UPdate.

I can hardly believe that it has been almost two months since I have last blogged. One reason for that could be my computer crashing every time I turn it on... another reason could be I have been busy with wedding odds and ends and trying to stay safe in this blustery snowy weather. Lets see here.. most recent news...
We celebrated Chris's birthday in January, I found my wedding dress!- it is about time.. if one more person asked me if I had my dress yet I was going to flick 'em with spork because I just had not gotten to find my dresses yet, so I laid all the excuses aside and went to Richmond with my BFF Laura. We found the dress at Bella Rosa on Broad St. It is soo beautiful! It is a Provianas (Harlem) dress.
We got new furniture from the best FIL (father in law) and MIL (mother in law). Things are starting to come together slowly. I get so caught up in the day to day (whether that be time or money) that I really haven't put all my ideas into action..that day will come..hopefully.
I hired a graphic designer to do my save the dates and invitations.. she just happens to be on of my dear friends, Kathleen. She has done a magnificent job. Currently, I am in the process of sending the save the dates out.. trying to get some last minute addresses. The guest list has been a little stressful with trying to finalize due to the limited number allowed at the venue. I would prefer to have a small wedding, but we both have so many people we want to be at our big day. Fortunately God has blessed me with understanding friends and I know they will understand and we can celebrate after-just one on one which is what I would prefer.
Also with the wedding, we have finalized our menu- it is so nice to just check things off of the list.

One big thing I almost forgot was Miss Foster Wilson! She is our beautiful lab/great dane puppy. She will be huge, but I need something to protect me until Chris moves in. Foster enjoys cuddling on the couch watching the Bachelor and HGTV as well as chewing on mama's shoes. She has also enjoyed galloping in the snow and meeting new people. Pictures to come.

Work is still going good. I am definitely getting things down such as time management. And not once have I wished I was back in nursing school. I had to sleep at the hospital a few weeks ago due to the snow. It give me a glance into a patient's perspective. One thing the I noticed was that the beds were horrible. I woke up with every joint tight and achy.

Other recent interests:
Cooking-Giada makes it look so easy... so I have been getting inspired..but don't worry I am not overdoing it.. I mean come on.. I am still ME.
Exercising- I tried out the Wii Active by EASports that I gave Chris for his bday and it is a great work out. I am going to strive to do the 30 day Challenge... I have done good so far.. I have completed Workout One!

In Other News:
I got baptized in January at my church, Brentwood. It was an awesome experience seeing the video of my testimony on the big screen and having all my small group members in the front row as well as my daddy, step mommy, and Chris! My prayer was that God would use my baptism to inspire or help others find the Lord. Of course the Lord answered and following Jon's message my dad asked for a bible.

Well this is my life right now.. thanks for reading.

My new coat

Mr Wilson's purchase for me from a little boutique in Bristol, Serendipity

Pictures

Chef Wilson busy at work

Making icicles

Our beautiful masterpiece

Our new house in Madison Heights

A few things to keep us hydrated while being snowed

The yummy rum cake made by Mrs. Wilson

The season

The Lord continues to teach me patience... after a frustrating journey we were finally able to close on the house. I have been in the house for almost two weeks now. I love it! It took awhile to get there between the closing process and getting out of my apt, but the Lord has provided.

Last weekend the first snow arrived..roughly 13 inches. I was snowed in with Chris and his mama which, of course, was fun. We relaxed by watching Confessions of a Shopaholic, Julie and Julia, Happy Feet, and Deck the Halls as well as eating rum cake and drinking wine.. what more could you want.

Unfortunately, I was not able to put a Christmas tree up this year.. sadness... I guess between moving in and work.. it hasn't happened. Now we are in Bristol through Christmas, so to say the least it wont happen. It has been a different and slightly difficult Christmas season... I feel like it has just flown by. Holidays are very different when you are a grown up.. you are forced to make tough decisions and choose between family. Some are supportive and others are not, but one thing I have learned is that you gotta do what you gotta do. Chris and I have decided to spend Christmas in Bristol with the Wilson clan. We arrived on Monday and will stay until Saturday or Sunday. Originally I was suppose to work Christmas day, but we ended up closing the unit yesterday. Keep me and my family in your prayers as it will be different spending Christmas away from them and different for Chris's family to have an extra member join in their traditions.

Moving along from my sob story, I am feeling a little sore this morning thanks to Wii sports.

I am really hoping Santa will bring us one because I am really feeling the burn.

Although we didn't put up a tree, we did make a gingerbread house for which Chris did most of the work. I am thinking he was deprived of this tradition as a child, so he really got into putting this humble abode together. It turned out beautifully. I am going to try to post some pictures.

Well, I am thinking I should probably hop in the shower, but Merry CHRISTmas!! I pray that yall are able to celebrate the real for the season.

PS.. As mentioned above I watched Julie and Julia and I think Julie brought up some good points about blogging. Sometimes I wonder what the point is because it is hard to believe that someone really reads these random thoughts I throw out.. I guess I keep writing because it is an outlet...But if you have any ideas of topics for me to write about..let me know.

Yummy Turkey

House news: We are hoping to close on November 30th, so that following Sunday if you are interested in helping me move..just shout me a holler. This month has flown by. I can hardly believe I will be moving into our first house in about a week. Our fridge should be in on Monday and hopefully our tree as well.

Recent visits: Last Saturday Melissa, one of my bridemaids and fellow Wahoo, came to visit me. I had not seen her since graduation which is crazy because I was use to seeing her at least 4 times per week when we were at UVa. But times have changed and we are grown ups now. It was so nice to catch up and visit together I just wish it was longer.

Job stuff: Things are moving a long with the nursing front...as usual. Things just don't slow down, well our census does, but that is another story. I am still enjoying working at the CVRU at LGH. The Lord continues to keep me humble and present me with new challenges. I continue to struggle with wanting to be perfect at everything and wanting everything to run smoothly each day. It was difficult leaving the ER aka my comfort zone and coming to a brand new location and hospital being faced with different responsibilities and challenges. I know the Lord has a plan and I truly learned so much, but sometimes I go home feeling defeated. But I suppose that is just nursing. Sometimes patients, families, and/or physicians just don't understand what you go through on a regular basis, but that again is where that Lord is teaching me humility. I am looking forward to getting off orientation, which will happen on December 21st.

Thanksgiving: Chris and I are headed home, well my home in Amelia, for Thanksgiving. I am looking forward to having a little break and seeing friends and family. Also, I am excited for yummy home cookin. I am still missing my daddy and step mama out in the country. I just love it out there. Maybe our house #2 will be on some land somewhere. But that would mean the loans would be paid off, my masters would be completed and possibly a baby on the way and well that is a long way off.

Home Sweet Home

Already November.. man time flies by..well I hope so because I can hardly wait til June 19, 2010.
I truly can't believe that some people actually read my random thoughts. So thank you readers...especially Meg.
So it is 1am...I am watching HGtv feeling nauseated and looking at my jacked up fingernail polish. I am staying up so late in order to sleep during the day since the next three nights I will be working night shift. I haven't been working nights recently so it is hard trying to get back into the swing of sleeping patterns. My nausea...well it has been on going through the evening.. my thoughts are either it is the new BC I started yesterday or maybe something I ate. Either way I dont like it. As for my jacked blackish nail polish.. Well I thought it would be interesting to see if I could pull of the black polish, but after 5 minutes I realized I couldn't and that I didn't have any remover.. so I used some crapper nail tool and a file, so now the black is on the borders of my nails.. not cute and my cuticles are hurting.

Moving on.. the biggest news is that we bought a house!! It was about last Wednesday when we signed the contract, etc. We are hoping to close by November 25th, so about 3 weeks. The home is in Madison Heights (Amherst Cnty) and is a 3 bedroom 2 bathroom new one story with a beautiful deck and backyard. The plan is that I will move in first and when Chris and I getting married he will (obvi) move in. You may be thinking...you just moved to Lynchburg and you are already buying? Well believe it or not I have been here for about 5 months. Also, I am tired of throwing away my money to rent and I want a space of my own and it is a wonderful time to buy! I am so thankful for our parents support through this process, they have been helpful, but not overbearing.
In other news: Chris and I are still doing our small group through Brentwood which has been fun and so happy that we can do this together. Also, I am currently taking a Journey class at church in preparation for my baptism. I do not have a set date yet, but will update. Mamu has been in the hospital since Thursday, prayers needed. Bacteria in lungs and confusion=not a good combination. Got the H1N1 vaccine today-arm is quite sore..still in need of the seasonal. Lookin forward to seeing my dad this weekend and Melissa next weekend (who I havent seen since May!)
Wedding plans: the only update is that I have been looking at dresses; looked at dresses with my mom on Saturday and found a beautiful Watters and Watters gown, but it was too pricy; therefore I am still keeping my eyes open.
..

I love Fall!

So the past month or so has gone by quickly.

Wedding plans are gradually happening...but we really aren't in any rush-we have our florist, caterer, photographer, etc. so that is the most important part. I have been trying on some dresses, but haven't found 'the one' yet. Also, the bridal party is finally set in stone! It includes Maid of Honor: Laura Burrill and Bridesmaids: Sara Thompson and Melissa Mascelli. If you are interested in the Groom's party...ask the groom.

Aside from wedding planning, I have been busy working and decorating my apt for FALL, my favorite time of year!

Excitement and Blessings of the past few weeks:

Visit from my parent for my bday

Season Premiere of Grey's with Sara

Seeing lil Laura

New Car Stereo

Pumpkin creamer

Chris washing my car while I was at work

Making Pot pie

Sleepover with Amy

Serving at church

Carnaby Bucket Tote

A few less weeks til Jon is home from Afganistian

My new Pandora bracelet

Fresh local produce

Cozy new coffee table/trunk

Allison Rowe's engagement

Fall center piece

Rivah with my daddy, mama #2 and grandma

Brown and Orange pillows

Passing ACLS

Toille All in One Vera

Going to Btown with Chris

Pumpkin Muffs

Antique shops with Whit

Floral Door Mat

Getting my bling cleaned

And many more...

So the Lord is good, always.