Sunday, July 31, 2011

California Road Trip of a Lifetime Day 1 - San Francisco

Andrew and I are headed on a California road trip down the coast.  We are flying into San Francisco and then driving down Pacific Coast Highway 1 to San Diego, stopping all along the way to see one of God's most beautiful creations...The Big Sur.  I have spent countless hours researching this trip and cannot wait to see the scenery in this amazing part of the country and enjoy every bit of this breathtaking beauty with my one and only.  I have an itinerary planned out in my head, but we plan on "winging" most of the trip.  We are going to have a blast and I am so excited I can hardly stand it!  Here's to the "Trip of a Lifetime!"   

Day one of the California Road Trip of a lifetime with my awesome hubby started out a little behind schedule.  We were scheduled to depart Tulsa at 5 pm and didnt end up leaving until 6 something.  This made us miss our connection, stupid United airlines...and therefore landed us getting into San Francisco at near midnight, instead of the 8:20 pm we had hoped on.  No big deal, we had a long layover in Denver, ate some airport mexican food for dinner and enjoyed each others company.  That is until I got really grumpy and tired...the 2 hour time change did me in.  It was 2:00 am my time, a time that I NEVER see anymore, and I was spent!  Once we landed and got our luggage we hopped on the BART, gotta love transportation in San Fran, really it's pretty freakin awesome, and made our way to the hotel.  We had a tiny little adventure trying to find the hotel from the BART station, but thanks to some really nice folks, we found our way.

We stayed at the Hotel Griffon, which is right by the Bay Bridge and next to the Ferry Station.  It was an older hotel, but very nice and had a proper feel to it.  It was so nice to finally lay down and go to sleep after the unexpected lengthy night of travel that we had.


And it felt SO GOOD to be in San Francisco starting the road trip of a lifetime.

Thursday, July 28, 2011

Like mother, like daughter


And thou shalt in thy daughter see,
This picture, once, resembled thee.
~Ambrose Philips

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Better Together

There is no more lovely, friendly and charming relationship, communion or company than a good marriage.  ~Martin Luther


For you see, each day I love you more.  Today more than yesterday and less than tomorrow.
~Rosemonde Gerard

Three years ago today I married my one and only, best day of my life!  I can't imagine my life without him!  It is such a great feeling to be married to your very best friend and partner in crime.  The past 3 years have been great, sure there have been a few bumps in the road, a few ups and downs, some roller-coasters, but what marriage doesn't have those?  Life always throws you some curveballs.  There are always obstacles to overcome, ie residency.  It's how you get through those times that count.  It's what makes a wedding a marriage.  We have become so strong because of the things we have been through and I can't think of anyone better to go through life with.  I am so looking forward to the years ahead.  It just seems to get better and better and I know the best is yet to come.

Grow old with me!  The best is yet to be.  ~Robert Browning 


I love you Andrew, with all my heart and soul.  You make me happier than I have ever imagined.  My life is so much better with you in it.  Actually, we are both so much Better Together...dontcha think ;)
 
Love one another and you will be happy.  It's as simple and as difficult as that.  ~Michael Leunig

Monday, July 18, 2011

Monday Randoms

So glad the weekend is over!  I worked alllllll weekend....or so it seemed.  Yesterday I had a dreaded 24 hour shift at the Pink Palace.  I prayed and prayed and prayed that it would be a good one.  Why, you ask?  Cause I am a pitch black cloud and nothing is ever simple at that place when I am there.  Great for learning, bad for the soul.  Anyway, my shift was as awesome as can be expected at that place.  Only one admit in 24 hours, thats a record for me!  And the best part was that the nurses were so awesome to me.  They took great care of my little patients and only paged me when absolutely necessary.  Nurses - you rock! 

It is so unbelievably hot out!  I love heat and love summer time, but my goodness gracious I need a little cool breeze.  It's putting a damper on my exercise routine.  I won't even brave the outdoors lately.  The trainer and treadmill have become my best friend.  Booooooring!  Poor Roxy, she hasn't had a run in ages. 

My husband bought me a cool pink bike seat!  I'll post pics soon!  

The heat of the summer has FINALLY convinced that dear husband of mine to let me have a pool at our next house!  Hip hip hooray! It's about time!

Speaking of the dear hubby, our 3 year anniversary is tomorrow.  Sure do love him.  Don't know what I'd do without him!

We booked our trip!!!  I am so freakin excited I can hardly stand it.  Even Andrew is excited, which says a lot for him to get excited about a vacation...since I make him go on one five a year and all.

I am dreading our water bill next month.  The hubster has been watering my flowers our yard like crazy these days.  Why are men so obsessed with grass?!?!?

We are dog-sitting my sister-in-laws white chihuahua.  He reminds me so much of my brothers chihuahua that is now in doggy heaven with my first doggy-love Mouse.  My brother and I share the same love/bond with our dog that I think only he and I fully understand.


I have come to realize I am my mother's daughter more and more over the past couple months.  Genetics sure is a crazy fascinating thing.

Speaking of genetics, I am still loving my month.  I am going to be sad to see it end. 

I made meatloaf from scratch all by myself for the first time ever tonight, and it wasn't even that bad!

I even talked Andrew into going to Cherry Berry after dinner.  YUUUUUUMY!


Please excuse the iphone pics.  Hope everyone has a great week!

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Here comes the bride...

My friend Ann had such a great wedding!  It was classy and elegant and filled with tons and tons of love.  I feel so fortunate that she included me in the festivities and feel so very blessed to have such a great friend in my life.  Ann is one of the most thoughtful people I know.  She is always always thinking of others and always seems to find very touching ways to show people that she cares.  I love her to pieces and I sure am sad that she lives miles and miles away now.  Good thing she's only a couple of plane rides away ;)

I went to Ann's wedding with my friend Robin.  She lent me a ride and a cozy bed to sleep in.  She's such a good friend to me!  And she plays one mean trumpet, anyone getting married and need a trumpeter?  Contact me, I am her agent.


I also got to see one of my favorite "has-been" residents!  So good to see you Steph!  We sure do miss you in Okie land.  Please come back soon!


The scenery was breathtaking!  Such a beautiful state Virginia is, I wish I could live in a place this serene!


The ring-bearer was an absolute doll!  Little boys in tuxes sure do melt my heart.


This is the moment Ann's dad saw her for the first time.  Magical!  There is something to be said about the love between a father and his daughter.











Congrats Ann & Sean!  I couldn't be happier for you two!  So honored to be able to be a part of such a special day!  I wish you much love and happiness. 

There is no such cozy combination as man and wife.  ~Menander

Monday, July 11, 2011

Monday Randoms

Oh it's Monday...blah!  I, along with most of the rest of the world, am not a fan of Mondays...hence, the post full of randoms.

I just finished a month of radiology.  It was awesome!  I learned a ton.  And it was just the month I needed after a brutal winter that never ended...low key...low stress...nice people...great teachers...great hours!

I am now doing genetics.  The doc I am with is awesome, well besides the fact that he doesn't believe in eating.  A girls gotta eat!  Looks like I am going to be stuffing my purse with tons of food from now on.  Anyhow, I never ever, in a million years, thought I would see the stuff I am seeing.  Glutaric Aciduria, Propionic Aciduria, MMA, Rebenstein Syndrom, BHD, VHL...ever heard of those things?  Ya, me neither...well I had heard of one of them, but oh my goodness I am seeing the rarest of rare.  It's so great though to actually see rare stuff so I can always keep it tucked back in the very back of my brain...just in case...you just never know! 

I got to see one of my best friends from medical school last week!  It was so great to see her and catch up.  I sure do miss her and wish she would move back, hint hint!   

I went to another one of my best friends weddings this weekend in Virginia.  What a beautiful state!  Pics coming soon!  She was such a beautiful bride and her and her hubby are so happy together!  I  love weddings where you can just feel the love between the couple...know what I mean?!?  That's the kind of wedding they had.  It was great! :) 

Bad iphone pic..
Ever have moments that just make you have affirmation in your belief that all things happen for a reason?  I recently just happened to stumble across another blog that I wouldn't have otherwise stumbled upon if it weren't for a series of events.  It's definitely one that is good for my heart and soul right now.  Crazy how God works in mysterious and sneaky ways sometimes...He sure can be a tricky one ;)

For those of you that don't know, I am a tornado around the house.  Things could be squeaky clean one minute and 5 minutes later there can be crap all over the place.  I wish I could blame my husband, or my dogs, but unfortunately, I can't blame anyone but myself.  My husband has nicknamed me "the tornado."  Funny story...this weekend while I was out of town, my husband got a call that someone wanted to see our house. (we have our house up for sale.)  Well long story short...I didn't clean before I left.  My stuff was everywhere...poor guy had to clean up after me on his day off.  I called him to see how he was doing that morning...first thing he says is, "Hi, I didn't know tornadoes could talk?!?"  Hahahaha...I couldn't help but laugh.  Finally a joke that I got right away!!!

It is hotter than H...E...Double hockey sticks around here!  It feels like a furnace!  Hottest.Summer.Ever.  I need a pool...pronto!


Stay cool friends!  Its gonna be hot for a looooooong time! 

 

Monday, July 4, 2011

Lexi's Newborn Pics

My husband has a new found obsession with photography and I have a new obsession with my cute neice.  So needless to say, once Lexi was born we I went over to my sisters to play dress-up with her and Andrew took some pics.  I think newborns are so fun to dress up and take pictures of because you can put them in any position that you want and they stay asleep the entire time.  They are so cooperative, its crazy!  ;)  Enjoy a few of my favorite pics!     










Sunday, July 3, 2011

Prayers & Life

As you know, I am a strong believer that everything happens for a reason.  I am also a strong believer in the power of prayer.  I find it no coincidence that God put me through what he did during medical school to inadvertently bless my life with a family that has forever changed me.     

My friend Jane just entered her third year of medical school.  Along with having to deal with all the stresses that go along with starting your clinical years of medical school, Jane is also having to be a rock for her family as her father donates a kidney to her sister.  You may remember this post.  Lo has cystic fibrosis.  Lo and her family have been through so so much together over the years and their strength and outlook on life continues to amaze me.  They are one of the most incredible families I have ever met.  They exhibit strength and perseverance, and after all they have been through, they continue to be so very humble and always doing what they can to help others.  Above all else though, they are a Godly example for others.  I am amazed how God has worked in this family.   Spend one hour with this family, and I promise you will be touched.

Lo & I at All Sports Ball
As you may or may not know, with all Lo and her family have had to go through, Lo has also undergone one two double-lung transplants.  Currently, she and her family are in St. Louis.  Lo's kidneys have been failing her for sometime.  On July 5th, Lo's dad is donating one of his kidneys to Lo.  Incredible if you ask me!  The way God works is pretty awesome, don't you think?

You can't live a perfect day without doing something for someone who will never be able to repay you.  ~John Wooden 

Please pray for this family & the doctors that will surround them this weekend.  Lo just celebrated her 27th birthday and in the words of Jane,

"Today, I'm asking you to help me gift my sister with prayer for her birthday.
I'm asking you to mention my sister and dad on your blog.
I want them to know they are covered in prayer during the July 5 surgery and recovery."
 
If you are not already an organ and tissue donor, go to http://donatelife.net/ and become one today!  The statistics from the Donate Life website of organ donation need to get better! 
  • More than 100,000 men, women and children currently need life-saving organ transplants.
  • Every 10 minutes another name is added to the national organ transplant waiting list.
  • An average of 18 people die each day from the lack of available organs for transplant.
  • In 2009, there were 8,021 deceased organ donors and 6,610 living organ donors resulting in 28,465 organ transplants.
  • Last year, more than 42,000 grafts were made available for transplant by eye banks within the United States.
  • According to research, 98% of all adults have heard about organ donation and 86% have heard of tissue donation.
  • 90% of Americans say they support donation, but only 30% know the essential steps to take to be a donor.
Don't take your organs to heaven with you.  Heaven knows we need them here.  ~Author unknown 

If you would like to read more about Lo & her family, pick up a copy of "The Spirit of Lo, an Ordinary Family's Extraordinary Journey."  It will change your life!

Thank you in advance for your continued prayers, love, and support of this special family. 

Saturday, July 2, 2011

It's ok to be sad sometimes

Put perfectly into perspective!  Written by Paul's Tips.

"We live in a society where sadness is seen as a terrible thing. In a classic case of "blame the victim", people going through a period of unhappiness are looked upon as sick and even pathetic. 

According to the health and well-being tyrants, if you don't have a big, stupid grin on your face the whole time, there's something very, very wrong. This is, of course, a complete load of garbage. If you think those promoting this point of view never feel unhappy themselves, you're wrong. 

The occasional spell of misery is part of human life. We are imperfect people living in an imperfect world, and it's inevitable that sometimes we're going to feel a bit down. With the complications we face in our love-lives, our careers, our families, our finances and our health, it's ridiculous to believe we can struggle through on a happiness high all the time. 

Besides, periods of sadness are what make the happy parts of our lives stand out so strongly. Without experiencing periods of heartache, how would you know how important it is to have another person to share your life with? Would you appreciate that gift as much if it had fallen into your lap the moment you desired it? Of course not. 

Times of loneliness show us the importance of friendship; and only those who've been completely broke can appreciate how vital it is to have some money in your pocket. 

This war against sadness that many seem to be engaged in comes across as counter-productive to me. Some negative emotions are a part of life. The inner wounds we feel, like those on the outside, are not going to get any better by pretending they're not there.  

Instead, we should see them as part of the richness of our existence. A sugar-coated perfect world may sound nice - but it would be boring and shallow compared to the one we live in. The simple world of children's stories - the Smurfs, My Little Pony, the Care Bares - come to seem empty for us as we age. Those worlds without real grief, pain and betrayal appear crude and lifeless. 

It is not time itself, but the baptism of fire we go through as we age that really matures us. Without the hurt and disappointment that life throws at us, we would remain in a childlike and naive state. The beauty of a sad song would be lost upon us, love would seem cheap and worthless, and the effort of achievement a waste of time. 

So if you're going through a period of pain and sadness, let it be. After a time the sharpness of the hurt will dull and likely even disappear. See it for what it is - an inevitable part of life that everyone must go through.  

Of course, some depression is medical, and if you feel you're experiencing that type, you should seek professional help. But if yours is the more standard form of gloominess that we all sometimes feel, make your peace with it. 

It is the price we must pay for a richer, deeper appreciation of what it is to exist. And without it, our lives would seem empty and meaningless."