Sweet Dreams

It's one o'clock in the morning.  I've had a long day and night.  Although I'm terribly exhausted, I felt the need to share a thought---travel. Travel found its way in my day dream.  Tonight I hope to dream about places I've been and places I have yet to see...  Good night and sweet dreams.

Photo courtesy of Anthropologie

Class of Trauma Burn

How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard.

Annie

Our first dinner party of the year...

We celebrated Patrick's 9 1/2 years of friendship with this amazing and loving crew.

Thank you Ryan, Kate, Leo, Ashley, Carrie, Kate, Jenn, Lucia, Christy, and Eron & Rachel (below) for your friendship and wonderful company.  We had a fantastic time with all of you!

We're rest assured this is not goodbye and hopeful that this new year bring us all closer together.

Rejoice!

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:4-7

Big Day

Yes, today was a big day. Change is coming, a good and exciting change. I awoke bright and early to prepare food for Patrick’s work holiday pot-luck. He went about his day with his co-workers just like any other work day. Except today was sadly different because it was his last day with them and the last time I’d prepare food for his great crew. As many of you know, he was accepted at MSU Nurse Anesthesia program and begins grad school this new year (we’re really excited). It was a bittersweet goodbye for him as he chose to keep his last day a secret from his work. Understandably so, he wanted to leave with the memory of a regular work day and no goodbyes. (not to worry, we’ll be seeing his work friends soon) So when he returned home tonight, I knew it hit him hard. It’s not often he ask me to make him a cup of tea and time alone. He sat in our office writing a heartfelt letter to his unit. I read it and it put me to tears.

Today is also the day my highly anticipated project at work goes live, the Medicaid Specialty Access. Operationalizing this contact was an incredible experience for me not only because it exposed me to the business at the State level, but it enabled to partner with such good people and friends across our institution. (In case you're reading this, a special mention of thanks to Laura and John who were key players in this project. I am sincerely appreciative of your teamwork and friendship. It's a rewarding feeling when we can all work together to benefit our great institution, physicians, patients, and our health plan customers.) There were so many behind the scenes work that went into this project. Thank God for teamwork. Here’s a little something fun---a peak at the Storyboard I created for our Quality Month celebration which explains the project. The theme was exploration…  (Honestly, I've made better ones. : )2008 was a good year. It's been wonderful to have been able to share with you my days both ordinary and noteworthy. Although I’m not sure if I’ll continue this site for another year, for now count on me still being here. I'll keep you posted. God Bless this New Year!

Goodbye 2008

Where was I this last day of 2008?  At work.  I had a nice quiet day in the office.  Speaking of the office, here's mine.  Here's where I spend countless hours away from home.  Yup, that's Edward and Bella on my door, Twilight gifts from Louis and Betty (thanks again!).  I realized that I need pictures on my wall, although I have a nice big window view I face a blank wall. I need a mousepad, I've been meaning to make one myself. I need to purge and file a lot of my paper work, I mean a lot!  I need to clean my writing board, too many notes on it.  I need to change my screen saver, that one is a picture of the books from Shakespeare & Company.  I can go on and on.  I should really tend to these needs in 2009.  I should say they're not really "needs", I've lived with and without them for so long and there are definitely more important things to tend to...  

New Year's Eve was spent with just the two of us at The Earle.  We were sorry to miss out on three party invites (thank you Ate Jenn, Wendy, and Randy!) and instead opted to stay in.  We had a great date and returned home in time to ring in the New Year!  Big day tomorrow... I don't think I'm ready to say goodbye to this year and begin a new just yet.

I wish you...

Photo courtesy of Anthropologie

I wish you a delightful and merry new year's eve. I wish you peace and harmony. I wish you love.

A Sweet Thing

I awoke this morning with devout thanksgiving

for my friends, the old and the new.

Ralph Waldo Emerson

madeleines

pignolis

biscottis

chocolates 

Our kitchen produced mounds of cookies this holiday season, and today we delivered the last of them to our friends and neighbors.  We enjoyed making the rounds, stopping by to chat and catch-up with friends before the year comes to a close.  Friendship is a sweet thing.

Behold

Christmas waves a magic wand over this world,

and behold,

everything is softer and more beautiful.

Norman Vincent Peale

View of the mountains in Utah from the car window.

As this day comes to an end, I wish you peace.

Twilight Christmas Morning

We returned home Christmas morning to open our presents.  To my surprise Twilight found its way under our tree... 

Thanks Len & Vince for helping your addicted sis'!

Thanks Belle et Nico for the Twilight version in French!

We lounged, watched A Christmas Story, and lounged some more... It's been a wonderful yuletide season.

That's what Christmas is all about...

"And there were in the same country shepherds, abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.  And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them!  And they were sore afraid... And the angel said unto them, "Fear not! For, behold, I bring you tidings o great joy, which shall be to all my people.  For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ, the Lord."

"And this shall be a sign unto you: Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger."  And suddenly, there was with the angel a multitude of the Heavenly Host praising God, and saying, "Glory to God in the Highest, and on Earth peace, and good will toward men."

"That's what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown. " - Linus Van Pelt

Merry Christmas!

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve with Mom, Dad, Ate Jenn, Kuya Scott, Jack, & Sophie. We had a delicious dinner and lovely evening, thanks to Mom & Dad. It was a joy watching the little ones open their presents under the tree. We brought with us these two treats... Hope your family time was blessed too.

A Beautiful Sight

And there were shepherds out in the field,
keeping watch by night.
And an angel of the Lord appeared to them,
and the glory of the Lord shone around them.

Luke 2:8-9

Have a beautiful and blessed Christmas Eve.