Merry Christmas!
This has definitely been one of the hardest years we have ever had. By we, I say Martin and I and my coworkers, Dr. Troup, and my family. Vanderbilt was really tough, but it's over, now I have boards to conquer.  The infertility struggle was hard. It sure did end well, though, right?
WE ARE HAVING A BABY! 
What an amazing God we serve. He has blessed us this year over and over again. It really is amazing how he loves me! Its amazing how he cares!  Praise be to God our father for sending his baby to us to live and then to die to save us. Blessed is Mary who traveled this journey of pregancy and labor and delivery for the sweet, precious baby Jesus. I think of Mary a lot lately.
I also can't help but remember two of my most favorite people in the whole world. Oh aren't they so excited about this precious baby coming? Jennifer has one coming too! Can you imagine?
I sit here writing my Christmas Eve blog  and email that was started by Art, and passed on by Daddy, and now me.
Santa has come, the presents are all finally wrapped for my precious family tonight and tomorrow.
The doggies will have full bellies tomorrow, and just be happy to be with us.
Even the new baby has a few toys, some for a girl, and some for a boy, just in case.
I am about to go to bed, because this new found condition I am in leaves me very, very, tired, and it is WAAAAY past my bedtime.
Goodnight sweet friends and family. May your Christmas be as blessed as ours is this year. 
Silent Night
Holy Night
All is Calm,
All is bright.
Happy Christmas to all and to all a goodnight!
Love, Nikki 

Record number receive Nursing professional pins

Record number receive Nursing professional pins

Well, I graduated, the whole family went to Nashville, we had a great weekend, including the Grand Ole Opry and Carrie Underwood, the Country Music Hall of Fame, a few lunches at Noshville, dinner at my favorite place, Cabana, and of course, graduation!

It was priceless to be able to spend that time with family. They all came for me. They all came to celebrate this awful year. It is OVER! No one can ever take this away from me!
Thank you all for taking time out of your busy lives to come and celebrate! It was awesome.

After Nashville, Mom and dad dropped us off at the airport, and more fun began. Let me start by saying I have the best husband. He is just awesome. We got to the airport about 5:30, it took us exactly 17 minutes to go through security, and then we waited on a delayed flight to Atlanta. We were behind already on a close connection, but we made it, and were on the Magical Express headed to Disney in no time.

The Magic Kingdom was open until 2am that night, and we were going to try to go in, but we arrived at the Polynesian about 1:15 am, and it took quite some time for us to get checked in at the front since it was so late, but we were there. We had a view of Cinderella's castle from our room. We stayed at the Polynesian, which I just absolutely love. It is so close to the Magic Kingdom, which is my favorite. It has little boats that take you back and forth across the lake, or there is the Monorail.
 

 Martin spoiled me rotten. We were celebrating Graduation/5 year anniversary/ and my 32nd birthday. It was an awesome week. Every night when I got home, I had a surprise. He had somehow sneaked away and bought something and managed to get it home without me seeing, or he had had things shipped back to our room.  I would take a bath, then get out to find a surprise. I am blinged out in Mickey jewelry, a tea set from china, a real Kimono (on the bucket list) from Japan, several really cool stuffed animals, (FIGMENT!) and a new Disney Dooney and Bourke just to name a few. We celebrated all week! We also did the Disney dining plan this time, which was so awesome. You get all of your meals already paid for, and you get one table service and one quick service meal a day and a snack. You also get refillable drink mugs to keep. I'll share more later, but I just wanted to put a few pics up... I need to get some rest...
Night. wish I was still on Mainstreet USA with my baby!

Oh Victory in Jesus!

Nikki Price, RN PNP-AC.
It's over! I just turned in my last paper. Graduation is a week from Sunday!

"I heard an old, old story,
How a Savior came from glory,
How He gave His life on Calvary
To save a wretch like me;
I heard about His groaning,
Of His precious blood's atoning,
Then I repented of my sins
And won the victory.


Chorus
O victory in Jesus,
My Savior, forever.
He sought me and bought me
With His redeeming blood;
He loved me ere I knew Him
And all my love is due Him,
He plunged me to victory,
Beneath the cleansing flood.

I heard about His healing,
Of His cleansing pow'r revealing.
How He made the lame to walk again
And caused the blind to see;
And then I cried, "Dear Jesus,
Come and heal my broken spirit,"
And somehow Jesus came and bro't to me the victory!"

16 days until...

and then...

 and then...

and then FINALLY:

and ...

WOOHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!

It's 12:05 am. I just turned in an assignent. Such is my life. Get up at 5:00am; head to the Keurig; fill up, get in the car by 6:15, PICU by 7:00; stay til 7:00 pm; answer a few mommy calls and questions from Troup and company throughout the day in my spare HA! time. Also round somewhere in there for Troup.
Come home, change clothes, eat meal prepared by wonderful husband, watch TV for sanity and have snuggle time, love my 3 furry babies, and then stay up after everyone else sleeps and do assignments due at midnight.
73 more days.
Thank you Lord, for this opportunity. Thank you for blessing my family, but I am ready for this gift to be wrapped up.
Please let me be smart enough to do this job (and pass my boards).
Goodnight world.
xoxo

Stay...Jackson Browne style...

"Now the seats are all empty.
Let the roadies take the stage.
Pack it up and tear it down....
But when that last guitar been packed away, you know that I still want to play.
So just make sure you got it all set to go.
Before you come for my piano..."

It is the last night. I have packed it up and torn it down 8 times.
I still want to play. Maybe we can play in August.
This has been a ride. A good ride with a roller coaster of emotions, lots of knowledge. A bad ride with all of the traveling and costs.
Im ready to get off. It's time.
I'm coming home tomorrow.
The next trip is with my family for a big celebration!!!!
Goodnight everybody.
Nik

Happy Birthday Martin!!! I LOVE YOU WHOLE BUNCH!  xoxoxoxoxoxo

So when I was in youth group, Robbie Gravely came up with something called "Best Day Days".  Those are days that are just the best days. They beat all the others. They make you thankful for being a pirate looking at 30ish...
Anyways, Yesterday was one of those days.
I left early this time, I was supposed to come to Nashville by 4 to be involved in the ambassador program, where I help represent the peds program and answer questions to new students.  I surprise myself at how well I am doing in this program, and sometimes wonder if I am just flying under the radar.  For this reason, I am terrified of boards. Some of the people here are so smart. Sometimes I have no idea what they are talking about. I talked to martin about it tonight, and he said, "Nikki. You make people feel like that too when you talk about brains." He always knows what to say to make me feel better. Can you believe in 3 months we will have been married 5 years?
Anyways, I digress. Look! There is a shiny object!
Back to the best day day.
So I left early. I left really early. Normally, I try to work a half day and then hustle as fast as I can to get to Nashville in 5-6 hours and try very hard to do it before dark. I never make it, though, there are too many beautiful places to see on the way...
So I started out on 101 to hwy 11. I called daddy and asked him to route me a more scenic drive. I told him I wanted to at least go through Cherokee and Gatlinburg. He had me go to Asheville and get on the Blue Ridge Parkway.  Well, I got to the parkway, went South instead of North, because Daddy told me to turn left, got frustrated, and just got back on 26. I drove to the exit that was familiar to me, 74/19 and it directed me to Maggie Valley and Cherokee. I took it. I wasn't wanting to go on the Parkway as much as I was the long stretch between Cherokee and Gatlinburg. I drove through the beautiful valley, and it was misting rain. I stopped just past an old store that read "Best view here!" and it had a big hand pained arrow. I took lots of pictures from that spot.

 I got back in my car and that is where the singing started. I just sang to my Jesus. The whole trip was in respect to my Mema. Together though the years, Jennifer, Ben, and I went with her and aunt Neal from Memas house, out to 441 where we went to Cherokee and on up to Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge.  We took this route together, and I wanted to do it to remember her. So, I started out with "Victory in Jesus!" That is my, along with my Mama Bonnie's favorite hymn. Then I drove a little bit more. The world stretched out in front of me was just amazing.  So beautiful.

  I finally made it to Cherokee. It looks exactly like I remember. I haven't been there since I was like 20, and that was the last trip with Mema. I haven't actually stopped there since I was like 8.  I stopped at one of the most ridiculous tourist shops and bought me a pair of Moccasins.  They are fabulous. Real, Deerskin Moccasins. Time for a Coke Icee and a cheeseburger, and back on the road.  I drove and snapped pictures along the way, looked at some indian jewelry, hand carved pocketbooks, and got back in the road. 

 I continued up 441 towards Gatlinburg. The next song was "Make my life a prayer to you". Then some verses of "My chains are gone", Martin's favorite version of "Amazing Grace".  I drove. The next thing on the agenda was the visitor center. I always pass by, but never stop. Yesterday, I stopped.  I got out, did some necessities, and sat in a rocker for a little while, sat by the river for a little while, walked out to the farm museum, went in the gift shop and talked to a ranger. I bought a bird book and a book about the Smokies. I took lots of beautiful pictures. I got back in the car. Now the crisp air is irresistable. I was wearing flip flops, a skirt, a teeshirt, and a pony tail. The windows came down, the sunroof went up, and I threw a blanket over my stuff in the back seat. Heaven. My Jesus was near. My Mema was in the front seat, and my Jesus was near.

I drove some more up the windy, green road. The view was just spectacular. How can you not believe when you see the world like that?

"Shout to the Lord all the earth let us sing!"
The radio is off and I just sing and sing and sing.
Time to stop. Another gorgeous view of the moutains. Absolutely breathtaking. The smoke is there.

 I stopped several times for the views.
 I stopped again when I came to the little bridge over the river. I have many fond memories of this bridge. I have seen it when I was a little girl, I have seen it when I was grown in the snow.
I stayed on the bridge for a while and praised my Jesus. I sang loud. I prayed.
Yesterday, I relaxed. I rejuvenated. I healed.

I got back in the car.

At this point, it is time for some Buffett.
I turned on my favorite CD, "Encores". It is a compilation of all of his Encore performances, all live, all taped in different cities. 
The next stop was Clingman's Dome. My memory failed me here. I remember stopping when I was little with Mema and said group, and it was a tall thing you could climb, and it was the trailhead for the App trail.  We also would go to the RR here.
Weeeeellllllll. Not so much. If you actually go to Clingman's Dome, it is about 10 miles off the road, and when you get up there there are facilities, a store, and trails, with a beautiful view, but not was I remembered.

 When I finally got back down to 441, about a mile later, I saw what I have called "Clingman's Dome" my whole life. I was wrong. It is just a rest stop area just past the road for Clingman's dome...Anyways...
 Next came the tunnel and the curlyQ in the road, and a few minutes later, I finally made it to Gatlinburg.
Gatlinburg will always hold a special place in my heart. I will always regret not taking Mema one more time.

When I was at Clemson, I would come up for the weekend, pick her up, and we would go spend a few nights there together. I cherished those special times with her where I didn't have to share her. I got her undivided attention, and we spent most of the time in the car, sitting on benches, or in the "motel" room, but it was wonderful time. We always ate good.
I had to stop, even though I was running out of time. Then the rain came.
I bought a hat and got my Mickey umbrella out of the car and made it to the Smoky Mountain Candy Kitchen. I got a few things, and walked around for just a few minutes, breathed in the air, took some pics, and got back in the car. I drove from there to Pigeon Forge. My directions from the parking attendant were "Just go left and follow everybody else..." MMMMk....

I got to Pigeon Forge and went to the Apple Barn. I bought some wine and all of the other stores were closed so no Apple Butter this trip folks. I was really running short on time now, but couldn't resist. Now this is something my Mama Bonnie enjoyed. I went in, said "Party of 1!" and went on in. They sat me right away, and I already knew I wanted Chicken and Dumplins, but that's not all! It was their 25th anniversary. So they had extras and specials. Everyone gets 3 apple fritters with apple butter, a personal size of Vegetable Soup, a salad, your entree and 2 sides, and then she comes out and says what would you like for your dessert??!HOLY MOLY!

 

  I can't remember the last time I shoveled it in. I wasn't going to leave a bit of it. It was the best food I have ever put in my mouth. This little couple next to me got a kick of me having the nerve to come by myself and enjoy that food so much. When I couldn't stuff it in, or decide on dessert, the waitresss said she would surprise me, and came back with one of each. Good Lord.

So I packed it up, got in the car, and drove as fast as I could the rest of the way to I-40 and on to
 Nashville.

I hope you enjoyed my latest best day day. 
I needed it.

 I needed the day of rest and happiness. I needed the Joy.

"Jesus! Lover of my soul!! Jesus! I will never let you go! You've taken me from the firey grave, put my feet up on the rock, and now I know! My savior! My closest friend! I will worship you until the very end!

Love,
Nik

Sometimes when I am in Nashville I feel a little crazy. Here I stand in Walgreens at 11:27 my time, 12:27 home time. I was craving chicken noodle soup and I just finished my assignment that was due tonight. Sometimes you just need a little fresh air.

I caught myself singing this and an old hymn that I can't recall outloud tonight. Ya know? God loves to hear our voices. Sing it. Sing it out loud.
Today was one of the worst days ever. But I came  home to a husband who loves me and he cooked for me and loved me through it. Thank you Jesus. Thank you for your unfailing love.


Make my life a prayer to You,
I want to do what you want me to,
No empty words and no white lies,
No token prayers, no compromise,
I want to shine the light you gave,
Through Your Son, you sent to save us,
From ourselves and our despair,
It comforts me to know you're really there.

Oh, I want to thank you now, for being patient with me,
Oh, it's so hard to see, when my eyes are on me,
I guess I'll have to trust and just believe what you say,
Oh, you're coming again, coming to take me away,

I want to die, and let you give,
Your life to me, so I might live,
And share the hope you gave to me,
The love that set me free,
I want to tell the world out there,
You're not some fable or fairy tail,
That I made up inside my head,
You're God, The Son, you've risen from the dead.

Oh, I want to thank you now,
For being patient with me,
Oh, it's so hard to see,
When my eyes are on me,
I guess I'll have to trust,
And just believe what you say,
Oh, you're coming again,
Coming to take me away.

I want to die, and let you give,
Your life to me, so I might give,
And share the hope you gave to me,
I want to share the love that set me free.

Gigi's cupcakes in Nashville with 3 of the coolest girls! 

Vanderbilt Pinning

I haven't been the best at blogging, I will go back and share my Opryland Hotel adventure later...

Well...There are only 3 more trips to come and stick a fork in me and I am DONE! As Dr. Troup says I will be NP squared (Nikki Price Nurse Practitioner) NP NP :)

As much as I'd like to be done now, I have to admit I have made some really good friends and met some fabulous ladies that are very precious to me. I am going to miss them a LOT. As much as the drive stinks, and its such a hassle to get off work and pack and be gone that long, I really do enjoy myself when I get there. Good compay, good wine :) and very interesting lectures. I am learning a lot. It is overwhelming at times. But I have learned a lot about myself. I can do this. I can accomplish this. I am smarter than I thought I was.

So back to the point. Vanderbilt pinning is coming August 5 weekend. I spoke with the teachers last block, and they said it was in a huge arena ( TPAC Jackson Hall , to bring everyone I wanted. So...I asked everybody. 14 in all. Everyone said yes! Then we get this email about a week ago. We get 6 tickets. There will be a ticket exchange to try to get more. WHAT? I am paying the amount of a really nice car or a small house for this education and I can only bring 6 people? I don't think so. Come hell or highwater, I will find those tickets. I have reserved the rooms at the Hampton Inn West End. HAMPTON INN ( WEST END ONE NOT ELLISTON PLACE) This is where we stay on block. The rate is 99.00 per night. We plan on going fri, sat, sun. Martin and I may stay longer or do some traveling on the way home. Who knows...But we also got an email that said that the Sheraton downtown is offering a special of 139.00 downtown for graduates. SHERATON This is a block from the arena we are graduating in. Although this is more than the Hampton, it is downtown. I can't decide what to do. Thoughts?

Here is the letter:

To all August, 2012 Graduates:

We are pleased to announce that the Vanderbilt University School of Nursing Pinning Ceremony will be held on Sunday, August 5, 2012, in the newly renovated Tennessee Performing Arts Center (TPAC) in downtown Nashville. It is a beautiful venue and a wonderful place to celebrate your upcoming milestone.

There are many exciting details surrounding this event. We are securing discounted hotel rooms for VUSN students and their guests at the Sheraton Nashville Downtown Hotel ($139 per night plus parking). This hotel is located two blocks from TPAC. We will be reserving a block of rooms, so please let me know if you are interested. We have to reserve the block before you can actually make reservations for the discounted price. Additionally, there will be plenty of parking spaces available on the street and at various nearby parking garages. You will also be within walking distance of several popular restaurants and the activities on Nashville’s Second Avenue.

The ceremony will be in Jackson Hall, TPAC’s largest auditorium. As required by the Tennessee Performing Arts Center, the Pinning Ceremony will be a ticketed event. There will be no charge for tickets. Each graduating student will receive complimentary tickets for 6 guests. Tickets will be mailed to your home address in late June. The tickets are transferrable, and we will establish a site on our Facebook page for students to exchange tickets.

We look forward to the August 2012 Pinning Ceremony and hope this new location will give you the opportunity to introduce your friends and family to not only Vanderbilt University but to Music City, USA as well.

Sincerely,

Vanderbilt University School of Nursing

Previous Item Next Item