Prayer

Some of you may get sick of me writing about pretty much the same thing every post, but this is what it boils down to for the next month of my life and this class followed by my test...

Prayer:

a devout (earnest or sincere; hearty) petition (a request made for something desired) to God

I have shared my college and career journey with you all before and most of you know that my desire to become an RN has been a long and exhausting path. Before I decided to take this prep class and even after I made that decision I have battled with whether or not this is the right thing for me to do. Maybe it's just time to let this whole thing go. I have been battling with those same thoughts recently and it's getting harder and harder to press on with the long list of medications I face every day in this dreary book. I have found myself feeling various emotions. Nobody likes studying, but this week especially has been incredibly hard for me to stay focused on what I need to be doing. I should actually be doing just that right now instead of writing you. I am not sure why, after I had decided to let this career be in the past, I then had a complete meltdown. Knowing deep down that I wasn't ready for that. I am not sure why I chose to take this class. I am not sure why I am yet again spending money on this test. Part of me thinks that I'm just being completely crazy. Part of me thinks that I need to prove to myself that I can get through this dumb test. Part of me thinks that I need to prove to the world that I can get through this dumb test. Part of me believes, hopes and is desperately holding on to the still small Voice that nudged me along this path. I made this decision for a reason. I'm in this class for a reason. I'm taking this test again for a reason. And that reason might not be a passing grade. It doesn't have to be a passing grade. Honestly, maybe I need to fail it again. Maybe now that I'm exhausting every option I can think of to get me through this test, if I still get a failing grade, I will be able to move on and see what career is out there for me. 

So while I am praying and begging the Lord that this time will finally be my time, I'm also asking Him to show me His way, His will for me. My life will not end if I see that 'fail' on my computer screen again and I don't want to feel like it has. In that moment I want to be able to rest and hold on to His plan for me and know that it will be far better than anything I could ever dream for myself. 

"People can plan what they want to do, but it is the Lord who guides their steps." -Proverbs 16:9

P.S. Thank you to all of my dear friends and family members who have sent the encouraging thoughts and prayers my way lately. You are all loved and appreciated. 

Time's tickin'...

Less than a month left already!

Pray for me to keep my eye on the goal & to keep my focus.

Pray that this is my time.

And if it's not, pray that the Lord would start preparing my heart now for what He has in store for me...

Happy Monday!

Last week was a 4 day week and it was marvelous. There is just something about Mondays being Mondays. Tuesday was a perfect first day of the work week last week, even though it was still "Monday". But when Monday is Monday...blah. I really should give it a chance, especially since it is still Sunday as I write this, but no matter what good things await me on a Monday, it's still Monday.

I am connecting with you all today with a deep prayer in my heart.

Although I do not have a date for my RN boards (yet), my class has started and things are rolling. It's getting harder each day and i'm feeling the heat. But I am excited and determined. When I first started this class I was excited, but I wasn't feeling any pressure. I couldn't figure out what the difference was exactly. Either I am at a different point in my life now (being married, etc) and I don't NEED this career to survive in the world. Or, this time is different and without the normal pressure and stress may mean that I just might pass this bad boy. I was already prepared for the worst, getting that awful 'F' again, not knowing how well or terrible I did, just that my hopes had fallen yet again. But I was already okay with that. It is what it is. I have other plans, other hopes, other dreams. If this one falls through, so be it. I'll move on. 

But as this class progresses and I see that finish line getting closer and closer, I still don't feel the pressure, but that desire is growing deeper and deeper inside. I want this. Oh I want this bad. I don't just want to pass to prove to the world that I could do it. I will care if I get that awful 'F' on my screen again. My dream is just as alive now as it was 4 years ago. It will still hurt, just as bad as it did back then when I had no other plan to fall back on. 

So I ask you, friends and family, to pray with me. 

Pray that this be it. 

That this time will be the one. 

That this time will finally be my time. 

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."   -Jeremiah 29:11

What's new?

Hello friends and family!

It's been a little while since i've updated you on the exciting life of Mr. & Mrs. Thomas! HA! 

Jeremy is back into the full swing of the new school year! This is his third week, second with the kids being there and it is going very well! He was a little nervous going into it (I don't think that will ever go away) as the kids that he was getting didn't come with the best reputation, but so far they have been great! Hopefully they stay this way and don't show their true colors after time! LOL With this being his second year his job is a LITTLE (barely) easier as he can just tweak and update his lessons that he used last year versus starting everything from scratch. We are blessed. He is happy = I am happy!

I have gone back to school! My online class started yesterday and I have to say I am already overwhelmed! I think a batch of hives appeared as I logged in yesterday and started reading everything! I started itching all over hahaha An online class is very different for me. I only took one in college and it wasn't a very important one. I would much rather be in a classroom but I couldn't find anywhere that would allow me to take this class by itself, without being enrolled into a program other that where I'm taking it now - and it's online. So, I took what I could. I am very nervous about not sitting in a classroom with a teacher in front of me. "Did I submit that right?" "Did I do everything I was supposed to for that?" "What if I completely miss an assignment?!" It's not like being in class where if you're at class you can't miss anything. My calendar just became very busy with a green pen and a highlighter! Not to mention finding time to do the rest of my studying on other topics to review for the test! The only thing that I can say to calm myself down is that I don't HAVE to pass this. Don't get me wrong, it is very important and i'm taking it very seriously, but it's not like I need a passing grade to get my degree. This is just review for me to sit for my boards again and I am just praying I get exactly what I need out of this class to do just that! If that doesn't come with a passing grade, i'm okay with that!

Onto another blessing, I have a new job! It is very bittersweet for me to post that this week is my last at the ToyBox Daycare. I am going to miss my bosses, coworkers and little ones there, but an opportunity presented itself that I just couldn't turn down. I am going to be a nanny for two sweet little girls that I actually met at the daycare and one of their little friends! They left after the drive just became too much for them and everything else kind of just fell into place right before my eyes without even looking or asking for it! That's God for ya : ) I am excited to still be able to do some teaching with them as well as do fun things like go for walks, head to the pool or grab some ice cream on those 107 degree days! It is bittersweet, but I am very excited! 

It is also that time of year where Jeremy and I get tugged down a little with being homesick. We have realized that although we love it when our parents come to visit us, it just isn't the same until we are in NY visiting our childhood homes. It breaks my heart that we have two nieces that we haven't even met yet! : ( Thanksgiving can't come soon enough when we will get to see most of our family and Christmas can't come soon enough after that where we will get to see the rest! Flights are booked, plans are being made and of course Christmas shopping has officially started! 

"It's the most wonderful time of the year...."

Upgrade!

Out with the old.....

& in with the new!

It even stands up by itself and everything! ; ) 

Back to school...

...for Jeremy

& for me...

(life update soon to follow : )

Two years!

Two years ago yesterday I married my best friend...

& two years ago today I followed him to our future.

We decided a long time ago that every year for our anniversary we wanted to get away and stay at a hotel. Even if it's just for one night and even if it's in town, it will be special and allow us to get away from life for a moment. We have found our favorite hotel through our recent travels so we decided this year we would land in Columbia, SC for the night and I found our Country Inn & Suites and booked us the Whirlpool Suite! : )

We were able to check in at 3pm and check out was at 12pm the next day, and we were there for every second of our reservation : ) 

Cheers to us! 

My MOST favorite wine in the whole word, which had gone MIA in the past 6 months or so...but he found it : )

Saturday morning after we got all wrinkly from the whirlpool and got every penny out of our hotel stay, we packed up and headed out. We had some time to kill so we wandered around town, did a little shopping and found some Starbucks. I took a spill and added two bandages to my evening wardrobe that I hadn't planned on, but nothing could ruin our day! Once 4:30 rolled around we headed off to Massage Envy for our couples massage. This was my first massage experience and I was a little nervous and unsure, but holy crap! This may become our yearly celebration! 

Then, we headed off to The Melting Pot for dinner. We had never been before but my parents went for Father's Day (I believe) and told us that we would really enjoy it. So, we booked a private booth for the evening and boy was it an experience - a delicious one! They had a card waiting at our table signed by the whole staff and the manager came out and wished us a Happy Anniversary! We highly recommend it to anyone looking to celebrate anything or just for a fun night out!

A full stomach, a full heart <3



Yesterday for our official anniversary we did absolutely nothing! Ate, drank and watched movies : )
Oh, and we decided it was the perfect time to scratch this guy off!

After 3+ years together we have been in 9 states! I'm not going to go on with all the mushy stuff, there's only one person that needs to hear or know all that, but I am so thankful and blessed with the man I have standing by my side. The happiness that he brings into my life and the love he puts in my heart. I couldn't have imagined my life being this way, this great and I thank the Lord every day for it. I can't wait to see what the upcoming years will bring for us!

I love you Jeremy Kyle <3