who would have thought it would be today...

It all started back in May.

May 23 to be exact.

I was heading out the door for a wedding in Stone Mountain while the rest of the family was staying home and grilling out for Ruthie's graduation. We had a baby shower for Jessie that morning, so babies were on our mind. So as I walked out the door, AB offered to help me carry my overnight bag.

We got to the car and she said something to the affect of, "I wanted you to know that we are going to tell the family today that we are having a baby!"

Oh. Ama. Gahh.

AB & J were going to be parents! And I had to miss the family announcement! After debating on whether or not to go to the wedding (yes, being there for the announcement was THAT important), I decided to head to Atlanta. I thought about this little baby all night.

7 LONNNNG months (and 6 days) go by and here we are.

Last night after having coffee with the girls, I couldn't sleep and normally, coffee doesn't keep me awake. Strange. I finally went to bed around 1 a.m. only to wake up several times in the middle of the night. I was so frustrated thinking about having to get up by 6:30 and here I was wide awake. Well, 6:48 rolled around and my snooze alarm was going off. I debated sleeping for ten more minutes, but decided to go ahead and get up so I could pick up a coffee at Starbucks on the way in to work. Give me a little pep in my step, you know?

For some reason, I finished getting ready really fast this morning and headed out the door. I pulled into Starbucks about 20 minutes later, decided it was a Triple Venti kind of morning, drove around to the window to pay and got ready to pick up my morning BOOST.

And then my phone rang. I saw that it was my Mom.

Now this is a pretty normal occurrence for her to call me in the mornings. Sometimes she checks to make sure I am up and haven't slept an hour past my alarm (which I frequently do) or to remind me of something going on at the house later that day. I answered the car speaker phone as I gave my money to the barista and I heard Mom say, "AB is at the hospital and she is already dilated 4 and a half centimeters!"

Hold. The. Phones.

"AB is not scheduled to deliver little Cotton until January 13th, two weeks from today," I thought to myself. But Mom reassured me that we were going to get to meet Cotton two weeks early!

So I rushed to work, sat in the parking lot for 2.5 seconds, then decided I would go on to the hospital. Luckily, my boss was very understanding!

I sped all the way down Vineville and then onto 75 and finally to 16. Thoughts were flooding my head about this little babe that was soon to enter our world. I was the first one to get to the hospital and walked in to find Joel near the waiting room. He told me that she was progressing pretty quickly and that they were doing the epidural as we spoke.

He eventually went back to be with AB and I sat in the waiting room texting, calling and emailing any one who would listen.

Later family and friends began to arrive. After spending about 3 hours in the waiting room with all of them, we got the word that she had reached 9 centimeters but were going to go ahead with a c-section. As we stood in a circle as family, we joined hands and lifted up in prayer our sweet AB and the little one that they were about to deliver. A sweet memory that I'll always remember.

A few minutes went by and Ruthie, Madie and I decided to take some pictures on our computer to document Cotton's birthday. As we were taking the first, someone else in the waiting room told us that they had just brought a baby to the delivery room and that the Dad was with the baby. I jumped out of my seat and RAN to that nursery in my skirt and 3.5 inch heels. (praise the Lord I didn't bust it!)

And there HE was. Little Cotton. The baby that I had felt move around in AB's tummy for all those months. Little Cotton was a BOY. Joel came out shortly after and made the announcement that our little babe that we had called Cotton for the past 6 months was named Kale Bryant Sizemore.

BLESS. I love this little boy, Kale.

So today was yet another special day for our family even though some couldn't make it or are on another continent right now.

Our family went from 16 to 17.

December 30, 2009. Two weeks earlier than we expected.

We as a family are so blessed.

a picture of His love

Tonight I had coffee with two sweet friends that I grew up with.

I feel right now that the three of us are all in very different parts of life due to different zip codes, the relationships we are (or aren't) in, careers, plans for the future, etc.

But the thing I love about these two girls is that we can still have sweet, meaningful fellowship regardless of where each other are. We can rejoice with one another when one talks about wedding plans that are being made, we can relate to each other when we find out we are taking the same medicine and we can encourage each other in faith and in love. I know, I know... it's the small things.

For these friendships, I am grateful; they give me a glimpse (a very small glimpse) of what Christ love is like for us.

Incredible.

Virginia Highlands 5K

I ran. I walked. I finished (slowly).

Giving Thanksgiving at Christmas

Tomorrow I will be grateful for: a half day at work & being reunited with friends from camp life.

Saturday morning I will [try to] be grateful for: legs and a friend that help me complete another 5k.

Saturday afternoon I will be grateful for: all of my family gathering and celebrating Christmas.

the evidence of things not seen.

I am racking my brains trying to remember where it was that I read this... I might have even posted this before - but it is so convicting and applicable [to me] that I think it's worth a re-post.

"It would be awesome if you went to your mailbox or checked your e-mail or found a message in a bottle the day after you were saved and found a detailed, 39-page timeline that described the rest of your life. You would be so excited to find out the answer to every question you had about your life — where you’d go to school, where you’d live, what your job would be, whom you’d marry and how many kids you'd have. Everything you needed to know would be nicely and neatly presented in one document. It would be a great message to get.

This is what we often want. We crave a nice package in which God explains everything to us. But the truth is that God doesn’t work that way. If He did, we wouldn’t need faith.

God calls us to step into the unknown so that we can find Him standing right there. He wants us to come to Him in faith. He wants our belief in Him to move us into the unknown. He wants us to act so that we can learn to trust Him more and more."

Humbled.

Reindeer Fail

I keep reminding myself it was for a good cause... for the Children's Hospital of Macon.

But that does NOT erase my time that will forever be on the back of the tile I created today.

Some people like to call it the 2009 Reindeer Run & Santa Stroll. After today, I like to call it my "Reindeer Fail". When Jill, Mark and I drove through Mercer's campus last night and caught a brief glimpse of part of the course I knew I was in trouble. T-R-O-U-B-L-E. I saw hills. And I dislike hills (unless I am in a car or another MOTORIZED vehicle). Oh and last night as we were walking around, it was a cool 50 degrees and we were freezing our butts off with layers on! The forecast for this morning was predicting 43 degrees with a chance of rain.

Awe-ome.

But we did sign up for the race so we would complete it, although I have to admit there was some talk of backing out of the race... I mean we had still made a donation, who cares if we didn't run? But we did. So last night during dinner in downtown Macon, we realized we had some work to do to uphold the idea that we created back in September... the Triple T Tradition. (you like that, Jill?).

So tie-dye... we didn't have ANYTHING tie-dye that would keep us remotely warm and after a trip to Academy that ended probably 20 minutes later... we forgot about the tie-dye tradition... maybe next time.

After heading to Kroger to pick up some things for this a.m., we came back to my house with plans to watch Run Fat Boy Run again. FAIL. I crawled into bed feeling like I had taken a dose of Nyquil (maybe from the "carb-loading" we had done at Luigi's?) and Jill, well she will have to tell you how she felt. But it wasn't good! Luckily, RFBR was not one of the traditions so we were just 0-1 and not 0-2 for. Whew.

Then came our song... or "Tong" as we like to say. Well, at about 8:10 when we arrived for the race, this of course after crawling out of bed 25 minutes after our alarm clock did NOT go off, hurrying to get to the race on time, stepping out into the FREEZING wind, we decided our song, or excuse me, t-onggg, would be CRAZY by Gnarls Barkley. While Mark said it was a terrible running song, we did not care. The title perfectly summed up the emotions Jill and I felt about running at the moment.

So after waiting around for the race to start, seeing some awesome and awesome costumes (see below) and contemplating pouring the vat of hot coffee all over my freezing legs, the man called our attention and began the race... and we're off.

Uphill.

The 1/4 mile was UPHILL. What the heck.

And the hills did not end. While they were not major hills, they were consistent on the course. And I hate to admit - I walked some of the race. I am embarrassed. Normally my goal is just to at least jog REALLLLLLY SLOWWWLLLY, but I couldn't even do that. So I power walked like a soccer mom. And at that point, I think my walk was faster than my "run" could have been anyways. hahaa... that's pitiful.

Towards the end, I realized where I was and about how much further I had to go and luckily it was DOWNhill. Praise the Lord. I got close enough to the clock and it said 33:40. And I was going to force myself to get to the mat before that minute rolled over. I ended up with 33:57 (GAG).

So with my loser red-faced head hanging high, we grabbed some drinks, ran to the one stall bathroom and then headed to Panera for a bagel and Starbucks for a coffee. After walking into Starbucks, two women saw my and Jill's 5k shirts, and one said, "We just did it too - our first 5k!" She was so excited, which made me start to think about how excited I would be if I challenged myself with say a 10k and completed it? Crazy talk right now, but I'll do it.

We finished up breakfast and called the pottery place where we complete the tiles. Little did we know today was going to be ALOT different then our last calming visit.

We walked in to see about 6 or 7 people in the store. Not bad for a Saturday morning.

But then we found out that there was going to be a birthday party. Of five year olds. 18 to be exact. And with each 18 - 5 year old, there accompanied 2 parents. That makes for alot of people, paint and pandemonium (I was going to say noise but I like the 3 P's better.)

So here we are, two girls who like their tiles to be just right, so we get a gameplan and then go snag every color we are going to need for the next two hours because we know if we don't get it now, it will be gone FOR-EEEE-VVVVERRRR.

And we got to work. About an hour into it, another family came in and sat at the table next to us. Apparently this was their first time because the dad that talked like he was from Souuuuuth Jorrrrrrjjjahhh (complete with his camoflouge collared shirt) was giving instructions (LOUDLY) to the little angels (sarcasm) on how to paint.

Although there were some bumps and distractions on the road of our tile painting, we finished and after many failed attempts at taking pictures of our self with the tiles, we asked the lady at the counter to help us out.

So there you have it. My Reindeer Run 2009 experience. Have you ever run a 5k? How did you do? Any tips for novices like me?

*edit: I just looked at race results and I was wrong! I actually completed in 33:41. Every second counts.

Life is short...

but sweet for certain.

I heard this little phrase when I was in college and it has stuck with me since then. You see, I am pretty good at making whatever situation I am in as good as it can be.

But there are moments and days when I can't.

These past few months have felt like that. While there have been good days and good memories - at the end of it all, there is always something looming over. I begin to feel dishonest when people ask how things are. But what else is there to say?

It's hard knowing if things will ever turn around.

Sometimes, I wonder.

weekend-schmeekend...

This past week all seems like a blur right now.

I spent Sunday-Tuesday sleeping, sneezing, headache-ing, and way too much time on the computer. Luckily during my stay at home from work, basketball season officially started (YES!), so I was able to watch a few games, that is when my head didn't feel like it was going to explode or when my teeth didn't feel like thet were going to fall out all due to a little thing I like to call sinus pressure. G-ROSS.

The rest of the week at work was spent playing catch up, completing a mail out and working on moves I had coming in. Needless to say, it was good to be back in the office and a busy three days! And then I remembered I get two more days off this coming week for Thanksgiving, SCORE! (side note: how is Thanksgiving already here?!)

My old high school alma-mater was having their annual Tip-Off tournament this weekend so I went to a few of the games over the weekend. It's crazy and bizarre to think that the last time I leading cheers on the sidelines was almost 6 years ago! I kept thinking about all the tournaments we went to and all the close friendships shared with people I had basically grown up with. Luckily I was able to see and will be seeing some of those people over the holidays.

Like my monogrammed jacket? =)

Yesterday, I attended the wedding of a sweet friend from college, Katie B! I met Katie B my senior year of college and although we didn't spend much time together, we connected. We worked together on a team at the campus ministry I was involved in and I always appreciated her level-headed-ness, wisdom, encouragement and friendship. She is truly a unique person and I cherish the friendship we share! Her wedding was so beautiful and reminded me alot of my sister's weddings. You see, as a daughter of a pastor (Katie B is one too), they all were walked down the aisle by Dad, and then after giving them away, he turned around and performed their ceremonies. Their is something so candid, intimate, honest and emotional about these services. I couldn't help but cry thinking about the one day that I will have the privilege to be walked down the aisle, be given away and then married by my father. The rest of the ceremony was so classic and Christ honoring, just like the bride that got married. Congrats, dear friend!

very blurry... but that's my friend, Katie B!

If the wedding wasn't enough on my emotions, I got a text from Dad saying that some of the family was going to see The Blindside shortly after I was to get home. Great, I just got done crying and I'm going to see a movie that's previews alone make me cry! The movie was (as I was expecting) won.der.ful. So inspiring, convicting, heart warming, sad but ultimately good. Parts of it reminded me of the mission trips that I took in college. We would go to under-priviliged neighborhoods or spend time with children whose parents weren't around. All these thoughts and memories made me wonder why I limit myself to doing those things only on mission trips. There are SO many places where I live that I'm sure need volunteers to do things. I am glad to have that burden on my heart again. Hopefully, I will do something about it and not just be a sentence on my blog.

playing capture the flag on one of the mission trips. good memories.

Today, I, like every other girl under the age of 17, went to see New Moon. I have decided that I am going to start reading the books. If you don't hear from me for a while, it's because I've decided to become a vampire. Team Edward... all the way! (I can't believe I am saying these things, but trust me... they are so good!)

so THAT, in a-round-about-sort-of-way, was my weekend. minus church... more on church later.

vampires and church should not be in the same post=)

"If I find in myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy,

the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world."

- C.S. Lewis

trick or treat.

first for the treats...

Halloween.

A holiday that I do not really remember participating in until high school, maybe even college. I remember dressing up as a black eyed pea when I was a little. No, not one of these Black Eyed Peas...

No, my mom, for those of you who know her, likes to be funny, "pun-ny" if you will. So we would get a black eye drawn on with a P tacked to our shirt. Hilarious. Orrrrrr embarrassing. I now appreciate her humor more, I just don't appreciate her making me look like this fruitcake.

So since I have started celebrating Halloween (and by celebrating I mean dressing up) I have tried to make up for lost time.

Halloween is a very big at the retirement community I work at. We have a big breakfast for the residents which is followed up by skits from different departments at work. Our group decided to act out the song Monster Mash and dress up as classic halloween characters. Ghoul here. Witch there. I decided I would be a mummy. And this is how it turned out.

I think I did a good job considering one of my friends was scared to look at

my facebook page for the two days I had it posted.

Since Halloween fell on a Saturday that meant I got to dress up two times! Well, I got really lazy on Saturday and didn't feel like pulling my idea of a costume together so I thought I wouldn't dress up. Luckily, I still have about 6 cheerleading uniforms in my closet so I revisited them for the first time since I graduated high school 5 and a half years ago! And it was actually kind of fun, except for the fact that my uniform didn't fit like it used to. But let's not focus on the negative, CHEERLEADERS ARE POSITIVE!

So we took Eth and Ave throughout the neighborhood knocking on doors and ringing door bells in exchange for candies. I honestly think everyone loved them the most... I mean honestly, how often do you see a 3 year old with a wig that is the size of her body? Or a little 3 and a half foot Darth Vader running around? One woman even asked if she could take a picture to remember these sweet little humans. And I do not blame her. I love them.

Darth and Ariel.

now for tricks...

Yesterday we had lunch with a group from our church. We went to a Thai restaurant and I ordered sushi. When my sushi came out, Jessie was telling how she one time thought the wasabi was actually avocado and had spread it all over her food. We were laughing about that and Teddy, my dear brother-in-law, said that I wouldn't eat the wasabi that was presented on my plate. For some reason, when I am dared to do certain things, I feel like I have to do them. Does anyone remember summer 2006 and my sabbatical from showering? Well based off of the result of that dare -MRSA/Staph Infection, not to mention, probably less friends- I should have known better than to take Teddy up on his dare. Butttt I didn't know better. So I did.

And.

I.

Almost.

Died.

tiny little wasabi. not so bad...

ok. yes it was. i am cryingggg.

So for future references, be wise in dares that you choose. Or you will have heartburn for the next 36 hours!

xoxo, friends!

in the kitchen.

I've never been a big fan of carrots. So when one of my sisters made them recently, I told her I was not interested in trying her portion of the potluck. She told me just to try them because she hadn't liked the little orange veggies until she started baking them in the oven. So I tried them.

And fell in love.

And now I blame her for my craving that I had today.

I forgot to bring a lunch this morning. This is pretty normal habit but usually something I can snack on. Well not today. So by the end of the day, I was STARVING. Out of all the things the food companies of America creates, do you know what I was craving???

Cream of Carrot Soup.

Do they even have recipes for cream of carrot soup!? I did not know. So I googled it. And they do.

CREAM OF CARROT-CHEDDAR SOUP

2 tbsp. butter 1/2 c. finely chopped onion 1 lb. carrots (8-10), shredded 1 lb. potatoes (3-5), shredded 6 c. broth, vegetables or chicken 1/2 tsp. thyme 1 bay leaf Salt & pepper to taste 1 1/2 c. milk (may use part cream) 1-2 c. cheddar cheese, shredded Saute onion in butter in large soup pot. Add all but milk and cheese and simmer until vegetables are tender. Add milk and cheese, stirring until cheese is melted. Discard bay leaf. Serve hot with parsley sprinkled over.

That sounded easy enough. So I gathered the ingredients that we had (I don't follow directions always) and then I realized something, it says shredded potatoes. In all my 23 years, I have never shredded a potato. In fact, I did not know how to shred a potato. Do you cook it and then shred it? So again, I googled it. And so I peeled raw potatoes and shredded them on a shredder (there is probably a name for this utensil I used, but I do not its name.) After shredding the carrots and getting the other ingredients ready to simmer in the pot, I went for it. I cooked as the directions directed and wahhh-laa.

It was the one of the most unappealing soups I've ever seen.

So decided that I should blend it, thinking that this would at least make it look a little more tasteful. ehhhh. It worked all right. Not anything that you would see on Martha Stewart.

I ate it and it wasn't too bad. Maybe it just takes practice. I do not know. Maybe I will never have another craving for cream of carrot soup, because really who craves CREAM OF CARROT SOUP?

learning to not worry about plan a... or plan b... etc.

So a few months ago when I saw a movie called (500) Days of Summer I realized something. I won't talk about how much I loved the movie (one of my favorites!) or how fun it was (so fun!) or how I think you should rent it when it comes out. I want to show and tell you about one of the most interesting scenes from a movie that I've ever scene. I think it made an impression on me because, well, it's exactly what I do all the time.

background on this scene: the boy and girl you will see at the beginning of the scene is who the movie is all about. they date. they break up. they don't see each other for awhile. she invites him to a party she's hosting. this happens. one side of the screen is what his expectations are of the night, the other - reality.

'500 Days of Summer' Expectations vs. Reality @ Yahoo! Video

You see, I am a planner. A little obsessive compulsive some people may say...

I like to know what is going to happen tomorrow or at least be somewhat prepared. Unfortunately as a human with no special powers (why God, WHY?), I do not ever know what's going to happen tomorrow - no matter how hard I try to plan something out.

So seeing this scene played out in a movie made me realize, maybe, I am not the only one who struggles with this sick disease; so rejoice, maybe I am normal! However, just because I have someone, or perhaps someones, to relate to in this gross, life-distracting disease does not mean I should keep doing it! So from now on, I will try to plan less. Maybe I will have to watch this scene every time I start to p.l.a.n. and remember that

1. things rarely turn out like I expect

2. it wastes time

3. I often don't enjoy things as much when I have expectations on them

4. it's dumb

5. no really, it's d-u-m-b.

So in order to go through with this new way of living, I will no longer plan on what time I will wake in the morning, so - no more alarm clock! I hope my boss can understand this new habit!

where to begin?

So the other day I thought I'd get "back to blogging". Well the following is what I wrote...

Exactly one month ago I wrote my last post. Truthfully, I've thought many times

about writing since then but it's hard to write when your head isn't clear.

and mine DEFINITELY has not been clear.

In the last month I have fallen down stairs at work (stop laughing), had a dear resident pass, bought a car, given up the employee of the month parking spot, had breakdowns/crying at work, had breakdowns/crying at home, dropped a&p, welcomed back Survivor, the Office, and Amazing Race into my weekly schedule, been called "anal retentive" by my dermatologist (?), thrown up, sent the wrong people emails... about them (awkward!), witnessed a Snuggie being worn in my house, and survived it all.

And then I fell asleep. No seriously, like woke up 3 hours later at 1 or 2 a.m. with a computer in my lap, fell asleep. So, I hope that didn't little blurb didn't make your eyes fall go hazy.

And for today...

Today I turn(ed) twenty-three. Twenty-three. Such a weird number. I like pretty, even numbers. Twenty-three is not one. It kind of hurts my ears... "eeeeeeee". I don't know.

But regardless of if I like this prime number or not, God has given me another year. I look forward to what will happen in this twenty-third year of my life. What lies ahead, I do not know. Who knows what lies ahead - My Jesus.

And that is ALL I need to know for now.

triple T... tie-dye, tongs and tiles.

Happy Labor Day, friends and readers! I hope you all have had a nice little holiday.

A few months ago me and a friend (link to her blog is provided but don't worry about clicking because she never updates... xoxo JMT=) began talking about how we wanted to start doing races. You know, 5k here... 10k there... maybe a marathon one day-in the FUTURE. Well, she has been committed to training all summer while I have been... not committed to training. After much encouragement from her, we both signed up for Macon's Labor Day Road Race. This would be our first 5k together. She arrived in town last night from Atlanta to be here for our race that started at 7:30 this morning (GASP!). So in preparation for our first event of many to come in the future, I told her that when she came down to Macon she had to have some ideas on traditions we could create for every race we ran. Well she failed miserable and had nothing ready. Not one single thing. But lucky for her, neither did I! But we both liked the idea of coming up with ideas so we thought of some together... = )

A few weekends ago, we created tie-dyed tees. While maybe not the most flattering color on me, we decided that we would wear our matching tie-dye tees for our race day. Tradition Numero Uno: TIE DYE.

Since I have not been training, I knew I at least needed to have a good play list that would hopefully inspire me for 3.1 miles. This brought about the idea to have a race day song for each race. Tradition Numero Dos: TONGS. *Well actually its song but since I like to have things all start with the same letter, we decided to change it to tongs. Stupid and ridiculous you may say, but I say memories, my friends, MEM-O-RIES... (oh and by the way, here was our tong choice... so gewwwd.)

The third and final thing took the most time but is one of my favorites. I told JMT that I wanted to have something to show for each of our races. This is something that also has to be done in various cities since we never know where we could end up running our next race. We decided that we would paint a tile at a local pottery shop, with memories from our race. Tradition Numero Tres: TILES.

So in preparation for our big race, I suggested we rent the movie Run Fat Boy Run, because who doesn't like watching a movie that will basically play out the upcoming hours and events for me? That's what I thought. Well it was as good as I had heard it was. Hilarious. So good. So much fun to watch before our big race.

So here we were the night before our race and we had mentioned to Ruch that she should come cheer us on to the finish line and more importantly be there to shuttle us home. This seemed like a great idea to us and Ruthie and even her friends that she had to spend the night. We EVEN offered to buy them all Starbucks since they would be getting up several hours earlier than they should on a holiday. (*note: if you ever want teenagers to do anything for you, offer them Starbucks. they fold like a deck of cards.) So we told them we had to leave at 6:35 in order to get there a few minutes early. Well, 6 a.m. rolls around and we get up and begin getting ready but what did I hear coming from the other room? What did I see coming through the door???

NOTHING.

The four girls that were so excited about Starbucks and cheering us on the night before were sound asleep. Oh no no no. You made a promise, RCQ. So I tried to wake her up by sending texts, calling her, even playing her alarm clock. She didn't budge. None of them did. So me and race friend were off to our race all by ourselves, without a fan section and without a shuttle.

sorry girls, when you lie, I play DIRTY.

p.s. - can't wait to see you at the finish line of our next race! xoxo!

So friend and I arrived at the race and saw lots of interesting things... a.k.a. people. And I also realized that I am not as serious of a runner (if at all) as ANY of these people were. For instance, we are about to run a race and what are people doing before? RUNNING. Won't they get tired? Apparently not if there shorts are short enough! I have alot to learn.

pre-race.

I won't explain alot of how the race felt (like I was going to faint the last kilometer) or anything else because I am sure you are extremely bored by this point. I will say however it was good to have a faithful friend that could have outrun and finished way earlier time to run by encouraging me on and letting me know each kilometer we finished. She is a good friend. And a good race friend.

post race.

(don't let the clock deceive you; our time was much better thanks to JMT)

After we finished, we headed to ride on an unplanned tour of Macon, courtesty of a very confused bus driver. My legs thank you, Mr. Bus Driver, for the 1.5 miles we had to walk back after you took us in the wrong area. We celebrated our finish of a few seconds over 30 minutes by visiting Panera for coffee and bagels and of course to complete our first Tile for our first race. Below are the rest of the pictures from our adventure!

not excited about our "tour de Macon" on the C&H bus.

so we decided to walk back to the start instead.

and we FINALLY made it back to the car to get a picture with our AWE-OME race shirts.

and this is at Amphora, where we finished our third T for the day...

before painting.

during painting.

finished painting. (front)

finished painting. (back)

Thanks JMT for a memorable Labor Day... Here's to many more! NEDA!

Stratified Squamous Epithelium

Stratified Squamous Epithelium

structure - multiple layers of cells that are cubodial in the basal layer and progressively flattened toward the surface; the epithelium can be nonkeritanized (moist) or keratinized; in nonkeritanized stratified squamous epithelium, the surface cells retain a nucleus and cytoplasm, in keratinized stratified epithelium; the cytoplasm of cells at the surface is replaced by a protein called keratin, and the cells are dead

function - protection against abrasion, barrier against infection, reduction of water loss from the body

location - keratanized-skin; nonkeratinized(moist)-mouth, throat, larynx, esophagus, anus, vagina, inferior urethra, cornea

________________________________________________

And there you have one (ONE!) of my notecards. Caleb said that I should have bought the english version of Anatomy & Physiology. I agree.

oooooooooo-kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk

I really don't feel qualified. Have you ever been in a situation where everyone seems to know what they're doing except you? Well, that is how I have felt for the last 4 hours of my life.

Actually, the first hour and forty-five minutes weren't too bad. It was the part where we were sitting in lab trying to go over our "activities" is what got me. Where I come from activity means one of the following: banana boating, rock wall, giant swing, corn-hole or archery. Not describe all the different ways you can talk about the location of your hand in relation to your elbow or select a cheek sample and look at it underneath a microscope. All of this to say, I have alot to learn.

I read an interesting quote this morning that I've thought alot about today. It says, "Sometimes the only way we can find out what we are meant to be doing in life is to step out and try some things." So here I go, trying.

a new adventure

hello friends. it's the start of a new week! and with this new week comes a new adventure.

i've been absent the past couple of weeks due to a few reasons, the main being time to think. while I've wanted to write out my thoughts, i felt the need to be on "hiatus" for a little bit and figure out a few things for myself.

some of you may know how i feel about school. it was not my friend. i enjoyed being involved with things associated with school, but the thought of sitting through lectures, reading countless pages of texts, studying for hours and not really knowing what i am studying for - well, it didn't really appeal to me. my last year of school i took 37 hours over two semesters and when May came I was more than ready to graduate. i was so very glad not to have to think about school and the thought of another semester being just two months away. i was done.

D-O-N-E. done with college forever.

when i was in school and told people i would rather work than sit through classes, most of them laughed and made the face as to say, "just wait... you won't be saying that once you start working." well, i have proved them wrong. i can honestly say that i would much rather go to my job for 40 hours a week than sit through classes. call me crazy.

but here is where i am a little bit confused. the summer before my senior year of college, with 83 hours of core and mass communication classes under my belt, God put me in Mexico. God put me in Mexico with a group or aspiring medical/current medical students and we did clinics there.

whenever I was growing up and anyone asked me what i wanted to be, i always had an answer. a neonatal nurse. the fact that i was young and really had no clue what neonatal nurses did, was not a problem. that was what i wanted to do. my junior year of high school came and i changed my way of thought and decided i did not want to wear scrubs everyday... yes, sadly the scrubs factor was a part of my decision in not wanting to become a nurse. foolish. but i digress.

so there i was, in Mexico, with other students who actually knew how to take blood pressures and actually knew somewhat about clinics (or appeared to anyways). luckily, they were kind and did not hold my lack of knowledge against me and God used my skills in other ways. on that trip, I began to freak out. did i make the wrong decision? should i have gone to nursing school? looking back, i see that my path so far has been where God has wanted me. through the people I met in college and the people i now work with, i know God had me go a different route from nursing for a reason.

see I told you, they're smart.

this is what they did in their free time. who knew blood pressures could be so fun?

this was one of the little girls that came to our clinic with her sick mother.

she had the best laugh i've ever heard.

however, since that trip, i've had the desire to at least try it out. and tomorrow i begin to try it out. this past week, i registered at macon state for a nursing pre-req: anatomy & physiology I. the thought of the class freaks me out, but i don't want to live my whole life wondering if i should have done it. this re-entrance to school could last two days, a semester or if i like it, with another diploma. it all depends really. the most incredible part of it all is the peace that i have. yes i realize what a&p is and how ridiculously difficult it will be. but like i said, i'm not pressuring myself.

so as i begin this new trial period, i will keep you posted. it should be interesting. i've already looked at ratemyprofessor.com and unfortunately, the man i will spend time listening to for the next 5 hours a week has gotten less than exciting reviews. but maybe i will have good stories. who knows. God wants me in this class for a reason... like i said, whether it be two days or the whole semester. pray for me as i begin this new adventure. pray for wisdom, clarity and an open mind to what the Lord has for me.

so, time to get my pencils and notebook ready... i'm going back to school!