My first Sometimes and Always

Today, I'm linking up with Megan for a little Sometimes & Always!

 I wish I had a post to tell you about the awesome things I've been doing, but you'll have to wait. I've literally been working and doing schoolwork for the past few days weeks. It's definitely making June fly by, but it's taking my social life with it!

             

Sometimes... I get really, really, REALLY discouraged/anxious/angry about how busy school keeps me and want to just go back to being a nurse and enjoying life again.

Always... I end my pity party and remind myself I'm not the only person in this situation and that I can do it, and that it WON'T last forever. It will be worth it.

Sometimes...  I remember how I used to think I was tough and never cried at anything.

Always...  I wear my heart on my sleeve....I'm that girl who is teary-eyed in the Hallmark store, alone on my couch watching country music videos, or in my 80 year old patient's room when he finally realizes he isn't going to be able to go back home alone.

Sometimes... I still look for my maiden name on the work schedule or forget to answer when someone asks for Mrs. Bradley.

Always...  I smile and get butterflies when I think about my new last name and marriage!

Sometimes...  I laugh about how stressed I was over limiting my number of bridesmaids! It may have been the hardest decision of my life to date!

Always... I am so thankful that ALL of the girls who are near and dear to me were at my wedding. We had the best time at my reception tearing up the dance floor! What a night!

Sometimes... I think about how J and I will decorate our new house when we get one.

Always... In every situation, there are rocking chairs and an American flag on the front porch.  


Alright, back to writing a paper! Go over to Megan's blog and check out her Sometimes and Always (plus all of her other awesome postings)! 

Your Friday...My Monday

It's Friday....and it looks like it might be BEAUTIFUL weather this weekend....a welcome break from all this rain we've been having!!  

But nope, I won't be living it up at the beach this weekend....

although it's gonna be THE place to be, I'm sure.

Instead... I'll be NURSING ON THE NIGHT SHIFT.... the entire weekend!

Thank goodness for weekend shift differentials.

Yep, your Friday is my Monday...the upside for me....while everyone goes back to work on Monday (with their pink noses and shoulders, I get to sleep by the (now quiet) pool or maybe even beach ALL DAY LONG!

Have a fun and safe weekend!!

What is Sacrifice?

At 22 years old, I was a college graduate....working as a nurse, a big-girl job with a big-girl paycheck. I thought I knew what sacrifice was....I thought I had "sacrificed" many parties, many nights out, spring breaks, and more. I finished college in 4 years and thanks to HOPE scholarship and other scholarships, didn't have to pay a dime for my education as the result of those "sacrifices."

Turns out.... I had NO IDEA what sacrifice really was.

Then at 23, I met J...a soldier with deployment looming in the next few weeks. I took a chance, started dating him... eventually moved up the "ranks" of girlfriend, fiancee, and now, wife.

Sometimes, I think I have "sacrificed" a lot during our relationship. I "sacrificed" having a whole year to plan my wedding because of his crazy work schedule. I have "sacrificed" and gone alone to weddings and family functions. I am "sacrificing" my first few months of marriage because he is deployed. 

But the truth is, none of that is real sacrifice. It's the life I live....the military way of life.

 I take the time I have with him and cherish it like no other....make memories to think about during his times away at training, at schools, and during deployments.

SO, WHAT IS SACRIFICE?

Every single one of those men in the photo above have been killed in action while actively defending our country. They died with honor, forever a hero.

 THAT IS SACRIFICE.

They all have different, yet similar, stories. Some of them left behind children, some of them left behind wives. One of them never even got to meet his son. At least one will celebrate his first wedding anniversary in Heaven, where these men sit in a Hall of Heroes. Another left behind a fiancee.  One of these men never even got to experience his first homecoming....another had make it home safely over ten times before.  All of them left behind hopes and dreams for the future.

THAT IS SACRIFICE.

June 14, 2012 marks the one-year anniversary of SSG Jeremy Katzenberger's death. He left behind a wife and a baby boy.  His wife is an inspiration to all, such a strong, beautiful lady that was shares her journey of healing after losing her husband. She is the epitome of a role model...she has stood tall and presented herself with grace and honesty.

“I wish the American people could truly understand the dedication and SACRIFICE that Staff Sgt. Jeremy Katzenberger made for his country. Since early 2005, Jeremy has either been in combat or training for combat. This was his eighth combat deployment,” said Col. Michael E. Kurilla, commander, 75th Ranger Regt. “Jeremy was the epitome of a Ranger squad leader; he is a hero to our Nation, the Army and his family.”

SSG Katzenberger will never be forgotten, nor will any of the other soldiers who laid down their lives defending our flag, our country, our Freedom.

 My heart goes out to those who wake up every morning and face the loss of their service members (whatever branch of the military). I appreciate your sacrifice. 

To those of you who pray for these families and also pray for our men and women who are still over there, fighting the good fight....THANK YOU!

At our local Wear Blue/Run to Remember

Happy Birthday Mom!!

Today, I had the privilege of celebrating yet another birthday of the single most influential person in my life...my mama!

She, along with my father, are the reasons I'm who I am today.

 I owe her so much for my success in life. Hours upon hours sitting at my bedside, keeping me awake in the elementary/middle/high school years, helping me to study for my tests. The projects she helped me do...The school events she didn't miss. 

The dance lessons, pageants, and proms she helped me me get ready for. 

The cheerleading practices, games, and competitions she coached at....The tumbling lessons (both professional and in the front yard) she endured.

This is the most selfless, most family-driven, and most dedicated person I know. She has set SUCH a shining example for the mother I hope to one day be.

 

To my knowledge, not a day has gone by that I haven't spoken to her. More often than not,  asking for her advice on something.

 This advice has changed drastically over the years, and I'm sure it will continue to evolve.

  It used to be choosing which dress to put on my baby dolls...then it became which dress to wear on my first day of school...then on my first date...then to prom...and, finally, THE dress to wear on my wedding day.

 She was the first person I called when I got engaged, the first person that will know when I'm pregnant (although I have a feeling she will already be able to tell).

Through the years, she's stuck by my side, guiding me in the right direction. Never with an iron fist either...maybe a convincing voice, however.  But I wouldn't trade our times together for anything in the world. 

I hope she sees what she's done...her years of raising babies were well spent. I have an amazing little brother as well. As her marriage? The one I strive to have in 30 years.

I feel like the luckiest daughter in the world, and when I say my prayers, I thank God for blessing me with the mother and family that He did.

 Happy Birthday, Mom! I love you very much.

Shaking it!

This is my friend Hollie (read her awesome blog here)... and we have been BREAKING IT DOWN lately. I'm talking about no-holds-barred booty shaking and dancing. Enough to break a sweat...needing to put our hair up and all. 

There were days when this would happen in a bar and may or may not have been  preceded by some "liquid courage." However, that's not our style anymore. 

Gotta love the humidity in South GA...look at those curls creeping back!

This calorie-burning dance party has been taking place at the gym...where we are working it out in ZUMBA!!  Tonight we did a two-hour long Zumbathon...complete with door prizes and everything. Of course, we have the worst luck ever and didn't win anything! I wish I would have snapped a photo of us because we were having lots of fun and working hard!

A bonus? We got to Zumba to Luke Bryan... best moment ever!! He's our fave!

SO WHAT! Wednesday #2

I'm going to link up with Life after I "Dew" again this week for a SO WHAT! Wednesday.

This week I'm sayin' so what that...

•  I don't feel like the best nurse on my floor right now...Most days I'm overwhelmed and bewildered at the amount of information I have yet to learn. But you know what, my patients are always safe and I never "try" anything before consulting with someone else. Teamwork is really getting me through these days and I learn something new every  shift.
•  I'm using Zumba classes to shake my booty instead of going to the bars these days. 
• I haven't finished my wedding thank you notes yet.... actually, that's a problem and I'm going to HAVE to get them done.
• I drive around neighborhoods looking at people that live in in them and the type of houses. Buying a house is SUCH a commitment (aghhh) and I want to make sure we find the right house/neighborhood for us!!
• I'm OBSESSED with The Bachelorette again. I got burnt out for a few seasons and decided to pick it back up this season. My favorites? Doug and Sean.  Biggest disappointment? Looks like it's gonna be Ryan.

Thanks for reading!! Have an awesome day!

~Jess

Love at First Sight Two Years Later...

Two years ago, May 27, 2010, I thought I was going for a fun girl's night after work at Tubby's Sunset Party. I was done with dating...was just gonna live the single life and be happy with it... or so I thought.

Fate had other plans....it just so happens that was the night I realized that love at first sight really does exist and my happy-ever-after began.

I met the love of my life, my best friend, my hero.....my husband, two years ago tonight. I actually convinced him to buy me a drink because I thought he was cute and didn't know what else to say...but after he smiled at me, I was done for, ladies and gentlemen!

I love this man....two years later, I am the lucky lady who gets to call him my husband. I loved you then, I love you now, and I will always love you.