Answered Prayers

Ever since Brian has been working nights, Landen and I have always prayed for him to make it home safely from work. He's working full time and going to school full time, and frankly, he doesn't get enough sleep before he goes to work. Well, this morning Landen's and my prayers were answered! I guess Brian fell asleep while driving home (he was only about 15 minutes away), and woke up as he was going off the road. It had been snowing all night and was still coming down, so when he tried to get back on the road he was never able to get back in the lane and ended up rolling the car and totaling it! The car I guess ended right side up and Brian was able to get out and call the police. Amazingly, he didn't have a scratch on him. I even made him go to the ER when he got home, because once the shock wore off, he was feeling some back pain, but even the doctor in the ER said everything was fine! What a miracle! Brian later told me that if it weren't for me constantly reminding him to wear his seat belt and following the promptings of the spirit, this could have been a lot worse! He left work originally without his seat belt on, but put it on later...thank goodness! It's moments like this where you realize a few things: 1) Don't take each other for granted, you never know when it will be your last "I love you" 2) The Lord prepares us for EVERYTHING, even a car accident, and finally 3) that God is a merciful God! Hug your loved ones today!!!

My 30 year old bucket list

First of all, no I'm not dying, but since my birthday in December, I've been thinking of all those things that I thought I would have done by the time I'm 30. I've been outside the country to 6 different countries (not bad-all done since I was 18), finished 3 degrees, married a wonderful man, have (had) a successful job, bought a house, got a hyper dog and have a beautiful little boy...living the American dream! Can't complain (which I'm not by the way)! I've been thinking about those things I dreamed of as a child, which many I've accomplished (YAY!) and I've decided that my dreams might have changed a bit, or at least been refocused. So, in this last year before I turn 30, these are some things I want to do:

1. Get pregnant (and no, that's not an announcement, it just takes us awhile to get pregnant)
2. Lose as much weight as possible before #1 happens (already lost 15 pounds woot woot)
3. Actually go on a family vacation instead of an extended weekend for the first time in 4 years!!!
4. Make Brian go horse back riding (can't believe he's never done this--or so he says!)
5. Actually go hang out with family for at least 1 holiday this year!
6. Find an exercise that I love so that I can stick with it (Zumba so far is my fav!)
7. Make time to have a romantic overnight with hubby!
8. Go to Macy's parade at Thanksgiving!
9. Get tan again! (I know, pretty vain)
10. Sing again...it's been awhile!

Every once in awhile, as a nurse, I've had the opportunity to have my life so touched and blessed by one of my patients. Tuesday, one of those patients passed away and she has touched the lives of many who I work with. She was 16 years old and had been battling ovarian cancer. It had been in remission until about 1 month ago. She had stopped treatments one month previous to that and was clear, but one month later when she went in for a body scan it had spread to her liver. At this point she only weighed about 70 pounds and understandably couldn't put up with another round of chemo to fight it off. Luckily she was able to get a minor surgical procedure and take a minor dose of chemo to prolong her life through the holidays. Her wish before dying was to be able to go shopping for her younger siblings (she was the oldest) and give them a good Christmas since so much of the past couple of years had been focused on her. Many of us and others in the community were able to pull together some funds, and Toys R Us open early just for her to come and shop. We were told she was so happy to have that opportunity. She was supposed to be going to New York City later this month with the "Make A Wish" foundation to go on another shopping spree, but unfortunately she didn't make it. She was always so quick to smile and joke, even though she was always feeling horrible because of the chemo we were giving her. I will never forget her and hope that I will live my life a little better because of her example. My thoughts and prayers are with her family.