Missing Jake and Muffin

Friday my stepdad Greg had to put down Muffin and Jake, my cat and dog back home. I was so sad to hear it, especially since I've had both of them since I was 9 years old. I remember when we got Jake, a Schipperke. He was so small and looked like a bear cub. Then my mom got Muffin to get rid of all the vermin outside, because we lived out in the country. Both animals were very particular about who they'd let pet them, and when Erik came to visit me in Clarksville Muffin was immediately attached to him. As you can see by the picture, she would jump up on his lap and lay there until he would move. This was very unusual behavior for this cat! I couldn't find any pictures of Jake on my computer, but this one of Erik and Muffin was taken sometime before we were married. I really miss those animals, and I know that pets aren't people, but to us pets are family.

Settling into Life in Texas

We are still adjusting to life in this great state of Texas and we've been here over a month now. I started working 12 hour shifts this week and that is a huge change! It is nice, though, because I get 2 whole days off during the week. As you can tell by the picture, this is what the dogs do all day when they're not outside. Erik takes both of them walking in the morning and they just collapse for the rest of the afternoon. They stay inside most of the day due to the extreme heat.
In addition, our good friends the Westmorelands had their second baby boy William Owen Westmoreland on Wednesday night back in Martin. We miss them and wish we could be there to see the little guy! Click over on the left to their link to see pictures.

Jessica Fuqua, R.N.

It's Official! I have my registered nurse license as well as a Bachelor's degree in nursing. Woo-hoo! My job is going great and I'm just glad the toughest part is over! Thanks to all my friends and family during this period of my life when I complained and cried and worried and stressed over all this. Most of the credit goes to my loving husband, Erik, who supported us financially while I was in school, and supported me emotionally throughout the toughest times. I am blessed to have him in my life!

A Hard Day's Work

Yesterday (Saturday) Erik and I went to a local nursery and bought some shrubs and flowers to beautify the front of our house. I know we're only renting, but the outside of our duplex is possibly the ugliest one in the whole neighborhood ( I mean, hunter green trim? What were the landlords smoking?) so we decided it needed some color. Apparently in Texas almost every day starts out cloudy so you think it won't get too hot. Ha ha, the joke is on you. By 11:00 am it's scorching and the sun is shining bright. We almost roasted ourselves outside even though we had on sunscreen, and we had to take multiple breaks so we could rehydrate and cool off. I tried to find a picture of the front before we planted, but I guess those pics are on Erik's camera. We are very proud of our work and I look forward to seeing our plants grow over the weeks. Everything we planted should come back next year unless somehow we kill them.
In other news, I take my state boards on Tuesday and I can't wait to get it over with. I will post the results as soon as I get them in, which should be no later than Friday. For everyone who wants to know, I'm loving my job so far and got to be a part of my first birth last week!

My REAL First Day of Work

Thursday I actually went up on the floor where I'll be working to observe and learn their computer charting. I get to wear purple scrubs for at least the next year! Everyone was really nice and I had a good time. I can't actually touch a patient until I pass boards, but I take the NCLEX on June 10th so keep me in your prayers!

I promised some pics of our new house so here they are. Some neighbors we met came over to grill last night so we had some motivation to put up those last few (15) boxes. This is our entryway. We have a closet to put our coats in or whatever we want!
This is the view of living room from the dining room.  Erik has his laptop by his side as always. That hallway you see is where the office and guest bedroom are located. 
This is our dining room that looks out onto the back yard.