Graduation!!!

I know this post is a little delayed, but Jason has officially graduated from the CRNA program at MCG! Friday, December 11, 2009, is a day that definitely rivals my wedding day and the day I passed the CPA exam as one of the best days of my life so far!

The night before graduation, Jason's class had a graduation party downtown at the Marburry Center. It was a great time for us to celebrate with the 14 other individuals who have suffered through the program with him for the past 2 1/2 years! These people have become like family to us.

On Friday was Jason's actual graduation. We had family come into town to celebrate with us and then had a small cookout with friends and family after graduation. Jason and Kevin smoked a pig that they shot at the farm earlier in the week - thanks to Kevin for "babysitting" the pig while we went to graduation! It was absolutely delicious!

I am so proud of my husband, who is now studying for to take his Boards next month. He says until he passes, he's simply a glorified, overqualified nurse. Please pray for him over the next few weeks as he studies for his test. I know he'll do great, but it's still a little stressful, nonetheless.

Happy Times

This past week has been an exciting week in the Faunce household. Jason completed his LAST day of rotations, which means he is officially done with the CRNA program at MCG! Words cannot express how proud I am of my husband for toughing it out for the past two and a half years. It's hard to believe the next time he goes to the hospital it will be as a CRNA and not as a student! We are looking forward to the week ahead. Our families are coming into town for Jason's graduation (well, pseudo-graduation - the real ceremony is in May, but they are having a ceremony for the December graduates). We will also be going to a graduation party for his class as well as having a cookout for him here at the house on Friday. These are definitely happy times in our lives, and we are soaking up every moment!

Mercer Homecoming, Thanksgiving, and Josephine

Last weekend was homecoming for Mercer University, and I was so happy to go to Macon to visit with some of my greatest friends for the weekend! Jenna, Becca, Amanda, and I stayed downtown, and we had a great time. We hung out, met up with some college friends, and attended the ADPi Homecoming Brunch and the Mercer vs. FSU men's basketball game. It was so great to be able to see my college friends, and it felt so strange to walk through campus as an alum. Those were some great times....I really miss all of them so much!

Dinner at El Sombraro (Amanda's favorite place!)

ADPi Brunch

With Jesse Mercer

On Thursday, Jason and I traveled to Peachtree City to spend Thanksgiving with our families. As is tradition with our family, all of my aunts, uncles, cousins, and their children got together at my grandparents house in Fayetteville. This is probably my favorite day of the entire year. Our family has always been extremely close, and it seems to get harder and harder to get together the older we get. But, we always know that everyone will be at Thanksgiving at Mama June and Daddy Jack's. This is a special time for our family to get together, enjoy the best food in the world, and get to see how much the babies in the family have changed over the past year. This year was very special because my Daddy Jack, who has not been doing well, had a really good day. He was able to go outside and watch all the children playing. Most of the kids below are his great-grandchildren. Mama June and Daddy Jack should be very proud of the legacy they have created with our family. I love them so much!

On Friday, before traveling back to Augusta, we went to LaGrange to visit our dear friends Ryan and Isa and meet their sweet baby, Josephine. Josephine was an absolute angel, and literally one of the most beautiful babies I have ever seen. She is as close to perfect as they come, and we couldn't be happier for Ryan and Isa! Isa is one of those people that was absolutely, 100% made to be a mom, and she loves that little Josephine so much she can't stand it! It's so neat to see them with their sweet baby. I always knew that Isa would be a great mom. We loved spending time with the Meeks, and we couldn't get enough of that sweet baby girl!

Home for Good

Bruiser, Bella and I (espcially Bella) are happy to announce that Jason is finally home for good! He completed his last out-of-town rotation today and begins his final rotation at Doctor's Hospital on Monday. This past week, when Jason left, Bella laid in front of Jason's chair and literally cried. It was absolutely pitiful. It doesn't feel like the traveling is over, but it is, and we are all happy!

Half-Marathon Results

Jason and I had such a great time running our half-marathon this morning. We were a little concerned about Jason's ankle as he injured it on our long run last week, but he was a trooper, and we were able to run the entire 13.1 miles! We maintained an average 10:00-minute mile pace throughout the race (of course, our pace was much faster at the beginning and slowed some towards the end when Jason's ankle started bothering him). We didn't win the race (obviously), but we didn't finish last either, and I would say we did well for our first half-marathon. We are already planning on running another one in a few months!

In other news, I had to send Jason off for his LAST out-of-town rotation this afternoon! Only 4 more nights and he is home for good! I am so thankful that this is coming to a close. And I am so proud of him for being such a good sport about traveling for the last year and a half. I am so blessed to have such a wonderful husband (I'd just prefer to have him home instead of away all week!).

Saturday Night with the Cains

This weekend, Jason and I spent Saturday evening with our friends Jessica and Travis, whose baby Charlie was 3 weeks and 2 days old on Saturday. Charlie is such a sweet angel, and Jessica and Travis are great parents. I was so impressed with them - like they'd been doing it for 3 years instead of 3 weeks! Charlie was so good all night, and barely made a peep. He slept while Jessica, Travis, Jason, Kevin and I played Trivial Pursuit and Taboo (and I have to say that Jessica and I dominated in Trivial Pursuit!). Needless to say, Charlie is not exactly what I would call good "birth control" for me. :) And Jason loves the little guy as well. In fact, when I tried to have another turn holding little Charlie, Jason responded by saying, "You've had him all night!". Here's a picture below of Jason and Charlie. Personally, I think a little baby boy looks good on my sweet husband. ;)

Half-Marathon, Here We Come!

I have officially registered Jason and myself for the Augusta 2nd Annual Half-Marathon on November 1! Since we have been training for quite some time now, I decided that it was safe to go ahead and register us (non-refundableness and all!). We are so excited! This has been a goal of ours for awhile, and its definitely going to be an accomplishment for both of us! A week and four days to go! Half-marathon, here we come!

Opening Day

Today is opening day for deer hunting season in Georgia, and my crazy husband woke up at 4:30 this morning to head out to Girard, GA where his hunt club is located. Of course, as is typical of me every Saturday during this season, I rolled over and told him I loved him, but he was just crazy for getting up at 4:30 for anything. But, apparently it was worth it because Jason shot an 8-point buck this morning! Jason said he's not huge, but he's still very excited! I think he's planning on mounting the rack. Here's a picture of his buck below. I'd say his first morning was successful!

And fun was had by all...

We have been informed that every quarter Anesthesia Consultants of Augusta (the group Jason will be working for once he graduates) has a huge party out at Champion's Retreat (a country club here in Augusta). Its more than a party really...its an entire weekend for the group members to get to hang out outside of work and also a chance for the spouses to get to know each other a little better. Last night was mine and Jason's first time attending one of these get-togethers. Jason wasn't able to join the guys for golf on Friday and Saturday as he had to write a thesis paper for a research project he has been working on. However, we were able to go to dinner and casino night last night. And we had a blast!!! I was so excited to get to meet everyone that Jason works with and also get to meet the spouses. Everyone is so nice, and the group really seems to have the "work hard, play hard" mentality, which totally fits my husband's personality. We had an incredible dinner at the club and then casino night! Of course, the money was fake, but the prizes were extra days off for 2010. Believe it or not, Jason's name was the first one drawn for the prize, and he gets an extra day off next year! Everyone laughed and poked fun of him considering he hasn't even started working yet, and he's already getting extra time off! We feel so incredibly blessed that Jason's has found a job where the people really care about each other and feel more like family than co-workers. God is good!

October Update

Our lives have been a little (or maybe a lot) crazy lately, so I haven't had too much of a chance to post. Not to mention that, although our lives have been crazy busy, nothing too incredibly exciting has occurred recently that warrants posting. But, I thought I'd take a few minutes to update everyone on what's going on and how things are going. We are officially in the home stretch with Jason's school. He has 8 weeks left of clinicals and 9 weeks until graduation. He leaves for Statesboro on Monday and will be there for 4 weeks. Then he's back home FOREVER!!!! Between Jason's working nights our first two years of marriage and the past two years being crazy with his school schedule and traveling, I am really looking forward to having him home everyday when I get home from work! I am halfway through my fall semester, which leaves one more after this. And at work, we have officially begun what we call "Hospital Season" as me and a few others in my office work on audits for a number of hospitals in the area during the fall. I am looking forward to this as I really enjoy the clients and the work. In other news, I have been informed by my sweet husband that deer hunting season begins next weekend....oh, boy....I can hardly wait for him to wake up every Saturday at 4:00 a.m. (only to have me roll over and tell him that he is stupid for getting out of bed that early for anything!). But, it is something that he enjoys, so I'm happy that he has a place to go and enjoy his time with his friends doing what boys (sorry, men) do.

On more exiciting news, our dear friends Jessica and Travis welcomed the sweetest baby boy into the world on October 1, 2009. Charles Perry Cain (Charlie) is one of the prettiest babies I have ever seen. I think he looks like his mom. We couldn't be happier for them! I have put a couple of pictures below of the little guy.

$75 for a dog? That's what you think!!

Who would have thought that two dogs from PetSmart would end up being so expensive? We spent $75 each for Bruiser and Bella, and they came spayed/neutered and with all of their first shots. You would think that was an excellent deal....until something goes wrong. My poor dogs have had such a hard time. Bruiser had to have two surgeries last year because his knee was coming out joint. These surgeries were accompanied by weeks of narcotics and physical thearpy (as well as a bill to prove it!). Luckily that is fixed now, but he still can't run and play like he used to (and he's only 4 years old! Poor thing!). And now my poor girl dog, Bella, has a rotten tooth that has to be pulled (according the vet, who seems to be very honest, it should have been pulled yesterday). I feel like such a bad mom for not noticing that her poor tooth was rotten! So, Bella goes on Monday to have a large moler in the back of her mouth pulled. Apparently, it's a pretty serious surgery that requires the vet to "dig out" her tooth and pull a flap of skin from the top of her mouth to cover the hole where the tooth was orinigally located. I feel so bad for her!! Although taking care of these dogs has cost more than I originally bargained for, I wouldn't trade my babies for any other dogs in the world. They are the best, and we love them!!

Jason has a JOB!!!

I am so happy to be able to share the news that Jason has officially accepted an offer today for his first job as a CRNA!!! He has been completing his first rotation of the semester at Doctor's Hospital in Augusta, which is where is has wanted to work for quite some time. Since the beginning of his rotation, he has been getting to the hospital early and staying late to make a good impression, and it has apparently paid off! Jason receiving this offer is such a blessing and an answered prayer. We love Augusta and weren't ready to leave, but obviously my husband had to have a job in order for us to stay. Not to mention that Jason enjoys the people at Doctors that he will be working with on a daily basis and has a lot in common with them. As I have learned in the past two years at CBH, there is definitely something to be said for liking the people you work with everyday. Jason finally having a job here in Augusta makes me feel that I can actually start to settle here, which is a good feeling. We are truly blessed!

Progress on the Deck

A few weeks ago, Jason decided that he was going to tackle a couple of projects in our backyard. The first was to put a flagstone patio on the side of our deck, which turned out amazing (pictures below). The other project was to cover our deck. While the flagstone patio took a few days, this project has taken a little more time given the complexity of the project as well as Jason's busy schedule. I didn't get a "before" picture, but this was the beginning of the project:

Jason's parents came to visit a few weeks ago, and his dad helped him get started on his project. John has a lot of experience with this as he just finished covering their deck back in Peachtree City, which looks incredible! As with most projects at our house, Jason enlisted the help of his best friend, Kevin, and the three of them worked all day in the hot sun to take all necessary measurements, get all materials needed, set the posts and frame up the deck.

Jason and Kevin setting the posts.

The guys spent quite some time that day framing up the beams to hold the roof.

Those of you who know me well know that I think my husband and Kevin are the greatest. But, I'm pretty sure this project would have taken 10x longer without the help of my wonderful father-in-law. He's the best, and we are sooooo thankful for all his help! We love you!

By the time Jason's parents headed home on Sunday, the entire frame was up and the roof was ready to go on the deck. As I previously explained, progress on completing the project has been a little slow due to Jason's schedule, but Jason and Kevin have been working on it in their spare time, and it's finally coming together! In the last couple of weeks, the guys have gotten the roof up, and today they started working on putting up the ceiling and running the wiring for the ceiling fan.

Jason and Kevin finishing up the roof (I'm aware that this doesn't look safe...).

I was so excited this afternoon when I got back from the gym to see that the guys had purchased the plywood for the ceiling. By this evening, they were putting them up!

Kevin using the nail gun to put up the plywood.

My husband waiting patiently for his turn to "play" with the nail gun.....can I just take a moment to say that I think my husband is sooo hot! Especially on the rare occasion that he throws that hat on backwards (not to mention the Lynyrd Skynyrd shirt and the fact that the hat is camo!!!). Oh my heavens!

As with every home project, the guys ran into a little snag while putting the ceiling up. This is them coming up with a solution.....and they did! I am so blessed to have these men in my life! I'm pretty sure I couldn't ask for a better husband and he couldn't ask for a better friend! More pictures to come when the deck is complete.

The Countdown Continues....

Jason and I have officially begun our final semester and year (respectively) of school!!! Jason is currently completing his first rotation at Doctor's Hospital here in Augusta. This rotation has proved challenging, especially since Jason is working hard to put his best foot forward. He has been getting to the hospital extra early and staying late, which usually results in 11-12 hour days. In addition, he was surprised to learn that he is required to take an online class this semester, which he anticipates will take quite some time. I am trying to be encouraging...it's only one more semester! He's still not thrilled that this requirement was sprung on him at the last minute, but such is life. I have started my final year in the MAcc program at Auburn, and I can't wait to be done! This semester is Advanced Topics in Accounting (including topics such as deferred taxes, derivatives, intercompany transactions, and foreign currency exchanges....extremely boring for those of you not in the accounting profession but interesting to us dorky accountants) and Integrated Accounting Applications. Four more classes to go and I will officially be done! In addition to starting the semester, we are still working on construction in our backyard. Jason is trying hard to finish the deck so we can enjoy it during football season this year. Stay tuned for pictures of the progress. We are also both training for a half-marathon on November 1 here in Augusta. Needless to say, it should be an eventful fall!

Newest Addition to the Family

We have a new addition to the Faunce family!!! Derrick adopted a dog today from our friends Stephen and Ashlyn. Migo (short for Amigo) is so sweet and cute! He is going to be a great dog for Derrick, and his cousins already love him!

Update and Patio Construction

I am sure I am officially in trouble with all of you who check our blog on a regular basis. I am aware that it has been awhile since our last post, but our lives have been a little crazy lately. Jason just finished his rotation in Athens. He now has a week off and then starts his rotation at Doctors Hospital here in Augusta. We are still counting down to Jason's graudation, and it is getting closer and closer (I literally CANNOT wait!!!). I just returned from working in Atlanta for the week. While the traffic was a little stressful, I really enjoyed spending time with my mom and getting to visit with my mother-in-law and my cousin, Abigail.

While most people with a week off would relax or hit some golf balls, my wonderful husband has decided to take on a couple of backyard projects during his time off. Specifically, he has decided to put a patio in our backyard along the side of our deck as well as cover our deck. He started the patio last weekend and was able to finish it today with the help of his brother and two of his best friends, Kevin and Travis. The pictures below are the progress of the project. I was thrilled this afternoon to come home after an extremely long week to see the project completed!! I am so proud of the guys! It looks incredible, and I couldn't be happier with it!

Jason and Derrick started out by digging up the grass and leveling out the ground to get the area ready to lay the gravel, sand and then the stones. This picture is particularly humerous because the guys hit a hole while they were digging up the grass. Jason looked at Derrick and said, "Derrick, stick your hand down there and see where it goes." Without hesitation, Derrick did exactly as his big brother instructed. I am sure this is a glimpse into their entire childhood! Poor Derrick!

My hard-working husband! I love him so much!

By the time I returned from Atlanta on Thursday, the guys had poured the gravel and sand as well as laid most of the flagstone.

The guys used mortar to put in between the flagstone to keep it together. This is the 60 pound bag of mortar that the guys were convinced I could not pick up and carry across the yard. Of course, I proved them wrong....

When I got home on Friday from work, the patio was complete! It's still wet in this picture from the water that they sprayed on it to set the mortar, but I think it looks awesome! I am so proud of them!

Jason and Kevin relaxing after a hard days work....they are resting up for the next project, which starts tomorrow....covering the deck!

Friday Night Full of Surprises

One of our favorite places to eat here in Augusta is Pablanos. It is the best Mexican in Augusta, particularly because they are the only ones we have found that make homemade guacamole at your table. There are two locations, and they are about the same distance from our house. As is usual for a Friday night, we decided this past Friday to go to Pablanos for dinner. And for some reason, we decided to change it up and go to the newer location, which is not typically the one we go to. We decided to sit outside as it was raining and was unusually cool for July in Augusta. It was nice to enjoy the sound of the rain and the cool breeze, especially given that I had been inside working all week. Once the rain stopped and the sun started peeking through the clouds, my brother-in-law noticed a beautiful rainbow. By the time I got my camera out, there were two rainbows! It's difficult to see the second rainbow in the picture below, but it is to the left of the brighter rainbow. As you all know, I was thrilled to be able to see one rainbow, but even more thrilled to see two at one time! They were so beautiful and such a reminder of God's awesomeness!

After eating my homemade guacamole, chimichanga and refriend beans, I got up to use the restroom when (I couldn't believe my luck on this Friday night!!!), I saw a few familiar faces in the first booth in the restaurant. I had to do a double-take because I couldn't believe that two of my friends and ADPi sorority sisters from Mercer were sitting in Pablanos in Augusta, GA!!! It was so good to see Julia and Matthew and Meg and Ross! Once they finished eating, they came out to visit for awhile, and we spent the rest of the evening catching up. We ended up closing down Pablanos (which apparently closes at 11:30 for anyone interested.)

So what started out as a typical Friday night dinner with my boys at our favorite Mexican restaurant ended up being a night full of surprises...two beautiful rainbows and two good friends from college!! What a blessing!!

It's Official!!

I must say that March 12, 2008 rivals my wedding day as one of the best days of my life. On March 12, 2008, I found out that I passed the final section of the 4 part CPA exam. (Needless to say, it was an excellent early birthday present!) For those of you in the accounting profession, you know exactly what this means, and it was such a relief to close this chapter of my life! For those of you not in the profession, this test literally sucks the life out of you until you pass it, so you can imagine my relief!

Upon passing the CPA exam, my mother (as well as a number of my friends who claim that they have no idea exactly what it is that I do for a living) was convinced that I was a CPA. It is very difficult to explain to people that passing this test is only one step to obtaining my license. Other requirements include education requirements as well as working under a licensed CPA in public accounting for at least 2 years. May 21, 2009 marked my 2 year anniversary at Cherry, Bekart, & Holland and also the day that I finally met all requirements to become a CPA. After filling out the lengthly application, sending my transcripts to NASBA, receiving a form back from NASBA and completing the remaining portions of the application, I have finally received notice that as of today, I AM OFFICIALLY A CPA!!!!

The Final Lap

It's official.....the end is in sight......we will make it after all! Jason received his final schedule of rotations today! I knew that I wouldn't feel that this chapter was drawing to a close until we had the final schedule. And now that we do, I feel so relieved!

In the fall Jason will go to Doctor's Hospital in Augusta, Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital in Albany, East Georgia Regional Medical Center in Statesboro, and back to Doctor's Hospital in Augusta. He will be officially done with the program on December 4 and will graduate a week later on December 11. It's been amazing to me how quickly these four week rotations have flown by, and I know that this semester will be over before we know it!

Off to Athens

As many of you know, as part of Jason's Masters program, he is required to travel to different hospitals in Georgia to complete his rotations. These rotations have taken him to Peachtree City for 16 weeks, Hawkinsville for 4 weeks, and LaGrange for 8 weeks. Jason left for Athens today and will be there through the middle of August. We haven't gotten his schedule for the fall yet, but we are looking forward to being able to count down the rotations once we know where he's scheduled to go!

I'm not the only one that misses him when he is gone. I am almost convinced that Bruiser and Bella miss him more than I do! They lay by the door all week waiting for him to come home on Thursday night. Poor pups!

Green Bananas?

The longer I am married, the more I realize the difference between men and women. Here is one such example....I offered to make homemade banana pudding for a Bible study that we attend once a month. My dear, sweet husband agreed to go to the store for me to buy the ingredients for the banana pudding. I wrote down exactly what was needed, including specific instructions regarding what to do if certain items weere not available. When I started making the banana pudding this evening, I pulled out all ingredients and laid them out on the counter, including a bunch of green bananas. Really? Green bananas? For banana pudding that I am serving tomorrow? When I inquired of Jason as to what he was thinking when he purchased green bananas for the banana pudding, he responded, "You didn't specifiy what color bananas you wanted...". How clueless men are about these things...it's almost cute.

4th of July 2009

My husband and I disagree about the best place to spend the 4th of July. He thinks that the Fourth can be spent anywhere as long as there is bar-b-que, hamburgers, and fireworks. I, on the other hand, think that the Fourth is not complete without decorated golfcarts and the Peachtree City parade.


It just so happens that Jason's Aunt Michelle, Uncle Chris and their four children usually visit Jason's parents over the 4th of July holiday, which is a perfect opportunity for us to visit the family. This year, we spent the 4th of July in Peachtree City with our families. We started the day by going to the Peachtree City Parade, which I love every year. The golfcarts, the floats, the children racing for the candy...it all makes for a perfect beginning to our nation's birthday. After the parade, we celebrated the Fourth with a cookout at the fire station (Jason's Dad is a firefighter), relaxed by the pool with a yummy trifle dessert (thanks to Jen for the wonderful recipe!) and ended the day with a bar-b-que and fireworks at my parent's church, First Baptist Church of Peachtree City. It was so exciting to be able to spend time with family and also see some friends from both high school and college. We are so blessed that our families get along so well as we were able to spend time with the entire family rather than splitting our time. It was a wonderful day!

I got this trifle recipe from a lady I work with, Jennifer Heath. It turned out so great! I also made a white chocolate one for my mother-in-law. It was yummy as well! Thanks again, Jen!

Melinda and her boys.

Me and Mom.

Needless to say, my babies loved the attention from Jason's cousins, Andrew and Adam.