I thought of something the other day in a way that I haven't really thought of before.

I am a calendar girl! Ok....not in the way that you may be thinking! I do not pose nude for anybody's camera! Instead, I mean that I love scheduling and my calendar! I get excited about upcoming events, I like to count down until special days and plan events in advance. Sometimes this enjoyment is a blessing, sometime it isn't! I have to keep it balanced and allow God to use the gifting!

But, the revelation I got was that I should look forward to what God is doing in my life the same way I look forward to exciting upcoming events in the physical realm. Yes, I know that God is always moving, but I guess I subconsciously begin to think that each day is somewhat the same and such. GOD IS BIGGER THAN THAT! I need to anticipate what He is going to do next! I have the right to get excited about what He is going to do today, tomorrow and next week! I can look forward to new and exciting things happening! And I bet you I would see more new and exciting things happening in my world if I were looking for them and anticipating them!

You know that exciting feeling that you get over things that are coming up in life that you are looking forward to? I remember the months last year when we were engaged. We were engaged for about 8 months, and each day was exciting when I thought about the upcoming wedding and marriage. I had something VERY exciting to look forward to any moment that I thought about it!

That specific feeling of anticipation is different than just feeling generally happy or content. It is specific and directed at a specific event or time. I want to feel this way about what Jesus is doing in my life and around me, now. Yes, we can feeling generally happy and excited about what God is doing in our world. And that is good. But I want to have that specific excitement and anticipation that is emotionally-charged and present! I want to be specific and intimate, not so general!

Just some thoughts!

Morning all you out there!

So Shane and I arose at a early 6am...well, I let him shower first and slept a little longer! And we headed off to the ultrasound. All went well and we were out of there by 8:15am. The results should be at my doc's in a week, so I'll call then and see what she says. It was actually a pretty relaxing procedure....almost felt like a massage, except on the tummy, where massage isn't really done! It wasn't painful at all, just a little uncomfortable when she pressed on the tender areas!

I kept thinking.....please don't find a baby in there! How silly...but it is the stigma that goes along with ultrasounds!

Thanks for your prayers! And thank-you Lord that you are our Healer!

Tomorrow morning, bright and early my hubbie is bringing me to the hospital for an ultrasound. No, no, we are NOT having a baby. It is not THAT kind of reason for an ultrasound.

Yes, it still is an abdomenal ultrasound, but it is for other reasons. I have been having stomach issues the last few months. I've been nausous on an off since July and have had difficulty with stomach pain, often after I eat or while eating. The doctor put me on Ranitidine a month and a bit ago which has been helping a lot! Ranitidine is a pill that reduces the amount of acid going on in the stomach...I think that is how to explain it in simple terms. It is a antiulcer or proton pump inhibitor...if my memory serves me right!

The doctor doesn't know what it is that is bothering me but has thrown out the terms ulcer, gallstones, gall bladder problems, etc. This ultrasound is supposed to inform us of what could be bothering me!

I look forward to finding a cause for my uncomfortable symptoms! So, please say a prayer for me and my tummy!

So my last semester of school starts tomorrow.....

I'm actually looking forward to going back to university tomorrow. I shouldn't say actually because I tend to look forward to the return each semester. That is a serious blessing to enjoy the idea of going back to school each and every semester. Now, don't talk to me about that around March...because that tends to be the worst school month of year! It is the month when I feel the most "I'm going crazy and this semester is far too long already" emotions!

I think I'm excited about this semester because it is unlike any of the others in the last 2 and a half years of nursing. It is going to feel like University 1 again! I don't have any clinical, just one class in the nursing building and the rest second year electives! Bring it on! It sounds like a lot of reading, but I can probably fake it in the tests......or so I'm hoping...without doing all the readings! At least that worked in University 1!

The main reason for excitement though is the end of the degree is right around the corner! This semester I'll find out where I get to do my senior practicum! I really hope that I get my first choice...which will be Labor and Delivery at St.B......so I'm praying! If you think of me....please pray that I get placed there! That would be so perfect!

I could say much more, but I must go and shower because we were at the gym today......That pretty much explains itself! But I think I'm really going to feel it tomorrow! I don't remember the last time I worked with weights....even if they were only 5 pounds ones!

I have blogging moments almost daily. I'll be thinking something, having a fresh revelation, or whatever and think to myself "boy, this is definitely interesting blogging material!". But, I don't come and blog it, and next time I'm blogging I don't have anything interesting to say! Hmmm....oh well!

I'm just on my lunch break. I have the pleasure of coming home for an hour during my working days. Then I get to check all the blogs, email and have a bite to eat. It is a really nice break in the day, and surprisingly, I don't dread going back for the last 2 hours! I appreciate that!

Work is going well today...like most days. I don't mind work at all. I would just love to spend the entire day at home. I really enjoyed Christmas and love seeing all the family and friends, but it is like a full-time job! I need a rest after the holidays! I really would like a day where I went nowhere and didn't even get out of my pjs!

But you know, I'm tired of being tired. I really do think it is something more than just being a little tired. In the past few weeks I have felt so tired at times that it feels my heart is going to stop beating! I blogged about this before but I just felt like talking about it again! Some days I feel pretty good, others not as good. I think I really do need to mention it to my doctor and get my iron checked. I get a good amount of sleep and such and still the exhaustion.

But, as I said, I'm tired of being tired. I don't want to have "I'm tired" as a response anymore. It is so common and honest to reply "I'm tired" to someone's question of "how are you?". I don't want to respond like that anymore. I want to have more life! Screw being tired! I've had enough of it!.....I just don't know if I can change how my physical, mental and emotional body feels by a simple decision! It could be more complicated than that! But, heck, I'm going to give it a try!

Merry Christmas again! Now it is the official Christmas Day!

I had a wonderful morning with my hubbie! We slept in until after noon! And then got up in our pjs to open gifts! It was a wonderful Christmas! This is the first year that I got to do a stocking for someone! We never had them growing up and so this is my first year making one up! It was fun and I think I did pretty good!

You know sometimes it is fun to receive! Generally, during the year, I don't really have that many opportunities to receive gifts....beside our past week of blessings! For birthdays my loved ones rather do an activity like going out to eat or buy a card or something. Christmas is generally the only time that I get an actual gift to open. And, growing up I remember usually having one, maybe two gifts to open. So, gift receiving and giving has been a fairly simple thing in my life. Not too much of it...but I'm not complaining because I just feel that most of the things are wants anyways and not essential needs. Sometimes I feel bad opening gifts because someone else could have used it more than me.

This Christmas Shane had a few gifts for me to open. I feel a bit like a princess being showered....because I just thought I'd maybe get one. It has been a nice Christmas....even though gifts aren't the real meaning.

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!!!

I've always considered Christmas Eve the "real" Christmas. And here we are! Where did it come from? It just snuck up on me!

Well, I wanted to wish everyone a great Christmas, a good time with family and friends and good heart times remembering Jesus's birth. It is a special time. We can get so busy with gatherings, meals and parties that we miss out on quiet times to reflect the real meaning of Christmas. Do take time for yourselves to reflect this weekend! And then party-on! Because Jesus celebrates His birthday too! (or so I think!)

Merry Christmas!

THE NEWS YOU HAVE ALL BEEN WAITING FOR!!!!!!!

I was blessed to have witnessed TWO births last night!!!!! It was such a great experience! I decided to go a little early....AND GOOD THING!......because a baby was born about 10 minutes..not even...after my arrival. I just had enough time to change into scrubs....that weren't see-through or white!! That was a great part of it! The only thing that showed that I was a student was my little name tag...the rest of me looked like a nurse!!!

I had two great birth observations. One was so fast (from my arrival to the birth) that it was pretty action packed. NICU was called to check something....and one of the profs from the faculty of nursing that I slightly know arrived as the NICU (oh....for those that don't know that acronym...Neonatal Intensive Care) team. So, she threw me some gloves and told me to count the baby's heart beat from the umbilical cord. I haven't done maternal child since September 2002 and had just arrived 5 minutes ago.....and felt honored but a little intimidated about the whole thing! Oh those awful student feelings of doing something wrong, feeling stupid because you should know something but don't and such. I didn't really have time at that moment to think all of these things, because I had to count that heart beat right then. I found it...THANK GOODNESS!!! After we had cleaned off the baby and all the inital checks were completed, I got to bring the baby to the parents. I got to hold the little new one! I almost cried along with the dad!

I was whisked away to the next one and spent more time there with the laboring and pushing mom. She was hilarious and I was specifically told, "Don't EVER have sex!". She had such a great sense of humor! I was one of the honored stir-ups during that birth and had an up-close-and-personal view of the whole thing.....that head was maybe a foot from me! It was so great! Boy, I had even forgotten how to do an APGAR (the score each baby gets at birth...it shows how well they are doing...related to breathing, color, crying, movement, etc.)

I even got to see an epidural administered...as in, the anesthesiologist (don't remember the spelling) put it in and I got to watch. I have seen it done before, and really don't enjoy that part. I am not a squimish person, but the idea of putting a needle around someone's spine really freaks me out! I don't care how nice the pain control is.......I don't want anyone fiddling with a needle around my spine!

Unfortunately I must run back to work to finished my day! I just had to share some of my highlights of yesterday's experiences with you!

So, in the next hour I am off to the hospital! Yippeee!

I'm kinda tired from the full working day and don't know if I have the energy for a shift at the hospital and a late night, but I think it will be worth it! I hope that it is a great experience! And it's not like I'm actually working or anything! I get the enjoyment of watching and following!

Kendra called me today and is actually the charge nurse for tonight. That is actually good for me, because now instead of just having one patient, she can throw me in with whoever's birthing! She said that I have a better chance of seeing a birth with her as charge nurse! That is good news! And, she cleared me coming with the change of plans (charge nurse status) with the unit manager. The unit manager said that it was fine that I come tonight and that I can come again over the holidays on one of Kendra's other shifts! I want to get into the unit manager's memory and hopefully land my senior practicum there! It may help a little if she remembers me!

So, I'll let you all know how it goes! Especially you Christina, since you specifically asked!

Can you say, "It is so cold that I think I'm going to die"???????

I just came home from the mall and it is freezing outside! -43 with the windchill they say! For tonight and tomorrow! I do NOT think I want to walk to work tomorrow in that weather! I might lose an important body part, or something!

Tomorrow I am joining Kendra, one of our pastor's wives, at the hospital. See she works as a nurse in labor and delivery (for you that don't happen to know that), and I am going to tag along with her tomorrow evening! It is a total priviledge to have the honor of just desiring to visit a ward, and actually having permission to do so! The perks of that see-through uniform and student nurse name tag! I'm only going to spend 4 hours there though, so I REALLY hope that at least one little person decides to come into the world between 7:30 and 11:30pm on December the 22nd! I really hope so!

I need some down time before bed. Maybe a bath....wrap Shane's presents that I bought today.....read some God-related material...and maybe drink some tea.....sounds good!

Mmmmm.....so full. Good thing I visited the gym after all!!!

Our gathering was a lot of fun today! We spent a lot of time eating, relaxing, chatting and playing games. The boys/men went outside with hopes of freezing themselves to play a little hockey on the street. Always a good time for my Shaner! I realize more and more how much I like games! We played a few and I really enjoyed them!

One of my cousin's brought her baby, who we haven't met before. It was so cute to see Shane interact with her! He usually doesn't have too much interest in babies that he doesn't know....and sometimes even those he does! He liked this one though, and it was so great to see him talking all cutsie to her, sniffing her and even allowing her to play with his face and stick her hand in his mouth! That is not like my Shaner!!!

Speaking of fun games, we had a great Christmas party here at our appartment on friday! We squeezed 22 people in our appartment and partied on until midnight!!! Yikes! And I had to work on saturday! Whew! We played this great, but slightly agressive game called Mafia! It was pretty fun and I must say, I lied pretty well!....you have to lie in the game and tell the civilians that you aren't the mafia.....

Anyways, I wanted to add another blessing to the list of this week's blessings. The morning after the Christmas party, I was going to have breakfast before heading off to work. Well, I opened the cupboard and reached for a bowl. Nothing out of the ordinary. Well, my sister and brother had stayed the night and my sister asked if she could eat some cereal along with me. So, again, I reached into the cupboard, only to feel a strange sensation of paper rubbing against my fingers. I pulled out the bowl and in it lay a $20 bill. Now, this isn't a regular thing for me to find money in amongst my dishes. I assume it was put there at some point during the Christmas party by one of the people there. Thank-you Lord for yet another blessing this week! And thank-you to that anonymous giver that put that gift there! What a sweet surprise!

Yesterday was Christmas!!!

What you say? That's right you read right! Yesterday night was Christmas!

It was Christmas with my mom, siblings and husband! One of my favorite of the season! We ate like horses....and so I plan on visiting the gym today! Gotta work all that junk off! It was so very yummy!

My mom always has tried to make Christmas time a very enjoyable celebration. She would rather have a great spread, including a good dose of candies and chocolate (which seems to be essential!) than make sure presents are available for all specifically from her. Over the years we have just taken to drawing tickets. So, not everyone gets a present from mom directly, but we all partake in a wonderful meal and a great evening together! That is far more important! I don't mind that!

Yesterday was nice because we ate like crazy, laid on the couches a lot!, play the new game Shane and I got for Christmas (ImaginIFF) and watched Home on the Range. My family has always been one that enjoys touch. That may sound a little funny but I realize that it is true. When we get together there is some sort of touch involved. Either Shane (husband) and Shaun (brother) are beating on Steph (sister), mom and Shaun are play fighting, someone/anyone is snuggling or backrubs are being given! I love touch and it is so special to be with family!

Well, we are off to gathering #3 in about 15 minutes....so I guess I should comb my hair! This is also one of the fun gatherings! It is my mom's side of the family. She is one of 9 kids, though not all of them live in Manitoba. It is going to be at one of the sons place this year....which we haven't done before. I'm thinking that there house is far too small for this get-together, but hey, I guess we'll find out when we get there! It should be fun! And the gym will be very necessary after we have another one of those Christmas dinners!!!!

God is so faithful.

That is the perfect title for this blog. He has been providing us with such blessings this week.
Shane and I have been praying most nights as we are falling asleep that God would provide for us at this tight point in our lives. The financial situation is tough, but with grad in 2005 there is a light at the end of the tunnel. The issue is just getting to that point....re: the strain of the next few months.

So, here are my praise reports of the week.
1. Sunday - we got an early Christmas present from someone that I wasn't expecting anything from. A nice amount of cash.
2. Tuesday - a big blessing came in the mail! A bursary of $350 for tuition that is due next month! Praise Jesus!
3. Tuesday as well - someone brought a gift certificate by our place for a nice amount at Sobey's. This person felt that God was speaking to them about giving us this financial help! Thank-you!
4. Wednesday...today - there was a nice little check waiting for me at work! I didn't even know that it was payday....and they paid me an extra hour which they said they will just leave it be!
.......also, we had our membership assistance meeting (YMCA) and it went so well! We were hoping to get a 50% discount.....well, we got a 75% discount! The lady that was facilitating it was kinda funny. She quoted the amount to me that we would pay each month. I asked if that amount was for each of us. She said "nope that is for you together". Then she continued to pat me on the arm and said, "Honey, you can't affort more than that!", as I was clapping for joy for the low number she quoted!

God has blessed us so much this week! I'm so thankful for every little blessing and provision! ........And hey, as in the example of the YMCA, sometimes it is a bonus to be a little poor!!!

23 hours to go......

So, less than a full day until my last exam of the semester and the year of 2004. I'm pleased by that and though I haven't really studied, I'm not too concerned. I think I know the stuff. My exam is about palliative care (death, dying, etc) and I "get" it so I think it will go well!

I spent the day baking Christmas goodies with my mom. We decided that now that I am an old married woman, we have to make a womanly tradition about Christmas. Mom started baking at 7am (because the babies wouldn't let her sleep), I arrived at 8:30am and we only finished by 2:30/3pm!!! That is a lot of oven use and a lot of baking! We made 10 plates to give away, a whole bunch for my Christmas party on friday and extra for our own enjoyment! It was fun and I love creating new traditions!

Number 1 of the 9 gatherings was pretty good this past saturday. I felt SO tired though! I hate that feeling when you are supposed to be social! I finally couldn't handle it anymore and sacked out on the couch by 9:30pm. I was so exhausted. I don't know what it is....maybe the new job....but I have been so tired lately. Far more than usual. It has been getting to the point that I feel like my heart is going to stop beating because I am just too tired for it to continue! I think I should mention that to the doctor when I see her next!

Off to the first Christmas gathering of the season! Number 1 of 9! Yes, we have nine to go to! Gotta run!

I've got the aches...my poor little neck and back. I think it has to do with the chair at work...not so comfortable!

I'm enjoying my new job so far! I actually enjoy the time at the office when the massage therapists are in session and I am alone to myself. Just me, the laundry and the phone. I don't mind it. I do feel a little like a maid, but heck, at least I'm getting paid for it! Today I even did some readings for my last exam in between clients.

I'm really thankful that God provided all these hours at work. I'm incredibly tired, but I am so thankful for the extra income. We desperately need it and it came at the perfect time.

Do you think God would give us a money tree for Christmas this year? That would be the perfect gift! Or that money would fall from heaven in appartment while we sleep! That would be so great!

My hubbie's at his exam and I am killing to much time on the computer. I should lay down and kick back! Our computer is just being so slow today (I think Shane is downloading something!), so the normal blog and email routine is taking much longer than it usually does!

Well, enjoy the evening!

HAPPY 22ND BIRTHDAY CHRISTINA!!! WE LOVE YOU!!!!

Hope you are having a fun birthday and enjoying each passing year!!!!

Well, I have five minutes to blog before I go and pick up Shane from work.

THIS BLOG IS NOT FOR BOYS! If any read it! Just as a warning before I begin!

Went to the doctor's this afternoon. Which I have been dreading for the past 3 weeks. I'm assuming you all can catch what went on at the doctor's. I was pretty nervous!
Well, my praise report is.......I SURVIVED! That was the first thing out of my mouth afterward! I told the doc, "I survived", and even the receptionist as I was leaving! It wasn't as bad as I thought!
Another positive moment was when I was walking to my car, I realized that I couldn't be further away from my next dreaded visit than today! Yippee!!! Another year away!

Well, just before I run, just wanted to let you all know that work went well yesterday! It was my first day and I just got a little training in the afternoon for 4 hours. I think I'm going to catch on pretty quickly.

Then, I got a call this afternoon from work. The receptionist quit this afternoon. So, it looks like I'm going to have full-time work until I can't do it anymore (when my last semester starts January 5). That is pretty good news for Shane and I. I just pray that the situation is alright with the old receptionist. So, 8-5pm monday to friday and the next 2 saturdays! Sounds pretty sweet!

Gotta run!

Sooo....I can't remember if I blogged yet, that I GOT ME-SELF A JOB!!!

I landed it last thursday and I start tomorrow after my last class of the year 2004! Yippee! One more semester to go!
I will be working at a massage therapy clinic as a receptionist. I've never been a receptionist but I think it will be a perfect match for my lovely administrative qualities that can be wonderful and annoying at times! I think I'm going to enjoy tidying up the place, talking with clients and know that they will be leaving shortly and I don't have to do anything to help them with any bodily functions (like nursing), and booking peoples' appointments. I love anything to do with a calendar!
I'll let you know how it goes! I am thinking it will be brainless and relaxed for me!

On an old post of November 18, I listed some things that I wanted in this job. Here they are again:
"These are the things I would really like for this part-time job:
1. A combination of sitting and standing so that my recovering back doesn't hurt too much. Eg. not an 8 hour shift on your feet the entire time!

Yeppers, I landed a job with both. Sitting at the desk answering phones and taking payments but walking to do the laundry, change sheets on the massage beds, etc.

2. Close to home, on a bus route so that I can bus or walk (because Shane needs the car on his work days; his workplace isn't on any bus route)

It is about a 10 minutes walk from my apartment! Unfortunately not on a good bus route, but if I'm willing to work it out and take extra time, I could arrange the bus route.

3. 2 day shifts a week. See, I would love it if they would be pretty flexible and let me work tuesdays and thursdays presently, picking up more at Christmas and then mondays and fridays next semseter! That's asking a lot but heck, we'll see what happens!

The words they told me were, "We want to be accommodating for you"! Awesome! I'm going to work monday and friday 8-5pm next semester, and every other saturday and wednesday morning 8-12pm. It is quite perfect so far! As for December, I'm taking all that I can get! And I'll hopefully find out more of a schedule tomorrow when I start! Also, they aren't in need of a receptionist during the evenings or sunday, so the last I would ever work is until 5pm!

4. a decent amount of pay. I am prepared that I am taking a few dollar an hour pay cut with changing jobs, but I hope it isn't too much. I have a figure in mind that would be nice...and still a cut!

Unfortunately, I huge pay cut, but understandable for the difference in work loads. When the phone isn't ringing and the laundry is going, I get to do homework or read a book! What a sweet deal! This is the first job that I've had that I can do that when it is slow! I'm pumped!

5. people that are nice, fun to be around and NOT perverted. A lot of jobs are filled with people with very dirty mouths and a poopy morale. I want work to be an enjoyable break from school and homework."

Well, the two girls that own the place are young and fun, at least they were in the interview! Besides the massage therapists, who will be in the rooms for the majority of the day, I don't have to work closely with anyone else. That is kinda nice! Just the in and out clients!

So, God is good and really did listen to my hopes for this part-time job! Thank-you for Your faithfulness!

Good morning! Today is setting up the Christmas tree day! After Shane gets home from work and we have supper, the Christmas season will begin!!! I'm excited! And plan on taking pictures of our first time setting up our own tree together!

I have been in a baby naming mood the last two days. Yesterday, partially because I was procrastinating about studying for my exam on friday, I went through baby name websites and loooked at the meanings of names that we like. NO, we are NOT having a baby! I'm just in the naming mood! So, all of our children, and beyond, are named and I'm thrilled! But, I have to keep the names a secret because otherwise they may get taken! And otherwise if someone names their children any of our names, screw it! we can still name them because we claimed it silently all along!
I just can't think about a lot more than the names though, so I have to cool down the brain a little!

Well, I really should start the day of studying! I will TRY not to procrastinate too much today! Let's see if that actually works!