It's Official!

I received the official word this afternoon... my extension (and vacations!) has been approved by the manager at UNC. So, I am sticking around until August.

It's good to know this decision is made and so I don't have to worry or think about it... Plus, work is getting busier, which is great because it means I could pick up an extra day or two here and there... extra money is always good! So, hopefully we will stay busy so I can get some overtime soon.

Thanks for all the thoughts and prayers and encouragement during this time! Appreciate you all greatly =)

Decision Made

Well, I have decided... I will be staying at UNC for another three-month assignment. I am happy about the decision and am looking forward to the next three months here in NC... the weather is warming up and there are lots of fun activities outside to be involved in.

The next few months are already packed with fun activities... the fist (and most exciting) being my upcoming vacation to San Diego!! Can't wait to get back out there for a week and see all my girls. We are going to have so much fun and I am so very excited.


A few weeks after I am back from San Diego I will be headed to the beach for Alix's Bachelorette Weekend. It will be a very nice and relaxing weekend on the beach with some girls I haven't seen in a long time and should be really fun as well!



The next weekend my nephew and family will be coming down for a visit. I cannot wait to spend time with him and see my sister-in-law. It will be great to have them here. We are going to see Thomas the Train and I Know he will absolutely LOVE every minute of it... earning some Best Aunt Ever Points! haha

Then there are some tentative plans for visits to and from other friends as well, and by all means, let me know if/when you wanna come! I love having company and am soo excited to see some great friends during the summer!

So, overall I am excited about the next few months, and I am happy about the decision to stay where I am and continue working at UNC and to continue building friendships I have started here as well.

My Momma

Of course I miss my mom everyday, more than I could ever explain to anyone. But, there are some days that the single person in the whole world that I want or need to talk to is my mom; and in those situations it's almost like a slap in the face with the reality of her being gone. It's those mornings after work when the one person I have always called is my mom to tell her about the night, this morning was one of those mornings. Boy, how those mornings suck.

Usually it's after a night that was rough for one reason or another and I have always looked forward to talking to my mom and decompressing from the night before. She was always the one I could call whenever and she would be there to support me and encourage me after those nights. Mom's always know how to make their kids feel better... and now I don't have that.

I realize over and over again how much I miss her and how no one will or ever could replace my mom in my life (or the lives of my family).

So, hug your mom a little tighter today for me. Call her to say hi and you love her. Just appreciate the time you have with her because you can't get it back.

I love you, momma!!

The Sun Came Out!!

So I just finished one of the "mini-vacations" that working 3 nights a week can offer. I have been off work for 5 days... of course the first 4 it was cold and raining as it has been in North Carolina for the past couple of weeks. Believe me, I am over the rain! We all know how much I love the sun and being outside, so this rain has landed me right on my couch watching episode after episode of CleanHouse--- which, I can't say I mind a day on the couch... but I don't need 3 weeks there! Well, to my amazement the sun has come out!

When Layla and I got up on Wednesday the sun was out so off we went to the dog park so we could both spend some much needed time outside. And it was great. Then, yesterday when we get up again not only is the sun out but it is warm! So, I dig up the swim suit and beach towels, pull out the ipod and head to the pool for some hours spent relaxing in the sun with Alix. It was fantastic! I even put my feet in the water because it was so hot on my chair. However, on my way to work Alix called and it seems our day in the sun produced much more than relaxation for her... she now has the first sunburn of the season. And, as the night has gone on here at work it appears my chest may be getting slightly more red-tinged. But, I can take that as long as it comes with the rest of me being somewhat tan and the sickly-pale color of winter being gone.

So, one more point for North Carolina with the improvement in the weather... still trying to make the decision for my next contract, but as for now I am back to work for 3 nights so life outside of the hospital is put on hold...

Decisions

As a travel nurse my next move is decided usually half-way through my current assignment. Well, it's time... Many times this decision is easy. Either I love where I am and who is around and I choose to stay. Or, on the other end of the spectrum I am completely unhappy with where I am working and have no desire to stay so I choose someplace new. Currently I am somewhere in the middle... My job at UNC is one I enjoy. The people are nice, the hospital is friendly and the assignment is one I am happy with. The area is not bad, I have met a few fun people that I have enjoyed hanging out with. I am close to some other people that I love to spend time with, even if I only get to periodically. Hopefully the weather will be warming up soon, which is a big part of my travel decisions.
However, I still wonder... Should I try someplace new? Is there something better out there for me right now? Or, do I stay where I am content right now, with people I have enjoyed getting to know. What's three more months....
Plus, I have to think about the wedding in June. I moved out here to be close for these last few months of planning and preparing with Alix. As much as I would love to, I don't think heading back to the west coast is the right decision at this exact moment in my life...
As if I wasn't under enough stress with life itself... I know that God will show me what He has for me and will give me peace with the decision He wants me to make. Doesn't make the in-between time any easier!!

A Start...

So, I've decided with everything going on in my life maybe I will start writing about it... I'm sure it will be somewhat therapeutic to get some of it out.
Currently living in North Carolina... even though I have been here since Feb I am still adjusting to life outside of San Diego and life without my girls with me everyday. I guess it would be more accurate to say I am adjusting to life period. As the saying goes, "when it rains it pours" and that is how the changes in my life have come lately... but, with the support of a couple few close friends I am getting there and doing okay.
Life in NC is not bad, just different. Work is good, that's a blessing. Meeting some new people, love that! And I guess re-discovering who I am, which I think is essential many times in life.
So, not sure how exciting this blog will be... but it will be a place for me to keep those who are interested updated on my life, and hopefully it will be a pathway for me to discover, again, who the real me is.