December Doings

A few weeks ago Corey and I met up with some friends and went to Nashville for the day. We went to see Charlie Brown Ice! It was a lot of fun! We have a month packed full of things to do every weekend. I love this time of year. I get to see people I don't get to see very often. It really feeds my social soul. I also got to go to Andrew Peterson's Christmas concert last weekend. I've seen it several times and it is still such an amazing worship experience for me. I always leave very humbled that the Son of God would come to earth to save us. To save me. I've been to a wedding also. It was beautiful. Really beautiful. Regressive dinner with the FSM girls. They are always so much fun to be around. A few days ago I went down to Memphis for my diabetes check-up. I got a good report! So glad. I hope everyone has a blessed Christmas and New Years!

Long time...

I'm sort of stuck in a rut. See, I tend to put things off if I can't really commit a good chunk of time to them. Or I put things off if I'm afraid it won't live up to expectations. My friend, Beth, loves the movie Shawshank Redemption. She always talked about how good of a movie it was and how much I would love it. I kept putting it off. No really good reason, I just did. Then for her birthday one year I promised her I would watch it. I did and I loved it. I'm so weird. Or I don't update my blog because I can't think of anything exciting or interesting to talk about.

Ok, so It's been almost three months since I've updated. I'm still working and commuting. All the time. Corey and I visited a few churches around Paris and found one we like. I'm super excited about that! Corey is almost finished with his next to last semester of school! Yay! I can't wait and I know he can't wait! I had a little procedure done yesterday on my big toes. Not fun. Seriously, the worst pain of my life. But it was for the best and really needed to be done. I'm so glad it's done. Now on to the healing part. Stay classy!

The beautiful blue compression bandage after the procedure.

The big C

I've been trying to find the words to describe how I feel all week. But really it boils down to this: cancer sucks. It doesn't care how old you are, how rich you are, male or female, single or married, Christian or unbeliever. I've been amazed this week and saddened this week. 26 year old male with testicular cancer that has spread throughout his entire body. He has no clue. 30ish year old male starting chemo soon for colon cancer. My aunt receiving the news that she has malignant melanoma.

But then God reminded me that He knows what He's doing and He uses medicine and doctors to heal every day. The reminder came in the form of two patients. Both with aortic valve replacements. That may not sound impressive to you. While I was standing there listening to the clicking of the valve I was overcome with the sense of God's presence. God gave the doctor the knowledge to invent this valve replacement and the ability to place this in a human's heart. I was amazed and encouraged. He knows what He is doing. He has plans. Big plans.

Posting

I find myself experiencing things in my every day life and then thinking,"Oh, I should blog about this." Then I get home and forget what I wanted to say. I will tell you I had a 19 year old patient last week with a lot of fluid around her heart. She was obviously sick and needed help. So we drained the fluid off and she immediately felt tons better. We moved her back to her ER stretcher and she whipped out her cell phone and started texting. Seriously? It made me laugh and shake my head at the same time.

Health

So I know not many people read this so I feel safe venting here. I'm feeling a little overwhelmed with my health issues. I have bad days and good days. Some days I feel like it's not a problem and no big deal. Other days I throw myself a pity party and ask, "Why me?" I know there are much larger health issues that people deal with. I know that. Sometimes I just want someone to feel sorry for me. Ugh. I don't like admitting that. But that's the truth. So I'm working on a positive outlook and working everyday to fight the pity party.

In other news, my father-in-law had his hip replaced this past week and it went well. So I will get to see my husband tonight for the first time since Tuesday. It's funny. We were long-distance our entire dating "career." But now we're married and it feels so weird to not have him here. I did get to spend some much needed time with my friend Amy though. Mrs. Cone and Mrs. Konemann together again. :o)

I'm supposed to be working on bills and cleaning the apartment for Corey's arrival. Instead I'm writing to you and picking out a new pair of running shoes for work. Oh yeah, I have a birthday coming up in two weeks. Any ideas of what I can ask for? Corey and my parents always want to know what I want...

A few wedding candids!

Rehersal dinner with all the college roommates together again!








Amanda! And lip gloss. Gotta have the lip gloss.








We call this one "Runaway Bride."











The only few bites of food we got. They were good bites too!








Lunch before the wedding required a bib!








Cousin Ally, me and Lizzie, my sister and Maid of Honor.

Wedding!

I'm married! I'll post more pictures soon. Wedding and honeymoon pictures. You can check out www.cedarway.org for all the official wedding pictures! Look on the right hand side of the page for the Corey and India link.

Wedding Prep

So I'm really enjoying this week. I love how excited everyone is for us and it makes me even more excited than I already am! I'm excited to see far away friends and then to start my marriage with Corey. We have lots of adventures planned and I know there will be adventures we don't plan for. I know there will be ups and downs and days that are super tough. I've seen marriages fail but more importantly than that I've seen many marriages succeed. Corey and I are blessed to have so many examples of healthy marriages around us. Very blessed. I'm excited to see what adventures God has in store for us and our marriage.

Showers

After all the awesome wedding gifts Corey and I have been getting I can't wait to move and set up our "house!" We had a shower this past Saturday and then one on Sunday. Bed Bath and Beyond in Paducah is throwing Corey a shower this weekend. Yay! I can't believe it's almost here. I was talking to some friends at church on Sunday. They were saying how Corey and I should try to join their Community Group. They just lost a couple and we could step into their spot. That would be awesome! I'm really just rambling but wanted to give an update since it's been almost a month. I've really slacked off on my picture taking here lately. The next update you get will probably be wedding pictures!

Family

I feel so overwhelmed with love right now. I LOVE my family so much. We had a going away pigfest for my cousin Mike tonight. He's leaving on the 31st to go to Iraq for a YEAR. I'm so proud of him but I will miss him and worry about him inevitably. If you think about it, please pray for him and his unit. My family is AWESOME!!!

Soon

 52 Days!  Augh!  So much to do but I'm so excited to be married!  Woot!  Woot!

Snow

I forgot to post this picture I took last week of the snow. I just love how peaceful snow is.

Dreams again

Oh man, the dreams I've been having lately are CRAZY. Very realistic. I always dream more and remember them when I'm getting plenty of sleep every night. So this is a good sign.

I got to spend the weekend with Corey and his family and I really enjoyed getting away from Jackson for a weekend. The drive is a bummer though. We got a suit and all the other suit stuffs for Corey and we got to eat sushi at our favorite sushi place in Paducah. Corey will be coming to visit me for part of his spring break. We need to get our pre-marital counseling done while he's here. And look for a house in Paris.

This coming weekend I'll be on the road with the Fellowship youth group! We are taking a trip to Atlanta to Six Flags, Andy Stanley's church and WinterJam concert in Nashville. I'm super pumped about spending time with some of my girls. Especially since I won't get to see them every week once I get married.

I've been with these girls since 7th grade. I have really enjoyed watching them learn and mature in Christ. They are amazing. I'm really going to miss being closly involved in their lives. But Corey and I will probably be moving back to Jackson once he graduates in May 2010. So watch out girls!

It's been a tough week

Three times this week I stood in the room while the doctor delivered the news. Lymphoma, melanoma and a brain tumor. Three days in a row I watched the emotions run across the faces of three very young individuals and their family members. Three days in a row I had to step in after the doctor left the room and explain what we needed to do next. I almost felt responsible for their grief but I know the images I took could save their lives. We might have caught it in time. We might have.

Sleep

Last night I slept about 10 or 11 hours. Tonight I went to bed early because I needed to get up early to take Dad to have eye surgery. I even took something so I could go to sleep. Here I am at four am wide awake. I think I slept about five hours tonight. Elusive sleep is so frustrating. One of these days I hope to be on the same schedule as the rest of the world. Work during the day, sleep at normal hours. For now, I'm here wide awake at four am.

You know, I'm going to leave that paragraph above. One thing I have noticed lately is my negativity. I don't know where it's coming from but I don't like it. I don't want to be Negative Nancy. I want to be a positive person in all situations. This is the main thing I'm asking God to work on right now in my life.

Dreams

Most of you know my history of crazy dreams. (Kidney bean river) So this will not come as much of a shock. I had a dream that I was shot in the chest seven times and lived. I was working at a medical clinic of some sort and I went out to the lobby to put some blankets in the blanket warmer. In walked a very large scary man who immediately pointed a gun at me. I threw my hands up in the air and he shot me. Seven times. I fell over, passed out and woke up in the ER. They decided to leave the bullets in me because they were only the size of bbs or however you spell that. And I walked out of the ER like nothing had happened. I do have to tell you I was under the influence of Nyquil.

Good moods

I woke up kinda groggy today but now I'm in such a good mood! Maybe it's because I've been off sick since Monday and have caught up on some sleep. Who knows? I did get to see Corey yesterday, that always brightens my mood.

Today I've been calling apartment places in Paris, TN. I reconnected with a friend who sent me a very helpful link and some good advice. So now I'm looking at houses for rent in Paris. Again, that's TN, not France. I wish. :o)

I'm counting down the days until our wedding. 86 to go! Whoa. That's scary and sooo exciting at the same time. Only 86 days left of the life I've known. Then I get to start this crazy adventure with Corey. I'm pumped! I see friends that have gotten married and how happy they are and I am blessed to have such good examples surrounding me.

Sickly

So I went to the doctor yesterday. He ran four lab tests. All negative. Strep, flu, mono and CBC. I have a virus that mocks the flu. That's right, a virus. No treatment for a virus. :(

Anyway, I'm holed up in my apartment. I was supposed to go see Corey today. He's being a good fiance and coming to see me instead. I hope he doesn't catch what I have.

Home

I've realized in the last few days that I haven't felt comfortable and "at home" in several years. I guess the last time was before I graduated high school. I feel like I'm a visitor even now in my own apartment for some reason. I can't wait to start a home with Corey and feel like I'm home and safe and can completely let my guard down.

Do you feel at home where you are?

Valentine's Day

Today was my first wedding shower. I could not have asked for a better shower. I feel so blessed to have these women in my life supporting me and loving me. I love this picture of the girls laughing. So sweet.





Opening presents with Jen by my side and Carly at my feet. Don't you love the daisies??







This is my poor melted GIANT Hershey's Bar with Almonds that my sweet Dad gave me for Valentine's Day. This is pretty much the only way I'll eat a Hershey's Bar. With almonds, not melted.






I spent the rest of the day at home with the family watching Tru TV and making spaghetti. I was reminded today that God knows me and knows my heart. He knows what I need before I do. WAY before I do. I am rich indeed.

Gross

I had to post so dead fishies weren't the first thing we all see on my blog. G-ross.

I have now worked out for three days in a row. This is a huge accomplishment for me. I usually give up after two. :o) Seriously, I'm proud of myself. I'm so lazy when it comes to exercising. I do have to say I have really looked forward to my workouts this week. I like it.

I met with my wedding planner yesterday and I feel so much better now! She gave me a checklist and I have most everything planned already! I secretly LOVE lists and checking things off. Ok, so maybe that's not such a huge secret.

Things at work are good just a little scary. They've been letting us go home early if we're not busy and it's added up to about a 5 hour cut per pay period. I just hope things don't get any worse. I'm praying I can hold on to this job!

That's all the updating I have time for right now!

A New Experience

Last Saturday I traveled to Memphis with Jen Howell and Mrs. Lee to the Asian Market. Our goal was to shop for Molly's Tol, or first birthday party. It was quite an experience.






Creepy dead fish








LIVE Blue Crabs. There was a little boy leaning over the tank and I was really afraid for him.







More dead fishies.








Jen trying to decide just which candy to get.








Doesn't the picture make you want to drink the tea just to relax like the lady on the box? Maybe not.

A Good Day

Today I got to watch Zach Howell play in his Upwards basketball game. I loved it! So much action for such small kids. Then we went to Cracker Barrel, a Howell and Hickman favorite. Zach talked me into the biscuits and gravy and I'm so glad he did. Delicious! Thanks Zach!

Then I decided to go home to have dinner with Mom and Dad. On my way I stopped by the Climer's, my adopted grandparent's house. I call them my adopted grandparents because all of my grandparents have passed away. So they gave me my Christmas gift and lots of frozen vegetables. It was a silver spoon that my great-grandmother had given them 48 years ago for their wedding. I don't know that I've ever gotten such a special gift. We cried together. It was definitely a special moment for both of us.

Anyway, after supper with Mom and Dad we watched I Am Legend. Talk about creepy. I still enjoyed it though. Then I exercised. It's only January 3rd and this was the second day I've exercised. Hopefully this will become a new habit.