Good News

It's a good day.

FINALLY... I have received word that Ricky's bench has been ordered and they are going to start work on it! The bench will be placed on the property of Saint Marys Hospital in Reno, where he spent the majority of his life, and where I worked for 5 years.

It has been a long process of getting approval for it all... and I am beyond relieved that finally they can begin making it. It will take 4-5 months to finish... so I'm hoping that sometime early next year we will finally have a dedication for it!

It has been extremely difficult for me to not have a place where Ricky is memorialized... so this is a tremendous relief. Even though it will be far away from where I am now... it will be in a place that meant the world to us both....

Meg's hand-me-downs

So Meg recently got a new electronic gizmo called the "Palm Treo"... its a phone and palm pilot all in one. Boy that would sure come in handy to me, but I have to settle for her hand-me-downs. I should be thankful that I am the proud recipient of a used cell phone that gets poor reception at the house and her old palm pilot with a broken on/off switch and an annoying high pitched buzz. Even though they are slightly used and in less than perfect condition I am sure I can put them to good use. I somehow wonder how I got into this role where Meg gets the nice new electronics and I get the old stuff. Shouldn't it be reversed (at least with electronics). Next thing you know I'll be cleaning the toilets or something.

Happy Birthday Susie!

My best friend, Susie, turns the big "30" today. I hope she isn't feeling as icky and old as I was when the same thing happened to me a couple weeks ago! I hear they have big rafting plans - so I'm sure she's going to have fun. If you have a sec... swing on over to her blog and wish her a "Happy Birthday"! I know how much she loves comments - so it will make a great gift!

Philippians 1

I would really love for you all to take a few minutes and read the latest post (August 23rd) that little Noah's mom, Adrienne, has written on their blog. (Just click "blog".) It really meant a lot to me, as I was reminded of how the suffering that God allows to happen here on earth... never happens in vain. She said it so well... please make it your devotional for the day.

Still Here!

Sorry for the lack of postings lately! We've been caught up with life I guess... Mostly school - which began this week for both of us. Eric is already hitting the books hard... back to the long commute to Purdue and long hours in his "study". I admire his dedication. As for myself... well... I've already dropped my 10 credit hour load down to 6. And it may still be falling... :)

I love new beginnings. I was super excited to get my books... organize my supplies and calendar... The first day of class was yesterday... and that's pretty much where the fun ends. I left class realizing that the majority of Graduate Nursing students have one trait that I do not: they care about details. They enjoy research and theories. Not me. Just tell me the right thing to do... and let me do it. I can't say that I have a passion about one particular focus in nursing... outside of NICU. The idea of picking a topic to death and exploring it's every angle... to be quite honest... bores the heck out of me. I don't have the time or the patience to dwell on the nitty gritty stuff. Don't get me wrong... I know we need those people out there... I'm just not one of them!

So while I was all excited and motivated for a big busy semester... Eric on the other hand despises the first few weeks. To him, new course packets, books, and syllabi are nothing more than signs of impending doom for the coming semester. I guess it's the realistic side of him... he knows the amount of work that he will have to put in. While I myself, prefer to deny it all just enjoying the feeling of multiple goals and projects going on in life!

So that's about it for now! I'm sure I have some pictures of something to post... but I'll save them for another time soon. Just wanted everyone to know I haven't abandoned the blog!!!

Loss

Those of you who have followed the blogs of the individuals who need prayer that I have offered links to, may already know this... but Isaac Leino passed away on August 5th... Elena Desserich followed him home, just last evening.

Please keep these families in your prayers... and maybe leave them a comment letting them know you are thinking of them.

Thanks.

Lake Nebagamon

Long ago, when my mom was little... her parents purchased some lake property way up in northern Wisconsin. The cabin first served as a World War II Army bunker. It's located on Lake Nebagamon, and my parents now own it. Eric and I had the opportunity to head up there for some much needed relaxation last week. It's a long drive... and the place is definitely showing it's age... but we found it worth it once we arrived. We had a great time sleeping... reading (something I haven't done in who knows how long), playing with the jet ski, fishing, bee-keeping, and lots more!

Obviously... I have lots to update the blog with, so bear with me as I post a million pictures. You don't mind do you???

Up until this trip, Max has hated the water. We couldn't believe our eyes when he just walked right in! He hung out with it up to his neck the whole time we were there!!

We found he was very jealous when we'd take off for a ride on the jet ski...

So we took him for a couple rides. He loved it!! (Don't ask him about the time he fell off... he doesn't really like to talk about it.)

Bee-Keeping

We have a good pastor friend not far from our cabin who maintains a little hobby as a bee-keeper, and he invited Eric to the hives for a little lesson in it all. He had a great time getting all dressed up (although it was pretty warm). Vern got him right in there and had him taking the hives apart, looking for the queen bee, and searching for honey. It was really cool and the best part... no one got stung!!

Suiting up!

The hives

Looking for honey (it's not looking like a good year).

Do you see the fear in his eyes??!

Fishing

My anniversary gift to Eric was a bunch of fishing gear for his time up at the lake. I loved watching him out there. Most of the time he just waded in and fished off our dock. I attempted to help once when we took the fishing boat out. I rowed... but I don't think it was too helpful. The boat is pretty old... and I'm not the most experienced with rowing. Oh well!

Even Eric admits he didn't have the best luck... he had a really great attitude about it all though!! Even the bite-size ones made it fun!

Max wasn't too sure about this floppy fish... he was pretty sure it was a new toy.

Blueberry Pickin'

We spent one day up in Bayfield, Wisconsin. We had a really great lunch at this B&B and then set out for some berry picking!! We missed the raspberries by a week or so... but blueberries are great too! Of course they led to a blueberry cobber... and some blueberry pancakes. We would have had more but Eric totally pooped out on me after about a half hour. I was wishing we had 2 or 3 little kids under foot for some free labor... We'll have to keep that in mind for next time.


It was really beautiful up there!

Max's Recovery

Max had a pretty big gash in his leg from old Jackie taking a bite out of it. We had a really hard time keeping him from licking it. Just a word about that bitter apple stuff: he likes it. Eric and I were totally repulsed after tasting it ourselves... but Max seems to think it's some sort of topical flavoring that only makes things better.

So the above outfit you see was our solution. For some strange reason... Max also likes to wear shirts. I thought if I could find one with longer sleeves it would help. We checked out Old Navy on our way up to our cabin in Wisconsin a week and a half ago to see if maybe they had something. (They carry a good selection of dog clothing for some reason.) No luck with that however... but we did find this 12 month old onesie. It took some creativity... but by cutting off the crotch snap section we were in business! It did the trick. We got a few funny looks with him dressed like this in 90 degree heat but hey! it's finally healing!

SURPRISE!!

Well... he definitely got me with this one! I thought for sure I was getting a bike!! This is the Pottery Barn entryway piece that I've been wanting forever!! I came home from work yesterday morning and found it all put together and on display! I couldn't have been more excited!

It looks a little plain at the moment but once we get some color thrown in it will be perfect!

I wasn't sure he had it in him but was I ever proved wrong!!
Thanks babe. I absolutely love it!!

Happy Anniversary to Us!

To my husband...

The man I thought may never arrive... the man I thought perhaps did not exist... thank you.

Thank you for loving me in spite of the mood swings, fietstiness and stubborn Independence.

Thank you for being my quiet strength... my soft place to fall.

The year has passed in a whirlwind... much like the days in which we met and fell in love. Even now there are days that I find myself pondering the events of the last 2 years, wondering what in the world happened and how I found myself here... with you.

Nevertheless... every moment has been treasured... and I thank God every day for bringing you into my life.

I love you, Eric.