I am leaving on a jet plane...

So, I just got back from my second business trip to Cincinnati, OH with GE. I thought my first trip was fun - so wrong! This one was fun, fun, fun and informative (yes I did learn something since it was for work!). I truly love being "the client" because these trips are nothing but pampering - which GE total beat McKesson on (McKesson is who I went to PA with!).

Leaving Atlanta was a treat - we were in the midst of 50 + mile per hour winds all morning so needless to say by the time the afternoon rolled around - Hartsfield was experiencing some delays. Beth and Chad (from GE) traveled with us and they were so sweet and thoughtful - they brought us snack bags so that we would not be to hungry since dinner would not be till much later. Bonus points for them! We finally got to leave Atlanta at 7 pm (1.5 hrs late) but on the upside the flight to Cincinnati was pretty short - only 1 hour.

When we arrived in Cincinnati we were taken to the very lovely Hilton downtown - It had a great name but I cant remember it. Anyways - super nice place:)

The entrance that leads you the check-in desk!

My Room on the 28th floor (there were only 29 floors - so I say I did pretty good!)

The rest of my room - HUGE!!!

Super cute bathroom! The pic doesnt do it justice.

Downtown Cincinnati at night - the picture did not turn out great - but you get the idea!

Dinner on the Cincinnati River - The Montgomery Inn. It was fabulose!

Get the Ribs and Chocolate Volcano Cake!

6 am view of downtown Cincinnati from my room.

Another pic from my room!

We spent Tuesday at Mercy Anderson Hospital - looking at their perinatal documentation system. It was very informative and I loved what we saw. Then we had PANERA for lunch - my ALL TIME FAVORITE LUNCH TO EAT! So another huge bonus! Then as quickly as it began we were back at the airport waiting to head home. Sad :(

This picture is us imitating Chad! Hhhhheeeeyyyyyyy!

I hear this is a great pick up for the ladies - well it worked for Chad at least:)

The Whole Crew!

Angela, Tracy, me

Rita, Rebecca, Melissa, Charles

Beth, Chad

The Cobb Crew!

Angela, Tracy, and me!

I really love to travel! I wonder sometimes if I should be doing that for a living? But then I think No! I would end up hating it - so I will just keep it as my way to expensive but very fun hobby. I do probably need to get a second job to pay for it though.....

Thanks Beth and Chad for all the laughs!

My First Buisness Trip

So I just got back from my first ever "Buisness Trip". Wellstar is in the process of looking to purchase a new electronic documentation system for the Women's Health Sector of the system and I was lucky enough to get to go on the site visit to Allentown, PA.

Sunday we left Atlanta and flew to Newark, NJ and then drove to Allentown, PA (about an hour and 15 minute drive). It was dark so I did not really get to enjoy any of the scenary going to PA BUT once we arrived there we were treated to a NICE dinner at a great restaurant called MELT. The food was sooooo good - and the company that treated us to this pulled out all the stops - we had fab appetizers, salads, wine, entrees, and dessert. They could not have treated us better.

Monday we spent at St Luke's Hospital in Allentown - and can I just say What a cute hospital and area! I loved it! The site visit was great - the hospital is a little smaller than ours but we met some great people and got some good info to bring home. Then it was back in the van - and back to Newark to catch a flight home. Luckily - we actually caught an earlier flight and made it back to Atlanta by 8 pm:)

I took a few photos as we were taking off because I have never been to NYC and seen any of the sights!

Photo of Manhattan from the Air

My itsy -bitsy pic of the Statue of Liberty

(its really almost comical!)

The Brooklyn Bridge

It was a fun trip and I get to do it again in two weeks - Ohio here I come!

Ava

Ava is our almost 4 year old lab mix that we rescued from the shelter one month after we were married. She has the cutest personality and is rather adorable (I am biased but thats okay)!

Since we have has a few warm and sunny days she has been wanting play in the backyard on the weekends. This picture of her is during a game of catch with her "squirrel tail" - she has shredded the squirrel stuffed animal body but kept the tail intact....Anyways she loves it - it is one of her "comfort" toys.


This is her on the fence - she likes to stand up here so she can be near the neighbors dogs - she is quite the social butterfly! And do notice her very trendy boutique collar or "necklace" as I call them. I don't make her wear clothes but we do have a variety of fashionable necklaces that we can change out depending on the season:)

We sure do love our Ava Bear!

Revolution Church

So as promised - my long awaited review of Revolution Church! Let me just say my expectations were not only met BUT BLOWN OUT OF THE WATER! This church is so on fire for GOD and they just draw you in with their welcoming nature and passion! Just one Sunday has made me want to be a better person. Worship was AWESOME! They have a great band and we sang songs that I have NEVER heard and at one point I thought I just might start bawling for no reason - They truly just love Jesus - no pretense, no fake I am better than thou attitudes - just real people that love Jesus.

The sermon this week is part of the "Bringing Sexy Back" series. Just the title of this series drew me in made me want to visit this church! What Christian based ministry has a series like that! None that I have ever been to - thats for SURE! Of course this week was about relationships and how to balance kids! Umm helllooo we have no kids so why go this week? Part of me was really debating visiting since I was sure that this message would NOT pertain to me and my marriage or my walk with God! SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO WRONG! I was touched by EVERY word that Gary Lamb (the pastor) had to say. He is just so real and down to earth.

I cannot say enough great things about Gary (Pastor Lamb?). He took a really touchy subject and basically TRAMPLED and STOMPED all over peoples toes - but who could be mad at him? He is dynamic, hilarious, and totally devoted to his church, his members, his family, and MOST of all God. I seriously hung on every word that he said and could apply all of the points that he made to my life. I feel like what I heard Sunday was meant for me - right where I am in life - I think Gary helped me to lay the foundation for my future family on Sunday - and I am so grateful.

God is amazing - he met me where right where I am.....And I am so glad!

Here is the website - Check it out for yourself! Especially Gary's blog - It gives you preview of what he is like in action at all 3 services on Sunday morning!

www.therevolution.tv

I will keep you all posted as we continue to visit....Pray for us as we make decisions about a church home that meets both of our needs equally.

Pictures from John's Birthday

The group at Dave Barnes

Dan and Kerri - They are ADORABLE!

The Ladies - Freezing Outside!

Some of my Ya-Ya's

"Give me your man card, you are losing points tonight!"

Kisses for the Birthday Boy!

Heather Ragsdale, RNC

Just to share some exciting news - I passed my RNC exam on Monday! This exam is to be certified in your nursing specialty - so I am now certified in Maternal Newborn Nursing. It was a LOT of hard work ....well I mean it was just so boring to study for...and my questions were so random and did not even apply to my job.....BUT I passed and that is all that matters:) Thanks to those of you that were saying a prayer for me at 9 am! I appreciate you because we all know that it was totally by the grace of God that I passed!!

The Integra

A few Pictures of the car so far.

Present state of the car!

Test drive picture

Happy Birthday John Dyal!

So John turned 32 last Friday (the 20th) and that means its par-tay time! We decided to check out Dave Barnes at Smiths Olde Bar Saturday night. The group consisted of: John, Laura, Kerri, Dan, Jenn, Becca, George, and I (the pretty standard going out group). We of coures had to start our evening out at none other than Cafe Hot Wing (or is it Hot Wing Cafe) ..I can never remember - Anyways the birthday boy just had to have his extra super firey hot wings (which he did not even finish ...I don't think). It has been a while since the group has eaten there so we had a good time :)

Then off to the show! We had tickets for the 8 pm show - we arrived a little after 8 to find a line forming outside the building - so ok no big deal we thought. 45 minutes later we are still standing outside..and please note that MOST of us did not bring jackets b/c where are you going to put them in a bar? So it was a little chilly to say the least. But finally we got inside and went upstairs to the "room" where the bands play. It was great atmosphere - really laid back crowd which was nice! Also - it was nice that not every girl was wearing booty shorts and a halter top that she was "falling" out of....that gets kind of tiring to see. So I think Drew Holcombe and the Neighbors opened and then on came Dave Barnes! I heard mixed reviews some of us liked the first band better and others of us like Dave Barnes. But overall it was a REALLY GREAT NIGHT (except that John lost points on his "man card" for saying the word "choreography" - I was informed that it is not a very manly word to say...boys ..they are so funny!

So its now a little after midnight and guess what - George and I are hungry. The wings are long gone and we needed a snack! So we headed to Marietta Diner for a very romantic after hours snack of waffles! We never do stuff like that so it was really really fun. I truly love being with my husband - he is my best friend. Most of the time all we do is laugh - I am just so lucky! Love you honey (not like he will ever read this blog!).

Anyways - Thanks John for coming into this world! You are like family to us! Its was a much needed fun night out in the ATL! And I definitly got to spend it with the best people I could have EVER asked for. God has blessed me :)

Playing catch up....

I am just not great at consistently blogging! Let me catch everyone up from my last post - so we (George and I) are the very proud new owners of a Acura Integra! The best part of the weekend trip to Savannah (in my opinion) was Friday night (2/6)- we stayed on Bay Street which is one street away from the river front. George was so sweet (probably buttering me up so I would be on board with the whole Integra purchase) and booked us a corner "suite" that overlooked the river! It was NICE!!! Savannah is a fun city and I hope we will go back soon when we have a little more time to take in all the great scenary and yummy restaurants:)

Last weekend was of course Valentine's Day - My sweet husband had flowers waiting for me Friday night when I walked in the door (since I had to work late due to Staff Meetings)! And George totally got a free pass for Saturday - he got to work on the Integra all day - because I was kinda studying for my RNC certification test (that is coming up way to soon!) And just a side note - I feel like I have no idea how to study anymore - I mean I study for 10 minutes and I am soooo BORED! Needless to say - I did not get as much studying done as I might have hoped.

This week is crazy - I have a HUGE Bereavement presentation coming up on Thursday - I am not really teaching it but I am putting together the whole presentation! I am feeling a little overwhelmed but working on this project has taught me alot actually. I am really really hoping for a good turn out - we want all mother's that suffer a perinatal loss to get great care and emotional support. And then once I get past this presentation it will be back to studying (or kinda studying) until I take my test!!

I am totally excited about this Sunday - George and I are going to try a new church - Revolution Church - it has about 1200 members and meets in the Cherokee Conference Center. It is a jeans and flip flops kinda church with contemporary worship ~ we have both been feeling very empty spiritually and we desperatly need a church home that meets both our needs. I am praying that this might be it! BUT God is good and I know he will provide:)

Boys and their Toys!

So, as of today George has "kinda purchased" a play car - A 1998 Black Acura Integra that as of right now is located at a dealership outside of Savannah. Now, some of you may remember the infamous "Macura" from high school and college - well we are about to purchase its twin - the Macura II. I will of course post some pictures when we return from our adventure in South Georgia - I have been informed that really the only reason I am going is to take the pictures..of George and the car...Happy Valentines Day Honey! And Birthday! And Christmas! And Father's Day when we have kids....

Keeping up with the Ragsdale's

Happy 2009 Everyone!

I am so excited that we finally have a family blog :) For everyone that I haven't talked to in a while here is just a quick fast forward of whats going on with us - (so when I make references in future blogs you will not be like what?)

George works for Shaw Carpets in Dalton, GA as an Industrial Engineer - he just finished a 1 year apprenticeship with the Enterprise Excellence Group - which he LOVED! Now he has accepted the position as the Enterprise Excellence Manager for the Samples Division - so basically he is in charge of putting together all the money saving projects for the facility. Over the past year he has received his Black Belt and is now going to training to be a Kaisan (sp?) Leader. All of this above is related to six sigma and you are definitly not expected to really understand any of it - so in a nut shell - George likes Shaw and is happy in his job:) Also, he is constantly constantly looking for a little black Acura integra (some of you may remember the "Macura" from high school and college days.....) He has just informed me tonight that if he were to get this car and "modify" it just right - it will only cost us $30,000. Ummm yeah.... thats is definitly out of the question! Boys and their toys!!

I work at Cobb Hospital in the Family Birthplace. I started as a staff nurse on the Mother/Baby floor - and then as luck would have it I became the Clinical Coordinator for the unit in October 2007! It has been an eye opening change - to go from the staff nursing side to seeing some of the management side of healthcare/nursing. I have definitly learned many many new things in this position - and I am so thankful that God opened this door when He did. Sometimes I struggle with balancing work and home - it is very easy for me to get caught up in work and spend very little efforts on myself or my family (namely George) which is unfair to both of us! So 2009 is going to be better - I am going to strive for that healthy balance:) I still have aspirations to go to Graduate school - so we will see what this coming year holds as far as that goes....

Ava Bear Ragsdale is the love of our lives - she is a beautiful blond lab mix that will be 4 this coming May! We got her July 2005 after we got married because truthfully I was kinda lonely on my days off and marriage was a huge adjustment for me...not in a bad way..but none the less an adjustment. Ava is so loveable and sweet - she is just the best dog (except on days that I get to sleep in and George leaves to go to work - and Ava decided that "mommy" needs to awaken and entertain her.) I am so prepared for a baby!! J/K.

Okay so thats us! We are loving life and living each day to the fullest! I will blog soon:)