New Year Reflections

I don't like to make New Year's resolutions. I feel like that is a big set up to fail. But I do appreciate the chance for a fresh start and a time to reflect on the past and future.

This last year I took the opportunity to use my time off call by traveling and visiting friends. We went to Utah to be with Mario's family. I always love my time with them. While there I met up with my friend, Stefani. It was great to spend a day swimming with her and her kids. On the way home from Utah we spent a weekend in Joseph, OR surrounded by many friends we consider family. What an amazing weekend that was! So great that Me, Emilia, Calli and Cleo went back for a girls weekend at the end of the summer. There was also a couple of beach trips, a mountain weekend, a spa weekend and Great Wolf Lodge. It is so important to take the time to get away when most of your time is spent on call. Being on call is something that no one can truly understand or appreciate unless they've been there.

This next year I really hope to find the time and money to take a "real" vacation.....and by real I mean no kids, sandy beaches and sun for at least one week. I don't think this will be the year for my New York trip, but that will happen!

I also made it to Nashville twice in 2010 to visit family. One visit was a Midwifery conference that I combined with a trip to my sister's. Her husband is battling cancer and I was so grateful to have that time with her and her family. As my wonderful brother in law and my own father continue to battle this disease of cancer I am filled with an awareness of the healing power of God and the precious moments we have on earth. I am trying my best to let go of petty grievances and focus on the good of people and the joy that fills my life. It is not always an easy task, but one that I am putting on the top of my list for 2011.

We also enjoyed many visits to our home from far away family. We loved having them and welcome them with open arms whenever they want to come back!

In 2010 I did something that I thought I would never do. I signed up for a boot camp and stuck with it for 12 weeks. It kicked my butt (even though I only lost a few pounds). At times I was frustrated that I didn't loose weight, but mostly I felt so good I just kept going back. My teacher has continued a workout class throughout the winter that I have been going to 2-3 times a week. 

For 2011 I hope to continue with my commitment to a healthier lifestyle. To exercise, eat local and healthy food and enjoy life. I want to get back to my meditation practice. I want to consistently get to bed earlier. I want to craft more, journal more, blog more. I want to learn something new.

Do you make New Year's resolutions? Why or why not?

Happy New Year

 

I just love this picture of my girls!

After years of fighting I am so grateful and appreciative of the relationship that these two have found. They are good friends and take good care of each other. They laugh a lot and I love spending time with them. They took this while they were in the backseat of the car on the way home from our New Year's Eve dinner. They were taking self portraits and I really don't know why they ended up laughing so hard, but they got a good shot of it.

My Birthday Blessings

The day before my birthday I went out with a friend to a gluten free bakery. I picked out three items. Hey, it was my birthday and I wanted to indulge. I meant to save one of my treats for the next day. Instead I tasted each item. My favorite was the pumpkin doughnut, so of course I ate the whole thing. The whoopie pie was intensely rich, so I shared it with my friend. That left the cookie, which wasn't bad, but wasn't great, either. Then I had a bite of my friends cupcake. Wow! That was good. So I ordered one to save for my birthday.

I didn't expect my sweet daughter to think of making me a gluten free birthday treat. But that's what she did. While I was out with Mario for my birthday breakfast she made me gluten free brownies and cupcakes. It was incredibly thoughtful! And delicious! I think she felt bad because at my birthday dinner with my mom the week before I could only eat two items that my mom made.

The girls each got me a gift that I had wanted. The movie "Babies" from Savannah. And from Emilia a set of tea cups that she knew I liked at "World Market". They are both so thoughtful and it warms my heart to see how much joy they receive from giving.

Merry Christmas

Pre-Christmas Chaos

I'm not there yet, 
but I'm heading that way!

Grown-Up Christmas List

 

My Grown-up Christmas List

Cancer to stop growing in the people I love

Relationships to be healed

My children to be healthy and find happiness

  There would be enough money to heal the sick

and feed the poor

And I do want my husband to build me a proper chicken coop.

I'm tired of chasing dogs and chickens all day!

What is on your grown-up 

Christmas list?

I love Amy Grant, but I especially like her Christmas music. Here is one of my favorite Christmas songs:
 

Baby Love

This is our little Joseph, who we all fight over at church. We snatch him from his family each Sunday and pour our love on him. Today it was just Emilia and I, she had another baby in her arms and I had Joseph. It was heaven. Joseph is a toddler now, so he got bored and ran off.

 

A little later Mario arrived and once Joseph saw him he came running down the aisle towards him! It was the cutest thing. Mario has a little game that he plays with him each week. He takes the end of his tie and rubs it gently on Joseph's face until he become relaxed and sleepy. Today as Joseph jumped in Mario's lap he grabbed Mario's tie under his vest and began rubbing it. He knew the game and was ready to play. We laughed so hard!

Civil War

We are a house divided.

Two sons attend(ed) Oregon State.

Two sons and a daughter who root for U of O.

A mom who spent some time at U of O.

A dad who is BYU all the way (see-he has his shirt on).

Civil war day isn't that big of a deal to me and Mario, but there is a little party going on here today. I'm catching up on my blog instead of catching up on my sleep. Look for some more posts soon!

Christmas Tree Hunting

In spite of being tired from not sleeping last night, we had a fun time searching for a Christmas tree. It is a beautiful sunny and cold day here in Portland. The perfect day to drive out to the country. We were looking for the place we went to last year, but instead found the country house of my dreams! We happened upon another tree farm with nothing but nobles. $15 for any tree and they cut it, shake it, wrap it and bring it to your car. Awesome!

Emilia started our pretty grouchy this morning, but Mario was able to work his magic (and was willing to stop for donuts and Starbucks) and things turned around quickly. By the time we found our tree we were all laughing and having a fun time.

 I am getting so good at self portraits...I got this shot on the first try!

 Look at that blue sky!

 Me with the popeye face! 

 Trying to get one without the popeye face.

 Being weird on purpose this time!

Sleep Study

I had my sleep study last night. I had an appointment for 6 weeks from now, but I asked to be put on a wait list to get in earlier because I am off call right now. I didn't expect to get a call just a few hours after I made the appointment! I had to say no to that one, but then got called two days later. With not much time to prepare I didn't get the sleeping pill that was recommended. I did have a killer headache and postponed taking my medication for that until bedtime because it usually makes me very sleepy.

Well, I was incredibly tired, but DID NOT sleep. The sleep study is useless if you don't sleep. I am frustrated that I didn't take the time to get the sleeping pill, and for feeling like I probably wasted my entire sleepless night and won't get an accurate account of my sleeping issues.

I wish I didn't have this sleep anxiety that makes it difficult to sleep in unusual situations. I spent the night telling myself to GO TO SLEEP which made it even more difficult to get the task done. OK, and look at that picture of me. It was very uncomfortable to have wires attached to my entire body (even my legs had attachments), belts across my chest and stomach, and the worst of all.....things in my nose! I already have issues with my nose itching all the time. I thought those were going to drive me insane!

So today I feel the same as I do when I've been up all night at a birth! But with a lot more frustration. And wondering if I will have to repeat this test or just not get the results I was hoping to.

I will say one thing for sure, if I need to repeat the sleep study I will be taking major drugs.