Back to the Westside

Today was my last day here in Spokane. Chad will be the next to visit in about 2 weeks or so. At least we are able to visit that's all I have to say. I only have one day off before he is able to come visit so I will be plenty busy. I studied today and man I need to study more because I need to study why I studied.

We did have a good day though. Chad took the afternoon off from school (he was +55 hours or so). I was glad to have him home. We went bowling this afternoon.... haha I think we are both VERY rusty. But it was fun. Chad finally started doing well by our last game, me on the other hand I never started doing that well.







I made a roast for dinner, it turned out great, nice and juicy and fell apart. Now I am craving some sort of dessert hmm what to have. Chad is playing guitar and singing quite obnoxiously next to me. He is making up lyrics to Linger by the Cranberries, they should be ashamed of him, he has officially destroyed their song. :-) I think he also needs new guitar strings TERRIBLY!!! Oh my!

Well I think it's onto a monopoly rematch...again. I am determined to beat him!

Our evening antics

This evening I made a yummy Mexican casserole and chocolate strawberries mmmmmm!
While I was preparing this meal chad decided to practice his guitar while singing to me... interesting songs too!



I took Lincoln on a short jog cause I'm TOTALLY out of shape, and then we played a game of monopoly. I must say I could have beat Chad's butt but I'm too soft and let him get a monopoly by me trading with him. I had two monopolies and didn't add houses or hotels to them because he was doing so poorly...well my niceness ended in me loosing... GRRR!!! Next time its hard ball!

First weekend home

Chad and I have been trying to cherish every moment together since I've been back. Friday after Chad got home from class we went hiking with Lincoln and it was a beautiful day. Lincoln was a champ and it was so fun to see him climbing the rocks. He was a bit skittish around the river, but I think it's because the water was still freezing.






We then enjoyed dinner at our favorite Mexican restaurant and a movie (slum dog millionaire).

Yesterday was a relaxing day except for the funeral. My post a few days back talked about the little girl. We went to her service yesterday. She looked so perfect and peaceful like a little porcelain doll. Glad I got to see her family and remember her. She has blessed so many with her short little life.

Today we woke up went and had coffee and cinnamon rolls at a bakery and then went to church. Not sure what the rest of the day has in store, but we are just so thankful to be spending time together. 2 weeks isn't that long to be apart but it feels like forever.

Surprise!

On Thursday I decided to surprise Chad and drive back home to see him. He thought I was coming Friday afternoon but I wanted to make sure we had all day Friday. I got off work and braved Seattle's rush hour traffic and headed over the pass. The drive went really well, which is unusual for me because I usually get really tired on that drive. But I made it by 8:30pm and walked through the door and the look on Chad's face was priceless. I wish I could have captured it for you all to see but it will just have to be a memory for my own mind. He was so happy and excited and I've never gotten so many hugs in my life. What a great day!

In memory of

November, 6 2007-April 21, 2009
A sweet baby girl that I cared for since birth passed away yesterday unexpectedly. A couple of friends from Sacred Heart called to let me know. Mom also was asking if I was going to come in to say goodbye to her. She was a perfect little angel that stole my heart long ago. She spent most of her life in the hospital for multiple reasons. She had a chromosome abnormality that made her the cutest little peanut. She had tiny hands and a little button nose that never seemed to grow with the rest of her body. She loved to suck on two fingers or her wrist. When she was a baby her binkie was her lifeline but she transitioned to her fingers a while back. She loved music and moving toys above her head (especially balloons) She was a spoiled girl that we all would dress up really cute, paint her nails, and do her hair. She had hair pretties that we bought just for her :-) she was a bit loved! Prayers go out to her family and all us nurses who are going to miss our sweet baby girl. But she is now dancing with Jesus in her new perfect body pain free... YAY way to go little one! Love you tons.

I am so very thankful for our Lord and Savior especially in times like these. The piece of knowing that these precious ones get to be with our Father in heaven is unexplainable. She is definitely the first and only kiddo so far that myself and other have gotten very attached too, but its hard not to when they live most of their life with us.


On a happier note I get to go home to see my hubby this weekend...EXCITING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sunshine and friends

Today was a good day. I had work as usual. Today was PICU core class I sat and was talked at for 8hrs but hey I did learn :-)

I drove back to Redmond in terrible traffic but didn't mind I had the sun, mountains and water to look at. This morning was an amazing drive into work. It was 6 in the morning and the sun was low in the sky the water was shining as I drove over the bridge and Mt. Rainier was huge and crystal clear. God's creation is breathtaking.
Anyways I drove back and was greeted by my good friend Lauren's baby and his gorgeous smile.



The day ended great considering the best part of my life on this earth is missing right now (miss you hubby). We had a great dinner with the family, played some blongo ball (or some name like that). I almost one the second game dang the one point. If you haven't played this game its pretty fun. Then finished the night with some vanilla ice cream with strawberries and chocolate. (Steph I'm not as good at the blogging as you so pictures of all the fun are missing).

Now to bed to read and chat with my husband for a few.

My week in review

Alright, Jamie has challenged me in her previous blog to update my week, so I guess I will since I can't ever seem to turn down a challenge, even if it's just a hint at a challenge.

First, I'll be a real man and admit that I really missed my wife more than anybody could ever understand (save military types that have ever deployed away from family). Only one week so far, yes, but God designed marriage to be a union, and I don't mean just on paper. If you could imagine what it might feel like having your body torn in half from top to bottom, that might help to describe the sensation felt in the soul. It makes me sad to think of the marriages that fail due to unfaithfulness or adultery. That's like taking your bodies and souls and putting them in a paper shredder. God designed marriage to be shared, to blossom in closeness, and to be a reflection of the love and intimacy our Father desires for us.

OK, off the soapbox. At school I was busy working on various projects like testing and setting oil pressure gauges for aircraft engines and disassembling and servicing an engine primer system. Its a beautiful thing to see how complicated a simple project can be. Great learning experiences, though. I'd post pictures, but Jamie has the camera this week. We'll have to trade after she comes home this Friday :-)

LINCOLN IS BECOMING A GUN DOG!! What a great week for him! Earlier this week he began to understand the concept of "heel." I'd been working forever on that command, but he got it when I busted out the soft dummy with "duck juice" on it for training. This morning, before church, I took Lincoln out to the training area in the country owned by the Spokane Gun Dog Club. The gentlemen were very friendly and immediately took Lincoln and I under their wing. We practiced sending Lincoln after rubber dummies and even a few real birds. He still has some work to do, but he was able to find the dummies and bring them back with some style some of the time. He was even exposed to gunfire and didn't even flinch. What a good boy! I celebrated by going out and buying a rubber "bumper" dummy and a duck call. :-) Yeah, I feel like a kid again.

A great day

Today was wonderful! My friend Jen picked me up and me, her and her friend Brittney went to Snoqualmie Falls today. We went to check out the site for her wedding. We hiked the mile to the bottom to look at the falls and it was so gorgeous. It did remind me how TERRIBLY out of shape I am. It was quite the site hiking back up me huffing and puffing up that steep hill. I think I need a trainer again. :-)

We went to Claim Jumpers and ate for only 10 dollars (thanks to a gift card). And we shared everything and ate dinner with our fingers... it was a half of a chicken much easier to just pick it apart. It had to look pretty funny to see three girls eating all that food with their fingers, but who cares about manners during girls day.

We ended the great day with quiet time at a coffee shop in Seattle. I needed a good day away from all the stresses of life right now. Thanks girls!









I forgot to mention that prior to leaving today the family I am currently living with recruited me to help rake the yard. Now this is not a small yard and it was not a simple task. They had used a dethatcher?? Is that correct?? Either way it was the moss remover mabobby. It left a HUGE mess in the yard but I must say did a great job getting the moss out. I raked as fast as I could to get the mess up before Jen got here. But I was SO sweaty and nasty I felt like I needed another shower...oh well I got yucky with the hike anyways. But I am one good raker that's for sure. Ha ha not something I want to do more of.

The week in review

Wow what a week!! I finished up my first week at Children's. I can tell you now I am going to learn SO much. I feel like a brand new nurse again. I never thought that I would see let alone take care of patients like this. One pt had a berlin heart which is an externalized mechanical heart that functions as his heart while he waits for a transplant. With these hearts you can function at home, go to school and everything. Pretty amazing. One of my patients had received her 2nd heart transplant...amazing. The families are phenomenal and probably more knowledgeable than me on some things. Incredible.

I have SO much "homework" to do. Lots and lots of training. I miss my husband like crazy but I am assuming time will go by fast with how much I have to do and learn. I do get to go home next weekend YAY!!!!!!

I am learning many lessons on faith and patience right now. I am hoping that besides studying I spend lots of time in the Word. Tomorrow I get to spend time with a good friend Jen and go do wedding planning stuff with her. She is marrying our GREAT friend Josh :-) Very exciting... glad i'm not the one planning a wedding!

Chad will have to update on his life :-)

Day 1

So today I completed what Seattle Children's calls Day 1. It is pretty much general hospital orientation. It was a bit boring I will admit but I learned more about the hospital and am now even more excited that I am working there. I have some more classes but will be in the ICU on Thursday for my first shift (I hope I'll just be watching).



(I thought it was cool my badge says PICU on it... CRAZY!!!!)

It was a typical day in Seattle lots and lots of rain with a little added lightening late this afternoon. Chad told me he had some fun stormy weather as well, guess the weather wanted us to feel like we were close together *wink* The family I am staying with has been great, I get to eat home cooked meals that I am not cooking. I pretty much lived with this family throughout high school so it is bringing back some fond memories. The bed on the other hand is nothing like my own and I woke feeling like a train had run me over... I bought a mattress pad today. I think I own 4 of those now that are all on various beds. Someday we are going to have mattress pads coming out of our ears (sorry Chad).

Chad is home keeping our pup company and practicing guitar and doing the school thing, can't believe how much we miss each other already (we are such big babies) but hey guess that shows how much we love each other.

Well that was the excitement of day 1 in Redmond, WA. Oh but I think House is on tonight (if its new that would be a big plus in my day).

Its Official

Well the day has arrived, Chad and I are officially living on separate sides of the state. Hopefully we will get to see each other every couple of weeks. We did have a wonderful weekend though. We spent the weekend at my dad's house. Chad had a blast yesterday and went shooting with my dad. He was smiling like a giddy school boy, it was awesome to see that smile on his face.

We had a wonderful Easter. We went to church this morning with my family. My mom Michelle sang a song and signed it beautifully. Then we had a nice family day, all my family sisters and their better halves. We ate and played games it was something we haven't had in a long time.

Now the tough part begins. I start my job in the morning and I have no idea where my orientation is or where to park haha what a great start eh? Oh well c'est la vie!

I'll keep ya posted!

MATA website

Since I've officially been accepted to Missionary Aviation Training Academy in Arlington, WA (not Virginia), I'm posting a link to the school so you can glance over its purpose, the scope of its program, and perhaps soon my official progress as I get to my Commercial and advanced "bush flying" training. http://www.mata-usa.org/

This summer Missionary Aviation is one of the featured themes in the Osh Kosh Airventure airshow this July. Osh Kosh is pretty much the biggest airshow event in the US and perhaps the world. If you type in Osh Kosh at Google, the first link is Airventure, not the town, so its pretty big. Anyway, MATA will be there this July and I'm hoping to fly in with them. I'm sure I'll have some good pictures either way this summer :-)

The time has arrived!!

So I know I am long over due for an update and I have many pictures and stories to tell... unfortunately I am not longer at home where all the pictures are. But I did upload some pictures to the link on the right where you can see some new pictures.

I wanted to post a link of the wedding album I made quite a while ago. I never realized it could be viewed online but it sure can so take a look.

Wedding Album


Well we are here in Western WA. Chad and I drove over today. I start my job on Monday so Chad will fly back on Sunday evening. We do get to have Easter dinner with the family which will be nice. I am still in shock and denial about the whole thing I think. Hopefully I will be busy and the time will fly. Chad only has two months left of maintenance school which is very exciting, and hopefully will start flight training this summer! He has been officially accepted into MATA (missionary aviation training academy) in Arlington WA. We are very excited about that.

Well more updates and pictures coming as soon as I can get them. Be praying for these next couple of months.