What I'm Loving Wednesday!

Link up here for WILW!

-ONE-

As of today there are only 79 days... 11 weeks... and only 7 days of class left! 

-TWO-

Some of my favorite shows are on now!!!

The Amazing Race!

Survivor

The Sing off! 

-THREE-

BIG mirrors!!! All found on Pinterest of course! 

-FOUR-

LOVING this nail polish!!! It's chinchilly by Essie! 

-FIVE-

All things Texas... of course...

Happy Wednesday Everyone!

More on our journey next time,

Miscellany Monday

In my effort to blog more I am linking up with Carissa for Miscellany Monday

-ONE- 

This weekend was my first two 12 hour leadership shifts on the Mother Infant unit in Richmond.  Its crazy to think that this weekend represents what my life is about to turn in to.  i am definitely tired, but had a great weekend. I have 3 more weekends of leadership clinicals- and they are all between now and November 5th.  It is going to be a crazy month! 

-TWO-

After tomorrow I get a break until the 11th! I am determined to get as many papers/ projects done so that they are hanging over my head until the end of the semester. I'm also going to try to cook more throughout the break, sleep alot, clean alot... basically do everything I don't have time to do : )

-THREE- 

Applications are being sent.... I am ready to know, and ready to start hearing back! Be praying!!!  Also be praying for Jason and his job opportunities.  We are really open to wherever the Lord wants us, there just seems to be a lot that have to "work out" for it all to happen.  I know the Lord has a plan- far better than anything I could ever think of! I am resting in that! 

-FOUR- 

This is my ultimate favorite time of the year! There is alot for us to look forward to! I have already made one batch of pumpkin bread. I LOVE everything pumpkin! One thing that makes every day better: 

-FIVE-

The ultimate countdown:

My birthday: 28 days

Thanksgiving: 59 days

Graduation: 81 days

Christmas: 90 days

More on our journey next time!

Heather 

Summer Recap... only 2 months late : )

This summer flew by pretty quickly! The summer started with my 2 classes- critical care, and psych nursing.  Although it was pretty busy, and stressful I am glad that it was over in just 4 short weeks. After classes were over Jason and I started to get ready for CAMPING with my parents!!! We flew in to Lubbock and my grandparents were there to spend the day with us before we left for Colorado.  I am so glad for the time with them and wish it could be more! Can't wait till we live closer to them!

The next morning we left for Santa Fe (1/2 way to South Fork, CO).  We had a great time showing Jason the "real indians", eating good mexican food and going to a piano bar with my parents.  It was a Sunday night so all of the opera singers were at the piano bar because they were off for the night.  It was such a great time!

Chapel Loretto in Sante Fe. 

The next morning we continued the drive to South Fork, Co- Fun Valley! We were at Fun Valley for a week, and once we left mom and dad stayed for another week.  A lot of people have asked "What did you do for a week camping?" my reply NOTHING!!!! and it was sooooooooo nice! Dad took Jason fly fishing a few times in the river and I think they both had a good time.  The fish didn't seem to be biting alot, but I'm glad that they were able to spend time together! Mom and I spent time cooking, reading, and just sitting outside enjoying the 70 degree weather.  After the crazy year I had last year I was very thankful for having nothing to do.  Most nights it rained so we played spades... every night.  If you know anything about my family you know we are very competitive and pretty good at spades (at least mom and I are lol).  Jason did pretty well, but the girls pulled it out most nights. All in all it was a great trip, and I am very glad that Jason and I got the one on one time with my parents.  I think this was the first time it was just the four of us since we started dating in 2007.  Here are a few fishing pictures:

School started this week and although it looks like I will have ALOT of work, it will be very different from last year.  It was great knowing that this was my LAST first day of nursing school. The stress has now turned from passing tests to passing state boards after graduation, and finding a job.  It's exciting, and scary all at the same time.

** update since I wrote this: I only have 85 days left now till graduation, and filling out applications has started to occupy my time.  I am ready to know where we will be after graduation! jason and i have been able to spend a lot of time together, compared to last year and we are having a great time! I am hoping I can update more regularly now that life is calming down!

More on our journey next time
Heather

June....

Well I can tell you that Jason and I are both VERY glad summer school is over.  It was a lot of work, but I am very glad to have those 2 classes over! The best part is that I now only have 2 classes left, community nursing and leadership.  There will be a lot of clinical hours, but nothing like the last year of my life! For those of you that miss my updates - there are 162 days left! I am pretty sure I gave the countdown every day of class!

This weekend Jason and I will have been married for one year.... wow! I can guarantee no one has experienced a year like this.  Jason and I both agree that we count on each other, and love each other because of the year we have had.  Everyone told me this would be the worst year of our marriage, but honestly it has been a great year for Jason and I.  The hard that came this year was school, and the stress and demand on me at all times.  Jason was the BEST through it all, supporting me, comforting me, and loving me through it.  He even helped me study (again, can't pronounce most of the words), cooked and cleaned when I couldn't, and rubbed my feet almost every single night.  I can honestly say, that I probably couldn't have made it without him.  He is my rock!

love that man!

More on our journey- next time
Heather

End of the semester...

There is not a lot to update on except my semester being over.  I haven't gotten my official final grades, but I am sure they will be fine! My last final was last night and it was rough, but I had done pretty well all semester so that I didn't have to count on a good grade on the final. It was quite funny as I was walking out of the final one of the professors said "Have a great relaxing summer" and my response- HA! until Monday.  

That's right people my first summer class starts on Monday- as in 5 days from now. My first class is Critical care and lasts only until June 1st.  I will have class Monday- Thursday and clinicals the first two weekends Saturday and Sunday 7a-7p.  It is going to be tough, but I know once it's over I will be glad. My second class begins June 13th and lasts until the 24th.  I have no information on this class yet- I just have to make it through the first class.... one thing at a time! For those of you that know me- this is VERY hard! I am such a planner, and it kills me to not know what the future holds.  I think I would have our whole life planned out if I could- just ask my husband! 

I realize for those of you that read this it is probably not very exciting since it's always about school, but hey right now that's my life.  Hang with me until July and i will have some exciting stories to share about vacation. We have a few things planned for the summer including: a trip for our one year anniversary, cheerleading camp (as always), and best of all camping with my parents.  I cannot wait for Jason to experience camping with the McPhersons.  Some of my greatest memories growing up are from camping- dad washing Ashley and I's hair with the solar shower while a boy who we named "Orvis" walked by- we were mortified, mom taking sponge baths, painting her toe nails and sitting out reading a book while letting them dry, and of course fishing with dad.  It was always an adventure of stories of bears and other wild animals eating things while we slept, dads amazing breakfasts and crazy games of spades.  Mom and dad have upgraded to an RV so it may not be so crazy, but I am so excited!  

I will have Jason update you on life during my first class, and hope to have news of great grades once it's over! 

ONLY FOUR MORE CLASSES!

 Hoping you all have a very relaxing summer free of nursing classes! 

More on our journey next time, 

Heather 

Jason's day off!

Jason had the day off, so we went to Crabtree Falls for a Hike. This is supposedly the tallest waterfalls east of the Mississippi, and only about 45 minutes away from Lynchburg. Although I thought I might die... we made it to the top! It was about 2 miles each way, and about 90 degrees, so we were worn out by the time we got back to the car! 

A few thoughts from today.... 

There were many times that I thought we just might not make it, or that we should turn around and just go back down, however we pushed through and made it the top.  I know for normal people this hike may not be that big of a deal, but to those of us that don't hike, especially in 90 degree weather it was tough!  I didn't let Jason see this, but the moment I knew we were almost to the top I got tears in my eyes.  This hike represents so much more than the hike its' self- it was the culmination of this school year.  Knowing that tomorrow is my last Med-Surg class is like getting to the top of that waterfall... although there were times when I thought I might not make it, and I should just give up, I pushed through and it's almost the end! Praise the Lord! When we reached the top this was our conversation: 

Heather: "We made it !!!! I really thought we might not at one point"

Jason: "I knew we would! You're too determined to quit"

This has been our year.... Jason continually pushing me, telling me I could do it and reminding me that I won't let myself quit! I am so thankful for him!!! 

Some pictures from our day:

We went to the very top! (as in the part you can hardly see)

                                                                                                                                Almost there! 

Please excuse how gross we look!

More on our journey next time, 

Heather 

From Jason...

An Update on Life...

For Spring Break and a mini vacation from life Heather and I went to Miami to see the family. It was a nice change of scenery being able to fly into Florida over clear ocean water. While we were there we got to relax and enjoy being with family. Always nice to get to spend time with those amazing kids. They are growing up so fast. Baby Kaylyn is getting so big now, Craig is talking up a storm, and Grace is the ring leader of the three! For the first time since I can remember we were able to go to the beach! When we were not having to dodge man-o-wars we were able to help Craig build a sand castle, I think he was more interested in destroying it than building it :). I was able to spend time with the guys getting to try my hand at trap shooting, was a little worried at first, two words that have never been in the same sentence together is Jason and gun, however it turned out pretty well....just ask the bruise on my shoulder. I was really glad I got to experience that with Rick and Ryan! Unfortunately all good things must come to an end, hated leaving Florida but we were able to return safely to Lynchburg and resume normal life as we know it. The last four weeks have been pretty fun for Heather and I. I never knew there was anyone who liked to fill out NCAA tournament brackets more than I. And for the record, yes, Heather did beat me. Wait, let me rephrase that, Heather DESTROYED me in our bracket challenge. It was a lot of fun! After every game Heather got out the pen and highlighter, normally for her to highlight her correct pick and cross out what I thought was a right pick. We really enjoyed the ride that VCU took america on! It was nice seeing the underdog beat Goliath for once or 5 times for the record but hey who is counting! Life is staying pretty steady for me at work, just trying to do the best I can! I can't say how proud I am of Heather for working so hard this semester. She is such a trooper, her dedication to her goals and her life's ambitions are such an inspiration to me. I know my wife is going to be an amazing nurse when she graduates. I cant wait to see and hear about all the different peoples lives she is going to touch! The semester is over May 9th and Heather is promising an update.

More on our journey next time!

Love Jason