Let me introduce myself.....

Jennifer Hall, RN

I passed the NCLEX!!! Now to find a job!

It's the Final Countdown {insert synthesized beat here}

I've been looking back over blog entries from the past few years...It's led me to tomorrow. Tomorrow, you say, what is tomorrow? Well, friends, tomorrow I take the NCLEX. It's the test that decides if I will be Jennifer Hall or Jennifer Hall, RN. Obviously I know the Lord really holds those cards, but looking back I can see His hand all  over this journey. Tomorrow's test will be no different.

So say a little prayer for me, I know He hears you! Here's a picture from my nursing school graduation.

Helllo 2012

How many ways can life change in a few months? Oh, let me see....losing my job, getting another, then another, starting the nursing program....it's been crazy! But I'm thankful and blessed. By the grace of the Good Lord I've survived most of the first semester of the RN program at Ga Highlands. 2 more test and I'll be going to the hospital! Very exciting! The girls are growing and doing great. Update again soon!

I'm still alive!!

I'm horrible to update my blog :( I'm just too darn busy. Let's see, what's new??? Well, the biggest news for me is that I got accepted into the Georgia Highlands Nursing Program for Spring 2012!!!!!! It was truly a miracle of the Lord. I give Him all praise and glory for this. I'm very excited!

In other exciting news: Hugh & Katie are expecting next month, a sweet little girl, Coraline. My first niece! I can't wait to meet her.

This coming Thursday is Thanksgiving. I have so much to be thankful for, my Jesus, my wonderful family, my health, opportunities, friends, and hope :)

Warrior Dash 2011!

Carri & I had a BLAST at Warrior Dash. We may do the one in Tennessee in Sept.

Party Time! Excellent!

Friday was the big day. I was schedule to take the HESI exam for the second time. The HESI is the test that determines if I am eligible to be accepted into the nursing program. I had taken it a few months ago and scored high enough on all sections, with the exception of anatomy and physiology. Thankfully, I had the opportunity to take it again. I knew it wouldn't be easy, taking into consideration that I would have to answer 25 question from a years worth of A&P. It could be over anything! I don't think I've ever studied for something so hard in all my life. I also prayed TONS and other people did too. Because those two things, I PASSED!!!!!!! I passed by 1 point, but hey, passing is passing. It was my last chance. If I had not passed I would have to wait another year before trying again. I don't think my heart could have taken that! Now I just have to wait until July to hear if all my hardwork and prayer will get me into nursing school!

Through Lachlan's Eyes

We recieved a Victoria Secret catalog in the mail today. I don't subscribe, my self esteem couldn't handle it, but it came to "Current Resident". I started to browse through the catalog and Lachlan came up behind me. One of the models is girlfriend to the lead singer of one of my favorite bands. I asked Lachlan "Is she prettier than mama?" She looked at the girl and the girl on the other page and said "No. They aren't smiling like you." What an answer!! She didn't look at the things I would, she looked at their faces. They had these smug, seductive looks that my five year old could see right through. She looked at their spirit, and clearly she preferred mine! This revelation changed me. I don't ever want Lachlan to lose that precious perspective. I imagine this is also how God views us. He looks at our spirit, which clearly shows on our face. Not to mention I don't think He'd really approve of what the catalog stands for anyway. I plan on smiling more and more :) I'm too blessed not to! Proverbs 11:22 & Proverbs 15:13

Good Friday

One year ago today Ronnie went home to be with the Lord. Today happens to be Good Friday. I believe that the celebration in Heaven today is amazing! Everyone there reveling in Jesus triumph over death, hell, and the grave!! I wonder what it's like. But 1 Corinthians 2:9 tells us "That is what the Scriptures mean when they say, "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him."

Brian went fishing today and caught a brown trout. 19 inches long. Ronnie used to talk constantly about how he was going to catch the brown trout that got away! Well, Ronnie, I know you saw that catch today!


I thank you Jesus for your sacrifice. Thank you doesn't even scratch the surface of how grateful I am...I'm so sorry that I put you there on that cross. I can't wait to be in Heaven some day, the first thing I want to do is embrace you with all my might!!!

Happy New Year!!

Wow! 2011! I remember when I was younger thinking that year 2000 was a million years away, and here we are in 2011. 2010, not my favorite year. I'm praying that 2011 will be filled with blessings. I've completed all of my classes to apply for nursing school. Getting in would be the greatest blessing EVER :) I'm still taking a few classes here and there just to keep myself in the groove.

We have been stuck in the house for several days now due to SNOW. I've never been much of a snow fan anyway, and this past week has solidified my feelings. We had our first ever "White Christmas". It was a pain in the rear. We weren't able to get to my parents until the next day, even then it was a scary drive. We did have Christmas Eve at our house this year, which was great. It's nice not trying to please two different families, both sides just meet here :) Here are some pics:

Happy Birthday to Me!!!!

Yep, 31. Thought I'd never see the day. But here it is, in all it's glory. I am officially "in" my 30's. Wow. I am a 31 year old mom, fitness instructor, student, music lover, friend, sister, sister in law!!, and a few other things I won't admit to.

So October has been a busy month. Hugh got married to Katie. I've been slammed with school. I've taken on another class at the gym. Lachlans school constantly has something planned. I'm really looking forward to 2011. Hopefully life will slow down a tad.

On the 21st Jess & I went to see Circa Survive at the Masquerade. UH=MAZING....One of the best shows I have ever been to! That's saying a lot.

Off to get Lach a loo at school!

I am, I am Wonderful...

Just settling in after a long 3 days at CENTERGY training. It was intense, fun, inspiring, educational, stressful....the list goes on and on. I'm looking forward to mastering the techniques I've learned. What an amazing full body workout!

Brian started 3rd shift tonight. I haven't even tried to get in the bed without him. It might be nice to have our big king size bed to myself!! If the girls will just stay in their own beds, now that would be a victory. Well, I need to get in the bed. It's a CRAZY week for me. I have lab final on Tue, written final on Thur, and Med Term final on Friday. Leora has shots tomorrow, which I dread, and then I have my regularly scheduled classes at the gym. Thank goodness I have the next week and a half OFF :)

Oh, how I love the fall....

September is here! It's the beginning of my favorite season. Pumpkins, apple picking, cinnamon, colors galore, college football (go Dawgs), cool crisp air, hot cider, bright blue skies....Ah, I love north GA in the fall. Lachlan started Pre K a few weeks ago. She is loving it!! Her teachers are Ms. Sherry & Ms. Loretta. She is doing really well learning to write her name, I think she's just about got it.

October should be a busy month. I'm going to 2 shows. October 8th Brian & I are going to see the Whigs in Athens. Then Jess & I are going to see Circa Survive in Atl on the 21st. Hugh & Katie are getting married on Oct 16th. I'm the MOH and the girls are flower girls :) I'm skipping my bday this year though... Here's a pic from Leora's 3rd Bday! I'm so blessed!

Wuah, Wuah, Wha??

I just can't get it together. My body tells me to get in bed and stay there. But, I have two kids that won't let that happen. Ugh. I need to be at the gym, like, an hour ago. But here I am. Being lazy. No motivation to be found. I can not wait to be done with school and begin working! I've been without a job since October 2004...I mean, I work at the gym, but it's not a full time thing. I am taking on extra classes, that way I HAVE to be there. Okay, I hear the grocery store calling my name.

In the blink of an eye...

Wow the past month or so has been unreal. I've neglected my blog, among other things. The most life changing event that's happened around here is Brian's dad passed away suddenly. On Thursday April 22, 2010, I was sitting at my computer doing homework. The phone rang, it was Brian's mom saying that Ronnie had fallen. I went over quickly....He had suffered a massive heartattack. Since then life has changed for us. You never know what the next moment holds, so hold tight to those you love. I'll catch up again soon. RIP Ronnie (March 7, 1956 - April 22, 2010) We love you & miss you every day.

Dearest Lachlan

Sweet Lachlan,
Happy 4th Birthday! Four years ago I was not so patiently awaiting the arrival of my precious first born! You seemed quite content to stay in my belly. Saturday, April 15th, 2006 I headed down to Canton, GA to give you a little nudge. You made your grand appearance 1:27 am on the 16th. My Easter baby!!

In the past four years your existance has taught me life lessons that are so important. Pure love, for one. I can't describe how watching you grow has brought me so much joy. Through laughter and tears, (lots of tears) I wouldn't change anything! You are so smart, beautiful, and wonderful. I'm excited to watch you grow, learn, and be the amazing person God created you to be!

I love you,

Mama

~Breathing~

I took the TEAS yesterday. Ah. Soooo glad to have that over with. It wasn't pretty. Most of the stuff that I studied didn't rear it's head on the test. The science portion was BRUTAL. Thank the good Lord that I have another chance. Now to concentrate on school work to keep my GPA up!

It's amazing that Lachlan will be 4 years old on Friday! Time is passing by so rapidly. Being the procrastinator that I am, I haven't scheduled her party yet. Still working out the kinks. I'm so blessed to be her mommy. She never ceases to amaze me with the inner workings of her brilliant mind :)

Jesus, I LOVE You

I found this video on youtube. It fits perfectly. Thank you Jesus for that terrible Friday afternoon. Thank you for enduring what should have been inflicted on me. Thank you for eternal life. Thank you for such a perfect love. I can't wait for the day I can wrap my arms around your neck. You truly are the reason.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RNgbBYdDZA8

Lights, Camera...the days RECAP.

I think we are on the road to recovery. I took Leora to the dr. yesterday, when we walked in the door she was shaking all over with a fever of 103.1, so scary. Dr. Trigg checked her out and she has strep. I'm praying that it doesn't run through us all. She seems to be better today, as she was running circles in the living room yelling "I'm a race car!" I took it as a good sign.

Mom came and sat with the girls today while I got my hair cut. It feels so much better! I think it looks better too :) Right before mom got to the house I was eavesdropping on the girls conversation. It went like this: Lachlan: "Leora, do you think we have enough pixie dust to get out of neverland?" Leora: "Yep." My girls make my heart sing.

Haley and I went and saw "Remember Me" at the Ellijay Theater. Very good movie. Aside from the stunning good looks of Robert Pattinson, it had an intriguing story line. Looking back I can see it leading where it ended...Sept 11, 2001 was a day that America will never forget. May God have mercy on us that something like that will never happen again. The movie brought me right back to where I was that day. It just reiterated what I'd thought about in the past, how all of those people had a story, a life, a legacy.

Tomorrow is my first day back to school in...hmm..5 years. I'd better get my nervous rear into bed! XOXO til next time!

Thoughts on a Rainy Day

Sickness sucks. I laid on the couch all day yesterday. Leora is still coughing so back to the dr. for her tomorrow. It seems like we just can't get better!!! Lord, please send healing over our house :)

Yesterday morning Brian got up at 5am to sign Lachlan up for Pre K. So sad! I can't believe my baby girl is going to school. He got there around 5:30 and was 45th in line!! Nuts. I think she will do really well in school. She loves other kids, I just hope none of them are mean to her. She has a personality where she will get her feelings hurt. Leora, on the other hand, could care less about people being nice or not. It's amazing how they are so different, yet alike in some ways.

School starts this week! YAY! We went to get our books this past week. $739.64 worth of books. I almost hyperventilated at the counter. I guess you've got to spend money to make money. Marcia came on Thursday night to help me with my math, I thank God for her help!! TEAS test here I come!

Just another crazy Thursday...

What a long day! Leora woke me up at 2:30 a.m. jerking with a high fever. I sat up with her until it broke which was ???a.m. Got up and took her to the Dr. She has an ear infection in the left ear, a "cold virus" settled into her eyes, and a croupy cough. Bless her soul, I thought that the tubes would take care of all these infections. Guess not. Antibiotics, ibuprofen, mucinex, and eye drops here we come!

Since I was caring for a sick toddler all day Brian lovingly came home and cleaned up while we visited Nana & Pepaw. While we were there the girls knocked over a chocolate cake in the kitchen floor. Pepaw caught Leora with a mop and Lachlan with a washcloth trying to get the chocolate off the floor before they were discovered :) He then asked Lachlan, "Did you eat any chocolate cake?" Through her chocolate goatee she sweetly answered "No." I was one of those moments where you HAVE to laugh but really shouldn't. I honestly have no clue what I'm going to do with that child!