To da window...to da wall....

"When you become close with someone, you develop a kind of sixth sense. You can read their moods like a book. And right now, the title of Michael's book is.. "Something Weird Is Going On...colon...What Did Jan Say? The Michael Scott Story...by Michael Scott. With Dwight Schrute."

-Dwight Schrute
(I laughed out loud when I read this quote)

Soooo....I've been thinking...and I am going rogue. I am making my blog private...so for those of you who read my blog and keep up with me regularly, and want to continue...please leave me your email address and I will invite you into my world blog-style!

Now I am going to bed...as you can see..it's time. and the song in my head is one my mom used to sing to me most every night when I was little...

"somewhere over the rainbow, where blue birds fly, birds fly over the rainbow, why then oh why can't I? where troubles melt like lemon drops, way above the chimney tops, that's where you'll find me..."

A Duck'll Do.

Donna and I took the kids out to Howard Lake today to walk and let the kiddos play...as we were walking, Marky kept picking up sticks and made sure his "Aunt" Shana had one so she would be exxxxtra safe...anytime I tried to put it down (secretly), he would immediately notice (observant little kid) and say "where's your stick?"...so it was my duty to hold it annnnnd wittle Tucker while we walked...which is a joy in and of itself...sweet little Tucker boy- a cuddler to the core. There were a couple times that "it was just tooooo hard" for Julia to walk...and aunt shana carried her as well...sweet little princess.

The ducks and geese were EVERYWHERE. and they had about 20 fuzzy little babies to go along with them...one lesson we did learn today (as we fed them)....ducks are a selfish breed...no food for the babies if they couldn't get there quick enough...hmph. Tucker thinks "not feeding babies" is the worst thing he ever heard.


Here's a shout out from Mama D. Thanks Shana for coming with us today and hauling all my kids. You know I would, but, you know, if you are around you might as well. :) Thanks also for the trip to the zoo last Friday. I don't know what mommy's without Shanas do. Although it was funny how I had to convince the zoo worker that ALL THREE kids were mine and not one of them was yours. I mean, you do have a baby face.

I sat beside you, and found myself today...

this is how I feel about my Lord. The more time I spend with Him, the more I fall in love with Him. I am currently studying the book of Daniel, and it is literally changing my life. I have felt for some time that God has been bringing on a renewal, a revival of sorts, in my heart. I just didn't know what He was going to do, or where He was leading me. He is so beautiful in how He works...slowly, giving grace, teaching, admonishing, meeting me in the dark corners of my heart and bringing light and love. I desire so much that my life be lived out in a way that brings Him glory - that spurs on the Gospel. I have not really been doing that lately, if I'm honest. It has really been more about me. My language, my interactions with others, my work - work is great, but it is taking me away from church many sundays, and some nights for bible study..so I am praying through God's desire for me with this - and I would covet your prayers as well. I long to redeem the time He has given me and use it wisely. what change these new revelations that are going on in my heart will eventually bring, I do not know. I am humbled that He chose me to know Him, and I sit here longing for Him to return soon. I didn't truly know myself until I knew my Lord. He has changed me from the inside out, and continues to do so, thankfully. By His grace alone did I ever survive apart from Him. I love the saying in my title...for He is mine, and I am His.

Momma, I'm sick.

my froat is sore. and i've wost my voice. i need you to make me your remedy. pwease.

bat them lashes...

so, the providers typically don't dress up in the ER - we want the patients to still trust us with their care - but I thought some friendly little lashes wouldn't hurt...and as you can see, the nurses below went all out - and EVERYONE had on fake eyelashes...they were a hit for sure -

one of the male nurses pulled me aside, and asked "so, i've been trying to figure it out...what is your costume supposed to be?" and seeing as how all I had on "as my costume" was false eyelashes and a pretty headband...I said "an extra pretty girl"...and he said..."that's what I thought...just making sure.." haha. your business. (doesn't this make you want to come to our ER for treatment?? we're extra fun..)

and below is one of my most favorite physicians with whom I work (he mentioned he may come as a Chippindale...so glad he was kidding) - we had Halloween duty in the ER - and it wasn't so scary of a night after all..pretty slow...which left a lot of room for picture taking, candy eating, and dancing...I'm just saying. and don't think that Tom didn't mention how much tanner he was than me in this picture....hmph.

So...Happy Halloween...Fall Festival...reason to carve a pumpkin holiday...whatever you fancy.

(smile)

Bella Italia!!

Rome, Italy

We (a few friends and I) are heading to Greece and Italy come March or April!! I can't wait! In my newest book on Italy, it is described that the "dominant religion is life - motor scooters, soccer, fashion, girl-watching, boy-watching, good coffee, good wine, and il dolce far niente (the sweetness of doing nothing)." I think I am Italian. why are you laughing?

and Momma Mia!! ("oh my goodness" in greek)...

Santorini, Greece

I may also think I am Greek once I get to there. it's my prerogative.

Some of life's joys...

The above picture is one that my sister painted when she was 7 or 8 (you can see her initials in the bottom right hand corner) - my meme has had it all these years . She was recently cleaning out one of the closets at her house and found it again...some 20 years later. I love it. I do think it is so talented for a kid to do (even if it was paint by numbers)...but my real reason is it holds such sentimental value...so I had it framed. and it will hang in my house until Tyler (my nephew) is older, and then I will pass it down to him. He has already seen it and LOVES it. He said, "Mom, I didn't know you were an artist!" My joy is complete!

And below is my new "little sister" - Ne'keiya. This is something the Lord laid on my heart one day as I asked him for my own children. Not that I expect to "mother" Ne'keiya - but hopefully to influence her, and share Christ with her, and give her someone to talk to when she needs an objective opinion on life's issues. We have already spent time at the McWane Center and watched an IMAX movie, and we recently went to a piano concert, then grabbed ice cream after. She is opening up more and more each time we talk, and is calling more often as well. She picked out our plans for our next time together - which will include wearing pajamas, watching a movie, and making homemade little pizzas (the last is my addition, of course).. any suggestions of a movie appropriate for a 13 year old?? I'm not used to watching movies with a filter cap on...