Tampa made Terrific by Celia and Katie

Oh my. I love Katie and Celia! It is pretty impressive that three girls from three very different parts of the country were brought together to Chicago, IL for one life-changing summer! I'm so thankful that God is in control and puts people in our lives to encourage us, to love us, and to spur us on toward love and good deeds!

While we were in Tampa...we caused lots of trouble!
We arrived to Celia's neighborhood, only to find out that we could not enter the neighborhood because there was a man with a high-powered rifle who was mad at the world and was not under control.  We were able to return several hours later.  Found out the next day that the man was angry because apparently he had just been served divorce papers..perhaps..i'm not real sure. I do know that no one was hurt and we got an awesome story! :)

We made some 'special' gingerbread men and women with Celia's friend Brenna, who 'only eats the disabled.' hehe
We went to the Magic Kingdom. It was Katie's first time and Celia's seven billionth.
We went to the beach in DECEMBER! I think everyone should get to experience the beach in December...well I think everyone should go to Disney World at Christmastime. If it's not magical enough in the summer, they manage to make it even more magical at Christmas.
We stayed up late and slept late. I mean..they stayed up late and slept late..I fell asleep at midnight and awoke by 9 (which is SUPER late for me)
We enjoyed each others company.
I would definitely have to say that it brought me so much joy to get to pass on some Southern cooking happiness to Celia, Celia's Dad, and Katie.  I've never seen someone enjoy fried chicken and biscuits so much.  It still makes me smile.

these are our special gingerbread :)

WOW! I don't know how I did that, but I love how this picture looks!

I'm ENGAGED!

So if you have not noticed, I'm pretty excited. 
So here is the story...and I'm even excited to have a story to tell. I told Brandon that I wanted a story and I was a little concerned that it would be hard for him to surprise me considering we were in two different cities and I knew when I would I see him. 

Sooo...Last thursday Brandon was planning on coming down to Birmingham before we left Saturday for San Francisco. Every time I would call him and ask where he was, he would make something up and say "Oh I'm in Nashville" or "I'm about an hour away." Little did I know that he was actually in Tuscaloosa with my parents. He actually skipped his last class of the semester so Brandon could ask my parents for my hand in marriage.  

We arrive in California and Brandon and his dad are both very sick and we thought it best to stay home for church. They were actually kindof thankful we had to stay home because they were afraid other church members may ask if we were engaged yet and to see the ring. 

On Tuesday morning, Brandon suggested we (Brandon, his mom, and I) hike up Mount Tamalpais (Mt. Tam), the second highest peak in San Francisco. His mom was like..hmm..are you sure Brandon? do you feel ok? do you think you'll be able to make it up the mountain?
He said, yeh, I feel lots better today.  (little did I know that Mt. Tam was part of the plan!! they are so sneaky!)

We drive to Mt. Tam, which is about the longest most curviest road I have ever been on in my life. I was a little unsure if I would make it without throwing up. :)
We hiked up to the top of the mountain and looked at the gorgeous San Francisco bay.  But...that's it. we just looked and took lots of pictures and I did not suspect anything. Brandon had actually planned to not ask me at the very top because there would be more tourists. He even planned to go on a weekday so there would be fewer tourists. He's SO thoughtful and amazing!

  We began our drive back down the mountain and Brandon nonchalantly suggested we stop to see the Rock Theatre (an amphitheater cut into the side of the mountain).  I was slightly tired and not feeling well from the already curvy drive, but I figured getting some more fresh air would be helpful.  We get out of the car and his mom said, "ya'll go on ahead, I'll meet ya'll up there."  (hmm..mmm very Interesting :) they are so sneaky.)

Me and Brandon begin the trek to the Rock Theatre, and lucky for Brandon the signs towards it were kindof vague and I wasn't paying attention that we weren't even headed towards the theatre.  We instead walk up to a secluded hill top that had fabulous views of the city.( I began to think, well, maybe this is it!! But no, we probably won't get engaged until next YEAR; don't get your hopes up.)

As we reached the top of this hill, I was like.."OH MY GOODNESS, how much longer till we get to this Rock Theatre because I don't see one anywhere!!"

Brandon said, "because....it's NOT HERE"...and he sat down and pulled out his Bible, read PSalm 73, and pulled out the most beautiful ring. He asked if I would marry him and I of course said YES!!!
  

Brandon had put so much thought into every little detail of the day.

We celebrated with his mom and dad at a local steakhouse, Izzy's. 

My fiance is incredible and I love him so much.

Oh, the big day will be NEXT NOVEMBER!!!

Me and Brandon

I wish I saw Brandon more often so I could have more recent pictures of us :(

OVER THANKSGIVING though, I'm sure I'll get lots and lots. It would be awesome if I could skip the next two weeks of school and just miraculously be in California.

One Month Old

Needless to say, Alexis, Krista, and I had a wonderful day last week! It was nice to get away from studying to spend time with my amazing sister and my precious niece. I can't wait until I can start passing on amazing study habits to her...hehe.

Test Schedule

For anyone who may be wondering how in the world they could pray for me...here is my lovely test schedule.  It's quite frightening
September 18: OTC: complete!
September 18: Top 1-40 quiz: complete!
September 22: Therapeutics: complete!
September 28: Physical Assessment: complete!
September 30: Fiscal Management: complete!
October 2: Top 41-89 quiz: complete!
October 8: Clinical Skills Competition: me and Amy are willingly spending 2 hours assessing a case. Usually 4th years win, but this will be great experience for next year.: It went well. 4th years did win, but me and Amy had a great time and are more prepared for next year.
October 16: Therapeutics: Complete!!
October 16: Top 90-119 quiz: complete!
October 30: Advanced Pharmacy Practice: after this one, I'll be able to Immunize!...well, after I get my certificate in January. Complete
November 5: Therapeutics: COMPLETE!! YAY I'm passing Therapeutics
November 9: Physical Assessment. Complete!
November 13: Top 120-149 quiz. Complete!
November 16: Patient Self-Care (OTC). Complete!

November 18: Fiscal Management. Complete! Sweet. Now I can dump all that financial mumbo jumbo and hire someone like my sweet future-sister-in-law to take care of that for ME!! YAY!! 

November 20: Top 150-179. Complete
THANKSGIVING!
December 3: Top 180-200. Complete
December 7: Therapeutics FINAL. COMPLETE!! Praise Jesus!
December 9: Patient Self Care FINAL
December 10: Advanced Pharmacy Practice FINAL

Remembering Summer

Oh My goodness!! I just had to share some wonderful pictures. Krista and Jeremy are super duper close to having little Alexis and I am so excited!! Krista is about the cutest little pregnant woman I've ever seen. 


This was my family at Disney World. We had a marvelous time and I wish we could go back...instead I'll be studying Therapeutics all day today.


And Brandon and I. He's pretty awesome and October 1st won't get here soon enough! 

September 9, 2009

Psalm 10:16-18

The Lord is King forever and ever; the nations perish from his land. O Lord, you hear the desire of the afflicted; you will strengthen their heart; you will incline your ear to do justice to the fatherless and the oppressed, so that man who is of the earth may strike terror no more.

Isaiah 61: 1-3

The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn; to grant to those who mourn in Zion--to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he may be glorified.

James 1:27

Religion that is pure and undefiled before God our Father is this: to look after the widows and the orphans in their affliction and to remain unstained from the world.