24th of July Celebrations

Everyone came over to celebrate the 24th and Elizabeth's 13th birthday which was on July 14th. The weather stayed pretty good, it wasn't too hot and everyone had a good time. Dinner was delicious. I kept telling Elizabeth that she is turning into Amber. She requested steak, corn on the cob, and banana creme pie...some of Amber's favorites. We all missed Amber and Jared!

After dinner we did sparklers and Dad had to try out a few fireworks to see if they were illegal or not...

He's had that box of fireworks for over 20 years, watch out!

Katelyn, striking a pose

Joshua and Grandma

Kyle is so silly

uh, oh

Joshua is SO CUTE!

Ahh, so thirsty

Crazy, crazy kids!!

The yard looks wonderful as always. Dad did a great job, thanks!!

Nathan and Evan are inseparable as usual, and as silly as ever!

Ahh, the birthday girl herself, you think she would look a little bit more excited, but then again, she is a teenager now.

Katelyn and Kyle cooling off on the grass

Everyone including Ted came over to celebrate. Ted was the first to get to hold Joshua and as you can see, Josh didn't mind too much.

I just love watching Kyle run away, he kind of waddles, it's so funny

Uniforms

I resisted it for over a year, but I am finally enjoying the benefits of wearing a uniform to work! I have been wearing scrubs more and more often and it is such a relief to wake up in the morning, just put on a brightly colored oversized shirt and drawstring pants, and go. The hospital I work at has been cracking down on "illegal" employee parking so now we have to park in the furthest reaches of the parking lot, 4 or 5 floors up in the parking garage. It helps to wear scrubs and tennis shoes when you have to walk that far into work, or when you have to run in because you are late because you had to park so far away!

Also, if you wear scrubs fairly consistently, when you do end up wearing normal clothes everyone notices and comments on how nice you look...so that is definitely another perk.

I only have two sets currently, but am planning on getting at least 2 more when I get back from my trip which I leave on in one week from today!!!

Laura and I went grocery shopping last night to get snacks for during the trip...I hope we have room to pack it all!

Okay... I know, I know

Here are some highlights and events that have happened since the last update..I promise more posts more often, and more adventures to come!

1. Had an improv skit done about me on my birthday
2. Went and saw "He's Just Not That Into You" and felt like such the girl
3. Made Eggplant Parmasan
4. Played Rock Band
5. Made Jambalaya
6. Turned 25
7. Hunted Easter Eggs
8. Work, work work
9. Gone to the gym, still trying to go more than twice a week...
10. Read 4 books
11. Went to Elizabeth's (my niece) ballet of Billy the Kid
12. Went to a Bar Mitzvah

Well folks, those are the highlights...if I think of any more I will let you know and I do have some pictures that I will post when I download them from my camera! Have a great Monday everyone!

EIGHT, 8

List of eights
Copied from Emily...

8 things I am obsessed with right now...
1. Going to the gym
2. Eating healthy
3. Being happy
4. Work, and not because I love it, ha-ha
5. Looking into taking a vacation
6. Family
7. Friends
8. Trying to make things less complicated

8 words or phrases that I use often...
1. Wow
2. “I don’t know…”
3. Seriously
4. AAHHH!
5. I should ________ (fill in blank with any To-Do list item)
6. Why?!
7. I bet
8.

8 shows I love to watch...
1. Bones
2. Chuck
3. House
4. Grey’s Anatomy- and yes I am realizing how many Dr. shows I am putting on here
5. Masterpiece Theater
6.
7.
8.

8 things I did yesterday...
1. Slept in
2. Went to church
3. Starved because I didn’t have any breakfast or lunch
4. Went to a really long meeting after church
5. Went to a 100th episode party
6. Got lost trying to find the 100th episode party…
7. Ate too many mozzarella sticks
8. Hyperventilated just a bit

8 Favorite Places to Eat
1. Zupas
2. Paradise Bakery
3. The Skybox
4. Subway
5. Lettuce and Ladles
6. The Pie
7. Pei Wei
8. Cheesecake Factory

8 Things I am Looking Forward to...
1. Maybe joining an institute choir
2. My boss being out of town next week
3. Getting my first pedicure of the year
4. Buying new clothes when I reach my goal
5. Going to visit my sister in Sacramento soon
6. The weekend
7.
8.

Look what I made Mom!

Last night I made my first batch of enchiladas. Anita, Jason, and I decided to make dinner once a month and this was our first try. I think it was really successful! We made stake enchiladas, Jason was in charge of the strawberry daiquiris, and Anita did the rice and beans. We had a slight problem with a CO2 detector that about made us deaf, but don't worry, it had nothing to do with our cooking, I PROMISE! It was just nice to hang out and try something new, I highly recommend it. Oh, and we are going to do it every month, make something new for dinner so if you have any interest, let me know and I will get you the details when we plan the next one.

Possible new profession?

So, something exciting happened at work today! I know, crazy huh! Anyway, I usually just end up answering phones (as usual) on clinic days, but today my boss asked if I wanted to take some stitches out on a patient...how cool is that? It was this really old, smelly man who kept winking at me, but he was oh so nice...ha ha! It was a little nerve wracking though because it was my first time and the stitches were on his face. Sorry if any of you are squeamish when it comes to stuff like this. Anyway, our PA Steve showed me how, it's really quite simple, you just cut one side, grab the knot, and it slides right out. I did the ones on his nose and eyebrow, I didn't really want to attempt the ones near his eye in case I got too shaky and poked his eye out or something. Oops...

New Year, New You

I thought this was a good way to start off the new year and I am going to try and follow it as much as possible!! (it's from Dear Abby)

Dear Readers: Rise and shine, everyone! Welcome to a brand-new year. Today is our chance for a new beginning, the day we discard destructive habits for healthy new ones. With that in mind, I'm printing Dear Abby's oft-requested list of New Year's resolutions — adapted by my mother from the original credo of Al-Anon.

JUST FOR TODAY, I will live through this day only. I will not brood about yesterday or obsess about tomorrow. I will not set far-reaching goals or try to overcome all of my problems at once. I know that I can do something for 24 hours that would overwhelm me if I had to keep it up for a lifetime.

JUST FOR TODAY, I will be happy. I will not dwell on thoughts that depress me. If my mind fills with clouds, I will chase them away and fill it with sunshine.

JUST FOR TODAY, I will accept what is. I will face reality. I will correct those things that I can correct and accept those I cannot.

JUST FOR TODAY, I will improve my mind. I will read something that requires effort, thought and concentration. I will not be a mental loafer.

JUST FOR TODAY, I will make a conscious effort to be agreeable. I will be kind and courteous to those who cross my path, and I'll not speak ill of others. I'll improve my appearance, speak softly, and not interrupt when someone else is talking. Just for today, I'll refrain from improving anybody but myself.

JUST FOR TODAY, I will do something positive to improve my health. If I'm a smoker, I'll quit. If I'm overweight, I'll eat healthily — if only just for today. And not only that, I'll get off the couch and take a brisk walk, even if it's only around the block.

JUST FOR TODAY, I will gather the courage to do what is right and take responsibility for my own actions.