We triple dog dare you....

Most of you got our christmas cards, or saw it on facebook or twitter. Yes I posted it and sent it... what can I say? I was a dork, and pretty excited about my cleverness!! So here's the pic...



This year brought many ups and downs for us and our family. On New Year's Eve I presented Kev with tickets so see his first NBA game! Which he had a blast going to Oklahoma with some friends to watch the game. In February we celebrated our 4th wedding anniversary, and 6th year together. We just did the dinner and movie thing and enjoyed each others company. March brought a massive snowstorm, I even got to miss a day of school!! Also our friends welcomed their baby Maddox into the world, we just adore him, and his parents are great friends too, the best actually. So naturally we visit their house often! Then came April, not too much excitement there. I started my second rotation of clinicals, and started becoming antsy for the semester to be over, which brings us to May. This brings the 6 years... SIX YEARS!! since I'd had my valve replaced! Kev spent a few hours in Jail and made a life changing decision (not really in jail... he's no criminal). In June Kev quit working for Hill-Rom and went to school to become an EMT-B. (okay I admit it, I had my doubts, but really he kinda has a weak stomach... guess not while on the job) I worked and he went to school (talk about role reversal) Things went south for a little bit, a miscarriage and a death in the family consumed most of August. The upside of August was my birthday and a new car from the inlaws! Then I started back to school. Kevin went to work as a photographer while looking for an EMT job. In October I started clinicals, and my mom came out to visit for a week. It was quite a week but we all survived and it turned out more fun than any of us thought. In December Kevin found a job as an EMT! Granted it's out of town and he works a lot but he likes it a lot. I'm glad he found a job he likes. I finally made it past the half way mark of school, only two semesters left! TWO! This time next year I'll be a nurse!! In the meantime while I am on break my dad came to visit for a couple of weeks, so I'm taking off and letting Kevin hold down the fort in the way of working :) I've done my fair share before my dad got here so it's a trade off. Tonight is Christmas Eve, and since Kevin is working tomorrow so we exchanged gifts this evening. We all got things we asked for, and a few things we did not ask for but were happy to get!

We hope everyone has a great Christmas!

Yes, well you know

Life has been super busy lately!! Between job hunting on Kev's end and finishing my semester, not to mention trying to some face time with each, friends, and family we are a pair of busy people!!

Last week Kev went to Lubbock to check out a few possible jobs. Ended up talking to a guy at a transport service who let him do a ride along the next day and well the rest is history. That afternoon he offered Kev a job there with his choice of schedule since he will be traveling to and from work 1-2 hours. It looks like he'll just get his four days out of the way and then head home for 3 days. We can handle that for a year. Kev is very excited and starts his job tomorrow. He will be the ambulance driver as an EMT-B!

Tuesday this week marked the end of my semester. I ended up 4 B's and 1 A this semester. I really thought differently about one of the B's but what can ya do? Atleast I passed this semester, and am headed on to Level 3! Two semesters left. This semester was the most unorganized/hardest so far thanks to all of the things that happened before the semester began and shortly thereafter.

A couple of weekends ago we went downtown with our friend Chris to get some pictures taken and get a picture for our christmas cards! Which you'll have to see if you sent us your address, otherwise you might have to wait because you know we'll probably post it somewhere :) Here's one of our favorites:



The others are posted on facebook (atleast mine at the moment, but he's tagged so if your only friends with one of us...)

My stepdad is coming in on the 23rd to spend two weeks here with us, I'm very excited!

Recipes

I know it's been awhile... but have you heard how BUSY it is around here? If you haven't heard then well BUSY doesn't even begin to cover it! I've added to my list though. To make it worse though this time of year I get in this mood to want to try new recipes. Last year I made sweet potato rolls, cookies, homemade chicken and dumplings among other things. The first on my list this year... spaghetti squash! I'm also on the hunt for a good pumpkin cheesecake recipe. So the reason for this post? To ask you to give me your favorite recipes so I can try them and hopefully add them to my list. Thanks in advance!

Quick Update

Ok so I know I haven't been writing much but here goes nothing. So a week ago I was getting on facebook on my phone and checking through my comments and found something weird. This was not my facebook it was somebody else's. Now my phone automatically signs me in and its not an app or anything. I found it odd and actually thought maybe somebody else had my phone and logged in without me knowing when I was looking up who it was (David Smith) and that I really didn't know them or where they lived. I had a momentary thought should I miss with said profile or should I just log off and get on my own. Having the kid inside me I thought I should play a few pranks. Nothing bad mind you but some harmless pranks and see if anyone noticed. I did two updates both quotes from either a tv ad or a song. Wouldn't you believe no one noticed funny right? That guy got on a few times in between these times and didn't notice. But alas today I will sign out of said profile so that I can access my own during my trip to Cali. On a different note. Things are going well my next test is scheduled for next thursday I'm ready for it. I have a part time job at a photo studio. I'm learning the art of taking pictures. Its alot harder than just pushing a button but its a good unwinding type of job from the jobs that I usually have and if I get to stick with it, it would complement the EMT job nicely. Other than that nothing really goin on. I haven't even left the house and I'm already missing the wife. Till the next post. Oh and thanks Chris for the job much appreciated.

Rainbows and butterflies... uh NOT!!

Okay so yes I know, it's been forever, yet again. You see though we had a few bad days, weeks, month even. We however decided we did NOT want to focus solely on the bad because even though life isn't always all about rainbows and butterflies, let's face it no one wants to hear bad thing after bad thing. So instead of harping on that let's talk about a few other things and see where it takes us. Although I'm not promising it's all good because well I try not to lie.

A few weeks ago was my birthday, yes 27... I know okay :) The night before we had dinner at Arick and Amber's house they cooked for us! and then on the night of Some friends of ours had us over and cooked us a fantastic spaghetti (my request) dinner followed by strawberry shortcake. <3 A couple nights after my birthday we went to dinner with Kev's parents, for my birthday and to catch up some. After dinner Kev's parents presented me with keys to this:

That is an '02 oldsmobile intrigue. SERIOUSLY!! I have never been given anything like that well ever! I was completely speechless. I am loving it.

The very next day though we found out that Kev's Uncle Mike passed away unexpectedly which was very hard on the whole family and he will be going to California with his family later this month for the memorial service.

School started for the fall for me, I am currently taking L&D, Med Surg Level II, and Health Assessment. So far it is overwhelming but going alright. I am still trying to get all of my stuff straight and figure stuff out for the semester.

For now that's all!!

Good reasons we've been quiet... Time to let it all out

Mostly we have been quiet because we have been filled with worry over this whole pregnancy thing, it's certainly been a rough trip and it's not over yet.

On 7/22 we went in for our first sonogram where they only saw the gestational sac and nothing else. Our pregnancy was dated 5w3d (10 days earlier than was expected). There were also some cysts on my right ovary. The u/s tech wasn't too worried b/c if I was really only 5 weeks then it was too early to see anything and so no big deal. Just repeat the sono

On 7/29 my NP calls and says she wants to talk and that she needs to check some hormones. So I go in the office where she tells me there is a good chance I have a blighted ovum. (basically that I'm just growing the placenta and no baby). She draws blood and schedules a sonogram.

7/30 we go to the hospital for a sonogram. They don't show me anything or even let me see the screen. I then have a second round of bloodwork less than 24 hours after the first.

7/31 the NP calls in the afternoon and tells me that they didn't see anything on the sonogram but the placenta and possibly the cysts are ectopic (pregnancy in tube or ovary, and is a VERY serious thing). She says my hormone levels rose, but that didn't mean anything because the sonogram showed nothing, in fact it showed that the placenta had stopped growing at 5 weeks, 3 days. She says she will get back to me on Monday with an appointment either at the clinic with a DR or at the high risk clinic I was already scheduled to go see.

Talk about a weekend of HELL!!

8/3 The nurse calls... they are cancelling the high risk appointment and making me wait a whole week before being seen... UH LADY are you CRAZY? I threw a little bit of a fit and got to keep my appt at the high risk clinic.

8/4 Confuse the high risk clinic about why I am there if I am not having a pregnancy, explain the above and they keep me (yay b/c she totally rocked) She said since I was still having symptoms of being pregnant she recommended another sonogram. (note 3rd one in as many weeks) I agreed hesitantly b/c I didn't want to see/hear about how empty it was *again*. So a couple of hours later I come back for a sonogram, and the dr comes to do it (told you she rocks). and surprise! There is a gestational sac that has grown to about the right size and a yolk sac that no one has ever seen before. They looked around FOREVER, and determined for sure that I do not have an ectopic (YAY).

With the yolk sac though they should be able to see a fetal pole (where the baby grows from as far as I can understand) and they were not able to see that part. So here's the plan:

8/11 another sonogram, to determine if anything changes, if so and there is a fetal pole then there is a good chance it's a viable pregnancy and things are hunky dorie. If nothing changes then it will be determined to be a non viable pregnancy and surgery will be in my near future. So in the meantime we wait, and wait some more. That's the worst part I think. We are trying to keep our hopes in a reasonable range, just in case. In the meantime I have to start blood thinners and will be getting a shot two times a day, by none other than Kevin! That will be until the pregnancy is complete (either way...)

So that's why we have been quiet, not knowing how to post what's going on and trying to wait til we know something for sure.

bellybean

So today we are 6 weeks along. yes I know, you've heard that before. After our sono they found out my dates were a lil different than originally thought and so we were a little behind.

We were hoping to see more than we did but because the baby was only 5w3d it was too early to see much of anything which was a lil disappointing but so far we know that the baby is in a good spot, and not in the tubes or anything like that (YAY) OH and we know that there is only one bellybean in there :)

Yes we've dubbed the baby "bellybean" b/c it's cute and well the size of a bean and in the belly lol :)

So in the meantime know bellybean is doing well and is predicted to make a debut around March 22, 2010!

Scratch That...

Well after some discussion, and talking with friends, and someone changing their mind Shim is out. We are still in debate as to what is in... Hopefully by Thursday evening/friday we'll have something new...

Anyways we are looking forward to our sono on Thursday but it's late in the afternoon so it'll be late before we have much to say but def. can feel the excitement at our house.

In non-baby news (what's that?... j/k!) Kev had his last class today! He takes his final on Monday, and then he can take his National Registry and hopefully find a job. Even though he gave up a good job to go to school and possibly start out lower than he was making I am happy that he has found something he enjoys and is happy with it. Our marriage, friendship, life, and child are much better off for it. I am so proud of him, that was a big step for him.

Shim

Shim (a mix between she and him) is a name that a friend and I made up in high school for our boss who was pregnant. I've always thought it was funny and unique, and that somewhere down the road I would use it. Well that time is upon us, and until we know if we are having a little boy or a little girl, our lil one will be called Shim. (Way better than it, don't you think?)

Now of course there is a small chance that there are twins hanging out in there. My gut says no, but that's also what is said about being prego so you never know. If there are twins they will be dubbed Thing 1 and Thing 2 of the Dr. Suess. variety. We can thank Kevin for that :)

Of course by now you have figured out that we are having a baby! Probably in the middle of March. We find out the offical due date Thursday afternoon. YAY :) We are so excited. I am still a little nervous about everything being okay and what not. Thursday will put most of my fears at rest though.

In the meantime all we can think is OMG! We are having a BABY!!

First Clinical run

Ok so its no surprise to any by now that I'm taking EMT classes and that I am now in clinicals. Last night was my first night and it was at the trauma hospital. The first few hrs was boring to say the least the patients were discharged within those 3 hrs. very slow night I thought. Of course I didn't want to ask any questions if they were always this slow as to not jinx the nurses cause they really hate it when you do ask. About 12-1 it really started to pick up. I had a 62yr. old complaining of chest pain. Her heart rate was irregular and blood pressure was unstable. It started two days ago and normal treatment was ineffective found out that basically she was having heart attacks for the last two days and was currently having small heart attacks. She wasn't loosing conscious or anything like that just kind of cool for me bad for her. The next patient that I helped with had asthmatic symptoms which was cool cause I can treat that on the truck so I got to help with that. Then all hell literally broke loose for a trauma hospital. The call initially was a male shot in right leg by drive by. Then it was a code 99 call which I found out means the patient had coded and cpr was in progress. The gentleman had a shotgun wound to the left leg and ripped through the bone and femoral artery not good at all. He had basically lost enough blood to make his blood pressure drop cause there was no blood. Had he been maybe five minutes longer on the scene. He would have no died no question. Anyways I got to see the entrance and exit of a major gunshot wound. I did do chest compressions as everybody stepped in to keep his blood pressure up and help keep pressure to the wound. All in all it was a cool night I only felt sick once and I think its because I really hate hearing and seeing people throw up but I will get used to it so I'm not that concerned. I dealt with blood in a high tense situation. Oh and by the way the guy did live they had to actually cut off the leg. I had other cases but I won't bore you with them. They were mostly skill cases for myself to help me learn. Take care.

July 4th weekend

This weekend Kev and I headed to the lake to get away and celebrate the 4th... kinda. I had off from work on Friday for the holiday and so we left Thursday night. We had an enjoyable day Friday getting things set up and grocery shopping etc. Kev grilled some BBQ chicken that turned out awesome, while I made the sides.

On Saturday we drove to a small town Canadian to check out their advertised 4th of July festivities. Oops not all advertised was there and we couldn't find much of anything. But it was a nice drive and I did get to see new places I had never seen. Oh and fireman water polo was kinda cool. We ended up driving to another town Pampa and got some lunch and just meandered around and then headed back to the lake. We figured we would hit the rodeo/fireworks in town there later that evening. That did not happen because there was a huge thunderstorm! So needless to say our fireworks were lightening.

Sunday we got up and relaxed and then packed up and headed home to start the week. It was overall a good weekend, not your typical 4th by any means but we got to spend some time together and get out of town so it was perfect.

Hope you had a good 4th as well!

Summer Time

Summer and I have a love hate relationship. I love the water, and BBQing, and sports, but uh the HOT temperatures I could live with being a little lower lol. Our favorite summer activities have to be going to the lake. At the lake we BBQ, take the boat out for tubing (although not looking good for this summer b/c the lakes are pretty dry at the moment) We watch movies at the drive in. It's a lot of fun.

This summer we are looking forward to going to some baseball games, and if we are not able to make it to the east coast we are hoping to make it away for a few days to Colorado springs. All of that is up in the air though so I can't tell you anything for certain. It all depends on money, Kev's national registry test, and work.

What are some of your favorite summer activities?

A thing

While watching So You Think You Can Dance I began thinking about things, literally. The contestants on the show have found their thing... dancing (duh). It's what they love and they are good at it. It made me think about what is my "thing"? Growing up I always felt split between my families, which were vastly different in about as many ways as you can think of. I have tried (and eventually quit) many things. I never had any idea who Shelly was. I used to base my likes and dislikes on the people I was around. Whether it was art, sports, music, whatever. My siblings all had their thing nailed down pretty early, and I just didn't know. I don't know why but it just was.

For being a very independent person I sure didn't know what I wanted, liked, disliked. I just knew I was going to do things myself. I tried lots of things. Some things lasted one day, others a few years. There are things that I plan to pursue more to give it a better chance. I can't say there is any one of those things that I am really good at. Some of them I am awful at, but whatever I tried!

Through trying so many different things I have find things that I like, and dislike, and am mature (HA) enough to have learned that I have not given things the chance they deserve. I really enjoyed playing softball when I was younger and played for 4 years before quitting and it was for about the stupidest reason I can think of. Family drama... really!? Out loud I blamed it on my period or something but really it's b/c of issues that went down right about the time I started high school. Swimming, I'm no swimmer by any means but I love it, I would hang out in the water all day if I could. I have no rhythm so playing music and dancing are def something I do in the privacy of my own home haha.

I think my thing is academics. I love to teach others, learn new things, and help others. I am also still looking for my fun thing that doesn't involve school or my job. I have lots of stuff I enjoy doing and am willing to try new things, and so I want to know what is your thing? What works for you? That way maybe I will learn a little something about you, and maybe find something that I might want to try!

We answered the call

Yes this is a late posting of something that happened last Friday. As most everybody knows I donated blood last Friday and this is, that story. See Shelly gets updates from the local news station sent to her twitter, they had broke a story saying that blood in the Texas Panhandle was scarce and that they would be buying or going to get blood from a different area just to prevent themselves from running out. Shelly asked me if I wanted to go with her to donate blood. Of course I don't mind giving at all if I can spare. Now I will admit I did ask how much money would we get for donating because well I thought they paid. Little did I know that it was called donating for a reason. One of those blonde moments. Anyway we went to go donate the next day and of course Shelly didn't get to, her blood wasn't good enough. So I had to brave the needle on my own. But least I did get a T-shirt out of it and a coke, the cookies didn't look that appeasing to me so I passed on them. Now why exactly am I bringing this up way after the fact. Not to look good in front of anybody, I mean it is cool and all, but to bring awareness. My cousin Adam wrote a blog about trading blood donations that he can't give and he'll do something else i.e. donate time. I think thats a great idea as he can't donate blood for reasons of his own. I'll keep donating when I can Adam, you find a way to donate time to the cancer society like we did when we were working Shorebird games. Just so you know I can't donate till July 31st their rules not mine. What do you say??? Oh and here is my proof!

Lost...

No! Not that stupid television show! (Ok Kev likes it but I'm writing this post so I get to call it stupid)

Lately I am feeling lost... in the sense of what did I do before I started school? Really for the last year I have either been working 75+ hours a week or going to school and studying. This summer however I only have one job, and no school. I come home in the evenings and have no homework, and am not totally exhausted from a long day) Kev's joke is the house is cleaner now. It just feels strange not having that to do.

I think Kev is going to go through this same thing soon. He will have school 3 mornings a week. period. no work (atleast right away), no call, just school and of course HOMEWORK.

I predict that between the two of us we will be going stir crazy very very soon.

The one about organ donation

May 20th, 2003 is a day I will never forget. If you remember (or not if you are new don't worry it'll be posted in a sec) last year I posted about my valve replacement from a different aspect which you can read here: (literally here b/c I don't know how to link back to it)

Five years ago today something life changing took place. No we didn't start dating, and we didn't get engaged today (Please we had only been dating 3 months!!!) The 3 months part is very important though. I had to have my aortic valve replaced. While that is HUGE to go through, the most awesome part... Kevin.I had a lot of thought about what would happen after only 3 months. He was such a wonderful trooper and really helped me through so much. There are many of our family and friends that were there as well. I think the day that Kevin drove me home Sunday May 25th I knew he was the one for me and I was the one for him. Just the simple way he took care of me, and was there on all of his days off just taking care of me, and when the inevitable post surgery breakdown came, he was there. Today is the anniversary of a week long of moments that made me realize just how much I loved Kevin. I believe it was the 23rd when I told him. One part that I don't even know if he knows I know (he will now I guess) The day after surgery he stopped by my mom's work and was very concerned if I was going to be okay, which after a little white lie and a lot of conivincing they finally let him see me the night before which was not exactly my best night. I am glad that he was able to talk to her and that she was able to comfort him.Kevin is one of the greatest people I have ever met and I love him with all my heart, stitches and all! I am glad that Adam invited, okay forced him to come to the party I was hosting for a friend, it definitely changed my life forever.

This year though I am going to talk about donation. Now I'm not going to preach to you or cite a bunch of articles and sites that you should read or even force you to change your mind. If you wanna be selfish, you go right ahead. I am going to tell you how it changed my life directly.

In August of 2001 I had a physical for work and was found to have a murmur, which was new. My primary care doctor had never heard it before and could definitely hear it then. He sent me for an echo where I was found to have a "small aortic leak" that was going be "no big deal" until I was much older. My cardiologist told me to simply have an echo every other year and not to worry. So fast forward to December of 2002. I am working in surgery and feeling not quite right. I black out for a second and then eventually pass out where I don't remember getting from one spot to the other. I'd been noticing that it was getting harder to run and I was super tired but didn't think entirely too much about it.

After passing out I make a visit to a new cardiologist, as my original one moved away. Turned out to be a good thing once he read my history and what not he felt I needed a little more investigation. He was thinking I was having arrhytmias though. So a couple of tests later proved that theory wrong. While I was getting one of the tests attached they were trialing a new echo machine and had no patients so since it was almost time for mine they went ahead and did it early. This is the beginning of the end...

They found a very large leak in my aortic valve (all of my other valves leak as well, just not as bad) that needed to be confirmed by a transesophageal echo (TEE) which was awful! Once confirmed they scheduled a cardiac cath and took measurements and found that not only was I feeling they symptoms my heart was starting to show some as well. I was referred to a surgeon and went to his office to discuss my options.

Now if you know anyone else with an aortic valve replacement they probably have a mechanical or bovine valve. These however are not good options for young patients and so I was going to need a human valve.

My surgery was scheduled within two weeks of this appointment... note just 5 months after having symptoms. I suppose I was lucky they were able to find a valve that was about the same age as me and the same size. I suppose that donor wasn't so lucky. I only know that the donor was young when he died and he had a wonderful family who donated his organs and tissue.

Many people think that if their organs aren't "up to par" or they have a certain disease or are receiving meds they cannot donate. This is not the case. Donated tissue is used in many many ways, one of them... heart valves.

My family and then boyfriend (now husband of 4 wonderful years) all became donors shortly after my surgery. I am grateful for that. I am also a donor even though no one would ever be able to use my live heart, part of it may help someone else. Just becoming a donor is not enough, you have to tell your family as they will be the ones making the decision. It could save lives, I know it saved mine.

I know I only have tissue, not living organs which require antirejection drugs. I had an immediate need but didn't have to wait like many people on the lists. It could be a lot worse for me and it is a lot worse for others. If you are not organ donor just take the time to consider it, it could save many lives. That is all I ask on this anniversary of my gift of life, which greatly improved my quality of life.

6hrs in jail

I tried to think of a good made up story to try and tell everyone about. But really couldn't think of anything funny enough or believable. So I'll just say I was there delivering 13 beds on a capital delivery. I didn't get hit on or become anybody's man or lady. That's the whole story nothing really interesting. Just liked the headline for twitter. My whole head has been spinning with ideas and freaking songs. For the first time in a long time I've been happy for awhile. So expect alot of crazy happy from me. My first meal out of the joint was bacon cheese burger really good. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

Changes

In about one week I will be starting my EMT classes. In three weeks quitting my job of three years. I never had a plan in life. I've always just coasted through life falling into the right job at the right time and making the most out of it, but never really liking it. This is something I really think that I will be good at and enjoy, but now I think I'm more scared than ever cause I know what I want and I'm afraid of failing. Being the true brother that I have he tells me that its going to be hard to pass the class and it may be even harder finding a job. I've already said that I would move if I had to still staying in the Texas Panhandle moving possibly somewhere between fifty to hundred miles away. So now its a waiting game. I know I made the right choice its just hard to imagine if I do have to move and Shelly can't be with me. My head is spinning with so many possibilities. The chapter with Hill-Rom is coming to a close a new chapter begins and for the first time I don't know whats going to happen. I have had a minor slip up on my no smoking quest. I bought a pack of cigarettes on Thursday on a really bad day. It was a mistake that I know now I could have done without. A moment of weakness that I can't take back. I will continue my pursuit and try to control my emotions as that was what got me into trouble this last time. That's all I have to say.

Another semester closer

As this semester ends on a very high note there is so much stuff that I have learned, and experienced... some are way more pleasant than others.

I have spent 8 weeks in clinicals, doing care plans that took upwards of 6 to 8 hours and sometimes (a lil shorter if I was lucky). I took care of 10 pts. for anywhere from 3 hours to 6 hours. Some were much more pleasant experiences than others. Like the time I had a scizophrenic patient who would chat one minute and be on the defense the next. The diarrhea of 2 of my patients (try keeping a straight face on that!). Administering medications, and shots (need one, I can help). Putting in a foley, and taking IVs out. That first smell of warm prune juice (GAG!) The patients who were super nice, even if not all there. The one that was almost unarousable (SCARY). An overbearing family who made me RUN my head off. But, all in all it has been a rollercoaster of an experience of clinicals this semester. I certainly have learned a lot.

Classes, boy they were hard, they don't joke when they say Nursing school aint for the weak! I did end up with A's in both of my classes though (one just by the skin of teeth) and so no stressing over finals.

I have made quite a few new friends and I'm really enjoying getting to know them and going through this together.

I am glad for the experiences that come with nursing school, but I'm also ready to graduate already LoL! December 2010 here I come!

Blessed?

Well I guess I owe everyone a blog as I had promised many days ago. This one is titled "blessed" because a comment I had made on twitter and promised to elaborate in a blog later that day and just turned into days. For that I am sorry. Well the main reasons I'm feeling blessed is family. My family close and far has always been very supportive of me. I have the perfect parents for me. They never made me feel dumb for a dumb decision I ever made. I made it hard for myself very early in life and they supported every decision I made. Like the one that led me to meet my future wife in moving to the east coast. Now I move to a place I've only been to once to a family I hardly knew and didn't know what to expect. They took me in without any questions and not really very many demands. That really stayed with me over the years as I have helped with family in any way that I can. I gotta a chance to pay it forward or back which I really was happy to do. After five years on the east coast I decided to bring the wife to Amarillo. I got to reconnect with a brother I honestly didn't know. He changed his whole life and now is pushing his big brother into being the person that he deserves to be. I know I know its a bunch stuff and not a whole lot of detail maybe or maybe its just jumbled up but I guess the feeling that I am feeling is like I said blessed to have surrounded myself with those that inspire and push me to be the best individual I can be whether its a fireman or a janitor. I think to many times I take that for granted and just been thinking about that kind of stuff lately.

Kev promised this post.... instead he went to the lake....

So this is a post that Kev was supposed to write oh I don't know a day or two ago. You see I was going to update and he was like no no I want to do it.... So I agreed... Well guess who is spending a long weekend at the lake totally unplugged and relaxing. *Jealous* can ya tell?

Life is good. Kevin is starting school this summer, quitting smoking, and changing jobs, that is a lot of change/stress at one time. His mind should be racing with things to come and what if's and what now? It doesn't seem the case. He is happy lately, not that he wasn't happy, but it's more obvious now, and he's fun, and sillier than I have seen him in a long time. He hasn't been happy with his job in quite some time and it's stressing him out. It hasn't really been feasible with me in school for him to change jobs unless he was going to make the same amount of money which is not the easiest task in this economy. After a little push and a little help we are going to be able to put kev in school this summer. My job fell into place with about the same pay and hours and letting me do more. Kev will be starting his EMT basic class on May 18th. He isn't sure if this will be his forte' but knows it is a means to the end of his dream of becoming a firefighter. I am proud of him for taking this step and glad it could be worked out.

Kev is doing great not smoking, it's like he never smoked, his temperment (which can be made worse by quitting smoking) has been calmer, and he's not flown off the handle once :) For that I am also proud. I've never made Kev feel like he *had* to quit because it's something he had to decide for himself and I'm not sure if it's the realization he has to get into better shape for firefighter school, or because the hospital tests for smoking and does not hire smokers, for himself/us, or because he figured if someone else who could hold themselves accountable to it on twitter so could he. I'm not sure the exact reason why... but I'll take it :)

Kev left this evening for the lakehouse and will be there until sunday. I on the other hand still have school tomorrow, and work this weekend so well you know.

I'm not entirely sure if these are the reasons that Kev is feeling blessed, he'll have to tell you if there is more, but I know I am blessed to have Kev in my life, and unbelievably proud of him for following his dream.

History is changing

I am a huge history buff. Ever since I was young I loved to learn of the different wars that America and Texas has been thru and the revolutionary points in history that define a nation and people. I can remember studying the World Wars and thinking is there ever going to be a defining point in my lifetime. And then Sept. 11th happened, Katrina, the recession or depression and now I wish it was the good ole days. Did you know that Texas is the only state that can secede from the states whenever they want, our flag is the only one that can fly as high as the U.S. flag and we're the second largest state. I tell you this because last night as me and the misses were going to bed we had watched the news and there was a report that stated "Texas to Secede". Now being that it was news of course they made it seem as if it was going to happen but the truth is the Governor had expressed his discontent for the way the president has been running the country and of course some of the crowd had said secede. He didn't really shoot down the notion but didn't endorse it either. It strikes me odd though I've lived in Texas for over half my life and times have been tough before but maybe not this bad but never has anything like this been said. I wonder if its possible that this can actually happen.

Pro's: Texas has alot of the major resources meaning we wouldn't have to worry about expediting and bringing in outside food or oil. We have already been on our own before we know how to handle ourselves. The whole state itself isn't in as much debt as others we didn't take the handout that Obama was giving the other states. We have our own army so we can defend ourselves.

Con's: Dividing a nation in the worst time. Its completely unamerican. Would I be a U.S. citizen as I was born in VA or adopted into the Texas Nation? Will I need a passport to see my in-laws and extended family?

I don't really support this act. Its not in the works but the mere fact that they are talking about it makes me think that its more of a possibility than I ever thought. My how things have changed. I voted the president I picked didn't win. I don't support everything O'bama does. But I won't denounce my nation because of a president there will definitely have to be more of a reasoning than that. Besides he'll only be there for like 8 years. I welcome all opinions and thoughts.

Oh yeah here is the local news website that first shared this story. http://myhighplains.com/content/fulltext/?cid=51302

What a Hailish Day

Ok so on my way back from dropping my boss off in Lubbock I was on my home and of course ran into some bad weather. Now I never pull over and wait on any weather activity to pass but this was a rare occasion. When you can't see but 10 to 20 feet in front of you because of the hail that's pretty bad. I pulled over for about 15 min. then continued on as I was ready to get home. Not the safest decision I made but o-well it was worth it. Watching the news tonight they said that, that was over 2-3 inches of hail on the ground for that area. Its like Christmas in April. I'm happy that we have such a diverse weather system here it can be sunny here and crazy tornado weather 30-40 miles away. Well goodnight all. I have much more to blog about tomorrow.

Pressure

You know those people that put incredible pressure on themselves to do well and when you are talking to them and they are upset over a grade/job/skill whatever that you think really? they are upset with that?

Well I am becoming one of those people... I don't like it.

Today I had a test that I really wanted an a on but I didn't get it, but I still got a good grade and I was so bummed out about it! When I was telling my friend about it I felt ridiculous, and she told me as much (much nicer though). Through this I realize that I shouldn't be so hard on myself because I do better under less pressure.

**Edited to add: With questions being thrown out I ended up with an A. **

Speaking of pressure I just read a twitter from the local news about a shooting not too far from here... the police are there and unable to find anything.... and shortly after reading that I have lost all cell service through my whole house... uh... remember that whole my husband is out of town thing!? Talk about freaked out.....

Study Break

I took a test today (96% thankyouverymuch) and now I'm studying for another tomorrow. Right now though I am taking a minute to rest my brain from studying. HIV/AIDS, Respiratory disorders, and Infectious diseases are swimming through my head at the moment. Now if I can just make sure it stays there we'll be great :) HAHA

Speaking of staying there... There is something wrong with the door knob to the bathroom. Everytime you have to go in there you have to turn as hard as you can, while shaking the door, and hoping by some miracle the little thing moves so you can get in! Better not wait til it's an emergency haha! Getting out is even harder! Kev was going to fix it before he left, but didn't happen for one reason on another, so now I am stuck with it until he gets home. While I am very handy with a lot of things (see any furniture that was put together, anything hung on the walls) but I don't do door knobs or light bulbs (the bulb thing should be obvious since he's 6'4 and I'm trying to push 5'4) So I must wait....

So here's to an A on my test after all of this studying, and not being locked out or in of the bathroom or a reason to have to be in there RIGHT NOW.

El Paso....

Did you know that Kevin twitters now? Let's hope he keeps it up and that it doesn't die the slow death of his myspace LoL. He plans on trying it while he is on his trip (he's heading to El Paso) but I don't think he set it up on his phone, so maybe his hotel has wireless.

There are good things and bad things about him going away for work. He loves it, it's got financial benefits (and with only one of us working (mostly) that always helps!), and I get to catch up on my shows that he can't stand, and have the bed to myself, no elbows, snoring, or random conversations, although they are super fun! It also means a week apart which everyone says makes you stronger yada yada yada but we still miss each other! geez! LoL

In the meantime I have 2 tests and plenty of clinicals to keep me busy til he gets back :) I'm trying to think of something fun for the weekend but I'm coming up short... any ideas?

Orientation....

For the last four weeks I have been doing my clinicals at the "private hospital" in their brand spankin' new wing. I'm talking huge rooms with huge bathrooms, easy in and out showers, flat screen tv's hardwood floors, granite countertops. The staff there is super nice and would be the ideal place if you had to be on the cardiac floor there. It's been a good experience, a lot of early mornings, and hard work but I learned a lot and met some really awesome people. Last week we oriented to our new floor for the next four weeks of clinicals. Talk about going from the Taj Mahal to the motel 6. We are moving to the "county hospital" The rooms are very small, no extras, an old school tv, a tiny bathroom that reminds me of the one we had at our house in Milford... the word tiny barely fits the bill here. The halls are very narrow, and overall it's dirty. There was trash lining the halls, well not all of them but more than you would like to see at a hospital. Everything is different. I have heard though that the people that work there are nice and very helpful. I don't do well in new situations, quiet, not proactive and am overwhelmed by the newness of it all. Tomorrow afternoon is the first time I head over there for patient information.... here goes nothing I suppose....

let it snow let it snow let it snow...

We are under a pretty strong blizzard warning, like 90% chance, and while the rain hasn't even started, let alone the snow set to follow Many many schools are closed. Including mine!! After a good day at clinicals I don't think I could ask for a better way to end the week than with a 3 day weekend... well okay I'd be happy with a 3 days weekend even after a bad day at clinicals :)

Here's the thing, while I'm excited that no matter what my school is closed, I want it to still snow it's butt off so that the hubby can stay home with me! I don't want him driving in that mess!!

Here's my thinking though... it's been super nice lately, and I think that the ground is pretty warm for a bunch of snow to go sticking... It's supposed to start as rain and the temp is supposed to go to the 20's and then the snow is supposed to start. 2 inches over night, and then blizzard winds and 6 to 8 more inches of snow tomorrow.... talk about crazy and yet I'm skeptical that it will be that much.

Decisions Decisions

As this past week was Spring Break for Shelly we thought it would be appropriate to get away. As we don't have as much money these days we opted to go to the wonderful lake house that the parents bought. From Wednesday till today I spent the whole time there Shelly had to come back to town for work on Friday but came back that night. Now back to the title of the blog. I had a decision to make as about a week in a half ago I put in my resignation at Hill-Rom to try and pursue other opportunities. Well the boss recognizing the talent that I am or the fact he didn't want to hire anyone else asked to me to think about and take some time off and think about it. So after watching lots of dvds like twenty discs of different tv shows. I finally came to a decision. See my brother started a college fund for me this past Christmas for me to pursue my certification in firefighting a career I've always wanted to take up. I would have to get my emt basic certification then move on to the other certification. I've been unhappy in my job now for awhile now and have been ready for a change I probably jumped the gun after a long hard day but whats done is done. My brother talked to the his old instructor about when the next course was for EMT was and they had said it would be this summer. So I'll be filling out the necessary paperwork and if everything goes well starting in the summer being done by the end. The pay for EMT is basically the same as what I'm getting now so I won't be taking any pay cuts. So for now I'll work at my job and when school starts I'll make another informed decision whether I can work here or not and still go to school. The job is really demanding and if its between school and work I choose school. But I digress the lake was fun and I enjoyed the fact that I truly vegged out and did nothing for the better part of a week I saw the running of the turkeys from the porch a deer and the beautiful night sky. Pictures of the turkeys to come in further blogs.

I like the IRS

So most everybody knows that Shelly was employed by a doctor who decided not to take out taxes and I suppose hoped that his employees wouldn't file either. Well being the good smart americans that myself and the wife are, we claimed everything that she made and of course we did our best in how it should be filed with no information on how exactly we should go about it. This was all in our first year in filling this way in 07. Of course I wasn't naive to think that we didn't make a mistake here or there but I knew that did end up paying a crapload of money. Fastforward to a year later to be exact yesterday we get a letter from the IRS saying you owe us over 3 thousand dollars and we need to pay in 30 days or severe penalties will occur. After looking over the previous years taxes found that if they were correct in saying we owe this then it was news to us. Rather than just bending over and giving them that money I decided to call have an explanation given to me in more detail so that I knew what I was paying for. See the tax that we were supposed to pay is a self employment tax for Shelly's job at the doctor's office. At first I was having a hard time explaining the fact that Shelly wasn't self employed she had a steady paycheck was an hourly employee. I finally in a very calm for myself way explained everything to the lady how that the Texas Workforce Commission had already ruled that she wasn't contract work and so on. The very nice lady took the information that I had given her on the business and said to just send the paperwork stating that she wasn't contract work in and an explanation letter to them and they will investigate the situation but from just what I had explained to her we shouldn't have to pay the tax and they will most likely be going after him for any other tax collections associated with this situation. Finally I feel like Justice will be served.

Welcome to the World Maddox Xavier Villegas

As we have not been posting in a long while. I thought it was fitting that we welcome into the world Maddox Xavier Villegas. Our good friends Tosha and Chris had their baby boy on the fourth by C-Section. He is healthy and doing very well. I think he came out to be 8lbs but I'm foggy on that stuff. I do know that he has some huge feet. Their not like fat their just long and skinny. Chris and Tosha's family has kinda of adopted us into their family so of course when we were there, there was plenty of questions for us like when we were going to have our first baby and so on. We both had mixed emotions about whether we would want one more now that they had theirs. But together we talked afterwards and figured that if it happens then it happens but if not then we can wait till Shelly gets out of school. Its not even a question of whether we can afford it or whether we can do it at this time. I've always been a fan of going the hard route it makes me appreciate my goals that much more. So to answer the question of when we would have kids were not trying but not preventing. So till then we will be the best unofficial aunts and uncles we can be. On another note Shelly did start her clinicals and is studing like crazy. She's getting good grades and I am really proud of her. Thats it for now we'll keep our plans updated for those still reading.

KC, couch potato, and clinicals

Last week Kevin spent the week in Kansas City working. He worked a lot, and got to see a new place or two. In the meantime I went to pick up the car he had picked out for me. I was cautiously excited. It is going to be okay, but does need a little bit of work done. Kev's work is right next to a mechanic and they are going to take a look and we'll go from there.



Over the last month or so Kev, our friend Chris, and I have been following a running routine called couch potato to 5k. It's a 9 week program to go from not running to running three miles on a regular basis. We are currently on week 3. The first day is always the hardest but by the end of the week we are ready to move on. I am loving it. It took a little convincing to find someone to do it with me and once Chris agreed Kev was on board as well. I find that I always feel better after the run, even if I was in a HORRIBLE mood before starting. I haven't run like this since before my surgery, when I was running on an almost daily basis. I really enjoy it and am glad that I finally decided to get back into it. I can't wait until we get to week 10 and we'll be able to run 3 miles regularly.



Next thursday is my first day of clinicals!! I am super nervous and hope things go well! I finally have all of my uniform ready and am getting my patches sewn on today so here goes nothing! :)

a lil bit of everything...

School has started and is in full swing already!! I have already had my first lab check off and test! EEKS I spent a LOT of time studying this weekend and it sure payed off, my first nursing school A! I got a 94. In a couple of weeks I will have a test in my other class and I am hoping for an A, but that class is much more technical and so it will take a lot of work. I am feeling up to it. There is reward, not only personal, to getting an A... if you manage an A at the end of the semester the final doesn't hurt you at all, you still get your A even if you bomb the final! SO let's just hope lol.

Wii fit :) I am not sure if I told you that I got one, and totally love it. In addition to that I have started running again. By again I mean I have not run since before my surgery, when it was getting harder and harder the worse I got. I am really getting into and liking it again. Kev is not sure if he is going to run, but he did go a long today, and kinda did his own running. :) My friend Chris is going as well, his wifey can't go because well she will be having a baby next month and so yeah :) We are following a program from couch potato to 5k, and our goal is in 2 to 3 months we will be able to run the whole 3 miles. We'll see how it goes. As for now I am happy to have completed 2 days of week 1. :)

In the meantime Kev is working working working and we are trying to save/get ready for him to start school in the next year or so to become a firefighter, his life long dream! Life is busy and we are doing what we can. We can't believe how time flies!

NBA here I come

I have finished my trifecta of watching live professional sports. Meaning I've been to a NFL game, MLB game and as of last night a NBA game. Shelly and I had talked earlier this year about the possibility of me going to an Oklahoma City Thunder Game. She ended up getting me tickets for last night's game. They played the Miami Heat. It really was a good game despite the fact that the Thunder are one of the worst teams in the NBA. I think I might turn into a Thunder fan or at least keep closer tabs on them they do have a few players that I like. I might as well jump on the bandwagon when their bad so no one can question me when their good. All in and all it was a great night but a long drive home. Least I have the day off to recover from the lack of sleep.

Read any good books lately?

Not that I would have the time to read it, as you can see below, I got a box of books today. Not a bag... a box!

So you can't really see how deep the box is in that picture (sorry) lol So let me show the contents:
Okay so that's 9 books, 3 patches, 2 class syllabi, and 1 medication kit. Am I really only taking two classes this semester?!


While I did get a few books over christmas break, mostly the twilight series and a few magazines LoL, I will be dutifully reading Medical - Surgical nursing and Pharmacology and well you get the point. Not to mention weekly care plans and whatever else they throw at me.

I am just a tad overwhelmed over here.

A few highlights from the trip...

First things first, before the trip Kev and I exchanged Christmas presents. Okay so we went together and bought them lol. We gave each other an Ipod touch which we are both really enjoying having. While I was away Kevin put all of the music we already had on itunes and then got a few more things with a couple of itunes cards he got for christmas this year. I was really glad to have mine when I was flying and the guy sitting next to me would not shut up about how cold it was in Dallas... which okay I understand since we are from the same state and I know I expected Texas to be hot year round too, but for two and a half hours? Really?

While in Maryland I did all of my christmas shopping so I wouldn't have to lug it in my suitcase, they charge for those these days! Then my family hosted the annual family christmas party! I did so much cooking and baking it wasn't funny. It was a blast though. I got to see a lot of my family that I haven't seen in years! It went well, and most everyone was able to make it out. After the party it was time to get ready for christmas! We finally got everything finished late on christmas eve and so we all slept in a little on christmas day, even my nephew who is three. He had a great day! and he loves the camera, to be behind it that is!

On Christmas day I headed to Pocomoke to see my dad where I met his new girlfriend and visited with 2 of my brothers and my sister. It was fun, somehow I ended up with zero pictures from that night. I know I know!! The next day I went to see my "stepmom" (see she really isn't anymore but after 20 years of it being that way, we are just keeping it lol) and her baby Lil' Tony who I had never met before! Of course Kya, my niece as well. Diana posed, Lil' Tony (love those eyes!) just stared, and Kya was very resistant about having her picture taken but I tried anyways!!

After lots of family visiting it was time to visit with some friends! We hung out, went shopping, went out for a drink, even made an old school 2am visit to walmart. It was a good time! Another night I headed up to Easton to have dinner with Kev's Uncle Dennis and Aunt Kitty at Ledo's, a pizza place where their youngest son works. It seemed like Kitty and could talk forever about everything that has been going on! We stayed until they closed and a few minutes after anyways. Kev's uncle took a great picture of us all though.


On my last day in town, I headed over to Ocean City with my dad to take pictures of the sunrise!

While I was off visiting the Eastern Shore Kev was thoroughly entertained by our friends Chris and Tosha:

Okay Okay so maybe that was more than a few but you know lol :)

A new year surprise!

Kevin has been talking a lot over the last couple of months about going to see an NBA game. I just always say, yeah okay. I really have *no* desire to go whatsoever. I was secretly plotting to send him to see one. I talked him friend and we picked out a decent game. The Oklahoma Thunder vs Miami Heat. I know you've probably never heard of the Oklahoma team, they are new and they are not very good. At the time I looked up tickets they had won 2 of 20 some games. Once I knew I could get the tickets I called the other service tech and had him take Kev's call on the day of the game. I also called his friend who talked to his boss and got him off on the 19th. I had the tickets mailed to our friends house and went on my trip. Once I came back, which was new years eve it was time to tell him. I couldn't hold it in any longer lol.

At midnight I told Kev my new years resolution was to send him to an NBA game. He was like yeah I know. I added on Jan 18th. As you can imagine he is thrilled. Once I gave him all of the details he was super excited.

Happy new year everyone, enjoy those black eyed peas today! LoL