After Jon's residency graduation we drove to Broken Bow, OK to relax for the weekend with some friends from back home.  It took us way longer than we expected to get there and we were both very tired.  We hung out on Friday and made smores by the campfire and got in the hot tub for a little bit.  We called it an early night, because we were both pretty tired from the eventful day.  We woke up Saturday and made breakfast before we went on a hike.  It was pretty chilly and Jon and I were not totally prepared for the cold weather, but it was still fun and so pretty!  I was pretty tired after the hike so I took a nap.  That evening we hung around and ate some dinner and then visited with everyone by the campfire.  It was nice to sit around and relax without worrying about things (besides the pups, because we had to board them).  We left pretty early on Sunday morning and I slept most of the way home.  It was nice to be able to relax all weekend, although I was tired a lot.  

Thank goodness I was called off of work on Sunday because again I was pretty tired.  Today Jon convinced me that I needed to go to the doc, so I did, and I am sick! The doc gave me some meds and I got a shot in the hip (yea, hip! I should have questioned the medical assistant but I didn't)  :(  I had to call in to work tonight.  The doc said I need some rest (after the weekend of resting you think I would be rested out but apparently not)  I have been pretty busy and somewhat stressed out lately, neglected taking care of myself I guess.   So I plan on laying low the next two days so I can recuperate and take care of the kiddos who are truly sick and need some TLC.  Until next time...

The cabin in Broken Bow, OK that we stayed in.

Hiking along the river.

When we truly care for ourselves, it becomes possible to care far more profoundly about other people. The more alert and sensitive we are to our own needs, the more loving and generous we can be toward others.
- Eda LeShan

Jon's Residency Graduation

When Jon and I were getting close to graduating nursing school he found out about a residency program that Parkland Hospital in Dallas, TX offered to graduate nurses.   He was very interested since he definitely wanted to work in a critical care setting and he loves to learn!  He did some research and asked a few people about it and decided to apply.  After applying he heard numerous "horror stories" about how hard it was and that not many people make it through, but that if you do make it through you can work anywhere afterwards.  He thought long and hard about it and decided to apply and give it a shot.  He got an interview and we made a quick trip over here (not to mention I forgot his nice clothes for the interview).  Despite his casual attire they loved him and offered him a position on the spot, which apparently is unheard of.  He was beside himself but wanted to make sure this was the right thing to do so he weighed the pros and cons and decided to go for it.  So as soon as he accepted, the pressure was on me to find a job in the DFW area! :)  Luckily Cook Children's wanted me!  So we made the big move over here and in September Jon started the program.  After 15 weeks of class and work, 9 tests, many hours of studying and long work/school weeks, he was finished, and early might I add.  He did so great on all of his tests and during clinical hours that they let him out on his own early! I know it was a hard program to complete, but he sure did make it look easy!  I am so very proud of him!  I never had a doubt in my mind that he couldn't do it (he's the brains of the pair).  Hopefully now our schedules will be close to the same and we can enjoy spending time together again!  Congratulations Jon on completing the residency program, I am so proud of you!

I'm so proud of him!!
All the SICU Residents
      All the residency students

Family Time

Jon's parents came to stay the weekend after Christmas.  Sunday night we decided to go out and do something fun.  We went to eat at the Flying Fish (which is delicious by the way!), and then decided to go to the Gaylord Texan in Grapevine, TX to see an ICE exhibit.  We packed all our warm clothes, because we heard it was pretty chilly where all the ice was.  We got there and we were having so much fun just looking around the place that we almost didn't make it to see the ice before it closed.  Jon and I got the blue parkas they offered us, so that we could slide down the slide.  We went into the exhibit and it was so cold!  They said it was 9 degrees in the rooms!  BRRRR!  It was so neat.  They had tons of ice sculptures, from bears to Christmas ornaments, to Santa, and a gingerbread house, but my favorite was the nativity scene.  They also had 2 huge slides that you could slide down, and that was a lot of fun, except I quit sliding 3/4 of the way down and had to scoot to the end :)  After we felt like we had frost bite and had finished going through the exhibit, we thawed out by walking around the hotel and checking out all the cool stuff they had there!   We had a really fun time and it was a nice closing to the Christmas season!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

It's been a while since I have posted anything...Life has been somewhat busy lately.  Where did I leave off...Thanksgiving....well after (and even before) Thanksgiving people start getting ready for Christmas.  I am usually one of the ones who has most all of my Christmas shopping complete by Thanksgiving and I can't wait to get the tree the day after.  This year was not that way.  Jon and I did not start Christmas shopping or get a tree until December 19th!!  I was not in the Christmas spirit this year.  I don't know why.  I did everything I could to get in the mood...listened to non-stop Christmas music, watched my favorite Christmas movies (Elf, Christmas Vacation, A Christmas Story), decorated the apartment, wrapped presents, etc.  I just felt like all of these tasks were a hassle instead of an enjoyment.  The only reason I can come up with as to why I felt like this about Christmas was because I was missing my family and Jon.  We didn't get to see each other much before Christmas, and were only able to spend Christmas Eve and half of Christmas Day together.  Big change from our usual 24/7 being together!  I can't say that I was a scrooge the whole time.  Once Jon and I packed up the car with all the presents and our luggage and loaded up Charley and Annabelle and headed to Louisiana, I got super excited! I sang Christmas carols the whole 3 hours! Christmas Eve we spent time with Jon's family and then pulled a late night at my parent's house opening presents and playing games with my family.  It was so good to spend time with the ones I love so much!  Christmas Day we ate lunch at my grandma's and then went to Jon's mom's and ate again! Delicious!  I was able to eat all the goodies I missed out on at Thanksgiving.   Overall Christmas turned out wonderful, and I am very thankful that I was able to spend it with those that are close to me!

Jon and I by our Christmas tree :)