Little Drummer Boy

I don't mind Christmas and I usually don't mind Christmas music but then there are songs like Christmas Shoes and Little Drummer Boy and I can't handle them. But before you judge me, please hear me out. I've been praying for several months now that the L-rd would be my number one thing. More than friends, more than family, more than my hopes and dreams and goals. First, He showed me that He wasn't my number one. Ouch. Then my heart really began to long for the change it was a very different journey than anything in the past. A journey to surrender all and choose Him over EVERYTHING.

A couple of nights ago I was Facebook researching on a girl who I'm supposed to be giving gifts to at work and she had a link on her page to a song she claimed gave her chills. I occasionally look at my friends links on Facebook and this one kind of sounded interesting. I clicked the link but didn't know what song it was until I opened it...Little Drummer Boy! Ahhh! I can't stand that song. I almost closed it right away. But something in me just wanted to know why this song was so special. So, I decided to listen. It's an acapella group with a pretty amazing beatboxer keeping time. They sounded pretty good so I keep watching. Then it happened...about the middle of the song they flash to the only girl in the group of 5 and as she smiles from ear to ear she sings "then He smiled at me!" I felt the Holy Spirit like a thud. I gasped. The tears flowed.

He smiled at me!

Something about the joy on the woman's face, something about the thought that the King of Glory .... and in child form at that being pleased and smiling at me. At something I could give Him.

I played my drum for Him. I played MY BEST for Him.

Something about giving Him your all, even when there is nothing significant to give. Something about how He loves unconditionally and how my all is enough for Him. I was challenged again to love Him the most...He's so worthy, He deserves everything!

Pentatonix Little Drummer Boy

Just processing

I just got home from a very short, 1 day trip to Chicago.  I currently head up a team at my hospital focusing on decreasing urinary tract infections that come from kiddos having a catheter in. So some product reps wanted mine, along with some other nurses opinions on a few things. We talked about all kinds of products all items that would make the patient outcomes better.

It sounded like a fun trip to go on. It was in Chicago, that's fun.  I'm opinionated, I was excited to give my opinion and if they could make me a product I liked, I was going to be excited about that. I had no idea what was in store.  All we did was talk, really. But we told them what we wanted and they were listening, they want to create the products we want.

So why was this so fun? I think a light bulb went off for me. I love people. More than that I love kids. I hate when people/kiddos have to experience fear or pain. Being in the ICU causes my patients and their families to feel both of those things. When I saw that it is possible to do things like make a patient gown that is comfortable and cozy, it made me want to cry. I want those kids to have things that help make them comfortable when they and their parents are going through the hardest time in their lives. We worked toward making products that would allow the nurses to provide the care those kids need and then have better outcomes.

I think it's ridiculous how excited I feel right now.  But, I love my job. I love that I love my kids and that I do everything I can to take good care of them. From oral care, to preventing pressure ulcers and infections to making them not feel scared. I love what I do and I'm so thankful that I get to do it.

The end

I am sorry to say that POTD 2013 has ended.  Around week 23 things were not going so well for me and I didn't want to take pictures. I thought I could just pick back up, after things settled down, but it didn't work.  I also know that the 3 of you that read this blog know what is going on in my life.  Now my camera is broken.  Maybe there will be a POTD 2014 and if I get my camera fixed I may try and finish out this year, but I am currently putting it on hold.  If you enjoyed my pictures thank you and maybe someday they will return.

Week 22

 5-28-13

My first day at the gym in almost 2 months. I made it! This picture is awful, but Don had to run off to another client.

 5-29-13

There's a lifeless tree in my yard. Times like these are when I don't want to be a home owner. Good thing I have good friends that are going to take care of it for me.

 5-30-13

I'm working my way toward healthier, and gluten free. Veggie chips as an after work snack. Yum!

 5-31-13

I got to spend my birthday with these lovelies! They are some of my favorites.

 6-1-13

Old roomies, bbq, good times

 6-2-13

Driving to AE after a 12 hour day at CMH. Grr. Inventory.

6-3-13

The flowers are still around even after the birthday is gone. Happy girl!

Bonus photos

Just because it was beautiful. I love it when He does that. I LOVE OUTSIDE!

 I also got to spend time with this lovely sister on my birthday. She's pretty special. She loves me well.

 So, I know you're laughing pretty hard right now. So was I. It's just that good!

 Family photos with the Walters

 Just because...well HA!

Loveable little peanut

Week 21

 5-21-13

I went to this little spot to think about Wyatt and talk to the L-rd a bit. I miss him.

 5-22-13

Jack's surprise graduation party. I'm so proud of him.

 5-23-13

These boys

 5-24-13

From my yard. Bringing me joy and making my house smell amazing!

5-25-13

Wedding season is here...let the fun begin

 5-26-13

Celebration at the Station. Good friends. Good times.

 5-27-13

I love my job. But I also love the nuts I work with. 

Bonus photos

 Happy Memorial Day. 

 Oops....too close

 Too blury

 Too goofy

Just right...just like old times

Week 20

 5-14-13

This is Scott, he was kind of amazing. He's a PT that now works with the volunteers. He has a big passion for amputees and helping them find a healthy identity. 

 5-15-13

Carlos! I love, love, love him. He's probably the culprit of my illness. Even if he was, I'd do it all again. He was worth it!

 5-16-13

Sammy! He was one of our translators from my last trip. He came to see me at the hospital. Super fun!

 5-17-13

LJ. Another translator from last time. He picked me up and took me around Haiti a bit...on his motorcycle. Not going to lie...I was a little afraid for my life. But he was super careful.

 5-18-13

Our week finally came to an end. This is the super great team I got to do it all with.

 5-19-13

Jerry brought me a whole bag of mangos on Friday and I snuck one of them into the US. I fully planned on eating it before we got back but it was tucked away in my bag. 

5-20-13

First day back and I had to go to work to get a health screening...to get better benefits when I enroll in my insurance plan. Welcome home!

Bonus photos

 These sweet girls were playing outside our room one day. I love the look of adoration in the little ones face.

This is the girl with Scott above...she was so loving!

Jerry, he was my personal translator from my last trip. He's the one that brought me the bundle of mangos...unreal...and oh so yummy!

Week 19

 5-7-13

Happy Nurses week.

 5-8-13

My roommate's floral cheer. 

 5-9-13

I have a new dress and might need a new necklace to go with it. 

 5-10-13

Sick and traveling. Not so fun. My airplane seatmate was totally looking out for me.

 5-11-13

End of what has been the longest day of my life. Waiting for our ride outside the UN.  

 5-12-13

Felt like we'd been there for eternity already. It was only day 2. On the way to dinner. Crammed in the back of the van.

5-13-13

One of the cutest girls in the unit. Waiting on a VP shunt. Showing smiles to everyone that passed by.

Bonus photos

Yep that's a lot of hours! I freaked out a little!

This would be a vodka and Coke. That is the vodka. I have to say after how the start of our week was going..this was looking pretty good!

Week 18

I've had a lot on my plate lately...lots of photos to come...here's week 18

 4-30-13

Out to dinner with some work friends. It was a lovely night.

 5-1-13

An array of may baskets...and my final vaccines for my trip!

 5-2-13

What do ICU nurses and docs do for fun....guess a patients hemoglobin before it comes back from the lab!

 5-3-13

I'm getting a huge hunger to learn more. I'm utilizing all my resources!

 5-4-13

I'm sure these were a lot prettier before the SNOW, but I stopped outside of Maasen's to capture them.

 5-5-13

Happy 30th birthday to Shane!

5-6-13
Having a blast hanging out with Maas and Yoh!

Bonus photos

I was sitting on my porch swing and noticed how lovely these little blossoms were. Ah smile!

Kari, the one making the silly face was my preceptor when I first started at Mercy. She remains a huge teacher for me and I am so thankful for her!