A Day Off

Day # 12 - I've been looking forward to today for quite some time now. During orientation in allergy, I've been working primarily Monday-Friday 8-noon, but today we have Amaya's conferences for preschool and I asked for the day off. I was looking forward to sleeping in a little, but my internal alarm clock and Amaya's internal alarm clock went off at 6:45am... so much for sleeping in. Oh, well... My favorite part of the morning so far was snuggling with Amaya in bed. She likes to hear stories about when she was a little baby and likes to read books in bed. So, we snuggled, talked, and read stories until about 8am before having breakfast. I'm so thankful for these special times with Amaya because I know they won't last forever. It's raining quite a bit today, so I'm not sure if we'll venture out of the house this morning, but at least I get to spend some one-on-one time with my little girl and for that - I'm thankful.

Remembering, Honoring, and Thanking Our Veterans

Day # 11 - Happy Veteran's Day! We personally want to thank all veterans for their service to our country. It is because of you that we can enjoy our freedom and security. Thank you for the sacrifices you made in order to protect and serve our country. Thank you Dad and Lowell!

Pumpkin Bars

Day #10 - Amaya isn't the only one that my mom tends to spoil.... she's spoils Steve and me as well! We typically go over to my parents house every Sunday to spend time with them and my brother's family, but because we had a very special birthday to celebrate, we didn't go over. My mom had made some pumpkin bars on Sunday and both Steve and I were hoping that there would be a few left over. On Monday, when I picked up Amaya, my mom had a container full of pumpkin bars for us! YUMMY!! It's the simple things I'm thankful for... my mom's pumpkin bars... Thanks Mom!

Amaya's Grandparents

Day #9 - Today I'm thankful for my parents for graciously caring for Amaya for the past 2 1/2 years while Steve and I work. I hope I never take their generosity for granted. It's a huge relief off of our shoulders knowing that she is in loving care of her grandparents. They spoil her rotten, but isn't that their job? For the past couple of days, Amaya has been wanting to go to House of Bounce and my parents willingly took her today. She jumped and bounced for over 2 hours! (And took an awesome nap this afternoon - almost 3 hours!) When I asked her about her morning, she said, "It was the most fun ever!" Thank you Mom and Dad for taking such wonderful care of Amaya - you truly are the best!

I'm also thankful for my mother-in-law and my father-in-law. Every Tuesday night, they've been coming over to our house to watch Biggest Loser with us. My mother-in-law has been working tirelessly getting ready to accompany the production of "The Sound of Music" at a local private school and didn't even get home and have supper until 7pm (the start of Biggest Loser). When Steve told Amaya that Grandma and Grandpa weren't coming over she laid down on the floor and cried and cried. Steve was going to bring Amaya over to their house so she could see them, but Grandma and Grandpa decided to come over to our house instead. She was absolutely ecstatic to see them and couldn't stop hugging and kissing Grandma! Both of them give 100% of their time, love, and devotion to this little girl and it's obvious she soaks up the attention! Thank you so much for bringing so much joy to Amaya! It meant the world to her to see you!

Amaya is blessed to have such a close relationship with her grandparents and for that - I'm thankful.

Job in Allergy

Day #8 - Some say that "variety is the spice of life." And I'd be one of the first to agree. Today I am most thankful for my job in allergy. This morning, I did two skin tests to environmental agents, one skin test to 60 different foods, a breathing test to diagnosis asthma, an injection of a VERY expensive medication to control asthma, and an olfactory (smell) test. Every day is so different and we never quite know what's going to walk through our door. Tomorrow I'll be administering flu vaccines to patient's who are either egg allergic or have had a previous reaction to a flu vaccine, more breathing tests, and testing a patient to five different bee venoms. It's absolutely fascinating and there is so much to learn, but that's what makes it so exciting and rewarding. There is so much variety that I can't imagine ever getting bored! I love meeting new people and most of our patients have incredible life stories. I have an amazing group of skilled nurses to work beside and for that I am thankful. I can still work part-time and carrying benefits and for that I am thankful. My supervisor is flexible and understanding when I ask for a day off to attend Amaya's conferences - in fact, she encourages it! This job is an absolute answer to prayer and a huge blessing in my life and for that - I am thankful!

Extra shift, laundry, and Lowell

Day #6 - Already I missed a day! I knew it was bound to happen because of an already crazy schedule... Anyway, yesterday I was very thankful for another shift in the Flu Clinic. I'm thankful that God continues to provide opportunities for me to pick up extra shifts and add to our income. I was dreading another day giving shots only because my last experience was absolute chaos, confusion and frustration. Much to my relief, I felt much more comfortable with the charting, billing, and handling restless, crying, screaming, kids dreading a shot. I received quite a few compliments from parents about being quick and painless with the administration of the vaccine, so I was feeling pretty good by the end of the day. We ended up giving over 1800 shots in less than 8 hours! I have one more shift in December and for that I'm thankful.

I was also very thankful to come home and find that my dear, sweet husband washed, dried, and folded our week's worth of laundry! He volunteered to take over laundry duties a couple of weeks ago, so I've enjoyed not having to deal with the mountain of laundry every week. Thank you over and over again!

Day #7 - Today we are celebrating my father-in-law's birthday and I am so thankful for him! He is a wonderful Dad to Steve, a wonderful father-in-law to me, and an even more wonderful Grandpa to Amaya. Steve found an amazing card that accurately reflects the characteristics that we value so much in him... And so... since I'm not as eloquent as Hallmark... I'll close with what the card says:

"When I think about a man who has a deep and quiet soul - who works for what his family needs, take pleasure in his role... When I think about a man who's had big challenges to face, I think about my dad, about his dignity and grace. When I think about a man who in his daily life reveals so much strength and tenderness and depth in what he feels... When I think about a man who always gives the best he can, I think about my dad, my lifelong hero. A good man. You've given so much of yourself so often, without expecting anything in return. You're the best father anyone could ever have, and you're loved more than words can say."

And so, I'm thankful for Lowell who warmly welcomed me into his family and who considers me his daughter. Thank you for the man that you are!

Shopping with my Mom

Day #5 - Today I'm thankful to have some one-on-one time with my mom. After my dad picked me up from work, we picked up my mom and Amaya and met Steve at Panera for lunch. After lunch, Mom and I went to "The Country Life" store in Plainview for their annual Christmas Open House. Mom and I have gone every year for quite some time now and usually find a few things. I picked up a couple ornaments and some berries and popcorn garland, but there wasn't really anything that I had to have. I love getting decorating ideas from my mom because she has such great taste. I only wish I had the bank account to go along with her style. I also enjoyed spending time talking with my mom without being interrupted by that sweet daughter of mine. Every day I'm thankful for my mom, but today I'm especially thankful for our special time together.

Bible Study

Day #4 - Amaya and I just got home from Bible Study, so today I'm thankful for the group of women that I meet with weekly at our church. It's a diverse group of women ranging from college age to mid-sixties and I enjoy listening to the different perspectives. Even from all different walks of life, we carry a common thread - our relationship with Christ. My heart aches for the struggles some of these women have gone through and my heart aches for the struggles yet to come. But the Lord willingly carries our burdens and gives us rest and for this reason alone, we find comfort and peace. I'm thankful for our leader who was obedient to God's calling to teach and who faithfully prepares for each lesson and prays for us. And I'm so thankful for each woman for their vulnerability, honesty, understanding, and encouragement. It's refreshing to be able to meet with a group of women whose hearts aren't guarded and are open to God's purpose and plan. Already this group of women has been such a blessing in my life and for that I'm thankful.

Amaya

Day #3 - Amaya Hope... After the birth of 9 nieces and nephews on both sides of the family... we wondered when it would be our time... When would we be able to bring our little bundle of joy home? In God's perfect timing, we welcomed this little piece of heaven into our family on January 20th, 2008.

Her smile alone lights up a room and fills our hearts with such joy. Even on days when she doesn't get her way, refuses to put on her socks and coat, doesn't get enough candy corn, doesn't eat her supper, refuses to lay still to get her jammies on, or whines for no reason, she stills fills our hearts with so much laughter. I love her sweet voice - she sings all the time! I love listening to her talk to her stuffed animals. I love that she's full of energy and jumps all the time! I love that she's almost always willing to give me a hug or a kiss - even if it is on the run. I love it when she asks me to "rest for a little bit" while she's trying to go to sleep.

Amaya motivates me to be a better person... to be a better mom... a better wife... a better daughter... a better sister... a better friend. She is a precious gift from God and I'm so thankful God blessed us with her.

Steve

Day #2 - I am thankful for my husband of almost 6 years! Steve is my long-awaited answer to prayers. For as long as I can remember... from those boy-crazy years between kindergarten (yes, kindergarten) all the way through college and beyond... I wanted to be married. Both my sister and brother got married shortly after college and I expected the same for me. But it didn't happen. I had my hopes set pretty high in college only to find my heart shattered in smithereens. I couldn't stand for my heart to be broken or trampled on again, so I prayed that God would spare me the pain and keep all guys away from me UNLESS I was going to marry him. And so the search for Mr. Right continued. As a new nurse, I thought maybe I'd marry a doctor. Maybe I'd meet someone at church. Maybe one of my old flames from college would come to their senses and realize that they were wrong. Or maybe... on a quiet night shift at work, my friend would sign me up on an internet dating website (Match.com) and for only $19.95 I would finally meet the man of my dreams. After countless prayers and petitions, I met Steve 3 months later (and $59.85 plus tax poorer), and the rest is happily ever after!

Steve is my answered prayer. Steve is my rock, my comfort, my laughter, my joy. God knew that I needed him just as much as he needed me. Looking back, God knew that I just needed to have a little patience and He would be faithful in picking out the best person for me. I'm so glad I waited for him!

What I admire most about Steve is his heart. God knew that there was so much more in store for Steve than the four walls of his cubicle at Pemstar. God knew that there were people in this world who needed to be touched by Steve. I see evidence in that every day when Steve comes home from his internship. Steve genuinely cares for and helps those that others would turn their back against and ridicule. Amaya and I just read the Bible story about the sick man left on the road and how several others had seen him and instead of helping him said, "He's not my neighbor. I won't help him." Steve is like that last man... he saw the sick man... picked him up... took care of his wounds... carried him toward help. And this is why I married Steve... because of his heart. And this is why I am so thankful to be able to be called his wife.