!!

I really had no idea everyone could keep a secret from me.

I am pretty impressed. 

SO THANK YOU SO MUCH TO MY FAMILY AND FRIENDS. 

This journey has been like no other, and I can't believe I am FINALLY coming to an end in this chapter. I would be nowhere without your support, and definitely not a graduate. You have stood by me through every single tear, bad grade, broken down car, failing grade, heartbreak, flat tire, mood swing, passing grade, graduation and so so much more. The list just goes on and on. So thank you & thank you for my graduation party. It meant the world to me!

Nursing Nonsense :: Week Eighteen

I didn't do a week 18.

Partly because my week was jammed pack, and partly because my original week 18 no longer was taking place. 

However, I am a graduate, with or without walking, I did complete a THREE day 9-4 review course, and DRUM ROLL PLEASE.... 

I
HAVE
A
BIG 

GIRL

REAL 

RN

WORKING

JOB.

I know, I am pretty excited. I will be working where I currently work as a nursing assistant. I am so excited about the future and possibilities, and can't wait to begin my CAREER. Hopefully, I will start in the middle of June, it just all depends on when I take the N-CLEX. That is the big test nurses have to take and PASS once they graduate to receive their license. I should know very soon.

But on the flip side.

Miss Ryleigh turned three this past Tuesday, so my sister and I took her for a fun little girl's day. Of course, she wanted to ride the carousel, and OF COURSE, her Sissy (that's me) will ride as well. Sure, I'm probably over the weight and height and age limit, but I don't mind. We had a blast. See for yourself. 

Rambling...

How does a man who lost everything in the storm consider himself one of the lucky ones? Because he still has his life, he still has his family. That was what I heard today from the man behind the counter at the post office wearing a great big smile. He is just one of the many heroes from April 27. Talking about that day still gives me chills, and it will always bring tears to my eyes. One of the sweetest girls I know said "you dream about having a wedding your entire life and then after this, it's just a wedding. It's strange to look forward to something your entire life, and within a day, it doesn't really matter anymore." Her fiancé sat through that tornado in his bathtub. He is just another one of the lucky ones. Here I am thinking I am so lucky because we didn't lose anything, when the ones who held on tighter than they ever have before consider themselves the lucky one? That amazes me. They know in some horrible way it could have been worse. I don't know how, because it's bad, but they walked out of the rubble a survivor, and more thankful than ever to still be here today. They are the heroes in this tragic story. I think Ryleigh said it best today as we were driving home and had to pass by houses that no longer line the streets. She knew a storm had passed through, and that it was scary. She also said it was so sad, but that God will make it all better. A three year old really knows how to put the hardest times into a beautiful perspective. She is so right. The devastation is still unremarkable. It will be for a very long time, and in the end God wont let anyone begin this uphill battle alone. He will make this all better.

Dear Ryleigh,

Today you are a BIG girl. I think. I don't know when big girl starts & baby ends. If it were up to me, you would be my baby bug forever. However, I know you talk about "getting bigger" all the time, and I must let you. You, my bug, are one of the funniest little girls I know. Your smile, your love of all things princess, and your great big hugs and kisses make every big problem non existent. You are my light, my number one big girl, and my mini partner in crime. I love you more than I could ever put into words. These past 3 years have been an absolute blessing with you as my niece, and I know it's only going to get better. I love you little girl, forever and ever. HAPPY HAPPY THIRD BIRTHDAY!!! I love you.

Sissy

Fill in the blank Friday.

Long time, no see. I'm actually rather excited about today. I have no test to study for on Monday.

No chapter(s) to read. No paperwork to fuss over. Just a normal Friday. I almost forgot what it felt like.

ALMOST.

1.   What I love most about my home is  I'm not going to lie, ever sense I moved from the house I grew up in to go to college, it is hard to call anywhere else "home." Sure, I've moved to 5 different houses, but I am ready to create a home of my own. However, I am totally BLESSED to actually have a house over my head. In this area, that is hard to come by after last week's tornadoes. And I do love that there are pictures everywhere. 

2.  I'm excited because,    tonight will be another blast from the past with my roomies from college. 

3.  My preferred method for blowing  off steam when I'm frustrated is    CRYING, deep breathing, and listening to music.I think I have a playlist for most scenarios, and they always come in handy.

4.  Currently I am craving  Chik A-lay as pronounced by Ryleigh. Also referred to as Chik fil A. 

5.  The thing I love most about my mom is    that she always loves me, no matter what.

6.  If I was going to write a book about my life, the title would be      The Story of A Girl, I think. Still undecided on that one. 

7.  If I were to eat one thing for the rest of eternity it would be      MACARONI & CHEESE and Chicken Fingers. I know that is two things, but if it is in the same meal then I will consider it just ONE.

Nursing Nonsense :: Week Seventeen

VIA

It hasn't sunk in just yet.
Maybe because I still feel like I'm waiting on that email that says, "just kidding."
Or maybe it's because this past week has been anything but normal.
No, normal isn't a word I would use to describe everything that has happened in a few short days.
Maybe it hasn't sunk in because the greatest terror of them all was killed just the other night. That is just another twist in this story Im still writing.
Maybe it's because one of the greatest tragedies occurred right here. Not right here, but in the towns I have always called home. People are still searching, still wondering, and still pinching themselves hoping to wake up from this nightmare.
So, no it hasn't sunk in. This week has been a little off.
What hasn't sunk in?
That because of this HORRIBLE tragedy our graduation was cancelled. Our finals DONE. We haven't even taken them yet. Done, finished, end of story.
Say what?
I am a nursing graduate?
Yes, you could still take the final if your average grade wasn't passing, but mine was. I was, I am exempt from the final.

I

Am

A

Nursing

Graduate.
I mean I've only been working towards this year for years.
And in a flash, my second hometown is in despair, and yet I stand here a graduate.
I'm happy. I'm ecstatic. But I would also give it all back to rewind last Wednesday. I can't. Believe me.

So I will be happy.
I will be FREAKING thrilled.
It will just take a few more days.
It is still sinking in.

Holy Moly.
And since we will not be having a graduation ceremony, I figured I could re-post this picture of me in my cap & gown. 

Future,
HERE I COME.

 VIA
PLEASE, PLEASE continue to pray for all of those affected by the tornado. They need it more than ever.