DIY Mini Project

In the middle of school craziness, even the most minor of to dos can seem somewhat impossible. If I find enough time to do said project, ultimately I end up choosing to spend that time with Mr. McGoo or others instead. Saturday afternoon, I saw a window of an opportunity and sprinted to complete my mini DIY project before the sunlight hours disappeared.

The goal: To make the three items to the left of our front door more uniform in color - matching the trim of the house. The three items to the left of our front door include: our house numbers, our letter slot, and our mailbox.

Before: Gold numbers, gold mail slot, and black mailbox.

 

Method: I used spray paint and a trash bag opened up as my painting background instead of getting it all over the driveway. For each piece, I started with a white primer, followed by white paint, and concluded with a crystal clear satin finish.

After: I'm satisfied with the results! A quick and easy DIY project that has visible results - the best kind of DIY if you ask me. The only thing negative about the mini project is the discovery that the mail slot is not lined up well with our actual mailbox. In almost 5.5 years of living in this home, I never noticed that reality until the completion of this project... Oh well, just adds to the character of our house.

Introducing Tango

Wednesday, July 18, 2012 the McGoos added a new member to our family and introduced a new addition into our household... meet Tango, our newest furbaby!

Instagram: "Introducing the newest addition the McGoo
Family, Tango! Dexter is no longer a furbaby of one!

We had been talking about adding to our family in the form of a furbaby for awhile, wondering when the best timing would be for us and for Dexter. Following Kodi's passing (Nov 2011) we wanted to be sure to spend some quality time with Dexter alone, as he too was grieving the loss of his brother. In addition, we wanted to honor Kodi's memory. We thought waiting for awhile would  allow us to grieve and remember him regularly through the quieter moments of the house, rather than being caught up in the hustle and bustle of a puppy too soon. 

Towards the end of June and beginning of July however, it became apparent that Dexter was is need of a sibling. He was obviously lonely and becoming more anxious about being separated from Mr. McGoo and me. Dexter expressed this reality to us in numerous ways...

It was time...

Enter Tango...

Wed - July 18th

Wed - July 18th

Size comparison: Dexter & Tango
Wed - July 18th

 I will share our story as to how Tango became a McGoo in another post. His adoption has quite a tale.

Tango meeting his mom for the first time

We Did It!

There is no other way to describe the completion of this past trimester of nursing school except what is exemplified in the image above and using the simple but larger than life words: "We Did It"!

The last 15 weeks have been the most difficult in all of my schooling history! Mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually draining! More than ever before this past trimester I questioned, "why am I doing this"?

Oddly enough, however not surprising when I really think about it... I now feel the most accomplished I have ever felt regarding my education with the completion and passing of this trimester. It was the hardest ever - it didn't come easy, and therefore required much of me. I love what Isaiah 26:12 says about being "accomplished"...

"Lord, you establish peace for us; 

all that we have accomplished you have done for us."

There is no doubt that the Lord was faithful this trimester, providing constant encouragement for me through my fabulous husband, amazing family, great friends, and terrific study mates! I'm ever thankful for making it to the next step - 1 year to go!

In the same breath that I'm praising God for His provision for me through this trimester, I am also lifting up and asking my Father for comfort, wisdom, encouragement, and direction for many of my classmates! There were more than a few this go around that did not pass this trimester with the minimum 77C - anything less causes you to fail and repeat (only 1 repeat is allowed throughout your entire nursing coursework at our school, the need for a 2nd repeat is the end of your school career at our college). As a class, we become very close considering the substantial hours we spend together at school and in the hospital. Therefore, I ache with my classmates and work to fight and encourage them to continue. I'm praying that they allow God to give them the strength necessary to try again! They are not far from my thoughts as I celebrate my completion this trimester.

So with the Summer 2012 Trimester completed, I get to enjoy 2.5 weeks of "free" time without school. Yup, I get to go home or visit friends after work, rather than hopping on the interstate straight to campus or the hospital each night. I'm looking forward to the time and will be updating the blog frequently to catch up on the last 15 weeks of life, as well as share some of the fun things I get to experience during this trimester break. Can't wait.

New Blog Post

Although it has been more than two months since my last post, a new blog post (minus this one) is coming soon! I'm on the countdown for my Summer 2012 Trimester completion - 20 days to go! Until that time I cannot take or find the time for blogging, but I look forward to jump starting this hobby once again when I can say that I've successfully completed my hardest nursing school trimester yet!

Until then, I'll be working, preparing, and completing 3 exams/finals, 3 web quizzes, 2 clinical rotations, 2 review sessions, and 2 projects.

The countdown is on! 20 days to go!

Neil Fisher Kee

Sunday we had the opportunity to meet our 4 day old nephew, Neil Fisher Kee. He was born Wednesday, May 16th at 3:04pm: 7lbs 9oz and 20 inches long.

Unfortunately Mr. McGoo and I could not get away from Memphis until late Saturday night due to school and work, so we greeted the Kee household a little after 8am with breakfast in hand for the new mommy and daddy and grandparents (my rents). After completing my eats and baby Fisher enjoying some of his own with his momma, we were introduced to our nephew for the first time.

He's perfect.

We had a great time spending all day with Fisher and the family Saturday - 8something until 10pm. I held him every chance I got and was mesmerized by God's creation... every wrinkle and joint within his hands, every eyelash, every movement. A miracle indeed.

Mom and Dad Kee are doing awesome. Perfect teamwork is fully underway and they are smitten! I loved being able to see them work together and spend time with them throughout the day as I held the little man. We're looking forward to our next adventure to visit. In the meantime, we're waiting on the next photo sent our way because no doubt this boy will be growing fast!

It's Okay

The first week of May was the beginning of a new school trimester and the most recent full emotional breakdown by Mrs. McGoo. The first Thursday and Friday of the month were some hard days. Feeling inadequate, incapable, unable, tired, worn out, dragged, beaten, and OVER this journey called full time work and nursing school... I was broken in a way that I haven't been in awhile.

Sure I have random, but regular crying moments here and there when I'm worn out and emotional, but this "full emotional breakdown" almost left me in a stand still. I prayed and prayed for peace and comfort through the verses I so regularly turn to - Philippians 4:6-7 and Matthew 6:25-34.

But thankfully I have an amazing husband that can read those emotions from me and not run out of the room, but instead pray with me, encourage me, and call on women in my life to support me when I'm down. Right when I absolutely needed it, I was flooded with texts and emails that reminded me of God's truths and His ability to strengthen me. Reminders that I didn't have to do it on my own and wasn't really called to do it that way either.

Mom and Dad even surprised me with flowers at work Friday afternoon, which overwhelmed me with emotion and sweet reminders of their unconditional love for crazy me.

So by Saturday morning... the load was lighter and the sun was brighter. He provided as usual! He even provided through others.

This sweet email spoke straight to the heart of the matter I needed to hear that day. I love that! I have a feeling I'll be reading through this more than once over the next 15months.

Thinking of you and praying for you today. 

You are a super woman! But you know that you don't always have to be strong and hold everything together. It's okay to feel overwhelmed, stressed and emotional. It doesn't mean you're weak or unable. It's just a reminder that God wants us to rely on Him. 

Praying that you will cast everything on Him today knowing that He loves & cares for you.

We love and care for you too! Praying you through this semester and season of life!

So for those that need to hear it today... it's okay!

Compassions Never Fail

A dear friend is praying over me with this verse this week. So thankful and such a beautiful reminder I need daily, hourly, all the time! The Lord is MY portion... He IS ENOUGH! Even when it is hard. Even when it feels overwhelming. He gives me all I need, I just gotta tap into Him!

Lamentations 3:21-26 (NIV)

21 Yet this I call to mind
    and therefore I have hope:

22 Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,
    for his compassions never fail.

23 They are new every morning;
    great is your faithfulness.

24 I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion;
    therefore I will wait for him.”

25 The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him,
    to the one who seeks him;

26 it is good to wait quietly
    for the salvation of the Lord.