No fun being sick

This morning I woke up with half a voice, running a fever, and feeling congested. I knew I was coming down with something because I haven't felt good all week, wanting to go to sleep soon as I got home from work, I missed church slept till 1:30pm. I am hoping that it doesn't get worse, I hate being sick! My mom called me last night and she is bringing over the necessities - soup, gatorade, cold medicine.

Going to a Concert!

I am a huge fan of Beyonce and when I heard that she was coming to South Florida, I was making plans to get my ticket. As of yesterday I will be seeing Beyonce in concert at Bank Atlantic Center. I got a awesome seat, I have a great view of the main stage but I will be sitting in the front row of the second stage! I will be seeing her movie "Obsessed" this weekend.

I like certain pop/rock artist and their music, as well as, some individual songs. But I am a country girl at heart! I have seen so many concerts and I cannot sleep without my radio being on a country channel. I grew up listening to the classic/traditional country music, such as George Jones, Tammy Wynette, Lorretta Lynn, Porter Wagner, Barbara Mandrell, Patsy Cline, etc. So at times I like to put this channel on my direct tv and listen, it brings back alot of childhood memories for me. Yes, I prefer country music over the pop/rock. And I do like putting peanuts in my (diet) coke with a side of a moon pie.

Here are my top 5 favorite country artist:

5.) Rascal Flatts
4.) Martina McBride
3.) Reba McEntire
2.) Keith Urban
1.) Tim McGraw

Sorry Kelly, Carrie Underwood did not make my top 5, got burned out when we had to listen to her for 2 hours.

Vacation!

It has been 7 months since I had a vacation and I am ready for one. Last year I went for the gusto and went to New York for 5 days and had a blast. Now this year I have no idea where I want to go or even do. I have always been told by someone to go with the flow and why do I always need a plan. Well, that is just the way I am and i like to know what I am doing.

This year I have tossed around some ideas and I have been looking at some deals but I haven't decided yet. Who knows maybe I will visit another state/city that I have never seen and is on my dream list. Anybody has some suggestions I open to them. Lets see if someone can give me a cool vacation to do.

Pictures

These are some pictures of when my family visited a couple weeks ago.

CNA...I Am One Step Away!

A few months ago I decided I wanted to do something different, to have a change. So I did some research and I came across CNA (Certified Nursing Asst) training. There was a local training center in Homestead that offered the class but I was figuring it to be expensive. But when I was quoted the fees and all that it enquired....I was interested. With alot of thought and prayer I decided to enroll in the class and make it happen. My first day I thought what did I get myself into, the amount of material that we were covering was overwhelming. I was determined to succeed and pass, kept myself positive and believing I can do this.

I was learning so much and excited to be doing this, I couldn't wait till the next class. I was having fun and this is truly going to be an adventure for me. I am proud of myself that I have been able to discipline myself to study and just be able to soak in everything I can from my teachers. During my second week of class we took an HHA test (Home Health Aide), I passed with a 96%. It is a requirment that we take a CPR class. The class and test is given in 3 hours, I passed this test with a 95%. So far I have 2 certificates showing I passed and can contiue.

When we got into our final week of class my teacher surprised us and said that we would be taking our final exam. This only gave us one day to study and I was starting to stress because we needed to pass this test to show that we are readyto move on. We didn't take the test when it was said, so I took it last week on the spot without studying for a week. I passed the final with a 84%, so I was able to apply for my State Board test and I did.

I have my date to take the State test, I will be doing my written and clinical skills test in the same day. I will know the same day that I pass. I have some time to study and practice my skills. I am leaving this in God's hands because if this is His plan for my life and the direction for me to go....I will pass. It is official I am exactly one test away from my license and I am very excited to be doing this!

Marlins Game

I got to go to my first Marlins game of the season. They were playing the New York Mets, I did not realize how many Mets fan there were in South Florida! It was a great game, went down to the bottom of 9th inning to win it 5 to 4. I had gotten a really awesome seat just pass the first base had an awesome few of the field. Having those seats also comes with a price....everybody was in my section including a fight that was waiting to happen 3 rows down in front of me. I enjoyed the game and I am looking forward to going to other games.

Easter Candy

My favorite easter candy is the Cadbury Creme Eggs. I get them every year, they come bite size by a dozen but this year I can't have them. So I will look at the picture and dream.

Peeps I can handle the rabbits because they are a little smaller. I am happy that they come sugar free but I do not see how that is possible since its a ball of sugar. I don't mind one every once in a while but I do rush to get them. All you Peeps lover.....they now have them in chocolate.

Stuffing Easter Baskets!

This week I got an email and text from Patricia asking if I would like to her life group stuff easter baskets for the minisrty that they chose to do, I said "yes". Patricia, Venus, Chris, Carol (if I'm right) and myself stuffed 24 baskets with ALOT of candy and additional toys. These baskets are to be given to less fortunate children in our community. The night was fun, we were cracking on each other, laughing and sneaking pieces of candy into our mouths. I did get very tempted to eat a kit-kat and I was willing to pay the price but then I decided not to. I am surprised that there were any jelly beans left.....see Chris was stuffing plastic eggs with the jelly beans and I think that as he was adding them to the eggs he was also adding them to his stomach.

Here is the finishing touches to the baskets and some pictures.....

Patricia with the finale!!!

Mrs. Johnsons

I remember the first day I met Mrs. Johnson nearly 15 years ago. Today feels like nothing has changed except we are older. I am so blessed to have Mrs. Johnson as a part of my life. She has been there from day one with my walk as a christian. Mrs. Johnson has been there for the ups and downs, helping me deal with some difficult times in my life. I remember when she asked me to be the Sunday School Superintendent, I felt honor that she asked and served it with joy. One Sunday morning I was preparing the stage for worship and I had asked Mrs. Johnson if I could help her with the children church, she said "yes". From that day on I was her helper. She could start a sentence and I was able to finish it thats how close well we knew what to do in children church. I had a blast working with and a part of me misses those times we had shared.
After church on Sundays I would eat lunch with her and the family, then afterwards we all would hang out and watch tv. Mrs. Johnson was my adopted mom and she was there for me. I call Mrs. Johnson my mentor. She took me from a newborn to helping me learn how to crawl as a new christian, gave me spiritual guidance when I needed it. When I had a question or didn't understand something she would always try to give me the answer. As the years went by she told me it was ok to stumble or fall but I would just have to pick myself up. I don't think I would be where I am today without her guidance, care, love and friendship. Then this got handed down to the next Mrs. Johnson.

My mentor from 2000 to today has been Kelly. I have to say that it hasn't been an easy job for her, or at least I haven't made it easy. I should be giving her a paycheck for being difficult. I remember when kelly came to church for the first time. I found out that she was going to be taking over the children church the first thing I asked Mrs. Johnson was "is she still going to let me help?" I worked with Kelly until I took on the nursery. I can remember being in the only life group at the time. we would sit next to each other. One time during the discussion travis asked if he needed to separate us, so it felt like high school. Kelly was my mentor at the most difficult time in my life. I was dealing with alot of things in regards to the loss of my dad and had a hard time understanding. I know it wasn't easy and I made more difficult but it didn't matter she was still there making sure I wasn't giving up. She took me from the crawling stage to teaching me how walk and telling me its ok to to make mistakes that God would not love me less. through alot of conversations and talks, I had to come to peace with some things in my life. By promising her to go on a retreat I was able to forgive, have peace, accept and love. It was very difficult experience but I wouldn't trade it for anything, this was a turning point for me.
Now today Kelly has taught me how to run but at the same time if I fall I have to know how to pick myself back up and not stay down. She took me out of a comfort zone and I fought her on it but she won. Now there were times that things weren't great and allow myself to be suckered punch by the devil but Kelly was there to help. As of today, Kelly has never left my side even when I was being the most difficult I ever been. Through all this God blessed me with a friend that is irreplaceable, one that I call my sister and I wouldn't be this far without her.

CHOCOLATE!

So I found out about 2 1/2 weeks ago that I am allergic to dustmites, cucumbers, crab, scallops, peanuts(all) and CHOCOLATE! That is one thing you do not tell a woman she cannot have. I have done good up to this point of it not bothering me that I can't have it. It does take me a little longer to shop because I have to read ingredients. Now when I go out to eat dinner I have to ask if the food is cooked in peanut oil. One time I did forget half way through eating but luckily it wasn't. I did not realize how much of the food that I bought and enjoyed very much....now I can no longer have. I had to change what I drink at Starbucks.

But today I am wanting a piece of chocolate badly and I am tempted when I go home to take a chance to have a small piece, pray that nothing happens. I do see my doctor this month and he & I will have a heart to heart about the chocolate. Would a piece here and there truly hurt? I will find out soon.

My Family Came to Visit

Today my family left to go back home. We had to say our good-byes last night due to the time I get up for work. It was kinda hard and I always hate sayin"good-byes". Last night we watched a movie, which has been our way of spending the last nights when we visit each other.
I wouldn't trade this past weekend for anything in the world!!! We packed so much into each day and going out and about, spending time together and making new memories. I wished my niece was able to come but she had to take ACT Test for college. I will share this, Saturday we went to see "Monsters vs. Aliens 3-D", I had a good 85 minute nap. That was the worse 3-D affects and to be a animation it was waaaaaaaaaay to slow.

Anyways I will be looking forward to my family's visit in July!!

Mondays....

I am so not a Monday morning person! When I wake up, I am already on countdown to 4:00pm. Once I get through Monday then the rest of my week is no problem and its smooth sailing. But I am very excited that I have a short week. I found out last week that my office is not working on Good Friday. Hello to 3 days off!!

My Kids

I am not a mom who can brag about her kids. But being an Aunt, I feel I have the right to brag on these 3 special people in my life. When I speak about them I usually refer to them as my kids.

This is my niece Amanda. I cannot believe how time has flown by it seemed like yesterday she was born. Amanda was special from the day she was born. She was 4 weeks early and had under developed lungs, that required her to be on a monitor 24/7. I remember the first time I held her in December of 2000 when I came home for Christmas break. At that time due to her condition we had to get the doctor's permission for me to hold her and I was able to but I had to wear a mask. As she grew up, Amanda was more and more like my little sister than my niece. She loved to spend the night, stay up late to talk or watch movies, eat as much junk as she could before she had to go home. Amanda is now 18 yrs old, she will be graduating from high school in May where she will attend St. Johns River Community College on a scholarship for volleyball. I have been blessed to been able to see her play in volleyball tournaments with her school and summer league. Amanda has a gentle spirit and a kind heart, she never lets a moment go by that she doesn't tell you that she loves you. I am very proud of my niece and it has been my honor to be her Aunt. I love her very much and I cannot wait to see what the future holds for her.

This is my nephew Tylor. He was a mess growing up. Tylor was unique in his own way and I am close with him. I was there for his birth and eversince we have a special bond. When I look at Tylor I see my brother at that age. I would always tease him becasue he is a carbon copy of my brother! I remember returning from basic training, my family came to the airport to pick me up, when Tylor saw me he wanted out of the stroller throwing his arms up for me to get him, He never let me go that night. I took weekends every month to go see him play baseball. I was one of his biggest cheerleader and fan. He has a athletic gift that is out of the world. Tylor is now 14 yrs old and I have been blessed to have him in my life. I enjoy each year that I get to make new memories with him. Tylor has grown and matured over the past years and I am very proud of the young man he turning into. I love him more as each year passes!

This is my nephew Sean. He is truly one of a kind! Sean and I share the same birthday, I have been told that he was my gift but I just can't take him home. My family had moved to Orange Park, FL when Sean was born but I got to see him a couple weeks afterwards. When I held him there was an instant connection. Sean and I had grown very close to each other. He is our clown of the family and likes to make people laugh. He has a sweet personality and very respectful to the girls. He is into football and baseball, I have been able to watch him play. Sean reminds me so much of my dad with his ways and at times when he smiles or hold his head in a certain way. Sean is 11 yrs old and I am so very blessed to be a part of his life and him in my mine. I still have alot of years to watch him grow and mature. I love him very much and I am proud to see the young boy that he is.

I am very blessed to be their Aunt and I love them more and more each day, I miss them more as each year passes. But I would not trade my time shared and memories made for anything in the world. They are my pride and joy. I thank God everyday that I have them in my life!!

Camera, Pictures....

I am not big on carrying my camera or even having my picture taken. I am usually ducking and dodging! I will carry my camera when I am going to visit a place I have never been to and know that I may never get to visit again. So I could easily take 178 to 200 plus pictures.

Once in a while I will give in when someone pulls their camera out and want to take a picture. I do have some favorite pictures and would like share one with you.

So, those of you who knows that I am always dodging the cameras, know that it is a milestone.

Its one of my favorites not just because it is with one of my friends but because I actually feel it is one of the best I have taken in a LONG time.