The journey continues

I seldom write about my job or patients... because it's their stories and out of respect and professionalism, it's just not right. This blog started because of the seminary years and our journey to always trust in our heavenly father... no matter how frightening or confusing our life had become. I am afraid my faith will never become to the level I or more importantly what God desires, but I have discovered faith is more of a process, than a decision made with an immediate result. I have looked for this miracle for years as I specialize in worrying!

I think I enjoy my job so much because of how close I can be to witnessing heaven through my patients. I find more comfort then sadness (most days anyway). Since my hire back at the Des Moines Hospice and now with my second hire at the local hospice, I just am amazed and sincerely know that I am placed in just the right places in God's timing. Several times in DSM, I have cared for people and their families, that I have known and respected deeply. Many "God-instances". Hopefully, I was able to share God's love and peace through my hands and words.

Yesterday, my mind and heart was on fire, with so many "God-instances". I was scheduled to work, Sunday, but a sweet co-worker volunteered to trade with me, when she learned it was Gotcha Day. I was grateful, but also curious to see what God would do with Tuesday. To be brief, I was able to share God's love with numerous fellow Lutherans. At one point, I had called in 3 Pastors. (one being my husband, Thanks Honey!), to help ease the pain and bring God's love to comfort the dying and grieving. I hope I ease the fear of the dying, with touch and encouragement to grasp Christ' hand when called. I know my nursing and hospice technique well, but God asked so much more and it is a sheer priveledge to do his work. It is exhausting though!

I am also discovering small town life brings more awareness of the sadness, as I will meet surviving neighbors and fellow parsishers frequently and I will search for more ways to be of help to them. Many times in Big City Hospice... I remember the stories, but never see those involved again. I fear God has more oppurtunities for me to grow and I hope I can alway remember to put my trust and faith in him to do his work even in my new community.

God, I pray for further strength and guidance in learning to trust in you always!

Leah makes us smile (Luke would disagree)

Tonight we have my nephew Lightening Mc Queen spending the night. Ed and I were in the process of deciding the evening's events. A movie was mentioned, but there was quite a ruckus from downstairs. Lots of "buttons" being pushed between cousins. Leah and Lightening Mc Queen came up to tattle, and we mentioned that only kids that behaved would be invited to the movies. They both immediately turn to go back downstairs and we overhear Leah telling Luke. "Everybody that is nice to me gets to go to the movies". What a princess' perspective!!

Random Bullets

My blog has been seriously neglected! Here's what we have been up to the past 2 weeks.

* Yesterday was GOTCHA DAY. 9 years ago the Judge said YES!!! The kids have so much fun (and so do Mom and Dad) just having a special day for the 4 of us. We celebrated a night early by going to finally get Leah's 5 year old pictures, pictures with American Girl, Marissa and some retakes of Luke's fall school pictures. Then we dined at IHOP. Luke's favorite..... funny face pancakes. Luke loves rehearing the adoption story and we love sneaking in extra hugs and whispering the judge said "YES". We are also sadly praying for good friends of ours that recently heard a "NO". The tremendous blessing of adoption and God's precious ways of creating family is not lost on us.

*SATURDAY MORNINGS and some afternoons are spent around YMCA boys basketball. Luke has decided this is his sport and really gets into it!

* Preparing for a NEW NIECE. Last weekend we went to DSM and helped finish up her nursery. My sister kept saying it's not PINK enough. Turns out Leah is a little jealous.... pink is her color! Sorry Leah.... but take heart there is enough glittery pink for many girls! Folding Leah's hand me downs into the new princess' drawers is a huge eye opener. The past 5 years have flown by!

* I am 90 percent sure I will be having "female surgery" on Wednesday in DSM.(Male readers can turn away now) The past 6 weeks have been spent in some pain and getting tests and second opinions. My doctor wanted to do a robotic laproscopy to save as much as possible... but scheduling has been difficult as the Robot is pretty popular. I definitely need my left ovary removed and endometriosis burned. But on Friday, my doctor decided to do a complete hysterectomy. I am actually looking forward to a completion of this!

* I am also planning a trip to Seminary City in 58 some days. Not that we are counting! We did find out that we will be moving somewhere hopefully in Iowa. Ed will be getting a smaller church and our vicarage church will be looking for a Pastor that can continue the Vicarage program that has been a blessing to the church and the seminaries as well. A pastor needs to have 5 years of experience before training a vicar. We have been grateful for this experience and are anxious to hear what plans God has for Ed and our family. Soon we will be getting out the boxes.

More changes and more Blessings for our family!

Heat wave

No more negative temps. Well maybe the wind chills, but we stopped listening to the news. Especially after city's 10 to 15 degrees warmer cancelled school. But not our tough town. We want to belong....so are buckling down too!

Today Luke woke us up at 6 to not be late for 8:30 first basketball practice. Do you think he's excited? He sure didn't do this for football! It's fun to watch though....even if a little early. Warm gyms beat ice cold bleachers any day!

Right now I'm catching up on laundry and scrapbooking. You don't even have to guess which one excites me more! I can hear Luke upstairs having a blast with his good friend B. The amazing part is B still lives in Seminary City! That's right....they are playing a Pokemon DS game via WI FI over 500 miles away. Their voices come over the game boy and little annoying sister stills likes to bug B and Luke! Technology amazes me! I'd never dream of this in my childhood.....I never even dreamed of this when my baby was born!!! Just imagine the next decade!! Stay warm!

Happy New Year!

We are slowly returning to normal. Ed and Leah are sick. Ed has been sick for almost 2 weeks and is going to the Dr. today. Leah is showing similar symptoms, so she is going to. We had a wonderful Christmas, but missed Daddy (as he had 2 funerals to do.) It was probably best as he just slept in between services and preparations....but it definitely is not Christmas without Daddy. We saw lots of family.....and Baby H was new to the celebration. We missed Baby E and her Mom and Dad (but spent some time chatting on the web cam on Christmas) We spent lots of time with my sister and boys.... doing a little to get ready for a baby niece in a couple of months....but lots of playing too!


We came home on New Year's but brought Lightening Mc Queen and Snuggle Bug with us. Lightening Mc Queen is almost 5. Snuggle Bug is 21 months but needs a new name. Compare pics! I don't regret giving my crib away! Toddlers are hard when you aren't use to them. He is so lucky he is adorable... because he is messy and a Houdini!! On day one he figured out how to crawl through the cat door in the laundry room and loved pouring out their water bowls! He is so quick! Saturday, we met his Mom and Dad halfway and skated home on ice. The rest of the weekend was spent with laundry and trying not to get sick. I went back to work today. It's nice to be back, but the whole class....students, teachers and nurse are rusty at class routine! I'm sure we'll be back to normal tomorrow!

Traditions

Traditions start one year at a time. For years - I have wanted to have a tradition of taking a / my little girl to a Nutcracker Ballet. The yearning started with my almost 15 year old niece. However, it just never happened, and then Luke was born. Luke just isn't the type of boy that could appreciate the culture of dance and ballet. Finally, I had my daughter. Now she is 5 and into all things girly and dance. Her gymnastics class is with a dance studio that put on a community performance. Leah has been excited for weeks. We invited aunt C and cousin J, and then we had a wonderful surprise visit from long time Des Moines friends, so C and T came as well. All day long, Leah was so sure it was time to leave and she sat spellbound until she quickly realized this performance differed from Barbie's movie version, and even the Mikhail Baryshnikov's version that she loves. Her disappointment did not last long! This was live and we knew some of the dancers and I had such JOY watching my girl's eyes sparkle with fascination at what the dancers could do, the costumes, the music and the THRILL! Hopefully, a new tradition has started!

The New Book of Etiquette

There must be a new book of Etiquette....quite an advancement from Emily Post's.


If your 4th grade friend finds your missing wii game. (left after a play date). Be sure to thank him appropriately. A simple 'Thank you' will not do. A thank you card isn't necessary. Ask your Grandma for a Tupperware container. Punch in some air holes and catch a huge bulging-eyed grasshopper to express you gratitude. Then everyone is happy...... (just keep it out of your mother's sight).

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Weekend fun

We had the best weekend with Kate and her girls in Swimming City. Of course the weekend flew by!! But fun was had by all. The only regret is not getting Kate's blog up and running. That is my goal....and you will all love it! Kate is funny and sweet and her girls are delightful, with just enough spunk to keep Kate on her toes!

Thats life around here

I have a great "new desk" that I bought at the re sell it shop back in Seminary City. Ed doctored it up with a new cornerround and fixed the drawers tight. Luke has been promised a wage to paint it. We did not paint it in Seminary City, because we didn't want a fresh paint coat to scratch.

The time was finally right to paint today, and he went to work with gusto....as he found a new friend who likes Bakugon and he wanted a mat to play the game. (think expensive new fashioned marble game.) Leah was allowed to be a spectator. I went in to throw in some Laundry and when I came back..... the paint brush was unattended. The distraction? a baby garter snake!!! Our next door neighbor is quite the wild animal lover and found it mowing. His 2 kids and my 2 kids are fascinated! Now, my first thought is KILL IT!! KILL IT!! Snakes fall just below mice on my horror list, only because they eat mice. However, neighbor informed me last week that garter snakes do not eat mice....only bugs. This makes them valuable?????? Isn't this what RAID is for? Anyway baby snake kept its life and was moved so the mower didn't chew it into bits. Lucky snake that he's growing up in neighbors yard and not mine!
Luke gets back to work and actually does a FANTASTIC job with 2 coats. (when both kids are back in school....a little sandpaper will clean up the drip areas) and he earns enough to buy the mat and actually appears to listen to our discussion about things bought with earned money bringing more satisfaction.

No pictures of desk (your loss) and of the baby snake (no one's loss) because my camera has bit the dust. It takes pictures with the off button on and scans all pictures before ready for an actual pose. Now it won't even take pictures! The last pictures taken before this mysterious ailment where of Lightening Mc Queen's positioned transformers. Lightening Mc Queen what did you do? I have tried to reprogram to no avail. Waiting for Best Buy to have a good sale, because one never knows when a post will be begging for a picture!

We are home!!

One week gone in a flash!! I now have the Internet!!! Perhaps the only wrinkle in our move was 'Elizabeth's mess up" in our phone and Internet order. I have no idea who Elizabeth is......but everyone at the local phone company wanted to blame her. Poor Elizabeth!! But they wrote off the service fees and Mr DSL. was here this morning and fixed everything.

Iowa is so refreshing and we feel right at home! Some of the best parts in no particular order.

10. child friendly....the kids have found close to 580 friends who all seem to live on our block. Everyone watches out for the kids and the kids respect our rules. I had to call Ann at small town life to check out modern day protocol for small town kids. Thanks Ann!!

9: Christain radio that plays my music! I can get KLOVE...but found a local station that plays contemporary and inspiring hymns with occasional interruptions of local news and weather. JUST WHAT I HAVE BEEN MISSING!

8: We are 2 blocks from church. Ed walks to work and also back for lunch everyday.
He gets a whole hour to catch with us a home.

7. Awesome church, Pastor and congregation. Everyone seems so friendly. I missed the installation ceremony due to a horrible flu. But it sounded beautiful!! We went to a potluck to feed some bike riders for Life. To our surprise...one of Ed's confirmation classmates who is now a Pastor was riding and yet another Pastor who is from our Lutheran church and day school. Ed had a great time catching up.

6. I found a used well priced washer and have been actually enjoying putting the wash out to blow in Iowa's fresh air!! I'm sure this may wear off in the dead of winter and with working...but right now is AMAZING.

5. We have been meeting family this week....an just by chance ran into one of Ed's cousins at the pool. I have lots more to meet!!

4. I haven't made it to my Mom's grave...but find my self remembering lots of my childhood and her love for us. Walking down a sleepy main street on our errends with my kids is awesome. My kids even found a way to fight over which hand they held. My poor 4' 11" mother had only 2 hands and 3 children. She still made us all feel loved!!

3. A couple of church members have made it a mission to help me look for job openings. I did apply for one and will go in person to check out some on Monday. Right now....I am content to be a SAHM!

2. I have lost 8 pounds with the Flu and moving. I drank Dr. Pepper at the end of the Flu and have actually lost my taste for it! I was astonished and so were the kids! Leah reminded me Dr. N said I should give it up anyway!! I am working at keeping to off!

1. THE WEATHER!!! I will miss St Louis winters....but the summers here are awesome!! We love being outside!!

Did everyone make it the the end of this gigantic post? Thanks!!! And there's lots more to love here!! We do miss our friends back in MO, but feel that God has led us to a perfect place for us!

Good byes

When someone is in your life for a REASON. . . It is usually to meet a need you have expressed. They have come to assist you through a difficulty, to provide you with guidance and support, to aid you physically, emotionally, or spiritually. They may seem like a godsend, and they are! They are there for the reason you need them to be. Then, without any wrong doing on your part, or at an inconvenient time, this person will say or do something to bring the relationship to an end. Sometimes they die. Sometimes they walk away. Sometimes they act up and force you to take a stand. What we must realize is that our need has been met, our desire fulfilled, their work is done. The prayer you sent up has been answered. And now it is time to move on.

Then people come into your life for a SEASON. Because your turn has come to share, grow, or learn. They bring you an experience of peace, or make you laugh. They may teach you something you have never done. They usually give you an unbelievable amount of joy. Believe it! It is real! But, only for a season.

LIFETIME relationships teach you lifetime lessons; things you must build upon in order to have a solid emotional foundation. Your job is to accept the lesson, love the person, and put what you have learned to use in all other relationships and areas of your life. It is said that love is blind
but friendship is clairvoyant. ------ author unknown.

Tonight was my last day at work. I knew this day was coming for 3 years. We have actually had a count down to call day and were so excited about returning home. Now we are conflicted. We have all laid down roots here....much deeper than we ever expected. I have been blessed to find a job that was PERFECT for me, PERFECT for my family and worked with some of best nurses and team members around. I will miss everyone..... and I have met and made friends (of each: for a reason, season and lifetime.) Thank you God for such BLESSINGS!

Vacation highlights

Wow -- what a week!

Luke and I had a blast!! Luke loved riding an airplane. We were unable to sit together....but he made new friends....and shot me looks making it quite clear that he didn't need a Mom reassuring him in front of his new 20-something buddies!

We loved reconnecting with Ann and family.....just picking up from our last visit. Luke and Owen have been friends -- as Luke says "since we have been born!" Ann and I met when she was pregnant and we were waiting for Luke. Both boys have been named for Star Wars (even if I didn't realise it at the time!) The light sabers and wii received a lot of attention. Ann lives in a very beautiful state!!!! It was a joy to drive. We checked out a really neat amusement park and all the extra perks it had to offer! The kids loved the park and played non stop.....having to be separated at bedtime if anyone was going to get any sleep. Ann and I found a million things to talk about and I was able to attend a prayer meeting at her new church!

On Thursday, Luke and I drove to the Ocean!!!!! His reaction was the same as Leah's pure LOVE!! He said a million times "I'll never forget this". We splashed in the ice cold waves and then walked the boardwalks....and won a Pokemon. In the morning, we found a new beach and played in the sand. All was perfect until the flight home when my ear drum ruptured as the plane doors closed. The stewardesses insisted I not complete the trip home and at our mid stop....I received the same news from my Dr. God again provided this city as home to my brother in law and his lovely wife. We were going to visit them on Sunday anyway....so Ed and Leah drove down today and we will leave a day early. My ear is muffled and crackles....but a cotton ball is all that I need for comfort. I will see my Dr on Monday or Tuesday.....but should recover fine (If I stay out of the air for a while!)

Tomorrow, we will tour this fine city and will have lots more to share I'm sure! I also need to tell you about my experiences with my loaned child "Jill the GPS system" and Ed's visit to our new home and church. But off to bed now to recover from "jet lag" and prepare for more fun!

Leaving on a jet plane!

In just a few hours....Luke and are on our way to Ann ....and Owen (and the rest of the family). I am looking forward to sight seeing and new experiences, but mostly to catching up with good friends. Ann and family are a lot of fun and Ann teaches me so much!! She is so faithful in God's word. I am looking forward to going to her church as well.

The bags are packed....but no camera????? I'm afraid it's still in the van with Ed and Leah, from our trip to see Kate and family (again wishing I could link :-)). I had to unpack my old faithful camera to take on this trip -- because there will be pictures that I need to scrap! Ed attended the ordination of a really good friend, who started this journey with us. He was so excited to share all of the details. It's easy to imagine next year for Ed!!

I am completely in vacation mode!! Not much house packing has been done in the last 2days!!! I had my last scheduled work day on Friday. My amazing co workers gave me a wonderful party.....with meatless Italian food and a "good"-bye exercise similar to an empathy one I gave the team last year. I will be working as a floor nurse for 2 days when I return from vacation....so it really hasn't hit me yet. I did have to say goodbye to my boss, this is all becoming so sad. I hate Goodbyes. I thank God for such an amazing place to work and this made such a difference in our Seminary experience.

One of my best gifts was A DR PEPPER CAKE!!!!! Yes...it does exist and was wonderful, chocolate and moist. Dr Pepper was in the frosting as well! I know you need the recipe......

Dr. Pepper Cake Recipe
1 cup butter or margarine (butter is better)
1 cup Dr. Pepper soft drink
2 cups unsifted all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon baking soda
pinch salt
4 tablespoons cocoa
2 beaten eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla
1/2 cup buttermilk
1 1/2 cups miniature marshmallows

Dr. Pepper Frosting-
1/2 cup Dr. Pepper soda pop
1/4 cup butter or margarine
3 tablespoons cocoa
3 cups powdered sugar
1/2 cup chopped pecans
1 teaspoon vanilla

Melt butter. Add the Dr. Pepper soft drink and stir well. Mix all of the dry ingredients together in a large mixing bowl. Add the eggs, buttermilk, vanilla, and marshmallows. Pour the Dr. Pepper mixture over the rest of the ingredients in the mixing bowl. Mix them together well. Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit in a greased 9x12inch pan for 30-35 minutes.

Dr. Pepper Frosting Instructions- Heat Dr. Pepper soda pop, cocoa, and butter or margarine, but don't bring to a hard boil. Stir in rest of ingredients and mix together well. Spread Dr. Pepper frosting on while cake is still hot.

It is delicious....although doesn't taste just like Dr. Pepper...it is unlike anything I have ever had. I WILL be making this. I thought about making one for Ann...but didn't want to carry it on board.....and Ann has already planned our Dr. Pepper!!

A great weekend ends!

I had very little computer time this weekend. Friday, we headed towards friends from the seminary. We had a awesome time with Kate and family. They are wonderful friends. Today; we cleaned the garage and fixed up my new scrapbooking table with new paint and hardware. New things learned...

1- At least one mouse was found in our tent.....I wanted no part of this discovery (one is all they mentioned; Luke told Ed not to tell me even about the first!).....it gives me the creeps to even think about it. The tent is ruined.....like I'd ever set foot in it again anyway. YUCK!!! All of our belongings in the garage were carefully removed from boxes and placed in new boxes....so no spiders or dreaded M will be transported to our new home. Our new garage is attached to our new home......so I will be able to park in there.....M free!!!

2- Miss Kate is the best Mommy according to Leah! I have heard this several times today.....because she lets a girl get a dog!

Friends

First I just need to say 53 POSTS!! Wow....I don't know how interesting they were but I am glad I have many blessings to blog about. I am also glad I have some faithful readers all over the country...even if they don't comment!! I am inspired to post yet another.

These are California pics of MG and HSM washing their new kitties. Build a Bear is alot of fun... although quite an infrequent investment. The girls miss each other. One thing that still helps Shark Boy is a very special Super Bear that he recieved at our going away party in 2005. He frequently presses the paw that says "LUKEY You are my very best friend... Love, Owen"

Thanks Ann and Owen....It has helped tremendously over the past years and especially the last few weeks.

So with this special bear in mind, the girls got identical kitties. The kitties tummies say similar messages --- in 4 year old languange...but HSM is pretty close to Owen's words.

This is the shirt they labeled as "Mermaid Girl", "HSM's biggest fan" and "Spunky Girl". Being 4 is wonderful!! Now we just need to get Spunky Girl's way for some fun! I need to get Ann's way too! Friends are wonderful, if you are 37 or 4!

PS I caved and drank a DP ...my throat is scratchy, body is achy and I was trying to ward off the flu with DP's medicinal effects. I felt a lot better for a couple of hours too, now I am drinking my hot tea. :-)

PUMPKIN PICKING

We had the best time picking pumpkins with our good friends......Spunky girl, Cheerleading Cutie, and their Mom, Kate.

The kids are the same age and are good friends. I think the best thing was catching up with Kate. We have so much in common....and she is learning the ropes of our new roles a little earlier than I am. Kate is so easy to talk too and is a great friend. We could have talked all day - but SB and CC said we were talking too much, after just a few minutes! Both families drove half way to this pumpkin farm with a hay ride, goats, face painting, straw maze, live music, bunnies and of course pumpkins. We had a great time, then drove to a local Mc Donalds with a outdoor play ground. What more could we want! The day was beautiful. We loved seeing our friends and hearing how God continues to bless their life. We had so much Fun! We miss you all! Hopefully next time the Dads and Volleyball Star can come as well.

The trip home as uneventful until we saw a school bus full of teenagers. The back 3 rows of teens all had alcohol in various brands and containers. They made no effort to hide what they were drinking. The only adult I saw was the bus driver. Back home all of the buses have the school distict on the side, not here. I would have called and reported the bus. I am still fuming over how wrong this is on so many levels. Kate and I had just been discussing the benefits of Christain school verus Public High School. From what I can see.....it's most important that I give my kids a really tight hug and kiss when they come home from any school trip. I know the schools either can't or won't set limits. I know Christain schools will set more limits....but I also know that many kids see limits as a challenge and play the "good kid" game all too well. I am glad Shark Boy saw this. We talked about all the reasons this was bad, as well as Mom and Dad will be watching to help him make good decisions in the future.

On our way home we stopped by B's cousin and his family to carve the pumpkins. B joined us and we had a wonderful time and the kids were TIRED....as was Mom. SB carved a Pokemon and MG picked out a complicated Ariel pattern....but Daddy did a great job!! Pictures will come later!