Sleep....

Done my night stretch until wednesday night........
nice weekend........
had a potluck last night on the night shift.......
plan on sleeping the day away......
very exciting about laying down in my comfy bed....
will be able to see my hubbie today when I wake up!.....
having a sister date tonight!.....
going to do some exercising this evening (Aqufit!).....

got to go and eat my Cheerios before bed!
Nite!

Off to see a nice friend for a time of talking and catching up.

Someone whom I love and admire.

Someone who has been my prayer support and a great listening ear for the past few years.

Someone whom I greatly respect.

Someone whom I think is just great!

Someone who makes yummy muffins and warming teas.

Someone who is a great friend and a lot of fun!

.....do you know who this is?????

Oh God!

"The Islamic fundamentalist group Hamas, which has said it favors the destruction of Israel, won a landslide victory in Palestinian legislative elections, officials said today."
-CNN website, January 26, 2005

Jesus, would You put up a hedge of protection around the nation of Israel. Would you provide justice and protection for Your people.

I feel the severity of the times we are living in. Things that are happening around our world and in our politics are not just coincidences.

Throughout the Word, we are confronted again and again with the words of the Lord, Jesus and the prophets and apostles warning the people of the times that are coming and the urgency of His return.

The Spirit and the bride say "come!" (Revelation 22:17).

An educational opportunity....in two ways....

Learning never stops! Not that I think it would, but one day I hope it slows down in the amount I need to learn.

When I took this maternal child float pool position in October, I knew that I was committing myself to a very steep learning curve this year. So far, I've been travelling upward, but I haven't reached the steep angle yet that I think will come.

When I took the position, I was orientated to one new unit, and I already knew 2 others. I was told I would be going to gyne/surgery in January, and NICU in the spring. I'm hoping all the time that my boss forgets!

Well, it's getting to the end of January and he hasn't mentioned gyne orientation yet. Whew! That is the floor that scares me the most. I forget everything related to medicine and surgery-type floors. But, I know that it would be really good for me to know. I'm just scared about starting fresh again and knowing nothing on a floor.

Education-wise, I'm sure I will learn a ton this year. Besides orientation to 2 new wards sometime this year, I'm also already signed up for two other education days this spring. I'm taking my Neonatal Rescusitation course on March 3. I will feel less stress at my deliveries if I know that I can begin tackling a problem more effectively with the babe if I encounter one, prior to the NICU team arriving.

I'm also scheduled to do another inservice called MORE-OB (Managing Obstetrical Risks Effectively) in May. I did the first year inservice back in October. Now, I'm on to year 2.

On the other side of education....not just learning, but sharing with others.....

I'm speaking as a labor and delivery nurse on a panel at the University of Manitoba in February. It is kind of ironic because I've only been working for 6 months as a nurse, but I'm going to be speaking to a first year nursing course about my job! I remember that exact course 4 years ago and I even remember the panel of nurses. Ironically, the prof that I had 4 years ago as a nursing student, is the same prof that emailed me as an invitation to come and speak in her class! So funny! I have to share for about 10 minutes and then there is a question and answer period with 98 students! It should be an interesting experience...and probably will make me a little nervous when it comes!

Learning, learning, learning........it will never end. I like that because then my brain stays fresh and active....but boy, can it be overwhelming at times!

Today is the big day....

Please go out and vote. It is important. I feel the most urgency to vote this year. There are just too many large moral issues that have surfaced obviously in government since the last election. I need to do my part.

So, hopefully I can make it to the polls before they close. I'll try to get off my 12 hour shift a little early! I know that they are supposed to let me....I'll ask the supervisor!

Have a good day and get out there!!!

Wow! Two psycho days at St.B!!!!!!

Seriously, I'm relieved I'm not pregnant and ready to give birth tonight. We have hardly any space left! We are having some serious bed issues today! So many giving birth around this time!

Yesterday was nuts too! I was at three deliveries during the 8 hour day shift (two were my patients) and then moved along to a busy postpartum assignment for the last 4 evening hours. I was really nervous to get back to work yesterday after being gone since the 6th. I was almost sick to my stomach and worrying about the day. Well, I get on the job at 7:30am to find out that I'm taking a laboring patient. Then I find out that she's fully dilated. Then I go into the room to find out that we need to page the door pretty much right away for delivery. Well, he made it, only to kind of trick me.

See, he requested that I put on some sterile gloves. I'm wondering why in my mind...as we are seeing head and delivery is very imminent. (sorry if you hate the gory details) I'm almost thinking that maybe there is something wrong and he is just really calm (it really doesn't look like anything is wrong), or maybe he wants me to help him so that she doesn't tear or something. Well, he moves out of the way, tells me where to position my hands.....then he says "let me know if you have any questions".....and he stands there. He totally tricked me into delivering the baby! He didn't even ask if I wanted to!

Sure, though, I'll do it! I love it! So, I delivered my second baby. The first was back in September. Both girls. What a rush! And how special!

Thankfully, tonight, I had a great family doctor and his resident who were a little early and in the room. Otherwise I definitely would have had a close call at delivering that baby! .....see! a 36 hour labor the first time can result in a 3 hour labor the second time! I got her to the labor floor at 5:30pm....we had a baby by 6:18pm!!!! I didn't even have a chart in the room. I did all my charting on a paper towel!

Since we are on the topic of baby and birth, I got a few more details this evening about my friend, Amy. She was contracting about every 7 minutes (or something) starting on saturday. She could still sleep through some of them....so I'm guessing she was just in early labor for quite a while. Monday rolled around and the early labor game was getting old. So, the midwife checked her just before 6pm and Amy was only 4cm. So, they went over to the rural hospital, got a nice dose of Demerol so that she could go home and get some rest, and went home. My silly friend thought that she would be sleeping for a while and didn't need anyone to hang around and wait, so the midwife went back to the hospital and her husband left for a while. Well, suddenly things got much stronger and she was alone at home! Her water broke by 7:30pm...and she was frozen in pain in the bathroom...again....alone.

As more than a coincidence, I was at the vision night for the House of Prayer that evening. It started a little late....after 7:15....and I remember sitting there, in the meeting, and very suddenly thinking of my friend. I had thought of her on and off a lot in the last little while, but not consciously been praying intently. Well, as I sat in the meeting and she flew into my mind, I suddenly prayed for her. I don't know of the exact time, but around the time her water broke, she was praying desperately on the bathroom floor that she would be able to manage and get to the phone to call the midwife and husband. I totally covered her in prayer at the exact time she needed it...and I didn't have a clue what was happening. Until tonight, I didn't even know the time of day she delivered. That was so God!

So, to speed up the story. The midwife came right away. Amy was 8cm. They raced to the hospital. She started pushing in the truck! That's a good rural girl! They arrived at the hospital at 8:20pm and little Jude was born at 8:58pm!!!! That's my girl! She's amazing!!!! I love good stories of fast deliveries for first time moms! That's so nice for them!

So, lots of babies in the last few days. I'm going to see Amy and Jude tomorrow afternoon. I'm totally excited to see them and am going to take some pictures! I feel so proud! And I'm not even related or anything!

Gotta run to pick up my hubbie at the in-laws. He's doing laundry and watching CSI!!! Adios!

A BABY BOY!!!!

My dear friend, Amy, my best friend from grade 6, had a baby boy today!!!! I had a very to the point message on my machine this evening from her husband. No weight, details or time of birth at this time. Just a little message to say they had their baby, it was a boy and his name is Jude Isaac. What a nice name! I had the honor of knowing the names they picked out during her pregnancy! Only me, Amy and her husband! I was so honored!

I AM SO EXCITED!!!! MY DEAR FRIEND HAD A BABY!!!!

I plan on going out to see the two later on this week. First, I have to return to work after my holiday! Tomorrow is my first day back. I'm a little nervous and totally dreading it! It is a little scarey after you are out of the groove for a bit! I better hit the hay!!! Good night!

WE'RE BACK!!!!!!!

What a great holiday! Steph and I had so much fun in Puerto Rico this last week! Weather-wise, it was really hard to come back! I love +30!!!!

There was a lot of highlights and tons of good times together!

Some highlights were:
- being asked if we were twins EVERY DAY from 2-5 different people! Everyone from guests at the resorts, people from Steph's work, stewardesses, staff at the resort, etc. It was a hoot! We loved that!

- taking merengue and salsa lessons every afternoon at 4pm at the pool! My hips have been set free! But the cold weather here may freeze them back into place! Yikes!

We got a little famous on the resort and got the title of dancing queens. People we didn't know at all were passing us on the walkway commenting about the great dancing! Hilarious! But oh so fun! Ooooo....and Steph also brought ugly dancing to Puerto Rico! It was so funny! I think we entertained the resort with all the dancing activities! They can bring us along next year as entertainment!

We got a great compliment from the head guy of Steph's manufacturing company. He had to mingle and chat with people all week, so this was NOT a vacation at all for him. He said to a few people that when he was a little stressed or in a bad mood and saw us enjoying ourselves, we totally brightened his day and brought a smile to his face! That's so sweet! And we only chatted with him a few times, but our smiles and enjoyment encouraged him!

- having warm weather. That was probably one of the biggest highlights. I love the climate. We had some showers in the evenings, but we really only had one gloomier day of the entire week! The weather was fabulous!

- lots of virgin strawberries daquiris and pina coladas! I love mixing cranberry and apple juice!

- REALLY good food! The buffets were great and I loved having ice cream anytime, but my favorite were the speciality restaurants! We went to Avacados one night and had broccoli soup, bread, drinks, steak, salmon, dessert......and then left without paying for the bill! That is the weirdest feeling! I love it!

Another specialty restaurant was called Bamboo. That was my favorite! It was Asian cuisine and they cooked the whole meal right in front of us! It was quite a show! And SOOOOOO yummy! Especially the shrimp!

- Steph and I had ALL the desserts on the menu at both specialty restaurants! That was totally fun!

- Ooooo...can't forget the loveliness of room service! We frequented the room service button on the telephone for breakfast on the patio or in bed! I loved it!

- We went on a few excursions which were a blast! I snorkled for the first time and saw some star fish. Boy, it is something else to coordinate breathing with a mask on and your face in the water. Steph had to remind me that I could totally do it, being a labor and delivery nurse and all! That focussed me and then I figured out the whole breathing thing!

We went on a gorgeous sail boat!

We took a paddle boat out in the Carribean Sea.

We did water aerobics in the pool and musical chairs beside the pool. Steph won!

We went kayaking for the first time....at night, in a narrow lagoon. We got to see how plankton light up in the water! It was fun!

We also went to the famous Puerto Rican Rain Forest. It was really beautiful and we got to take a dip in a waterfall! I thought of Loraleigh while I was there and definitely thought that hike would be her kind of thing!

- They had nightly entertainment shows. We saw some of them and walked out on some of them, as we don't really appreciate dancers in thongs, hardly wearing anything, thank-you very much. It just sat yucky with both of us......so we left.

- Got to know a bunch of Steph's co-workers. They were a hoot to be around and I really enjoyed her bosses especially. So nice! We got to have some neat conversations with them about God stuff and the House of Prayer!

- Made some Puerto Rican friends! Mostly the dance teachers and the security guard!

- Love the culture and the way that Latinos treat women. Women are treated respectfully and are really valued as women! I felt so female and happy to be female! They make women feel like queens. I loved it! And we felt so beautiful! I pray that that part of the Latino culture could transfer to our North American culture!

I could go on and on but those are some of my highlights of the trip! The sister time was really good for us! I really enjoyed my sister and hope that our relationship only gets closer and closer and stronger and stronger as we continue in life. We really enjoyed each other presence, and were together constantly for over a week (besides being asleep and the occasional shower)!!!

Thank-you Steph for your generosity and for choosing me to come with you on a fabulous trip! I had such a blast with you! I'd do it again in a heartbeat! Love you!

Leaving in a taxi with my suitcase in half an hour.......

Love you all! See you in 9 days (including today!)!!!! If you remember us, say a little prayer for fun, safety and health!

Adios amigos!

Do I hear the roar of the ocean and the swish of palm trees????????

Not yet but very soon! I work in about an hour, one more 12 hour night shift before I'm off! Tomorrow morning I'm going to crash in my bed for a few hours and have a very reduced night in order to get up and finish up the end of the packing. A taxi is picking me up at 3pm and then we're off to pick up Steph at her place.

Our place leaves Winnipeg at 5:20pm and then we are off to Toronto for the evening and night. We get to spend the night in a hotel there!

Early saturday morning we are off on another jet plane for warm Puerto Rico, with a little stop over in Miami.

I'm totally pumped! I just have to make it through tonight's shift! Then I get to spend a whole week on the beach with my sister, eating tons of good food, going on some fun excursions perhaps and wearing skirts and dresses every evening! I have some interesting books to read on the beach while I'm there (The Overview of the End Times and The Rewards of Fasting). It should be interesting learning while lazing in the sun!

Alright, I should run and eat before work! Have great weeks! See you all when we return!

The end of a year and the beginning of a new one!

I love New Year's Eve. I'm big on beginnings and endings and so I love the last day of the year. I journal and reflect on the highlights...good and bad...of the previous year and all the things that I accomplished and all the firsts. Then I think about the upcoming year and what it may hold, what I want it to look like and some goals or themes for myself..which are usually spiritual.

Shane and I are celebrating the New Year here in Kansas City! We leave early tomorrow morning with a very long drive back! And I'm not too excited because I have to drive the entire 14 hours back. I did it on the way here...mostly to have bragging rights that I could drive the whole trip. But I was expecting to sleep some on the way back because each night here is full of great conversation with Shane and Joyska which makes for very late nights! Oh well! At least Shane and I now know that I can do the whole trip and therefore we can come out just the two of us, no problem!

The conference has been really good! Lots of incredible worship, and great teachings. It is incredibly intense and so we've had to pick and chose some of the sessions we want to go to. We'd wear ourselves out way to fast otherwise!

It has been so nice to hang out with Joyska too! She has been so generous to let us stay over at her place! We've had some fun and yummy times at Panera Bread, Cold Stone and of course, our McDonald's drive thru experiences late at night! Bless you Joyska for your generous heart! We've enjoyed your presence over the last few days!

So, it is late already (in the afternoon) and I need to shower so that we can head out to the solemn assembly. It is worship and prayer from 2 until midnight. I'm looking forward to hearing an hour of Tim Hughes. I think it will be good! I'm getting ready to pray! Heck, if they open up the mic and I feel led, maybe I'll pray in the KC Convention Centre! We're going to head back to Joyska's, as is the present plan, to bring in the New Year together!

See you all back in Manitoba!

Merry Christmas!

So, it is Christmas today. I just got home, kissed my husband and wished him a Merry Christmas and had some breakfast after working the night shift. So, I was able to have many hours of Christmas already...unlike normal people that probably are still sleeping and haven't even woken up to Christmas yet. Our sweet charge nurse brought Christmas socks in for each of us that were working! And we had a yummy Christmas potluck. It was a really nice night actually! I had my delivery of the night earlier in the evening while it was still Christmas Eve. Then just helped out others and did break relief for the rest of the night!

As a child, we always celebrated Christmas on Christmas Eve. I'm guessing that's why I find it feels more like Christmas when it is dark outside. When I was walking past the big windows that display the city and its' lights at the hospital during the night, it was special to me that I was awake in the wee hours of Christmas morning.

I didn't mind working Christmas this year. The shift was good and I haven't minded the idea of working Christmas. It was just a little sad to leave the festivities and head to work last night. I went to the in-laws' for Christmas munchies and got to see the family with Shaner for a little while. I felt a little like Eyeore....a little droopy and a little sad. It was mostly just for the ride to the hospital and the walk into the building. Then I got myself pep-talked into a better attitude.

Shaner and I are planning on sleeping the day away. We aren't really doing anything for Christmas this year here at our place. We'll probably eat something together for supper before I head back to work tonight. But otherwise, no presents to open from each other. It may seem strange, but I also think it is a good opportunity. It is probably some life lesson about our values about the real meaning of Christmas. We, generally speaking, say that Christmas is not about the presents. Well, at least for other years, we can look back at a our second Christmas as a married couple and say that we put our words into action. It really isn't about the presents but when you don't have them, you realize what a big part of the holiday they seem to be. It is both relieving/freeing and slightly too bad not to have presents for each other this year. It is a good experiment though.....

So, merry Christmas to you all. Enjoy the day....however you do that.

And happy birthday, my Jesus. I love you and I'm thinking about you.

Such wonderful news!!!!

Due to a very generous, anonymous person, Shane and I are going to Kansas City next week after all!

When we took our car in the other week and got new brakes and 4 new tires, we cancelled our trip to KC for December. We were disappointed, but had peace about not going. By that I mean that we weren't whining and pining for the trip. But, deep down both of us just couldn't believe that we weren't going. Shane thought that somehow we just might be going after all. I kept thinking that, but didn't know how that was at all possible. We didn't really verbalize that too much to each other, but just accepted that it looked like we weren't going.

Well, somebody approached us with a wad of cash to cover the trip and said that he/she wanted us to be able to go after all! After refusing the blessing twice, we accepted! And with joy! I'm totally pumped to be able to go to One Thing next week!

So, Shaner and I get to go to KC together again! We also get to be a part of a pretty great-sounding conference! 10,000 young adults! Incredible worship leaders and speakers! Fill me with knowledge and let me worship!

We'll be gone for 6 days and get to stay with our friend, Joyska! We've never stayed at her place before! I look forward to good times and good eats (here we come Panera Bread!).

And.....when we get back to Winnipeg, I'm working quite a bit and will be in Manitoba for 5 days before heading south to Puerto Rico with my sister for 9-10 days! It is holiday time for me! And what a blessing that both trips were totally taken care of! Otherwise they would have been impossible for us!

Thank-you Lord for your provision and blessings! He totally blessed us!

Ravenously hungry....

I think my spirit man is ravenously hungry today. I feel something pretty strong inside like an emotional craving or something. It is both very annoying because I automatically want to satisfying it easily and quickly, but also very good because I know that it is right. It is what I want my spirit to be doing! Longing after God!

The tough part is walking towards filling it. Having motivation to spend part of the day in prayer, read a bunch of the Word, rest in His presence. When I'm doing these things, I know they were exactly what I needed to do Strangely, everything in me tries to do other things instead of the very things that will satisfy and the very thing I was made to do. I hate the irony of that.

I just awoke and I'm already hungry in the spirit. I guess I better get to cooking......

Can you believe it?

Yesterday was the first 12 hour shift that I've ever done on LDRP when NO ONE, not one, came in in labor the entire day. That was totally not the usual.

At the beginning of the morning, we had a full board (all our rooms taken) minus 2 or so. We had so many discharges that by the time I left at 7:30pm, there was 5 patients left....and 5 nurses. I had 2 patients and their babies! When normally I have 4-5 moms plus their babies!!!! I was pretty unbelievable!

This is my theory: Being the last saturday before Christmas, everyone wanted to get to their Christmas parties, gatherings, finish shopping, etc. so instead of coming in with a hint of anything (labor, feeling sick, etc.) they toughed it out all day as to join in with the festivities. When these ladies go home at night after being up and about all day, eating lots, etc. that's when things will hit. That's when their aching bodies have time to rest and their brains have time to think. So, I'm off to work in the next 20 minutes and we'll see if my theory is correct. We'll see...

In the meantime, I got offerred to take another LOA last evening. That is always really nice, but Shane and I didn't have plans and we need the hours/money, so I declined. It was a nice evening to be there!

Yesterday, today and tomorrow...

I actually did 8 out of the 10 things to do on my list from yesterday. The only things I didn't do was the dishes and talk with the insurance guy! The day was full and fun! I really did enjoy the movie...Narnia....whatever they called it....The Lion, the witch and the wardrobe. I didn't have very high expectations and so I really enjoyed it!

Also, the neurologist put Shane on a new drug yesterday. The "new kid on the block" according to our doctor. He isn't allow to put just anyone on this drug, according to Pharmacare. We get to try it out because we're trying our fourth drug already! The bummer is that it is expensive! I joked with Shane in the car about the fact that we should get sponsered for our medical bills. It really isn't that bad at all! It is just a little stressful when you add more to the financial list! But, if it works, and doesn't cause icky side effects, I'll be so thankful!

As for today, I worked a 12 hour shift on Labor and Delivery. It was a nice day. And I actually still had the energy to do some grocery shopping afterwards!

Tomorrow, I'm back to the hospital again for shift 2 out of 3 this weekend. I think it should be a pretty good weekend.

Strangely, I'm kinda looking forward to working over the Christmas weekend.....I must be psycho! It is kinda special to be with patients on Christmas...especially those celebrating a special time in their lives such as an addition to their families! And to top it off, I get to take a family member with me over the wee hours of Christmas Eve!! My little sis (well, I guess that isn't exactly true...my mature, beautiful, adult sister) is coming to hang with me over a 12 hour night shift to job shadow me! We get to spend the whole shift together! I've requested that we be placed on one of the labor floors so that Steph can hopefully see her first delivery! That would be special! I want to see her watch her first birth! That is special for me too! It may be a little strange too...as my nursing role is a role that Steph hasn't seen me in before. None of my loved ones really...minus Christina as we were in clinical together. I'm really looking forward to having that shift together!

Well, I'm going to do a little vegging and reading before I hop into bed for a good night's sleep....maybe a warm bath would be nice......

Morning to you all!

Today is a sleep-in day for me and I actually got up at 9:30! That is pretty early for my sleep-in days! I wanted to get a bunch done today and not feel rushed.
Also, I woke up with a sore throat. Yucky! It wasn't sore yesterday when I saw the doctor! We'll watch and see what it wants to do.

So, on the agenda for today:
1. have breakfast

2. have some God time

3. do the dishes with Shane

4. ask Shane how the exam went (he's writing it as I type and it's his last one!!!!)

5. go to the gym this morning (we renewed our membership for the year yesterday....got an even better deal on it than last year! Thank-you Lord for the membership assistance program! Oddly, the girl that looked over all my finances and gave us the deal is a Christian, used to go to the Vineyard and now is aware of the House of Prayer due to our conversation! Small world!)

6. pop by the hospital to hand in my RN registration (it finally came! I've waited so long! Now I get a raise right in time for the Christmas time and a half hours! Yippee!)

7. have a nice belated birthday coffee with Christina! The warm drink should feel nice on the throat too! And coffee with Christina is always nice! Something we are trying to do regularly as we both work strange shift work, unlike most people we know.

8. talk with our insurance guy

9. pop by the neurologist...too many yucky side effects with the newest drug Shane's been on (since the end of October). We're going to try and start something new today! I'm SO THANKFUL!!!

10. movie with housegroup friends this evening! We're going to see Naria on the big screen! It will be fun to go out with th0se guys! Also, I had only heard the story once in grade 3 so I quickly read it last week. Now I'm up to date on the storyline!

So, when I map it out like that, it's a full day!!! I'm happy that I got up at a good hour to do all these lovely things! So, off I go to make a phone call or two and start the list! Honey Nuts Cheerios, here I come!

Just thinking about the physical response of crying....

Crying is a bit of a bizarre reaction. Tears flowing from your eyes, your nose getting involved and either running or plugging up, and your face scrunching up in a funny look. All of this really affecting your ability to speak or appear normal in public.

Yet, after you cry, there is such a feeling of relief. Strange, how a physical reaction that often comes from an emotional source, creates such emotional relief.

I tend to find myself a little on the teary side lately. And often at inopportune times, such as a work. I can always feel it coming on and it is really hard to stop the tears from coming and prevent my voice from giving it away. I always try to talk myself out of crying when I'm at work. Sometimes it works a little, other times, not at all. I had a teary experience yesterday and stated to the nurse I was talking with "I always cry at the most inopportune times!". That was the truth, but it was also a nice way to break the ice! It made us both laugh.

I do wonder what my tears and wailing do to the heart of my Father. I wish I really knew how much He loves me. I wish I really knew how my tears affect the feelings in His heart. I can't believe that when He is with me when I'm fighting tears at work, or allowing myself to wail in the car, that He is without compassion. He must feel a lot. I wish I had a glimpse of that revelation in my heart.

Well, crying is a healthy response. Jesus did it too.

HAPPY 23RD BIRTHDAY, CHRISTINA!!!

Today is my friend, Christina's, birthday. Birthdays are a big deal to her. She always feels a little strange around birthdays, processing the whole thing of aging. I think it may be getting easier for her over the years.

C - caring girl; Christina cares about those she loves. She is pretty thoughtful about the little things. She sends care packages to those she loves that are farther away. She usually remembers to ask you about small things that you previously mentioned...she's got a good memory.

H - helpful; Christina is a helpful girl. That is obvious in the profession that she has chosen and the way in which she cares to serve her patients. Christina has helped out with rides many occasions!

R - responsible; Christina is a pretty responsible girl. She has been out on her own and away from her family/parents for many years already. That required her to be very responsible. She's good with the resources that she has. She's also a reliable friend.

I - irreplaceable; Christina is irreplaceable. There is no one else like her. No one else with the same gifts, talents and quirks. She is uniquely herself.

S - sassy; Christina is a little sassy. Not in the way of speach, but in her "daring" side. She loves to pose (as you have probably seen in the pictures occasionally posted on her blog). You should see this girl salsa!

T - teachable; Christina has a very teachable spirit. She is willing to learn new things all the time. She has a tender heart that wants more and more of what God has for her.

I - interesting; Christina is interesting. She has good things to share with others. She has lots to offer. It is a good time hanging out with Christina. I love the times we have together!

N - nice; Christina is genuinely nice. She speaks well of people. She speaks kindly to people.

A - admirable; Christina is admirable. She is pursuing God in a way that is a good example to others around her. I admire the way she is desiring the things of God in her life in a real and true way.

Happy Birthday, my friend! It has been so nice to get to know you over the years, as roommates, nursing students, friends, and sisters in Christ! I hope to get to know you even more as we get older and have many more years of friendship!

Morning!

Yesterday had ups and downs.

Baking with mom was great! I am looking forward to the day when Steph doesn't work every week day and can join us in holiday baking! The babies were home and I got to give lots of loving, rock Vivi to sleep, give Caden kisses. Strangely, I don't seem to remember how to spell my foster brother's name! And I got to see my bro....who was very helpful in the afternoon, as he ran out and did errands for the bakers! Thanks Shaun!

As per the downs, the car needed a whole bunch of stuff done to it. Brakes, new tires, etc. Therefore, it equalled one whopping bill. And therefore the pre-trip inspection that we went there for, became a no-trip inspection. We will not be going to KC at the end of the month. No moula for that. We are disappointed but I'm ok with it. We hummed and hawed long enough in deciding that I was ok with either decision. We will enjoy the holidays here at home.

So, tonight I begin another round of night shifts. Only 2 this time. So today I hope to relax at home, hit the gym and then try to nap again this afternoon. See ya later!