This Week

1. My neice in our new truck
2. Needing to make this for my in-laws anniversary party
3. Attempting to make these for a little get-together this weekend 
4. New Found Fun
5. Dreaming of this backyard*

6.Saying Farewell
7. Dinner = Best Lasagna Ever by Pioneer Woman
8. Finally finished this for work
9. This inspired me this week
10. Summer Fruit = Happy Day

This week has been great. Busy, but great. *As to that back yard - it is the backyard of our soon-to-be (I'm very hopeful) new backyard at our home! I snapped the photo while the Arborist was inspecting some of the trees. Things are moving forward and it makes my heart so happy!

(more on the house later).

Hope everyone has a lovely week!

Be Present

Photo via Shrimp Salad Circus

Today I was blessed to wash one of my patient's feet. This is actually something I do quite often, however, today's simple task turned into an uplifting experience. Unfortunately my patient's room was lacking hot water. My patient decided that just washing the feet would suphise
for a bath today. (Note: sorry if I use the term "my patient" a lot, I don't like disclosing anything that could show their identity).

Anyways, I didn't want to strain their back so I offered to wash their feet myself. As my patient sat at the side of the bed and I put their feet in the two basins of hot water, it seemed as though the day had finally slowed where I could breathe and take everything in.

Not only was my patient able to get a bit cleaner, but I was able to get to know my patient a little better. We chatted
as I washed away.

Sometimes it's the very simple, humbling tasks that makes me fully appreciate the job I am blessed and entrusted to work.

I hope this week/weekend you are able to truly be still and take in the experiences you are living. 

Our First Christmas

This first Christmas season as a married couple was absolutely wonderful. Because I had to work Christmas and the days surrounding it, we had our celebrations a bit early. 

On Friday we spent the entire day with my parents, my brother, my sister and her boyfriend.

Here is me before heading over to my parents house:

Brother and me (I'm wearing the sweater he got me - good shopper!)

My twin sister in her pretty bow:

The adorable couple:

We had a blast at my parents house opening presents, eating a ton, and playing a few board games. We didn't leave their place till after 10! It was a great first Christmas.

On Saturday we had a Christmas just Cory and I. It was super relaxed. We opened up a few presents from each other and our stockings. I truly have the best husband - he got me an iPhone. Oh. Ya. 

Sunday we made our way to his parents house. Similar story as on Friday. Lots of fun and lots of good food. 

Us (I'm pretty much wearing mostly Christmas presents - cardigan, flannel, and scarf):

My little Christmas attire (I loved that bow):

All in all it was a great weekend. Even though we didn't celebrate Christmas on Christmas day, we took full advantage of the days were we could be present with our families. Making memories with the ones you love and rejoicing over the birth of our Savior Jesus is the way to be celebrate (in my opinion). 

Here's a little pic of me at work on Christmas day:

Can't forget the reindeer, AKA Allie:

Hope you all had a very Merry Christmas! 

3 Christmases

In nursing school they warned us (more like imprinted in our heads) that as new grads we'd be forced to work all holidays as well as nights. By only the blessings of our Lord I do not work nights. Never have and never will. To add to that, I did not have to work Thanksgiving nor do I work New Years Day. It seems as though our professors either wanted to scare us, or they wanted us to imagine the worst outcome possible so that when we do get holidays off we would treasure them more (hmm..I'm going with number 2). 

However, duty does call this Christmas season. I work Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and the day after Christmas. Oh well though. Fortunately, this work schedule now makes divvying up the holidays with our families a whole lot easier. We'll have a full day devoted to my family, a full day devoted to his, and a full day for ourselves. I think it could not have worked out more wonderfully. 

And what better way (besides spending time with your loved ones) to spend Christmas then to help others who can't be home feel a bit better. 

No matter how you're spending Christmas this year, treasure each moment and the people you are with. 

Merry Christmas!

Isn't this hat so fun? It was my grandmothers.

Nicknames

I really like my job. It's fulfilling. I get to work with some really great people, and it pushes me to go beyond myself. It's also a lot of fun. I get to hear so many (often crazy) stories from my patients. One thing I've been noticing lately though, are the nicknames that my patients call me. 

Nurse (for the obvious reason - patients can't remember our      names)

Doll

Hun

Babe

Mommy (remember my line of work, some people get confused)

Sweetie

And the latest, Kitten. 

This work can be funny. Some of the words that come out of my patient's mouths never get old.

And here's just a pic of my snowy view from work (love the little snow we'e been getting!)

What make work extra special for you?