B.L.T.S. & Portland Zoo Lights!

No, BLTS doesn't stand for a BLT sandwich, though that sounds tasty.

B= Boots

L= Leggings

T= Top

S= Sweater

+ Add a Scarf and you're set!

I'm no fashionista, but this combo is my all time favorite mixture... not necessarily for how it looks, but for how comfortable it is. I must have had it right as a 2nd & 3rd grader in my leggings every day. Except, they were red, green, pink, etc. (I remember they made sitting on the playground bars very cold). . So cozy. If I could wear this every day, I would. Add a few dresses & scarves in there and you're good! So glad it's cold again to wear warm, cozy things. 

Also, I love that my hubby has a little break from school. So nice to be able to have spontaneous dates and to even have him run little errands with me. I guess in the real world, "Christmas Breaks" and "Summer Breaks" end... Not looking forward to that.

 ***
Here's some photos from Portland's Zoo Lights we went to last night. Andrew and I went with Brianne, Nick, & his wife, Michelle (all my brother & sister in laws). Great bonus to getting married: your siblings double or even triple!

We met a tiger friend!

 My camera was having major struggles trying to get these four in the dark... Here's the best I could get. Sorry team!

 Fake Christmas-lit animals & some real animals. The lights are fun, but I prefer the real creatures...

We rode the train through the zoo! Don't be fooled by the smiles, it was a VERY chilly night and my feet were numb the whole time. All in all, it was lots of fun and we came home & baked (will share those treats soon), made Fajitas and watched Planet earth (to continue our zoo adventure) with Ms. Brianne! A true treat!

I Can't Stop Smiling... Look at this face!

Ok, how much cuter could this sweet face be? Yes, this is my hubby. We stayed in my husband's childhood room this weekend while visiting family in Salem and I just couldn't get enough of these pics! Especially that top left pic... I seriously don't think he could be any more adorable & I literally can't stop smiling when I look at his sweet little face. I think I have now thoroughly embarrassed Andrew.

 Farewell from little Andrew & little Jenna!

Looking forward to 2 days of baking and Portland Zoo Lights tonight!

JOY To The World

 

And the angel said to them, "Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.

Luke 2:10-11

 I was reminded of the real meaning and reason for Christmas this weekend while both at church and viewing a Christmas choir production (that my mom sang in- isn't she beautiful?). The trees, the lights, the gifts are all so much fun, but all is meaningless unless seriously and whole-hardheartedly considering Christs' birth and the gift of eternal life he offers each of us.

God grant you the light in Christmas, which is faith;
the warmth of Christmas, which is love;
the radiance of Christmas, which is purity;
the righteousness of Christmas, which is justice;
the belief in Christmas, which is truth;
the all of Christmas, which is Christ.
--Wilda English

 What is your favorite Christmas hymn?

Help the People

I'm headed to sleep after a busy night shift that was actually quite enjoyable. So, I leave you with this song (cover) by Birdy called, 'Help the People'  that I just discovered via Fellow Fellow. This gal has a fabulous voice. And, I LOVE the natural, black & white video.

Besides that & relating to this song, it feels so wonderful to truly help people... I love leaving work and feeling like I was able to do my job and do it somewhat well (even though I still leave every day obsessing over trying to figure out what I missed or forgot to do). I love being able to connect with my patients and help them in such tangible ways. It brings me joy to have the same patients a few nights in a row celebrating their progress along the way. I cherish the moments of taking part in bringing new life into the world. Seriously... how much better can it get? And, when things don't go well, I consider it a privilege to care for others with broken hearts as they welcome me into some of their darkest moments. I treasure the opportunities to simply rock and hold a sweet baby to sleep, teaching their parents how to do the same. I re-learn every day of the power of just listening...

Nursing is such a rewarding line of work and I'm thankful that God made this passion clear to me at such a young age and allowed me to follow this path.

Yes, I have bad days... But with time, I feel like the good days are far outnumbering the bad days. 

Help someone today in some way or another. It's a win-win!

That's a Wrap!

 

 I had a wrapping party with myself and the company of fabulous Christmas movies the other night. I may or may not have even wrapped some fun snacks from the grocery store to open on Christmas. Hey, they'd otherwise be gone by Christmas and it will be fun this way because I already forgot what all is wrapped up.  Fun times! By the way an inexpensive wrapping option with endless possibilities is to purchase postal packaging paper by the roll. I bought a HUGE roll for around $5-$6 from Fred Meyers and believe me, it will last forever! I like the simple, rustic look of the brown-paper-bag-like wrap. 

Will anyone else admit to buying themselves something and wrapping it up, or am I the only one? 

I remember years ago when my sister bought herself a pair of shoes, wrapped them up, and opened them on Christmas morning acting completely & genuinely surprised. I think she'd forgotten all about them! It made for quite a laugh that morning. How can you Christmas shop without getting yourself things too? I just don't have enough self control for that quite yet...

PS: Family all over the country, sorry if your gifts are late! I need to send them ASAP. 

Season of Love

 

<Chris Hunt Photo> 

 

 This is the season of being engaged; the season of love! Last year at this time we were getting engagement photos taken in Seattle.  Ever since we got married, I've had a slight aversion to all things wedding. Planning a wedding was fun and enjoyable, but slightly stressful when so much else was going on at the same time. It was such an exciting time of growth and planning, however, I'm so thankful it's over. 

 I often wonder if we'd do it (wedding) all differently now. I look at pinterest and find so many things I wish we'd done or done differently. But when I actually step back and think about it, I realize that it's not about the colors, flowers, dress, food &, music. It's about being joined together as one. About being united as one flesh in God's name. 

."..A man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh...So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate." 

Matthew 19:4-6

The pretties are just an added bonus. Having friends and family take part is such a blessing and offers a wonderful time to build memories. But in the midst of planning and decorating and creating that special event, it's easy to forget about the whole purpose of a wedding and only focus on the details. It's easy to get caught up in focusing on all the guests coming and making sure they have a good time or that it is "worth it" for them to spend their time and money to be there.  I encourage anyone in this phase of their life to step back and stay focused on the purpose, not the pretties. Not that the decoration, food, flowers, etc. aren't important and so much fun.... Just remember that the whole reason you are there is to profess and promise your undivided love and life to the man or woman standing next to you on that special day. All will fall in it's place and in the end and you'll leave this event with waving and well wishes, and most importantly, with the man or woman that you will fall deeper in love with each and every day. What a blessing marriage is. God is good.  

DIY: You is Kind, You is Smart, You is Important

 

 

Have you seen and/or read The Help? If not, you should (& bring tissues). It's such a touching film. This is a quote from the movie that is repeated throughout. So sweet & such a great reminder.

My Mom recently saw the film and wanted to create a sign/artwork for her house. So, that's what we did!

Very simple, child-like (which is fitting). Just paint on a canvas and sharpie! Mom added some burlap to hers.

 -Aibileen Clark

The Help

Which Came First? Kidney or Kidney Bean?

Left:  Andrew after his first preceptorship with an anesthesiologist. Look at that handsome dude! 

Right:  Me at 7:30 am after my 2nd solo night shift last week. I'm looking pretty tired... ready to go home & sleep!

Sorry for the terrible photo quality. Courtesy of our phones. 

*This is a lengthier post, consider this your warning... *

Andrew gets to observe surgeries and take part in pre & post-op procedures. So far, so good! He learned how to intubate (stick a breathing tube down someone's throat) someone last shift. He's hoping to get practice at this skill throughout this rotation.

I'm gearing up for a stretch of 4 nights on in a row. Whew! Hoping for a good few nights and great sleep in between!

In my days "off"  I'm learning what it means to just be still and know that that's ok.  It's alright to not have every minute of every day scheduled out. It's fine to have 3 entire days with no plans (that happened to me this week for the first time probably since Kindergarten- whoa). "Be still and know that I am God." Ps. 46:10. I am so finite and God is so infinite. He has blessed me with this time of change, rest, re-grouping, enjoyment of being a young married woman. He has provided for Andrew and I in unthinkable ways. I need to be more positive, cherish this time I have "off" and just be still.

***

Some favorite activities in my time off:

• Reading my bible while taking a hot bubble bath first thing in the morning...then working out... then showering. Our water bill may be a little high this month, but as of right now, it's worth it!

• Making my hubby yummy meals & treats. It makes me happy to see him & his tummy happy. 

• Sleeping. Can I justify still "catching up on sleep" from the last 4 years of my life? Ok, working nights also throws a large curve-ball in the sleeping department.

• Cooking, baking, crafting.... the usual stuff you often see on this blog

• I've discovered a love for war movies... brings me back to the first real book I ever read & loved as a child,  Johnny Tremain.  Why am I just now rediscovering my love for historical fiction? Oh yeah, because the last 4+ years of my life have been completely focused on nursing. Brainwashed? 

• Reading something other than a textbook. I literally can't remember the last fun book I actually read. Okay, I do... it was Marley and Me 3.5 years ago. I know... ridiculous.

• Friend & Mom dates! So thankful to live somewhat close by to friends and family.

***

On a lighter note, you may be wondering why this post is titled something about kidneys. Here's the answer if you made it this far: our dinner convo the other night consisted of trying to decide which came first, the kidney bean or the kidney (as in which was named after which). We decided that the kidney came first... I figure that's something a doc should know, don't you think? Never found a definite answer though so if you know, please share! 

DIY: Re-Done Trash Chairs= My Treasure

 

After

Our refurbished chairs! 

              

Before

 As I posted in the beginning of November, the hubs and I found these chairs in the dump at our apartment one evening. Such a find! They were a bit beat up and smelt like smoke.  Eww. The seats were quite gross indeed. But, all they needed was some TLC and they are now good as new! 

Sanded, painted, upholstered, Tada! 

Found an R on each corner... I can only assume it means 'Right'.... but I say it's for our last name :)  These chairs were meant to be ours!

 Andrew and I worked together on Black Friday to complete our chairs. It was so nice to be able to work on a project together.

I was hoping to use a more funky fabric for the seats, but it being black friday and all, the waits at the fabric stores I went to were at least 2+ hours. Not worth it.... I can always easily recover them!

 

What do you think?  

PS-  It's my Dad's birthday!!!

Happy Birthday Dad! Love you! Wish I could meet you for a Hacienda date today. Rain check?