New Years Eve 2013-Year in Review

This was a post from 12/31/13 that I made on FB but wanted to share on here.

2013, I'm kinda sad to see you leave. You've been a great, eventful, busy, chaotic year starting moments after the ball dropped. 

I became engaged to my best friend on 1/1/13 shortly after the ball dropped.
We went on a medical mission trip to Haiti the first week of February. What a powerful experience!
March was the end of an era...I left a job that I had for 10 years. A job I "knew" I'd work there forever. It was my comfort zone. It was what I knew. I began a new job in areas of nursing I knew very little (pretty much nothing!) about. Although I annoy my team members with questions, feel insecure at times and am definitely outside of my comfort zone...I love my new job. There are some patients that tug on your heart strings, there are some you just wanna shake the stupid out of them but I've learned something from almost every single one of them.
April was full of last minute wedding planning...like, fitting into a dress (or lack of)! ;) And finding a tent for the wedding because it became apparent that God was gonna prove to me, that no matter how hard I try...I will never be in control of my life!
May 11, I married my best friend. A beautiful day! My friends and family made sure the day was better than I could've dreamed of (even tho I fought them every step of the way).
June, July & August were about adapting to having a roommate. Holy guacamole! No one warned us how hard that would be!
September began crunch time for fundraising for Komen. Holy apple butter! We started helping out with the BCC youth group...something both of us feel called to be a part of. We love youth. We love Jesus. And we love helping youth learn about Jesus.
October was wonderful! We took on a new responsibility with Komen-we were part of the Race Committee and were responsible for the stage on Race day. Loved being a big part of the race!
November was about coming up with new holiday traditions.
December brought about new changes. With my Dirty 30, I began to realize my health is in jeopardy if significant changes aren't made in my lifestyle. Ha! What a month to decide that! But we exercised daily through the month & helped to get exercise back into our routine! We had a busy but blessed Christmas. We were able to see almost every member of our families, even if it was for a short time (minus the Baltimore crew).
2013, you've been a great year! I don't make New Years Resolutions but do plan to make monthly goals based on what's going on at the time. I hope 2014 is slightly calmer, has a few less life events and is a year of growth.
Whether you're glad to see 2013 leave or you're ready for a fresh start, I hope that all reading this know that I pray for God's will on all of us. I pray for comfort on the bad days, strength to get us through trials, salvation for the lost & knowledge of God's love daily! 

Here's a slideshow review of the year! 
https://www.icloud.com/iphoto/projects/#5;CAEQARoQSu7WOKtEwrZ1ISwrYL7Jeg;5970AD6F-0B09-469B-B091-BF698FE7BBE8

My Passion: Why I do what I do.

The fight against breast cancer started my sophomore year in high school. It started with my mom's diagnosis with breast cancer. In 2007, my grandmother was diagnosed with breast cancer. It became evident that this was a problem that was not going to go away and I wanted to do something about it. After graduating nursing school in 2008, I decided this was the time to start my own battle against breast cancer. The hospital I worked for had a Susan G Komen Race for the Cure team. I joined the team and took on the challenge to raise $100. Within 3 days, I had met that goal and decided to increase my goal again. Low and behold, I met that goal! That's when the fundraising addiction began! I made a new goal to raise $1000. With the support of many Many MANY people, I surpassed that goal! 

The wonderful thing about raising money for Komen is that 75% of all donations stay in our community! The money helps educate people in our community about breast cancer and how to prevent it. It assists patients that may have difficulty getting to their treatment, paying their bills or buying groceries. And the money offers people in our community with no insurance (or the UNDER insured) with free or discounted mammograms!!! 

Imagine, that you've done your self breast exam and find a lump. That is one of the scariest discoveries anyone can make. Wonder if you don't have insurance? Or your insurance company won't pay for a mammogram? You now have a shoulder that's burdened with more than just the lump you detected. Individuals have options, because of fundraising efforts by Susan G Komen. You may receive a free or discounted mammogram because of money raised. And that, my friends, is how this saves lives. 

I think everyone has a passion. And breast cancer awareness, prevention and fundraising has become mine. There is one morning a year that I enjoy waking up at 4:30. There is one morning a year I enjoy running. The Race for the Cure is my Christmas morning. I'm surrounded by a sea of pink and people that share my passion. I love it! 

These are some of the faces that have supported me! 

Some people just don't get it...and that's ok!

Joey put a ring on it. We set the date. And we set the place. Everyone was good with the engagement. Everyone was good with the date. The location, however, was (and still is) scrutinized by many.

"A field? A FIELD?"
"It's gonna be hot!"
"There's no bathrooms!"
"What if it rains?"
"There's no electricity"
"Who's going to decorate?"
"Can't you get married in a church & just renew your vows later out there?"

If you've never been out to The property, you just won't get it. We've been talking about getting married on this property for quite a while...LONG before the engagement actually occurred. There is just something magical about this property. You'd never know there was a major highway on the other side of those trees. It's a beautiful lot of land. And most importantly, you can truly feel His presence out there. We have a couple parties a year out there. We've even had a couple worship services out there. But tonight, we celebrated the Lord's supper out on The property; it was an amazing service! Probably my favorite experience out there so far!!! We read scripture, heard a great story that painted THE perfect picture of salvation & were reminded of God's continuous grace in our lives! I'm not the best with words anyway but words truly cannot describe how special tonight was!

I've never second guessed our decision to get married on The property. And honestly, I'm not stressing about the "what ifs". But tonight confirmed we are getting married in the perfect spot for us! You may not get it. That's ok. But those that DO get it...we truly appreciate your support and can't wait to share our special day with you!

p.s. There are 4 portapotty's (and plenty of trees). There is a hand washing station! There is electricity. There will be a tent for those that can't tolerate 25min in the "heat". Who needs to decorate?! This land is beautiful WITHOUT decorations! And if you don't feel His presence on this property...well...I'll pray for ya! ;)

A decade of ups & downs & in betweens!

"There are places I remember
All my life, though some have changed
Some forever not for better
Some have gone and some remain
All these places have their moments
With lovers and friends I still can recall
Some are dead and some are living
In my life I've loved them all "

Today, I informed my boss that I would be taking a new full time position elsewhere. This definitely comes with mixed emotions...I'm not gonna lie.

I was a freshman in college...what started out as a part time job in the nursery turned into a life changing decision!!!

Started in the nursery, paid coworkers to change diapers, transferred to the hospital (and QUICKLY got over my fear of changing diapers!!!), became an LPN, made some great friends, met the love of my life & became an RN. Phew. I've worked everywhere but family birthing & psych. Seen some CRAAAAAAAZY stuff. Cried. Laughed. Broke the love-of-my-life's nose. Met some wonderful people. Met some not-so-wonderful people. Helped brighten a few days. Made a few people miserable. Educated. Loved. And, most importantly, passionately tried to do the right thing.

In the last decade, I've had my fair share of ups & downs. I've learned a lot thanks to some awesome mentors! I've grown up a bit (I said a bit!). I am thankful to all the good apples & bad apples, for they all have taught me something.

I am excited for my new journey! New place. New hours. New direction!

Praise God for answered prayers, at the right time!