Catching up

A few of my favorite pics from our trip to Houston

Recently

Life has been moving at a pretty fast pace recently. Not hectic, just fast.

The baby announcements mentioned earlier have been in the works since we've been home from Houston. They're probably one of my favorite creations yet.

I had to jump into gear and crank these guys out when I found out while in Houston that my sweet pregnant coworker was surprisingly no longer pregnant! Big big congratulations to Ashley & Josh on the arrival of sweet little Gabe. The announcements are so close to done I can hardly wait- the only thing left is to get a pic of the cute guy pasted on, addressed and mailed out. I look forward to meeting baby Gabe soon and surprising mommy with her cute announcements!!!

I feel like I've spent a LOT of money lately. My spending habits seem to follow a circuit; I'll go a while without buying much of anything, get in a shopping mood, buy to my heart's content, get freaked out by the amount of money I'm burning and shut down my spending to a bare minimum. I spent a lot @ Archivers... some of which went into Ashley's announcements, some went towards our Christmas cards, and a big chunk was just my splurging. There just aren't ANY good scrapbook stores around here since Recollections closed down. Also, i've bought some pretty scandalous items here recently- I've been asked by my husband to keep quiet on this, although it seems like I cant hardly keep from showing the stuff off to everyone I come in contact with. And few new tops, a little here, a little there... you get the point.

Some of the old apartment has changed a bit. I've decided to move some furniture around in hopes of putting maybe another desk in the 2nd bedroom. I may rather update the desk we have before adding a new one in, however. It would be nice to have a scrapbook area... someplace besides the middle of the floor or coffee table. 

This week starts the last year here @ seminary. Pretty hard to believe we're almost done. Given that Jordan passes all of his classes between here and May (including Hebrew- yuck!), he'll be walking across the stage and receiving his diploma at the end of the spring semester. It's gone by so fast. I cant get all nostalgic now... we still have a year. 

Jordan and I are 1/3 of a 3 couple accountability group, formed from within our Sunday School class. We've met 3 times so far and it's been such an encouragement for me. Jordan and I were both leery of the idea of forming groups for the purpose of accountability; I mean, I need to be comfortable around the people that are holding me accountable... and picking names "out of a hat" doesn't always equal comfort zone. Through a fortunate turn of events, Curtis & Catherine became 1/3 of the group, and the last 1/3 are Jeremy and Michele Whitten. We weren't really familiar with the Whittens, but in the past 6 weeks that we've been meeting, we've gotten closer and have opened up to each other more and more with each meeting. I really look forward to our dinners and even more so to our conversations. I feel like I have so much to learn from both of these girls, and it's always such a pleasure to sit around the table and talk about our experiences. My personal goal at the end of all this (if it does end, as the "plan" was from the beginning) to have a lifelong relationship with both couples. C&C will be lifelong regardless, but this time together has really deepened our relationship with Christ, where previously we were not quick to discuss what God was doing in our lives. I hope the same for our relationship with Jeremy & Michele; that one day, years from now I can still pick up the phone, call Michele and talk about what God is doing in our lives. I love our Sunday school. It's going to be so difficult to leave there for another church..... there I go getting all nostalgic again.

Current song stuck in my head: The Olympic music!!! Who ISNT watching Michael Phelps?!

Realizations

1. I have come to realize that my butt:
is just flat. There is nothing I can do to round out my rear end outside of surgery or butt pads. No thanks.

2. I have come to realize that when I talk:
I ramble. I tell stories like a girl. I struggle at times with conversation starters, especially between people I'm somewhat unfamiliar with, but I can ramble on and on if I have something good to talk about. Like cupcakes apparently.

3. I have come to realize that, if I love someone:
I touch them. If I really love someone (platonic or otherwise) in a way that's completely unconditional and open, I touch them. I dont mean this in a dirty way. I am not a touchy-feely person. I dont give out hugs freely. I am uncomfortable around others who are touchy-feely. I've had one person recognize the transformation between non-touchy Hollie & post-comfortable-friendship touchy Hollie. 

4. I have come to realize that I need:
Jesus everyday. Yeah, so I need out of this 700 square foot, mexican ghetto apartment. And I need a raise. And I need a new car. And I need a new set of sheets for our bed and an iPhone. But I need Jesus. 

5. I have come to realize that I have lost:
My faith in my parent's broken marriage. Everyday that goes by, I lose more and more hope in their reconciliation. After 27 years? I'll always hope and pray that they will find each other again, it's the only thing I've ever known. 

6. I have come to realize that, I hate it when:
I keep my "nurse-guard" up around people I love. Due to the nature of my profession, I cant afford to genuinely connect with the people I care for. I keep their best interests (medically-speaking) at heart, sometimes at the expense of their comfort. I keep myself reserved, sometimes at the expense of looking cold. I can hardly handle some of the things I see, and there's a distance that forms as a result. Some days it's hard to let that guard down and be genuine with people close to me. 

7. I have come to realize that, if I'm drunk:
I'm gonna be in big trouble when I get home; a Southern Baptist Preacher's wife does not drink. Therefore, I do not drink. 

8. I have come to realize that, marriage:
 Is the hardest and most wonderful thing in my life; all at the same time.

9. I have come to realize that work:
is just work. I dont have to love my job everyday; it helps, but in the end, it is a means to sustain my husband and I. I can do just about anything for 12 hours. (and just for posterity's sake; i DO love my job just about everyday.)

10. I have come to realize that, I will always be:
A pushover at heart; I'll give someone money who asks for it because I cant lie to them and say I dont have it, when I do. I'll take another patient even though I'm already drowning in paperwork to keep my fellow nurse from taking it. I'll loan out books, movies, music, clothes, and rarely ever ask for them back (unless I need them). 

11. I have come to realize that, I like:
Warm summer days, finding new places, coloring my hair, spending time talking with dear friends.

12. I have come to realize that, the last time I cried was:
Last-last Saturday, when I woke up to Jordan eating a Chick-filA chicken biscuit and thought I'd never be able to taste or eat anything like that again. 

13. I have come to realize that, my cell phone is:
close to death if I keep dropping it

14. I have come to realize that, when I wake up in the morning:
I'm not a morning person unless I can wake up on my own; in other words, I hate the alarm clock. 

15. I have come to realize that, before I go to sleep at night:
I'm a freaking angry monster. I've learned to apologize first thing in the morning for whatever I'd pitched a fit about the night before. This is magnified if i've already fallen asleep on the couch once prior to going to bed.

16. I have come to realize that, right now I am thinking about:
What my answer to #5 will be. I skipped around a bit...

17. I have come to realize that, babies:
They're beautiful little miracles and as predictable as the weather. (as a Labor nurse, some days are good, some days are great, and some days need lots and lots of strong coffee). I look forward to having one of my own. One day. (not soon- dont read into this too much.)

18. I have come to realize that, when I get on Myspace:
It gets harder and harder to log in. I guess it could be because I cancelled my account about 3 months ago.

19. I have come to realize that, today I will:
Have another spoonful of rainbow chip icing and get ready for bed.

20. I have come to realize that, tomorrow I will:
Spend the majority of my day in an operating room, welcoming new life into the world.

21. I have come to realize that, I really want to:
Feel my tongue. Take a nap. Go shopping. Finish a book. Travel to Augusta. Write a book. Go back to school. Buy a house. Make cards & photograph people for a living. Give all my money to someone who needs it more than I do. 

22. I have come to realize that working out:
Is not worth it the days I work 12 hours.

23. I have come to realize that the smallest kernel of hope: Sometimes isn't enough and sometimes can encourage me to do things I never thought were possible.

Side note: It took me a few days to complete this; therefore, some answers are older than others. Thanks Twila for helping me make some realizations about myself.

Current song stuck in my head: My Redeemer Lives!

Ambitions

Some things I've got on my burners now.

1. Baby Announcements for a sweet co-worker & her little boy-to-be!

2. Creative Suite 3 & all things included. I'm totally overwhelmed @ this point.

3. Continuing to dabble in photography (in conjunction with #3!). I'm hoping to convince the same mama whose baby announcements are in the works to sit with me on a maternity shoot. 

4. Work, as always.

5. Vacation scrapbook.

We're in Houston this weekend visiting Jordan's parents & sister. I cant believe how big the kids are getting!! Ava is toddling around like a big girl and Cameron is such a joy to play with. I'll be certain to put some more applicable pictures up shortly. 

Current song stuck in my head: not much. 

It seems like I've stayed very busy doing a lot of nothing lately.

So Jordan and I finally saw The Dark Knight!  (hence the music change) It was pretty fantastic and I'd love to see it again! I'm a fan of most superhero-ish movies and I'm certain we will own  this one when it comes to DVD. I've come to re-learn here very recently how absolutely nerdy I really am, so it comes as no surprise that I enjoyed this movie so much. I'm not saying you have to be a nerd to enjoy batman, there are so many other evidences of my nerd-dom besides loving the biggest movie in the country right now. 

On the teeth side of things; nothing much has changed. I saw the dentist & the periodontist and they were not all too concerned, said they'd seen it before and it could be months before all the swelling goes down. No nerve damage, things are healing well, but it's unfortunate that I'm still without feeling & movement. I have learned to deal with it... for example, right now I'm drinking a glass of milk and having some lovely spoonfuls of rainbow chip icing. Straight from the tub. (sorry Dr. Peterson.) I have a (dull/numb) sweet tooth. :)

One good thing about all this tooth mumbo-jumbo? I'm fitting into things that I havent in years. I dont know how much I weighed prior to this insult, but I'd guesstimate that I've lost somewhere in the range of 10lbs. I cant keep my "fat pants" up, and my "skinny jeans" have never looked better.... and that's without spanx. :) I want to shop my pants off, but i'm certain that once I can actually eat and taste again I'll want to eat everything in sight. 

I have started on our vacation scrapbook and am super excited to be back in the crop-swing. My poor apartment has taken a beating, with most every flat surface in the living room covered with machines or paper or trash or other accouterments. I dont think I've scrapbooked anything since March, other than the occasional greeting card. I've got a long way to go- we took like 300 pictures, and I'm working in an 8.5x8.5 album! I made a baby card for a shower yesterday, and I think it may have been one of the cutest cards ever... which I didnt take a picture of! I'll have to replicate it.  I love getting creative!

Speaking of creative, we finally invested in Creative Suite 3. I am crazy stoked about this and am already talking to people about pictures- now I just need a few tutorials on this photoshop! 

This post echoes what most of my life looks like now; lots of rambling on, but saying very little.

Current song stuck in my head: The Beginning is the End is the Beginning by Smashing Pumpkins (whom I secretly enjoy hearing)

10 Things

Ok- I was commissioned by Megan to come up with 10 little known facts about myself. Some may be new to you!!

1. I either want to get my nose pierced (a tiny little diamond- not a giant ring!) or a tattoo. My husband, however forbids this.

2. I have 2 left feet-- I cant dance to save my life. I once bought a "dance" work out video in hopes of both losing weight and gaining some sweet moves.

3. I really would love to go to medical school;  I'll settle (later on) for an NP, PA, or midwifery school.

4. I love traveling new places; I've been to England, France, Italy, Switzerland, Germany, Mexico, Honduras, The Bahamas, Puerto Rico, The Virgin Islands, Hawaii and various other states in the US. I still am hoping to see New York, Seattle, the Grand Canyon, San Francisco, and make it back to Paris one day. 

5. When I was little, my favorite dress was picked up off the side of the road by my Nana. My mother hated it and I wore it almost everyday. I, of course, didnt know all of this until I was about 14. 

6. Breakfast is my favorite meal of the day; I could eat it for lunch & dinner too! Unfortunately, Jordan doesn't really eat breakfast.

7. I've thought long & hard about going blonde. Of course, I'd have to lighten my eyebrows too.

8. I consider moving to Texas my greatest accomplishment (outside of my relationship with Jesus). I couldn't have done it without my husband.

9. My favorite pizza is Round Table Pizza. We must have eaten there 4-5 times over our honeymoon, and recently were able to have more RTP on our trip to California! Delicious!!!

10. God speaks to me through His creation. I never feel closer to Him than when I'm outside seeing new and beautiful things. It's probably one good reason I love to fly (and stare out the window at the Earth) to new places.

Now if you're (still) reading this- it's your turn!! 

Current song stuck in my head: Sweeter than This by Katie Herzig

Ugh.

I feel like an invalid. 

and I should rename my blog to "24 hours of whining and torture." Because I feel like that's all I do! 

Nothing much has changed.... my tongue is still totally numb. No taste. No hot. No cold. I do think that earlier today while eating some watermelon that I bit my tongue- so maybe it is getting better? My jaw is still stiff, and no amount of painful stretching is helping. I've expanded my diet from slim fast and ice cream to include soup, watermelon and fudgecicles too. My mom is convinced that I'm wasting away, but I'm certain- after packing away a cup of blue bell per day, that my waistline is fine. Only problem with a cup o' ice cream per day? It doesnt add up to much energy. Deciding to go back to work yesterday may have been a mistake. I fell asleep quickly (on the couch) after getting home and when Jordy woke me up around midnight, my teeth were on fire! When I woke up this morning I had the worst headache!!! I didnt go to work today. I feel like such a punk- I've only worked 4 days since we got back from California. I've burned up all of my sick time and several vacation days.... for my stupid teeth.

I'm so ready to be done with all this. 

And I really appreciate all the people who have been an encouragement. The Stranges, the Whittens, the McElroys, the Ackermans... My MOM (loving on us in a big way from far away)... Mandy- keeping me encouraged that all these symptoms I'm having may be normal... and everyone who knows a little about having problems with extractions and know it's not easy. All the prayers, the phone calls, the messages... it's been a wonderful encouragement for myself and Jordan!

I gotta get started on some cards. :)