A few pics from the salsa congresito in greenville, sc.... More details after I get some sleep 35 hours without sleep is catching up with me. Sometimes life goes a hundred hours a minute, and I don't want to miss a second.... good friends, buying groceries, seeing family, SALSA dancing, dancing in church, more salsa dancing and then laundry and a peek at the pics... gotta run....

Spring and new things abound...

Spring is here. Traditionally I go and take pictures to prove it... but the proof exist in the blooms that fall off the pear trees, the tulips in bloom, the daffodils, the birds chirping, and the beautiful 60-70 degree days here. I am slowly adjusting to life in Greenville. (I know, "rough life" you say from all my northern friends yearning for the warmth-- except I am very aware of the possible skin melting heat I may face this summer)

I love this time of year. And I love being where God has planted me. And looking forward to the anticipation of what is about to blossom open in my life. I pray that I follow his plans. And can't wait to see what He has in store for me.

The new job is mentally exhausting grasping all the new syndromes children can be born with and learning all the logistics to the specialized pediatric orthopedic care they provide. But luckily the staff is great and encouraging and helpful at educating. I am learning and enjoying it.

And how are other things?...
-- trying new things like the worship/dance team at church
-- trying to switch from late nights to early mornings-- 5:30-6:00 am to be exact
-- still looking for a great Christian man and learning to not let my expectations/standards slip -that God knows I'm worth it and now I realize it too :)
-- trying to learn to salsa dance smoother
--enjoying being an aunt to Jayden and now Madeline -- as of note we gave Jayden and easier version of my name to say and now he proudly says "hi" and "byebye" to "Lala" (missing my other three nephews - Justin, Josh & Walker)
-- enjoying chatting with new friends and hoping to start having energy to hang out more in the next few weeks
-- itching to go scuba diving -- anyone interested in a trip let me know...

AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST....still loving life to the fullest, living every moment, treasuring every new memory, giving all I have, sharing my love,taking moments to look up and enjoy those beautiful sunrises, falling down and getting back up to dance again..

My new neice is here....

Madelyn Jane Wilder
entered the world March 14, 2008
at 8:40am
at 7lb.4oz and
19.5 inches long.
Mother and daughter doing well...
more pics to come....

okay click here for more pics

Okay for those that read my blog for lighthearted stories or pictures you may want to skip this.

For the others... my thought today was of truth.

Truth shines light/knowledge/awareness in our life.
Why is it that we fear the truth?
how often do we fear to hear the truth?
how often do we fear to speak the truth?
how often do we run from the truth?

How often do I chose to continue to run in the darkness away from the light?
How many times, and for how long will I stumble, wound, and scar my life in running from the truth?
What is it about the light that we fear?

Is it the glow that will expose my true self?
What is it, that I fear, in unveiling myself?
Is it the glow that reveals my motives and heart?
Is it the knowledge that I've allowed things I want to change to remain unchanged from neglect, fear or lack of discipline.

Is it the glow that reveals the others I have chosen to have in my life?
Is it fear of recognizing their true nature and being disappointed...
Is it fear of being rejected if I know their true intent?
Is it the awareness of things being less than what I want -that people disappoint me or intentionally hurt me?

Is it fear of acknowledging that the circumstances I am living in do not meet my expectations?
Is it the fear of scarred and unhealed areas that we have fought to hide?
Is it fear of the full knowledge of my life, because, then I need to acknowledge weakness/sins I have continued in or areas that I left unhealed.


Why is it that I fear knowing what needs to be changed in my life.
Especially when God has given my power to change things in my life.
Why is that I fear awareness of the fact that people in my life have disappointed me or intentionally hurt me.
Especially when I know that I like those in my life are not perfect and have done the same to others. But that God has blessed us with Jesus' blood that covers mine and their shortcomings. And that He loves us enough to want us to have authority to demand and require respect and to set boundaries with others.
Why is it that I fear a knowledge of sins I have continued in or areas that I have left unhealed.
Especially because God does not expect me to be completely sinless or un-scarred, but He provides the love and anointing oil to heal me and his blood that covers my sin.

Today I hope that I have learned from the truth He revealed and pray that He will bring it to completion in my life, to bring Him glory, and helps me see the treasures He gives us and to be blessed with the fact that God blesses us with time. Time is a but an illusion/perception that wee see our lives through...

An interesting quote I hear this week
Time has a mysterious kindness. It always gives back to us what we have lost, through wisdom and memories.


Scriptures tell us about truth. And that God shines his light in our hearts to help us understand Him and how He is working in our lives...
II Corinthians 4:6-10, 17
6For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness,"[a]made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. 7But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. 8We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; 9persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed....

16Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

babysitting with Jayden

So I've enjoyed my first week at work. I've had tons of reading to keep up with things and have even more to do. Mid week Dr Davids recommended a book that's been very helpful with the physical exams. I have so much to learn.... But I am excited to do it. I have to sit through hospital training and miss out on clinic on Monday and Tuesday. I am still praying for my old bosses to sign off on my reference letters and get them to the board. Their secretary said I should get them on Monday or Tuesday -- please pray that they finish this. I've been bugging them for about a month to get that in...

But tonight I spent some time with Jayden and gave Janelle & Josie a chance to go out to eat to dinner together. Probably one of their last dates before baby girl Wilder arrives in 2 weeks. Jayden and I had a blast together. I can't believe how talkative he is getting. He went to saying up and Mama and Dada to a huge vocabulary. He is growing up so fast. Check him out and they are doing a great job teaching him to clean up after himself...

the journey begins in South Carolina...

They say a pictures worth a thousand words.... So here are a few pics of my temporary housing for the next few months.



A nice convenient apartment for the next few months, while I wait with faith for my house in Hendersonville to sell. Tim & Lindsay and Sammy came to visit and help with the move. I can't believe how big Sammy has gotten. Janelle, Josie and Jayden also came over to help out. I have two bedrooms -- with one being my guest bedroom, office/ storage area. I really am excited to be back in civilization - closer to church, social activities and even the little things -- like grocery stores with a variety of choices and brands. Tomorrow I start my new job and after work I am going to start with my first practice with the worship/dance team at church. What a great way to start my journey in Greenville... and I got a chance to go to Flava invasion 3-- a salsa convention in Atlanta that consists of classes and social dancing this weekend. I shared a room with Tia and had fun chatting and hanging out and getting to know her. I learned a little more about mambo style of salsa dancing while there :) Still not good at it, but I'm intrigued with the styling that can be done with all the turns in mambo vs LA style salsa dancing, which makes me want to learn more... I also had a chance to stop in and visit and have some good bonding time in with Becca while she did my hair. I really have been blessed to have a warm, safe place to stay, a new job, time and resources to go have fun, new friends and old ones.

MOVING...

Moving ... again.... this time to South Carolina.... can't wait to start/finish. So I used a company --2 men and a truck -- great workers, polite, hardworking guys who did a record breaking move for me. They took about 2 hours to load and an hour to drive and another 1.5 hours to unload the truck at the apartment. Those guys can carry a lot of boxes. Considering I have my fair share of medical books in those boxes... I could only carry one file box at a time... these guys were carrying 3 or 4 behind them on their backs... I was impressed.
I have never rented in an apartment complex. I always did duplexes apartments in the past, so this should be interesting...
First thing I noticed... My kitchen cabinets space is limited especially without a pantry.
2nd thing -- there is no microwave -- I need to get mine from the house tomorrow.
3rd thing -- the indoor pool is very warm-- great for relaxing stressed muscles (great benifit to apartment complex)
4th (but should have been first) I have great friends/family who made setting up here a breeze. -- Josie and Tim had the washer and dryer up and running in no time. Beds in place and framed even faster and table assembled despite the fact that two toddlers where attempting to crawl into the table repeatedly during that project. -- Thanks friends and family (especially Janelle & Josie who brought drinks and ordered pizza and all around helped despite fighting illness in their house for a week. And Tim & Lindsay & Sammy who drove 6 hours to help out) I love the additional help of family and friends -- especially when assembling things like a heavy table or things like chosing the layout of kitchen cabinets.
5th -- I am so excited to have such a larger selection in grocery stores... being in a larger city-- that made me smile while getting a few basics last night.
6th --now I don't have to get up so earlier to go to church... of course since sammy's nap time didn't smoothly correlate with first service --we put off going until 2nd service. :)
The list could go on... I am just so blessed to finally be where God wants me and to have all the advantages of a small city. Thank you God!!!

Moving....

So here is my current storage room of boxes ready to be moved next weekend....
Oh the joys of moving.... are there any? Yes -- and the excitement of a new place, closer to friends and loved ones, new friends, closer to church and closer to social settings is what motivates me to pack once again. These last few years have been strange. Moving as often as some change car leases. -- Well let me tell you moving is one way to spring clean a place. It has been very good to purge some final things that I've held onto.

I spent Thursday getting a trailer and filling it and taking it to the dump and returning the trailer. And let me tell you -- for someone who is spatially challenged -- backing up a trailer is a large challenge. And worth more laughter and frustrated "ughs" followed by long arduous sighs and more laughter. And it feels great to get organized and get rid of clutter. (And to conquer the task of moving a trailer) I've also spent time giving things away to family and friends and making a run to goodwill.

And of course, time for salsa, to de-stress and stay motivated. I've been blessed with time to salsa for several nights. And loving learning more - even when I don't get it ... just trying over and over again is fun. Especially with partners willing to forgive or try it again. And being with friends who enjoy something in common is a great thing. And I love meeting new people.

One more week and I will be in Greenville (if things work out with the apartment complex-- pray for that if you would -they left a message wanting more time to replace some carpet. I can't wait :) And God blessed me with getting off an hour early tonight and as exhausted as I was I must admit I skipped out to get home and relax. Well I'm off to bed. I'll post pictures of my room of boxes where I am storing everything for the week. Here are a few pics before packing

Hope you are all feeling as blessed by God's joyful hands in your life protecting and providing for your needs.

House preperations -- Who knew it would be so shocking?

Why is it that all the house fixing up projects make me laugh. I did not think I would turn out to be painting so much at the end. My third bedroom/bonus room now is officially done (except for replacing the outlet covers and removing paint parofinalia). I finished door frame painting in the last two days and now just have the hallway and laundry room to finish painting. But the job just couldn't get finished without some laughter at my own expense.

So what was I laughing at you ask... Well let me set the scene. I worked 12.5 hours to come home at 11pm tired but satisfied and wanting to knock out two house projects. -I just wanted to finish two doorways getting their final layers of paint and install my light/ceiling fan fixture before going to bed. No problem right. Well about midnight I got to the light/fan fixture. Following previous protocol (learned the hard way after shocking myself during a previous installation) I turned off the braker and arranged a flashlight to shine upwards as installation began. I proceeded to drop about 15 screws while attempting to attach the intiial parts to the ceiling. Each time looking down for the screws to only be momentarily blinded by the flashlight shining straigh up towards the celing, while simultaneiously trying to step down off the step stool to find the screws in the dark on the floor.
Finally I attached all the wires and decided to flip the breaker and check if things were properly wired prior to installing the final screws. (I was so proud to have remembered that from a previous attempt.) And thankfully learned I had incorrectly wired the motor and was able to change it with no need for additional screw exchanges. But somewhere in the process the breaker was switched on and off until I achieved proper wiring.

It was now bordering on 1am and I was tiring out and reconsidering this late night install on numerous occasions. But finally success!! Everything worked!!! Tim had trained me well enough and wired in the box properly so that I was able to do it. And with only minor adjustments. The pride and excitement flooded me with enough energy to decide to complete the task. In my excitement I moved the motor to install the base, and a wiring nut came loose. -- What to do -- why just grab that wire and reattach it now right? -- Well thats when it struck me.--literally and physically. The wire was live -- and did I get a jolt of electricity. To add to the misfortune.... I was standing on a metal step stool and didn't really ground until I let go and stumbled off the ladder only to see the motor start to swing wildly above my head as I scrambled to the breaker to flip it off and back to the motor to try and stabilize it back on the hook before it could come down on my head. I began to laugh -- my arm was still feeling the buzz and tingle of that shock, but it could have been worse right? -- I could have had that motor fall and hit me on the head like in the cartoons. One more homeowners lesson -- remember to rethink touching wires and doing electrical installing while physically exhausted. Time to craw into bed by 2am and get some sleep

It's official..... I am blessed!

Okay, the last blog I hinted at something while saying God has opened up a door for me. Its now official so I can explain.... I got a new job!!! In Greenville, SC!!!
Okay so for those who know the details I decided to break it down so you can skim what info you want... I am going to share details to explain how God has provided for every little detail.. I feel like a princess who does what she is suppose to and things are working out so smoothly for me.

Background info. My younger sister lives in Greenville with her husband and son and is due to deliver her daughter in mid March. I have been going to Greenville for a year and a half to go to my church down there and became a member a year ago.

Since December 2006 I felt like God was promising to open up doors to move me to Greenville and to introduce me to special people in my life (including my future husband -- okay so let me say I wouldn't normally say that but I am learning to speak God's promises so that when He answers those promises He gets the praise). I told some close family and friends that I felt he was promising to have me working and living in Greenville by the end of February or beginning of March 2008.... Fast forward....
Decemeber 2008... I spent the summer mailing out resumes and tracking any future jobs that would follow my prayer requests for a healthy lifestyle (weekday hours without holidays and weekends -- very rare to find in medicine) By December my anxiety was climbing... I had been doing everything I could to make contacts for jobs and interviewed for one only to be disappointed with the job situation and salary offer. Nothing I did was working. And I began to struggle to have faith for God to follow through with His promise. I admit I am still weak. But still speaking and praying for it as much as I could. I knew that it would probably take about 2 months to get my South Carolina license and I calculated that I needed a job offer with a physician's signature to even start the process. So I had calculated that I needed a job offer by the end of December. I again sent out about 70 cover letters and resumes. Still no response. December 31st came and I grieved my lack of knowledge about what God was going to do in the upcoming year and questioned if I was hearing God's voice correctly....but God filled me with a peace that night that He had things in hand and made me wander how.

ENTER GOD'S HAND... One of my drives to Greenville one day I heard a message on Faith. And the pastor challenged people to spend time recalling what God has done for you in the past to help you build your faith for future things. Since that was were I was struggling I heard it deep in my spirit. And I remembered that the last time I had searched for a job God did it at the last possible second and gave me direction to apply for the right position and opened the job and offer and sold my house within a week of it being on the market. All things on a much faster time table than normal and I felt a sudden revelation -- God can work things out much faster than the world's typical time expectation. And He has waited to do that with me in the past to put me in a place of sheer desperation and dependence on Him.-- One reason it forces me to grow in my Faith and Second -- He gets the glory. I felt like He was wanting me to remember that. That same week I was doing one of my daily web searches for a job and I saw a position at Shriner Hospital working for a pediatric orthopedic group in Greenville. I emailed the HR person my resume on Friday January 4th. I left him a voice mail requesting some further info on Saturday. Monday the 7th he called me back and let me know he forwarded it to the physicians but that it may be another week until I heard further from them and they would interview for a week or two probably before making a decision. My heart was hopeful, but I started calculating and still could notnlogistically see how this job would fit God's promised time frame. That same afternoon, I recieved a call requesting to arrange an interview. I interviewed on January 9th, for the position and requested if they were interested in hiring me to allow me to observe in clinic one day. They called me on January 10th to try to arrange for me to observe in clinic the following Tuesday. (Just to explain -- I was scheduled to be off work for the interview so I could do it easily without raising any questions, but I was scheduled to work Tuesday, Jan 15th) I prayed about it and called the other PA to request the first half of my day off on Tuesday and prayed he wouldn't ask for details. -- He was willing and didn't ask for details. So I went to clinic on Tuesday. I really enjoyed meeting yet another physician and thought I would enjoy the job. Now I was getting excited. They seemed genuinely interested in me and it was a Mon-Friday job - no weekends, no holidays right in the middle of Greenville. Working with kids with special needs in a setting where all the medical expenses are covered by the Shriners group. I prayed to hear a job offer by Friday even though I knew they were still interviewing others. Thursday night around 5:45 pm on January 17th I got the job offer. I accepted the offer and was blessed that I had the following week off to make arranging all the paperwork needed to get my hospital priveledges and state license in order as well as get my health screen and drug test and meeting with the HR department underway. Still while remaining confidential because I didn't have a start date and didn't want to reveal things to my current job. I was down there daily this week. While down there I started looking into apartments this week still praying for early March for a start date. Thursday, January 24th while in the new office, my new boss announced that they can hire me to start immediately since they want time to have me observe and educate me about all the specialty care that they provide-- prior to getting my license. So I told him I need to give my current job 3-4 weeks notice..... Guess what that means?... I can start the last week in February..... GOD DOES FOLLOW THROUGH ON HIS PROMISES... So thankfully I had checked out several apartments already since I wanted to move in before I start. I put in my application for an apartment today to start to move February 16th. I also arranged to meet with a realtor to help sell my house for next Saturday. I have spent this week trying to furiously pack and paint downstairs to get this house ready to sell it. I still need to finish painting and have tons of packing. But as God has answered all my requests to this point. I have enlarged my faith and am praying for my house to get a contract within a very short time (I am praying and beliving for the impossible in a difficult market -- to get a contract within the first 2-3 weeks of being on the market). I am also praying to finish painting this week (while continuing to work 10-12 hour days) and to get a chance to get organized with the stuff I want to give away. An exhausting task. Tonight I stopped and got tons of free boxes from Barnes and Noble-- thanks to the friendly employee who said I could help myself. I love it when God arranges things for free-- even the little things like boxes. (having moved in the past I've learned to ask and sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't I checked two places and got tons at Barnes and Noble. And I am also praying for assistance with a move. So anyone who wants to come out and help move the weekend of February 16-17th please let me know -- the more the merrier -- and the more the easier.

Okay so I am excited, and blessed and glowing with excitement and anticipation to see how God will take care of each of the future details. But I just had to testify to God's amazing hand of provision and to acknowledge that HE HAD TO DO IT. Because when was the last time you have heard someone get a job offer within 2 weeks of applying and offer to start within 4 weeks of applying. Let me tell you, in the medical world that is unheard of. How crazy and wonderful it is to be a child of God.

LIFE IS GOOD

I prayed for snow while I was still here in my log cabin -- Guess what~! God is good and blessed me with 3-4 inches. It was so pretty I ran out in my scrubs and stocking feet to take a few pictures. After the wet and cold set in I decided to trade my wet socks for a pair of shoes and kept trying to get a few pics. Until the snowy breeze and falling sleet began to cause a chill. I love that feeling.

Its winter and beautiful. The snow and ice capturing details and freezing them in an encapsulated crystal sheath. It brings light and details to even the most ordinary things. Have you ever noticed how beautiful a simple brown branch, barren for the winter, can look encased in an icy layer? Or the pines of an everglade? The sunlight glittering off it. Highlighted in its mundane form to be admired now because of the accents of light. God does such a great job at creating beautiful moments.

And I have more good news. God has opened another door that I've been praying for. Now I need to pray for organizational skills and for all the details to make walking through that door smooth. (more details in the future :))

David Welcome to NC

DAVID -- WELCOME TO NORTH CAROLINA!!!!

Here are a few facts and a picture of the flag for you. I learned a lot checking out this info.
Hope you settle in well Cous -- See ya around





Capital: Raleigh

Motto: Esse quam videri (To be rather than to seem)

State symbols: -- I didn't know they chose so many symbols

flower dogwood (1941)
tree pine (1963)
bird cardinal (1943)
mammal gray squirrel (1969)
insect honeybee (1973)
reptile eastern box turtle (1979)
gemstone emerald (1973)
shell scotch bonnet (1965)
historic boat shad boat (1987)
beverage milk (1987)
rock granite (1979)
dog plott hound (1989)
song “The Old North State” (1927)
colors red and blue (1945)
fruit scuppernong grape (2001)

Nickname: Tar Heel State

Origin of name: In honor of Charles I of England

Selected famous natives and residents
David Brinkley TV newscaster;
Howard Cosell sportscaster;
Ava Gardner actress;
Richard Gatling inventor; (I had to look this one up -he invented agriculture things but is known for inventing the rapid firing gun (gatlin gun)a precursor to machine gun)
Billy Graham evangelist;
Andy Griffith actor;
Jesse Helms politician;
O. Henry writer;
Floyd Patterson boxer;
Richard Petty auto racer;
James K. Polk president;
Randy Travis musician;
John Scott Trotter orchestra leader;
Thomas Wolfe novelist.
Sugar Ray Leonard boxer;
Dolley Madison first lady;

A new year...

As I've started this year I've been yearning and furiously praying, hoping,and believing (especially after a challenging word from friends, family and pastors)for alot from this year. I am believing that my Father will supply my needs, knows the desires of my heart and has led me to have these desires... And I want to say at the beginning of this year... I am thanking God for every need he has supplied already. I am going to speak into words my belief that he will continue to bless me -- meet my needs above and beyond what I deserve. He wasn't surprised by my earnest requests and He has already put into place the things He needs to happen to supply for me. And I just want to thank Him already for his blessings he has done for me, and is doing, and will do for me...

As I was praying tonight and searching scriptures for more words to strengthen my faith I decided to check out a different translation (after reading some verses from it on another friends blog.) May it encourage each of you, as it did me, as you begin this new year, and consider the year ahead of you.

1 Peter 1:17-19 (The Message)

17You call out to God for help and he helps—he's a good Father that way. But don't forget, he's also a responsible Father, and won't let you get by with sloppy living.

18-21Your life is a journey you must travel with a deep consciousness of God. It cost God plenty to get you out of that dead-end, empty-headed life you grew up in. He paid with Christ's sacred blood, you know. He died like an unblemished, sacrificial lamb. And this was no afterthought. Even though it has only lately—at the end of the ages—become public knowledge, God always knew he was going to do this for you. It's because of this sacrificed Messiah, whom God then raised from the dead and glorified, that you trust God, that you know you have a future in God.

Salsa is so much fun....

Have I mentioned that I have become addicted to salsa? So I still am having a blast and can't wait to learn more. If you would like to see some of the fun. Check out the link for some pictures from Bongos last night. Susan brought a cake and candles to celebrate Milton's birthday from earlier this week. And he got the typical salsa birthday dance. (The girls circle around him and take turns to dance with him during a song). We had a great turn out and it was great to see some show up who haven't been there in a while. There were still many others missing -- probably due to holidays. But we did get several new faces as well. Its great to hear new people coming. A few of us are going to Atlanta on Saturday for some workshops and a social dance -- I can't wait -they have awesome dancers there. Here are some pics

Merry Christmas

MERRY CHRISTMAS

I pray that God bless each of you with a new awareness of the love that God has for YOU – EACH AND EVERYONE OF YOU. He desires to be able to speak with each of you so much that He sacrificed a part of himself – his son – to come and live far from him and bear the weight of our sins and failures and insecurities that have kept us separated from him. And now we can celebrate in the joy of being able to communicate directly with Him. And may we all be startled once again with the special knowledge of how precious we each are to Him and how amazing and huge His love is for us….

May the true spirit of Christmas be real to you tonight….

Christmas in the Carolinas

We had Christmas this weekend with my parents and sisters families. Unfortunately my brother and his family didn't make it. :( We still had a great time eating, cooking, opening gifts, taking pictures & playing games together. Mom and Dad drove in as did Kristin & Matt. They got in on Friday and enjoyed hitting a favorite Thai restaurant in downtown Greenville.. unfortunately I missed out having to work. But I got off early at 6:30-- Praise God and made it to Greenville by 7:45.


Saturday we got to open presents -- big ones












funny ones (like the tickle me Elmo from Mom to Jayden)

















small ones












We had great meals. We all jumped into help... from preperation and eating
















to clean up afterwards... even Jayden jumped into the middle of the mix to enjoy in the socializing











And then we got to go to church at Redemption on Sunday morning together. The Wilder's stayed home as Jayden has been fighting a viral Upper Respiratory infection. Ron talked about being in the right environment to live to our fullest potential. And that God will open up the doors and provide us with what we need to be in the environment that He has designed for us. I believe that He will provide for my environment in the near future too-- Thank you God for knowing what we need before we even know it.

Sunday night Matt & Kristin came and visited me at my cabin in the woods. We chatted til late -- like I do every time I am visiting with loved ones. It was fun to show them the house. If you would like to see more pics look no further

I took a picture of me in front of my tree at the house

"Thats the way she always eats!!!!

When is the last time you made a face like this for fun?


This week Tim, Lindsay & Sammy have been visiting. We've had fun making new recipes for meatloaf with carrots, sick as sin if you eat it chocolate cake, quiche -- one tomato and fungus infested (as Lindsay described it) and one broccoli & sausage (chicken sausage -- trying to cook in a healthy way to balance out that chocolate cake), & orange and rosemary chicken, spicy rosemary shrimp, twiced baked potatoes to name a few. Since Trevor has the two oldest kids while Kendra is in Florida for her grandfather's funeral with her mother and youngest child Kyrie, the remaining Foskey's have been stopping by to hang out and have dinner with us each evening. Its been fun.
The other night as I broke out the chocolate cake, Olivia (2 year old) became coated in chocolate within about a minute and Trevor chose to remove her dress to have something clean to wear home. And Asher, her 4 yo old brother, found it confusing that we were laughing at his clear intentions -- easier clean up. And trying to explain it to us... loudly announces "That's the way she always eats". Which just made us adults laugh all the harder. Life through the eyes of a child is always so interesting.



Now you see why she is easier to dress after she has eaten....


The spicy rosemary shrimp was a good dish -but super spicy -- maybe thats because I couldn't find red pepper flakes in the normal spice section but found them in the Mexican/Spanish spice section of the storen -- we had to revert to eating the twice baked potatoes, drinking milk or eating an apple...


Asher did a great job eating 3 servings of his broccoli but didn't care for the spicy shrimp. He did enjoy the ice cream.


Tipsy figured out where to hover under the table for dropped scraps -- the two year old who often dropped little tidbits on the bench or on the floor.

bragging about my nephew.... and praising God

I can't get over my cute little nephew who is growing into a handsome little toddler. So I thought I would catch you up on the activity of this little one. I took a few pictures a week ago. He just doesn't stay still these days.



He is so much fun to take pictures of...


He is walking and starting to do that run and catch me moves.


Say cheese... or just bring out the camera and he knows what to do...


And he loves to be held and loved ...


I spent some time with him this weekend on Friday evening and Saturday afternoon. And he warmed up to me again. He has me wrapped around his little finger. All he has to do is run to me with his arms out to hug me goodbye, purse his lips and fall into my face with his kiss. Then back up and scrunch his hand open and close and say bye bye and blow kisses to me. That melts my heart like nothing else can. And my heart melts now just recalling it. I can't help but be proud of my sis and brother in law in the way they encourage their son to develop in a creative, learning and loving environment.

And feel blessed to have a loving family who care and want to stay connected despite the thousands of miles between us from PA to LA. Problems and all we still are a family. And I am blessed to have a brother and two sisters to turn to to pray with, get sound advice from, laugh with and grow with. And I find that I am amazed with where I am these days. God is still developing me into the loving beautiful well rounded woman that He has created me to be. And daily, I am curious to discover more about who I am and to explore life with God and those in my life. I ask for those to pray this week for a special offer from the interview I had in Greenville. And I thank Him in advance for his blessings and for all He continues to amaze me in how He provides for all my needs. And I praise Him for the perfect job, perfect hours, good income, housing arrangements, networks of good friends, church family and personal relationships.

Thanksgiving in the Carolinas...

This picture is from a random moment stopped to enjoy the beauty of color last week. I just had to show you the glory of God that I got a chance to enjoy.

This was my first taste of sweet potatoe pie, made by Myrana, everyone liked it...

My holiday feast provided and shared with co-workers.

I experienced my first Thanksgiving in the Carolinas.
Last year I did the road marathon to visit friends & family in VA, MD & PA which was wonderful, busy and the first time I've participated in so many Thanksgiving meals in one extended weekend.
This year I took my turn, on duty in the ED. It was steady for the first half of the day but slow in the afternoon.

Our charge nurse got organized and had everyone sign up to bring in different food to have a holiday meal here. He made turkey and sliced it up nicely for everyone. At his request I cooked ham and made a pumpkin pie. (Side note: Let me tell you -- those plastic baking bags that you can cook a turkey in -- they work well for throwing a ham in and baking it. I was able to throw the ham in the oven and go back to sleep for another hour. :) A great thing since I got off late last night and then went to the gym and got home around midnight & had trouble falling asleep last night.)

We had a variety of foods -- turkey, spiral sliced ham, mac&cheese, mashed potatoes, greenbean casserole, fruit tray, bread, italian wedding soup, cranberry sauce, and for desert pumpkin pie, sweet potatoe pie and a bundt cake.

I have never eaten sweet potatoe pie before. I think it tends to be a tradition of the south. Recently I was talking with someone who said that sweet potatoes pies and casseroles were a must have tradition as part of the southern Thanksgiving. I tried a piece and it was fabulous --It was very moist and lots of the same flavors of pumpkin pie. And I had to laugh that it was one of our registration girls, Myrana who made it for us. She moved from Ecuador last year and knows how to make this southern dish already and I don't. She did an excellent job so I asked a few questions.
Now I can say I have experienced a traditional southern/ Carolina Thanksgiving -- sweet potatoe pie and all...
I pray God blessed you all with special moments and good food today & safe traveling for all those on the roads and in the air.

Top Ten list for a better holiday

Its time for the Holidays... I figured why not continue my previous year tradition of sharing my lessons observed in the ED for a better holiday experience.

Top Ten list for a better holiday

#1 Wash your hands often and especially before that special family meal or food prep- you don't know where those friends and family hands have been -- wiping kids noses or scratching skin coated with MRSA (okay I had to throw in that word :) to spread more paranoia - You all must realize by now that we almost all have probably been exposed by this point)-- But seriously -- wash with water and soap but the key is the friction of the rubbing the hands together for 20 seconds or so.

#2 Avoid unnecessary cuts ----Stop opening cans with knifes or fingers -- what is it with trying to use hand held can openers that don't work completely so I will try to pry it open.... (famous last words let me tell you)

#3 Drink more water -- it helps you stay hydrated while traveling -helps give you energy to deal with additional stress and helps your immune system fight new germs and may help avoid hangovers for those who dip into alcohol

#4 Don't leave the turkey thaw on the counter or in the sink and please please please refrigerate left overs-- let me introduce the concept of food poisoning and not leaving the bathroom for the next 24-48 hours... enough said.

#5 Watch out for the pranksters... there's always one funny one in the group -- make sure the chair is there before you sit etc...

#6 Watch for uneven pavement and unexpected steps in homes while visiting family or friends especially when our parents and grandparents may be around and need more help with stability-- they have a way of jumping up and knocking people down

#7 Be careful if children are visiting homes with dogs that they are monitored as old dogs may not tolerate tails being pulled or untrained dogs may not tolerate children near their toys or food. A dog bite is traumatizing to everyone involved.

#8 Remember to plan for time to kick back and have some quality time with friends and family. These are opportunities to build relationships and memories -let go of little things and use your time wisely. Love your friends and family and chose to use this time to "Encourage one another daily"

#9 If you get talked into the traditional family games such as basketball or football -- remember to have fun -- but warm up and stretch to avoid injuries.

#10 Take time to thank God for the good things in life (you can always find bad things but I think everyone can find at least one good thing and its amazing how focusing on the positive can change your attitude and stress level -- Like -- Thank God I have a job (despite the fact I have to work Thanksgiving). Thank God I have friends who take pity on me and bring me food and co workers who creatively plan ahead to share our own holdiay meal.

-- And my prayer is that you all have a great Holiday season and it does not involve visits to the ED.