I am thankful for...

This Thanksgiving for me will be spent at Baptist Hospital taking care of my Oncology patients. It's part of the price I have to pay for working in the hospital. We rotate holidays. Since I won't be with my family tomorrow, I decided to think about for what I am thankful...

1. My wonderful husband-he leaves me notes, gives me little gifts, tells me I'm beautiful and smart, almost always lets me have my way, and loves my dogs almost as much as I do!
2. My family-we are so close, and I'm grateful that almost all of them (immediate and extended) live within a few miles. I am thankful that I have grown much closer to my brothers in the past several years.
3. My house-though it is not completely finished the way I would like, I love our house.
4. My three dogs-they bring me a ridiculous amount of joy and are always happy to see me. They make me laugh every day. They are my loves.
5. My friends and church family-I have the best group of friends that I can always count on. Friends I've known my entire life to new friends at church are such a blessing.
6. My new LCD TV that is on it's way!! I got it for $450 off because I have been stalking the internet the past few months. Can't wait to play Rock Band on it.
7. My noise machine that I use at night to help me sleep. I can't sleep in silence. I turn it way up.
8. A great job in a field that will never lay anyone off. I have such appreciative patients and get to really take care of people.
9. Nylabones-they keeps the dogs entertained for hours!
10. Last but certainly not least-a forgiving God. I make a lot of mistakes!

I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving and gets to spend it with the ones you love. Eat extra sweet potatoes for me (my mom made me my own batch so I wouldn't miss out!).

Big Decision

Well, I have nothing to blog about now that Clay and Leslie are married! Just kidding. Unfortunately, my life is crazy, and I can't wait for it to slow down. Since August, I have been teaching a weekly nursing skills lab at Belmont, while getting my Master's, while working on a HUGE practicum project, while meeting with faculty at Bemont for my project, while working full-time at Baptist, and while trying to be a good wife, daughter, sister, and friend. I AM TIRED! This past week I sat down with one of my former teachers at Belmont and discussed what my role there would be in the Spring semester. They asked me to teach an Adult Health clinical in the hospital one day a week. This would mean an 8 hour clinical with 8 students and 8 care plans to grade each week. Not to mention that I would have to go to the hospital the day before to pick out patients for my students. Did I mention that I'm not done with my Master's until March 9th and I'll still be working full-time? Being the overachiever that I am, I immediately said no problem! Then I talked to Ben, my mom, and Jennifer who all said ARE YOU CRAZY??!! Evidently, yes. After I thought about it...working full-time, finishing school and my project, teaching an 8 hour clinical, grading 8 care plans and getting them to the students before the next clinical, all while trying to stay sane seemed impossible. All three said there was no doubt that I could do it, but that I might just lose my mind trying. Long story short, I made the decision to not teach next semester and just RELAX! After March 9th, I will only be working 3, 12 hour shifts each week and nothing else! I get giddy just thinking about it. I will get to read again, go to Destin more, maybe I'll start cooking again, and maybe I'll just do nothing. I am really excited to be free. I told a girl at work that my life begins again on March 9th. Hopefully next Fall I'll be working prn at Baptist and teaching a couple of clinicals and/or labs at Belmont. Please pray for me that I keep my sanity these last few months of school and that I finish my project! I'm not even close to being done....

Wedding Pics

Cheryl from McNeal video has posted pics from Clay and Leslie's wedding on her very funny blog. It's so funny and sweet. Check it out!

http://mcnealvideo.squarespace.com/httpmcnealvidecheryls-notes/2008/11/11/leslie-clay.html

Rock Band

Sorry for the multitude of posts today, but I've had a lot going on and am going to be really busy the rest of the week. Last night Kyle and Amy came over to pick up Ben's tux from the wedding and ended up staying for hours playing Rock Band. Kyle told Amy he would stay for a song or two and then they would have to leave. Well, he found out Rock Band is highly addictive. He was begging to play more songs, Ben finally asked him to leave! He's quite good at the drums. I love playing the guitar. I'm already on medium level. Amy is really good at the drums too. Ben tried to sing.....We had a blast forming our own little band. Just let us know if you want to come and play too!

Band Amy, Ben and Kyle

Band Beth, Kyle and Ben

The entertainer. You'll see a similar pic of Clay at his wedding below. Very interesting.

Ben trying out the drums. Not his forte.

Mr. and Mrs. Clay Robinson!!

Clay and Leslie are finally married. Right now they should be in Jamaica scuba diving. Their wedding day was beautiful and they were so happy. The wedding was at Hillsboro and the reception was at Hillwood Country Club. Mom, Leslie, and Clay did a wonderful job planning the entire event. I include Clay because he was not the typical groom. He definitely had opinions, and I nicknamed him "Bridezilla!" The ceremony was so sweet. I even cried! I just couldn't handle seeing my little brother all dressed up getting married. Leslie was a vison and was one of the most beautiful brides I have ever seen. Clay is very lucky and so am I. The reception was so much fun. The band, Love, Peace, and Happiness was very entertaining. We were all up on the stage at one time or another. You could tell Clay and Leslie had a ball. The food was fabulous too! I wish them a lifetime of happiness. I'm so excited to have a sister living down the street!
Vendor spotlight includes:
James Brown, wedding planner
John Conger, flowers
McNeal Video, videographer
Gambill Photography
The White Room, wedding gown and BM dresses
Street Tuxedo, Tuxes
Hillwood Country Club, reception

Leslie getting ready

The topiaries outside the church

Leslie getting ready. Brittney did her makeup.

The back view of her dress. Gorgeous!

Me and Mom

The reception at Hillwood

Clay and Leslie on the dance floor

The six of us

Clay was quite the entertainer!

The garter toss

Walking out in bubbles

I'll make a post when their pictures are available. I know they will be awesome. Lynette McNeal will also have a post on her blog this week of all of us singing and dancing with the band. Stay tuned!

Rehearsal Dinner

Friday night was Clay and Leslie's wedding rehearsal and dinner. Since the wedding was at Hillsboro, Mom and Dad decided to host the dinner in the chapel so we wouldn't have to drive anywhere. It was great. James Brown and Mom did a fabulous job decorating for the event. The food was catered by Betty Dean. We had ham, stuffed chicken, green beans, pineapple casserole, potatoes, creamed corn, and rolls. It was good comfort food. Leslie's dad did the slide show/video for the event. I think the theme of the evening was Clay's never ending quote from the years "All the good ones are taken!" Obviously not, since he found Leslie. It was a fun night listening to their friends talk about them over the years.

Dad, Kyle, and Clay goofing around during rehearsal

Rehearsal time

The table decorations, purple and red

Mom and Dad with James Brown

The happy couple

Bridesmaid's Luncheon

Friday was Leslie's Bridesmaid's Luncheon at Martha's at the Plantation. It was given by Mrs. Ruby, Leslie's sister's mother-in-law. She hosted a beautiful luncheon! We had wonderful food and the decorations were beautiful. I finally was able to give Leslie the wedding scrapbook I have been working on for the past 6 months. It was a challenge to keep it a secret, but she was suprised. I did pages for all her showers and had each BM do a couple of pages. It turned out great and will be something for her to cherish forever. After the luncheon, many of us went to get pedicures for the big day!

All the Bridesmaids except Lindsey

Our side of the family: Janene, Mom, Me, Grandmom, Leslie, Nanny, Abby, Alex,

Aunt Kim, and Paige

I thought this table looked so cute!

The delicious cake! It had strawberry filling.

This was when I gave Leslie the scrapbook I have been working on for 6 months! She was suprised!

Leslie's Bachelorette Party

A pic of our food setup.

All the girls at the wine tasting. We got to try four wines. Some of us had five!

Being silly with all the bottles of wine. Most were still full...we weren't THAT bad.

Front row: Shana, Brittney, Brandi, me

Back row: Lindsey, Elizabeth, Leslie, Catherine, Callie

Last night we celebrated Leslie's last weekend as a single gal. We went to Arrington Vineyards in Franklin. I had never been there, and I was really impressed. Lindsey Felts planned the party, and we all brought finger foods so we could have a picnic on the grounds. We didn't have a picnic, we had a feast which attracted all kinds drunk wine tasters. It was quite interesting. We did get two bottles of wine given to us by a guy who was facinated by our bachelorette party. He quickly was scolded by his girlfriend/wife who then proceeded to steal four of Lindsey's homemade cupcakes! It got out of hand, but all ended well when they were asked to leave! We had a great time at the wine tasting. We all had some Raspberry dessert wine that was really good! They were a little skimpy with the wine at the tasting, but some of us were able to manage to taste five wines instead of four. It's not our fault if they couldn't keep up with how many we had tried already. All in all it was a fun night to end Leslie's party season. Next week is the wedding, and I know they can't wait. Me either! I've been waiting my whole life for a sister!