Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas everyone. Yes, if you noticed the time of entry it is quite early. I am at work and having a weird night or maybe just weird patients. Who knows. I am looking forward to getting off at 6:00am to go home and sleep for a while and then wake up around 10:00am to open presents with family and then cook dinner(not me of course:) ) to eat around 2:00pm. Then Josh and I will celebrate our Christmas together around 5:00pm, hopefully. We will see how long I can last with lack of sleep!!!
Hope you all enjoy your time with your families!!!

Sorry, Jill

So, I promised Jill that I would post Wednesday and here it is Friday. Instead of posting on Wednesday, I put some comfy flannel pj's on, found a warm blanket and cuddled on the coach to watch Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. This is such a cute movie if you like musicals.

Joshs mom who lives in Aurora, Co (Denver), was finally able to "dig" here way out of the house; at least to the driveway. She said she would work on that today. She had over two feet of snow in her yard. Phyllis was sent home early Wednesday by her office around 10:00am because the state issued a blizzard warning. Well, they definitely had a white out and the airport is suppose to allow flights again today. Could you imagine being trapped in the airport for three days?? The snow finally stopped yesterday around 3:00pm.

I only have one person left to shop for and that is my thirteen-year- old nephew. What do I buy him??

Last, but definitely the most exciting: Josh was promoted to branch manager last Friday!! Congrats, honey!! You work so hard - I Love You!

Christmas

Welcome to the Christmas edition of getting to know your friends. Okay, here's what you're supposed to do, and try not to be a SCROOGE!!! Just copy (not forward) this entire email and paste into a new e-mail that you can send. Change all the answers so that they apply to you. Then send this to a whole bunch of people you know, INCLUDING the person that sent it to you.

'Tis the Season…

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Paper
2. Real tree or artificial? Artificial
3. When do you put up the tree? Day after Thanksgiving
4. When do you take your tree down? First week of January
5. Do you like eggnog? Absolutely
6. Favorite gift received as a child? My Little Pony
7. Do you have a nativity scene? No
8. Hardest person to buy for? My Honney
9. Easiest person to buy for? Myself
10. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? Who knows!
11. Mail or email Christmas cards? neither - maybe next year we will actually do them
12. Favorite Christmas Movie? The Grinch Who Stole Christmas
13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? When I feel like it
14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Yes
15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Food
16. Clear lights or colored on the tree? Clear
17. Favorite Christmas song? Drummer Boy
18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? Stay Home
19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeers? Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen and Rudolph
20. Angel on the tree top or a star? star
21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? Stockings Christmas Eve, Presents Christmas morning.
22. Most annoying thing about this time of year? The fact that there where Christmas decorations in the stores on Halloween!


Merry Christmas!

A WHILE

Sorry, I know it has been a long while since I last blogged. Work has been crazy since July and every one has been working four to six twelves a week. Now, we have more staff and it looks like I'll actually get to see my husband again!!!YEAH!!!

In July after our anniversary Joshs mom, a friend from work - Zoe, and I went to the Central City Opera House to watch Don Giovonni. It was amazing. I think I found a hobby. Zoe and I already have plans to go this next July. We plan on staying at a B&B on Thursday and Friday night so we can tour the town Friday prior to the Opera and then catch the Saturday matinee.
In August Josh and I flew to Michigan and Ohio to see our dads. We spent my dads 50th Birthday at Cedar Point("The Roller Coaster Capital of the World"), of course.
While we were visiting my dad we received news that my Grandpa Houston had passed away(my moms dad)and that my Grandpa Weldon(my dads step-dad)had also passed away. We then went to Ohio to see Joshs dad.(Anyone catch the Ohio-Michigan game? Where was the Michigan defense???) We were able to visit Fort Miggs and where the Battle of Fallen Timbers took place. When we returned from vacation it was time for some friends to have their babies. Congrats to Jeremiah & Areil - little miss Zoe is absolutely beautiful and Congrats to Jake & Domenica - Judah is the happiest baby ever!!
September was a crazy month at work, oh, wait a minute, it was crazy all summer:>
October we went to Moab Gem & MIneral Show. Josh was able to be a dealer this year again. Our third annual show. THis is always a fun time together and Joshs parents were able to join us. We were able to eat at Pasa J's.
The first week of November we were able to go to Durango and visit our good friends Isaac & Jill. We had a blast and my husband was able to do a ride-a-long with Isaac.
I got braces!! Only on the top. I will get the bottom ones in February. I was scheduled to work Thanksgiving but was low censused(didn't have to work). We had dinner over at my moms.
And now it is December and almost gone. Most of our Christmas shopping is done and man, is my husband a hard person to shop for. Anyone else have this problem??

Sorry for all the jumble. Thought I'd do a quick summary. Don't know if it even makes since.
Maybe 2007 will be an easier year to keep up on the blogging.

First Anniversary

I realize that our anniversary was almost a month ago but here are some pics from our trip.


We headed to Mesa Verde on Saturday July 1st and made a stop in Durango to see Isaac and Jill. We stayed at the Lodge in the Park that night. It was very nice - no TV, a great view and a nice breeze(no air conditioning). Sunday (our anniversary :>), we did two of the three tours.
The first one we did was Cliff Palace. Absolutely amazing:

Our second tour was of Balcony House and let me just say, "Heights are not my friends"....
To get to Balcony House we had to climb a 60 foot ladder, exit a tunnel and climb, yes, more ladders!!!(It was a great time!!)

Sunday evening we stayed in Durango at the General Palmer Hotel in the King Suite. This was right next to the Durango-Silverton Train Station. Of course Josh was in a dream!! We had a wonderful dinner and relaxed in plush robes.

Monday we headed to Isaac and Jills were we had some of the best peach pie ever!!
We visited for a while and then came back home were on Tuesday we enjoyed the 4th with B&B, M&M Casters!!

Almost One Year

I cannot believe that we have been married almost a year!! July 2nd will be our First Anniversary! We are planning a trip to Mesa Verde National Park. We are staying at the park Saturday night and hiking/touring all day Sunday. Then we are heading to Durango and Silverton Sunday evening and Monday. Hopefully I will have some great pics to show and hopefully the month of July, I can post some of our wedding pictures. I hope everyone enjoys their time with family this weekend!!!

Controversial

First, let me start with our guidelines at work. Our visiting guidelines state a person may have 3-4 people in the delivery room at a time and visiting hours are 11am to 8pm.
I know that you cannot set a time frame on when babies are born, so, we are VERY lenient on our visiting hours. We do request that people trade time in the delivery room if >4 people so that: 1.the patient has room to move, 2.if an emergency was to happen the staff would be able to move around quickly without having to ask a lot of people to move and 3.the patient can focus more with less people talking in the room(at least for most people). (We normally let as many can fit in the room AFTER the delivery and everything is o.k.).
Also we cannot allow people to wait in the hallways outside the rooms because:1.Other patients on the unit and confidentiality reasons, 2.Hospital policy, 3.Hallways become too crowded to either move other patients around or to get somewhere quickly(remember we have 2-3 lives in our hands at work and our main priority are them).
Tonight at work we had a patient that had 6-8 people waiting in the hallway outside the room. They were asked to wait either in the patient room or the visiting lounge by three different people(Yes, they were asked politely) About an hour later, I was moving a patient to another area and the same group was waiting outside the doors and I had to go through their group to take my patient to another room. In the process I requested that they wait down in the waiting room and reassured them that we would send someone down after the person they were waiting for delivered. Needless to say a couple of them had some snide comments to make(in front of this family I was moving - very inappropriate). After two more people asked them to move and twenty minutes later(still not moved), we called Security to come and talk to them(Remember, we have to keep our patients safety first). Needless to say the group was upset that they had to wait in the visitor lounge(the patient did not want anyone else in the room until they were delivered).
I guess I was frustrated because:1.My patient was embarrassed that she had to go through this group 2.They were asked multiple times to wait elsewhere and made snide comments 3.What if some emergency happened and they were in the way? and 4.If the patient did not want others in her room then either these people needed to respect our policy and her wishes or wait at home until they called after the deliver.
So, how could this have been handled better and any input(I may come back with more of the story after comments posted)

Black Canyon

Last weekend Josh & I were able to get out of town and away from work. We left early Saturday morning and hiked around the Black Canyon view points; had dinner and stayed the night in Montrose; then woke early on Sunday morning and went to Ouray for a couple of hours. It was a lot of fun and the best part was that we were able to spend time together in the beautiful places that God created. So, enjoy some of these beautiful pictures..............




My own
"wild buckwheat" and I surely do not see CEDAR POINT!!!

Happy Belated Birthday, Jill !!

Happy Birthday - late - Jill!! It was great spending some time with you guys this weekend. I hope this year is filled with many blessings!! May laughter and joy always fill your house. You are truely a blessing in our lives. We love you and will you the best no matter where you guys live.. :> ..

CONGRATULATIONS, BRIAN & BROOKE!!!

Congrats to Brian & Brooke on a handsome baby boy! Maddox was born May 6th. Of course, he inhereted the beautiful long eyelashes!! I will let B&B share thier own pictures of Maddox, untill I get an ok to post them. Just know that he is adorable!!

New Locks and some

Well I finally did it - actually about three weeks ago. I donated my hair to Locks for Love. Only about 11inches, but I cut off a foot and a half total!! It was scary at first, but well worth it. So here are a few before and afters.


BEFORE......





AFTER....

Tagged

I've been tagged by Jill. Probably because I only update once, maybe twice a month.HEE.HEE..
I AM - working on becoming a more domesticated wife
I want - to do the will of God for my life
I wish - I had more money to bless others around me
I hate - when I come across as overbearing or rude
I miss - spending time with family
I hear - the hum of the computer; rain and thunder in the background
I wonder - how our lives will be in five years
I regret - not fully living for God
I am not - pregnant(ditto, Jill)
I dance - not often enough
I sing - pleasently only to God
I cry- when I'm frustrated or really angry
I am not always - happy
I make with my hands - a loving environment
I write - love notes to my husband
I confuse - what day it is
I need - to study to show myself approved
I should -take cooking classes
I need to tag - Joshua, Phyllis & Brooke

My Love - Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday!! I cannot explain things any better than this card:

"For the Man I Love, On Your Birthday:
As we go along from day to hectic day,
it's only natural that what's most important to us
sometimes gets lost in the shuffle.
And though we both know our love is always there,
we forget to say it or show it as often as we could.
So, just for today, I want to stop the clocks
and quiet the busy hum of our day-to-day demands.
I want to shut out the rest of the world long enough to let you know
I still believe our love is the most important thing in it.
And today, on your birthday, I want to give you my love once again...
as true as ever, as totally and completely as the day I first said the words...
I LOVE YOU."

Joshua,
I never want to loose our love in the mists of a hectic day or in the shuffle. May I always be able to show/or say to you how much I admire and ardenlty love you!!!
Love always and forever,
RLA

Random

My goal is to try and update at least once a week. I am finishing up a morning at work and am very tired. I still have three more nights(twelve-hour shifts) to go after working two already(this will make five nights in a row!) I am very thankful for my job and love it most days.
How do people work 12-16 hour days, five to six days a week? I just don't know how they do it, I'm exhausted after three!! Anyway, I better finish up here and go to bed.

Employee of the Month

Congratulations, to my husband whom received Employee of the Month!! This is a huge accomplishment in his business. He is trying to act like it is no big deal. I think it is a "big deal" and I am proud of him.

Sorry that it has been over a month! What a last blog to leave up for so long, "Sickness Sucks"- sheesh.
I ended up feeling better by that Saturday. We went out to dinner at no other place than, Ying Thai. My friends Brooke, Brian and Madison were able to come and of course my family.
My dad stayed until the 30th and went back home to Michigan. After that it was back to work.
February was a slower month for us at work but don't worry; March, April and May will make up for that!!
My hubby and I had a great Valetines dinner at Ying Thai(maybe we need to find another restraunt - hee, hee).
Stephen is growing soo fast. He is now really alert and tracks objects and people. His smile is to die for - those dimples!! I will be watching him tomorrow afternoon and Thursday all day. He has his two month vaccines this week - : > , poor guy. I think that is all.

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!

ISAAC AND JILL, CONGRATS ON A HANDSOME BABY BOY!!

YOU GUYS ARE WONDERFUL PARENTS AND WHAT A BLESSING TO ADD TO YOUR FAMILY.

CANNOT WAIT TO MEET YOUR NEW ADDITION.

TAKE CARE AND TRY TO GET SOME REST!!

Sickness SUCKS!!!

So, I just returned from my doctors office a little while ago. I don't think I've been to the doctors since I was a child except for yearly physicals. Yesterday I got hit pretty hard with a sinus infection that included headache pressure, runny nose, watery eyes, muscle strain, ringing in the ear and swollen lymph nodes the size of grapes on the back of my neck(could anything else happened??). My dad was really concerned that the lymph nodes were too large and I should have them checked out. So, I called yesterday to make an appointment and was able to get in today. I haven't had any green gunk, it has all been clear, so I knew that it wasn't a bacterial infection. What's left? A viral infection and there is nothing you can do but treat the symptoms. I was cleared by my doctor but he didn't want me to work for a couple of days. I will not be working tonight and hopefully I will be filling better tomorrow for my birthday. Sorry this is all probably scrabbled together but I'm going to go take some codeine & phenergan cough syrup and sleep for awhile.
You know, I really didn't have this on my Birthday List!!!!

The answer is...

My DAD!!!!




(this is a picture from this summer right before the wedding. My dad,me and Josh's mom)

Jill, I believe you guessed right!!!!
My dad came down from Michigan to suprise me for my Birthday tomorrow. It was a wonderful suprise.

A Great Suprise!!!!!!

My mom and sister came over yesterday morning and brought someone with them. Can anyone guess?? Here is a clue;

1.Came from far away
2.Could have wrestled
3.Everyone likes(almost:))

TORNADO

Ever feel this way? I don't have kids and seem to feel this discombobulated all the time lately. Check out the website flylady.com. great pic.

QUICK UPDATE!!!!!!

STEPHEN WAS BORN SUNDAY JANUARY 1,2006! JINKI DID AN EXCELLENT JOB. SHE LABORED AT HOME FOR ABOUT 12 HOURS BEFORE HEADING UP TO L&D(@10:15). MY MOM HAD TO BASICALLY DRAG HER IN, SHE WANTED TO WAIT UNTILL HER WATER BROKE SO THAT THEY WOULDN'T SEND HER HOME!!! WHEN SHE ARRIVED SHE WAS IN A LOT OF PAIN AND 7CM DILATED, SHE WANTED SOME PAIN MEDS BUT BEFORE SHE COULD GET ANY SHE DILATED TO 8CM IN 10 MINUTES AND SO FORTH. SHE FOUGHT US ON PUSHING FOR ABOUT THIRTY MINUTES AND THEN FINALLY STARTED TO PUSH. SHE HAD STEPHEN AT 12:45PM, 7# 2.2 OZ AND 20 INCHES LONG. HE HAD TO GO TO NICU FOR ABOUT FOUR HOURS BECAUSE HE HAD A TIGHT NUCHAL CORD AND INITIAL TROUBLE BREATHING. THEY ARE BOTH AT HOME AND DOING GREAT!!