Long overdue!

My month started with a trip home. I met my newest niece (see pictures below), got reaquainted with my other nieces and visited my family. I ate way too much...probably more food was consumed by me in that week than I had eaten the entire month of August!! My favorite aunt made me dinner on Friday, my siblings came over for dinner on Saturday, and my grandparents had my entire family (Oakley side) over for lunch after church on Sunday. That was very touching because it was totally unexpected and no small undertaking...there are over 40 of us when we all get together! It was a really laid back visit, just hanging out with the people I love most! I was so suprised at the weather though. My first three days, I had to wear sweatshirts and jeans! Lucas, Megan and I had a couple of days off together when I got back. We took Megan to Alexandria for her birthday. We explored downtown a little bit (lots of neat little shops and great townhomes), had dinner and walked along the Potomoc. We took some silly pictures which Megan has so I'll have to post some of those later! The next day we spent a somber day in DC. We visited the newly opened Pentagon Memorial. It wasn't what I expected at all and once we got it figured out, was very impressive with its uniqueness and thoughtfullness. We followed that up with a visit to the Holocaust Museum. They don't let you take pictures there but it is a must see for anyone visiting DC. It was a real eye opener to how the Germans just fell in line with Hitler...I had always thought it was just a tyrannical takeover. It is just so horrible to realize how people can be so unbelievably cruel to each other. It also opened my eyes to how this country is in danger of that sheep like mentality. We did get to laugh a little later that evening. We met Chris (friend from the hospital) and went to his parents house for dinner. His mom, aunt, and both grandmothers were there. We laughed, played terrible pool in the garage and laughed some more! Megan had to work the next day so Lucas and I hung out. We had lunch and then Joe came down from DC and we hung out some more. We went to Bailey's which is a pub type bar where Lucas and Joe tried a few of the thirty-something beers they have on tap. They fancy themselves connoisseurs - I guess Joe really kinda is and Lucas is in training! We had to actually work after that...gotta pay for all this fun somehow!! It's been really busy at work...really high census and not enough nurses. Thank goodness some of the other floors were able to lend us nurses so we didn't have to take four pts (there was a point we thought that might happen...our normal pt load is two!)!! Had one day off so we went shopping - Lucas and Megan are going to New York for their next assignment and are in need of warm clothing as well as some fancy duds for Broadway shows and such! Unfortunately, we didn't find much but we had a great time anyway!

This week was Lucas and Megans last week. They have next week off and then start at their new position on October 6th. Can ya'll believe it's already October? September is pretty much a blur...guess the old cliche, time flies when you're having fun, is true!! We had a fairwell dinner at Bonefish Grill (it was terrible by the way) with a couple of friends from the hospital (Chris and Alecia) and then I went and hung out for a bit at their place. Lucas was so horrible to us...after he woke from his nap on the couch while Megan and I tried to get her stuff packed...he put our pictures on yearbookyourself.com and tortured us with 80's hairdos! It's a fun little site, if you are ever bored out of your mind you should check it out! Megan left on Thursday but Lucas stayed until today. He was supposed to leave yesterday but his friends (Joe and Ashley) came Thursday night and they stayed up pretty late and he put off packing until the last minute so he wasn't quite finished when they arrived. If you know Lucas, I'm sure you're shocked by this information (note the sarcasm please)! He met me at our favorite breakfast place (Cracker Barrel) after I got off work Friday morning. We had a great chat and got to do our favorite thing (rock in the rockers outside) at our favorite breakfast place despite the cold rainy morning! I was very proud of myself for not crying when we finally parted! Of course, it helps that I'm going to be able to vist pretty much whenever I want. I can ride the train for six hours or fly in one (not counting time spent getting to and sitting in the airport). The best news is that either option only costs about $150, pretty cheap for a long weekend in New York!! It also helps that I may rejoin them in January. I just don't have the desire to do this by myself anymore. I took off to Springfield all those years ago (okay...two) by myself without a second thought. Then, I got spoiled! I had Cindy as a roommate for a year, then I went home and had my mom and other family and then here with Lucas and Megan. I like living by myself but I don't want to live in a place where I don't know anyone. Of course, to be fair, I would have been closer with the friends I have made here (Lauren, Lindsay and Reuban) had Lucas and Megan not been here. But, everyone that I have really connected with have been travelers and are either gone or leaving in the next few weeks. Chris and Alishia are staff but they worked with Lucas and Megan and I've only hung out with them a few times. I like them very much though and there are some plans in the works to spend some time together. It is just more fun to start the whole process with a friendly face, especially since it can take me awhile to make friends! I've been here for over three months and they are still teasing me about being so quiet!!

I did absolutely nothing yesterday and am on my way to an equally productive day today! I could go to the college and see Barak Obama and Joe Biden speak but I'd have to go by myself and sit around for several hours before the action starts. Besides, I feel too lazy!! I work the next three days then leave on Thursday for California. Kelley and Homero's wedding is on Saturday and then I'll be home on Monday. I hope to settle into a routine after that...I haven't been to the gym since I returned home from Oklahoma...not good!! Luckily, I have been able to lose the five pounds (not kidding) I gained in OK by settling back into my normal eating plan. However, I am not going to win the contest I have with my aunt to see who can lose the largest percentage of weight (like the biggest loser) by Christmas if I don't get serious!!!

I am also excited to get back to church here. I haven't been since I got back because I've worked every Sunday with the exception of the day we went to Alexandria. I'm also reading through the Bible in 90 days along with my friend, Julie. I was kinda feeling bad because there really isn't time to do indepth study of the material due to the volume (several chapters a day from three different books). But, I'm reading The Good Book by Peter Gomes (which is basically about how to read the Bible) and he says it's ok because it lets you explore the material and recognize the parts you really feel led to go back and spend more time studying.

I apologize, this probably isn't a very fun read. It's a little too facty! Hopefully, these pictures will spice things up!!!

This is Natalie!!

Kendyle learned how to wink. I can't believe how many toys this child has and she wants to play with my empty Propel bottle!!

This is Lucas, Megan, Steve (Allie's boyfriend), Allie (Chris's cousin), Alisha, me and Chris in the backgroud. This is from the day we went to Georgetown...the Potomoc is behind us.

This is Chris, Megan, Lucas and I before dinner at Chevy's one night.

Just a quick update!

Hey all...I haven't forgotten you! I went on my visit to Oklahoma and then when I got back my computer didn't work! I now have a brand new motherboard and a fully functional computer so as soon as I have a free day I'll be back with a full report of my activities!