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 :)