Jones 1 Owl Babies

After taking the exam on Thursday night, I spent Friday resting and cleaning because friends from college and two new little ones would be coming in on Saturday! We all met up at one of the malls and had a great time visiting and catching up with each other! We passed the babies around and shopped 'til we dropped...literally! Adelyn and Jake are such sweet little ones, and I am so glad I got a chance to meet them both. (Laura, I am saving up to come visit you all!) Rachel, Amanda, and I continued our shopping at another mall and then stayed up way too late watching old videos from college. I think we all had tears running down our face from laughing so hard! I was exhausted yesterday, but it was so worth it to have that time to catch up with friends!

Laura with Adelyn Jo and Hailey with Jake

Owl Babies

Exam Day

This is it! The day of the National Board Exam.
5:30pm.
4 hours.
200 Questions.
I am prepared...probably more than I think I am. I am nervous, anxious, and excited. The last three years have prepared me for this moment. The last 4+ weeks have really prepared me with study sessions galore, lots of independent studying, and 8 practice exams. My exam is at 5:30pm which is kind of late. I strategically picked this time because of my other options: 8:30 am was out of the question because I am not fully awake at that point after studying late at night (my sleep cycle is so off right now), 1pm seems like a great time to want to take a nap, and so 5:30pm was my first choice. Since my exam does not start until then, I have had to fill my day with things to do to take my mind of the fact that it all comes down to this. I am meeting friends at McAlister's for lunch...my comfort food. After that, a quick run to Target to buy 27 Dresses. My treat to myself for taking the exam. I might go for a quick walk to keep my energy level up, but it just depends on my time. Oh, and mom says to drink lots of water! Sweet Tom (don't know him) called me yesterday from the testing center to remind me of my test day...like I needed a reminder for this.
I know that I can do this. I am ready.

"I lift my eyes up to the hill-Where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth." Psalm 121: 1-2

"Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are Mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the LORD, your God, the Holy of One of Israel, your Savior." Isaiah 43: 2-3a

April

This month has been filled with a lot of studying, study groups, and practice exams, but I was able to find time to take a few breaks with friends. I went home the first weekend in April and this is what I found on my bed Saturday morning...love her!
That same weekend was also Eleusinia, so I made Chi Omega bracelets for Founder's Day! It was great seeing friends and catching up with everyone. Wish we could have had more time visit. I was only able to get one picture that day.

LG, me, and Cam

The drive on the way home was so pretty, so I took a picture! I love the purple and green with the pretty blue sky. I just love Spring!

Another fun break from studying was working at the gym one last Friday night. I have been a parent's night out coach at Harpeth School of Gymnastics while being in grad school and have really enjoyed working there. The last night included a group of great kids and the traditional Sonic visit after the gym was clean. No pictures for this, but I have been told we can go back and take some for the scrapbook!

This past weekend was the 1/2 Marathon...no, I didn't run! Cam was here to run it, so we met up Friday night for dinner! I really enjoyed visiting with her and her friends from Florida State. Also, Cam ran the 1/2 Marathon in under 2 hours...very impressive! Congrats Cam! So proud of you!!

Studying hasn't been too bad, but I am very ready to be finished. After that is graduation, a week of fun with friends, and packing to move home! Oh, and waiting for my exam score!

Here is one last picture of my view! It is so green and pretty around here! Well, I better do some last minute studying!

Happy Birthday, Mom!

Hope your day is as much fun as the Dumbo ride back in '89!

I love you!!

Things I Want to do When I Graduate

In no particular order and not all at one time...
1. Scrapbook
2. Tennis Lessons
3. Piano Lessons
4. Learn to sew
5. Volunteer in community
6. Run in Disney 1/2 marathon...in a couple of years. :)
7. Take photography classes
8. Enjoy the fact that I won't have to work on projects/study after work every day.

Proud to be a Lady Vols Fan

The Lady Vols did it again...8 time National Champions!

One of my first games. This game was in Arkansas.

First year at camp with friends from Hot Springs.

Another game in Arkansas

Camp year 2 with friends from Hot Springs.

Celebrating after a win in Knoxville!

Sally Fred Pickles

We got Sally Fred when I was 13. She was going to be an outside cat only, but dad and I let her in all the time. She now sleeps with my parents and with my mom in the afternoons (the same person who did not want her to be inside and did not want a cat). I love it when I come home and hear her meow a hundred times (very vocal cat). I also love it when she curls up on the couch with me or follows me everywhere I go. Every now and then I will find her curled up on my bed instead of my parents'. She is such a sweet cat, but she does have her moments. She hisses when she gets mad like the time I made her wait out a tornado with me in the bathroom...she wanted to go outside with the hail or anytime I pick her up when she would prefer to do her own thing. She will bite and scratch only when she knows we are playing with her. She loves to play hide-and-seek on the steps and peek around the corner. She will usually chase any dog out of our yard except Ruby. She will just hide or hiss at Ruby. We try to keep them in different rooms but that is not always easy as Sally likes to go as she pleases...see Christmas post for the cat jail experience. Sally is the only pet I have had unless you count the rubber snake and fishing worms I took to preschool on bring your pet to school day. We couldn't have pets because my brother was allergic, so I got to go to WalMart to pick out my pet for the day. haha! Here are some recent pics of Sally Fred!