My Little Intern of the Month:

Jonathan is working the night shift at the VA this month. It's been challenging. He jokes that residency is aging him. I didn't understand the stress that doctors are under until this experience. I mean, when you are in the hospital, you see your doctor for a few minutes, and then they are gone. What are they doing with all their time? Now I know. They are doing tons of paperwork, reviewing labs and charts, calling specialists, having meetings with administrators, admitting patients, monitoring other patients, ordering labs and prescriptions, and doing more paperwork. Not to mention the emotional toll of pronouncing people dead and having to tell their family what went wrong. Or having to tell people that they are going to die. Even when Jonathan is home, he is required to study a lot. I know, for a fact, that I couldn't do what he does. I couldn't handle it emotionally or physically. Yet I appreciate how hard is working for our family and how hard he tries to not only be a good doctor but to be a better husband and father.

So I am thrilled that the program recognized all his hard work.

Another First

Sami and Janie have had ice cream lots of times. But I have never given it to them in cones because I didn't want the mess. (I know, I am a party pooper mom. But sometimes I feel like I go from one mess to the other so creating scenarios for messes has never been a priority.)

But Sami's favorite shirt is neon green with a pink ice cream cone on it. She calls it "ice cream shop shirt" (thanks Katie!). It got it's name from a Baby Einstein movie with an ice cream shop in it. And then there is a favorite Dora movie where everyone gets ice cream cones on Boot's "special day". And the plastic ice cream cones in our play food are the most played with.

So it was time. 

And they loved it.

And the mess wasn't bad at all. Of course I had them strapped in their chairs with bibs. But they didn't seem to mind at all.

I Am A Child Of God

Sami loves to sing. When someone calls me, it is not uncommon for Sami to be by my side, asking to sing them a song. I love to hear her little voice, especially when she sings the primary songs. This one is my favorite.

For those not familiar with this song, the words are beautiful: 

I am a child of God

And He has sent me here.

Has given me an earthly home

With parents kind and dear.

Lead me, guide me, walk beside me

Help me find the way.

Teach me all that I must do

to live with Him some day.

More Pictures...

Here are more pictures. Some of these prove I spend way too much time in Photoshop. 

I love pictures!

When I found out that Jonathan had this last Saturday off, I emailed my friend Kristen and asked if she could take our family pictures for our Christmas cards this year. They were so nice to agree because they are expecting their fifth baby next week! Kristen and I were joking about how every stage of the girls' is documented on their camera and it's so true! This is our third photo session in a year. But I can't help it. They are so talented and so fun and so inexpensive. And I think the photos are priceless. Here are a few of my favorites...with more to come soon! Thank you Kristen, Mike, and the kids who tried to get the girls to smile.

We love this picture. We told Sami to give Janie a hug-and she did just that! Except it's more like a head lock...

Thank You

I have been thinking a lot about gratitude lately. Because I am teaching a YW lesson on it next month. And because Thanksgiving is coming up. And because there were two talks in General Conference on the subject; one by Elder Holland and one by our beloved prophet, President Monson. Both were great reminders to me to say "Thank you" and be grateful. 

Of course, I am so grateful for my family. Sami is so fun. Last night Jonathan called to see how we were doing. Sami wanted to talk to him and when she was done, she handed me the cell phone and said, "Mama, it's Daddy. He's so cute." We got a big kick out of that.

And Janie walks around saying "Oh, man!" in her tiny, cute little voice. Both girls like Dora, and I'm pretty sure that Janie doesn't realize that Swiper is the "bad guy" trying to "swipe" stuff, but she loves it when he says "Oh, man!"  

Jonathan is getting pretty beat up by his residency. But he's doing a good job and learning a lot. One of the key things he's learning is he doesn't like the hospital. He's great in high stress situations, like codes, etc., but he doesn't like the stress. So we're thinking clinic life is the life for us. I am so grateful, because I really want him home for weekends and holidays. He's trying to run again, to help with the stress, & the girls love stretching with him.

And I am so grateful that the weather is finally cooling down.  The girls are loving being outside and I love it too. We all go a little stir-crazy when it's too hot to be outside.

One of my favorite quotes on gratitude comes from Elder Nelson who said: "Gratitude on a daily basis means we express appreciation for what we have now without qualification for what we had in the past or desire in the future." I love that. So many times I think, "It will be so nice when..." we get a minivan, our loans are paid for, when we can buy a house, etc. But really, my life is absolutely wonderful right now! I was giving Jonathan a hug the other day, and Sami ran up and threw her arms around our legs. It was such a wonderful moment for me because I remembered just then how many times I had begged Heavenly Father for such a gift: my own child hugging my legs! And now I have it! Times two. I am amazed that Heavenly Father, the God of the universe, takes time to listen to my prayers. He answers even the seemingly silly prayers, that don't really matter in the long run, but matter to me right then. I feel His tender mercies throughout every area of my life. 

And I am grateful for you, my friends. Thank you for being there for me, even when you see my weaknesses and shortcomings, you love me and care about me still. Thank you so much.