This is the Room

The first week of nursing school has begun

I've been sitting in lots of orientation classes and it all seems kind of surreal!

Two years ago, I was just beginning my college education & itching to get to the "real" nursing stuff

Two years from now, I will graduate

right now, I'm beginning that journey of becoming a nurse

I'm learning to listen to patients, calculate dosages, start an IV, assess progress, be compassionate, and all of the other things that makes a person a nurse

This video was part of a tutorial I had to watch for pharmacology last night - 

I'm fairly certain I got goosebumps!

Silver Threads + Buttons + Lots of Pillows = Bedroom Makeover

I FINALLY got around to taking pictures of the finished bedroom! 

My grandma and cousin visited last week and our room was kind of a mess since we had luggage and a huge pile of quilts a makeshift bed for Abby to sleep on in the middle of the floor.

Anywhoo, on to the bedroom makeover ...

I wanted to surprise Madeline when she got home from Summit and had drilled the little girls several times that day about not saying anything or acting suspicious (they did an awesome job by the way)! She had no idea.

Madeline & Dad finally got home around 5:30 and we stood in the kitchen for at least 30 minutes while Madeline told us about all the crazy stuff she had done and about the great sessions she had attended. I kept waiting and waiting for her to decide to take her luggage to her room, but she was just a little bit loopy and kept right on talking. 

I finally told NoraJane to go in my room and call Madeline like she wanted to show her something. 

That little girl was perfect! 

She poked her little head out the bedroom door and called Madeline, then promptly shut the door and waited for her to come. Apparently Madeline didn't hear her. A few minutes later, she poked her head out and called again. Madeline still didn't hear her. On the third try, Madeline finally heard her and went to see what was so important to this persistent little three-year old.

She opened the door and said "well, hellooooo!"

I'd say she was just a little bit surprised!

We I decided to forgo shams and went with lots of throw pillows instead

My "side" of the room

You can't see them very well in this picture, but the quilts have a row of buttons sewn across them = my favorite detail!

Madeline's "side" of the room

Nightstands & Trinkets

I love that everything on our nightstands has some kind of meaning. Some things are from special birthdays, but most are representative of things we each love:

hydrangeas, teacups, and a birthday doll for me 

&

bluebirds, roses, and a seashell for Madeline

I couldn't have done this without the help of my mom and grandma. I kept saying I wanted the room to be shabby chic & eclectic, but comfortable & a little modern to appease Madeline. They helped me figure out what that actually looked like and pull everything together! 

And for the record, I told Madeline it's her job to re-do our lovely chocolate-brown bathroom :)

Whispers to the Soul

I woke up this morning to the sweet sound of "Be Still My Soul" playing on my mom's Pandora in the kitchen. It was exactly what I needed to hear this morning. I love when God uses something as simple as a song to speak to your heart about something. It isn't always like fireworks or a thunderstorm, sometimes He whispers quietly to your soul.

  Be still, my soul; the Lord is on thy side;
Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain;
Leave to thy God to order and provide;
In every change He faithful will remain.

Be still, my soul; thy best, thy heavenly, Friend
Through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.

Be still, my soul; thy God doth undertake
To guide the future as He has the past.
Thy hope, thy confidence, let nothing shake;
All now mysterious shall be bright at last.

Be still, my soul; the waves and winds still know
His voice who ruled them while He dwelt below.

  

Be still, my soul, though dearest friends depart
And all is darkened in the vale of tears;
Then shalt thou better know His love, His heart,
Who comes to soothe thy sorrows and thy fears.

Be still, my soul; thy Jesus can repay
From His own fulness all He takes away.

Be still, my soul; the hour is hastening on
When we shall be forever with the Lord,
When disappointment, grief, and fear are gone,
Sorrow forgot, love's purest joys restored.

Be still, my soul; when change and tears are past,
All safe and blessed we shall meet at last.

~Catharina von Schlegel

I also heard this song by Ana Laura this morning.