holiday lights

Another Thanksgiving has come and gone. A day full of family, food and fun! A day where you can stuff yourself silly and not feel bad because, 'it's just the thing to do!' I LOVE this time of year. There is a joyful spirit common among people that isn't always there the rest of the year!

We are rapidly approaching the Christmas season. Or are we in full swing of it now? Shoppers, stores, sales, commercials, lights strung across homes, trees in the windows, ornaments decorating lawns. Yes, we are in fast motion, full speed ahead into the busiest time of year!

I am VERY excited this year, more than last. It is SO much fun to be a parent during the holidays, but even more fun the older your child gets. Last year Aubrey had fun unwrapping presents and seeing the tree up. But already she is SO excited to see christmas lights on houses when we drive past. 'CWIS-MAS LIGHTS!!!!! BLUE ONES....AND AND....WHITE ONES. OOOOOH THERE'S MORE!' are words SCREAMED from the back seat every time she sees them! Once in a while I will take a detour on the way home to drive past her favorite blue lights. Since the weather was so warm this weekend, I took advantage and hung our icicle lights on the deck. Aubrey makes CERTAIN they are on when it gets dark outside!

She runs to the window saying "Lights Mama....lights!"

Aubrey has two Christmas programs to be in this year! And we are practicing the songs like crazy! I can't believe within the next 2 weeks, I'll be one of 'those' parents with the video camera in the front row and my little girl all decked out for the holidays. She'll probably be really shy and won't want to sing...or she might be out of control with energy and eat up the attention! Either way, you will probably be seeing pictures!

reflecting....

This has been a big week for me. Sort of. You reading this may not think so. This was a week of 'reflection' for me. Reflecting and evaluating EVERYTHING I have on my plate and remembering to be so thankful and blessed for everything and everyone in my life.

I stepped down from my job as part time receptionist at the retirement village I have worked at for almost 2 years. I have never quit a job before, so this was NEW territory! No, it's not a hard job, but it does take up 2-4 days/evenings of my week. The other 3 days of my week are consumed with school. So where do Aubrey and Justin fit in? Hm. In the spare moments I have that I'm not washing clothes/dishes, showering or sleeping. So...something had to give. It couldn't be school or family or ministry...so I gave up my job.

This week was my 2nd and last week on the Oncology (cancer) floor at the hospital for clinicals. Last week I witnessed the joy and excitement of a patient being discharged to go home and spend time with his wife and 5 year old daughter. I had the privilege of being able to hear his plans for them as a family in the coming weeks. Despite his diagnosis, pain and sickness, he was still VERY hopeful and positive for the future. This week I had the privilege of caring for a gentleman with terminal cancer, in his last days. It is amazing to me that these cancer patients are the most sick and have the most to be sad and grumpy about and yet they are the most joyful, fun spirited people! I don't know if my patient is still with us or if he has passed on. But I do know that for 4 1/5 hours yesterday, I focused all of my attention, care and nursing skills on him. I was there when he needed a hand to hold because he felt lonely, I was able to joke with him about our favorite football teams, I was there when his toes needed tucked under the covers to keep them warm and I was there to get him ice chips with 'flavor' b/c he was not able to swallow anything. It took every ounce of energy for him to be able to speak 2 words. But the warm smile he was able to give spoke volumes. And probably vice versa.

After caring for these two patients, I began to reflect upon my life. Yes, school is only for a season. Yes this schedule is only for a season...but why make it more hectic and stressful than necessary?! I will now be able to focus more on school, which I only have one semester left! I can focus on being a mommy and a wife a little more now! Enjoying family and life....simply life.... that's what it's all about!

AND THE WINNER IS......

You guys made this SO INSANELY HARD! Of course I LOVED all the comments about ME! Megan's comment about her 'hot' husband is hysterical! Jason being held at GUNPOINT by his wife to comment on it. Sarah saying I'm the 'bestest' friend ever! And Teara, your husband 'bringing a smile to your face every night...well not EVERY night', LOVE IT!

SO...THIS IS HOW IT WENT DOWN.....4 names on a list, 'eenie, meenie, miney, moe', 5 different times, 5 different patterns, marked an 'x' by the name who showed up the most....

The prize goes to: JASON RHODE! Keep it for yourself, even though PUBLICLY you DENY using MK, or you can give it to the hostess of your Thanksgiving dinner! :) (I will e-mail for your address)

Before you stop following my blog because you DIDN'T WIN....KEEP IN MIND, there is ANOTHER giveaway in DECEMBER!!!!!! And I promise you won't want to miss out.

CONTEST!!

It's that time of year...HOLIDAY time! In exactly 2 weeks we will be celebrating Thanksgiving! YAY! I LOVE the smell of the Thanksgiving meal cooking, getting together with family, talking, laughing, reminiscing and lining the countertops with food and then not knowing what to do with it when we're all stuffed silly! My favorite time of year are the months of November and December. There seems to be a 'joy' among people that isn't always there.

So, in the spirit of being 'thankful', I am giving away a GIFT!

It includes: an oven mitt, kitchen towel and a Mary Kay

'Satin Hands' Hand lotion !!!

You can keep it for yourself, or give it to your Thanksgiving dinner Hostess!

How can you be eligible to win?!

List 5 reasons you are 'thankful'

this Thanksgiving.

You have until Saturday, midnight (11/14/09) to post your list!

(This gives me time to mail it to you if needed, BEFORE turkey day!)

(If you don't happen to win and you want one, I make/sell them for $12, shipping is free)

Don't forget to look for a December giveaway!

GOOD LUCK!

down to the wire

'Getting down to the wire' as people say...my semester and school career are 'getting down to the wire', sort of. I have about 5 weeks left of this semester! YIKES! And am registered for next semester and applied for GRADUATION!!! AAAAGGGGHHHH!!!!

It makes me nervous that in May, after I have my Diploma and pass the State Boards, I will be a Registered Nurse! I will be legally allowed to take care of and administer medical attention to people! Give them IV medication, teach them how to live a healthier life, be there for a mommy who just had her first baby and doesn't know what to do with herself, be there with the family when a loved one has passed on. All of these things propel me further into pursuing my dream of being a Nurse...all of these things frighten me in pursuing my dream of being a Nurse.

I know God has opened the doors and brought me this far for a reason, so I will honor His will by doing my best, especially when it 'gets down to the wire' in May! But I'm still nervous! :)

Yesterday I had the opportunity to help with the care of a patient who had both legs amputated mid thigh. It was surreal to see a person with a fully functioning upper body, but nothing past the mid thigh. The patient had a VERY positive attitude and motivation for life. Something I would not expect from someone who does not have the use of their legs, or legs at all for that matter. This positive attitude was encouraging. It just made me stop and think about how THANKFUL and BLESSED we should be to have our health. Sure we have problems along the way, but at least I haven't had to give up any limbs and massively adjust my way of living!

picture update

It's been a while since I've posted pics of Aubrey. Here is a collection of a few over the last month or so....

She selected the LARGEST chocolate chip cookie to 'snack' on!

Tea for Two with Bella!

Little fairy princess for the Harvest Party!

This is the result of a campfire cook out with mama and daddy! A little bit of hotdog, a LOT of ketchup, a few chips and a marshmallow or two are all beautifully displayed across her precious face!