We've got a house....for a little while at least!

Yes, for the next 3 weeks and 1 day we are pretending to be home owners! It is feeling good so far!

We have been enjoying the house, the peace and quiet, the air conditioning, the cottage-like neighborhood, our buddy Zoey and the wii (thanks Stefan for lending us Mario Kart). We have yet to enjoy the BBQ, the fire pit and Dance Dance Revolution. But we have 3 weeks more to enjoy all these perks!

We're on a little bit of holiday mode even though our schedules haven't changed. For example, we were at a wedding last evening and only got home just before midnight. Well, from 12-1am, these Farrows were found doing laps in the virtual world. I tend to get a little worked up when I lose repeatedly =) Shane thinks that's hilarious!

I even moved the keyboard with us that Joel has been generously lending us! I set it up in the living room and have been singing and playing while Shane works on a paper for the course that he is taking through the U of M.

I'm really looking forward to the provision from the Lord of a house of our own one day. Until then, I will continue to thank Him for the apartment we have and enjoy our 3 weeks here as much as I can!

Summer? Bring it on!

Shane, Steph, Christina and I hit the beach this afternoon! It was a great day to be outside and in the sun! It was relaxing, enjoyable and good, old summertime fun! Monday afternoons are the new beach day for this HOP crowd!






Summer...here we come!

Good Morning!

Today is my last 9 hour shift of this week. I'm looking forward to the weekend! I have 2 more 9 hour shifts next week and then off to the doctor's on Friday. We'll see what the plan is from there. I'm not sure exactly what my wrist doesn't like, but it hasn't been too happy with 9 hours or the postpartum ward (not sure which one)! I think it's feeding those babies that bothers it!

Tonight, Shane and I are headed to the park for a BBQ and bonfire because we've been in the mood for one! Tomorrow, I'm going to enjoy coffee with a dear friend and a belated Father's Day BBQ in Mitchell. And Sunday is our usual Sanctuary marathon. I get to sing with the Worship With the Word team that I'm on and that's usually a fun time! We're working through the Song of Solomon for the last year and a half!

So, if I have pictures, I may post them! Otherwise, enjoy your weekends!

Surprise Sister Date!

On Saturday, my fabulous sister planned a special day for us for no special occasion other than it rocks to be sisters! Shane knew about the plan but didn't breathe a word because he is just one of the best secret keepers there is!

All I knew was the I had to be ready at 1pm, showered and hair done. So I was ready to go when Steph arrived. Except, when I answered the door, Steph was standing in her grad dress, holding mine and Shane was video-taping my reaction! So, as embarrassing as it was, we spent the day in public in our grad dresses! Mine is now 8 years old, Steph being 5 years old! Might as well get more of our moneys worth than just 1 day!


These are two shots from our lovely lunch at Pine Ridge Hollow! We love that place! There happened to be a wedding there that day and we got asked some funny questions. "Are you in the wedding party?" and "Which one is the bride?"! Funny!

Then came the best part! We went go-carting in our dresses! That is more embarrassing than a lovely lunch at Pine Ridge! How freeing to throw fear of man to the wind! It was a blast!



Then we went glow-bowling! We got some more hilarious reactions! It was fun adding the lovely bowling shoes to the outfit!



Then evening held supper at Steph's and fresh home-made bread! Then some gals joined us for some pedicures! I love pedicures!


Steph, I had a lovely day! I have the best sister ever!

Ahhhhh.....love......

Shane and I are back from our 2 night get-a-way and boy was it awesome! I would have enjoyed 2 weeks away, but 2 nights was great too!

I'm having a hard time narrowing down the pictures to post! We took a whole bunch!

Country Charm Resort is beautiful! The cabin was awesome and the service was great! We would definitely go back and recommend it!


On our way and super excited!


Arriving at the COUPLES ONLY resort! That rocked!


Starting our pool marathon! We sure enjoyed the pool table feature!


Starting to partake in the goodies our generous friends blessed us with! Thanks guys!


Already enjoying the jacuzzi!


Oh, how we love the BBQ...any kind of BBQ!


Beautiful, romantic fire for the evenings


Waking up and having brunch on our anniversary!


Getting out on the bike trails!


Preparing to go out on the paddle boats!


Paddling away...so relaxing and enjoyable!


Shane and the usual tradition of playing with the fish =)


More rounds of pool!


A fondue to celebrate 4 years of awesome marriage!



HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO US!

A Weekend Away in the Middle of the Week!

Shane and I are celebrating our 4th anniversary tomorrow! June 12, 2004 was a wonderful day, four years ago, when I become Mrs. Kristi Farrow! I have LOVED being married these past 4 years and am so thankful for the man God chose for me. My life has been greatly enriched by Shane's presence in it!

I'm really excited to celebrate this anniversary. For the first time since our honeymoon in 2004, Shane and I are going away for 2 nights...alone! We have gone away in the past 4 years but we usually stay in a hotel room or a lodge room at camp with my family (which is a lot of fun!). Or, we've gone down to KC and stayed with friends. So, this is our first hotel-type experience alone since our honeymoon and I am totally pumped!

We're headed to a little resort, not too far away, for 2 nights. We have a cabin with a jacuzzi, steam shower with speakers!, fireplace, a/c, pool table, BBQ, King's size bed, sun room, big screen tv, etc! It is going to be good! And we're going to eat some good food!

My marriage has been one of the biggest blessings in my life. I am so thankful for it. My husband has caused me to love God more and has propelled me forward in my relationship with Jesus, over the last 7 and 1/2 years. I feel very safe emotionally with him and am so thankful that I can tell my spouse anything! Especially because I'm such a verbal processor and he's got a fairly good amount of patience for that!

Shane is my bestest friend, besides Jesus, of course! And I'm looking forward to many, many more years as husband and wife!

Cheers to 4 years of marriage!

ps. Check out June of the 2004 posts to see a few pics Yvonne posted after the wedding!

Singing my heart out!

Tonight was my first voice recital ever! After delightfully working away at my voice warm-ups and songs for the last 5 months, tonight was the night!

I worked all day (9 hours now) and so was pretty distracted from being nervous during the day. I stayed calm at home and even warming up before leaving. When we were moments from the church, there was a scene on the street and I ran over because of my moral obligation as a nurse, and the compassion in my heart. Those minutes caused me to be a little late for a quick practice with the pianist before the recital. So, with all the rushing and such, the nerves kicked in. Bummer!

Well, when my nerves kick in, they show through the wavering of my voice! Fortunately it wasn't as obvious as I thought it was. That wavering drives me crazy, because I can't seem to control it! It happens at Sanctuary too when I do devos!

Now that it is over, I wish I could do it again!

I also must brag on my supports! All my parents came (mom, dad and in-laws), my siblings, my sister-in-law, my niece and of course, my biggest fan, Shane! I had the biggest crowd of supporters by far, making me feel very loved! Thanks guys!

So, I'm sad to see voice lessons end for the summer. I hope to start again as soon as my teacher has her baby in fall and is up to teaching! I had a great experience these last 5 months and loved learning and working at something!

The Heart and The Body

Well, let's start with the body. Mine is upset today. It all started when I arrived home from work yesterday. The evening was not so pretty. It disrupted date night a little! And by 9:15pm, I was in bed for the night. I had some disruptive wake-ups in the night with a very sore stomach. By 5:30am, when my alarm was going to go off for me to arise for a day of work, it was still in bad shape. I don't want to give any bugs to the moms and babies and don't want to be in the position where I can't go to the bathroom when I need to, so home it is for the day. I like work so it was a bit of a bummer!

As for the heart, it is fairing well. There is something peaceful about a rainy day at home in pjs. I got a ton of sleep last night, read my Bible this morning, read a good book in the bath and tried to see if my stomach would mind some toast. So far, so good!

Here's a part of the book that ministered to me this morning:

"Jesus knew human experience. He knew monotony. He knew the day to day. He was acquainted with the common and not a stranger to the trivial. Truly, in all ways, He is our Brother. When we are cleaning our houses, mowing our lawns, playing with our children, driving in our cars, He is deeply and intimately near and familiar - inviting us to follow His example in loving God extravagantly amidst our present obscurity.

By Jesus' embracing of the human plight, He made way for each moment of monotony to be a doorway of fellowship. There is nothing too small, no circumstance too trivial that we cannot bring to Him in love, having conversation with Him in the midst of it and consecrating it unto Him as something done in love. He reaches to us in our boredom, in our ordinary and routine aspects of life, and invites us to love Him in all parts of our day, all through the ordinary activities and obscure tasks of necessity. If we seek for Him here, He is present to be found by us. And as we are faithful to offer Him these things, doing everything as unto the Lord, even the smallest cup of cold water given will have eternal reward (Mark 9:41)."

If you haven't read the book Entirety by Dana Candler, I'd recommend it! It's all about living wholeheartedly in our love for God! A good read!

Dreams...

I'm thinking about the kind that happen when you are sleeping. Generally, I like to dream. Shane and I pray for prophetic dreams (Acts 2) just about every night before we sleep.

I am a pretty logical and black and white kinda gal and so my favorite kind of dreams are the ones that stir me emotionally and feel real, along with the meaning being very obvious. I love the directional or correctional kinds of dreams. I don't enjoy interpreting them!

I woke up pretty encouraged this morning after dreaming last night. I dreamt a few different things and don't know exactly what they mean, if anything. But, as I woke up, I was praying the themes that the dreams represent to me. It's fun when your dreams aid in your intercession!

So, I'm praying this morning for complete healing for people in general, the restoration of broken relationships, life, protection from the Enemy and God's leading and guidance!

So, turn a dream around and pray!

The first day since August...

Today is my first full-on 8 hour shift since August 10, 2007! Crazy that it has been so long! I'm doing most people's normal day length today! That's a milestone in the whole process! I still have to get to 12 hour shifts though, so the process isn't complete...

If you think of me this week, pray that my wrist does well. It has to endure three 8 hour shifts in a row and has been a little more sore than usual lately!

Thanks!

The latest...

So, I'm working the wrist these days and it's a little sore at times but not too bad. Sometimes I wish I could forget about it entirely =) Hopefully soon!

I saw the doc on Monday and I'm doing 7 hours shifts this week! I did 6 hours the last two weeks and used my wrist a lot more than the first 4 weeks of my back-to-work. I felt it but not too bad!

Then, instead of 2 weeks of 7 hour shifts, we're already going up to 8 hours next week! We've still got a ways to go to 12 hour shifts, but I really hope my wrist doesn't mind the extra hours! I've been enjoying work!

Another bonus is that with more work hours and doing more things around home, I don't have to do any of my exercises at home anymore! That's great, as I have been doing my home program for a very long time! Instead, I'm supposed to play more piano and guitar! I'm excited!

I did a devotional at Sanctuary on Monday and was planning on playing 30 minutes. Well, I thought I'd keep going a little longer.....and managed to do the whole hour (on piano)! Yippee! We're headed in the right direction! It was a little sore after, but I didn't pay for it later which was really nice!

Today I'm headed to the hospital to do the second part of the testing to renew my NRP (Neonatal Resuscitation Program). It should be fun! I'm not nervous. I'm just looking forward to being done and knowing that I don't have to renew for another 2 years after today!

Then I'm going to find something to do with my favorite guy and enjoy the beautiful weather we're getting today!

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!!

To my mom who never reads this because she never goes online and my mother-in-law who does! Hope you have great days! Thanks for being great moms!

A lovely date with my hubbie!

Shane and I were pleasantly surprised at the beginning of April when we found out that we would be getting a tax return! At that time, we decided that a nice date was a priority with some of that money!



Yesterday was the big date! We started out at 3pm doing some window-shopping. Then we had an early supper at The Keg...yum! Shane absolutely loves red meat and so The Keg is very special for him! I love it too! Especially those virgin strawberry margaritas!




After a nice meal, great company and relaxing conversation, we headed for a drive in the area, looking at the beautiful houses. I've always had a love of beautiful homes, probably related to the fact that my dad builds them! I would love a beautiful home one day!

We then decided to make a quick stop at Shane's parents' house as we were killing time before a movie. We got to cuddle, coo at and squish our niece for a few minutes and say hi to the family. I'm glad we got to say hi! If we weren't on a date, we would have stayed the evening!

Then off to the cheap seats for a movie! I think the last time we went to a movie together was on our anniversary! That was a year ago next month! I was pretty excited to be there! I rarely go to the theater so the big screen, candies and such made me pretty happy =) We saw National Treasure....not too bad. We actually saw a movie that isn't a cartoon! Generally we stick to the animated films because we try to be really careful what we see!

Then we headed home for some relaxing time together...reading, tea and snuggles. A really nice ending to a really nice day together! Boy, those dates really are important! I encourage all you married ones that read this blog...find a way and take your spouse out on a date!

Some of favorite babies...

Mr. Eli....such a smart and sweet boy! Son of Johan and Corrie, good friends of ours! I had the honor of being at his grand entrance into life outside the womb back in May of 2006! And a sibling is joining his family in August! Yippee!


Justice...the newest addition! Son of Joe and Jacquie, more friends of ours from Sanctuary. I had the pleasure of being at this little guy's amazing birth in March.


Our beautiful niece, Raign Elizabeth, Shane's sister Dawn's daughter. She is so squishable! Unfortunately, I missed her birth, stuck in a rainstorm in Kansas City back in December!


Kenya, who is now a 5 months and such a happy little girl! Daughter of Amy and Russ, friends of ours from years ago!


"Behold, children are a hertiage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb is a reward....happy is the man who has his quiver full of them" Psalm 127:3,5

Update

Well, I'm off to work in the next 5 minutes for my last 5 hour shift. I did 2 weeks of 4 hour shifts and then 2 weeks of 5 hour shifts. Next week, I graduate to 6 hour shifts!

I could use prayer this morning. I have a progress meeting with a number of people involved in the back-to-work process at 10:30am. These meetings aren't always the most comfortable, depending on who is all present.

Thankfully, I can report that 7 out of 9 shifts were appropriate for a back-to-work. Unfortunately, 2 weren't and that is really frustrating. I will have to bring this up and some people don't want to hear it, while others do.

I had a neat experience at work yesterday which I may have to blog about a little later....

I'm pretty tired this morning, and it's continuing from yesterday. I was super tired yesterday afternoon and evening. I was in my pjs by 4:30! And went to bed by 9:17! I'd love to crawl back into bed, but I'll just have to take a power nap when I get home!

In general (minus those 2 days), work has been good! It's good to be back and I'm getting refreshed at all kinds of things! It's awesome to serve people in this way again!

Christening the new warmer seasons with the first bonfire of the year!


Shane and I getting the party and fire started before Steph and Shaun arrived


Shaun and Shane hanging out and enjoying the smokies


Steph having a refreshing drink


I was cold and borrowed a jacket....I looked like such a hick!


Oh the cheese in this picture! I love my family!

I'm so excited for warmer weather! In the last few days, the weather has been perfect for me! I'm looking forward to BBQs, bonfires, camping, the beach, and many walks!

It honestly pays off to be honest.

This week, one evening, as I was returning home in the van, I had an unfortunate event take place. I opened the van door, turned to grab my stuff and by then the fierce wind had already taken my door before I could stop it, slamming it into the side of my neighbor's fairly new car. Ah!

There is no other option than to go knock on his door and inform him. I didn't look forward to that. As I'm walking to the apartment, this external voice throws out, "you wouldn't really have to tell him...it may have happened in another parking lot by someone else". I immediately rebuked that darkness and knew that honesty was the ONLY way.

Honesty is huge to me. There are no such things as little white lies. Lying is a serious matter. As a child, I remember such a high standard of honesty being taught to me. My mom also feels very strong about honesty. I would even tattle on myself if I did something wrong, even if I knew I'd get a spanking out of it =)

So, I knocked on the neighbor's door and tried to communicate what happened to him and his wife. He hardly speaks any English, so thankfully his wife was present! I apologized for the accident and they were so sweet about it. He goes down to look at the damage, saying that if it is just a little scratch, he'll fix the paint.

He returns to explain it is also quite the dent, which I was aware of. That wind was so strong that there's no way there wasn't a dent! That he could not fix and would need to make a claim.

So, I called MPI and told on myself once again, booking an appointment for later on that week.

When I got to the appointment there was a mixed up on my file with contact numbers, and the woman I was to meet with was trying to get a hold of me before I arrived, so that I wouldn't have had to make the trip down.

Great news! It was the wind. The van was parked. You don't require a driver's license to open a door. So, I assumed responsibility by calling in, which waived my neighbor's deductible. But, because of the wind situation, I didn't have to pay my deductible or have a surcharge on my license!

Honesty truly paid off this time (though in the area of the heart it always pays off)...neither of us have to pay anything and he gets his car fixed. Had I decided not to be honest, I would have had sin on my plate and guilt on my conscience, but wouldn't have paid anything. My neighbor on the other hand, is leasing the car and would have had to pay for the damage himself.

Sometimes it is inconvenient to tell the truth and assume responsibility for something going wrong, but it really matters. It matters to the Lord and it matters to the maturity of our hearts and the intimacy we can have in our relationship with Jesus. We need to be tenacious in our fight against sin in our lives.

Mmmmm....studying!

In the past 14 months, I've developed a deeper love for my study time. I have usually enjoyed my experiences as a student. I have fond memories of being a student in elementary, junior high and high school. Then after grad, I decided to take the year off and change gears from the student life. Well, one year off was enough for me, and I was ready to go back to learning again! I really enjoyed my university experience for my 4 years at the U of M.

So, I'm not surprised that I've grown to love my spiritual study time more and more over the years. I love to learn! Sometimes I've felt physically hungry for knowledge when sitting through a great teaching. It can feel like a physical craving =)

I've also felt many moments of frustration because of my limited knowledge. I wish I knew so much more than I do in so many different areas. Sometimes I want to learn so many things that it just seems so overwhelming and I don't know where to start!

I have a number of study topics and books on the go presently. I'm focussed on two main topics that fall under two main categories. I'm studying the book of Joel which I would say falls under "Urgency/The End Times" and I'm studying the book of Song of Solomon which falls under "Intimacy". I love the balance of studying both topics! It's very life-giving!

I am also reading Bible Doctrine by Wayne Grudem and it is really touching the hunger for deeper knowledge in my heart so far. I'm still working on Healing by Smith Wigglesworth and The Knowledge of the Holy by A.W Tozer, which are coming slowly. For my more relaxing and heart-warming reads, I'm rereading The Rewards of Fasting by Mike Bickle and Dana Candler and Entirety by Dana Candler. Such good stuff!

I am so thankful for the lessons that I have learnt in the past 14 months about time management, spiritual disciplines and communing with the Holy Spirit wherever I am. I know that God strategically used this time of my life to teach me valuable lessons. I'm so glad that I had the increased time to dig deeper into study, prayer and relationship with God this past year.

I'm thankful and ready to learn!

I'm happy that....

- it's Saturday!
- I had a date with my sister last night!
- I have a wonderful husband to spend the day with!

I'm in the mood to...

- eat cinnamon buns...I woke up with them on my mind =)
- go on a warm vacation
- relax and laugh

I'm going to...

- look at my cinnamon bun recipe
- eat my favorite cereal for breakfast
- give my husband a huge morning hug!

Have a wonderful weekend!

The Things I like about 5:30am Wake-up....

- the apartment is dark and quiet
- I have enough time to do things in a relaxed time frame
- the shower is nice and warm and I can start the day praying
- I have time to do my computer stuff in between getting ready
- showering and doing my hair means I'll look nice for my patients =)
- I can sit down for a nice breakfast of Vector cereal! Yum!
- I have time to pray and read my Bible
- I get to take a nice walk from my parking spot to the hospital....then parking is free too!
- I have time to sit and relax with co-workers before getting out on the floor
- There seems to be a lot of time to pray in the mornings!

So, far I'm finding a lot of nice aspects of waking up so early!

Oh, and by the way, I got to have a delivery yesterday! I'm hoping for another one today!