Where shall I start?

Quick update...I finally graduated from nursing school in June, with academic achievement, might I add. Hey, I have never been on the honor roll my whole life, let me enjoy this! A position opened up at my work for full-time nights working as a nurse in the rehab unit. So, basically I take care of people that have had surgery, don't need to be in the hospital, but aren't quite ready to go home on their own yet. It's just about 15 minutes from our house, which is not bad, except for coming home at 7:30 in the morning. It is funny to see my neighbors getting into their cars as I am pulling up and getting out of mine. So far, the night thing is working out, except for my internal clock is all outta whack! Don't get me wrong, I love sleeping in, but it is hard to fall asleep at night while everyone else is. So, I am still trying to figure that part out on my days off. I have room darkening curtains which helps. Thank God, Costco sells Starbucks coffee, so I grind my own beans at home.

My mom was able to make it out for my graduation and ended up staying for a week, during that time we went camping and had a wild time in the rain! ha ha! It was a muddy couple of days, but we have boys so we just rolled with it! As you can see Eric has passed up Grandma Linda by a inch or two.

By the way, keep me in your prayers, I was kicked in the left shoulder in May, by a dementia patient and tore a small part of my rotator cuff. I was given a cortisone shot, between my shoulder blades!!, after a few weeks of not being able to use it totally. The shot took a few days to feel better, it was like getting his by a bat in that arm for days. But, for the last 7 weeks or so, I have felt better until about a night ago. I just pray that I don't have to keep doing this. I started back to the gym, against my will, might I add-thanks Brent, and it was inflammed after the workout class. I am trying to use it , but trying to baby it at the same time. Although, the Dr. wants me to workout to strengthen it, I am a sissy. So, for now, I am building up to full use again, I hope. Keep me in prayer.

Just a quick tid-bit, somewhere along the line, I forgot to mention it was Lucas' 3rd birthday in May. I made him a cupcake filled #3. He is 31 inches tall and weighs 32lbs. Loves to play with Thomas the tank engine, cars, rocks and eat as many strawberries he can get his hands on. Oh, and he can talk your ear off! (I don't know where he got that from, of course.)

Our niece Miranda was on leave from the Army for two weeks, she was able to spend some time with us at Kings Island and just hanging out not being a soldier. She just graduated as an Army Medic and is now on her way to Georgia to continue school as an LPN. We won't be able to see her until Christmas, boo-hoo. But, she is in great hands and loves every minute of it!

In the meantime, the weeks have gone fast for the boys as Eric & Jared are out for the summer and counting the days 'til they have to return. Not, that they want to go, they are just counting them, as if their days were numbered. Eric will be entering 8th grade, Jared 4th. Jared just started Upward football(flag) through our church and is really excited. Eric on the other hand has only played football on PS2. Although, Brent bought season tickets to the Cincinnati Bearcats football this year, and he will have to endure 9 games this season live. Eric would rather call the plays than actually execute them. Jared of course, had to be convinced that football with pads isn't as dangerous as flag. He wanted to play with pads so bad, but we didn't know if he was ready just yet. So, with that said he is happy to hear that with flag he could get hurt more, go figure.

This summer we also had some great friends of ours move to Virginia. Tina and Chris and their 4 boys (of course we got along great!) moved to be closer to family, due to some recent hard times they have faced. We are going to miss them everyday, our boys are sad this summer since we spent most of last summer together.

Good news, we bought a new car! It is a Chevy Malibu, black w/ gray interior and sweet as can be! This baby is so quiet and handles like a race car around corners. I know everyone loves that new car smell! FYI-This is only our 2nd new car since the birth of Eric. So, I was very happy to get it! And it comes with OnStar, which is so fun to call them and play with.

Brent wouldn't have wanted me to tell you, but he is #1 in his district for kitchen design sales and overall for the year. Just had to let you know how proud I am of him.



Well, I think I have touched base on all I can think of for now. Drop me a line... tina