A few weeks ago in Sunday School our teacher was presenting a lesson on Abraham. Abraham was promised great blessings, but didn't see the fruits of his obedience right away. Our instructor asked the class to reflect on times when they were directed but didn't see the results of their obedience to that prompting until much later on.
An experience immediately came to mind, but I try not to share in class very often because I always end up crying every time I open my mouth!! I reflected on the experience and felt prompted to write it down. It was not a huge experience, but it has always been evidence to me that the Lord is aware of me and will bless us with that which we need.
Ryan and I had been living back East and I only had a few more months until I graduated. We had always planned to return to Utah ASAP, but we grew to love the people and the area in NJ. I was offered a great job at a renowned hospital in Pennsylvania and was very excited about the possibilities of starting my career there temporarily. We thought about it a great deal, we realized that it really made sense to stay where we were for at least another year or two before moving home. We felt really good about our decision and then we prayed about it! We both received the impression that we needed to move home. It was confusing to us because financially and professionally it seemed like the best thing to do.
We did end up moving home and moved in temporarily with my parents. Prior to graduation we learned that we were expecting. I graduated, passed my boards, and began looking for work. I kept looking and looking and nothing was working out. I was finally offered a job 5 months later 1 week before Parker was born, but it was a very part time schedule. When Parker was born he had a cleft lip and palate and required literally around the clock attention. I pumped for 30 -45 minutes every 3 hours and he had to be fed every 2 hours. A feeding lasted anywhere from 45min - 1 hour because of the time required to pump the milk into him with the special feeding system. My parents and brother were absolutely angels during this time. Parker received all the attention that he needed including several surgeries and biweekly doctor appts in the first 6+ months.
I remember reflecting on our situation when this was all occurring and being overwhelmed with God's mercy in providing us with all that we needed during this time. Had we stayed back East we would have been better off financially, but I would not have had the support I needed to take care of Parker. I would have had to return to work and juggle doctor appts and caring for him during and after surgeries. I also would not have been able to stop working because our medical insurance would have been through my work. We recognize that even in the small and seemingly unimportant circumstances of our lives the Lord desires to bless us and blesses us with what we need to be sustained during our difficulties. For that, I am so very grateful!
Showing posts with label stuff about me. Show all posts
Showing posts with label stuff about me. Show all posts
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Friday, August 1, 2008
Belated Post
Someone sent me this post in April (and as you will learn in question #15 ) I am just getting around to answering and posting it!! Oh well, better late than never might be my new mantra!
1. Where is your cell phone?
in my purse
2. Your significant other?
at the movies
3. Your hair?
Needs a new cut and style soooon!
4. Your mother?
wonderful, generous, creative, inspiring
5. Your father?
brilliant, fun, kind, respected
6. Your favorite thing?
cute things, pretty things, yummy things
7. Your dream last night?
can't retrieve, too many other things have occured since then!
8. Your favorite drink?
my bedroom/laundry room/computer room - eek!
11. Your ex?
Not sure? But you could ask my brothers who apparantley go out to lunch with him regularly (and don't mention it to their beloved sis:))!
12. Your fear?
losing loved ones
Back to School Night, home with the family (hooray)!
15. What you're not?
On top of things! I am not unhappy with things in my life, life is good!
16. Muffins?
1. Where is your cell phone?
in my purse
2. Your significant other?
at the movies
3. Your hair?
Needs a new cut and style soooon!
4. Your mother?
wonderful, generous, creative, inspiring
5. Your father?
brilliant, fun, kind, respected
6. Your favorite thing?
cute things, pretty things, yummy things
7. Your dream last night?
can't retrieve, too many other things have occured since then!
8. Your favorite drink?
orange juice or water
current goal is Disneyland
my dream is to travel
my bedroom/laundry room/computer room - eek!
11. Your ex?
Not sure? But you could ask my brothers who apparantley go out to lunch with him regularly (and don't mention it to their beloved sis:))!
12. Your fear?
losing loved ones
13. Where do you want to be in 6 years?
I want to be with my kids and Ryan on a fabulous vacation (okay realistically a vacation sprinkled with fabulous moments)!
Back to School Night, home with the family (hooray)!
15. What you're not?
On top of things! I am not unhappy with things in my life, life is good!
16. Muffins?
muffin tops, please!
17. One of your wish list items?
oh to narrow it down is sooo hard,
little item - a new pancake griddle
big item - a new Entertainment Center
Sandy, Utah - back in the day
21. Your TV?
apparantely only plays the NFL network
22. Your pets?
Ryan, Parker, Gracie, Hallee, Addi - they should count shouldn't they I feed them, walk them, clean up after them, and still love them!
23. Your computer?
is driving me crazy, I'm afraid we might have another virus
24. Your life?
busy, uncertain, blessed, exhausting
25. Your mood?
suprisingly relaxed and mellow tonight
26. Missing someone?
my girlfriends - life has been too busy and I haven't had enough girl time!
27. Your car?
running!!!! YEAH!!!!
28. Something you're not wearing?
jewlery, shoes
29. Favorite Store?
whimsy, hobby lobby, I pretty much like ANY store!
30. Your summer?
too short, kids started back to school last week! We did have a very relaxing and enjoyable summer break, the best sign was I was not ready to have them go back to school!!
31. Like someone?
I like lots of people! Lots and Lots!
32. Your favorite color?
Red!!! I love orange lately too!
33. When is the last time you laughed?
I laughed several time today, but had a stomach wrenching laugh late, late Monday night with Karen,Katena, and Dennilynne at Chilis! Truly we can't get together and not cry and laugh and laugh and laugh!!!
34. Last time you cried?
Monday night at MaryAnn's grave & when I had to send my little Gracie off to full day first grade, I couldn't help it, I just love that girl!
Friday, November 30, 2007
So we're off like a herd of turtles too........
Okay, it's not Paris, but we are just as excited!! Ryan and I are going out tonight (just us) and then staying at the Parrish Bed and Breakfast downtown! My amazing girlfriends arranged it all, the timing couldn't have been better it has been a grueling work week (hence no posts)!! They will be partying with the kids (they can't just watch them, they have a whole evening of events planned and good food I am sure because we don't do ANYTHING wihtout good food)! So I like my mother have my parting words (although they have nothing to do with what to do with the money since we have none), instead just mommy info for my 4 little angels (ha - did I just say that)!
Okay - I realize that you are all totally competent, adept mothers, but just in case you want a little info on the kids here goes:
Typical nighttime routine: bed 8:30 (I so don’t care when they go.......)
* If Addi stays up later than this she will catch her second wind and well then you will have a long and entertaining night! She goes down with a bottle (I know she’s almost 2, but she’s my baby!!!). If she sees the bottle she will either go after it (if this occurs she will go right down for you) OR she will start to whimper and shake her little finger at you (the sista shake). If this occurs, I just reason with her by saying “we will play_____ when you wake up or I will read you a book when you wake up”! Essential bed time items include (But are not necessarily limited to: Oversized stuffed Panda Bear, pink blankie, baba (bottle)! Be warned whatever items are in the crib when she wakes up MUST accompany her out of the crib or she will not get out (including the pillow - yikes!)
* Please make sure Hallee Babe doesn’t drink too much right before bed and visits the lady’sroom prior to bed. Her essential bedtime items include 4 carrots (it used to be 3 but she turned 4 last week and she didn’t miss a beat, I have 4 carrots now”)! Oh - she is allowed to have a sippy with water (she won’t drink much because it’s water)!
* Parker and Gracie are pretty easy (fingers crossed - did I just jinx you!)
* I would prefer the kids did not play downstairs on the computer (lots of fun things I would rather them not discover until next month!)
Okay - now for the house. I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry! Just love me in spite of my mess please. I had really good intentions at the first of the week, good intentions by midweek, and I’ll admit I have lost all hope of having the place picked up today! You are all too wonderful to do this, I have very literally been “living” for Friday - what a week!!! We appreciate each of you and your families for sacrificing their time with you too! We are so blessed - love you!
Okay - I realize that you are all totally competent, adept mothers, but just in case you want a little info on the kids here goes:
Typical nighttime routine: bed 8:30 (I so don’t care when they go.......)
* If Addi stays up later than this she will catch her second wind and well then you will have a long and entertaining night! She goes down with a bottle (I know she’s almost 2, but she’s my baby!!!). If she sees the bottle she will either go after it (if this occurs she will go right down for you) OR she will start to whimper and shake her little finger at you (the sista shake). If this occurs, I just reason with her by saying “we will play_____ when you wake up or I will read you a book when you wake up”! Essential bed time items include (But are not necessarily limited to: Oversized stuffed Panda Bear, pink blankie, baba (bottle)! Be warned whatever items are in the crib when she wakes up MUST accompany her out of the crib or she will not get out (including the pillow - yikes!)
* Please make sure Hallee Babe doesn’t drink too much right before bed and visits the lady’sroom prior to bed. Her essential bedtime items include 4 carrots (it used to be 3 but she turned 4 last week and she didn’t miss a beat, I have 4 carrots now”)! Oh - she is allowed to have a sippy with water (she won’t drink much because it’s water)!
* Parker and Gracie are pretty easy (fingers crossed - did I just jinx you!)
* I would prefer the kids did not play downstairs on the computer (lots of fun things I would rather them not discover until next month!)
Okay - now for the house. I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry! Just love me in spite of my mess please. I had really good intentions at the first of the week, good intentions by midweek, and I’ll admit I have lost all hope of having the place picked up today! You are all too wonderful to do this, I have very literally been “living” for Friday - what a week!!! We appreciate each of you and your families for sacrificing their time with you too! We are so blessed - love you!
Saturday, October 20, 2007
Sleeping Solo.......
I knew Ry was up to something. The last few weeks he kept asking me if I could clear my schedule for 1 or 2 days. I laughed...oh I wish! Unfortunately, my life is just that...very scheduled...too scheduled! Work takes up 3-5 days and then everything else is sandwiched in between the last few available days.
Despite my unintentional effort to thwart his plan Ryan was able to swoosh me off Thursday night. I knew we were staying locally (moola and time were not to our advantage). I figured we would steal away to Snowbird or Park City OR that he had arranged for me to meet my friend Jory from Boise. He asked me if I was curious about where I was going, to which I proudly admited I was sure I had it figured out! He laughed and said I'm pretty sure you don't! He was right! I wasn't meeting Jory and he wasn't going with me either - I was going ALONE!!! I admit, I wasn't very excited! Ryan insisted I needed some Brandi time. In my mind good Brandi time is productive, helpful, efficient, crossing things off my never ending list.
Ryan had other ideas. He said I needed down time, alone time, just me and my Real Simple magazine (which I LOVE!!!). He dropped me off downtown at the Raddison with a change of clothes, a jacket, and a kiss! He wouldn't even leave me a car afraid I might try and run errands (oh, he knows me so well)!
things that suprised me:
1. I LOVED it!!!
2. I was able to relax (I know that Kristy and Steph don't believe me, but I did!)
3. I slept & slept & slept (11 hours)! (I rarely get more than 5-6 hours of sleep a night, I can count on one hand the nights I have gone to bed before midnight in the past few years, it is my only time to get stuff done).
4. I didn't call home to check on anyone!
5. I did nothing essential other than shower. (I snuck work papers in, I figured it would be a great time to catch up on paperwork without cutting into time with my kids, but I didn't touch them - sorry kids!)
6. I was ready in record time! I didn't realize how quickly the whole process goes when you are only doing one head of hair and dressing one non-picky adult!
7. My husband knows me better than I know myself! Thank you Ryan, I love you!
Despite my unintentional effort to thwart his plan Ryan was able to swoosh me off Thursday night. I knew we were staying locally (moola and time were not to our advantage). I figured we would steal away to Snowbird or Park City OR that he had arranged for me to meet my friend Jory from Boise. He asked me if I was curious about where I was going, to which I proudly admited I was sure I had it figured out! He laughed and said I'm pretty sure you don't! He was right! I wasn't meeting Jory and he wasn't going with me either - I was going ALONE!!! I admit, I wasn't very excited! Ryan insisted I needed some Brandi time. In my mind good Brandi time is productive, helpful, efficient, crossing things off my never ending list.
Ryan had other ideas. He said I needed down time, alone time, just me and my Real Simple magazine (which I LOVE!!!). He dropped me off downtown at the Raddison with a change of clothes, a jacket, and a kiss! He wouldn't even leave me a car afraid I might try and run errands (oh, he knows me so well)!
things that suprised me:
1. I LOVED it!!!
2. I was able to relax (I know that Kristy and Steph don't believe me, but I did!)
3. I slept & slept & slept (11 hours)! (I rarely get more than 5-6 hours of sleep a night, I can count on one hand the nights I have gone to bed before midnight in the past few years, it is my only time to get stuff done).
4. I didn't call home to check on anyone!
5. I did nothing essential other than shower. (I snuck work papers in, I figured it would be a great time to catch up on paperwork without cutting into time with my kids, but I didn't touch them - sorry kids!)
6. I was ready in record time! I didn't realize how quickly the whole process goes when you are only doing one head of hair and dressing one non-picky adult!
7. My husband knows me better than I know myself! Thank you Ryan, I love you!
Friday, October 19, 2007
Two....
two names you go by:
1. Brandi
2. mama
two things you are wearing right now:
1. a new grey old navy t-shirt with ruffly shoulders that I got today for a steal!!
2. socks, always....my feet get so cold!
two of your favorite things you do:
1. be with Ryan
2. talk to my girlfriends
two things you want very badly at the moment:
1. pay off neverending hospital bills
2. a clean house,a finished basement,to park in the garage, oh,is that more than 2?
two pets you have/had:
1. a stray bulldog that my mom fed scrambled eggs for 2 days
2. a fish in college given to me by a guy I was dating
two things you did last night:
1. ate at Paradise Bakery, I ordered the chicken and artichoke panini and the roasted tomato soup - AGAIN! The first time I ate there this is what I ordered and as I was raving about it, my sister in law told me that she had tried everything on the menu and that those 2 items were the BEST! I must say, I do have a talent for selecting good food!!!!
2. read Real Simple Magazine cover to cover (well not really cover to cover because I always start in the middle of the magazine and read back toward the front. Then when I reach the front, I go back to the middle and I still get to read the last half of the magazine, I have issues!!)
two things you ate yesterday:
1. a tuna fish sandwich (breakfast/lunch)
2. and the paradisaical food mentioned above
two people you talked to last night:
1. Ryan
2. God
two things you are doing tomorrow:
1. soccer games - if the snow storm actually comes we may be snowed out, one can always hope right??? I really do love going as long as the weather cooperates!
2. work - I have to see 3 patients tomorrow it's been a crazy week, but we are being blessed with many patients and we are very grateful!
two longest car rides:
1. SLC - New Jersey in a Penske cab with Ryan and my brother Travis!!! Now 3 adults stuck in the cab of a moving van for days would be bad enough, but alas we had to stop at EVERY sports arena, amphitheater, stadium, etc, etc, along the way (or remotely along the way)!!!
2. SLC - Washington - 1 me, 4 brothers - need I say more???
two favorite holidays:
1. Christmas - I LOVE decorating for it, I LOVE buying gifts for people, I LOVE the lights, and I LOVE my Savior!!!
2. Halloween - I love this time of year! Halloween is the start of a magical time of year for me! I love getting dressed up and seeing all the kids in their costumes. I love hosting Halloween parties and until this year I got a kick out of "Boo-ing" the whole neighborhood! Let me explain.
"Boo-ing" is a form of pixing or doorbell ditching accompanied with treats and a little note to pay it forward! About 7 years ago, my dear friend Jane and I decided to get this tradition started in our little neighborhood. The first home required multiple doorbell rings and then I had to dive into the neighbors bushes to hid from them - I was 7 months pregnant with Gracie (who ended up coming 3 weeks later). It wouldn't have been so bad, but the neighbors came home to find me hiding in their bushes and I didn't know them! The people at the second home did not see the treats and started looking around and became very upset assuming they were being doorbell ditched. Needless to say, I think Jane and I both laughed so hard we wet our pants (at least I did, being 7 months pregnant and all)! By this point neither one of us thought we could run and hide again so we conned 2 young men in our neighborhood into delivering the last batch of cookies to my secretary in the RS presidency. She too must not have seen the treats and came out cussing at the boys and threatening to call the police!! We couldn't believe how hard it was too spread a little holiday cheer to our neighbors!!
Needless to say I didn't give up. Our family continued to "BOO" each year, however I was always so worried that anyone might feel left out that we continued to increase how many we delivered! Last year, with the help of my mom (who is as bad as I am) we "Boo-ed" over 20 families! This year I was ready to start early and made up several dozen treats to send home with the Mitchells so they could Boo and then several more for us to do! But then I realized this was the year I needed to give a few things up, not bad things, but unnecessary things! So despite the fact that it brings me great joy and that I think it is a wonderful way for my children to create and participate in family traditions, I gave in and we are having a "Boo-less" Halloween!
two favorite beverages:
1. ice water
2. I used to love raspberry lemonade but Amy B. has forbidden me to drink it , convinced that it is responsible for my upset stomach when I go out to eat. So I have to settle for OJ or hot chocolate, both of which I rarely drink because like my dear girlfriend, Rian J., I have a hard time "wasting" calories on a beverage!!
1. Brandi
2. mama
two things you are wearing right now:
1. a new grey old navy t-shirt with ruffly shoulders that I got today for a steal!!
2. socks, always....my feet get so cold!
two of your favorite things you do:
1. be with Ryan
2. talk to my girlfriends
two things you want very badly at the moment:
1. pay off neverending hospital bills
2. a clean house,a finished basement,to park in the garage, oh,is that more than 2?
two pets you have/had:
1. a stray bulldog that my mom fed scrambled eggs for 2 days
2. a fish in college given to me by a guy I was dating
two things you did last night:
1. ate at Paradise Bakery, I ordered the chicken and artichoke panini and the roasted tomato soup - AGAIN! The first time I ate there this is what I ordered and as I was raving about it, my sister in law told me that she had tried everything on the menu and that those 2 items were the BEST! I must say, I do have a talent for selecting good food!!!!
2. read Real Simple Magazine cover to cover (well not really cover to cover because I always start in the middle of the magazine and read back toward the front. Then when I reach the front, I go back to the middle and I still get to read the last half of the magazine, I have issues!!)
two things you ate yesterday:
1. a tuna fish sandwich (breakfast/lunch)
2. and the paradisaical food mentioned above
two people you talked to last night:
1. Ryan
2. God
two things you are doing tomorrow:
1. soccer games - if the snow storm actually comes we may be snowed out, one can always hope right??? I really do love going as long as the weather cooperates!
2. work - I have to see 3 patients tomorrow it's been a crazy week, but we are being blessed with many patients and we are very grateful!
two longest car rides:
1. SLC - New Jersey in a Penske cab with Ryan and my brother Travis!!! Now 3 adults stuck in the cab of a moving van for days would be bad enough, but alas we had to stop at EVERY sports arena, amphitheater, stadium, etc, etc, along the way (or remotely along the way)!!!
2. SLC - Washington - 1 me, 4 brothers - need I say more???
two favorite holidays:
1. Christmas - I LOVE decorating for it, I LOVE buying gifts for people, I LOVE the lights, and I LOVE my Savior!!!
2. Halloween - I love this time of year! Halloween is the start of a magical time of year for me! I love getting dressed up and seeing all the kids in their costumes. I love hosting Halloween parties and until this year I got a kick out of "Boo-ing" the whole neighborhood! Let me explain.
"Boo-ing" is a form of pixing or doorbell ditching accompanied with treats and a little note to pay it forward! About 7 years ago, my dear friend Jane and I decided to get this tradition started in our little neighborhood. The first home required multiple doorbell rings and then I had to dive into the neighbors bushes to hid from them - I was 7 months pregnant with Gracie (who ended up coming 3 weeks later). It wouldn't have been so bad, but the neighbors came home to find me hiding in their bushes and I didn't know them! The people at the second home did not see the treats and started looking around and became very upset assuming they were being doorbell ditched. Needless to say, I think Jane and I both laughed so hard we wet our pants (at least I did, being 7 months pregnant and all)! By this point neither one of us thought we could run and hide again so we conned 2 young men in our neighborhood into delivering the last batch of cookies to my secretary in the RS presidency. She too must not have seen the treats and came out cussing at the boys and threatening to call the police!! We couldn't believe how hard it was too spread a little holiday cheer to our neighbors!!
Needless to say I didn't give up. Our family continued to "BOO" each year, however I was always so worried that anyone might feel left out that we continued to increase how many we delivered! Last year, with the help of my mom (who is as bad as I am) we "Boo-ed" over 20 families! This year I was ready to start early and made up several dozen treats to send home with the Mitchells so they could Boo and then several more for us to do! But then I realized this was the year I needed to give a few things up, not bad things, but unnecessary things! So despite the fact that it brings me great joy and that I think it is a wonderful way for my children to create and participate in family traditions, I gave in and we are having a "Boo-less" Halloween!
two favorite beverages:
1. ice water
2. I used to love raspberry lemonade but Amy B. has forbidden me to drink it , convinced that it is responsible for my upset stomach when I go out to eat. So I have to settle for OJ or hot chocolate, both of which I rarely drink because like my dear girlfriend, Rian J., I have a hard time "wasting" calories on a beverage!!
Monday, October 8, 2007
Tag - Your it!!
I was tagged today! I'm new to this, but here goes nothing!!
1. The best thing you cooked last week?
Dennilynne Pulsipher's artichoke dip. I made it for my niece's bridal shower and my sister-in-law said it was as good as McGrath's!!
2. If money, time and babysitting were no object, where would you go and with who?
i would go ANYWHERE with my husband, heck I would even go alone. I desperately need a vacation, the last time we went away together Ryan decided to come down with a brain tumor and well that was the end of that!!
i would love to take the kids to Disneyland
i would love to go to Ikea and buy more stuff so that I could fit all of the stuff I already own into our cute little house!
i would love to go visit my grandparents, my girlfriend Jory, and I would love to go back to New Jersey and see my old, dear friends
3. When was the last time you cried?
good cry or bad cry? Both yesterday!!
good cry (aka: happy tears): I cried several times as I listened to conference. I was so touched by so many messages, so many simple examples of love and faith and tenderness.
bad cry: I cried last night after I put my 3 year old back into bed for the umpteenth time. I looked around my house which I feel like I can never keep on top of, thought of all of the hundred things I needed to do this week, the many more that I would like to or should do, and then I cried. I think it goes with my stage of life. Sometimes it gets so hard trying to juggle everything, last night, as I feel many nights, I thought how is one person suppose to keep up, manage, and juggle all of this???? It's exhausting. And yet, part of me is grateful to be in this stage of life where I still have some control of my little brood, where they are so loving and forgiving. I am trying to find the balance - hopefully I'll figure it out before i move on to the next stage!!
4. 5 things you were doing this month 10 years ago.
I 'm not sure I can list 5 things I was doing 10 days ago!! Ummm, 10 years ago.
1-I was in the middle of my first full time internship in Philadelphia, PA at Allegheny Medical Center. It was one of my favorite places I affiliated. It was just outside of the city. Ryan and I were living in Gloucester, NJ. Life was good, the first time in years I did not have hours of homework.
2 - This was a time that I feel that I made one of my most valuable contributions professionally. I was working with an older lady who had had a stroke and was unable to speak and/or use her right leg and arm. We soon realized that she had apraxia, which means that she had the capability to perform reflexive/automatic tasks with her involved extremities/speech but not perform intentional tasks. For example, she could join in singing happy birthday but was unable to say anything else. I as a fresh new student was trying to figure everything out. I noticed that she had reflexive withdrawl when a certain area was touched on her foot. I hooked her up to electrical stimulation and noticed that she again demonstrated this leg movement consistently with a noxious stimuli. I eagerly constructed a custom molded footplate for her foot (which we had just recently learned in school for other diagnosis). It worked!! She was not only able to move her foot, but she was able to walk with a cane and supervision assist by the time I was ready to leave. It was very rewarding! I ended up earning an award the next year from the University of Medicine and Dentistry of NJ faculty for my case presentation of this patient!
3- I joined Weight Watchers and was able to drop 20# (the freshman 15 hit a little late for me), Ryan and I would go on walks every night after work as part of my exercise program, it was a great time for us.
4 - I was serving in the YW program (still/again). The YW presidency was wonderful they were all like mothers to me and I love them each dearly. The girls were amazing, many were the only or one of a few LDS kids in their high schools. They were strong and courageous, they were silly and full of love! Most of them are married now - yikes!!!
5 - I attended my own surprise party! Ryan and my friend Janee Russon threw a surprise birthday party for me and her husband Scott (we share the same birthday). There were tons of cute young couples there, good food (although I was diligently sticking to my weight watchers program and only enjoyed apple slices), fun times!!!
Scott and I were FHE brothers/sisters when we were at BYU. We both ended up at Rutgers and the same ward the same week with our spouses to start graduate school, he law school, and I physical therapy school - small world!)
5. 5 things on your to-do list - here goes 5/50 to do's
1- wash 5 loads laundry
2 - fold 5 loads laundry
3 - clean van
4 - take Sandy birthday present
5 - turn in patient charts/work papers
6. 5 favorite snacks
swedish fish, pretzel sticks, chocolate covered cinnamon bears; grapes; nuts
7. 5 Bad Habits: Oh, if I only had 5!! Eating when I'm stressed; Eating when I am on the phone; My oh so messy car; interrupting people; getting distracted/attempting to multi-task too much
8. 5 favorite foods: Carrie Lingman's rolls (she sells them and they are the best!!!); Carma-Sultra Ben and Jerrys Ice Cream; Spring Mix Flatbread; Medium rare steak; Iranian food
9. 5-Places I've been:
- Florida (teenager)
- Mexico (teenager)
- San Diego (honeymoon)
- Hawaii (newlywed)
- Eastern Coast (Ry and I took a fabulous road trip 10 years ago last month with 2 of our dear friends Hart and Jory Beal. We took a road trip (pre-kid era) through the Adirondack Mountains ei. Lake Placid, Connecticut, New Hampshire, Maine, and Boston. We camped out on the beaches, stayed in an enchanting bed and breakfast one night, and had a marvelous time).
10. 5 Favorite memories
- Lake Powell as a child definitely one of my favorite memories
- Singing around the piano as my dad played old Anne Murray and Crystal Gail tunes
- Newlywed life - oh life was so simple and good and we didn't wish it away!!
- FHE with my kids - I know you probably think this is a typo, most weeks we barely get through it, but then there are those weeks were the kids share a tender thought or feeling, each week they are so excited to be together to sing, to pray, and to giggle (and giggle, and giggle). I love this age, I love that they are so full of love for us and for each other. I am certain that many years from now this will remain one of my favorite memories.
- time with Ryan in the hospital. it was sacred time, he and I, not sure of our future, but somehow enveloped in love and peace.
So here goes my tag: Heather D., Suzanne C., Marci W.; Ann S.; Dennilynne P., Lizzy W.
1. The best thing you cooked last week?
Dennilynne Pulsipher's artichoke dip. I made it for my niece's bridal shower and my sister-in-law said it was as good as McGrath's!!
2. If money, time and babysitting were no object, where would you go and with who?
i would go ANYWHERE with my husband, heck I would even go alone. I desperately need a vacation, the last time we went away together Ryan decided to come down with a brain tumor and well that was the end of that!!
i would love to take the kids to Disneyland
i would love to go to Ikea and buy more stuff so that I could fit all of the stuff I already own into our cute little house!
i would love to go visit my grandparents, my girlfriend Jory, and I would love to go back to New Jersey and see my old, dear friends
3. When was the last time you cried?
good cry or bad cry? Both yesterday!!
good cry (aka: happy tears): I cried several times as I listened to conference. I was so touched by so many messages, so many simple examples of love and faith and tenderness.
bad cry: I cried last night after I put my 3 year old back into bed for the umpteenth time. I looked around my house which I feel like I can never keep on top of, thought of all of the hundred things I needed to do this week, the many more that I would like to or should do, and then I cried. I think it goes with my stage of life. Sometimes it gets so hard trying to juggle everything, last night, as I feel many nights, I thought how is one person suppose to keep up, manage, and juggle all of this???? It's exhausting. And yet, part of me is grateful to be in this stage of life where I still have some control of my little brood, where they are so loving and forgiving. I am trying to find the balance - hopefully I'll figure it out before i move on to the next stage!!
4. 5 things you were doing this month 10 years ago.
I 'm not sure I can list 5 things I was doing 10 days ago!! Ummm, 10 years ago.
1-I was in the middle of my first full time internship in Philadelphia, PA at Allegheny Medical Center. It was one of my favorite places I affiliated. It was just outside of the city. Ryan and I were living in Gloucester, NJ. Life was good, the first time in years I did not have hours of homework.
2 - This was a time that I feel that I made one of my most valuable contributions professionally. I was working with an older lady who had had a stroke and was unable to speak and/or use her right leg and arm. We soon realized that she had apraxia, which means that she had the capability to perform reflexive/automatic tasks with her involved extremities/speech but not perform intentional tasks. For example, she could join in singing happy birthday but was unable to say anything else. I as a fresh new student was trying to figure everything out. I noticed that she had reflexive withdrawl when a certain area was touched on her foot. I hooked her up to electrical stimulation and noticed that she again demonstrated this leg movement consistently with a noxious stimuli. I eagerly constructed a custom molded footplate for her foot (which we had just recently learned in school for other diagnosis). It worked!! She was not only able to move her foot, but she was able to walk with a cane and supervision assist by the time I was ready to leave. It was very rewarding! I ended up earning an award the next year from the University of Medicine and Dentistry of NJ faculty for my case presentation of this patient!
3- I joined Weight Watchers and was able to drop 20# (the freshman 15 hit a little late for me), Ryan and I would go on walks every night after work as part of my exercise program, it was a great time for us.
4 - I was serving in the YW program (still/again). The YW presidency was wonderful they were all like mothers to me and I love them each dearly. The girls were amazing, many were the only or one of a few LDS kids in their high schools. They were strong and courageous, they were silly and full of love! Most of them are married now - yikes!!!
5 - I attended my own surprise party! Ryan and my friend Janee Russon threw a surprise birthday party for me and her husband Scott (we share the same birthday). There were tons of cute young couples there, good food (although I was diligently sticking to my weight watchers program and only enjoyed apple slices), fun times!!!
Scott and I were FHE brothers/sisters when we were at BYU. We both ended up at Rutgers and the same ward the same week with our spouses to start graduate school, he law school, and I physical therapy school - small world!)
5. 5 things on your to-do list - here goes 5/50 to do's
1- wash 5 loads laundry
2 - fold 5 loads laundry
3 - clean van
4 - take Sandy birthday present
5 - turn in patient charts/work papers
6. 5 favorite snacks
swedish fish, pretzel sticks, chocolate covered cinnamon bears; grapes; nuts
7. 5 Bad Habits: Oh, if I only had 5!! Eating when I'm stressed; Eating when I am on the phone; My oh so messy car; interrupting people; getting distracted/attempting to multi-task too much
8. 5 favorite foods: Carrie Lingman's rolls (she sells them and they are the best!!!); Carma-Sultra Ben and Jerrys Ice Cream; Spring Mix Flatbread; Medium rare steak; Iranian food
9. 5-Places I've been:
- Florida (teenager)
- Mexico (teenager)
- San Diego (honeymoon)
- Hawaii (newlywed)
- Eastern Coast (Ry and I took a fabulous road trip 10 years ago last month with 2 of our dear friends Hart and Jory Beal. We took a road trip (pre-kid era) through the Adirondack Mountains ei. Lake Placid, Connecticut, New Hampshire, Maine, and Boston. We camped out on the beaches, stayed in an enchanting bed and breakfast one night, and had a marvelous time).
10. 5 Favorite memories
- Lake Powell as a child definitely one of my favorite memories
- Singing around the piano as my dad played old Anne Murray and Crystal Gail tunes
- Newlywed life - oh life was so simple and good and we didn't wish it away!!
- FHE with my kids - I know you probably think this is a typo, most weeks we barely get through it, but then there are those weeks were the kids share a tender thought or feeling, each week they are so excited to be together to sing, to pray, and to giggle (and giggle, and giggle). I love this age, I love that they are so full of love for us and for each other. I am certain that many years from now this will remain one of my favorite memories.
- time with Ryan in the hospital. it was sacred time, he and I, not sure of our future, but somehow enveloped in love and peace.
So here goes my tag: Heather D., Suzanne C., Marci W.; Ann S.; Dennilynne P., Lizzy W.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
